Ocean's Breath Plateau That makes your worst day feel like your birthday

Rodyn is checkin in with everyone. But only if you've got the time. <3

Broad shoulders, trim waist, he moved through the pack lands. A fur on his shoulders. He had some hunting to do and the borders to patrol, but he wanted to catch up with @Heph first. See how she was settling in and if she needed anything. He felt that he should try and check in with everyone in their small pack, one by one. After all he was responsible for them all. This settled around his shoulders and his neck and he'd be lying if he said it wasn't just a little bit scary, but he felt he could do it.

Yellow eyes to the sky and then he quickened his pace. She'd be around here somewhere. He was fairly certain she hadn't begun outriding yet.

Heph was reinforcing the pack scent and lazily noting any particularly promising burrows. She thought she had seen a she-wolf with pups at the pack howl and if they were born healthy they would grow quickly and would benefit from injured lagomorphs to practice their hunting and killing. The territory was familiar to her now with how she had traversed it and though she noted changes in her surroundings in an ever-evolving mental map she found her favorite paths still clear. But a now familiar sight and scent caught her attention and she saw broad brown-furred shoulders briskly making their way through the territory. "Rodyn!" It was her first time really seeing him after the pack howl, she thought the mantle of alpha suited him. He had already proven himself a leader in both his conduct between packmates as well as the work he had put into the settle and claim the area. Though she was glad to have him as her alpha she was also happy and glad for her friend. A light teasing to her voice, but the query genuine she caught up to him and asked. "You look like you're seeking something, anything I can help the new alpha of Moontide find?" She punctuated the thought with a friendly nudge to his shoulder.

Heph was quick to be found and Rodyn bounded towards her with a smile on his face.

Heph! He called out happily.

I was looking for you actually. I brought you a gift for wherever you make your den and to touch base with you.

His tail moved gently behind him as he spoke. Yellow eyes taking in the pack lands around them. They had done well and largely because of the woman in front of him. He needed to remember to speak with Samani about it. Because he wanted to show his gratitude somehow.

I'm not interrupting anything am I?

Heph grinned at the fur, remembering when Rodyn had first offered beaver pelts and she had refused because she had nowhere to stow them safely. But now she could make a den that she could return to and put pelts and perhaps store some bones there as well if there were enough hunts that such things were plentiful. "Someone a little less selfish would tell you to save such a fine pelt for your wife or any pups but I'll just thank you for thinking of me." Her own tail wagged happily in response to the gift and Rodyn's own demeanor. She shook her head good-naturedly. They had been lucky with their borders thus far and not suffered any major attacks, and their borders were already well marked but she enjoyed the world moving around her and traversing them was a good way to get the feeling of movement in her limbs and make the fact that she was part of a pack feel less like a good dream and more like something she could actually enjoy. Her voice was bright as she replied. "Not at all I'm just marking the borders and keeping my eye out for any rabbit dens - it's a bit sad but the kits and adolescents make good practice for young hunters - I think I might have seen someone due for pups around the territory?" There was a question at the end. Heph had seen wolves pregnant with young before and had babysat a few of her younger siblings and cousins, but she was still not overly familiar with the signs and knew that she might have mistaken them.

@Marina for reference let me know if I should change it!

Rodyn chuckled. You deserve it Heph. You have grown this with us. You have been beside us on this journey. And I would not be here with Samani without your help anyway. Come now. I would still be on my bride price journey.

A teasing glint lit up his yellow eyes.


He nodded his head. Yes we do have a pregnant wolf among us. Marina is her name. Sialuk, Samani's sister brought her to us for safe keeping. I hope that she becomes comfortable with us. It is sad, but it will make her children good hunters.

Rodyn shifted and looked her over. I only ask for future reference. But is this something you would want? Children eventually?

He would like to know so they knew what was going on and could properly prepare for it.

Heph smiled and laughed though shaking her head. She was sure that Rodyn would have completed it with all haste with or without her help, but he was right and she was glad that it had hastened her meeting with Samani too who she was getting to know. A thoughtful hum escaped her, Marina. While the pregnant mother might not welcome unknown and strange company Heph would do her best to also contribute to keeping her safe, well fed, and protected during the season. It reinforced her pride at being part of a pack like Moontide that they had taken in a wolf in need. And Heph agreed, even if not all of her children grew up to be hunters for the pack knowing the basics would be essential to them as they grew. "I see, with little paws running around here it promises to be lively." There was a playful light in her eyes, but she was being honest as well. Heph would hardly mind pups getting underpaw.

She had to take a second to consider Rodyn's question. Her ears flickered for a moment in indecision and when her words came out they were somewhat unsure. A bit of laughter escaped her, but there was an undercurrent of nerves to it "Well I don't think I've fully escaped that urge." As she considered it more clearly though her voice became more steady. "It would certainly tie me down for at least a little while, I wouldn't want to be absent to them and would want them to grow up here surrounded by care. But I think if I met the right partner, someone who was willing to accommodate my ways I might want that." She paused. When she had left her old pack it was before she really learned much about the traditions around rights to have mates and children and she had little idea how "If I did want to would you and Samani approve?" She knew that for Rodyn and Samani at least Moonwoman had helped make the match, but if she met someone by other means would they accept that as well? "Or if I did meet someone who I thought I might suit and might suit me would you want to appraise them yourselves before I pursued?"

Rodyn would have done his best to get his bride price done, but he knew he wouldn't have gotten it done as quickly with her or Void's help honestly. HE had been blessed on his journey that was for sure. And now too.

Rodyn smiled. I look forward to it. I love little ones.

He didn't mind having little's under foot either. As a matter of fact he preferred it truthfully. They were growing and building a good future here.

Rodyn shook his head. Samani and I will not step into anyone's relationship unless it is needed. I will of course protect those if their mate becomes not who they thought. But we will not help you choose, unless you'd like our help. I did want to speak with Moonwoman about using some of her matchmaking skills for our members if you are interested in that. But I will wait until her newest moon and sun children are born.

He chuckled. I think you would make a fine mother, Heph. If that is what you want. All we ask is that we make sure all of us that the pack is in a good place to support little bellies.

She nodded her head at the assessment, glad to hear confirmation and to have knowledge the matter. "I will" She smiled warmly, there were of course practical considerations to having pups. "And I'll do my best to make sure you and Samani's pups and the pups of Moontide eat well." It was somewhat inevitable that a wolf know hunger at some point in their lives but forestalling the moment when pups could so that they could grow strong and healthy was and important part of any pack. Though Heph tried to be open-minded about other packs with different ways she found it difficult to imagine raising wolf cubs in another way if one could help it. There was a light huff of laughter that accompanied her words, but it was true that any pups would grow up on not only the prey like rabbits and perhaps deer if the pack were lucky in their hunts from the surrounding forest but also hopefully to know the taste of the ocean.

It took her a bit longer to think on the other offer, matchmaking services were somewhat unfamiliar to her and she felt herself somewhat skeptical and slow to trust them. But after meeting Kukutux and her husband and wife, and seeing how well Rodyn and Samani and even Rhaegal and his wife that she had not met got along she found herself more willing to place her trust in the abilities of the older white wolf. She had decided to settle with Moontide and their pack was closely entwined with Moonglow and the moonwoman, she wanted to be a part of her new home and her impression of Kukutux had been positive if brief. She had indeed exuded the wisdom and gentle authority that Heph had imagined her with after hearing about her from Rodyn and Rhaegal. "I think if Moonwoman is willing I would be grateful for her matchmaking," A wry but playful smile adorned her lips as she added "But if she declares me a hopeless case I'm more than happy with Moontide and whatever friends I find here." And that held a certain truth of it as well. Though she had not met very many of the wolves in Moontide she was sure that she could build friendships and a sense of family enough in the pack to alleviate any loneliness.

There was a smile of understanding between the two and he would also do his best to provide for all the pups, not just his own. It would make things go smoother and guarantee their future. Rodyn knew at some point in time. Things would grow hard, it was nature, but at least they could hold off the inevitable as much as they could.

Rodyn laughed outright. Moonwoman seems soft and kind, but she loves a challenge as well as the next wolf. And sometimes she does these gatherings for wolves without mates to meet each other as well. There are many ways she goes about it. I don't think you'd be a hopeless case.

Rodyn nudged her. And we are happy to have you here with us as well.

Heph laughed along good-naturedly. If Rodyn, who had more experience with the matchmaking of the Moonwoman, believed she would find a match perhaps Heph would redouble her efforts to build a larger den sooner rather than later. The pelt that she had been gifted would certainly help with that. She trusted that she would find the entire process interesting at the very least and shot a smile at the other wolf as he assured her she was welcome, it was slowly becoming a reality that she was accustoming herself to transient though she generally thought such things to be. "Good, you might have to suffer my company longer yet. I think I've scented evidence and heard tell of a pack to the west called Two Rivers Isle and a new pack to the east whose name I don't know but both are within a few days journey of here." Though her short explanation had started off joking her tone evened out as she provided the information she was aware of. "If you think it's a good idea I thought I might try to visit both in the coming weeks to see if they would be interested in trade and maybe some exchange of knowledge or help on hunts. One of the wolves to the west introduced me to a new kind of prey in the sea, she called it 낙지." She was curious as to what Rodyn might think. While her time as a wanderer had given her confidence in traversing the distances necessary to establish trade and communication she was much less experienced acting as any sort of mouthpiece for a pack and she was not completely sure what made a good trading partner beyond willingness and resources. Though she could easily travel in the general direction Iseul had given her she was not sure if she should bring things already ready to trade or if she should simply go and feel out whether it was something the pack would be interested in prior.

Rodyn was glad that Heph had decided to stay with them. But he hoped that she didn't change her plans just for them. That felt as if it would be an unkindness and an unfairness of them if she had. Though Heph was of strong mind, he'd doubt she wouldn't tell him or Samani if she felt strange about it all.

Rodyn nodded. I think it's a good idea, both for our pack and because you like to travel. I hope you know Heph that we would never ask you to give up the roving spirit you have. It is your home here, but we won't keep you in it's borders.

A good natured smile at her and an affirmative nod. Hoping she realized. He wasn't telling her to leave, he was telling her they would never ask her not too. She liked to travel and scout and see new things.

When i was on my bride price journey I would take meat or furs to the borders and I would explain what I was doing, like I did with you. And I offered my services as a hunter or to give what I had.

Heph nodded, the motion sure and full of weight. "Thank you, I am glad, but even though I've felt a bit restless I've been looking forward to meeting a few of these new faces. Perhaps one or two will be as breathtaking as yours." She was teasing and light, but wanted to reassure him that she was not pushing herself or unhappy with her decision to linger nearby. While eventually she would go further afield there was still plenty happening along the coast that interested her enough to cause the scales of her desires to tip. Besides Rodyn was handsome, so was Void even if she still felt somewhat apprehensive about meeting him once more, quite the conundrum she found herself in, almost inclined to laugh at herself for such a complaint - surrounded by good company truly the worst complaint a wolf could lodge. Though she was staying for longer than she anticipated she did not feel trapped by this pack or these lands she was slowly accustoming herself to calling home.

Her ears pricked a bit and she considered Rodyn's words carefully, nodding her head. With her attention caught on fully internalizing and committing the words to memory her expression was full of a concentration that was usually reserved to the hunt. "I see, I think I'll try that then. I have no doubt my legs will get me there but it'll be a learning curve for my mouth to figure out how to catch up but I'll do my best." A roguish smile flit across her lips at that despite her honesty. If it had only been teasing and flirting Heph figured that she could keep up fairly well with most conversation, but trying to establish some measure of trust and perhaps future cooperation would be a task she was excited and serious about while still trying to develop her skills further.

Rodyn chuckled a small wrinkle of his nose. I don't know about that. Thank you. A shuffle from the years as a boyish man, he was still rather shy about these things. He couldn't help it.

Rodyn didn't mind that she had complained. He had taken care of it and it made him feel glad, that she trusted him enough to come to him with something that bothered her. That meant something to the russet man.

Rodyn shifted. I plan to go to Sapphique soon. It's a pack near ours. I have met one of their numbers before, but she and her husband are no longer there. You are more than welcome to come with me if you'd like. I believe they prefer women to men anyway.

Heph grinned, it would be nice to see Rodyn in his element and pick up on how he interacted with these other wolves as well as see more of the coast. While she had not really heard of Sapphique they sounded intriguing and her head gave a firm nod "I'd love to come, just let me know when you plan to set out." At his comment about them preferring women to men she only had to laugh her tail wagging as her shoulders shook for a brief moment before she cleared her lungs of enough air that she could speak again "That only means they have good taste, I'm sure you prefer Samani's company to any of her brothers." Heph was not unaware of the charms in all sorts of wolves though admittedly her experience in the department of romance was rather short. Her voice was teasing, of course she thought that Rodyn would prefer Samani's company to just about anyone including her sister's, but the point still stood. She was not sure whether or not Samani had any brothers but she thought it likely in a family as expansive as Moonglow seemed to be - surely a few in-laws if nothing else.

Rodyn would be glad to show Heph how to speak with others. It had been a good time, usually. Granted he bore some scars from not so friendly wolves, but the ones he had met from Sapphique before had been kind.

Rodyn chuckled. Samani doesn't have many brothers. Only Stratos. The rest are girls. Unless Kukutux has boys this season.

There had always been girls on Moonglow, more girls than boys.

Heph laughed and nodded, absorbing the information. She considered Samani was a friend as well as one of her alphas and was glad to hear more about her family. "It sounds like Moonwoman has good tastes too." Her tail wagged and she nudged Rodyn in a friendly with her own shoulder before adding "Care for a hunt before my skills dry up and the women of Sapphique question my taste in friends?" It was a false jest but one she made with a wide smile, after all Rodyn included in the number she was sure, even without knowing them, that Moontide had plenty of mighty hunters.

Rodyn chuckled. Of course. I wouldn't want someone to question your choice in friends after all. That wouldn't be good.

A soft wag of his tail and he and Heph would be off to fill caches and make their home a little fuller and safer. He wanted as many caches as possible before winter was upon them. It was something he knew he could do as a hunter. He had been first hunter once upon a time and he had earned it.