they whispered change

ooc. For Luka and Chakra, though AW.

Muirrin had fled.

Scimitar had heard her cry in to the harsh winter winds, signalling her goodbye and beckoning any of those who would follow her to do so now. A silent snarl had crept upon his muzzle at this indication -- the she-wolf had shown barely any leadership since her creation of the pack, and perhaps had she earned his trust, he would have followed her without question.

As it was, he didn't, and instead, the cinnamon male had sought out his ebony companion, Luka, and together the two had travelled down the mountain. The flatlands were no better of in terms of the winter and food, and while the two males could have explored further, the agouti wolf was insistent upon their continuation -- they needed to find a pack to settle in for the winter, especially given the lower prey count.

Finally, landing in the Wilderness, the promising view of a forest had come to view. The thought of potential ungulates to hunt had come to his eager mind, and yet no sooner had he begun to prowl closer did the stench of marked borders hit his nose. Stiffening, his tail lifting uncertainly, the aqua-eyed male glanced to his swarthy companion, his brows lifting in surprise. Perhaps they had finally found salvation.

As the cold wind whipped his pelt, flecked with snow, the male lifted his muzzle, tilting it to the sky and echoing a howl of communication across the afternoon sky -- knock knock. Was anybody home?

Luka, feel free to jump in at any time. Just wanted to go ahead and get a reply up for this before I head out to do some errands! :)

Her pack — with its grand total of no members besides herself — was new and her lands only recently claimed, but that did not mean she took herself any less seriously as guardian of this place. It was an instinctive thing forged on the most basic level in an Alpha wolf when she bonded herself to a land, especially one with as much character and history as this majestic, old-growth forest. The land would shelter and provide for her so long as she protected it; this she understood without even thinking about it. And so she did protect it, through her tireless efforts to mark the boundaries of the forest, where the younger evergreens that still had much growing to do gave way to scrub and underbrush that tumbled out into verdant, rolling hills and vast, expansive wilderness beyond. The only part she cared about at all, in any of it, was this forest.

And there were strangers here.

The forest had whispered of their presence to her, bringing their scents to her on a pine-laced breeze just moments before a summoning howl rent the air. She figured they had heard her claiming howl earlier and were either here to seek acceptance or to challenge her. She was prepared for either.

When she arrived, she was greeted by the sight of two wolves, both male, both healthy and handsome. One of them — presumably the one who had called for her — looked so startlingly like her brother Antares that she was momentarily overcome with elation and joy before realizing it wasn't him. The eyes…they weren't right. And his brow was different, some of the tones in his coat not quite the same. Disappointment suffused through her, but it was tempered by the fact that these wolves did not appear threatening or challenging in any way. The other, a tall, willowy shadow of ebony that contrasted starkly with the snow around them, caught her attention with his eyes of sapphire. They seemed worthy of her forest…if that was why they were here.

As she approached them, her hackles bristled and her tail rose dominantly over her back. Eyes like frosty seawater bored into their faces challengingly and an ominous growl rumbled in her chest. It was all a test, of course. If they played their cards right and passed it, they would win their way into her forest.

She said nothing, for they were not here to listen to her talk. Rather, she was here to listen to them, so she allowed them to speak first.

After hearing his brother howl, Luka hadn't expected such a quick reply. As he was lost in his own thoughts a pale she wolf wandered up to them, from afar she blended in with the snow around her. As silent as wind in the grass, she came closer. As she approached them Luka caught sight of her eyes.They were a dazzling color contrasting harshly, but with beauty, against her coat of snow.  Luka stayed silent when the female started getting close enough to show dominance. Her tail raised high and fur bristled. Luka showed no signs of emotion in his face when she started growling. "Peace, We are not here to harm anyone...or anything." Luka spoke softly, speaking without harshness in his warm voice. Luka bowed his ebony head in respect nudging Scimitar to do the same. Luka kept his face emotionless and as he picked up his head.  Luka didn't fear the she wolf, attacking two full grown young males was foolish. While they had the numbers, she had the authority. Luka only feared her answer. This was a path he must tread lightly on.

The two stood, both dark against the snowy landscape. The wind whispered past him, and while he held back a small shiver, it was just barely. It was not from the cold, but from the bleak situation they currently found themselves in -- their pack had disbanded, and what promises had been made were now broken. Having only each other would not be enough during such a season.

Their call was answered with efficiency that surprised him, given the current weather conditions. The she-wolf blended intricately with the snow -- hues of startling white that was only highlighted by sparse bits of peppering. Scimitar could appreciate the beauty of a she-wolf -- and had done so previously with both Muirrin and Pied. The peak of interest given simple attraction was not lost on a male so youthful, but nor was it something he dwelled upon.

One ear twitched as Luka spoke -- allowing him to remain silent. His own form would shift to bend down to the stance of subordination, and yet he felt the bump of the ebony male's muzzle in a reminder to do so, causing Scimitar to cast a flash of annoyance to the younger wolf and a slight curl of his lip. He was not a cub to be reprimanded or reminded of his manners, and the silent gesture hopefully reiterated this to his companion before he lowered himself, ears falling back to his skull and his tail tucking gingerly against his hind limb.

"We seek a home among the ranks of your pack. Our previous pack has disbanded." He kept it short and simple, knowing the ivory regal was likely hoping to gauge more information from them.

Almost immediately, the darker wolf raised her ire. She did not like the way he essentially told her to be quiet, yet at the same time, she appreciated how well-composed he kept himself. Nevertheless, her lip twitched in annoyance. Her behavior toward them was only natural Alpha behavior; it was not threatening, but rather a way to communicate to them what her place in this forest was. Before she could comment, however, the black wolf's companion spoke up and diverted her attention for the moment.

She was aware of the disbanding of one of the valley's packs; she had heard the howl from the fallen Alpha herself. Immediately she felt a degree of sympathy toward these two, for she had experienced what they were going through herself a few times now. Each pack she had attempted to join since arriving in this valley months ago had ended with the pack disintegrating around her, leaving her lost, alone, and confused. That had been in warmer, more generous months, though. To have such a thing happen now, in the midst of winter, was rather dire. She knew the seriousness of the situation that drove them here, and let go of her irritation from a moment before. She knew all too well what desperation could drive a wolf to do.

"Hmm. I might be able to do something about that. But my pack is new," she confessed after a moment, gazing frankly at each of them. "In fact, you would be my first followers. Is this something that you would be okay with?"

Luka sighed when Scimitar gave him a look of anger. At first Luka did not know why the male did this, but then he realized that not everyone takes reminders as helpful, but as demeaning. He leaned over and gave Scimitar a submissive lick showing the male he hadn't meant to upset him.  Luka listened as Scimitar told a snip of their story. He personally didnt have anything to add to Scimitar's statement.  Luka watched the female as she listened to his and  Scimitar's plead. Her lip twitched at them and Luka couldn't help but feel responsible. When he was in his youth interacting with wolves besides his mother was something they did sparingly. This inadequate behavior shown through whenever Luka communicated with another wolf. He didn't know anything but submission and making sure others showed respect. Luka as a teen found himself quite often making sure his siblings stayed in line. He just had to grow out of that mind set in his adult life. Luka listened intently as the female confessed to her pack being new. Luka personally did not care. Joining early to a pack exiled the possibility of having to meet and submit to multiple wolves. "Personally, a new pack doesn't bother me, Scimitar?" Luka spoke turning to the male. He did not want to speak for his companion. He had already made too many mistakes in this conversation.

Hi swarthy companion offered him a lick of submission and apology, stirring a crooning rumble from the male, though no more. Now was not the time, though under different circumstances, the cinnamon wolf would have taken the opportunity to cup his brother's muzzle to his jaws gently, perhaps staking claim of dominance between the two. Instead, he remained the perfect picture of submission to the forest queen before them, his gaze falling to her paws.

To say he was disappointed by her claim was an understatement -- he had trusted Muirrin only months before with very similar words. Her tie to the lands and the pack she had attempted to build had evidently not been enough, and her short goodbye had left a bitter taste upon the male's tongue. Had the pack been able to recover -- had their numbers not dwindled so, he would have attempted to stake claim over Tuatha De. But it could not be so, and instead, the two males had taken a chance and travelled down from the mountains. The winter proved to be just as harsh upon the flatlands and the wilderness as it had been at the higher altitudes, and it survival twisted his gut in a harsh reminder that he could not afford to be picky now.

He would need to place his trust blindingly once more.

"We would be honored to serve and build a pack worthy of this forest," he offered finally, his rumble holding back any true emotions he felt, though his shoulder would b rush gently against his companion -- perhaps the only simplistic action that could reveal his hesitance. "I am Scimitar Frostfur, and this is my friend Luka." There was a small pause as he cast a glance to the ebony wolf, wondering if he wanted to introduce himself further. "Could we inquire to the name of the lady we will be serving?" Once more his eyes fell to her, though this time a simple stare to her shoulder -- he would not meet her gaze in challenge or question. The risk of offending her would be too great.

So sorry for keeping you waiting for a reply! <3 I'd love to have one more reply from each of you before we archive this thread, but you are now fully accepted members and are welcome to begin posting as such!

As they promised their loyalty to this new pack, Chakra understood the full weight of her responsibility toward them. A fledgling pack was a dangerous, unreliable thing to commit oneself to; there was no guarantee of food, safety, or even the shelter of their lands, should a stronger group of wolves take an interest in their forest. They were just as likely to end up homeless and hungry as they were to prosper under her care. She understood this, and knew there would be dire consequences if she were to let them down. So as they accepted this, she too accepted it as well. They were safer together than they were alone, but it was still her duty to ensure their well-being.

The paler of the pair made introductions, and she noted their names -- Luka and Scimitar. Her tail fluttered a few times behind her as she offered her own answer: "I am Chakra Feralheart." She gestured to them, a welcoming motion of her head that invited them to follow her into the cover of her tall, ancient evergreens. The sweet, tangy scent of earth, pine, and fresh, crystalline powder suffused the air around them. "You are welcome to call this place your home, so long as you remain loyal to me and are willing to protect this land at all costs. If you will do this for me, I will not leave you hungry and cold this winter." She flashed a small smile toward them, her newest packmates and friends.

Luka nodded as the female spoke her full name. "Charka Feralheart, a deadly name for a deadly wolf it seems." Luka thought. While the fresh thought of Murrin danced in Luka's mind he couldn't help but be skeptical of the female and what she had to offer. Luka always assumed the best in wolves and that instinct failed with his last alpha. Luka dismissed the feelings of anger against his previous alpha. This was a new time and a new place. Charka  wouldn't abandon him like Murrin. He was nearly sure of that. Luka bowed after she stated her vows to luka and his brother. He took her words with full truth inside of them. Luka stepping out of the past looked forward to his new Alpha as he rose. He just hoped she would hold true to her word. Luka finally had a place to call home after the long winter.

It was an impressive promise she made -- to keep a pack of only three wolves filled for the winter. He took these words with a grain of salt.. after all, his last Alpha had also had a silver tongue in these matters as well. Still, a pack of three had decent chances at successful hunts.. they would just have to be more careful with themselves.

She offered them her name. Chakra. It was almost exotic sounding, and while tempted to ask her the origin of this name, he refrained for now. Perhaps as they became accustom to one another's company he would delve in to more personal questions and build another possible friendship. For now, he wa ssimply grateful that for the winter, he and Luka had found a home.

He just simply needed this one to not fall to pieces at their very paws.

Dipping his muzzle low once more in finalization of this acceptance, the cinnamon male tilted his muzzle then and nudged his ebony companion reassuringly. Neverwinter Forest was their home now.

Just a quick last post to bring this to 10 replies (official "completed" status) before I archive it!

Luka and Scimitar accepted her welcome with silent acknowledgement, and Chakra looked meaningfully from one to the other. There was nothing more to say, really. Of course she wanted to ask questions and learn more about each of these newcomers, the first of her followers in Neverwinter (and, truthfully, her first followers ever), but she knew that now was likely not the time. Surely they were weary from travel and would appreciate a chance to rest and acclimate to their new surroundings. So without further ado, she turned and began to walk in the direction of the forest's interior, allowing them to follow her into the depths of their new home.