Wheeling Gull Isle The Road To Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions

@Rhællaa because she is a Queen and I love her plus could be a thread to help push the progression of Aristos, like an explore thread.

The giant male was doing his own inspections of the island, he was very intrigued by the island and he wasn't sure if others were as excited as him. His heart ached that he had to separate himself from Lokie but he felt that his friend needed to learn to be more independent, and if Connor wasn't there Lokie had to make sure that he could defend himself. Lokie was the first to reach out and become his best friend and he would forever be grateful for that, but he felt that Lokie needed to widen his friendship circle, he figured that wouldn't be hard for him since he is always eager to meet new wolves and the titan will always appreciate that. The cinnamon wolf's goal was to have this place inspected from top to bottom, he didn't want anything happening to his pack mates because of unchecked borders, he would let something like that happen to him again.

Connor was shoving his nose everywhere, he even almost got snapped by another crab but he was quick enough to recoil his head and carry on. The large man began to think about his excitement and growth in protectiveness over his packmates, his home was the mountains and there were many accidents up in the Rockies, and he was aware of the danger that his packmates could get into and he didn't want anyone getting hurt. To him, a pack means family, a community, and he wanted to make sure that everyone was happy, he knew very well what could happen if someone wasn't happy, and it was what he would do with that experience to try and prevent those events. But he would be foolish if he knew that he could prevent everything from going wrong, he knew that he couldn't step into everyone's business and he had to respect the space of others. The male was better at learning when he was alone and thinking, and that was what he was doing.

A rainy morn dawned to find the soon-to-be Lady of the Isle patrolling, accompanied by the churn of sea against the shore and patter of droplets falling to earth. There was a nip to the showers but the summer's humidity kept her warm as she loped the perimeter of the island - laying the beginning traces of their borders as she passed. 

A dark silhouette on the beach's horizon drew her eye - squinting through the rain to assure herself it wasn't a trick of the light. A booming call of greeting echoed across the dunes as it left her throat, hailing her packmate as she trotted curiously closer. 

"Connor," she chirped happily as she came upon the older male, wagging tail slinging a portion of the wet sand plastered to her svelteness.

The large male hadn't noticed the rain that was slowly pelting him, perhaps he was too much in his mind to notice, but he did start to notice that the ground started to give weigh and his paws were sinking a little. But he thought of this like when dirt gets wet and it becomes mud, it is all a part of the adapting process but he has to admit that the sand felt a bit weird. Connor blinked at this but he decided to move out of his space to avoid looking silly and continued his scouting. The rain was never going to be a problem for him, he had his experiences with flooding and he was starting to worry about flooding in the new camp since they were surrounded by water and he made sure that none would die to flood ever again. This brought Connor to want to find Rhaella to express his concerns with this issue but he didn't want to start complaining to the Lady right away.

But his chance had come, his name was called by the future leader and Connor swiveled his head to the sound of her voice. The chirp of her voice was more than welcomed to the older man as he gave a welcoming smile like they had been friends for years. His coal tipped tail wagged from side to side with an even pace as she approached him, Connor gave a dip of his head, "Rhaella! How are you?" He began with a welcoming tone, "I was just checking the area out, looks good!" Connor said with eagerness, the man was happy to explore his new areas and wanted to get the best of his new home, his emerald gaze was scanning the area one last time before looking back at his leader with excitement but was respectful.

"Splendid," she answered with a slow curl of a shy grin, gaze darting away as soft words rang in her ears, accompanied by the soft break of waves - honeyed eye shadowed by night and pale pelt turned silver by moonlight. It hadn't been romantic or anything of the sort but still, it lingered - leaving her bouyant. 

"And you? How does the Isle suit you after mountaineering?" The aspiring leader asked, hoping that her first two recruits had both settled well. 

"Aye, it seems like a promising territory for Aristos," the femme agreed, casting a fond gaze over their surroundings.

Connor was happy that she was doing well, a leader needed to be content in order to start leading in his eyes, he felt like a big brother watching his little sister grow into something bigger, nothing romantic. Although, he was a bit confused when she gave him a shy grin and her gaze darting away, was she weary around him? The titan male didn't let that cloud his judgment though, and he continued to be respectful and kind towards her, it was like Lokie said, he couldn't let things bother him so much. But he followed her gaze to the waves, they had a mind of their own and he had to admit, there was some enjoyment in watching them rise up and down with rhythm. But he did wonder if something would pop out and surprise the two of them but he figured he would look zoned out if he kept trying to look.

His attention was turned back to Rhaella, who had asked him how he was settling in with the island, even mentioning his past mountain home. Connor blinked thoughtfully, he had to admit to her about that it wasn't something that he was used to, "I must say, it will take time getting use to so much sand being around which I will quickly adapt too," he assured her. "Although I think Lokie will have a harder time with those crabs chasing him around all the time," he chuckled, his poor friend was getting bullied by those creatures and he did feel bad, but he couldn't help but find amusement in the situation. The leader had said that this will be a perfect fit for Aristos, and despite his personal preferences, he had to agree, "yes, I couldn't have picked a better place myself." He admitted, but he was only teasing himself, his emerald gaze looked at Rhaella, "if you want, we could scout out possible dens or possible hub areas, or even marking up borders?" He offered, the man really wanted to help Rhaella. He remembered something that his mother said, sometimes those in need don't ask for assistance, but he knew that Rhaella, the leader, could keep up with her own tasks.

Rhælla listened attentively - trying so very hard to uphold the ideals of a good leader, embracing the role now that appeared she might actually hold it. 

"Well, I'm glad you're settling in well - both of you," she imparted with a sweet smile. "I don't know what's up with the crabs - usually they're pretty reclusive little creatures but they seem to have a personal vendetta against the two of you." Her star-dusted crown fell back as she laughed, making it clear she was only poking fun at the pair. 

"Exploring sounds great - I've gotten a start on the borders but my days seem to be filled with digging here lately. So much so that I haven't really gotten a chance to map the territory out yet," the dark fae shared, clearly weary but overjoyed to be working so hard. 

"Where should we start?" She asked Connor eagerly, turning towards the heart of the Isle with a curious gaze.

Connor's tail swished with delight as she said that she was glad that both he and Lokie were settling in nicely, but he also noticed how she seemed to be engaged into what he was saying like she was taking mental notes. The muscular male took much appreciation to that, in his mind, someone who listens to what their peers have to say is a great quality, though he was not a judge for those who were going to become future leaders, he was going off by what he has seen. The lady mentioned the crabs and she poked fun at their predicament by throwing her head up and laughing, a clear sign of joking. Connor's brows raised and his emerald gaze full of amusement as he gave her a cheeky smile, "I don't know, perhaps we shall hold a meeting for the crabs and tell their leader that we are two bumbling idiots that mean no harm." He couldn't help but laugh at himself for that as he joined her in her fit of laughing.

Rhaella was more than eager to get the pack forming, but he noticed that she was a little tired but her energy to keep working hard amazed him. In his mind, he wondered if she was letting everyone settle in and taking on the tasks alone, Connor could respect that but his instincts wouldn't let him sit still, work before play, was one of his many motos. The star dusted lady asked where they should start, turning toward the heart of the island, Connor tilted his head a bit, he wasn't sure but he knew they should start on the outside first. "Where ever you want to start," he suggested by turning to her, "but with my somewhat good knowledge, marking up the boarders first lets others know that there is a forming pack and they should probably turn away." Connor wanted to be fair to wonderers since he was met with much hostility when it came to forming territories, "it would make it easier to start with the outside so that we can deal with trespassers first before making dens." He finished, although it was really up to her.

"Perhaps that would be best - mayhaps we should even bring a peace offering," she giggled in mirth, absorbed by laughter by the thought - imagining a ring of attentive crabs, pincers raised skywards. Her youth seemed to most often shine through in these moments, most often in Connor and Lokie's company - as the older males seemed to be taking on  brotherly roles with the young Lady. 

"Aye, we should begin with the borders - along the beach, particularly around the Landbridge," Rhæ determined with a nod. "We can always mark the forest later - as we're exploring."

"By the time we're done, this place will reek of Aristos," Rhælla chuckled as she trotted down the beach, falling into step with Connor. Occasionally, she would stop in her path - clawing her mark on driftwood and tree trunks, rubbing her coat over stone and brush.

Connor couldn't help but get into a giggling fit with Rhaella's joke, he was glad that she had a sense of humor as most wolves seemed to take things a little too seriously in his mind, yet again, Lokie took everything as a joke but he didn't mind that at all. The giant male nodded with obedience as Rhaella said that they should start at the beach and leave the forest for later, he quickly followed her and began following her process of marking up places with his claws and rubbing himself on objects so that they could get their scents on their new territory. Rhaella chuckled that this place will smell of Aristos to which Connor would reply with a chuckle as well, "the scent will even carry over to packs over the mountains!" He jokingly exclaimed, he was quite enjoying the company of Rhaella, like a family, big brother, younger sister.

As the two carried on with their marking, the question that he thought of kept buzzing around in his head, he really wanted to express his concerns with her, he knew that friends shouldn't keep secrets from each other so he mustered himself up to ask the question. "Uhm Rhaella?" He began, turning to the young girl with a bit of concern on his face, "I was wondering since we live so close to the water, do you think that when it rains, the tide will come up and flood the island? Flood the dens?" This was a real concern of his since the last time there was flooding, his siblings drowned and he didn't want the same thing to happen to any of his pack mates, he wouldn't allow it.

The girl chuckled at his joke - feeling a sudden stab of pride for their little band of waywards, their family. 

Connor's timbres - laced with uncertainty - brought the nite queen's head swivelling, anxious gaze finding him as she abandoned the boulders she'd been coating in her perfume. 

"Yeah?" She asked as she drew to his side, remaining eye gleaming with silent encouragement as she caught his jade gaze. 

"Oh," she murmured, gaze turning to the evergreen sentinels as she considered his question with solemnity etched into her onyx features. "Well, should it flood, we would have to retreat inland for a time until the waters receded." 

"I doubt the water would ever rise high enough to cover the entirety of the Isle, even in the fiercest storm," Rhælla reassured him with a kind smile. 

"The dens and the like should be fine," she stated, bumping his shoulder with her own companionably as she rose - hoping to have put his fears to rest.

Connor looked at the leader with an anxious look, flooding was at the top of his concerns at the moment since it would be the death of him if he couldn't rescue his packmates from the terrors of the water. What he did appreciate was her concern for him, they seemed to have each other's back, and he would do the same for her if something was troubling her, it was his instinct to make sure that everyone was happy, and to especially those he viewed as family. He found himself at ease when Rhaella explained what they would do in case of flooding, she seemed to acknowledge his concern with a kind smile, assuring that his fears would be put to rest. The small lady had bumped his shoulder, reminding him that she was there to help, and Connor returned to her with a relieved smile, "thanks, its good to know we have a plan in case that was to happen." He didn't want to put a damper on the mood, so he gave her a cheerful smile as they continued their way on marking the borders, at this point it seemed like they had been through the edge of the island a thousand times.

Connor looked at Rhaella with a determined smile, "it seems we have marked everything," he huffed with satisfaction, "now then my lady," he started with a playful bow and a silly tone, "where shall we go next?" He said with a playful smile like an older brother would do with his younger sister.

Rhælla sent a smile his way, happy she had managed to settle his nerves. A thought popped into her head then, giving her pause, as she considered him with a careful look. 

Before she could phrase her concerns, he distracted her by asking what was next. "The forest?" The exile stated, more a question of affirmation than anything.

The worry lingered though, and as they skirted the roosting rocks of Longshore, Rhæ gathered the courage to break the silence.

"Connor?" She questioned softly, much as he had just done.

"Why did you ask - about the flooding I mean?" Something like fear pooled in her stomach, suddenly sensing that the answer was a tragic one. Her remaining eye pooled with concern, almost frightened to know what had occurred in his past.

The titan's tail wagged when Rhaella said that she should head to the forest, he was happy that he would be going to somewhat familiar territory that he could work with better. "Lead the way," he smiled, and with a flick of his tail they set off for their new destination. The pair had grown silent, though he didn't mind this, he was distracted by all that was happening around them. The two wolves were making their way over some rocks, the cinnamon scout was careful since he remembered when he and Lokie were mountain climbing and he was a bit too large to do his favorite activity. He didn't want to accidentally sprain his paw and embarrass himself in front of Rhaella, he didn't want her to worry about him all too much.

The star dusted wolf broke the silence, her voice was soft which made him worry, "yes?" He replied with his gaze growing with concern as he looked at Rhaella, wondering what could be wrong. Her lilac gaze met his jade orbs as he asked him why he was so concerned about the flooding, his face grew sad, she was going to have to know someday. The giant slowed to a stop, his head was down trying to collect his thoughts, he knew this would be brought up eventually, he hadn't even told Lokie, but yet again, Lokie didn't ask. He heaved a heavy sigh and craned his neck back up, he couldn't delay the inevitable, "well," he began, his voice uncharacteristically sad. "When I lived in the mountain with my parents when I was very young," he said, his gaze dropping, "I had siblings, and we all lived together in the lower part of the mountain valley, and we lived happily." 

The giant sat on his haunches, "one day... There was a massive storm that no one could predict, we thought we would be okay because we were used to the unexpected weather change but..." He drew in a deep breath, his muscular body rising and falling uneasy, "I can only remember images, I remember... The water... Rushing in unexpected, and it began to fill the den faster then we could move and..." He paused, he didn't really talk about this with anyone so he had less experience on how to tell the story, he breathed once again to stay calm. "I remember my parents trying to round us up and move us out safely but... There was too much water... Not enough time..." Connor closed his eyes and sighed, "me and my parents... Were the only ones that escaped..." He finished, his emerald gaze looking back up, he took a moment to close his eyes and breathe again then reopened them once he was content.

"Because of this event, I have devoted myself to make sure this kind of stuff won't happen to others, to the ones I love, to protect them. A pack is like a family, so I will protect them too." His gaze was determined, he meant every word he said, he would fight for Lokie, he would fight for Rhaella, he would fight for Aristos.

Rhælla felt sympathy course in her veins for the sable-pelted male, leaning her head against his shoulder in comfort as he laid bare his tale. "I'm truly sorry, Connor," she offered, knowing even that it was a useless thing to give. 

"That's noble of you, and a good way to honor their memory," she smiled, voice gone soft for fear she might have overstepped. "It reminds me much of my own reasons for wanting to build Aristos," she shared, much as a co-conspirator. 

"It's good that we have a pack built on such ideals," the wisp added as they continued on into Longshore - pausing occasionally to rub her sandy pelt along the plant and shale, or to rear and gouge her mark upon the trunks.

Connor was mournful, he wanted to do something special with this painful memory instead of it sitting there and haunting him. He felt Rhae next to him, leaning on his shoulder, the man exhaled, he appreciated the star dusted wolf doing her best to comfort him, but he knew that words wouldn't help. He leaned his giant head over to her and carefully placed it on hers for a moment, as thanks and craned it back up with his emerald orbs looking down on her, and giving a soft smile as she did with him. "Thank you, but I know I have to move on from it, I can't let this past define who I am," he said, his tone picking up a bit so he doesn't sound depressed, but determined. The titan beamed when the Lady said that it was noble of him to honor their memory this way, Connor nodded in agreement, "it is the least I can do for them," he said softly.

His ears perked with interest when she said that his story reminded her why she wants to start Aristos, could her situation be similar to his? He didn't know, but now he wanted to ask, he wanted a better understanding of the girl. "What do you mean?" His giant eyes blinked, his voice was interested in what her story was, but he backtracked on that thought, "I mean, you don't have to tell me if it doesn't make you comfortable," he restated, he only knew her for a while, he was expected her not to open to him right away. Rhae commented that it is good to have a pack built on these ideals, Connor could only agree, as the pair set off again, "ain't that the truth," he chuckled softly as he rubbed himself on the various trees and rocks as he could on the island.

The girl nodded in agreement, trotting alongside the copper male as they delved into the ancient coastal forest - lavender orb wide with awe as it flickered over their surroundings. 

"Aye, it's better to grow stronger from such things," the exile murmured as she brushed her lithe form against a mossy trunk - dark fur snagging in the rough bark. 

"Bad things happened before," Rhælla answered somewhat cryptically. "I was given a fate to fulfill and I did - but at a price. I was hurt, by many people," she explained gently, not pausing in her marking of the territory - carefully concealing whatever grief still hid beneath the surface of her poise. 

"But it made me stronger. It made me want to keep others from being hurt, made me want to build this," her dark muzzle swept in gesture towards the Isle, Aristos.

"So, it couldn't have been all bad," the dark fae shot him a grin, dropping the subject as she jerked her head for him to follow - taking off in a lope as she cut through the alongshore forest. 

Near the heart of the coniferous timberland, the former Queen's gait stuttered to a halt - eye widening as it gazed up at the sheltering, stone overhangs of a spacious limestone abri. 

"Hey, Connor!" Rhælla called over her shoulder excitedly. "Come check this out!" 

Connor was respectfully silent when the Lady explained her story, by what she was saying, he could understand why the star dusted wolf was vague on explaining what had happened before Aristos. His gaze was sympathetic and accepting, his giant head moved to lightly touch her shoulder, showing that he was in the understanding of the girl, "I'm sorry to hear that," he murmured softly, his voice was soothing as he lifted his head to gaze down on the one-eyed girl with a humble expression. But the mood was lightened when she said that she had become stronger from this experience and his gaze was proud as he gave a curt nod to the girl, "that's noble of you to take that experience and make it into something better," he complimented, as Rhaella did for him. He accepted the fact that she didn't want to stay on the subject anymore and the pair continued to make their way.

The two made their way through the timbers, the muscular man distracted himself by observing the trees that were scattered across the aisle, and he didn't notice that the lady had stopped her gait right away. It wasn't until his name was called and his gaze rapidly blinked to check if he was alive as he turned his large head to where the Lady called him. She gestured his head to where she was referring when she said to check this out and Connor padded right up to where she was, "what is it?" The man curiously prompted, he didn't reflect her excitement until his eyes laid upon a smooth limestone abri overhead of this strange place. The man became overtaken in awe, now this was something to look forward too, his jaw dropped in wonder with his eyes drastically scanning the area. The titan stepped carefully into the hole, his paws felt along the surface with his eyes taking in all the wonders of this new place with silent excitement.

The wisp shot him a grateful expression, a smile that was only vaguely constricted. It wasn't something she liked to talk about much; Rhælla preferred to leave all that firmly in the past, turning towards the future, Aristos, resolutely. 

She shot him a more natural grin once he realized what she was looking towards - the entrance to the cavern. 



"Let's check it out," the fallen heiress suggested eagerly, trotting ahead with her berry nose lifted in the air - lips parted as she scented the humid atmosphere for predators and other concealed threats. 

Cautiously, the dark Seelie slunk beneath the overhang, creeping into the cathedral of stone with flickering auds and darting gaze. It seemed that the abri was empty, uninhabited save for the occasional insect or rodent, gaze flicking up to natural skylights far above. 

[img]data:image/jpeg;base64,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[/img]

An exhilerated smirk lit upon her lips, halfgaze lighting over stone ledges and secretive rooms tucked away. Dim corridors branched into passageways, twigged into spacious niches, some winding away and begging investigation. 



Though a closer look would have to wait - following one of the tunnels nearest the main cavern revealed a smaller hollow, home to a sapphire oasis that opened to the forest and swept into a gentle river, the Isle's main water source. 



"This would make a great base for pack life," Rhælla mentioned to Connor after rejoining him, having looked over the place thoroughly.

Connor turned his smiling muzzle back to Rhaella as she encouraged the man to venture into this place. With an eager nod the male flicked his tail and the two began to make their way into the cave. As soon as their journey begun, something resinated in Connor, this was familiar to him, caverns like this were in the mountains where he was from and he began to have feelings of nostalgia. "At home, we would have these sort of caves and there would often be ones on the surface that would just go straight down," he said to the Lady. Those types of holes were dangerous, and Connor was told to be cautious when approaching one in case of loose soil.

The two made their way through the cave, the air was humid, Connor's massive lungs took in the air as it swirled within him and released back into the walls of the cavern. The small drips that would occasinally happen made his ear twitch and look up and scann the ceiling with his green orbs, there was something familiar to him in all this. The titan followed the star dusted wolf down a smaller tunnel, Connor had to lower his head a tad so he wouldn't bump into anything. As they were getting closer and closer to theur destination, something made his ears perk up in surprise and interest, running water. 

The pair finished their journey with the tunnel mouth revealing a pool with a small water fall trickling down in it from above. His eyes and mouth dropped slightly, his eyes were taking in all this since it all seemed to familar to him. Rhaella got his attention when she said this would be great for pack life, Connor nodded with a smile spreading across his face. "Where I come from, where there is a tunnel in the mountain and it leads to a place similar to this, it would be considered sacred, a place where we can connect with our ancestors, but its not quite like it, it has to be more enclosed and there needs to be a giant crystalized rock of some sorts," his tone was full of wonder. But Connor beamed he wasn't the type to focus on religion and take it too seriously, "but this is a perfect hub for Aristos and you couldn't have picked a better place," he commented, his tail wagging.

His mention of sinkholes gave her pause, thinking of the unexplored depths with new worry. "I didn't notice any of the floors dropping off nor did they appear to be treacherous but we should spread word that the caves are untested. We wouldn't want anyone to get hurt," the black pearl fretted. 

There was unconcealed awe showing on the copper male's stunned features, a sight that brought an impish little grin to her own lips - amused by Connor's reactions to the breath-taking caverns. 

Mention of his homeland's religion pricked her ears to attention, crown tilting as her remaining optic flicked to him curiously. "Aye, we have them too - at least those that keep the olde way do. Though those places are within the forests - not caves or near water." 

"It's simply too great to keep under wraps or use only for religious purposes," the exile murmured gently, not wanting to push aside his beliefs yet firm in her own. 

"Our members would benefit greatly from such a location," she went on to add, softening the blow. It would provide dens, communal areas, storage, room for gatherings - Rhælla could scarcely believe their luck.

Connor sensed her worry when she talked about his previous observation on holes in the ground and he was quick to soothe her, "don't worry! I have only seen them in the mountains and nowhere else really," he smiled in attempt to comfort her. The two had made their way through the caverns, Connor didn't pay attention to Rhaella as he was in too much awe to say a word. It felt like home to him. But when the two has made their way into the small room, Connor had spoke about his faith and beliefs, he wasn't much into religion as much as his old pack was but he understood his own traditions. So when Rhaella seemed interested in his beliefs, the titan could only smile at her curiosity, he admired someone who would be open to hearing about other's religion. Perhaps she had her own faith, and Connor would share that same curiosity and enthusiasm when learning her beliefs. 

Rhaella seemed to presist that this would still be a great pack space in a respectful way, his eyes flashed with enthusiasm for he would agree, "yes I agree! Its just I thought this look similar to what I have back at home, besides, this place wouldn't quite qualify for a space of religious practicies back at my home." He chuckled, he really meant what he said, but when he mentioned home, it stung a little, he was beginning to feel a bit home sick, he felt guilty for leaving his family that he took upon himself to take care of. But he shook the feeling since he didn't want Rhaella to worry. The muscular man craned his neck up and smiled as the Lady spoke of this place being of great benifit here and Connor nodded, if his pack mates are happy so is he. "As long as they are happy, I'm happy," he sighed with content as his jade orbs were locked on to the falling water that swirled into the pool beneath it.

The once Lady of Veltigar smiled, relieved that she'd not offended him and admiring his selflessness. Connor had a good heart, both he and Lokie did, which made her all the more grateful to have them amongst her forming ranks. 

"You think we ought to go tell them?" She asked, jerking her onyx crown slightly towards the entrance. As reluctant as she was to leave, the nightwisp was eager to share this with her packmates. 

I think this is the last from me, feel free to archive after your next post. :)

Yep! We can end it here!

The titan beamed, his emerald gaze was approving, he moved his head and slightly bumped her head lightly with his black nose, his head craned up once again. "I think we should, this is an amazing discovery, and I can't wait to explore more," his emerald gaze was full of ambition, he didn't just want to discover things with Rhaella, but with Lokie as well, his best friend deserved to discover with him just as much as Connor discovering new places with Rhae.

The giant turned his body to the small entrance and made his way out, he got a little stuck but he managed to get himself free with an embarrassed smile and he continued to make his way out of the tunnel.