Redhawk Caldera none pizza left beef

They'd gone far enough, he was sure. Polaris glanced skyward, wincing slightly when a raindrop fell directly into his eye. Then he shot a look at @Peridot to make sure she hadn't seen.

He was pretty sure she hadn't. He shook out his coat and took a step forward, placing himself a bit ahead of Peridot before he called out. Just in case. Polaris howled a short note to announce their presence. Now they just had to wait.

sorry for the delay!

Things were quiet upon the caldera. Amalia's pregnancy continued to progress, and the rest of the pack firmed up their hold upon the territory. Going into the height of summer, he felt good about things.

And now, even better, as a pair of young wolves graced their borders today.

Welcome, Killdeer greeted warmly. Though he'd kept to the trees, raindrops still spangled his coat, and he resisted the urge to shake out the moisture. This is Redhawk Caldera. I'm Killdeer—what brings you here?

One was a pale male, the other a multi-colored female. Were they a mated pair? He couldn't help but feel hopeful at the prospect of more pups; other leaders might balk at the prospect of their underlings procreating, but Killdeer thought only of the benefit to his pack's numbers.

Sorry for the length—absolutely zero need to match it! I suddenly got muse for her haha

She was bone tired. 

Peridot did not stop the sigh of relief as Polaris paused. Her body did not enjoy the long travel—it never really did. When she and Carnelian were younger, traveling alone, it was hard on her. Her brother had done the best he could, and she would always be grateful for him, but she was now ready to settle down.

In more ways than one.

Her eyes roamed over Polaris, his steady frame rigid in anticipatory protection. His quiet care for her had always made her feel giddy, as if she were a young pup with a girl-hood crush. Like the loosed breathe, she didn’t stop her paw steps forward to rest her chin on his flank, taking in the ease of him.

Her own thoughts drifted, endless possibilities flitting about in her brain as she listened to the rain pelt the ground around them. She ignored the raindrops that splashed onto her for her thoughts were much more interesting. Marriage, puppies, watching them grow with the love of her life was among her thoughts, her lips pulling back in a secret smile. 

She hadn’t discussed this with Polaris, a bit afraid to broach the subject. They were together, yes, but she wasn’t sure if he wanted more than that. Not that he made any indications either way, but her anxiety created its own perceptions of what he didn’t want from life and, well, this happens. She thinks the worse.

Lost in the sauce of her own musings, she didn’t see the newcomer’s approach. Neither had she heard him enter their space. A gasp left her then and her tremors doubled down, much more visible than usual. It happened when she was frightened or feeling heightened emotions. Polaris’s name left her lips as a soft plea, a quiet whisper of fear, her body pressing into his.

It was embarrassing to say the least, she hated this side of her. She wanted to be strong, for herself and for Polaris, but had never quite rid herself of this response to the unexpected. When he spoke, his tone was friendly enough, and she felt terrible for responding to him in such a way. She hoped he didn’t take offense, but she remained pressed into Polaris, her apology stuck in her throat.

Polaris can take the helm on this one, much the same as he always did.

The light rain settled on his coat in shining droplets, lending Polaris's silver coat a brilliant aspect like the star he'd been named for. He hadn't noticed, though; his eyes were for Peridot, at least in the scant moments between his call and the pack wolf's arrival. She was thinking about something, he could tell, but what?

Before he could linger on the thought, his attention was captured by the tall wolf moving to greet them. Dark of fur and bright of eye, not unlike Polaris's own brothers and sisters. Yet this wolf would tower above any of them. Polaris let his ears lie against his crown deferentially even as he studied the stranger.

The man was cordial enough. Redhawk Caldera, he called the pack: not Easthollow, but then, Polaris had already suspected as much. There was certainly enough stone here, but it didn't match his father's descriptions beyond that. Polaris nodded nonetheless, listening politely.

It's good to meet you, Killdeer, Polaris offered a quick weary half-smile, the mark of a wolf too tired to remember true cheer at the moment, and pressed closer to Peridot. He'd felt her trembling against him. Polaris Stark - and this is Peridot Medeiros. Belatedly he realized Killdeer hadn't used a surname, and only had a moment to wonder how different this place was to Casco Bay. We left our homeland to escape war, and we're looking for... a new beginning.

He cast a brief glance at Peridot as he said it, hope alight in his mismatched gaze. When his eyes returned to Killdeer, his voice was a bit stronger; less weary. I've heard some about the Teekon Wilds from my father, who was born in a pack called Easthollow, but I haven't heard of Redhawk Caldera before. This he offered conversationally, with a touch of curiosity to prompt Killdeer to share more. Easthollow was a tempting thought, of course — but why go chasing ghosts when a perfectly good pack stood before them?

Skippable!

Alivia ambled toward the source of the howl, her curious nature getting the better of her. She pulled up a few wolf's-lengths from Killdeer as names were being exchanged. She sat, wagging her tail and nodding to any who cast a glance her way. She was just here to watch, and maybe provide backup if it was necessary.

..It didn't look like it would be necessary though. The wolf with the mismatched eyes spoke of new beginnings, and the other one stayed silent, trembling like a wet chihuahua. Poor thing. It must be exhausting fleeing from a war.

The man spoke for the both of them, which wasn't altogether surprising, given that his companion seemed meek and tired. They both were weary, Killdeer surmised, having escaped a war and all. Luckily for them, conflict here was but the worst of fever dreams.

Who would the Caldera have beef with, anyway?

Easthollow, he repeated, lips pursing as he racked his brain for a few seconds, trying to find the name. He shook his head, smiling ruefully, and then flashed a kind expression toward Alivia, who'd appeared like magic at his side. I've not heard of that pack, but I haven't been everywhere—might be across the mountains.

Killdeer turned his full attention toward the pair, then. You can have a new beginning here, he told them. We have pups on the way, and we'll need plenty of help to build a strong foundation around them. And, of course, that foundation will help you, too.

As Polaris took up the mantle, the tension that ran taught through Peridot began its slow melt. Her embarrassment remained, though, and the tremors eased the more the men spoke. She had misjudged him; the surprise of his presence had pushed her into a rather cynical view at no fault of his. Killdeer was kind, calm, and welcoming to them—did she ever feel the fool.

She took in a deep breath to sigh away the rest of the tight feeling in her chest, knowing that she and Polaris were indeed safe and all was well. The results of war were not always physical; some were mental, emotional, a shadow that followed them—her—everywhere they went. It was inescapable. 

But a beacon of hope was there as Killdeer offered them respite, his gaze moving to another as he spoke. Peridot did not startle this time as her gaze followed his, and she offered the woman a small nod, her expression friendly.

And at the mention of pups, she couldn’t help but to step up to Polaris, her eyes alight with her previously unspoken thoughts. Softly, Peridot cleared her throat and raised a brow at him. Her words were soft, meant for him to hear.

Let’s stay and see if what they say is true. I am tired, so are you. And— she paused to eye the other two, sending them a small smile as a little bit of mischief colored her tone, —this talk of puppies is…very enticing.