Since the massive male had met Naira he had been practicing, for what he did not know, but his lack of role drove the male insane. So he spent his time patrolling borders once thoroughly and the second run was always fast. He would practice maneuvering over the rocky terrain. It had proved to be hard at first, but even in his short time with the pass Crowe's muscles had hardened and his frame had grown more intimidating than it had originally been. Grace was not his forte however, and never would be. This did not bother Crowe however he reveled in lack of grace. Yes let them know you are coming and strike fear into their hearts. The male waited for something anything to prove his worth to the pass.

Now the male had settled himself on a high point as far from the others as he could be. Crowe sat and thought, or rather, conversed with himself. You see Crowe, now you are in a pack but at what cost, where has your dignity gone? "I still have my dignity, I will gain rank, I am too strong not to." But Crowe, you sniveled at her paws, like a pup, like a weak pup. "But she held such power and grace, how could I possibly go against that? You must gain her trust, then maybe she will allow you to dead with trespassers, and when no one is looking you an deal with them in a more... permanent manner. Yes, that would do, Crowe could get his way even with no one else's knowledge. Crowe did not have to change, merely mask his true ways.

Both black-rimmed ears flicked forward intently, orange eyes alight in his round face with a curious interest. A hint of a smirk touched the edge of his lips, amused by the way the polar-bear of a wolf kept lumbering across the territory, bright white fur a flash between the trees. He supposed the male was on some sort of patrol, and waiting a few good minutes to make sure the man had a good head start, he trailed after him. Rais had yet to get to know any of his packmates, the search for Datura had made a good excuse to put off socializing for some exploration. But now that the golden prince was back, there was not much of an excuse left.

Rais trailed the wolf silently, not more than a grey shadow in his wake. Rais never within eyesight of the male but followed along the fresh tracks he left, small paws fitting into the large prints of his quarry. Lean muscle propelled Rais easily up the slope, catching onto narrow holds of the rock as if it was second nature. He didn't learn to climb like a mountain goat all in one night, it had taken a few months and several falls before he'd really gotten the hang of it. The little scrapes the mountain rock had given him were worn like badges of honor, sign that he had been fully christened as a wolf of the pass.

As he broke the treeline, Rais could see the male already perched atop the peak. There was no point in sneaking now, and he galloped the rest of the way, pink tongue flopping from the side of his mouth. He came to a stop a few lengths before the wolf, head raised curiously and brushy tail draped loose by his hocks. A quick glance told him that this abominable snowwolf was a lot bigger up close, though he trained his orange eyes on the yellow ones before him. "I don't believe we've met yet? The name's Rais."

It had been a few days and still it remained difficult for Asta to comprehend: she was no longer a lone wolf. It was strange really, imagining the last time she was in a place surrounded by a pack. Actually, it hurt just the smallest bit to think about. It had been over a year since her family pack had split and Asta Fleetfoot had found herself as the only Fleetfoot left. It was a lonely idea - one she considered for just a moment before forcefully ejecting it from her mind with the greatest distraction she could find at that moment: the sight of a wolf on a high ledge, his massive white head rather more on the regal side. Asta could make out little else of him aside from the fact that he seemed to be colored in pale tones. And possibly immense. Then again, didn't she think every other wolf was enormous next to her small, lithe frame? Asta snorted in spite of herself.

With a distraction pin-pointed, Asta's tail waved eagerly behind her as she moved around the rocks as sure-footedly as a mountain goat. She might've been raised in the mountains for all any other wolf knew. She slinked over the rocky terrain; if not graceful, she at least moved quickly, covering the distance with an easy lope and confident bounds whenever an obstacle presented itself. A silvery-white streak, Asta moved forward until she could look up and, possibly, be noticed. She didn't exactly move stealthily, for her intent was not to hide so much as to investigate what she assumed was one of her new packmates. Of course, if she had considered it at all, she wouldn't have acted so quickly for they didn't know her yet and might be aggressive with her. But she didn't think so far ahead this time around. Instead, she lifted her muzzle eagerly and barked:

"Hello! May I come up?"

Her tail waved slowly behind her, somewhere between eager and nervous. Her yellow eyes squinted against the skyline and the silhouette she could see. She could not see Rais - not yet - nor did she catch his voice from her farther location. She was sure enough to stay out of leaping range anyway. If they didn't see her before, they certainly would see the small girl now, her bright eyes lifted toward them expectantly.

The rumble of Crowe's thoughts, and the dark haze that hindered his vision masked the approach of both Rais and Asta. The sounds rushed in at once and Crowe rose as if he was about to attack, tail curled high over his back until their scents wafted up to him. As soon as the gargantuan male recognized the scent of the pass on their pelts his tail dropped to hang loose behind him. He evaluated meticulously, Rais was younger than Crowe, he also seemed to be a little bit full of himself, or cocky whichever word would fit into Crowe's vocabulary that day. He seemed to have a fox-like cleverness about him, which was nothing Crowe could not handle. I may be able to manipulate this one. Wicked thoughts made their way into Crowe's head. "Hello Rais, my name is Crowe, Crowe Shane." The white wolf's voice was velvet smooth and the wicked smile came upon his face, it always looked out of place so Crowe would not be surprised if he startled the female on his other side when his massive head swiveled around to meet her gaze.

She was tiny in contrast to the immense frame of Crowe and his thoughts were even more sinister towards the female, to the point that they were unspeakable. But of course he was no longer a lone wolf and that sort of thing would get him unceremoniously removed from Nomads Pass for sure. So the white wolf banished these thoughts and instead met the she wolf's eyes, smile still plastered to his face. Crowe evaluated the she wolf in the same way he had done Rais taking notice of every single part of her physical appearance. The male even took in the eager, expectant tone of the she wolf, as if she could not wait to meet him. If we were not of the same pack she would be running instead of acting like an excited pup. She was marked as weaker than himself at first glance solely based on her soft appearance, but her speech solidified his assumption and Crowe thought he would be able to bully her if need be. "Sure you may, I see no reason to say no!" He addressed the she wolf knowing full well that the words sounded off, the words themselves were kind but his tone said otherwise. Crowe waited for both of the smaller wolves to respond looking as if he could lose his grip on reality at any second.

Politely Rais nodded as Crowe gave his name, though mentally he was doing a double take. There was something about the male that just wasn't matching up, first and most obvious of which that the white wolf was named for a black bird. Even further than that, voice and expression were not quite aligning here. He almost wanted to poke and prod and see just what made this wolf tick in his peculiar way, but something told him that maybe this was a hornet's nest best left undisturbed. For now.

The crumbling of footsteps past Crowe drew aside Rais' attention for a moment, and in a distracted fashion he looked away from the man who he'd just been talking to, stepping up to peek over the ridge of the point. As always, Rais was more cognizant than he appeared. A cloudy colored female had been making her way up towards them, unfamiliar to Rais as of yet. He responded to the uncertain sway of her tail with a hearty wag of his own, a welcoming smile on his lips.

Rais glanced out of the corner of his eye at the massive male as unwieldy words left his mouth, beckoning the woman up towards them. Man, this guy was awkward. It was almost embarrassing that this lady's first impression would probably be that Rais made a habit of hanging around this oaf. The Rose wolf shifted a little straighter, wagging brushy tail held aloft, making sure it was known while Crowe easily outmatched him in size, Rais still outranked the weirdo. "You're new here, yeah? I don't suppose you've gotten a chance to acquaint yourself with the place yet?" He tilted his head, just the right amount, open and inviting. "I could show you around, if you'd like? I mean, Crowe here must be busy. Wouldn't want to distract him from his patrol." Rais took a few enterprising steps towards her, grey brow lifted in question.

Asta wasn't a stupid wolf by any means, but she lacked certain experience in the world. She was in a pack again, and for her that was family. She couldn't comprehend the idea of packmates being cruel to one another. A little hypocritical, since Asta wouldn't be afraid to put others in their place. But that was different, right? She did not necessarily see herself as being in any immediate danger. Which was why she found herself beginning to crawfish when the behemoth of white fur stood rigid as if he might attack. Of course, Asta was unaware that the white male had also been intruded upon by more than one wolf until another face peeked over the ridge. The other one was smaller and his face seemed more open to young Asta, while the grin she could just make out on Crowe's face was... unsettling, at best. Not sure at all how to deal with a packmate like this, the wag of Asta's tail slowed until she simply held it out behind her. She could feel the behemoth studying her, which only served to unsettle her further. She hadn't thought about her request until now. Was she in any danger? ...She refused to believe it!

"Sure you may, I see no reason to say no!"

The words were welcoming enough, but his intonations didn't quite add up - she wasn't sure what it was, but he didn't actually sound friendly when he accepted her request... so she didn't actually make good on it until the second smaller male - the one she hadn't seen initially - spoke. The openness she had perceived replicated itself in his actions and words; Asta couldn't help but smile again, her tail's sway reappearing. She didn't take her time in reaching the men. With the same quick, light pawsteps and the deliberate placement she was soon enough accompanying them at the same height. Well, as much as her small frame would allow - she was roughly the same size as the gray male, and certainly smaller than the behemoth.

It was a nice view up here - no wonder the white male had chosen it. He could see considerably farther. She would've wondered if he was a guardian, but the gray boy's body language told her otherwise. This wolf was a bit lower in the ranks. Asta kept her tail lifted, but the gentle wave of her tail never quite stopped. Up close, Crowe was much more intimidating, but she would take her cues from Rais for the moment. Turning her yellow eyes to the gray male, she dipped her muzzle the slightest bit, "Yes, I am. My name's Asta," her eyes crinkled as she offered a warm smile, then flicked her eyes over to the immense male. She hadn't caught either one of their names earlier, but now knew the giant to be "Crowe." As the small male spoke, Asta's yellow eyes remained on Crowe, her head tilting the slightest bit as she tried to decide what to make of him. Maybe that was a problem she could puzzle out at another time - What do I think of Crowe? Hmmm. Her eyes flicked back to the gray male and stayed there this time, though an ear cocked in Crowe's direction to monitor him. She wasn't afraid of him! She just wanted to make sure he was okay, since she didn't understand him yet.

Asta blinked once slowly. Well, Crowe was the reason she had come up here in the first place. Would it be rude for her to leave? No, of course not - not if Crowe was busy! And Rais's offer was tantalizing: a guided tour? Yes please! "I'd like that," she answered plainly but not unkindly. "I wouldn't want to be a distraction..." she said. She might not have caught the subtle hints that Rais simply wanted to leave Crowe be (and lead Asta away by extension - how... sweet) but for the fact Crowe actually looked a little... well, unstable. The young woman squinted at Crowe. She opened her mouth to form a question then snapped it shut again. Maybe the gray wolf knew the white one already - there was a reason to leave him be. But Asta found she couldn't quite help herself and opened her mouth again to ask very softly, "Are you busy?"

Waaaait. Hold on. That wasn't what she meant to ask! She wanted to ask if he was all right! Again the she-wolf started crawfishing, her eyes widening the slightest bit. "I mean- what I meant to say-" she paused as she awkwardly tried to reform her sentence, "Are you all right?" Her voice was laced more with curiosity than concern, though the latter certainly wasn't absent.

Two pawns each move a space, room is made for the bishop to take an enterprising leap, though straight into the hands of the enemy and is taken. Life is a chess game and I watch all the pieces move silently tugging the strings moving my own piece slowly but surely, waiting for the checkmate. Crowe thought, he could see clearly the unsettled glances that passed is way. Crowe's smile deepened and the cogs in the mind of the madman began to turn slowly, they calculated things to say, weighed possible outcomes where instinct would have replied with a growl to the way Rais obviously wanted to be away from the massive male.

Let's play a game you two, I will know exactly what is false and what is not, and you wont! "Oh no, no I am not busy at all, plus a run through our territory with one whom seems to know it better can only be a strategical advantage for many things, if you don't mind Rais I would like to come along as well! I'm quite alright Asta, you see when I was young I had one very aggressive parent and a very passive one, an Alpha and Omega scenario if you will, and my speech never developed quite like it should have. I find myself drawing fights that way and I wouldn't dare harm anyone." It was a beautiful lie, believable, it even may win the insane wolf some sympathy from the smaller wolf. Crowe had been cautious though, speaking as if he was "fighting" to sound normal. He had strained his voice on purpose that time for he felt Rais would be harder to fool than Asta. His body language spoke of no threat and Crowe felt he had made himself seem merely an unfortunate soul, rather than the raving madman he was.

Rais was quite charmed by the maiden, and was looking forward to a moment to get to know her a little better. As she gave her name, Rais ducked his head for a moment, paw stretching forward in a chivalrous bow as he gave his own, "Pleasure to meet you, Asta. You can call me Rais." With another flash of a grin he rose from his bow, overly long snaggled fang lending a cheeky air to what would otherwise be a perfectly polite smile. Rais was ready to leave old Polar Bear in the dust as Asta answered positively to his proposition of a tour. But then, a couple prodding questions from Asta, and Crowe spilled his abridged life story, inviting himself to come along in the same breath.

Rais stared for a long moment at the Pass's Lowest, giving the appearance of a superior evaluating an underling while really just letting his mental cogs spin. A troubled childhood would explain the man's strange demeanor. Rais had been curious about him as well, but he hadn't yet any indication to expect the funny man to trend towards violence. One could be off in the head without being violent, and stilted speech and broken social cues hadn't yet sorted Crowe into the dangerous section of his mental library.

So it struck Rais as particularly odd that the wolf had said outright, "I wouldn't dare harm anyone". One possible explanation was that Crowe had been accused wrongly in the past and was trying to clear himself before Rais and Asta could jump to the wrong conclusion. An easy explanation, simple even, but Rais had his doubts. Rais knew lying, and he knew it well. He learned as a whelp to never specifically state what it was he "not" going to do, even if he had truly been intending it. When caught sneaking out of the den at night, never say that you 'definitely were not going to that dangerous waterfall Father warned about a dozen times', where 'getting up to pee' would have served a better lie. A vague lie leaves the intention obscured.

Only a few seconds had passed, and Rais had to conclude that nothing could be concluded. It was irrelevant whether this man was lying or not, dangerous or not, and it really didn't even matter that Crowe was obviously socially awkward. Rais wasn't worried, knowing he could run both verbal and physical circles around the lumbering beast. Rais even wouldn't have minded giving the guy a chance and getting to know him, after all, he was somewhat reminiscent of his estranged brother who he had slowly come to realize he actually missed. But the fact of the moment was that Crowe was interjecting his big white ass into Rais' chance to woo this lovely lady.

If Rais was more forward, he would have simply fought Crowe then and there. The thought did cross his mind, but instantly it was dismissed. The last time Rais had tried to win the honor of a lady with a fight, he'd lost. The reminders were still visible in the small hairless dots of skin at his belly, where Sloane had literally held Rais' life in his jaws. A direct challenge to ward off Crowe would be too stupid, too risky. The easiest thing to do now was to lead Asta and Crowe both, and hope to lose the Polar Bear somewhere along the way. "Well, the more the merrier, right? Come along, you two." He spoke genially, with all the false pleasantry of a seasoned Disneyland tour guide. He brushed past Asta, setting a brisk pace down into the heart of the pass expecting them to follow.

"Oh no, no I am not busy at all, plus a run through our territory with one whom seems to know it better can only be a strategical advantage for many things..."

Asta's ears pricked as Crowe spoke, her yellow eyes watching him intently. She still couldn't fathom that smile; she couldn't remember the last time a smile creeped her out so much. Gave her the shivers, that one. But she tried to maintain a neutral demeanor, if not a friendly one. She had placed herself here, so here she'd stay regardless of the vibes her packmate was giving her. She just reminded herself he was her packmate - so he was "okay." Still, whether or not the smile bothered her or his mismatched vocals, she couldn't help the little bit of concern she felt. She'd never met a wolf who had looked like that before - like they might go out of their mind at a moment's notice. Didn't mother used to tell tales? But she'd let it go. She'd rather get to know her packmates better - that was why she had been so eager in the first place! Nevertheless, it was with no small amount of surprise that Asta watched the white wolf as he gave what was effectively his life story.

The girl blinked, trying to understand what she'd just heard. Did things like that really affect one so much? So that was why his voice sounded so strange? Slowly, a smile formed on Asta's lips. She wasn't truly capable of understanding - oh no, she had no idea how twisted Crowe really was - but her smile tried to be one of reassurance. "I see," she tilted her head the slightest bit, her tail waving again as she started to relax a little more.

"Well, the more the merrier, right?" Rais - the charming one - was saying then, so the she-wolf turned her gaze to him.

"Glady," Asta responded as Rais passed by her. She cast one more glance at Crowe, as if to say, "Shall we?" then made a turnabout to chase close behind the gray male. As before, she moved easily enough over the terrain and kept Rais's trotting pace easily. She wondered if they had been here very long? As far as she knew, Asta was the most recent addition to the Pass. She'd seen no other women aside from herself and their leader, {Naira}. Where are all the girls? That was a question she wouldn't voice aloud however. Besides, she wasn't complaining! Crowe - though he was creepy - seemed all right otherwise. And Rais made her feel comfortable and welcome. She reminded herself: her brother was her only company for the longest time.

It would seem his ploy had worked and as of the moment, he had both of them relatively fooled as far as the depth of his madness was concerned. Yes eat it up children, believe the words I say whilst my thoughts speak better volumes of what I am capable of. His black mind crowed terrible thoughts and whispered about his ears, words of madness and death were the plague the white wolf faced and yet, he felt no true desire to harm these wolves. Though in his mind Asta was weak there would be no pleasure in her ruination for more likely then not it would bring about his own destruction. The innocence of a soul mustn't be trifled with even though she is weak. Seek a more formidable opponent.

It was as if a particularly annoying bur stuck in his hide, when that thought crossed his mind. Why should he care after all? He was Crowe Shane, a master of life and death he could take or let live! His mind would call it generosity but that was still a foreign concept, the truth was that the male's consistently evil thoughts had subsided to an extent. Since he had felt the wrath of Naira, a wolf whom was in control of her anger and her power. Crowe began to feel the desire to master the insanity that had long since controlled his life.

His reasoning for not wishing to harm Asta was questionable to Crowe yet his reasoning for leaving Rais be was far different. For it turned out the young wolf was smarter than Crowe had initially suspected. He had seen the wheels of the young one's mind turning, he almost saw through Crowe's lie and for that he won a slight bit of respect.

As they set off at a word from Rais the maniacal grin disappeared from his face instantly and was replaced by one of intense thought and darkness. Now is the time to observe Crowe, observe their weaknesses, be sure that you can effectively dismantle them if need be. Oh he was terrible for his thoughts of mutiny against his pack mates but it had become a simple habit. The poor deranged bastard was losing himself into something that he had hoped never to encounter. A feeling of some sort of duty, though it was to kill outsiders, Crowe still felt it was how he would effectively serve his queen. There would be no bloodshed of these wolves but Crowe silently hoped they may find a border with someone to kill walking about. "Speech."