Larkcall Lowlands which to bury, us or the hatchet

He had kissed his mate goodbye the morning prior before setting off. He and @Piety had discussed at length how to go about repairing relations with the nearby packs. In Wraith's visit to the far north, he had missed much of the drama between the packs. Something about Lorcan and another male. With Lorcan gone, he had high hopes that any animosity could be set aside with the coming season.

At his side, Roosemooth had been chosen to provide him company on the journey. As he was in no hurry, Wraith let the older wolf set the pace as they ambled southwest from the Monadnock. The pair had chatted amicably, cementing the Alpha's decision in accepting his brother's previously most trusted friend. For all that he'd observed so far, Roosemooth was level-headed and his loyalty had yet to be called into question. The black man intended for there to never be a need otherwise. Take care of one's subordinates and they would take care of the pack.

"I don't know these wolves," Wraith advised. "I don't know how they'll react. Be respectful and polite and don't give them reason to take offense." Wild tales of a dark-coated male of the pack he was sure had been exaggerated. With any luck, the man wouldn't make a showing on this first, most important meeting. "We don't need enemies this close to spring. And I'm sure they don't want any either."

With that said, the behemoth threw his head up and bellowed out a summons for the pack's leaders. When any would arrive, his tail would be lifted only slightly higher than his back, but wagging in a friendly manner. No need to set them on edge right away.

OOC! which packs are they visiting?

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Word Count: 258

Roose knew that respect was something to be earned, not given, and he wanted to earn the respect he deserved from his new alphas – particularly Wraith. The young man showed promise; he had impressed the elder from the first moment they met, back in the north. So when he’d asked if Roose would join him on his trip, the advisor quickly agreed. This would be an opportunity to observe his new king’s social skills in action, and demonstrate his own.

Their journey began smoothly, the conversation friendly and light. While the black man was not particularly chatty most of the time, he did feel at ease around the patriarch. Then again, he was usually able to keep his cool and remain relaxed in even tense situations. It was one of the things that made him good at what he did.

As they neared the borders of their neighbors, Wraith informed his companion that he wasn’t familiar with this pack and offered advice. Roose smiled and nodded; he hardly ever began a conversation with aggression; he found it closed more doors than it opened and often led to unnecessary trouble. “Craw once told me this pack was trouble; perhaps it was his own personality getting in the way of an alliance.” He suggested, giving his companion a knowing look. He was sure the dark man was familiar with their former leader’s tendency to be obstreperous at the most inopportune times. “With your good manners and charm, I am sure we will be able to improve the public relations of the pack.”

"Speech" Thought

Askan couldn't say that he was fond of all this fog, but at least it was better than more snowfall. Spring had arrived and yet it seemed as though winter wasn't quite ready to let go. The past few days had been freezing-to say the least- and Askan couldn't help but wish that winter would just give up and wait its damn turn for another go. By no means did the Selwyn hate the snow as much as his mate did-Askan wasn't sure if that was even possible- but if it didn't start to warm up by even just a little then Askan would- he'd....Be more annoyed than usual. Shaking his head, Askan turned to look out at the tundra below. On a clear day he'd be able to see for miles and miles upon the ridge of the Lookout, but today? Surprise surprise, there wasn't much to see. Fog, fog and oh... more fog.

As much as he would like, Askan didn't really have any room to complain. So far the day had been quite, uneventful, and his patrol so far had gone without a hitch. Much to his approval. If he really had to grouse though, he supposed that the Rye Queens increased appetite was getting a little annoying. He knew it wasn't her fault, that she had puppies growing in her belly but did she really have to raid the caches like that? He could see where Percy gotten her appetite from , at times Jessie was damn near insatiable. Perhaps it was for the best she had gone on her way, after all Askan wasn't sure they could feed too hungry women!

A little smile tugged at his lips as a howl rang through the field. Not one he recognised, but it's intent was easy to decipher. It was a summoning, a sort of 'come here if you please', nothing demanding or hoighty about it, just a simple, honest request. At face value there was nothing to worry about, no reason for Askan to get all worked up, but being a cautious man Asjab charged towards the source of the call with all of the speed he could muster. If someone wanted to an audience with the Rye monarchy they'd have to speak to him first. It was either that or they'd have to keep on walking. Or worse, if they pushed their luck.

Slowing to a trot, then a walk Askan squinted through the fog until two shadowy forms came into view. He stopped and took a moment to eye them up and down, trying to gauge who they were and what they wanted. Reassured that they weren't looking for a fight-yet at least- Askan depuffed his hackles but still stood firm and strong, as the fields first line of defence.

"You called?"He asked, his attention flitting from one wolf to the other. By no means was he being friendly, but it couldn't be said that he was being rude either. He was simply cautious, though he did well to hide it."I assume you want something, so spill, I'm all ears."

As the strange male approached, Wraith got the impression that he filled the position the brute himself had only just left. His tail wasn't lifted high like he owned the territory, but he also wasn't bowing low with the respect of a lower ranking wolf. The guardian, the Second. It was a bit odd to see something of himself in another. He even had the dark coat. But it was there that the similarities ended. He wasn't rude, but he wasn't very politically sound either.

This was the one, Wraith thought with a wry smile. The one that pissed Craw off so much that he came home practically foaming. Rather than taking offense, the Northerner was unperturbed by the greeting. "We hail from the Monadnock. I'm Wraith and this is Roosemooth. I wanted to inform your Alphas of the recent changes within the pack and extend a formal greeting to them as neighbors." It hardly mattered to him whether this male knew he was the new Alpha. The other leaders would find out soon enough when they arrived. Anything further could wait for them, thought Wraith could only hope the Alpha pair would be in a mood to let bygones be bygones and realize that there was no reason for any quarrel to remain between the two packs.

OOC!

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Word Count: 235

Roose wasn’t quite sure what he was expecting; no alphas would good manners would keep them waiting. So when he finally saw a shape taking form through the fog, he thought perhaps their neighbor’s bad reputation was all talk. That was until he realized the man coming to greet them was not actually one of the rulers of the territory. Though he seemed aggressive at first, he quickly changed his demeanor. Roose had to say he respected a man who took precautions, though he himself preferred to lead with diplomacy over hostility.

The man’s words caused the advisor’s fur to prickle, and he resisted a scowl of distain at his tone. Instead he merely eyed the guardian before him, sizing him up and hoping his superiors would soon be there to put him in check. Roose glanced at Wraith, wondering if he too was hiding displeasure.

If he was, the new leader was doing well. His words were calm and polite, spoken like a true diplomat. The grizzled man was pleased that his partner had led with news of the recent changes; if Craw’s words about this pack were true, knowing from where the visitors hailed might cause trouble. With any luck, the spider’s tendencies to behave more like a grumpy badger than a wolf didn’t ruin any chances the current leaders had of achieving peace – and maybe even an alliance – with their closest neighbors.

"Speech" Thought

Askan wasn't impressed, at all, and it took a great deal of self control to stop himself from rolling his eyes in contempt. There weren't a lot of wolves that he liked, but those he'd met from the Whitestone pack were were most definitely among his least favourite. So of course, when Wraith introduced himself as a wolf from said pack, Askan couldn't help but feel a rush of disgust flood through his system. What the hell were they doing here? Just because their lead female-who was a snake, Askan had to add!- had passed on a word or two about Percy didn't mean that they were pals all of a sudden. But then again, from the sounds of it there had been a change in leadership. Did that mean something had happened to that walking accumulation of filth, a poor excuse of a wolf who went by the name of Craw? Gods, he hoped so.

But even he knew better than to say that aloud. He had to play nice after all.

So Wraith and Roosemooth, an odd combination to say the least. But Askan-despite his prejudices- had to admit that Wraith was far more tolerable that Craw and Lorcan had ever been. He had least had the mind to be polite and annoying and as hoighty as he seemed, the Selwyn was reluctant to say that he was tolerable. If only just, by a very narrow margin.

Stepping closer, so that his paws covered the invisible border line. "The name's Askan Selwyn. Wild Rye Fields second. I'm sure Drestig and Jessie want to hear this for themselves, should be along soon."

Wraith did not miss the way his advisor's fur prickled, but he felt pride in learning the male knew well how to hold his tongue. It was certainly an exercise in trust to have brought the male along, but the brute had wanted a chance to get to know Roose better and what better way was there than in a situation such as this? Pleased to see his subordinate behaving, he couldn't keep his tail from wagging nor the wry smile from his face.

When the male introduced himself, it only confirmed the brute's earlier thoughts that this was the male that had given Craw so much grief and fury. He was brash and rough around the edges, but certainly not out of line. At least not yet. Wraith imagined that as long as he was treated with respect, he would return some in kind.

They hadn't come to blows at least. It was one of Wraith's initial concerns with leading with what pack he came from. His knowledge of relations between the two packs - and others surrounding - had been negligible before as he had left that headache to his Alphas. Alpha now, he intended not to make it a headache in the first place. Wraith dipped his head at Askan's introduction. "Pleased to finally meet you, Askan." He said nothing more, but did take a seat to make it apparent he would wait for the Alphas of Wild Rye Fields until they were able to arrive. The northerner had faith they would be along as their Second suggested and wondered if he'd called at a poor time.

Not exactly a poor time, albeit not the best either. Drestig had left the pack lands early that morning, heading south into the woody foothills beyond the Field borders. His night had not been the best, as @Jessie had slept badly, her tossing and turning beside him in the den in turn disturbing his own sleep. Then the morning had been even worse, as the expectant mother had taken out her even-more-than-usually testy mood out on her mate. Frankly, he'd rushed to flee the territory. Of course he couldn't blame her – not to her face at least – and her certainly wasn't about to challenge her in her current state, when they finally seemed to be back on good terms otherwise. Rather the father-to-be had elected to take out his frustrations on the wildlife, hunting rabbits on the foggy forest slopes. This way it would be a win-win really, he'd work out his pent up anger, and return to his pregnant wife bearing gifts.

At least that was the plan, as he trotted homeward, a fat bunny swinging proudly from his jaws. But that idea was derailed as he heard a faint call in the distance, someone at their borders, begging the leaders' presence; So much for that..! Instead the king had to stop by a cache, quickly depositing his catch and covering it back up; Most likely it would end up in Jessie's stomach anyways, just without the good-hubby points. Drestig sighed lightly, taking his time to make sure the rabbit was safely buried, he knew Askan was on patrol and would surely be there already, entertaining their company until he arrived. Though once he did set off, he kept to a swift trot, knowing well that he could only leave the guardian alone at the helm for so long without him causing trouble.

Arriving at the northern borders, he indeed found Askan, and too strangers who were completely unfamiliar. As he came to a halt next to his second, the wind carried their scent to him though, and his tail instinctively arched high as he recognized the smell of the Monadnock. But these were both unfamiliar faces, and catching the end of the bigger ones last remark, he was surprised by the tone, brows quirking curiously. "Drestig Avalon, apologies for the wait, I hope Askan here has kept you good company?" He greeted neutrally, bumping the guardians shoulder lightly; "You hail from the Monadnock?" Despite Morganna's recent help with the search for Percy, the Rye king was still wary of their northern neighbors, the woman's volatile nature and her partners cold arrogance labeling them as untrustworthy at least in the elder man's mind. Though, his brows furrowed as he studied the visitors' scent further, there seemed to be only subtle hints of the scarred brute's markers on them both; This might be interestig…

Word count: 474

Thoughts ”Speech”

kuschelirmel-stock @DA & Dawnthieves.de

OOC! @Wraith @Askan @Jessie

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Word Count: 257

This was taking too long. What kind of an alpha allowed their second to answer calls for them? He was sure the spring was just as busy for them as it was for the Monadnock wolves – prepare for a new litter was no butterfly chase – but there was still one of the two rulers that could make it to the border without trouble.

It was fortunate that Roose didn’t lose his patience easily. While this Askan fellow was not quite rude, he wasn’t as polite as a second should be when acting on behalf of his leaders. The older man would not have minded giving him a piece of his mind, but since Wraith was being both patient and civil, Roose followed his lead, keeping his mouth shut for now. It was not his place to speak here anyway.

Almost as soon as the beta before them said his name, the kind of the land before them finally arrived. Despite his tardiness, he did have good manners. Roose glanced at his own leader before respectfully dipping his head in deference to the new arrival. Drestig… He thought, testing the name. It had an interesting sound to it. Strong. He was also impressed with his control. Though he had no way of knowing what was going on inside the other ruler’s mind, from the things he’d heard about their packs’ relationship, he had expected a little more hostility at first.

If Wraith continued to live up to the advisor’s expectations, the day might continue to be full of pleasant surprises.

"Speech" Thought