Noctisardor Bypass come along with me [2]

tagging: @Ibis, @Terance, @Arbiter

Once they had arrived at the bypass, Awol proposed an idea, "Let's scout round' and hunt something," he mused, not directly looking at her as he spoke. He noticed the smell of a wolf who who was vaguely familiar to him...

"But be on your toes," he spoke finally, lowering his nostrils from the air.

terance too, noticed the scent of someone who he recognized. two scents, actually, and one was all too familiar. 

they hadn't ~officially~ relocated here -- not ICly, anyway, but the gang was all here today when he noticed that the scent of his daughter was present nearby -- fresh, too. naturally, being the absent yet still somehow helicopter dad he was, terance tore away from the group. he nudged @Warlock to come along with him, so his son could get some good... well, experience, but terance didn't know what this would be experience for. he figured it was good for him to socialize... the little spook. 

terance tracked down the scents, his ears pressed forwards as he remained gently on edge -- just in case. sure enough, he came upon the pale figure, and the dark figure, along the cliffs. his tail wagged, ears pricked up, and terance gave a light call out to his daughter -- and the stranger man who had come to their borders once. beside him, spook stiffened, but he looked amiable enough.

So sorry for the wait!

The hills ascended to become jagged little mountains but that wasn't what drew the pair closer; the valley between was accessible if they continued to hike the lowlands, and Inis was intrigued by the sight of it. She wondered what could be found there - pondering if it would hold valuable food for her people, hidden medicines protected from the snow, or something nefarious like a band of thieves. She even entertained thoughts of dragons, but all of that evaporated when Awol spoke. Keep her wits about her - yes, of course, good plan. This princess wasn't going to be dragon bait if she could help it.

Ibis tried to focus on a proper hunt when her father's voice called out - about the last thing she expected.

Just gonna get this on my threadlog.  Mostly skippable unless directly addressed, he's just hanging back like a weirdo.

He didn't recognize his half-sister -- too much time had passed and too little contact.  By now Spook had turned from a little puffball to a tall, gangly young man who still looked plenty awkward and had plenty of filling out to do whenever fate deemed them worthy of more resources.  Right now, though, the two strangers were here at the still-unfamiliar territory so he hung back half a wolf-length, close to his father's side with a wary expression.  He hadn't really met anyone outside of the pack and wasn't keen on the idea.

His suspicions were correct. It was Terance of Lost Creek Hollow it seemed, and his shy son. The  self proclaimed mercenary stared them both down icily. If this boy was Ibis' brother, then why not greet her properly? Maybe there was a feud between them he had not noticed. 

"What are you doing here," he replied calmly once they reached a proper point having conversation. It was no inquiry, and and was spat out like an order rather than some comment of suprise.

though terance had approached with obvious amiability, he was meant sternly, and not with a smiling face. at least from awol, who barked out a question like he didn't think terance could squash him with one single forepaw. the boulder took a step towards spook, protectively, and his gaze narrowed firmly. watch your tone, boy, he said with unwavering stillness. though awol spoke 'calmly', his words were anything but. 

what ibis would think of that? so be it. he was shocked that ibis was with such a sharp, mousey little wolf... she was better than that. what happened when he spoke like that to a wolf not as kind as he was? though he doubted she cared too much for his advice or opinions, his thoughts shone through now. 

but he turned to face his daughter more softly, kindly. ibis, he said with a smile, a little weary from all their traveling but genuine all the same, we've left the hollow. the pack has just settled in this territory the last few days, and i think it's where we're going to relocate permanently. which was all there was to tell, it seemed. he nudged spook. you remember your big sister, ibis? terance was honestly unsure of the answer.

Before she had a chance to react, Awol was. His comment was pointed; she didn't like how swiftly, and rudely, the boy tried to intercept her father and so she shot him a concerned look at the same time Terance spoke out against him. They should have been a united front - they were leaders together after all - but Ibis couldn't help the rise of embarrassment in her heart or the flush to her cheeks. Her stern expression was there and gone again, fleeting, and then she was looking at her father and -- was that one of her siblings beside him?

You remember your big sister, Ibis? Terance was saying to the boy, and Ibis smiled thinly, waving her tail at a slow tempo. She was eager to put aside the awkward feeling of this reunion and pranced closer to them, putting herself between Awol and the pair. It sounds like you're on an adventure. It was good to see them both again, although Ibis wondered why they would leave the Hollow. Perhaps it was a similar case to why Ibis and her friends had left the marsh..?

It was a good thing his father was there, because the strange man's way of speaking definitely didn't sit well with Spook -- he shrank back slightly against his father, definitely willing to use him as a shield if things got worse. But Terance seemed to think he could deal with it, right? Or should he get mom too? He looked for some kind of reassurance. 

Oh? That was Ibis? His ears tipped forward a little and he gave a slight wag of his tail to go along with a nod. Spook was the quiet one to begin with, and wasn't going to be acting super enthusiastic when feeling uncertain about something. The other guy qualified for that. He was acting like they had done something wrong when Spook knew they hadn't.

 

its like 10 PM sry if his language/referneces make absolutely no sense lmao ;;

The ashen youth reveled at the sight with angry surprise;
her eyes shaprly told him off and the tone of the man's unwavering, still warning made him caress his sly, betraying lips. Awol squinted at the young lad, yearning for his father's protection. The stillness of his gaze and stature did not wavier either, this family reunion was not his.
he would apologize to his benelovent archdruid later. he had no interest and wasting a miniscule breath and lashing his silvered tongue, perhaps the same that betrayed the dragon's scales and slit its throat, spilling its crimson drink toppling all over the groung like a fountain of victory—!
And now the pebbles were but his sudden interest? What a cowardly fool he was! But the ashen orc was not ashamed, no, he was a prince, he was to abhorred by wrongdoers and adored and cherished by his desciples like the godly babe of Bethlehem...

He relished the thought of being great, but he starlit, mislead, a coward! But he would not let an old matriarch intimidate him. He kept his stern gaze firm once more.

awol did not speak again, which delighted and relieved terence. he didn’t have time to argue with his daughters pack, nor did he have time to to be disrespected. he’d been around the block a few times, and he was too tired of that shit. and in front of spook?? his own son?? please... 

terance was pleased, however, to note that ibis seemed as shocked and concerned with awol’s comment as he did. perhaps she didn’t expect that out of him — maybe a bad day? all the same, he focused on his daughter. 

ibis danced forward to meet him, which terance returned with a gentle dip of his head. though she was his daughter, he’d regard her as leadership in front of her packmatee, that was the respect she deserved starting out. he gave her a warm smile, reaching to nudge her affectionately if she was near enough. 

adventure of sorts, he said with a nod, the hollow is a disaster after the quakes. the creek flooded, there are trees down everywhere, and we’re still sharing hunting territory with east hollow... who is a wonderful ally, but seems to be taking most of the resources... by luck or what have you. terance honestly had no idea why easthollow did so much better than his and arbiter’s pack. wolves usually came from the west, but somehow missed their front door in favor of valette’s... oh well, a problem of the past. we’re hoping to have better luck with resources and prey. so far this place looks promising, he added with a flick of his ear.

he glanced toward spook again. wondering if the kid had anything to say... ah, probably not. terance would chuck him into the deep end though. spook’s been a great help, he found a pretty nice clearing in the territory with a collection of flat stones... good for a nice sunny nap, or maybe herb drying. as if terance knew anything about medicine. and then he nudged the kid, as if to urge him to add on or something. terance had no idea his children wouldn’t recognize each other... because, like, he recognized them, so why wouldn’t they?? at least ibis had a name now.

Ibis watched her half-brother for a moment longer but perceived his apprehension, so she redirected her attention to Terance; when he came forth to grant her an affectionate touch she returned it, and then settled in to listen. From the sounds of things there wasn't much left of the Hollow. A sadness welled up in her chest as her father outlined the destruction — and she hoped everyone had managed to escape without issue, but did not interrupt.

She returned to observing the boy when Terance's attention drifted to him, almost like he was setting Spook up for the spotlight. The boy appeared to be quite shy. Feeling somewhat empathetic to the child (especially after the sharp-toned command from Awol) she took the reins of the conversation next: That sounds beautiful. I am sorry about the Hollow though, I remember it being wonderful as a haven too, and I am sure you will be missing it. At least until you get used to your new camp.

A pause; she thinks of what her own pack had given up in its little migration, but does not find herself missing the marsh quite so badly anymore. If you need some place to rest, or if any of your people need help, we're over in the Emberwood now. Feel free to visit whenever you want, okay? She smiles warmly to the boy and then looks to Terance, nudging his cheek with her nose. Awol and I were going to explore the bypass - but we can change course if that interferes with your plans?

Basically just reaffirming he's skippable. XD He has yet to do anything exciting, haha.

He wagged his tail again as Ibis smiled his way.  Heck, Spook had almost been encouraged enough to speak, but had ended up not doing it in the end.  Mostly because Ibis started talking instead.  Cool.  He'd stay quiet then.

As the conversation carried on, he kept looking over to the grumpy guy who was still just standing there.  Then it was mentioned that they were coming to explore what was now their home.  Spook's gaze snapped back to his father, confused.  Arbiter had always made it clear that people from other packs weren't supposed to come in at all.  Of course, she'd left out a few exceptions because she hadn't felt like confusing Pike and Brou and giving them any weird ideas. Well, if they went inside that'd be one way to get his mom involved too...

The failed ashen king was struck with lightning; this man was to pose his presence in the emberwood? It seemed uncouth to not only aimlessly venture but hunt quarry in what was meant to be a pack anyway. He raised an eyebrow towards Ibis when she even proposed the question. It did not matter with the female was laced softly in family ties; wouldn't Terance decline this offer?

If he did accept, then this man was more a failure then he initially perceieved. Who could drive a woman like Ibis away from their family. She was an adventurous indivual, no dubt. But surely with how much she praises and values the concept of family and togetherness (she composed a pack — and all on her lonesome), leave her original birthplace? Awol briefly blinked at the young boy. He was somewhat baffled his name was 'Spook', what a peculiar title. It was not disliked by him, he was just struck... intrigued by the dubbing of Terance's son. Awol briefly nodded to him. He was a shy youth, and seemed fearful of the limelight his father had inconsiderably cast down on him. 

"Maybe we should go elsewhere. We shouldn't barge into their territory either way. We did come to hunt initially, correct?" he spoke with a unhidden tone of annoyance. He wasn't interested in having them tag along either.