Black Thorn Downs fox and the... wolf

I had originally thought to make this an ooc acceptance, though thought it would be nice to change that (and use the speech part for later) to this, so that @Ashton and @Inali may join as well! This takes place sometime after this

He had not thought to travel for so long... Of course, but a single month was really nothing for a well versed traveler, though the yearling had never before gone more then a few days - perhaps a week, without returning back towards the Thicket of Secrets he knew all too well. After deciding to leave the lands (after much back and forth debate) @Ashton and him had finally branched out on their own. They hunted together, slept together, and protected one another as they learned the lands of Relic Lore in a manner they had never before - as loners. Bane's wondering had brought him to places beyond his outward treks east towards the mountains where he had been to the falls, orchard and Secluded Spring within the Ghastly Woods. This time he went south, doing his best to avoid both the packs of Cut Rock River, Whisper Caverns (which he did not actually scent or find) and Willow Ridge who boldly displayed themselves. He was curious though in his excitement to explore, had not looked fully into them. He had even searched high and low for @Carys, who's memory still fluttered his soul. Though they had not been together long he missed her dearly. It was only when he grew tired, worn, hungry and lonely for a pack, did Bane Aranna move northward once more, unintentionally, as his feet moved to return to what was safe and familiar to him.

By now, Bane had somehow and mistakenly lost track of Ashton. In their youth, curiosity and independence they often strayed out from another for hours, perhaps a day or night fall only to return to one another again. This time, despite some searching, they had not. Bane could only hope that Ashton would find him again or that he would find him... time would only tell. Now in a lazy lope he strode the outskirts of the Thicket of Secrets which he had been born to, unwilling to go within them, to go back to what once was his home. It was not until he decided to move more north at the break of nightfall, did a new pack scent catch his interest. What was this? Another pack and so close to Secret Woodlands? He knew they had not been there before. Bane was certain. He had been to the Blackberry Fields time and time again and knew the Thicket like the back of his paws. Who were they?

He is curious yet uncertain and it is shown in his display as he draws near. His head and tail are low, his body low as though hunting, scouting. He is used to moving throughout the shadow with intention to not been seen nor heard of. Bane had done much of this his whole life growing up... It was hours perhaps that he had wondered the outskirts of the land along Thicket of Secrets and Blackberry Fields, making sure not to move to closely to be noticed. The night was still young, perhaps they still slumbered off the summer heat before venturing out. A sound then caught his interest, but not of a wolf - a fox. Bane followed it and as he did the scent of a kill lingered as well, old and mingled with earth as though stored away for safe keeping. As the sight of the fox became clear, also did that of the cache which it was after just within pack territory. The fox meant to steal it! A sudden, instinctual growl echoed from the youth's mug, shocking the fox whom had not expected the dark child. The hungry fox had no intentions to leave with an empty stomach, snapping its warning to the young wolf who retaliated with a bit of his own. After a small tussle of loud yips and growls the fox was off with Bane is quick pursuit.

Twenty minutes pass... and out from the forestry comes Bane with a fox in his jaws and sporting a new cut to his muzzle. Settling down the fox upon the Black Thorn Downs border, he sits, taking a few moments to pant in order to regain his composure. It is then he calls for the Leaders of this pack, having fully made his decision where he now wanted to call home.

BANE Aranna

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The setting sun and falling dusk had painted the territory a rich purple, while the tops of the trees remained a fiery crimson. It was the time when Minka took count of her children, warning them as always that they were no longer allowed to wander past the clearing for the den without an adult as it was late. After a relatively quick dinner of second hand meat the pups were shooed inside the den as the mother set off to patrol the borders. While during the day she was much more thorough with marking at this time of night as preferred to just trot the lines to watch for trouble before returning to her family. The foxes had began to clue in to their whereabouts, which meant they had began to intrude to search for their caches. Minka herself had chased off and killed a few of her own and she knew the other members, especially @Regem their guardian, had as well. So as she walked a few stale scents of the varmints were present but not enough to alarm the alpha and so she carried on. Until she stumbled on a rather fresh scent mixed with that of a loner, which in itself was confusing enough. Picking up her pace she followed the scents until she stood about 10 minutes from where she picked up the scent. It disappeared now into the forestry off the territory which appeased Minka enough that she returned to her border patrol. Maybe five or ten minutes pass of typical patrolling when a call reached the Lagina woman and she halted once more. Shaking her head softly in exasperation, at this rate she would be up all night trying to accomplish this patrol, she turned back towards where she had come. It took a few minutes for her to reach where the dark loner sat across the borders waiting for her. Instantly her posture became all business, tail and muzzle high, enough to display she expected submission but not the threatening posture of an angry mother. Golden eyes assessed the boy quickly, dark coat, paws and ears that displayed he still had not quite grown into them, a quality typical of yearlings. Coat well kept enough though showed signs of travel as many loners did, overall no red flags. Finally after many moments of silence she spoke, "What business do you have calling at our borders at this time of night?" It was much later than the typical time when loners came a calling afterall.

Vinyonga @DA & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

Time ticked on as he sat, observing and awaiting his call to be answered. He had much patience as he remained silent, eyes forever roaming, looking out beyond the neutral territory he sat and into the home of Black Thorn Downs. It was so familiar to him - and why would it not be? The lands were nestled just beyond the edges of the fields, just within the Thicket of Secrets before it became too wild and tangled. He knew these lands in a manner that would be comfortable to him and yet, within a new pack where he could start over just as he had hoped for. He took in a deep breath then, something new stirring within the air. Someone was coming.

Out came a woman, obviously having given birth and was finishing up nursing and so, he would lower himself to what he assumed to be the Lead female of the pack. His front limbs stepped forward, moving his sit into a lay before her, head remaining low. She was a light tawny, accented in red hues along her spine and tail, her stance bold and curious. She was very obviously much shorter then himself, who was rather tall and thin. Still, she was long and fluid, her tail helping much with this in it's beauty as it waved proudly above. His eyes turned sideways to the skies. Though it had not been too late, by now the sun had fully set, leaving the world to darkness. Wolves were active at night usually as easily as they could be during the day, taking often this time for hunts. However, perhaps he should have waited until the morning for them to be interested in accepting loners?

...He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry for having come at this time... I'm rather new to this." Perhaps if he had not waited around for hours trying to decide a plan of action he would have been better off. But hell, he did not know any better, having never a need to try and get into a pack before. Turning his eyes downward to the dead fox before him, he took a moment to gather his words before explaining. "I spent some time scouting out your borders as I decided on your pack being my new home. That is when I found this fox and guarded your lands as though they were my own. When the fight was over, I gave chase, using my hunting skills to bring you the prize before you now." He was uncertain if she would have use for it or not. Though the meat obviously was likely to taste ill, the coating itself could be perhaps used as a bedding for her children. If anything, she hoped that she would be impressed enough with his work to hear him out. "My name is Bane..." For a second, he contemplated even giving his last name until he quickly decided there was no use hiding who he was even if he did not like it himself. "..Bane Aranna, Miss."

BANE Aranna

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There is a deer that was killed by a lynx nearby. +10 Health

Speech.

She had been off on the borders, not being able to sleep. It was nothing unusual, for her sleeping patterns were always out of whack. When she couldn't sleep, she used it to her advantage and either was at the borders or going off to scout. Her mind wandered to a certain woman with honey colored eyes and a dreamy sigh escaped her. She was alone, so she had the right to daydream to her hearts content. Or so she thought. Minka's scent caught her attention, with it being so fresh in the breeze. With light steps, Inali tracked her friend, eager to spend time with the woman who she practically considered blood. But surprisingly her alpha was not alone. A loner was at the borders, but it wasn't just any loner. Sidling up beside her friend, Ibali continued to scrutinize the tall, black Yearling. She had come in right as he was ending his speal, so she had not heard him introducing himself.

And then it clicked.

Why, she knew this boy! But last time she had seen him he had been but a wee child. Now, now he was a young man. A wide smile spread across her maw and she practically bounced in place like a child. Momentarily forgetting her alpha was present, she opened her maw. "Bane?," she questioned with a happy ring in her voice. Fondly she remembered the quiet boy in the thickets, who she had once offered to bring to her home. At the time, she had been talking about Whisper Caverns. My, how the tables had turned.

As Minka looked upon the dark coloured teen before her she couldn't help the tug on her heart that always seemed to accompany wolves so young being separated from their mothers. Instantly her mind went to her own children and she could only hope that this time a year from now they weren't at someone else's borders asking for acceptance. So as Bane easily submitted before her the alpha's posture relaxed, her tail lowering to a more friendly position and her face open and curious rather than guarded and business like. Smiling slightly at his apology she nodded softly, "It's quite alright, just a surprise is all, we don't get many callers after dark." The wolves of the pack were still active of course, besides the children and would be for some time, but generally strangers only visited during the light if they had business to attend to.Minka listened silently as the boy launched into his speech, explaining what he had done and nodded as he stressed words such as hunting, scouting and guarding. Finally as he finished another warm smile flourished on the tawny maw and a question was quick to follow, "An impressive display I must say, do you have any formal training in any of those roles?" Yearlings within Black Thorn Downs were expected to specialize after all, though this was a technicality that would be dealt with later.

One ear flicked sideways as the sound of paws approached the borders, and Minka had spent enough time with Inali to know who was coming. Turning her muzzle slightly the golden eyes twinkled as the small fae came to her side and nodded her cranium in greeting to her second. Turning away she opened her muzzle to greet the stranger, "Minka Lagina, alpha of Black Thorn Downs." She had just finished her introduction when Inali's own voice sounded into the fields and Minka turned to her friend in surprise. With a slight tilt of her head she inquired, "Friend of yours?" How could she possibly know this shadowy yearling before them?

She relaxed, something he quickly took note of as he watched her tail lower and her expression become of more curiosity to him then simply addressing a loner, a stranger, at her border. She smiles to him, listening in on his explanation to heart, showing signs of actual interest other then just pretending to care about the spill that came out of his mouth. He liked that and, showed such by a very small waving of his tail behind him as he lay before her. "When I was a pup, back in Secret Woodlands, a man named Hollow taught me a bit about border patrol since I seemed interested in wondering and scouring the lands." Though he mentioned his former home (as she might have ended up asking where such a young lad came from) he did not go into detail as to why he had wondered so much as a kid. ...Leaving the den when his mother was not there, yet again, in search for a father he never had. In search to view the other pups from afar in envy, to break away from the confines of such a lonely den without any other sibling at his side. Hollow had quenched Bane's thirst for freedom by letting him wonder around so young. "When I got older I had a desire to explore the land beyond and that is when I was directed to not leave outside the land unless I was with @Iopah, until I was old enough, of course. She is the pack's best huntress and taught me a bit on our outings." Of course, he was young and had much learning to do, though he further explained how he was able to take down the fox by what bit of training he already held with pack tasks.

"I have a companion, @Ashton Hervok, who I have been traveling with. We meant to find a new home together, so I am sure he will trail he here soon enough." He wished not to leave the lady with no more surprises she might not take kindly too, so mentioned that it was his intention to live here with his friend, Ashton. In fact, had he been able to find her, it was likely he would have been here with @Carys too. He offered a slight smile then until he found himself distracted. His ears perked high to the arrival of another, a brightness burning in his gaze at the sight of the pretty little Inali he had met before at a much younger age, who had been so kind to share her food with him. A smile fluttered over his features shyly and he nodded, confirming that it was him that had grown to such a tall, leggy fellow that he was now. "Its nice to meet you, Miss Lagina... and to see you again, Inali." He spoke lightly and politely, though could not help the sheepish expression growing over his features. He had once thought to run away as a child and into the pack of Inali and now, here he was...

BANE Aranna

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Sorry for the wait my lovelies :)

Speech.

At Bane's greeting, she smiled warmly. She had truthfully never thought she would see the boy again, though she had hoped. He was a nice little guy. Quiet, but nice. Obviously he was little no more, though. She mentally chuckled as she turned towards her friend. And since when did Minka start going by 'Lagina'?, she mused in her head. It shouldn't have come as a surprise, since Tokino and Minka were mates. It was only logical for the woman to want to take his name. Deciding to satisfy her alpha's curiosity, Inali opened her maw. "Yes.We met a long time ago, when he was just but a pup." She quickly glanced at Bane, a teasing smirk gracing her muzzle. "Cute little thing he was. And quiet too." She wanted to make him squirm. Just a little. All in good nature, of course. A soft chuckle escaped her maw as she turned her attention back to Minka. Her teasing smirk morphed into her usual smile, and Inali made herself focus. "If my memory serves me correct, I was just coming back from a scouting mission. I found a cache and Bane wandered in just in time. I offered him my meal, found out he was from Secret Woodlands, and escorted him back home." With a delicate shrug of her shoulders, as if saying thats it, Inali finished her tale. All was out on the table, and as usual, it was time for Inali to fade into the background for Minka to either continue to interrogate the boy, or make her decision. With a gentle flick of her tail, she sent Bane another kind smile as she patiently waited for Minka's verdict.

At the mention of Secret Woodlands Minka's brows raised in surprise and she turned briefly to lock eyes with her second. Would accepting this yearling and his friend later help to bind the rift that was quickly growing between the packs or only serve to drive them farther apart? The Lagina woman had no problem with the woodland wolves, but she knew their loyalties lay with Whisper Caverns, who had declared them all traitors. In the end she knew she would have to speak with the leaders, preferably Hollow since they had had previous dealings, if only to allow the packs to live neutral with one another. A slow heat crept up the woman's neck at the thought of her previous meeting with the man, though it was luckily hid by both the night and her thick fur. It had been electric as if someone had charged the air with lightning.

Forcing herself to focus Minka pushed away the thoughts of Hollow, after all she had children now and Tokino was more of a mate than she could ever hope for. The woman smiled at the playful smirk and teasing that Inali dished out, as of late her friend had been in more of a joyous mood than ever. It was good to see, so much tragedy and stress had befallen them in the Caverns, it seems that now fate would finally leave them in peace. When everyone fell silent the tawny fae just nodded for a moment before speaking her piece, "Well Bane I think you would be a fine addition to our pack." She smiled then, her tail waving behind her, it always brought her great pride to accept new members into their family. "Though before I let you go to get acquainted with the surroundings and the other members we must speak of your duties. All yearlings are expected to take some of the pup sitting responsibility, especially as they grow. As well we have a tradition here, all yearlings must chose a role to 'specialize' in and they will be assigned a mentor for that role. When not pup sitting and the mentor is not too busy or in need of personal time it is expected that the student and mentor to be together at all times. Do you have an idea of what role you would like to take up as an apprentice?" Then the Lagina woman fell silent, though her face was alight in curiosity at what the young man before her might chose.

His sheepish expression remained, if only added by a fluster in his cheeks, to be red if it were seen under the thickness of his dark fur. He could not help the blush, his eyes softening for Inali as he remembered his youth, having wondered off as he had done various times before. His time with her, as often as it was outside of Secret Woodlands, was rather plesant. After she finished her small story of how they met and how their interaction ended, his orange toned eyes moved back once more to Minka, flashing over the features of her face in order to catch her reaction before politely and respectfully shifting downward along the lines of her chest and limps.

The Leader finally spoke, speaking words that would make him believe she would now he his Leader. He had never another one before, other then Nina, who more or less he looked up to as a mother where his true one had lacked so much. This relationship would be much different. A Leader more commanding, one he could not get away with as much with, someone that would treat him as just another member of the pack then a son. He figured, granted this, he would have to work hard and prove himself if he wanted to stick around here. It was these goals which would distract him from the past he had long now decided to leave behind.

Now she even spoke of specific roles and what over the next year he would be training in as a member of the pack. While he was well off enough at hunting and scouting out the lands, he would much rather scout the lands close to home - protect them, guard them. "I'd like to work at becoming a Guardian, Miss Minka." Short and sweet, showing off his less mouthy nature as Inali had mentioned now that he had told her everything he had thought he needed to. His time to think and practiced words which had roamed his mind had been worth it. He would be a Black Thorn Downs wolf now.

BANE Aranna

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