Swiftcurrent Creek In Sickness or in Health(IC Joining)

She stomped both furiously and weakly in frustration as the small mouse disappeared into the thicket. She huffed and sat down near the bank of the river, her eyes threatening to bring forth tears.

Her stomach growled. Oh, shut up! she told herself. Her skin stretched painfully across her ribs and her head pounded. The pup sighed and shook herself up, deciding to go get a drink.

She lapped up the water eagerly, and focused on trying to remember what had happened those few weeks ago.

But there was nothing.

Still frustrated, the young pup turned away from the creek, but a wave of nausea hit her, and she collapsed, weak with hunger. The current began to tug at her limp body, half in the water. She felt weak. Is my pain finally going to end here?

She smiled weakly and closed her eyes, embracing an oncoming sleep, but the pup was farther from death than she thought, and all that simply happened was deep slumber.

Ferdie Von Pelt happen to be scouting around looking for Tawawi with a freshly plucked goose in his maw, when he heard something. So he trotted in the direction of the noise, the yellow eyes took in the sight of the young pups collapse. Still holding the goose he bolted to her side, no matter what pack she belonged to she was a pup and he would protect her.

The brute dropped the earmarked goose in front of the young femme and began licking her face tasting tears and removing dirt he nuzzled her head and ears as he continued to assault her with his tongue "Wake up little one," he murmured. If he got no response he'd gently nip the tip or her sensitive ears, the scent of the goose would surely bring her around too.

If she was hungry when she awoke Ferdie would find another gift for the wolf the goose was intended for, this pup was more important in this moment.

The sad little sound brought Bazi to the scene as well. She belonged to her parents' final litter before the sickness, but had seen other whelps - the youngest being 3 or 4 months old - out and about with their parents from neighboring packs. At home, only Shar-Kali was permitted to breed, and the rule had deprived the Creek girl of interaction with pups. Ferdie had rushed to the aid of whatever feeble little creature had emitted the sound, and was fluttering over something small and pale when Bazi drew up alongside him.

She nipped gently at her groomer and guardian's flank as she approached, making wide eyes at the weak and malnourished child. "Will Fox want her?" she asked, pushing her own nose in for a good sniff. It was alive, that much was certain, but so much smaller than the Creek's resident juvenile. "She looks very frail.."

ermeguerd I forgot to tag Fox :o @Fox . :p

Nightingale raised her head weakly at the nip in the ear, angling her one good eye towards the two figures that towered over her. Despite her weak and malnourished form, she was awake in almost an instant, fear pumping adrenaline through her small figure. She had seen a lot of mean wolves in her short time, and didn't know about these two.

She made a small yelp and attempted to get up, but another wave of nausea hit her, and she flattened her body to the ground again, trying to make herself seem smaller, if that was possible.

His voice held a hint of panic in it as the young wolf moved around "She's to young even if Fox sent her away, she needs help now. Ferdie picked up the goose and lay it on the younglings paws.

Then he lay next to her making himself smaller and less of a threat, he offered her his body heat and food, gently he nuzzled her neck "Eat little one, you are safe."

Ferdie glanced at Bazi then offered "If fox doesn't want her here, then perhaps you and I could escort her elsewhere. Finally an outing together" Ferdie smiled softly.

Though he hoped that Fox wouldn't drive out the pup, he would completely understand if she did, a sick wolf was no use to the pack and pups were due soon, not to soon but soon enough. That alone would drain the caches without the help of the sick or injured.

Poor critter. Nightingale's plight reminded Bazi of her own stumbling steps into the Creek - and here she was not much later, fit, healthy, and holding her own at the top of the pecking order. But she had been a fully grown wolf, and without the visual impairment that this whelp clearly suffered from - the bird-like movements of her head gave it away. Fox would have to judge.

Without prompt, Bazi turned her head back towards the pack's inner sanctum sent a howl, low and urgent, to @Fox. The rust-brown alpha was frequently within the Creek's borders and quick to attend the borders, which she liked - it was proper for a queen to remain in her country.

"Let's see what she says," Bazi replied, keeping her voice calm and quiet for the sake of the half-blind pup. Ferdie had gone full Dad, curling himself around the small, quivering body, nuzzling the child as though it was his own. How very Ferdie, Bazi thought, smiling at the fact that a wolf as big as her adopted father was such a softie.

Nightingale peeked open her eyes, looking up at the wolf beginning to curl around her. She almost instantly felt warmer and more comfortable. The bird in front of her smelled heavenly...

The other wolf howled an unknown message as Nightingale slowly began to eat. They looked at her. She absent-mindedly looked back up at the wolf curled around her, her eyes glowing in gratitude.

"Thank you, Sir. Ma' am." she muttered, mouth still full of food. She didn't know who this Fox wolf was, but if the wolf was as nice as these two, she'd look forward to see her.

Sorry for the delay! Today was a particularly busy day for me. Nightingale, I noticed that you'd already started another thread, but I'd advise you to hold off on finishing it, mostly because Fox is rather displeased with trespassers, young or not, and I'm not sure what the outcome of this thread is going to be.

Fox had been mid-poop when her ears pricked forward to hear Bazi's call. Grunting, and finishing up her business, she kicked her feet to cover her droppings and then sped off toward one of her youngest and brightest (mentally and physically) comrades. The Alpha had put on a few extra pounds since becoming a leader, mainly due to the constant gifts that were dropped at her feet. Ferdie was usually the culprit in that case, although Fox could not say that she disliked the gesture. Her coat was shiny and sleek now that she had been shedding a large portion of her winter undercoat.

Her gallop slowed to a trot, then a walk, when she arrived to see Ferdie coiled around some small, pathetic creature, Bazi standing nearby. “What is the meaning of this?” demanded Fox, her tone less than pleased. Fox had no kindness for trespassers, no matter how young and weak they were. Actually, she had less tolerance for those who were young and weak. They were easier to pick off.

Ferdie Von Pelt knew that this might not end well for the little pup and though he'd be absolutely appalled if Fox decided to attack or something of the like he'd not stop Fox from any action.

Perchance this little femme's best chance was to end her suffering, Females were wiser then him in cases of pup survival, many mothers turning away or killing runts off rather then letting them suffer.

Ferdie and the timorous to look ashamed and guilty "I saw a pup and could not leave her to suffer, but I would not bring her into the pack land that is your choice alone to make. If you wish it I could remove her far from here." Ferdie nudged the little ones neck, urgeing her to plea her case.

Fox reacted as Bazi had guessed she would. Their leader was fair and fun (when you had earned the right to see that side of her), but there was a sharp and unforgiving edge to her that surfaced in situations that affected 'the pack'. Bazi had seen it at the borders, and again after the coyote encounter - there was a businesslike ruthlessness to her commands, and it showed now.

Bazi took a few steps away from Ferdie and the pup, but the glassy look to her eyes betrayed her pity. It was sickly, and small, and would require a lot of care and attention to bring up to scratch. The blindness was unfortunate in someone so young, and they were due a healthy batch from Tuwawi in a matter of months that were more worthy of Ferdie's babysitting skills.

Bazi thought of Björn and his merciful execution of the cougar cub in Ravensblood Forest. Ritualistic babble aside, it had been the right thing to do. If this little whelp were to die today, at least it would not be under some pretense that it would live on in a gilded hall of heroes.

whoops! Went a little overboard :p. don't follow my length :p

The wolf pup cowered at the sharp words of the small red wolf. This alpha was not one to give pity. Nightingale had a strange sensation that if she wasn't run off or taken somewhere else, she would most certainly be killed.

An old instinct welled up inside her, a feeling that she should defend herself and what little dignity she had. The white she wolf backed off and the male nuzzled her neck. She didn't need to be told twice.

She knew what she had to do.

She pulled away and tapped her nose under the wolf's chin in thanks. She turned back toward the red wolf, eyes once fearful were now calm, with a hint of nervousness.

She felt something out of the back of her mind appear... It was small, but the tiny sliver of memory was all she needed.

"You are small, my little songbird, and you have a blind eye, this is true... But that does not mean you are weak. You were granted two amazing gifts in return of two sad weaknesses."

Nightingale blinked, wondering out loud. "what are those gifts, Mom?"

"Your strength in your legs and your strength in your voice, Little One."

Weakly, she began to stand. At first, she began to stumble again as the waves of nausea hit her head again and again, but managed to stay up.

She continued to stare at the Fox. She crouched low, thinking. If one looked close enough, they would see the muscles in her legs beginning to ripple as they gathered energy. She looked at something past the wolf's head. She took a deep breath...

She jumped.

Nightingale felt as if she took the essence of the bird she was named after. She jumped over the head of the alpha wolf, feeling as if she was granted wings. She landed a few feet behind Fox, landing a bit heavily on her less-favored side. She nearly fell again, but caught herself in time. She looked back at the three wolves.

"With all due respect, Miss Fox," she began cautiously, "I can assure you that I am not as weak as I look...

"I have been on my own for weeks, probably even longer, if I could remember back farther. Despite my current state, I feel that I did a fairly good job, considering my size and my blind side. I... I'm sorry for passing into your territory, Miss Fox... I didn't realize I had done so..."

With that, the young Eastern Timber Wolf crouches low, looking as small as she could. She didn't realize it, but she was displaying a perfect example of submission. She didn't have long though, before her malnourished body gave up after working so hard. She collapsed again, going in and out of conciousness.

Fox had thought Ferdie was beginning to come around, but this act was unacceptable. He was shielding a trespasser, a stranger, and Fox couldn't help but be flabbergasted and frustrated at his actions. At least Bazi understood the severity of this, as was clear by her actions of stepping aside and allowing Fox space to deal with the situation. Ferdie, on the other hand, acted as if this young creature was somehow his and had always been so.

Before Fox had a chance to respond, the weak youngling was flying through the air and rattling off about something, only to collapse shortly after. It was not impressive, not to Fox, who did not care for party tricks. It was obvious she was irritated by this whole situation, and it was days like this when she just wanted to give up. And yet, she knew that in doing so, she would be letting so many others down, so she pressed on.

Her tail flicked in annoyance, and she glanced to Bazi before gazing pensively at the pathetic creature who now lay on the ground. A few uncomfortable silent moments passed before Fox made up her mind. "If she's not pulling her weight in a week's time, you must put her out of her misery," Fox said to Ferdie. The burden would be on him, punishment for taking in such an obviously (to Fox) weak creature.

The creek had no room for dead weight, especially since Tuwawi's children would arrive soon.

Ferdie Von Pelt huffed a sigh, this was going to be work to get this little one up to snuff. And if he couldn't he would have to carry out Foxs orders; as scary and appalling as they were to him, The future is not not something to look into he reminded himself quietly.

He knew he had tripped up over some invisible line, but he couldn't help himself either, he'd do it again and again if the situations presented themselves.

Ferdie pulled himself up and took the half eaten meal and placed it in front of the femme's muzzle nipping the tip of her ear again, "Eat!" He commanded with a firm tone
then he lowered his head and looked up at fox,

His voice was softer now "I'm sorry Fox" this was the first time he had ever actually used her name. His tail hung limp and his posture contrite, he had no idea what he was in for. In a weeks time do you want me to bring her to you for judgement? He cringed at the thought of this youngling failing that judgement. Ferdie wanted to grovel but know that that would not help the situation. Nor earn the pup any favors, this sad thing was likely going to make or break Ferdie's place in the pack.

The sudden leap startled Bazi, who flattened her ears and took a quick step back. Nightingale landed awkwardly, and it wasn't long before exhaustion and sickness pulled the pup's feet out from under her. She collapsed in a tiny, ragged heap. Fox did not look happy. Bazi watched Ferdie grovel for the tiny life, shrinking in Fox's shadow. Eventually, a deal was cut.

It baffled her that he would do this for a wolf that offered no immediate assets to their pack. Sure, Swiftcurrent Creek was a hodgepodge of family names, but each one had traded their loyalty and skills for a carefully monitored trial run - no exception. This runt would only burden them in the short run, and break Ferdie's heart when she failed to live up to Fox's demands. What could he possibly teach a pup in a week? She could hardly hunt or scout, and they had no qualified healer that needed an apprentice. The prospects looked grim.

The pup would have to share their den, no doubt, and Bazi wasn't entirely happy about that, either. The very sight of the little thing tugged at her heartstrings, but she wanted no part in Ferdie's experiment. Partly because she was fairly certain the pup would be dead in a week's time (and didn't fancy enduring that loss), but that wasn't the whole of it. The lion's share was a curious mix of ambition and utilitarianism, and not something she particularly was proud of. Above all else, she wanted Fox's trust and approval, and she wanted a strong pack - a pack to rival Shar-Kali's, that no Vale wolf would think to cross.

"There are a couple of extra furs drying outside the den. They're thick," she told Ferdie. With that, she turned west, licking Fox's chin before loping in the direction of the Sunspire range. There was saltstone to be found, and one of the older, flatter skins would do nicely as a bag.

Exit Bazi.

She was barely past conciousness, but she was awake just enough to hear what the red wolf had to say, and what she said terrified her. She struggled back up onto her paws, determined to stay up on her own. She glanced at Fox with uncertainty, but the little pup was smart enough to keep her thoughts to herself. She glanced up at the male wolf, an expression of a mixture of both gratitude and despair on her face. The obvious was clear: there was a very slim chance of her seeing the next week's sun. She smiled hopefully, keeping to her lighthearted self, before bending down to take a bite out of the bird. She hated feeding off another's kill, but the quickest way to get better was to get healthy first. She glanced up at him, ready to follow him wherever he decides to go.

exiting when ferdie does

Woo, rough weekend! This is my final post. I'm interested to see where this goes! :o

“Yes,” she replied to Ferdie, paying no attention to the blubbering girl before her. At least it seemed that Bazi understood her decision, for the girl did not try to intervene or change her mind. Instead, Bazi made a quick exit and found some other task to busy herself with.

Twitching her tail, Bazi gave Ferdie one last look, shook her head, and then trotted off. She was not looking forward to that day of judgement, no matter how little she seemed to care. But the creek could not stand to carry around a sick child when they had two new ones in the making.

I'm sorry fox I meant only to help this little one, not sway any decision on your part Ferdie called out as she trotted away. He looked over at the young pup, once you eat we'll figure something else

After the young wolf finished it's meal, Ferdie and she would move into the pack land,

exit ferdie