Lake Rodney strung in my web

The world could truly be a treat when you were willing to stop and listen to it.

The lake in front of him was massive by his standards, and filled to the brim with fish swimming about. Had he not ate only hours before, his mouth would have been watering at the sight. Instead he allowed himself to be seditary for the moment, laid with a back leg stuck out, his front crossed over each other.

At times he wondered if it would have been better to be born into an idle life. Free from ambition, free from failure, but without it what would he have to look forward to?

Yes. These moments were only meant to be temporary.

Alivia limped to the lakeshore with no small amount of relief, glad to leave the Bramblepoint thicket behind her. It felt like she'd been wandering in there for weeks. It would be a long time before she would again willingly sleep in a place where she couldn't see the sky. 

She dipped her stinging forepaw into the shallows and flexed her toes, watching the crusted blood loosen and swirl in the waters, slowly snaking away to dissipate.

A woman entered his sights, pale and rather thin. A bloody paw dipped into the water, he found himself rising to his paws. Are you injured, my friend? He called out to her, keeping a respectful distance.

Should the answer be 'yes' there was little he could do except lend a listening ear, but was that not better than nothing at all? It could only be blood from a hunt, nothing worth worrying about at all, but better safe than sorry.

A voice rang out. Despite the accent, the words were in the common tongue, thank the stars. Maybe this was someone who could actually answer her questions. 

Alivia looked over her shoulder with a wave of her tail. "Just a scratch," she assured the stranger. She lifted her paw from the water and wiggled her toes to demonstrate. 

She couldn't help but comment on his assumption of friendship. "It's nice to run into a friend so far from home," she mused. She lifted a brow, and a hint of a smile played across her features.

He chuckled at her words, tail waving lightly behind him. Well you're no bear, are you? He responded, as though to say that their shared species alone was enough for him to seek companionship. The woman seemed pleasant enough upon first impressions, anyways.

The tiger's eye sat himself down once more, happy to remain still if she did not need tending to. I am Cinar. Could I ask your name? A paw came to his chest as he spoke.

Admittedly he was a bit starved for conversation. Cinar was not so suited to wandering - pack life was easier for him, a life where you never had to look far for company.

hope y'all don't mind me! :>

Lake Rodney's size was manageable from the heights of Redhawk Caldera. On the ground, as one approached its shores, the body of water seemed to stretch an immeasurable distance. 

Killdeer began to traverse its shores today, taking stock of anything—or anyone—he saw along the way. The weather was balmy, and he settled into a state of contented patrol, lulled by the gentle sounds of nature and the cool spring breeze.

Voices ahead pricked his ears, and he moved toward them with wary curiosity. A man and a woman—dark and light. One stood by the shallows; the other at a short distance away.

Hello, Killer greeted them, smiling as he came upon the scene. He didn't know whether they were together or if they'd just met here. Either way, they were just a territory removed from his proverbial doorstep. Sorry to interrupt anything—I'm just out scouting.

His head tilted slightly in query. Do either of you live nearby? he wondered aloud.

Never! Livi and I are thrilled. :D

"Well you're no bear, are you?" he asked, and Alivia really grinned then. "Only if you get on my bad side." 

"Alivia Redsand," she answered his second query. "Or just Livi, since we're friends." Her eyes danced merrily. "Well-met, Cinar." Alivia wasn't one to turn down company either. 

She stepped forward and sank deeper into the lake's shallows. She dipped her muzzle down into the refreshing waters and lifted quickly, tossing water up over her forehead so that it ran down the back of her neck. She sighed happily. 

When she turned back to Cinar, she saw another wolf was approaching and looking like he was on more of a mission than either of the shore's two original visitors. Alivia wagged her tail at his greeting, and then once more to wave off his apology. 

"Do either of you live nearby?"

"I can't speak for my new friend here, but I don't live anywhere." That much was made quite apparent by her too-skinny frame and the weak scents of an abundance of different habitats that clung to her disheveled pelt.

Happy to have you!!

She was charming, and seemed to appreciate his humour. A friend indeed.

A new stranger approached, a man who's coat reminded him quite a bit of his own bloodine. Maybe he would have mistook him for a cousin had it not been for the eyes.

I can't say I'm much different. He responded, though it was not an answer he enjoyed providing despite his smile. Cinar had never been without a home until now. It left him feeling vulnerable.

A man was not meant to be vulnerable.

A slight twitch of his brow, he pushed his father's voice from his mind. You say you're scouting? He asked, his tone conversational. What for?

Something about the name 'Redsand' rang a few bells in his mind, although perhaps it was only because it was close to 'Redhawk.' She was pretty, with plush white fur and sparkling eyes; Killdeer immediately internally cursed himself for the thought—

You have a pregnant wife at home, you idiot.

The dark-furred man had a question for him, and he turned to him with a nod. I'm trying to restart my family pack at Redhawk Caldera, just over there, he replied, and canted his head toward its bulk in the distance. My name is Killdeer.

Recruiting in the summer would be more difficult, he imagined. The warm season lacked the desperation of autumn and winter. Still, he thought as he looked the pair over, they apparently had nowhere else to be—and if it was belonging they sought. . .

We could use some extra paws, Killer added, smiling a bit wryly.

Cinar was traveling alone, just like herself. He seemed to be doing a better job of it than her, judging from that fact that he wasn't half-starved and limping around on an achy paw. 

The conversation bounced back to the scout. 

Alivia's citrine gaze trailed over to the hulking lump of grass in the distance. Redhawk Caldera. She'd searched for months, and now here it was, fallen into her lap. She'd finally made it. 

She dragged her eyes back to Killdeer. He'd said something about restarting his family pack. So.. did that mean the Caldera was uninhabited? That wasn't good. Alivia was supposed to deliver a message to someone who lived in the Redhawk Caldera pack. Or, she supposed, someone who used to live in the old Redhawk Caldera pack. If the old Redhawk Caldera pack was indeed disbanded, there was no telling where Towhee, the intended message recipient, would have gone. Alivia would have to mull over her next step on her own later, when she could focus a little better. 

Killer mentioned his need of "extra paws," and Alivia limped a step toward him with a wry smile.  

"Mine are a little worse for wear," she noted, dipping her nose pointedly toward her paws. "But I'm interested." Her gaze then cut over to Cinar.

An offer was made - an offer of shelter and pack life.

He had to weigh his options here. This would not be his father's pack, the one where his mother would rip the eyes from those who disrespected her children. But then again, within pack borders respect could be easily built by those who put in the work - on his own the world was too broad of a stage for his reputation to spread.

If you'll have me, then how could I say no? He responded, offering a short wag of his tail. But tell me more about this pack of yours first. You've sparked my curiosity.

He chuckled, glancing at the woman's paws with a mixture of amusement and sympathy. The man requested more information, and Killdeer was happy to provide.

We're a family pack, but that doesn't stop with blood, he explained. Anyone who wants a home, who's willing to be loyal, and kind to each other, and to contribute—you're welcome on the caldera.

It was simple, he thought. No esoteric rules or rituals, or lofty expectations. No grappling for power. And hopefully no internal squabbles, beyond the normal mild tiff.

He cocked his head with a smile. I'd also like to see all kinds of skills represented there, he added. I'm a decent fighter, and an okay hunter, and I think I'm good at talking to others. Whatever you're good at, there's a place for you.

It sounded like Cinar was all ready to join up. Alivia had to admit, the picture that Killdeer painted looked pretty great. It reminded Alivia very much of the old Redhawk Caldera pack that her mom had described. 

Remembering her mom also reminded Alivia that she had a mission to complete before she could settle down again. 

Alivia tilted her head as she listened to Killdeer rattle off his areas of expertise. She noticed that leadership was conspicuously missing from Killdeer's list. They would have to make up their own minds about that one, she supposed.

What if I'm not good at anything? Is there still a place for me?   

Alivia pushed the negative thought away with a slight shake of her head, and she plastered on her usual charming smile. "If talking to others is considered a skill, I'd probably fit in. But.." Her face fell slightly. "..I have some unfinished business to take care of before I can commit." 

Her eyes flicked to Cinar, wondering if he would join immediately. It certainly would make the pack more appealing, knowing that there was not one, but two good-looking men awaiting her return to the Caldera.

Having worked it out in his mind, the decision seemed easy enough now. I'll go back with you.

He made his approach of the man, allowing the two of them to properly introduce themselves. My name is Cinar. His tail waved behind him as he offered up his name, clearly quite happy at the prospect of joining up with this pack. I'll go along with you, if you need to return.

Glancing back to Alivia, he let his eyes graze over the pale-coated woman. I hope we can meet again once you have things wrapped up.

Alivia spoke first, interest in her voice, but an intention to attend matters elsewhere first. No worries, he told her. Take your time. We'll be around when you get back—like I said, we're just over there, and again nodded toward the caldera.

As for the man—Cinar was his name—

Welcome aboard, Killdeer said with a grin. Of course you can accompany me back. And you can tell me where all you've been traveling—I used to be more of a wanderer, but I've settled down lately.

Excitement and relief settled as one within his breast. Two capable, good-natured wolves for the Redhawks. Well, one for now, but he hoped the woman would join them eventually. Killdeer hoped this trend would continue, especially given that Ridgeback had been scarce as of late.

Whenever you're ready, he told Cinar, and gave Alivia a parting smile. Nice to meet you. Hope to see you soon!

It was a productive day for the aspiring alpha. Cinar was ready to jump into pack life with all four paws. 

She offered a parting nod and smile to Killdeer, who seemed eager to escort his new recruit up to the Caldera. Alivia couldn't fault either of them for leaving her behind; it was an exciting time for both of them. The start of something great, to be sure. She had to admit, she was a little disappointed to see her new friend scooped up so quickly though, when they had barely had a chance to speak. 

It was one more reason for her to return, she supposed. 

"You will," she reassured Cinar that they would, in fact, see each other again soon. She watched them walk off together, taking a moment to admire the two different versions of tall, dark and handsome: the lithe and athletic rear end on the left, and the rippling and muscular rear end on the right. 

Feeling a bit wistful, she finally dropped her gaze and went on her own way.