Porcupine Ridge A possible pack member

Jolon stumbled across the uneven surface, bits covered in a thin layer of snow. He had never been in such an environment before, but liked the view from up here. He felt the cold air go through his coal black fur and it filled him with delight. He gazed at the vale down below, completely in aw of it's beauty. Abruptly he stopped in his tracks. Did he hear that right, or were his ears playing a game with him? It sounded like howls, but the last time he checked he didn't cross a border of any sort. This called for further investigation. If it was a pack he could be very lucky or in big trouble. Living as a rogue was hard, even for a strong full-grown male as himself. Being isolated for this long had made him wish he had just stayed in the pack who had brutally murdered his father.

Long after that dark thought got stuck in his mind he smelled something. It was a scent any wolf could recognize. There were indeed other wolves in this area, and he had now found himself at the border of a pack territory. For a moment he stood still, not sure what to do in this situation. If he would just barge into the territory he would most likely be killed. He went through his options at this point, but the only option he could come up with was howl and wait for a response. Jolon lifted his head in the air and howled. His strong voice could be heard from miles away, so he was sure someone would've heard him. He lay down at the border, waiting for someone to greet him or fight him.

@Capriccio @Taggarik

Throwing Farstep in to entertain Jolon until a leader pops up! Feel free to skip me as needed once a leader joins. :)

His aspirations were not geared toward permanent border duty, but Farstep found himself once more tracing the line of pawprints, now a veritable trench in the snow, where the scent and sight of urine was most prevalent. The pack was still new and shiny and though they regularly howled to announce their presence and warn others away, it was at times still a shock for a wolf pack to set up camp in a previously free location. It wouldn't excuse anybody disregarding their well-laid and very maintained borders, but Farstep felt compelled to ensure that the scent markers were as fresh as possible.

He'd made an approximate quarter mile path around the borders, squatting every ten or fifteen feet to sprinkle the snow with a little urine, when he came into viewing distance of Jolon. The outsider's leisurely posture upon the pack's borders was noted, but as it wasn't completely disrespectful, Farstep approached rather neutrally. The forward prick of his ears and his slightly raised tail, with a fairly friendly wave, was the only indication of his position within the pack and his rank. As always, he said nothing because he couldn't, but waited patiently for the loner on the border to either show submission and a desire to enter the pack or move along.

OOC: thanks for replying, I was getting kind of bored on my own XD.

Not long after he had lain down he saw someone approaching. It was a brown wolf with bits of black and tan thrown in the mix, but the thing that stood out the most were the wolf's mesmerizing blue eyes. Jolon could clearly see and smell that this was a male. The male didn't look like an alpha, more like someone with a higher status in the pack. The way the brown male approached him made it clear that he was not here to fight. But if he wasn't here to start a fight, why didn't he say something? Maybe he was mute? Jolon gave up trying to make sense of it. If he really wanted in the pack he should do something now.

Jolon rolled on his back, showing his chest that was just as black as the rest of his coat. If the brown male standing before him wasn't planning on speaking, or was not able to, he should show submission this way. Jolon whimpered, clearly showing capitulation and a desire to join the pack. He waited for a response, but didn't know what to expect.

It was strange for the darker she-wolf to truly grasp – Taggarik had collected them in aid of establishing this Ridge to a well-groomed pack, and now others sought them out. So fresh and new, the wolves of Porcupine Ridge were attempting to familiarize themselves with not just the land, but each other. Capri had Terich – for which she was grateful, but while she got along quite well with her other pack mates, they still remained unknown to her.
 
So when another wolf howled to the wolves of the Ridge, the silver-tipped Alpha gave her pelt a quick shake and pulled herself from the small rabbit she had been nibbling on. Pushing the stray meal t the side, the Roux-Abrhen made a mental note to return to either finish it, or to place it in the caches – it would be a shame to put it to waste.
 
One of her packmates had beaten her to the caller. The tawny wolf was quietly observing their company, and while Capri had come to realize that her pack mate did not speak, she had no idea what to refer to him as. Loping forward, her form lifting in a natural display of dominance, she sent the stranger a quick glance over, noting the black of his fur and the size of his form. He was quite similar to Taggarik in many aspects—black fur, grey eyes. But the coldness in his eyes would keep the two miles apart. She noted how quickly he submitted fully to their Gamma, and the display soothed her from the coldness within his features. “Hello,” she greeted, her tone soft as she gave an idle flick of her tail. “Please state your name and business for calling at our borders.”

Lying on his back he saw a female figure moving closer. He couldn't see much of her, but a quick glance revealed her dominance. It also revealed her ebony pelt, that with the silver almost looked like a mask, and her blue-violet eyes. She was probably the alpha, although she was very delicate in build. She spoke comfortable and friendly, with a softness in her voice that was truly enthralling. Jolon kept his body on the ground, not knowing if he could stand up or not.

"Jolon. I've come here to humbly ask to join your ranks." Jolon answered short. He spoke with a coldness in his voice that he could not help, as much as he disliked it. He tried to speak friendly, but it was just not him. He didn't intend to sound rude, and was trying to make that clear with a little smile on his face.

The wolves of the pack often howled to one another, but the howl that rose into the sky was not one of his own and his ear, followed by his whole head, snapped toward its direction instantly. He was not far from the borders; like his pack mates, he devoted much of his time to ensuring they were clearly marked and defended in the wake of their founding.

He did not delay. His broad paws were already becoming familiar the terrain, he had memorized most of its features, and many trails had been blazed into the snow that crisscrossed the entirety of their homestead. He moved with easy grace, but even so, did not move quick enough to beat his silent subordinate or his alpha female. His lips arced into a brief smile at their promptness.

From a distance he could see that whomever they were confronting was already on the ground, submissive, and arrived in time to hear their name and their indication to join. As Taggarik approached he, for once, displayed his position. His broad head was lifted high, his tail even higher, and his ears were turned forward. His packmates were greeted with a warm glance and smile, before his gray eyes sought the male on the ground.

He strolled forward, almost stood over the loner, and peered down at him, testing him.

He offered his name, his form remaining submissive in nature. Despite the non-threatening display, there was something in his voice – the coldness – that caused the she-wolf to in turn, not greet him as warmly as she might have otherwise. Her gaze strayed to Farstep, wondering what he thought of this wolf – but before she could question further, the familiar scent of Taggarik drifted to her, and the dark regal swept up to his two comrades, his silver eyes bearing down upon the newcomer.
 
She remained silent for now – Taggarik offered his own form of a test as he stiffened, moving closer to the stranger. He stood over him, and with patience, the silver-tipped woman allowed the display to continue – to see what this strange wolf would do in the scenario.

Another wolf joined the scene, a black male, just like Jolon himself. They were fairly similar in build, both strong and big. But they didn't look identical, for this male had very friendly and warm eyes, nothing like Jolon's who were cold and empty. No-one really knew why Jolon had become so distant and cold, but Jolon knew all too well...

The black male strolled towards him and stopped practically on top of him. Jolon almost wanted to jump up, for he saw this as a threat, but soon realized that this was the alpha male. If he wanted to join the pack, the last thing he should do is attack now. So he stayed on his back, letting out a small whimper while wagging his tail a little bit. Jolon knew that this male would be a worthy opponent, and didn't dare getting defeated or injured. If he got defeated now they would chase him away or kill him. So despite his lust for blood, he would let this chance go. To add to that, he felt that he had a little respect for this male and his bravery. No-one has ever dared to intimidate Jolon like this before. It didn't feel very nice to play the submissive one for a change, but he didn't see any other choice for now.

skipping Farstep with permission :)

Farstep, whose name was still not and would never be known to Taggarik, stood off to the side. Capriccio also did not interfere as the alpha male sought to test the loner's resolve and willingness to submit. The pack had a half-dozen males and only a couple females, and so he was inclined to be more particular about accepting any more.

So far, Taggarik was satisfied, even the male held a certain coldness about him, but he was not yet done. The length of his tail swayed to indicate his appreciation of the submission thus given, but he continued his test by leaning down to sniff noisily at the wolf's nape, before shifting around to his side. Without hesitance or ceremony, he sat his ass down right on top of the loner.

"Suppose we could use you for a pillow if nothing else," he commented lightly, shifting his haunches as if he really were trying to determine the wolf's suitability for a comfortable butt-rest, though in reality it was another test, another assertion of dominance. He glanced to Capriccio, who usually had questions for the loners. She was free to ask them, which he indicated with quirked brow and a slight tip of his head.

Skipping Farstep with permission form Chels. Light PP of Farstep -- Chels gave pemrission to do so, and to assume Farstep was also sniffing out the stranger and standing over him to display his own standing in the pack, albeit not as dominantly as Taggarik.

Taggarik, forboding as he was when even when amicable, held a certain air that Capri believed would cause any wolf to second guess whether or not they were going to challenge him. The stranger seemed to be no exception, and allowing Taggarik to loom heavily over him, the she-wolf noted Farstep as he also whisked forward, satiating his own curiosity and dominance as he followed suit with Taggarik.
 
She studied the Alpha and was about to speaik – when the swarthy Ridge leader turned around and settled his rump rather swiftly on Jolon, as if the rogue was a door mat.
 
As if expecting him to give a bounce or two for finality, Capri watched her pack mates with mild bemusement, one ear flickering at Taggarik’s comment and tipped muzzle in her direction.
 
Withholding laughter, the she-wolf allowed her frosted eyes to glance over the stranger once more, continuing the conversation as if he did not have a rather large wolf’s ass holding him down.“And what is it you can offer to our pack, Jolon?”

Jolon let the black alpha sniff him from top to bottom, although he started to worry when also the brownish male wolf started to get closer. Things got even worse when the big alpha began testing him as a pillow. Jolon wanted to be submissive, not be a complete attendant. Then the alpha said something so disrespectful that it made Jolon's mind scream: enough. He let out a tiny growl followed by a soft whimper. not trying to sound dominant or threatening, rather saying: please, get off me. Jolon had much more qualities than being something soft to sit on so your ass won't get sore! Then the female alpha asked him something with that enthralling soft voice of hers.

"I offer strength, loyalty and complete devotion to the pack's well being. I offer a good hunter who will make sure the pack won't starve to death." Jolon answered with a faint smile and warmer than he intended. It seemed being around other wolves had made him open up more. Normally he would've said something along the lines of; a good leader, but it looked like this pack had a pretty good one already. He glanced at the wolves around him. Yeah, if he got in this pack, he would certainly be a lucky bastard.

Taggarik's display of sitting upon him newcomer was explicitly a show of dominance, his jestful comment said only to indicate that while he required his position as alpha male to be accepted and respected, he was nonethless relaxed and amiable. It was a test, and the loner had failed it completely by daring to utter a growl, however small, however quickly followed by a whimper. It may have been intended as a request, but as a lone wolf seeking admittance into the pack, one that had no immediate need of him or his commonplace skills, he was in no position to make it.

His body stiffened, and he lowered his head close to the wolf's ears and growled, low and deep, his lips lifted to reveal the tips of his teeth. This one was now the third wolf that Taggarik had encountered that had seemed to lack the most basic concept of how dominance and body language worked, and how to act at a pack's borders, and his patience and tolerance of such foolery was waning quickly. One more wrong move, even a twitch, and the ridge alpha would send this one on his way.

The rogue allowed the smallest of growls to seep past his lips – and despite the whimper that passed his lips shortly after, it was enough to stir the she-wolf’s own, relaxed form to stiffen, and her tail to arc higher as her eyes shot down to study him carefully.
 
Taggarik was quick to see the offense in it too, and what had been once friendly banter had triggered a more serious reaction. The ebony Alpha swept forward, his lips curled back and his teeth revealed in a much more serious display of his dominance – one he could have used from the start, had his own amiable personality not attempted to show through.
 
Porcupine Ridge was thriving, and were not destitute for members. They could be as particular as they liked, at this point, and her gaze flashed between the two, offering a small shake of her own charcoal muzzle. “You could have all the strengths in the world, but none of it will matter to this pack if you are not comfortable in your own skin – and if you do not understand the hierarchy,” she murmured then, her brows arching as she awaited a response from him.

Jolon soon realized that he had made a mistake. The big alpha male made that clear with a growl that had send shivers down his spine. He knew that this was a warning, a very clear one. Being alone for such a long time had not made him an expert in these kind of interactions. He didn't mean to be disrespectful towards any of these wolves, more like the opposite. Jolon flattened his ears against his head, for he was fearful of the alpha male and what he may do next if Jolon made another mistake. A small, submissive whimper escaped his lips before he heard the female alpha murmur. Jolon did not know what she had meant by "comfortable in his own skin", but he knew what she meant by him not understanding the hierarchy. It was not that Jolon did not understand the hierarchy, but his social skills had become a bit rusty.

"I understand that you may not need my skills, strength or protection. And I will leave if you truly don't want me. But please, consider it. I also know a few plants if that would higher my chances. I may not be a healer myself, but I know a few plants that would be toxic from my time alone. I'd be willing to dive deeper into the subject if you want me to." Jolon spoke in a soft tone. He meant what he had said, if he was not welcome here he would leave with no hard feelings and high hopes for the future. He was a man of his words, it was of no use for him to lie. He awaited an answer from one of the alpha's with a beating heart.

Farstep watched the exchange in silence, having satisfied himself with sniffing and posturing over Jolon. Taggarik's blatant dominance was unexpected, given his usual amiable behaviour, but also completely his right. Jolon was yet another male approaching a pack of majority males; no doubt his Alpha's behaviour would continue increasing in intensity with every male that arrived, for every additional male was a potential threat to his authority.

When Jolon growled from beneath Taggarik, Farstep responded much like his leaders: his hackles bristled in a threat response and he rumbled lowly as well. A pack wolf might have got away with grumbling at an overbearing display from an Alpha, but a lone wolf on a pack's borders had no rights at all, let alone the right to complain.

Jolon had been given one last chance, but unfortunately for him, he had made a wrong move, not with his body, but with his tongue. In speaking about a skill he previously did not disclose in the name of 'heightening his chances', he demonstrated exactly the reason Taggarik cared not for anything said on his borders; because wolves like this one would say anything if they thought they could gain admittance by doing so.

The pack had no need of him, and he had done nothing to endear himself to the black wolf. Quite the opposite in fact. Taggarik lifted his hindquarters from the loner's body, only to come around and stand before him glowering down with his ears thrust forward, tail high and rigid, and his muscles rigid. "Leave," he commanded with a low, deep growl. His words and every inch of his body were a promise that he would escort this wolf away by teeth if he did not take it upon himself to heed the order given to him.

I would have liked to have accepted Jolon, but unfortunately he's made too many mistakes for my character. You may have better luck at another pack though! :)

Jolon didn't think twice before getting up from the ground and walking a few meters away from the rest. He respected the choice of the alpha, but was still a little sad that it had to end like this. He gave one last glance at the bunch of them before running off in the direction he had come from, he was not in the mood to fight. He had high hopes for the future, for he would not give up on finding a place to call home. And who knows, maybe their paths would cross again sometime.

OOC: I don't know how to get this the way most people on this forum do it, you know, like this light grey text so I'm just going do it like this. It's alright, this was my first time trying to join a pack, and I think I've learned something for in the future. I didn't expect success on the first try, thanks for having me though. Seeya! :)

The wolf’s response was not quite what she expected – instead of continuing to submit, he continued to plead his case, tagging on extra ‘skills’ he suddenly had and felt improper to mention before. It did not settle well with the she-wolf, and her posture stiffened to reflect such. Before she could usher why he felt to bring up the art of poisoning to a pack he hoped to gain ground with, Taggarik voiced his command, and she felt her own words fall short of that. While she might have become argumentative to the stranger, Tagg was stern and succinct – get out of their lands.
 
The wolf seemed hesitant to do so – a longer glance spent upon them only stirred her posture to become more rigid, and the barest trace of a snarl fell upon her lips as they pulled back. But he swept away then, and with a glance to both Taggarik and Farstep, Capri herself whisked away – her slender form moved along the borders, a bit from the direction their encounter had gone.. and then, she loped off them and in his direction. She would trail him form a distance until satisfied that he had fully left, and then she would return home

What happened next was obvious to both Alphas, but very unclear to Farstep, who could discern none of what the lone male said. Although Jolon flattened into a more proper submission following Taggarik's warning, the Alphas did not show signs of pleasure. His eyes lingered on Capriccio's shoulders, which seemed to tighten rather than relax.

Next thing Farstep knew, Jolon was off and running. The subordinate wolf flipped forward his ears and his tail stilled as confusion and curiosity etched lines on his face. Capriccio left without much fanfare, and he watched her silver-dusted figure disappear along the borders before he turned back to Taggarik.

Though he didn't understand what Jolon's offense had been at the end and would puzzle over it for hours after the fact, he knew that his behaviour had never been wrong. He approached the Alpha male with his shoulders drooping, ears pulled slightly back and turned aside and tail wriggling low. He thrust his tongues out a few times in a bid for the leader's chin, hoping to graze it respectfully before taking his leave.

The lone wolf took off without needing encouragement, so Taggarik held his ground, did not snap his teeth at the fleeing heels, and stared hard at the back of Jolon's skull. Capriccio was in support of his decision. He had not spared a moment to seek her opinion before issuing his final command, but only because he was confident there was no question of the wolf's suitability. Indeed, the alpha pair seemed to be much in sync that way, and others.

His silent subordinate, on the other hand, seemed a bit confused. For a moment, he could not think of why, but then it clicked that this wolf would have only been aware of one half of the communication between his alphas and the loner. He approached Tagg appeasingly and licked his chin, to which the black wolf rumbled appreciatively. He then sought to soothe his companion and packmate with a friendly nudge and a wagging tail before both left.