Thicket of Secrets going toward the stars

@Mirren can hop in anytime, just wanted to get this up to avoid LP deduction! I'm gonna assume he's with her for this thread *___*; Partly Cloudy — Current Temperature: 41° F/5° C

The sun was rising as they moved toward the Woodlands, side by side. Kite was ecstatic and eager, ready for her new life. It had begun the very day she met Mirren, and she knew it would only blossom from there. With that in mind the pep in her step was at an all time high. She felt on top of the world, and the only way life could bring her down was if it prevented her from living here, at this place where Mirren now called home. Kite had a happy life before, but when thinking on it now, it seemed so achromic. The world now was so vivid in its colors, particularly his color. He was brilliant.

Upon arriving at the borders, she paused. Kite did not know whether to call or not, and so she tipped her muzzle up to Mirren to allow him to make that decision. Was it... rude? Wolves that joined her previous pack were just met by her mother, but... she would not be meeting her mother today. The lands themselves were also vastly different, so different that it was dizzying. This would be where she lived now. Of course, she couldn't see all the way into the territory... she had not yet slithered past the entrance that would open up into the world that was Secret Woodlands, his current home. Her spirit soared at the thought of the future, a prospect that once seemed so daunting, so dark. Kite had found home, and it wasn't anywhere identifiable. It lay in someone. Mirren. The clouds above parted for the briefest of instances, a ray of sunlight pouring on the duo.

The couple of days they'd spent out in the world and on the road together seemed much longer than it really had been with Secret Woodlands now in his sights. Part of him wanted to stay out there with her, in the wilderness where they could lightheartedly talk and play and dream with each other. Obviously they couldn't, but that didn't deter the hope in him. So much had changed and all in the blink of an eye, and the Tainn returned to the thicket with a fresh perspective and an iron will to make things right in his life again. For the first time in months, he looked upon the borders and the snow that covered them not as a wall to keep him in, but as a beacon that he was almost home. After all, the snow wasn't going to last forever, and when they melted and disappeared into the earth and the rivers, life would start anew. For everyone. Trekking along at Kite's side, he couldn't help but to feel like he'd been here before; not long ago he'd been in the same position with a girl he was doing well to put in his past now. He couldn't help but to consider what @Nina would think of this and of him. He hadn't been naive before, only hoping for the best of a tentative situation. But now─well...this was a different story. Kite wasn't someone who'd asked to come with him. Kite wasn't looking for shelter or safety, or anything. Kite was here now because it was his will, because he had chosen her, and because together they had chosen to walk the same path. Kite wasn't going anywhere, and this he knew as fact. He canted his muzzle to meet hers, nudging it with an affectionate growl. Mirren was more than willing to take charge of things, and right now he was about his business. As the clouds parted to allow the sunlight to caper down upon them, even if only for a moment, he looked upon her face with pride─not as the boy he had been, but as the man he had become at her side. Lifting his muzzle skyward, he summoned Nina.

(This post was last modified: Apr 08, 2014, 03:23 AM by Mirren.)

Kite was eager to be a part of something other than the plains. Already she had done that; she was now a part of Mirren. And soon enough, she would be a part of the pack he spoke so much about. Secret Woodlands. He had told her not too much about it except for his respect for their leader. Kite knew she would find out for herself whether or not the leader was to be respected, but she was more than sure that Mirren would not follow someone capable. The way he spoke of Nina also hinted at some sort of personal relationship there, but Kite did not press. She did not have the time to, truthfully; they had spent their time to come to this, the pack he resided in. And soon, if the cards were in her favor, so would she.

When Mirren called for the leader, Kite's tail waved energetically at her hocks. She lifted her own head and a note slightly higher in pitch came out. When his call quieted, she let hers dwindle and fade as well. She did not want to cuittle the leader into seeing her worth, she would prove it to her as soon as she possibly could. Kite did not enjoy dawdling. She was a busybody, and idling annoyed her. Kite shifted her weight every now and again, her worries getting the best of her. The L'Crowe swallowed the words that she wished to express, What if she doesn't like me, what if she does not see my worth? Kite withheld from expressing them lest the leader be near and feed onto them. Her mother was the sort to do that, to pry on weakness. And Kite's weakness, at the moment, was her worries of not being good enough. These fears became larger in her head as she began to wonder just why it was she was pushed from the pack (even though, basely and at an instinctual level, Kite understood)... was it because she had no worth?

Kite leaned toward Mirren, as though his confidence in her would surge through him and come into her being. Peering at him made things feel a little better, too, and so her gaze unknowingly held and lingered... and the longer she looked, the more comfort she felt.

He could feel the tension that seemed to seep from her skin. It was normal to be nervous; he couldn't imagine that anyone standing at the cusp of a new land roamed by an established pack wouldn't be. Glancing over at Kite, Mirren knew that, if she were permitted by Nina to stay, joining would be a novel experience for her. She'd been born into her parents' pack, but she would be gaining entry into his. On some level, he wondered how she would get along with the others, and how Nina would feel about having her around with cubs on the way. This was a silly notion, however, because surely they would love her. How couldn't they? How could anyone not enjoy her breezy affect, positive attitude, and optimistic outlook? Still, there was always the possibility that she would be turned away and, well...if that happened he'd leave right along with her. The ties that bound he and Kite were freshly forged, but the knots were tightly woven. Though his eyes were roving the shadows and horizons for any sign of Nina, he could feel her hazel ones locked to the side of his face like he felt the sun on a hot day. Mirren allowed her to melt into him, her body fitting perfectly into his side as he, too, leaned closer. Eventually his gaze shifted to Kite, soft and bright with reassurance as he searched her tawny mask. Craning his muzzle, he licked her crown comfortingly. "Don't fret, pretty girl."

His comfort was instant, doting, tender... as he melted into her, she melted into him, her body conforming to his every nuance. Her tail beat against her own hocks and his haunch, and when he looked at her, she beamed. Nerves? Why... oh, oh yes, she was joining a pack. Kite was again alert and her eyes turned to the horizon. Oh, oh... what am I doing... okay, no, I'm good. Kite would be fine. Mirren was here. She would offer her everything to her leader, and was listing things she was good at in her head... only to forget them a minute later. But the warmth of Mirren's gaze distracted her again, and she looked back to him.

Can't help it, she breathes, shuddering anxiously. The maslin within her head was made up of excitement and worry alike. What if... she doesn't like me? What if she was not accepted with him? It went without saying Kite would follow him to the ends of the world, and she was certain Mirren would do the same for her, but she did not want him to have to do that. She wanted his esteemed leader to like her, to want her here, to accept her into the fold. I didn't bring anything with me, she remembers, looking at her feet. I couldn't even find that herd I was lookin' for.... Her frown deepens... But I will!!! But would that be good enough? Kite worried that no, it would not be. Her insides flipped in an acrobatic fashion, nerves hitting her hard. Kite did not realize how badly she had wanted this, until now.

She had been so tired as of lately. She knew she should have been getting her rest instead of overexerting herself, but she truthfully didn't trust the man that she was partners with. She was constantly on her feet, though she did take some time to rest, and was trying to keep up with everything going on with the pack. She knew that Iopah was doing a great deal to help her out now that she was with children again, and Koda had ended up staying much longer than Nina would have assumed he would. She didn't question his motives, for she had accepted him back into her family, even after he had left. She should have known it was favoritism, but the mother always tried to push the thought away and think that she almost gave everyone another chance, to prove that they were better than they had exhibited before.

As she moved through her territory, she tried not to dwell on such dark thoughts and focused on the new lives growing inside of her. She didn't know what she was going to tell them when they got old enough about their father, or who would even be their father figure. Miccah was definitely not who she pictured, and Koda had proved to her in the past year that he was no good to her. Rarely had Nina seen Kashikoi around, though she knew of his presence because of his ever faithful scent. The only male that she truly trusted was Mirren, and he was still young; Nina didn't want to put the burden onto his shoulders. Her lips almost twitched up into a smile when she heard his call echo throughout her territory, her ears pricking towards his call. She started moving in the general direction of his summon when another, higher pitched voice joined in with his. For a moment, Nina hesitated, knowing they were calling for her. Dread pierced through her at the possibility of losing the Tainn now, but she had encouraged him to find someone...and if that someone just so happened to be whoever was with him then Nina wouldn't be the one to stop him.

Quickly gathering herself, the alpha made her way towards where the couple had called to her, weaving easily through the thorny bushes that she had called home for quite some time now. She made sure that she was careful though, due to her already large stomach. Huffing under her breath, she lifted herself high when she approached the two wolves in front of her, a single emerald eye locking onto that of the girl that Nina had now known. She then searches for Mirren, his gaze locking on him as she takes in the scene around her. Lifting her chin slightly, she turns her sharp gaze back onto the loner, speaking strongly, ”Greetings..I am Nina Hervok...Mirren,” she addressed the boy she considered her son, ”who is your friend?” She remained silent then, her golden brown head turned towards the Tainn as she awaited his answer.

Doubt was pouring from her like rain fell from the sky. "What if...I didn't...I couldn't..." She was obviously very nervous, but he knew she didn't need to be. Mirren had known many wolves in his life and been raised in an exceptional family; he was young, sure, but he'd been around long enough to know the mediocre from the extraordinary, and she was exactly that. Kite was absolutely extraordinary. Lionhearted, kind, humble, intelligent, athletic, gorgeous. She embodied everything that he valued in another, and he valued her, as his partner and not only for now but for life. Kite fretted about being unprepared, but by just stepping to the borders of Secret Woodlands she brought more to give with her than others had combined. She would be, without doubt, an asset to their pack, and already she was an asset to him. Mirren knew Nina would be able to see her for who she was, and for who she was to him. "You're mine," he reminded her with a kind smile. "If you weren't the most special, perfect, amazing girl in all the world, you wouldn't be here. But, you are, and...if all else fails, you can always hit Nina with one of those adorable double greetings of yours." Maybe a joke would ease her nerves. It certainly eased his, and if he hadn't so much reverence for Kite and the fact that she was scared, he could have laughed out loud. But he didn't, and instead slowly roved his nose along her cheek, breathing into her fur. "Take a breath─all your dreams are gonna come true. He whispered in her ear. The rustling of foliage drew his attention directly to the treeline, where Nina's rounded form emerged. A boyish smile spread along his lips at the sight of her. For days he'd been wrapped up in himself and in Kite, and as his eyes traced the curve of her belly he realized that it wasn't just his life that was changing. Excitement coursed through him as Nina approached, his tail swaying low, beating against his hocks. "Nina," he greeted his matriarch-by-bond respectfully, "this is Kite. She wishes to join our ranks." The look he gave Nina spoke volumes to the words he wouldn't speak out loud. Kite was his, and always would be. She was special, and she meant the world to him. His soft, golden gaze held a pleading glimmer of insistence. "She is a skilled hunter and runner, loyal and intelligent," he stated his case. Kite was really so much more than that.

His words did more than reassure her. He himself was a comfort, but his words caused her heart to sing for him all the louder. You are mine. Those words were prevalent, the first to be said, and she looked to him with all of the adoration in the world. The way her ears flattened initially spoke her acceptance of this. Kite wondered if she had known it the minute she saw him. If that was why she hadn't just ran as her mind quietly insisted in all the other instances. His joke caused her lips to lift in a sheepish smile, endeared that he remembered but also nervous that she would do just that. "Hey, I'm Kite. Hi. Can I join?" And that this would be the only thing that came to mind when the leader came upon them.

His last words, and his touch, caused Kite to do two things. Firstly, she leaned into him, and secondly, she admits, Dreams I didn't know I had have come true with you, how can life get any better? But, as ever, he was leading her toward the answer to that. Kite was rooted to him, and would not have things go any differently so long as he was there, with her. When the shrubbery ahead started to shift, Kite turned. Her ears, once erect, fell submissively atop her crown when Nina came into sight. The swelling sides of Nina's belly foretold something Kite, by instinct, understood perfectly well. Kite made herself smaller, not wanting to pose a threat in any way to the woman at the helm of the Woodlands. The prospect of new life excited her... if only because she felt, in a way, the coming of it also represented her new life here.

Kite noted Nina's lack of an eye, and thought of her elder aunt who had fought off a bear with the Storm wolves. The battle resulted in a nasty scar and the woman coming back with only one eye, but because of the weakness, the woman lost her rank of second in a challenge. Kite imagined the woman before her must be very respected to maintain her position... and simultaneously, at the moment, felt no desire to rise against the Woodlands leader. Thus far in her life, Kite had no desire to usurp anyone.

Nina was also lovely. Kite could not yet tell all of the details of her, as she was swift to avert her eyes altogether. At Mirren's introduction, Kite found her eyes naturally falling to him, her tail, which clung to her haunch, quivering in its longing to wave. But her nervousness, her submissiveness here, came first... but perhaps the way that she looked to him, as Nina looked upon it, would speak volumes as well.

When he finished speaking, Kite took a breath, and also informed Nina, I'd like to become a scout, if... if you have need of one, The yearlings gaze fell briefly to Nina (though never looking her in the eye) only when she addressed her, before her eyes fell onto her paws. And then, remembering her manners, It's a pleasure to meet you.

Yes, this is terrible, but wanted to be able to get this up for you guys! <3

The mother briefly glanced at the newcomer, appreciating the way the girl lowered herself accordingly to Nina's position, before turning her gaze back towards Mirren. His response came to her, but she barely picked up any of the words, except for the woman's name and what position she was striving for. What caught the alpha's attention the most was the way Mirren was looking at her. It was similar to the way that Koda had once looked at her when they had been together and the way she had hoped she would have been looked at again. It was the fondness that Nina had rarely seen from the Tainn, as he never truly got attached to anyone too easily, at least from what the Hervok had observed from him.

When the girl spoke up, Nina's single-eyed gaze snapped towards her, the woman's eyebrow lifting slightly, blinking in the girl's direction when she finished. Briefly, Nina glanced back over at Mirren one last time before turning her gaze back onto Kite. Stepping forward confidently, the pregnant woman spoke, ”It is a pleasure to meet you as well...a friend of Mirren's is a friend of mine.” Moving to stand in front of Kite, Nina tilted her head slightly before going to gently claim the girl's muzzle in her own, if she would so allow her. When she was done, she stepped back and made her way towards Mirren and gently butted him on the shoulder in affection, her emerald eye sparkling brightly for the soon to be man in front of her. If the wolf was "the one" they had currently spoken of, then Nina was thrilled that he would be happy to. ”I take it you will show her around, yes?” Nudging his shoulder one last time, Nina turned back on her heel and disappeared into the shadows of the thickets.

Just double posting to get this archived :D!!! YAAASSS. Light that was not bad at all?!?!

The woman's way of things was relieving to Kite. She was not aggressive or accusatory, did not think that she would steal him from under her grasp which Kite had no intention of doing. No, Kite simply wanted to be with him; that was enough for her. When Nina moved forward, Kite glanced to Mirren and then back to Nina. Understanding washed over Kite as the woman's jowls parted and Kite's ears fell back submissively, in acceptance of the action. Some took Nina's actions offensively when Kite herself understood that this was what wolves did, a ritual that reminded others of their place. The hold Nina had her in was gentle but firm, and Kite further accepted the woman, a low whine spilling from her throat, not too high in pitch. It was not one of pain, but one of acquiescence; she was the others subordinate now. When Nina withdrew and addressed Mirren, Kite already knew she would be running among them. Kite had never seen her mother muzzle-grab a wolf she was to chase out, after all... her mother merely chased them out!

But the reaffirmation did many things for Kite.

Her tail waved left and right rapidly, but she held composure up until the moment the woman was out of eyesight. It was then she could not stop the excited wriggling, the heavy prance in place (her joints shifted but she did not remove her rooted paws from the ground they stood), and she whispered ecstatically, We did it!!!! And after a beat, Kite whips her muzzle into his direction, pressing her muzzle into the side of his face. Okaynowletsnotmakeherangryorrescindheroffer SHOWMEAROUND??? Kite says it in two breaths, circling around him and pressing into him, eager to push the Woodlands scent into her as much as she was his own.

And with a grin, the two set off.