Redhawk Caldera Hello, I'm the Doctor. 《IC Join》

@Peregrine and @Fox @Arina
◆bringin Arina to a hopeful home. Ashton didnt interview her so dont hate him and right outside pack borders. Posting order is Me, her, and Per and Fox can be interchangeable if you guys like it that way. Whoever gets to the duo first, go for it. :) ◆


The golden boy had finally reached the pack lands with the one eyed bella, the russet girl whos name was 'Arina', delicate.
Delicious.

Turning to her, he gave the fae a single chance to make her mind up, his pirercing green optics focused on hers.

"Is this a life ya want? Being a pack mate? This is your chance to walk away, sweets. "

He hoped she wouldn't go, the girl who probably wanted this, but he couldn't be sure.
Girls were sneaky little devils. They were.

She smiled and gave a slight chuckle. She had not been in a pack for so long, that it almost seemed as if the pack life she once had, had slipped her mind altogether. Her one eye made it impossible to see what she was walking into, causing her to bump into another tree, shaking her crown in agitation before walking beside Ashton, her one eye focused as best she could on her surroundings as bird songs echoed throughout the dame's lobes.

"Ashton, thank you for being kind to a somewhat blind girl such as myself. There are many wolves that I have met on my journeys, that assumed that I wouldn't even survive very long due to my one blind eye, even my own pack thought of me as a gnaw wolf and banished me to live on my own. Thank you, for allowing me to have a second chance at a life with a pack." She smiled and gave him a friendly nudge upon his shoulder as they continued to reach their destination which would be her new home.

In a way, things had settled down. Sure, the plateau had shat all over them—more specifically, Dante had shat all over them—but Fox knew that Redhawk Caldera would remain a small, strong, defiant pack. She had no intention to ever leave the caldera, even if she knew circumstances always had a way of changing that. She had spent almost no time outside her home since getting here, happy to keep things local and bond with her pack-mates. They were the ones who mattered, and they were far enough away from any other packs that she did not need to worry about conflicts. Blacktail Deer Plateau, even with as far away as it was, still hung in the back of her mind, but that was entirely due to the fact that a) Finley was still there and b) Peregrine's children were (presumably) there, and he cared deeply for them. If it hadn't been for Peregrine's connection to so many of the plateau wolves and Finley being held there Fox wouldn't have given the place a second thought.

Having Ashton and Amon back felt, well, right. They had been here since the beginning (or really, really close to it), and Fox was keenly aware of how much longevity was worth. Those who stuck around the longest were often the most loyal, the most helpful, and gave the pack a family-like feel. She wanted—no, needed—that for Redhawk Caldera. Her children would need it, too. Fox didn't like to think it would ever happen, but if she or Peregrine somehow became unable to care for their children, the caldera would become their family, and Fox wanted to ensure that each and every wolf who lived here was up to the task. All of them would be involved with the kids in some way or another.

Fox's feet took her to the borders, scouring the landscape and smells for any indication of intruders, but she found none today. Perhaps it was the impending winter, but the last few days had been quiet and calm. A nice relief from the commotion that had rocked the caldera for a couple of weeks. Looking out toward neutral land, Fox spotted two wolfish figures heading straight for the caldera. On high alert, she planted her four feet where they were and watched the two approaching. They were still too far away for her to catch their scent or even appearance, but if they continued her way, they would soon meet her head-on. She could only hope that it would be a peaceful encounter. The wound on her face was still scabbed over and angry, though she'd managed to keep the infection away with the help of Perry's daily gentle cleanings.

The promise of fresh rabbit led Peregrine slightly beyond the caldera's borders but he wasn't gone long. Presently, he trotted back toward the mountain, the limp carcass dangling from his jaws. He had eaten earlier and so hadn't touched the rabbit. He intended it for Fox. Whatever she didn't eat would be stored for later.

He knew he was likely to find her patrolling and was proven right when he spotted her roving the borders. Peregrine strode up to her, then noticed the distracted look on her face. He followed her gaze and saw the two silhouettes approaching their home. He recognized Ashton, though the Alpha male's eyes lingered on the unfamiliar she-wolf at his side.

Setting the rabbit down at his feet, Peregrine quipped softly to his mate, "Looks like the hippie got himself a girlfriend. This is for you, by the way." He then fell silent, waiting for Ashton and his guest to catch up to the Alpha pair.

"Not a problem, Ari. No matter what a wolf does, no matter who they are, or what they look like, they always need someone who's gonna be a rad friend."

He sent the stunning russet a charming grin, and when he turned back, he noticed the familiar sight of the alpha pair sitting side by side.
A familiar portrait worthy pic.

As he padded his athletic form over to the dynamic duo, he released a 'aruhuhru' sorta greeting that let the two know he had an important load in tow.

Ash finally got there, and offered his paw out to the pair, trying to accomplish a paw bump from his higher ranked head honchos.

"Sup there, Dark Dude, and Flamin Foxy Dudette. Got a gal here who's names Arina. Found the babe on my way running down a fat little rab for the winter cache."

Leafy irises found themselves back on the chick who's single working orb mirrored his, and he faced her, continuing the intros.

"Arina, this is Peregrine, the top Alpha man of the RedHawk Caldera. Beside him, is his emberin Alphess, Fox."
Th golden boy sat back, awaiting the words that follow such long paragraphs of stuff like that.

The russet woman looked to the two wolves kindly, bowing her head in respect to the two wolves that were to be her higher ranked officials, or alphas as she soon remembered the name of the rank. Her right eye could not see the other wolf that was beside the jet black male whose name was Peregrine and turned her head in a way that caused her right eye to catch both of the two wolves. Even though she couldn't see from one of her eyes, her other one worked well.

"Salutations," she greeted in a formal way, keeping her tail wrapped around her bodice while she sat down. She showed her low rank, even though she did not show a submissive posture, she did show her lower ranking with her tail, her head hung low slightly to show that she was a rogue. "It is a pleasure to meet the both of you."

Distracted by Peregrine's approaching footsteps, Fox's tail beat the ground as he neared, momentarily forgetting why she had been standing still in the first place. He presented her with a fat rabbit, and she licked her chops in anticipation of the small feast.“Well aren’t you a dear,” Fox replied, giving Peregrine a wolfish kiss on the cheek before turning back to the approaching pair. “Looks like he might’ve,” she replied, wondering if that was truly what was going on. Fox wondered, briefly, what Peregrine's stance on other couples having children was. Obviously, Fox wanted all of the caldera's resources to go toward their future children, nobody else's... but what if Finley hooked up with somebody? Would Peregrine allow—or, heaven forbid, encourage—such a thing? Fox pocketed the conversation for now, reminding herself to bring it up at some point.

Ashton presented his new friend to both Peregrine and Fox, introducing them. Fox eyeballed the new girl, Arina, skeptically, if only because any outsider was subject to such leering behaviors. She was respectful enough, though Fox had hoped for a little bit more. “I presume you’re here to join Redhawk Caldera?” she asked. It hadn't been explicitly stated by either of them, so Fox wanted confirmation before she wasted any more time. The fresh rabbit gift that Peregrine had caught was stashed neatly between her front paws, and she was eager to toss it down the hatch.

They closed the distance and Peregrine couldn't help but note that neither wolf went out of the way to show submission. Ashton offered a paw in a peculiar gesture of familiarity (though puzzled, Peregrine nonetheless returned the proffered fist bump) but his friend offered nothing more than a lowered tail. The Alpha male frowned thoughtfully and exchanged a glance with his mate, though he said nothing.

His silence continued when Ashton introduced her as Arina, then as Arina herself spoke. He scrutinized her as she did so, yet held his tongue, letting his mate lead the interview. Peregrine shifted his weight and sat beside Fox, practically looming over her as they faced the subordinate pair.

Ashton stayed silent, his optics darting back and forth between the verbal exchange in the 2v2
Ash did his part on the recruiting, though he wasnt all that great at interviewing folks.
He kept his attention on the 3 of them, but the thing that caught his auds the most, was the silence of his Alpha. Again, he immediately pounced upon the note.
He didn't like her. Not accepting. No approval. Scadaddle, sweetheart.
DAMN, chill out, Ash.
Sometimes, someone doesn't always have to talk. Maybe he didn't feel like speaking.
Bruh.

The hippie, being the grinning fool that he was, sent a hopeful and encouraging glance to Arina, praying to Mother Nature that she knew what to do in a moment like this, and made her half seein self seem like a badass edition to the Caldera Crew.

Arina soon realized that she must not really be doing a good job with making the alpha pair. She went to a submissive posture, hoping that that would help with her acceptance, but, if they have not talked now, then there could be a chance that she could not be accepted and she would have to run as fast as she could, even if she bumped into a tree along the way. But, right now, she had to focus on the positives and hope they accept her into the pack.

Nobody spoke. “Well? Are you here to join or what?” she asked, this time a little more impatient than before. “If not, you can leave.” She shot a look to Ashton, wondering why he had brought this girl here if she wasn't meant to join the caldera. “If so, present your case.” Fox's tail flicked from side to side, wondering what exactly Ash's plan had been. Or Arina's plan, for that matter. Was she dull in the head? Fox wondered if she was anything like Ferdie, and that put her on edge even more.

Neither one of them answered Fox's question, which made Peregrine's brow lift. Was Ashton's friend rude, daft or afraid? He wanted none of these traits in a prospective recruit and felt certain Fox didn't either, a belief which she confirmed by brusquely demanding Arina answer her or stop wasting their time.

Happy to let his wife take the wheel, he remained stoic in the backseat, observant (and judgmental) without saying a word.

This was going horribly downhill. Worse than the time he had decided to whirl downhill in a giant snowball.
God, that was hell.
This was so embarrassing. It was almost as if the girl he escorted was deaf. Or had the memory of a flea.
And it was making him look like he had brought off-mentalitied girl to waste the time of the Alphas.

Anxiety caused a whine from his light muzzle, and he placed his paws over his eyes.
This was so bad.
Time was running out for her, and the golden hippie desperately hoped she fixed herself before he would have to escort her back to the woods.

Arina could sense that Ashton knew she was doing terribly, and she knew the same. Her eyes met Fox as she began to speak to Fox as well as Peregrine. "Pardon my rudeness, as you both know from Ashton my name is Arina. I come from a land, a long way from here. I am from this pack known as the Ekora's, but, I was forced to be left out in the wild due to being blind. I was born blind, for even though I don't see with only one eye, but, I have gathered many herbs and know many plants very well. I plan on helping your pack with my healing knowledge and keeping your pack happy and healthy for many years," she spoke, explaining her case and now waiting to see if they wanted to know anything else about her.

“You were forced out for being blind? Could you not fend for yourself?” If not, Arina probably didn't have a place here, either. What was Ashton thinking by bringing a handicapped wolf here? Redhawk Caldera was no charity organization, and Fox certainly didn't want to bring on a burden with winter so near. The only burdens she would allow were the children that she and Peregrine would have in the spring. Somehow, she had a feeling Peregrine felt the same way, as she thought he would have spoken up if he wanted to take on a charity case.

Fox couldn't care less about healing knowledge or whatever mumbo jumbo Arina was talking about. To her, it was just a bunch of voodoo that she wanted no part in. Sure, she'd eaten some plants that Finley and Willow had given her, but that was because she hadn't any other choice. Without it, Fox wouldn't have been able to move for weeks. And the only reason she'd given it a chance was because she and Peregrine had been so far away from their home at the time.

"I could fend for myself fine, my pack considered me weak and unusable and my mother and father dropped me off in our forest and never came back for me. I was six months when I was forced out, either my parents dropped me and left me alone or they and I would be killed," she said as her eyes met Fox's, showing determination and that she would be useable and would not have to be forced out again, for she did not wish to be alone, she wanted a family that she could stay with, until the day she passed on.

I didn't realize until this morning that Arina shadow-posted me out of turn. Noting for posterity but leaving my post alone for continuity's sake...

She spoke at last and Peregrine's black ears tilted forward attentively. She mentioned coming from a land far away, which didn't particularly interest him. Then she mentioned being blind and alarm bells started going off in his head. He looked at Fox, then back at Arina when she mentioned that her blindness only affected one eye. The caldera simply couldn't afford to take on handicapped wolves, especially those with skill sets redundant to an existing member's.

"We have a promising Healer in the caldera already," Peregrine said, finally breaking his silence. "You're standing next to him. I'd like to hear your answer to my wife's question. Can you hunt? Tell us the truth. If not, what other skills do you possess that might make up for it, aside from healing?"

Hell, he almost passed out, just from the relief of his friend uttering words from her mouth.
She spoke.
Ermagerd.
The future recieved a slice of light against the darkness.

It was as if he was watching a ping pong match between the two, his gems focusing intently on each wolf that spoke, the very second they opened their jaws.
He didn't know if he was somehow high, or whether this was intense as hell for him.
Probably both.

A small wave of gratitude and pride whirled inside the blonde dude as his leader spoke of his recognized status in the pack.
He was actually getting somewhere. Now he just had to focus on himself getting Arina somewhere. And if this somewhere was out of pack lands, the command issued from either one of the dynamic duo, then he had no other choice.
Couldn't say he didn't try.
But he could say she didn't, so he proceeded to hope she would begin to.

An entire pack considered Arina worthless? That raised all kinds of red flags for Fox, and she could tell that it was doing the same for Peregrine. Obviously, the girl had survived this long, but Fox wasn't sure how, and she figured it was on the charity of others. With Peregrine jumping in to interrogate the newcomer, Fox remained silently skeptical that this was going to work out at all. Some other pack was going to have to take this one, or she would have to try and survive the winter on her own. The latter seemed an unlikely scenario.

She looked to Fox, "I am a pretty decent hunter, but, I care about others more than I do myself. My pack, yes they did banish me, but even though I am blind, I have lived this long and have become stronger with my blind eye. I may seem weak to some wolves, but, I am stronger than I may seem."

Peregrine contemplated Arina's words and tried to arrive at a decision, since the moment had come. He looked to Fox and judging by the look on her face, she wasn't sold whatsoever. Nor was the Alpha male, honestly, though he did have to admit that Arina must be a decent hunter... that, or somehow incredibly adept at obtaining food some other way. That might mean she could make a good Gamekeeper, by bringing in a vast knowledge of alternative food sources. In theory.

"Excuse us a minute," he said to Arina and Ashton before nudging Fox out of hearing range. "Here's what I think: we accept her and put her in our lowest rank, then give her two weeks' probation. If she proves herself in that time, she can start earning a higher rank through hard work, just like everybody else. And if she doesn't prove she's not only a survivor but a contributor despite her handicap, we put a boot up her ass. Sound fair?"

Ash felt a boulder of nervousness in the depths of his gut. Had Peregrine reached the conclusion? Was it good or bad? Would there be a place amongst the Calderas ranks for the half blind russet?
Would she stay? Or get kicked?
Find out next week on the RedDicks Caldera show! (Had to, Kat.)
The anxiety almost made the hippie squirm.

Fox clenched her jaw at the girl's response, not willing to take her word at face-value. Perhaps, if she'd been a bit more... social to begin with, things could have gotten off to a better start. Instead, Arina seemed terribly unsure of herself, which Fox took to mean she didn't believe that she actually had what it took to be a wolf of Redhawk Caldera.

Peregrine pulled her aside, and Fox listened with open ears. Or as open as they had ever been. She pressed her lips together at his proposed solution, and then glanced back at Ashton and Arina. “Two weeks,” she said quietly, returning her gaze to Peregrine. “Just make sure she knows it’s a hard deadline.” There were only so many second chances Fox would give, and Arina had used her allotted amount.

I know it's not my turn but I figured it made the most sense for me to post again. Welcome to the pack! :)

The Alpha male nodded at his mate, then favored her with a quick smile before turning back to their waiting Healer and his guest. The swarthy wolf licked his chops and peered at them for a solid beat before finally parting his lips to speak.

"We will accept you into our lowest rank and give you two weeks to prove you can earn your keep, Arina," Peregrine said. "When the two weeks are up, we'll evaluate your contributions. If we decide to keep you, you'll be able to move up the ranks through hard work, just like everybody else. If we don't, you'll be asked to leave." He paused. "It's a hard deadline. With that in mind—Ashton, please show Arina around and get her settled so that she can get started as soon as possible. You have a lot to prove," he said softly, "so don't waste this opportunity."

Peregrine acknowledged them with a bob of his head, then turned and nudged Fox. "Let's go somewhere so you can eat your rabbit." He waited for her to pluck it off the ground, then began to trot away from the borders.