Sawtooth Spire Lasiurus

Dated 12AM, the first

Her expedition away from the Spire had been brief. She picked her way through the borders, which were difficult to cross given the terrain, with a plump raccoon between her jowls. On her way home she had sprung upon the chance to hunt again, and was glad to have been able to pursue something. When Tonravik had successfully made it through the borders she moved deeper into the terrain, following her ears. It would inevitably lead her to Kurdjuark River, or somewhere near it.

Tonravik's paws pressed into rock and grass alike as she paused nearby a rocky ledge where the river ran beyond. Deep enough into the territory to feel content again, she dropped the raccoon and began to eat. The mother wasted no time in her time of private dining, at utter peace with the silence she was met with. When the creature was nothing but bones, the alpha female perused her surroundings and sniffed the air. Her mate had told her of new arrivals, and also the return of Aariak (which had pleased her). She would never get the opportunity to meet Kanik, but thought of him for a moment still, thankful he had aided in preventing the animals from coming near to the den alongside the pack.

It was a shame, but after the altercation, no more coyotes had been sighted (yet). His death was not for nothing, then; the cubs were still alive, after all... Tonravik licked her chops. She would return to the den within the hour, but for now she was more than happy to listen to the rivers roar.

Imagine his bewilderment to find evidence of an itinerant Tonravik. What was she doing? Did this mean they could see the pups now? Kapvik was torn between following her and traveling to the den. Instead he busied himself, nose twitching away to find signs of prey. Nothing substantial for a pack of...how many were they? Eleven? Twelve? He did not know, but the gravity of the situation persisted.
INDENTThe wolverine sucked in air and let it out in a meditative state. Blood and...was that milk? The Delta set out on his way. Short, sporadic bouts of speed kept him from full-blown gallops. The thundering sound of rapids blocked out other sounds, but he didn't care. His passage to the she-bear was perilous, but he still did not care. I-I need...His pinings were put to rest by the titanic shadow of her, reposeful and imbrued. Kapvik let out a plaintive cry, submissive and overbearingly happy. He crawled to her, moved by the sight of her. More whines left his maw, tongue seeking her bloodstained muzzle. Please, let me – let me do this. Please.

The sound of another's approach was scented more than it was heard. The wolverine was near. She bathed in the moonlight, a sphinx in her position, content to laze for a little while. Her eyes opened only when her subordinate could be heard, and when he was seen, she heard his eager whines. Tonravik's tail twitched and soon dragged against the earth itself in a wave. She brought herself to a stand as he licked at her bloody chops, entirely still as her tail lifted over its hindquarters. 

Tonravik circled to put one foreleg over his body, sniffing loudly at his crown and then shoulders to gather what she had missed in his own life. She had been gone a while, but she smelled new things–the new subordinate, Aariak, Echelon–who she had hoped would come, but she would find her–among others. And upon her? He would smell the new life, and undoubtedly her mate.

Her lively tail alleviated reservations in interrupting her time alone. Being holed up in a den for weeks, she like has not had a moment to herself. Why she did not let Iqniq pup sit, Kapvik did not know. Right now, it was a consideration he did not voice, rapt by her intimacy, her warmth, her attentions. Tonravik's iron-handed ways frazzled him yet he submitted all the same. It was a custom that he was growing accustomed to in her presence.
INDENTDraping a forelimb over him, Kapvik went rigid. This physical nihility between their bodies did not bother him, but the proximity of her jowls to his visage did. The Delta allowed it if only because she did too. Imbibing the arcanum of her absence, he paused to treasure the scents of her cubs. Four, all male, and robust. His fluffiest appendage thudded erratically against the earth, overjoyed. Kanik spoke of the cubs when they first met, although he seemed more concerned with the mother's wellness. This was a sentiment they shared. Kapvik's concern was never for just the pups. To say he did not fret over the she-bear's well being was out of true.
INDENTThe rhapsodic thudding stopped upon smelling Iqniq. Rather than get all huffy, he licked at that specific spot lazily. Yes, yes, that whole spat was still A Thing. It would resolve itself sooner or later. For now, he was abated. Nudging her shoulder, he rumbled a question: when can we see the pups? It was nice to see her and all but he urgently wanted to interact with them.

He was in good health. She had wondered if he had faced any injuries from the coyotes but could not yet see any. As he moved to preen her, Tonravik clicked her jowls absently near him in a clear, concise no. Gone were the hormonal longings for touch and anything of the sort; she was back to her old self again, who preferred rough nudges and nips to anything else. While she would most certainly go for the throat of anyone that tried to do such a thing while she still weaned, in time she would even begin to initiate that again. For now, however, she was complacent and content to be lazy, stepping off of Kapvik entirely to look absently into the distance. 

If The Thing was not yet resolved, Tonravik did not know it yet. She had not been around to see them interact, and so could only assume all was well with the move. Her mate had no complaints, and so she assumed he went without challenge; that this was because their paths did not cross too frequently did not occur to her. There was too much work to be done at present, and Tonravik needed the pack to begin this work. To protect and serve. To become warriors at the ready for anything. Now that their future was alive and surviving, it was their jobs to ensure this remain the same. 

His nudge was met with a look, and when she articulated the question her tail waved and she looked to the horizon again, letting out a low, long whine rumble itself that proclaimed both contemplation and a decision made. Not yet...... no... soon. She had only just begun to trust her mate with them, and soon after, she would open the door to her subordinates. Her young babes were not yet ready to see the outside world... this, she knew. But in two short days? That feeling would fade to black, and the overwhelming need to introduce them would take over. As was custom.

Tonravik's teeth clicked together and Kapvik ceased pampering. The Delta replied with a coltish fiiiiine. Nighttime meant sleep and now with Tonravik here, the wolverine was tempted to do just that. But no, it was an inopportune time for slumber. His Alpha favored the cool mountain air rather than his body heat. Her departure made the wolverine's tail flick before settling comfortably upon the ground. Whereas Tonravik had been a sphinx, he sprawled in typical playboy fashion. She seemed haunted by other matters. The more this silence dragged on, the more Kapvik's mind began to wander back to The Thing.
INDENTThe Delta has seen Iqniq on and off multiple times since their arrival to Sawtooth Spire. That whole mess back at Ouroboros Spine continued to be A Thing but it was not at the forefront of the wolverine's mind. Facing Iqniq now – with or without Tonravik's in attendance – would end horribly. Any attempts to be civil would end horribly. This disagreement between the two of them grew more and more with each passing day, but Kapvik never let it weigh him down. So long as Iqniq continued to fail in this area pertaining to his position, the Delta will go about his usual business. It will inevitably reach a boiling point, but until that moment comes, Kapvik will feed this illusion.
INDENTEver the perceptive one, Kapvik watched her entertain the idea over letting him (and the pack) meet her whelps. But of course, she continues to be her leery self. At least she gave him something to look forward to. Until that day, Kapvik would not test her on the subject. Tonravik had every right to be protective of her sons. After all that has happened, the Delta was amazed to see her out and about while Iqniq stands watch over them. That took a telling amount of trust, even for her mate. Truth be told, he was far happier to have her out here and Iqniq in there.
INDENTMore distressful matters harried him in the prosperous waterway. “Perhaps you've...noticed,” he tardily began. It needed to be said. “How prey avoids this place. Nothing substantial for our numbers. In the off chance something large is found, it is usually alone or in numbers. We've tried to corral them here, but they never remain.” Was she starting to see the big picture here? “If we cannot bring the herds to us...” Silence followed, an unspoken message lingering in the air. We will have to follow the herds. “You and the pups take priority, of course, but...” The rest of them needed to eat too. Kapvik's worries were legitimate; he felt strongly about keeping everyone fed. While the rest of the pack was not suffering too terribly, the Delta did not find comfort in the likelihood of prolonging this any longer.

When he spoke, Tonravik turned to regard him. Only when he finished did her dark eyes narrow, perhaps not imperceptibly toward someone who studied faces—one like himself—that might understand her annoyance in the words said. The leader had not noticed given her location the past couple of days, nor had she been told as much. More likely than not because still, so many places of their new home had yet to be explored. There was wildlife to be found, big game and small game... but none had been given the right opportunity to look. Given the circumstance of days past, her mate had kept to the whelping den even moreso... but, she knew he scouted still when he could. 

She knew what he was saying, and Tonravik would, typically, be inclined to agree with him. The place was too new to be deemed empty so soon... and with all the waterways, Tonravik did not doubt that sooner or later, they would find their elusive prey. Her ears pricked atop her head. "I think there is much undiscovered here," came her response. With all those waterways, and the sheer mass of this place, they would be difficult to find in the beginnings of their reign here... but they would be found. 

In fact, why should they not search now? 

Tonravik had hoped to laze and enjoy the peace of an empty mind, but now it danced with images of skeletal wolves. That could not be had. She was the sole Gamekeeper here, and with her nose, she would find something. Grunting, she rose to all fours and turned from the ridge, moving in the opposite direction. The pack had plenty on their minds... but she would put this fear to bed.

Did his words chafe? That was never his intention, but he was not about to remain silent on this critical affair. Kapvik did not know why his words grated on her nerves. Whatever it was, the wolverine felt better in getting that out of his system. Their highland home might have some deer or elk, but the wolverine's main concern was the lack of bison. Ever since they felled one back at the spine, Kapvik craved it's meat. Meat was meat though; he could not afford to be fussy.
INDENTEars cupped forward at her words. She might be right; the spire was gargantuan. The crags could be hiding mountain goat. A treacherous labor. The slopes of the spire were perilously steep. Scaling it was unwise. One blunder and that's all she wrote. There were not many places – if any at all – to cushion one's fall. Unless spikes are a type of cushion. The north face was less precipitous at least. It was wooded, broken by infrequent clearings and fast moving rivers. Woodlands weren't a bad thing...no matter how bunched it got in some areas. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. Sawtooth Spire has not yet been mapped out in its integrality, as Tonravik said.
INDENTAs she rose, so too did he. If she did not believe him, she was free to prove him wrong. Kapvik stuck close by, looking and smelling as tenaciously as the she-bear.

In the coming day, the pack would fell the very goat that had been so discreet beforehand. But, in the meantime they had another task at hand. Tonravik would settle for any scent they came across... given he had said there was a lack of prey in general. 

For a little over an hour, it was true. In the lower reaches, there was an abundance of nothing. All was as he had said. And when there was a trail, the frequent waterways of the Spire saw it fit to intervene until there was nothing left of it on the other side. But there was so much ground to cover that the woman herself continued on, her drive never once leaving her. The alpha female had dealt with worse, after all, and there were trails... they just faded to nothingness. 

Two hours gone, now. 

As they ascended, and moved into the snowy, stony reaches of the land, they came to an open meadow-valley of grass and snow both. It was here she smelled consistency and the thick, strong odor of prey that blessedly lingered. The alpha female panted excitedly, ears flickering as she turned to look to her subordinate to note if he could recognize these signs as well.

They searched indefatigably, moving through areas of flourishing flora and dense woodland. Sometimes they crossed shallow streams, other times they had to veer away to avoid crossing Kurdjuark River. Overall a hectic excursion; searching for something that was not there to begin with. See? I told you. That was when Tonravik started on her journey heavenward. Kapvik audibly griped but he dare not leave her side. If he had to climb to the white peak just to prove him correct then it shall be so.
INDENTThe greenery receded the higher they climbed, but only just. Prosperous wildflowers – both eye-popping and lackluster – could be found along their path. The Delta stopped to sniff at them on occasion. Once they trudged past the treetops and into the snow-clad limits did Kapvik's body start to protest. Not to the point of utter exhaustion as he was a beast of strength and endurance. Otherwise their ascension was uneventful...
INDENTUntil they both reached a certain point up Sawtooth Spire. Alpha and subordinate alike picked up on the telltale signs. Bison. Tonravik had a way of proving him wrong at every turn, it seems. Not one to take this find as a personal affront, the wolverine bwoofed at her. They panted in tandem, adding to the euphonious crunch of snow. Tongue snaked out, tasting indentations only prey as brawny as bison left behind. Old tracks. No less potent in invigorating him. Brushing past Tonravik in childish glee, he sped off. Upon turning around a bend did their toil come to a favorable end. The colossal beasts dotted the landscape. Some were grazing or lounging about. Others were homey enough to roll around in the snow, ice sticking to their impenetrable hide. So marvelous a sight did Kapvik begin to openly salivate. This find gave him enough strength to jostle Tonravik. Quite frankly, he was acting like an idiot.

Tonravik was smug when he sped off, and continued her cool, calm, and collected strut, the perfect juxtaposition to his eager display. There was happiness to be felt, moreso in the find than her being correct in this. Tonravik was fortunate this was up; she had been gone for longer than she desired to be from her children, and at least she had no more climbing to do. Tonravik nipped Kapvik roughly as he jostled her, the action one of fondness from her. 

The hardy creatures ahead were magnificent. Her undeniable favorite. Were the plains wolves to ask her of the creatures now, she would kill them in knowing their intent to herd them. This land, this prey, it was theirs. As it was there were no more plains wolves to think of... and those that had joined them of that place had their new beginnings beside her mate and herself. They were a formidable pair within the Valley, and had proven themselves a multitude a time. Of course, all of her wolves were formidable. There was not a one in her ranks without the stuff required to become Tartok... and now was as good a time as any to grow strong and become. 

"How goes your training," she hummed then, content to break the silence. The alpha female was content to recline onto her haunches and simply observe the prey before her for a time. Tonravik wanted warriors and wardens of her wolves—it was this she referred to.

Tonravik reacted in kind. Frivolity salved, the Delta licked his chops and sat down. Agreeably surveying their elysian find, a pleased sigh escaped his maw in ghostly wisps. Odd how most of them were awake so early in the morning. Did the big bad wolves scare them awake? The thought caused his tongue to brush against slobbered fangs. As they should be. Thinking they could bring one down did Kapvik begin to formulate a plan. A self-destructive task to be sure, but a man can dream...
INDENTThe she-bear words caused his expression to shift into one more formal. The requirements she demanded of her supporters were no laughing matter. “I'll soon sport the Warrior trade. As for Warden...I need to work on it.” Kapvik revealed nothing of his sluggish, plaintive times. First it had been Arverk, then Ayana, and finally Wicked that made him a recluse for a solid two weeks. He kept to his duties even then, but with less vigor and even fewer interactions. Currently, Tonravik's presence and her cubs up-and-coming reveal annulled depression. It will still trouble him at night, but he would suffer less from this moment on. Kapvik looked to her now, expecting a reaction. Be it disappointment, fancy or none of the above, the wolverine waited.

He was quick to respond, and Tonravik was pleased to hear that one of the two required trades would soon be his own. Her tail waved, and as he admitted he needed to work on becoming a warden, Tonravik nodded. She thought of her time at the Hollow, and hummed. With the cubs, the patrols would need to be broad... and while they could only do so much with their massive territory itself, they could do what they could. "The open land between mountains is ours," she gestured in the direction it was in, if he had not visited it yet. "Also, the meadow. There is another pack nearby... I do not want them around." Her ears flicked. That did not mean she wanted to displace them—thus far—but it did mean that she believed the Meadow to be their own, too, by default. The wolves of the woods could have anything else out of their reach, but anything in their jurisdiction was, well, theirs.

Tonravik rolled her shoulders. No point in delaying any further. She felt the need to return to the whelping den. "Do what you must to keep others out." It was as good as trespassing, to the alpha female. Her possessiveness of all within here was far-reaching. Tonravik nodded and then made to depart, pausing long enough to see if he had any questions.

Tonravik's words sent delightful shudders down his spine. Her claim was far flung and – as always – ubiquitous. Some might say she hoarded more than needed. To rebut her assertion was to invoke her wrath. How many sets of teeth do you have? Kapvik was all too pleased by her tidings. In the weeks or months to come, prey like cervids might flock to their demesne. Until then, they could wring the resources from outlying areas.
INDENT“Blackfeather Woods,” he hissed. They have displayed enough to earn his rancor. For one, Ayana was a misplaced blast from the past. Her involvement with them sullied her reputation. The girl deserved nothing but pity for what happened to her. Should the wolverine cross paths with her again, he will avoid her. If she was stupid enough to come meandering into their lands, no amount of commiseration would save her from the killing blow. As for the rest, their actions and words were grounds for resentment.
INDENTShe moved to leave. Right. Pups. Gotta relieve the spouse too. If he wasn't torn to pieces by those tiny, ferocious milk teeth yet. “It will be done,” he assured. Should he stick around a while longer to venerate the bison, or backtrack and mark the path up here some more? Or find an alternative, less taxing route? It was starting to look like One of Those Days. Great. There goes my sleep schedule. At least it was for a fundamental cause. That was enough to keep him going, sleep schedule be damned.