Aside from what interesting things had been announced to the pack lately, even more intriguing was the new she-wolf that the tawny youth had scented within her home. She had caught glimpse of the female – they were dangerously close in age, and any other time the she-wolf might have attempted to befriend the girl. Perhaps in time this would come about – if the girl even bothered to stay within the pack, as so many chose not to after making good use of the River pack’s resources.


Yet with nose to the wind, the pale tawny she-wolf stole after the scent of the stranger. Curiosity spurned her forward, and as the other came to view, Kisla uttered a low ‘wuff’ in the direction of the petite she-wolf. Her peridot gaze swept over the other female, noting the pretty and delicate features of the stranger. Prowling forward, the once Yearling of the pack found her limbs stiffen as she approached, her features unreadable.


Kisla was the first born daughter to these lands – child of the wolf who had founded Swift River, and eldest alongside her brother of their mother’s offspring. Swift River was almost a birth right to her, and she would not submit herself to a wolf so fresh and new to the land. While not unfriendly in nature, the Tainn female made her intention clear – she was not submitting to the other, and to flaunt this attempted dominance, she lifted her tail and muzzle higher, stiffening as she waited for the other to give in to this silent demand.

Caught up in her own head, Tali almost missed the scent of the approaching wolf. When she did grab onto the perfume, she recognized it almost immediately as belonging to Kisla, one the youngest pack members. Not having spent enough time with many of the wolves here in Swift River, she didn't know much about the female aside from her relations within the pack. Hearing the tawny wolf's greeting, she turned to face the pale female, who didn't seem in the mood for a chat. Intentions read clear in the young female's posture, and Tali's own body responded.

Going through the motions, she opted out of an actual greeting. Slowly her caramel eyes fell to the ground in front of the larger she wolf. She didn't plan on allowing a fight to break out, and so she would submit. Her body dropped lower, in an attempt to look smaller than she actually was. Ears once perched high on her head now rested against her skull, and her tail fell between her legs. It was possible that one day Tali would challenge another for ranks, but that day had not yet come. No, today she would allow Kisla her birthright and show her respect.

The contrast in her thoughts just minutes ago were all but forgotten. Everything in this moment was instinctual, as there was no time for thinking. Hesitation could be taken as defiance, and there was danger in that. Tali certainly didn't want to make an enemy before she made a friend.

She hadn’t expected the other to offer her rank so easily, and yet relief swept through the young and inexperienced girl as she did so. The stiffness of her limbs lessened, and moving forward now, closer to the she-wolf who crouched so appear even smaller than before, Kisla would chuff with welcome now, her nose inhaling the scent of the stranger as she took her scent to memory. So many others had come to their home and been welcomed within, each time only to be betrayed by the disappearance of their new comrades. Would this she-wolf meet the same fate?


Gently, after establishing her place amongst the hierarchy in comparison to Tali, the tawny female would smooth her muzzle over the other’s crown, her teeth preening warmly against the fur before a playful nip would be given to Tali’s ear. As this was initiated, Kisla would then bounce back a pace or two, her figure crouching lower in a playful posture, her tail now waving proudly behind her like a banner – it had been far too long since she had allowed herself to be so free, and with a taunting bark, the Tainn girl spun, her creamy limbs stretching out as she hoped to coax the newcomer of Swift River in to a ragtag game of chase. Fenru was her common playmate, but with someone else their age, she was eager to test the others mannerisms and personality.

With her submission, the tension between the pair faded quickly, leaving in it's wake a completely different atmosphere. Kisla's chuff this time was different, welcoming even. It allowed her to relax as the tawny wolf stepped closer. She wasn't anticipating an attack, but she certainly wasn't expecting the reaction she received. She gratefully accepted the preening, recognizing Kisla as an adult, and her superior. Tali couldn't help but feel as though she had earned herself a small victory. Though she may have lost her rank, she was being accepted by one of the wolves who would likely be next in line for the thrown. It was definitely not a loss. The welcome from this female, would likely lead to the acceptance of the pack. She could only hope.

The playful nip at her ear left a mischievous glint in Tali's eyes. She watched as her new superior jumped back, bowing playfully. Answering Kisla's invitation, she too fell into a low bow. After only a second she bounded forward, and resumed her previous stance to allow the pale female the chance to run, if she chose. The younger female's bark sounded around them, and Tali emitted a lighthearted bark of her own. Then the chase was on. Small paws carried her toward the younger member, while her tail swung rapidly back and fourth.

Her heart felt light, as did her paws. It had been far too long since Tali was able to play like this. The wind felt wonderful as it pelted her fur, and for the first time here, she really felt at home. She knew now that sooner or later she would find her place within this pack. Everything was going to be alright.

As harsh as her initial greeting may have been, the small female had taken it with a grain of salt, and Kisla, successful with her first challenge of ranks, felt a surge of pride at the woman she was becoming. Intricate with details, quiet with her thoughts, the Tainn girl had yet to fully establish who she was or what she would become, but one thing was for sure – she was never too old for play.


Tali motioned this desire with her own bow, and as Kisla’s creamy paws began the age old dance of chase, the female was swiftly after her. While the tawny girl had considered herself agile and spry, it paled in comparison to the speed the other female had, and she gained quickly upon Kisla, who released a bark of laughter now, her green eyes glittering like jewels as she stole a glance back to her new companion.


As Tali gained closer to her, Kisla would swing a direction, though she knew such tactic would not last long. Instead, the pale golden girl would swing quickly to face the oncoming female, her body falling low once more in the age old play bow before she would leap toward her, hoping to initiate herself as the chaser or a bout of wrestling. Either way, for the moment she felt carefree, and this was the most accepting of a newcomer she had been for awhile – she could only hope that Tali would not disappoint with her presence and disappear on them like so many did.

Tali released a playful yip after the larger female, finding that she enjoyed the game more than she remembered. Occasionally the tawny female would sway in one direction or another, forcing Tali to redirect herself and slow the increasing rate at which she was catching up to her superior. Even so, it was of no use, and the smaller female was gaining on her new companion rather quickly. The chase had not lasted long when the tawny female turned on her subordinate in a playful stance. This evoked a cry of laughter as Tali slowed her pace in fear of crashing right into Kisla.

Finally coming face to face with Kisla, Tali entered in her own bow, before quickly moving to mouth at the tawny female. Her body language would tell her superior that this was meant for play, and only that. A wrestling match held between two friends – if she could call the female in front of her a friend. One day, she hoped to be sure of her relationships with the other wolves here in her pack, but today she was happy with this.

She was thankful that after the greeting she had endured, a silver lining happened out of everything. She gave way to Kisla, who no doubt held more importance here than Tali felt she ever could. Everyone would be happy, including her. Kisla would now move on to challenging those that were above Tali, and honestly she wished her luck. Maybe she wouldn't need it, but she did just in case.

The carefree nature of the romp elicited a small laugh from the girl, and as Tali met her wrestling challenge pace for pace, the tawny she-wolf allowed the girl to mouth at her her, feeling the gentle teeth upon her cheek and nape before she lifted a paw to push the face away playfully, her own jaws snapping with calculated misaim for an ear.


Uncertain of Tali’s history, or how she had come to Swift River, all mattered little for the moment as the Tainn girl opened up and allowed the she-wolf before her freely to her world – a world befallen with loss that usually kept her shut tightly as a book. It was refreshing to have a female in the pack closer to her age, and as the wrestling continued, Kisla would soon ease down the bout of play with a loud chuff, her tail sweeping through the air in contentment before she would settle back to her haunches.


Her eyes regarded the girl carefully before her, her tongue smoothing out past her lips before she gave a gentle shake of her pelt to show her ease. Not a word had been spoken between the two, but words were not required. With a rumble in her stomach, the tawny she-wolf lifted herself, trudging past her new companion and allowing her shoulder to brush gently against Tali before she padded in the direction of one of the pack caches. Casting a glance behind her shoulder to see if Tali would follow, Kisla quickened her pace to a lope then, deciding a shared meal would suit her very well. In the end, the encounter had been amicable, especially for Kisla's first show of rank.