Redsand Canyon Welcome

backdate this please @Paeon @Germanicus

Reyson carried on his broad shoulders pieces of goat and goat skin. The girl Paeon had done well and now he was on his way as promised to take her back to his home. She would make a fine soldier he hoped, though he also wondered if her ambitions wouldn't cause her pain. He had seen the distaste she had felt at his task. She had wanted more, and he could understand it, he could.

However, winter was almost upon them, and they needed hunters as well as soldiers and she would need to fill that need first. So he sought out what he knew they would need before anything else for winter, and she had excelled.

he reached the borders and motioned for her to stop. Lifting his muzzle he called for his imperator.

Speak respectfully and truthfully. He murmured to the girl.

She followed Reyson back to his home eagerly but also nervously. The hunt had not gone as successfully as she had hoped despite her catching something. Half of her prey lay on her back. She kept it balanced by holding onto one of its legs that draped over her shoulder. When he motioned for her to stop she did so and crouched down to the ground and allowed the prey to slide off of her back.

Now significantly lighter she stretched out as Reyson called into the pack territory. He told her to be respectful and truthful. Her previous assumptions were right, he was not the one that would allow her into this pack. Though his introduction would provide additional backing she would still need to prove herself.

She stood up and took a strong non-aggressive stance, waiting to see who might arrive.

the newcomer was small but muscular. and she was escorted by none other than reyson. this alone gave her an advantage that perhaps she had not considered before.

he appraised her with a glance.

"i am germanicus, imperator of mereo." he looked to reyson now for an introduction.

Reyson allowed the goat to fall from his shoulders. And gave a soft nod to Imperator. He motioned towards the girl.

This is Paeon. She is looking for a purpose. She helped me fell this goat.

Reyson then looked at the girl. Tell him of your skills and goals.

Then he shifted and curled a tail around his paws as he sat. The fur of his shoulders sticky and wet with blood. But he just gave a soft shrug, He would have ot lift it again to his shoulders in a moment.

A dark athletic male approached them and introduced himself as Germanicus, the Imperator of the pack Mereo. The commander. This was the gatekeeper, the one that would dictate if Paeon would be able to attempt to make this Canyon her new home.

As Reyson instructed her to elaborate on her skills and goals her internal dialogue worried her. This was her shot. Don't mess it up. What sorta wolf were they looking for? What niche could she fill to entice them and allow her entry? Reyson had asked her to down this goat, perhaps they needed hunters. No. She needed to be truthful as Reyson said.

"An honor Sir Germanicus. I am a wearer of several hats, capable of many things, but favor the conduct of a combat medic. I seek the opportunity to challenge myself and grow into an acclaimed individual" she said bravely. Perhaps that was too direct, too selfish, but more than anything it was truthful. "I would be grateful if I might start that journey within your canyon"

they had hunted together. already this paeon had given to mereo.

he listened first to reyson and then to the young woman herself. she was formal and eager. her mention of favoring combat medicine brought interest to the eagle.

"mereo has the capacity to challenge as well as welcome. tell me: where did you learn your skills in field medicing?" his voice was even. "sir is not necessary. imperator will suffice."

Recieved permission to skip Reyson until he is needed again

She had not been immediately turned down. Things were going well she thought. "The pack I come from has a collection of skilled heroes and champions. One of them being my mother who was our lead medic. She taught me what I consider to be the basics, but I know not everyone knows them" she stated trying to sound humble as not to insult anyone that may have zero medical knowledge. "My father along with several others were renowned fighters and warriors. I'm hoping I might be the embodiment and combination of both their assets."

same! <3

germanicus nodded. "i will accept you as a plebian. that is a skilled commoner. when you have achieved skills in both medicine and sparring, you will be moved up."

paeon had made a name for herself already. the imperator looked carefully at her. "do you have questions of mereo or our structure?"

"Really!?" she couldn't help her tail from wagging a bit "Thank you S... Imperator."

Now with the initial stages of nervousness pushed back by a wave of relief, Paeon was excited to get started. "Is there anyone within the pack that might need medical assistance at this time, or someone you know that is itching to spar? Oh, and are there any major rules that I should know about right away?" she was quickly slipping back into her talkative and inquisitive self.

germanicus was pleased though this emotion rarely showed up on the dark silver cast of his face.

"the major rule is against fraternization outside of marriage. commoners and soldiers may marry, either between ranks or among one another. but mereo is not a nursery." they would house no bastards.

"there is no one here yet need of your help. familiarize yourself with the gardens. and you may begin one of your own, lady paeon, wherever you see fit."

No fraternization. That sounded easy enough. she doubted she would have time to think of anything as trivial as romance as she officially began her training. While there wasn't anyone who needed her help right now, there were gardens, so perhaps she could ready herself for when an inevitable injury were to arise.

Lady Paeon. She liked the sound of that. "Will do Imperator" she said full of pride. She turned around and lifted her half of the goat back onto her back and turned to @Reyson. "Lead the way to the cache" she said with a smile. "and Thank you too" she added in a softer tone.

Soon enough it was all done. She was accepted and the pack was better for it. Reyson had been bringing more and more to the borders. Though most left, but that was the way of things. He could bring them. It was Imperator who decided if they stay.

Large lumbering body rocketed to his feet and he maneuvered so that he could place the goat upon broad shoulders again.

Right this way. A small smile. You're welcome. And welcome to Mereo.

last for me!

they carried off their kill.

he watched appreciatively before returning to his own tasks.

it did well to have such a good hunter.