The Sentinels Day by day

It felt good to be back in the Sentinels. As much as Kirain had enjoyed her little adventure, nothing compared to the comfort of home. The trip had been less fruitful than she’d hoped, but she was still grateful for the experience. She’d found the hot springs, though it seemed she had arrived too early. Or perhaps she’d simply missed something. Either way, the quiet landscape had offered no answers, and she'd eventually chalked it up to poor timing.

Now, winding her way through the familiar trees, the soft give of moss and the brush of ferns beneath her paws brought a smile to her face. Then—two unfamiliar scents. She halted, ears flicking as she processed them. Her eyes lit up with sudden excitement.

Abandoning her relaxed pace, Kirain broke into a run toward the heart of the woods, her smile as radiant as the morning sun. New faces! She couldn’t wait to meet them. And maybe, just maybe, Solenya would be nearby. She found herself eager to catch up and see how her friend was doing.

Sam had left the stolen pup in @Sobeille's care and all but sprinted home. There would be retribution. Someone would come for him. The mother, the pack – perhaps the babe itself,  when it was old enough to pronounce, require, and enact revenge.

Until he knew where he stood, Sam would lay low. He was doing just that in a patch of impossibly spongy clover when a shockingly white creature caught his attention. It was running – sprinting through the woods, tripping hazards be damned. Kiboo? Kabongbing?

The grey wolf rolled onto his belly, stretched, then stood before he shot a bark in her direction. With a slightly raised voice he called "What, uh... what time do you call this, huh?" and immediately regretted his choice of Uncle Joke.

The unexpected voice startled the little dame, sending a jolt through her and knocking her off balance. With a yelp, she tumbled forward, landing squarely on her face—again. She really needed to stop doing that. At this rate, she was spending more time nose-first in the dirt than on her paws.

But there was no time for self-pity. A stranger was nearby! Scrambling upright, she swept her silver gaze across the area until it locked onto the unfamiliar figure.

Hello! she practically shouted, bounding forward with skips and leaps.

Hi! Welcome! It's so nice to see a new face! Who are you? Where did you come from? What brings you here? Are you part of the Viridian Sanctum now? Where’s Solenya? Is she okay? Did I miss anything?

The words poured out in a breathless rush, her tail wagging in a blur behind her. Any attempt at an introduction on his part, joke or otherwise, was completely steamrolled by her enthusiasm.

Kirain came to a stop on her face. Sam sucked air through his teeth and flattened his ears– that looked painful. He rushed to help, traversing the forest floor at a spirited trot.

He need not have worried.  She was on her feet in seconds, and soon proving that the nuclear reactor powering her  speech center was entirely unharmed. Sam stared dumbly at her. Was there something in the air? He had never met a happier pair of wolves – though Solenya was rather more zen.

"I.. uh.. Sam?" he stammered, and wondered briefly if Kirain had ever had a tick or felt hunger.  "Your friend offered us food. Me and Ghost, the friend I came with. You're Kirrrr...?"

Kirain! That's right! she beamed, pleased that her new friend knew her. It's so lovely to meet you, Sam! And you brought a friend? Ghost, was it? Ooh, what are they like? Are they actually a ghost? That would be so spooky—and fun! Can you imagine? The pack having its own little ghost friend! She let out a light laugh, the idea tickling her something fierce.

But then her attention snapped back to Sam. Is Solenya around? I hope you've found some peace here in the Sanctum. It's a safe space for everyone—well, unless you're a puppy snatcher or something! Who even does that? That must be so devastating for the parents. I can't even imagine...

Her voice softened, the thought draining some of her energy. She let out a sigh and gave her head a little shake, as though trying to chase the cloud away. Do you mind if we walk? she asked gently, her tone returning to its usual warmth. I have some herbs I need to put away in our caches.

Turning in their direction, she flashed him a bright, welcoming grin.

It was difficult to paint Ghost in a positive light (she didn't really help herself by refusing to talk), but as Sam pondered the question, several more knocked his train of thought clean off its tracks. By the time Kirain got to puppy-snatcher, Sam was so conversationally overwhelmed that his rising panic only registered on the outside as a pair of raised brows. He hoped they said oh my,  what a thought! and not yep, that's me!.

He shook his head mutely at her final question and followed, head held so low that his face disappeared among the ferns. The tall trees that still remained had judgmental faces etched into their ancient bark, and the evergreens were picking up on the vibe.

You don't belong here, Sam. Puppy-snatcher.

Kirain found her luggage, and they set off to find an appropriate cache.

"I haven't seen Solenya," Sam said from Kirain's left flank."Where, uh.. where did you go?"

A better question is where didn’t I go? Kirain laughed at herself, tail wagging with cheerful energy. I delivered flowers to a grieving pack, then went looking for a party, but I couldn’t find it. So I just wandered and picked herbs instead. It was quite soothing, actually. And now we have mint again!

She paused, casting a sheepish glance at her new companion. Which I promise not to chew through like last time... don’t tell Solenya. I just like how fresh it feels on the tongue!

She chattered away happily as they walked, and before long, one of their supply caches came into view. With practiced care, the little dame approached and opened it, inspecting the inventory with a keen, methodical eye.

She mumbled under her breath about the contents—half to herself, half to the herbs—her words a stream of soft nonsense to anyone unfamiliar with her habits.

Reaching for the hide sling draped across her side, she began emptying its contents, laying each sprig and bundle neatly upon a nearby flat rock. Her motions were precise, almost reverent.

Are you familiar with herbs? she asked, not looking up as she continued sorting. Or does something else call to you?

Flowers to a grieving pack. Sam did not press for more information, but naturally assumed the worst given Kirain's earlier reference to pup-snatchers. If it had been physiologically possible, he would have developed an instant flop sweat.

It took everything he had to listen and nod and hmm as she spoke of (and to) the herbs in the ground. Sam knew which ones not to sit in,  and his grandmother had eaten something for her cough – he couldn't remember what it looked like.

"Not really," he therefore told her,  watching the sorting process with blank eyes. At her question, Sam moistened his lips nervously. "What– what should call to me?" Villainy, and the general supporting of it, had called him to Teekon – though its voice had grown ever weaker.

Kirain nodded thoughtfully. Not everyone is, and that's alright. Whatever makes you happy! That’s what life’s about, isn’t it? Thriving, finding joy in the small things.

Her silver gaze drifted to Sam, soft with quiet curiosity. She studied him for a moment before returning her attention to the herbs, handling each one with deliberate care. With practiced movements, she sorted and placed them in the cache, methodical in her approach. Once finished, she gave a small, content hum and leaned back slightly to admire her work.

They’d need more soon, but for now, their stores were in good shape. Closing the cache with a gentle nudge, she rose and stretched, then turned to face her companion fully.

Are you part of the Sanctum, or just visiting? she asked, head tilting slightly. I don’t think we ever clarified that—my apologies.

Thriving, finding joy in the small things.

Surviving, Sam wanted to say. Life was about making it to the next day – about finding enough food to live and praying for long summers. He had only weathered one winter, but it had been harsh, and every wolf in his pack of twenty had come out of it with less fat on their bodies.

"We're staying, I think, but m– look," the yearling said, interrupting himself to address what had bothered him since first meeting Solenya, "You're too nice. Both of you. Someone is going to come in here and raid you in the winter; and I could have been a murderer! Wolves... suck! You have to, to... you need border patrol. And markings." Sam's voice was stern. "Ghost isn't safe here otherwise. ...sorry," he tacked on, and looked a little sheepish.

She stared at him for several long moments, silently processing his words.

Then, without warning, she lunged. A snarl rumbled deep in her throat as her jaws snapped shut, an audible clack sounding just an inch from the side of his face.

Stepping back, she exhaled, the tension in her shoulders easing. Kindness doesn’t make us fools, she said evenly. And it doesn’t mean we’re incapable. It just means we choose to see the world through a gentler lens.

Her gaze held his for a moment longer before softening. Your concerns are valid, and I’ll bring them to Solenya. It’s just been the two of us for so long… we’ve done what we can with limited resources.

She glanced toward the surroundings—their humble beginning. We’re a young, growing pack. These things take time. But if you think we’re lacking, you're welcome to help. Truly, we’d appreciate it.

She could understand his protectiveness. His concern for his friend wasn’t unwelcome. In fact, she respected it.

Aggression roll (1d10): 1

Sam blinked in surprise. His lips twitched a few times over clenched teeth, but he did not retaliate, instead taking a step back from Kirain and her herbs.

"I didn't say you were all gums, " he grumbled, ears flat. "I just.." He wasn't sure. Had hoped for greater numbers? He had. But they were four (or three, if sight mattered), which was just about enough to take down a grown deer and fend off one or two intruders.

Sam sighed. "I'm going to patrol, then," he said, because she was right – if he wanted the protection that numbers afforded he would have to invest, maybe even recruit. 

His other life coughed from some dim corner of his mind. He ignored it. "I'll catch you around," Sam said, turning to walk toward the forest's edge. "I'll call you all if I see any good hunting." It was the season to layer on fat, and he was determind to make the best of it.

The guilt struck Kirain immediately. She wasn’t one for aggression, but she had needed to prove a point: they weren’t helpless, just in the early stages of building.

I’m sorry, Sam. I shouldn’t have done that. Her shoulders sank, ears flicking back in shame. Be safe on your patrol, and let us know if you need help. We may be few, but we look out for each other.

Deciding it was best to leave him be after the small kerfuffle, she dipped her head in quiet respect before turning away, paws carrying her toward the densites to check in with Solenya.