Redhawk Caldera chew you up and spit you out

Maybe for @Magpie if you have time / are interested!
Edit: Occurs after Dove meets Perry but before the Somnia threads.

She'd washed and wandered, doing a circuit of the lake's edge, but her strides were lethargic. Dove looked towards the trees, to the darkening sky, to the lake itself as it retreated behind some pines, and breathed a heavy sigh. Almost on cue, the sky began to leak a tiny array of drops. With a snort, Dove paused. She considered returning the way she had come - in case the weather got worse - but decided that a little rain wouldn't spoil her mood (it was already pretty grim).

As she turned back to the random route she was following, she spotted some vibrancy among the forest debris, and headed that way. The flowers were very out of place among the thin snowdrifts, but an overhang of foliage was protecting them. Dove regarded them with a bored expression — and then, prompted perhaps by their enviable beauty, she snapped at their heads, sending petals flying.

For my reference, this is the same day that Magpie confronts Peregrine/almost immediately after that thread.

While her conversation with Peregrine had been productive and left Magpie feeling sort of like she had a chance and a purpose... she mostly felt like shit in the wake of her adrenaline's passing. She would pursue training as a Gamekeeper as promised— Anything to please King Likeshisasskissed, she thought sourly, making a face— but that had been the only slim chance he gave her for redemption. For most of their 'conversation', the caldera's leader had made it very clear that she was little more to him than bird poop— no, that she was worse than bird poop.

"This fucking place," she muttered through gritted teeth, making her way to the edge of the pack's claim. Her green eyes glanced up, darting around to make sure no one had been around to hear that— then sighed heavily. She was just going to her den, she told herself, but in truth she didn't want to stop walking. Why had she left Summer? Was this really worth it?

She came around the bend of the lake, slipping into the pine forest— her route was mindless, for most of her time here had been spent beneath its heady scent. Before long, Magpie came upon the clearing that she had come to call home... in time to see a pale wolf snap at the flowers that had caused Magpie to choose this place for her den in the first place. "Hey," she growled in agitation, green eyes sweeping to ensure that her den, at least, had gone undisturbed. "Those were mine."

The petals were still falling when she heard a voice, but Dove didn't really take heed of it - turning her ears but nothing else - until a statement of ownership arose. At this, she raised her brows and turned, looking at the dark figure so near to the flower patch. The stranger was of middling size, narrow of build, and stark black - her opposite, more or less. And she was moving towards a hollow which Dove had been previously unaware of. Oh. Oops?

Sorry, I didn't notice your little hovel over there. Dove quipped, as snide as always. Apparently she was still sore from her own brief interaction with Peregrine, for the sudden arrival of the dark stranger did not improve her mood. Under the guise of playing nice, Dove decided not to harass this little lady and instead chose to move on, as if nothing had occurred.

Again with the wolves ignoring her like she were invisible, or merely an annoying little gnat. Magpie growled, not quite realizing, but the sound died when the white female finally turned to acknowledge her. She was about to soften as an apology was apparently forthcoming, but the corners of her mouth turned down at the snide tone. Was everyone fucking crazy here? The yearling exhaled, prepared to simply let it go— but when the offending stranger turned to leave without so much as another breath, Magpie felt agitation barb throughout her body all over again.

"Who are you, anyway?" she questioned loudly, mind scrambling to find something to say that might provoke the female into staying long enough that some of her frustration could be relived. "Ah, nevermind..." Magpie conceded after a beat of (likely) no response, "I'm sure you're no one important, or I would've heard of you by now." Clearly not as important as Magpie, who was certainly despised around here, but at least she was half-sister to one of the Alphas. It didn't seem to count for much in the caldera, but it was the one fact she clung to. The one claim she had of worthiness.

As Dove had yet to meet anyone worthwhile yet, she was eager to get to that - but after meeting Peregrine, her mood had soured. All she wanted now was to find a den site and get herself settled; she could deal with the strangers later. Except, she couldn't. Not really. Not when the dark girl made her own snappy comment — causing Dove to stop her walking and turn, shooting a sharp-eyed glare her way. Little did she know that this would become her default expression in these parts.

Who am I? She drawled, and stepped back over towards the youth. It was one thing to not recognize her - she was new after all - but to insult her like that, to claim that she was a nobody, got her blood boiling almost instantly. I'm Dove, one of Fox's sisters. Who the hell are you? She made a mental note as she spoke — telling herself to come back later and piss all over that precious flowerbed. What an insolent little child.

Well. Well.

Magpie realized her mouth was gaping slightly at that revelation, and shut quickly shut her jaw with a small click of teeth. Several conflicting thoughts and emotions were blasting through her little heart, tangling in her mind. Fox hadn't told her that she had other sisters living here. Half-sister suddenly felt like a very inadequate claim to fame, and she was so startled that she had no comeback ready to fling back. She couldn't very well admit that she was only a half-sister, could she?

"Well," she finally said, haughty. "Sisters of Fox don't mean a whole lot in the caldera. Peregrine— your sister's mate— despises them." That, at least, was arguably true... at least when based on her own experience. Magpie hoped that Dove was new enough around here that she hadn't met the horrible male and couldn't call her bluff.

There was a tense little moment where nothing was said, leaving Dove to slip her own mouth shut and stare blankly at the other girl. But then she spoke again, bringing to light something that Dove had become quite aware of. She snorted softly, and the tension in herself eased somewhat. Yeah, tell me about it.

Maybe she had been too hasty. The girl's response had left her to ponder, and clearly she knew what she was talking about. It probably wouldn't be that bad to make one friend around here, at the very least. Dove licked her lips, briefly averting her gaze towards the ruined flowers as if preparing to really apologize - but she didn't, and looked to Magpie again instead.

I just met him and he pretty much told me to get out if I wasn't going to make a proper commitment. It was preposterous. Just who did that guy think he was? (Aside from... The Alpha. And her sister's baby-daddy. And.. Whatever.) As if I'd ever leave Fox now that I've found her. Especially now. Dove shook her head softly.

Of all the responses Magpie expected, it hadn't been that. For the second time, she found herself startled into silence, simply watching as a change seemed to come over the delicate stranger. There was less tension, at least, and her gaze returned to the flower's that marked the place the yearling had claimed for her den. She wondered at that— unsure of its significance, if there was any. And this time, the small silence between them appeared to go more or less unnoticed, for the white female was speaking again.

Magpie felt her own irritation refocus back on Peregrine, rather than continue to remain misdirected on Dove. "Yeah," she agreed a little too readily, fully understanding the white female's ire. It was an echo of her own conversation with the hulking Alpha, and Magpie suddenly wondered if she needed to have a talk with Fox. How could she be married to a man that refused to accept her family?

She remembered, then, that she was supposed to be taking this frustration out on Dove— for a moment, she considered attempting to save face by adding something like, Well, he's right, you know. But it made her feel sick. Dove's situation felt a little too close to her own— eerily close— and Magpie didn't want to agree with Peregrine, even if she were only faking to make someone else feel like shit. Her own tension released, then, and she sighed, "I know exactly how you feel. Peregrine's, like... the biggest, gaping asshole in the Wilds. He's got to be constantly constipated or something."

When a light mist began to fall during his patrol, Peregrine didn't let it deter him. He wanted to make this quick, then get back to Fox. He hated being apart from her even for five minutes, yet the Master Warden knew it was imperative to make these circuits. He needed to make sure no unwelcome visitors were loitering around the caldera and drench his signature scent all over the borders to further deter anyone thinking about trespassing.

He was nearly finished when the sound of voices drew his attention. Giving his damp pelt a shake, he paused and very nearly turned to head back to the den anyway. Then he heard a distinct voice saying, "Peregrine's, like... the biggest, gaping asshole in the Wilds. He's got to be constantly constipated or something." His eyeball twitched as he debated whether he found that more amusing or disrespectful.

The Alpha male swept rather suddenly onto the scene, eyeballing Dove momentarily before pinning his gaze on Magpie. He said nothing for the moment, waiting to see how the mouthy, trash-talking subordinate reacted to his mere presence.

Yeah well, someone should really remove the stick that's up his ass. Or whatever he's got hidden up there. Dove replied, her words tumbling from her mouth before she could stop them. She thought about making a comment about Peregrine's love of shlong, but, that was still unconfirmed - and something that made very little sense to her. So she opted for simply bad-talking the tall, dark, and loathsome man.

I don't know what made Fox fall for him. Maybe she's keen on the size difference or something, The girl wiggled her brow a bit at this, speaking mostly in jest, but as she so obnoxiously remarked about Peregrine's esteemed manhood — speak of the devil! There... He was... Coming out from behind a tree. For a second Dove's expression was frozen, her brows locked in a high position. Peregrine glanced to the dark-furred girl first, which for some inexplicable reason made Dove want to step between them — he was calm, collected, but cold.

Peregrine! Hello, The forced glee upon seeing the rival for her own sibling's affection was quite obvious, but Dove would not relent. She stepped towards him (sort of sideways, half cutting his view off from Magpie), and batted her tail in a friendly manner. How is your uh, day going? Found any miscreants upon your borders, or um... Anything? She realized afterwards that such a question was probably in poor taste.

After the words had left her, Magpie was half-afraid that her companion would suddenly turn again— perhaps go running to tell Peregrine himself. She exhaled a breath she didn't realize she was holding when Dove joined in, and her tail swept to and fro in gladness. At least there was someone here she could vent to. Trust was hard for Magpie to give freely, but when she did, it was there and blazoning. In a few short sentences, Dove had gained it; and Magpie was giggling despite herself, feeling better than she had in days. The importance of a friend. Of having wolves to talk to.

She was about to— finally— introduce herself as Dove's half-sister, stories of Crestwood and their traditions be damned. After all, Fox had accepted Magpie. Why would Dove be any different? But before she could, a hair-raisingly familiar form broke through the trees with purpose in its step.

Fuck me sideways, Magpie thought as Peregrine's cold, bitter gaze rested upon her. A whine escaped her (and a little pee, too), as she slowly sank to her haunches... and then her form seemed to ooze into ground as she sank to her elbows, submitting almost completely— though she didn't yet roll on her back. She hadn't totally meant what she said, had only been trying to let off some steam— after all, she and Peregrine had just spoken, and he had done nothing but insult her while she struggled to communicate that she wanted to do the right thing, if only she knew what it was. But the ancestors couldn't even grant her the room to have a healthy bitch fit, and then speak to Peregrine when it was out of her system.

No. Of course he would walk by just in time to hear it. When the earth also refused her— she silently begged it to swallow her whole— she shut her eyes. A juvenile attempt to become invisible. She saw Dove's steps to protect her, and as much as she appreciated it, she was doubtful that it would help. Magpie struggled to find anything to say. Peregrine hadn't been receptive to her apologies or explanations before, and she had no reason to believe that he would now. Instead, she silently willed him to understand, You weren't supposed to fucking hear that.

Dove's simpering greeting caused his jade eyes to shift back to her. He pondered her insults, weighing them against Magpie's. If he was an asshole (a gaping one), then how could he also have a stick stuck up his ass? Anusception? In any case, he wanted to backhand the two-faced Dove, not to mention kick Magpie's ass. Somehow, he managed to maintain a stoic demeanor as he decided that fucking with them might yield more satisfaction that outright putting them in their places.

"Yes, actually. I came across a trespasser but I just aimed my gaping wide asshole at him and farted, shooting the stick at him. It hit him right between the eyes: dead on impact," Peregrine said in a very even voice, gaze slowly shifting from Dove to the prostrate yearling at their feet. Did he smell pee? He nearly smirked. Oh, yes, he was enjoying this. "Contrary to popular belief, I'm not as constipated as I look. There was a lot of poop on that stick, so now that dude has shit for brains." Kind of like the two of you, he inwardly quipped, complete with a teehee!

Knowing how much Fox meant to both of them, Peregrine decided to play that card. "I can't wait to tell Fox what her sisters really think of me." His jade gaze grew a bit flintier at that. Peregrine loved his wife, which was why he was playing this game. If it were up to him, he would punt some cunts right now; these two would not be part of the caldera as of this very moment. But he knew Fox wouldn't like it one bit and he was loath to upset his mate, especially so near the birthing. With that said, he fully intended to tell her about this at some point and do something about the Alpha's shit-talking sisters.

There was no telling how the man would respond, and Dove wasn't too interested in studying him for clues. While Magpie was quick to shrink down and submit, Dove remained rooted to her spot — unwilling even when faced with the possible repercussions from their Alpha. He stood before them for only a moment before letting loose a poignant story about his beloved ass-stick, which of course could only mean that.. He'd heard every last bit of their private (loud) conversation. Boy, she was doing a brilliant job making friends around here, eh?

Contrary to popular belief, I'm not as constipated as I look. There was a lot of poop on that stick, so now that dude has shit for brains. Perry succinctly concluded his story, and for a few tense moments Dove was quiet. She tried to think of something to say in return - not an apology of course, she never really apologized for anything - but before she could, Peregrine let loose another little tidbit.

I can't wait to tell Fox what her sisters really think of me.
And by little, I mean world-shattering.

Dove was initially perplexed by the comment, finding it out of place after his little story-telling session. But then as understanding dawned upon her, she turned from the man's stern-faced expression and found her gaze wandering inevitably closer to Magpie, who still held herself with great humility upon the ground. Dove looked upon this sniveling child with a new lens; searching her figure for clues towards the truth of what Peregrine had said — but she wouldn't let him get under her skin so easily.

The girl turned back quickly; the little episode of shock-and-awe lasting little more than a few moments. Her glee had faded though, and the false cheer that Dove had ushered forth for their leader seemed to have evaporated. I'm sure she'll be thrilled to hear about your dislike of everyone in her family. That's bound to make her love you more. The sarcasm was heavy, but so was the chill. If he wanted to try and turn Fox against them then he could try - but that would only prove Dove's suspicions about him. He wasn't good enough for her at all.

Though her ears were held low, they twitched to capture Peregrine's words. Magpie remained silent, unsure of how to take his even response— he had obviously heard every word, despite Dove's attempt to deflect, but she couldn't help but find his description... hilarious. For a moment, she thought he was going to have a sense of humor about it all, perhaps realizing that they had only been seeking a (healthy) release of frustration— but she was still too guilty to allow even a hint of laughter escape her lips. Instead, she cracked open an electric eye to sneak a glance at Peregrine.

His gaze was no less cold, and it was then that he dropped the bomb: I can't wait to tell Fox what her sisters really think of me. Dove glanced quickly in her direction, clearly dumbfounded, but Magpie had no time to divine what her expression had meant. She felt similarly sick at the male's words, feeling a burst of protectiveness in her chest. What did Fox see in him? The yearling and Peregrine had gotten along well, once, but perhaps that had only been a fluke— she never would have returned to the caldera if this had been the Peregrine she remembered.

She continued to struggle with what to say— before he threatened to tattle-tale, she might have attempted to apologize. At the time, she hadn't truly meant what she said. It had been a wild exaggeration. Now, she wasn't so sure that she didn't mean it. Magpie lifted her head, both eyes open, now, as Dove spoke— temporarily rescuing her from the responsibility. She didn't know Peregrine even had other daughters, but if she ever found out, she would understand completely why they despised him.

Now, more than ever, Magpie felt like she was being crushed between a rock and a hard place. If she apologized, she didn't think it would be taken to heart— not that she was sure he deserved one anymore, anyway— but if she said nothing, Peregrine would likely hold that against her just like everything else. Instead, she opted to remain quiet and simply watch him sullenly. Her nieces and nephews better be worth all of this.

Dove's snotty response almost immediately had him rethinking his decision not to toss them (well, her) out on her ass. He bared his teeth and growled a warning at her flagrant impudence. It was enough that she'd talked smack behind his back; he wouldn't tolerate her disrespecting him to his face too. He would escalate above mere warnings if she pushed the issue. Peregrine would gladly shove her muzzle in the dirt beside Magpie's, forcing her to submit to her superior. If she couldn't acknowledge her place, then the onus was on her to leave, though he wouldn't mind showing her the door.

"You can test our bond all you want," Peregrine eventually replied in a cool voice, the fur along his spine a spiky ridge, "but if you go up against it, know that you will lose." A breath hissed from him before he added, "There are only two of Fox's family members on my shit list. Before today, there was only one," he added crisply. Dove hadn't been on it before, not really, but she certainly was now. Let her ponder that.

A moment ago, he'd been nothing but amused by Magpie's overly submissive reaction. She'd brought it on herself, after all. Now, in contrast to Dove's insolence, he was compelled to acknowledge the yearling's much more appropriate response. She knew her place and acknowledged that she'd done wrong. In an unprecedented turn of events—he'd handed her ass to her just hours earlier, over smaller issues than flagrant disrespect—he stepped over her, tail arched, then bent down and brushed his nose over her head, silently accepting the apology implicit in her supplicant behavior. He then retreated a few steps, glaring at Dove.

"Now it's at one again," he said levelly to Dove. Yep, he'd just leveraged one against the other. It wasn't the whole truth—he still wasn't Magpie's #1 fan—but he hoped it made the insolent bitch squirm. "I'm not going to bother my very pregnant wife with your two-faced bullshit or your absolute disrespect toward me, your Alpha, as well as your other superiors." Somnia's face flashed through his mind. "But she will be hearing about this eventually. Consider this fair warning." He shot Magpie a ponderous look. Then, without another word, he turned to head back to the den. His lips might be sealed, for now, yet all he craved right now was Fox's company.

As Peregrine advanced upon the two of them, Dove felt the desire to back down - but didn't. She watched with stiff-legged rigidity and the cold, absent look upon her face, as Perry loomed over the withered Magpie. She listened to what he said just because she couldn't not hear it, and the tone of his voice made the fire in her veins turn to ice. When he stepped back, they locked eyes - and Dove did the smart thing. She looked away, deferring more out of a disgust for him than any real respect, while her ears remained pivoted towards him.

I'm not going to bother my very pregnant wife with your two-faced bullshit or your absolute disrespect toward me, He sounded like a whining child, and while that thought threatened to make Dove's face crack with a snide little smile, she held her composure. — your Alpha, as well as your other superiors. Dove's eyes trailed from some nearby trees downward, towards the dirt at her paws, and while she wanted to snap right back at him, she didn't. It would do no good at this point. Peregrine was quick to leave, though. His threat hanging in the air like the pungent smell of a latrine.

When he was gone, Dove breathed a great sigh. Her ears fell back against her head and her tail, lashing behind her, nearly smacked Magpie's wilted figure. She stepped away from the submissive girl as if to leave — Dove had lots of pent up emotions to deal with now, and Magpie would not want to be on the receiving end of it.

Magpie couldn't help but silently agree with Dove, but she thought her half-sister incredibly stupid for testing Peregrine's tolerance like this— perhaps because the yearling had already tried it, hours before, and it had backfired miserably. Their alpha seemed like the sort that would respect boldness, considering he didn't seem to have a filter of his own, but that clearly wasn't the case. If only he hadn't walked in to hear the worst of what they had been saying, Magpie might have been able to warn Dove of this.

Her head sank back to her paws as Peregrine spoke of his shit list, ears flattening in dismay— it was one thing to think you were the sole wolf that one of your leaders hated, and another thing altogether to have him confirm it. She whined again, despite herself, and was about to show him her stomach in an admission of defeat— just fucking kill me already— but before she could, he was standing over her... and touching her head with his snout...? As he backed away towards Dove, the yearling lifted her head once more, ears alert in her confusion.

What the fuck just happened.

As much as she felt relief— Peregrine had just forgiven her, right? Kind of?— the black-and-white female also felt a strange mix of irritation, fear, and sadness. She and Dove had been about to forge a bong bond omg lol i am leaving that typo, and Peregrine had gone and pissed on it. Magpie was almost certain it had been on purpose; she doubted that he would have forgiven her so easily, not after the way he had treated her earlier, unless it meant she would suffer in different ways.

She had no idea how Dove was going to react, and feared it would drive a rift between them— and sadness, because she had gained and lost a sister in about 2.5 seconds. Magpie said nothing, slowly regaining her feet, her posture every bit sulking and unhappy. She remained silent, wanting to say everything, but somehow sensing it would be better to give Dove space then try to hash anything else out immediately. Still, she made no move towards her den or to leave— just in case the white female did have something to say.

Fading! <3

Whatever connection they were about to form had gone out the window by now. Peregrine had made sure of that. Dove now knew who her father's bastard child was, who to avoid - for her sake, for Magpie's - and her ire towards the Alpha would only be transferred to the meek girl now, if they were to share more words. No, they would have no allegiance. Dove didn't even look at the girl as she moved to depart, heading away from all of the frustration that the previous conversation had brewed within her.

For a moment, the yearling simply stood there— watching the departing form of her sister disappear, making no effort to stop her. The silence was worse than any bitterness that Dove might have spoken. Magpie could analyze words and do something with them... but there was nothing to be gleaned from their absence. She almost went after Dove, demanding they talk, explaining exactly why she hadn't chimed in... but she had her fill of pointless arguments. It seemed the wolves of the caldera were too emotional to see reason, and not for the first time, Magpie wondered if it was even worth being a part of.

Feeling once more aggressive, the youth decided to take action on the feedback she had been able to divine from her moody family. Magpie slipped from the caldera's boundary, purpose in her step.