Oak Tree Bend not in my nature

@Naira

This is a rank challenge between the two, it has been determined oocly that this will be a non-physical dominance display which doesn't need rolls
August 17th, 2016

To be frank, Aponi had had enough. While she avoided her mother with all means necessary it still really ground her gears whenever they did cross paths and the Aquila had display her submission. Her mother was so old she seemed like a stiff stone and it still made her smirk with glee every time the tawny woman missed something that somebody else said. While the Aquila respected @Spieden too much to try and force her from power that same respect was very much so lacking when it came to the Bend's second female in command.

So this time when the she wolf came across her mother's scent in the territory instead of changing her direction as she typically did she increased her speed and followed. Tail rose behind her the stronger the smell became until it hung over her back proudly and her head was held upwards in dominance. When the old bat's form finally came into her vision her stance did not falter though her pace slowed. The way she stood was clearly a challenge but the ball was in Naira's court now. "Mother."  It was a single word but it was said curtly, like someone who was trying to squeeze through dense pedestrian traffic and the person before them just wouldn't move.

Not being a leader suited the older woman, she never threw her weight around or expected the younger wolves to display any form of submission, though Aponi often did. She had to wonder why she did so unless it was to push herself to finally challenge up. Naira knew the day was coming and when the pushy voice barked behind her she had to wonder if the caller had been trying to catch her attention for some time, but she knew that voice. She was smiling before she turned, tail waving in friendly greeting low at her back.

She took in her daughter's stance, a low chuckle offered as her head dipped just a little lower and her ears turned back. Her head turned to expose the pale fur on her throat in clear submission. There was no point to wasting time on this, she only maintained the position to support Serach and Spieden. She could just as easily do that from beneath the silver girl. If she wanted Naira's spot she was welcome to it, it would afford her less time on the borders and more time with her children and Triell. She could get back to focusing on gathering herbs and worry less about stray bear cubs missing their mothers.

Oh, how long would it be before @Kyna thought to do the same? 

It was only by happenstance Spieden crossed the pair, nearly to pass with her usual snort and bob of her head, when she noticed something else was taking place. She kept her distance, relaxed but clearly curious about what was unfolding.

"Mother." Spieden nearly did a double take. Her ears hadn't deceived her, the silvery woman who had worked her way into Spieden's admirations had clearly called the tawny elder 'mother'. As much as it could have been a nickname, or something else, Aponi didn't seem the type to joke around much, and the tone of voice confirmed the younger female was as serious as could be. And not only that, but the confident stance far outpaced what would be expected of a wolf in subordination. A challenge. 

Spieden tried not to make herself too conspicuous, she didn't like to get between personal business, but felt she should at least see how things turned out. And she knew as well as anyone how these shifts in power could turn volatile. Her attention shifted to Naira, and although some might call her Triell's woman, Spieden found she gave back to the pack as much as she could with her aging faculties. Spieden didn't have a horse in the race, either outcome would be fine by her.

And it seemed the outcome would be a 'blink and you miss it' moment. Quietly, without even a grimace of protest, Naira yielded. Spieden thought she almost seemed happy to give it up. The reason, she could only guess at it. Was it that her challenger was apparently her daughter? Or simply Naira's advancing age? Spieden hated to think it might come down to that, after all, she wasn't much further behind the elder woman. Regardless of the reason, it seemed she had a new second.

(This post was last modified: Aug 31, 2016, 02:59 AM by Spieden.)

Her mother's wagging tail and friendly stance did nothing the placate the fire that ran through her veins at the thought of submitting to Naira even one more time. The dipped head and exposed neck however was more than enough for Aponi. This would not turn to physical blows then as it had with Aesire, though she would have had no problem ripping into Naira she was just as happy this way. No bruises or scrapes or even ruffled fur to show for what had occurred here but a change in the hierarchy would be clear with the postures whenever the two passed.

Glancing over the older woman coolly the silver tail flicked a silent dismissal before turning away from the scene. It was then that she noticed Spieden standing there observing everything that had happened between the two of them. Nodding her respect and flashing a small smile and lowering her dominant posture and tail. Aponi craved to take her challenge even further and force herself to the top but she couldn't bring herself to do so to the Bend's matriarch.

Only one word had been spoken in the whole exchange but Aponi took her leave without saying anything else. It was time she got back to Lila.