Redsand Canyon My hands have become forks to eat my pride with

Despite himself, Atreus couldn’t stop thinking about @Amalia and @Void. They were the first wolves to show him—in no uncertain terms—that they really cared. The least he could do was give them a decision, even if neither one of them would like it.

He found his way to the canyon’s edge and just hoped they were within earshot as he howled, “Amalia, Void, if you’re out there, I’m staying here in Mereo.”

A big part of Atreus didn’t want either of them to actually show up and make him answer for his choice. A smaller part did hope one or the other might come see him, sometime if not today. Maybe Amalia could find his brother and let him know where to find him.

He was still on leave for another day, though Atreus took this opportunity to begin sniffing along the borders.

Void heard Atreus's call. He hadn't chosen to stay with either of them. He'd chosen to join another pack. While disappointed, Void accepted that decision. He still blamed Amalia for intervening right when he was getting Atreus's trust though. He'd have to do something about that. If she hadn't gotten in his way, Atreus may have been his apprentice at this point and not in the pack Mereo.

Despite his love for the boy, Void wouldn't join the pack. He couldn't. So instead he called out back to Atreus. "My den is always open, and so is my future pack to you, Bear. I will always be here for you if you need me."

There was a massive game of telephone going on right by where Tierra was about to take a nap. It wasn't like she was trying to listen in. Whoever was calling was just broadcasting their business for anyone in a radius to hear.

When she got close enough to see it was someone new, Tierra's expression was a huge grin. What, your boyfriend couldn't join with you? That's weird. The Imperator isn't that uptight, especially when it isn't like there's, like, kids involved.

This guy was younger than her, but he had someone out there offering his den anytime?! The world really wasn't fair. She could be picky, sure, but if he was hot who cared? She might just have to track him down sometime and find out.

Amalia lifted her nose to answer the youths song with her own. Promising to return to visit. Wishing him well. She was extremely proud of him for finding his own psth and she hoped it rang through her song.

She ignored the dark wolf Void. He had been cruel this time. Their first meeting he was kind, this time he was simply a beast.

just a cameo

He drew in a breath when Void answered, his muscles tensing. But he relaxed once the message was delivered. He didn’t sound mad. In fact, he sounded rather parental. The same went for Amalia’s response when she howled a few minutes later. If only those two had gotten along, Atreus might have found himself a great set of adoptive parents.

Alas, he was here in Mereo now. Atreus didn’t raise his voice again and, in fact, shoved all thoughts about those two to the side as he tried to concentrate on his unfamiliar surroundings. He wanted to get acquainted with these borders, then have a proper look around the canyon, get his bearings and all that.

A grinning young she-wolf suddenly appeared, drawing his attention. Her words earned a squint, not because they offended him but because Atreus didn’t quite follow. He assumed it was commentary on the howls just exchanged, though he couldn’t make sense of it.

They have their own packs, he said slowly. But much more importantly, Who are you? I’m Bear. Or Icarus, Atreus said, pivoting a little to face her properly. Take your pick…arus.

Oh, wow, he didn't even get defensive!! Tierra studied him for a moment, unsure how to feel about that. Either he didn't get the joke or he was too chill to faze, something that was a little annoying since Tierra pride herself on reading insecurities. She'd swung and missed.

Whatever! She made a decision and let it go an instant later. He totally wasn't worth it. She outranked him, yeah!? So she could totes be cool about it.

I'm Tierra. I'm basically the go-to for training newbies now. Germanicus had assigned her one but she was rolling with it. Since Germanicus is, like, super busy, he trusts me to teach everyone the ropes here. I'm really good at it, so if you need any pointers, I can totally help.

She introduced herself as Tierra, one of the wolves responsible for training newcomers. Germanicus hadn’t mentioned her, though Atreus figured there were many wolves living here aside from the leader and the physician, who he had yet to go see.

Okay, cool, he replied before wondering, Would you be able to help me find, uh, Lady Aquene? Germanicus wants me to go see her, although he hadn’t said why. Atreus shrugged to himself.

He accepted her expertise super fast, which mollified her some. She preened internally a bit that she could say something like that and have it be totally true, but then he asked for something kind of dumb. Okay, not dumb, but... like, why?

Yeah, I guess. That's weird though. She's got, like, nothing to do with normal stuff here. Tierra shrugged. Aquene was only someone she'd go see if she felt sick or something, so what did he need there? She's busy most of the time doing plant stuff, I don't really get it, but yeah. I guess I can show you where she might be? And you can wait or whatever. I got way better things to do than hang out there.

She flipped her tail, then hopped forward with a sudden enthusiasm. C'mon! He'd have to keep up with her.

Germanicus told me to go see her, Atreus repeated, shrugging. It’s fine if you don’t want to hang around. Just show me where to go and I’ll—

Tierra sprang away with surprising rambunctiousness, shouting for him to come along. Atreus blinked at her, then loped after her. She was sort of an enigma. He kind of liked her energy, though. Perhaps, for the first time in his life, he could make a friend near his own age.

What’s your favorite part about Mereo? Atreus wondered as they strode along.

Ha!! Gottem!!

Tierra laughed as he had to catch up, but did slow down after a moment. She didn't want to, like, leave him behind completely. Plus he was talking and dishing about herself was pretty much her favorite pastime.

Definitely not the wake up schedule. I've got so many napping spots, you have no idea! And most everyone's either super uptight or weird about stuff, but in an okay way, I guess. Probably the training and the diplomacy missions. I super rock at diplomat stuff. Tierra cocked her head at him. Are you going for healing? Just so you know, that makes you a Plebeian. Which means basically anyone can boss you around. If he was, she would totally be having some fun with that. Not in a mean way, but omg, no way was she going to be able to resist taking advantage of it at least a little bit.

What? he asked, though Tierra plunged on before he could get a word in edgewise. He waited her out before adding, No, I don’t know anything about healing, and Atreus didn’t understand where the question had come from, not making the connection with their intended destination.

I don’t know what I’ll be doing yet, he said after a brief pause to contemplate as they walked. Anyway, what’s a diplomat? he asked before guessing, Someone who talks a lot?

He didn’t have to know anything to learn. That was kind of the whole point?

His question distracted her though. No. There’s, like, wayyy more to it than that. Duh. She took a second to look at him, trying to figure out if he was making fun of her or not. It didn’t sound like it, so she’d let it go, but she totally wasn’t going to let him diss on her. It’s taking messages to other packs and talking to them and stuff. You gotta be persuasive, and they have to like you and all. Aka why she was awesome at it.

Were a diplomat and a scout synonymous, he wondered? Her description sounded a lot like what Amalia had mentioned in regards to scouting. Atreus’s lips pressed together. Hmmm.

They were nearing the far western side of the canyon. Ahead, he could see the forum and tablinum, not that he knew their names or purposes. Off to their left, there was also a wide open pit with a stone resting at its center. He glanced at it questioningly.

His eyes then drifted back to Tierra, wondering if one of these places was where they would find the Lady Aquene.

wrap this? Since there is no Aquene to meet at this point XD at least not icly

Tierra caught his look and looked back, not really getting it. Then she shrugged and gestured towards the entrance to Aquene’s den. That’s where she stays, if she’s there. If she isn’t there now she will be eventually.

She couldn’t imagine what he wanted with her but Tierra had no real reason to go herself. He could meet her if she was there and, if not, he could wait or whatever. She had no intention of sticking around here when there were more interesting things to do elsewhere.

Aye, wrapping!

Alright, Atreus said, wondering if he could be in for a long wait. Thanks, Tierra.

He peeked inside the tablinum and didn’t see anyone. He glanced back at his escort, motioning for her to go if she wanted. The Imperator had given him a direct order to see the medicus, so he would just have to hang out here until she showed.