Cedarwood Forest Oh So Classic

All welcome!


Like any wolf who enjoyed a good run, Kato loved the sound of the wind. He wasn't a particularly fast individual, but nonetheless he loved the rush of a good run. This was a place he hadn't seen before, and the fawn boy was keen to explore it. The trees were different here, and the mountains he always found to the east were farther away. Slowing to an ambling walk, he took in the scents and sights like he were a mere sightseer.

In a sudden rush of scent, Kato detected a pack's scent. He carefully backed up. It seemed he had only placed his left front paw across the border, but that was still enough trespassing for some packs. Not wanting to be caught near the scene of the crime, he turned tail and trotted a little ways away. If he were really lucky, no one would come after him. With a sudden misstep, the fawn boy found himself tumbling down a short hill. He was just a real camelopard today. First he crossed a pack's border, then he fell down a hill. Just wonderful.

The tawny boy stood up to shake himself off, taking in his surroundings as he did so. Stale scents ran abundant here, so after he removed the dirt and twigs from his pelt, the youngster trotted over to investigate. Unraveling the scents, he found that two neighboring packs had recently met here. A pup could be detected as well. The scents were so stale he could barely tell who came from which pack. Standing up, he noted that the breeze had struck up again.

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Naia froze as she heard someone crashing through the underbrush of the Cedarwoods. Her golden eyes scanned the border before her, and when the intruder made his appearance she dropped to a crouch to remain undetected. What she saw was a blur of sandy fur as the young male screeched to a halt at the Cut Rock River border. It was as if he had hit an invisible wall, and it was all Naia could do not to giggle at the sight. He began backing away, which triggered an alarm in the River scout’s mind. From her memory, the world dropped away over a precipice at that portion of their border, and the young man was backing toward danger. She leapt to her feet to warn the boy, but when she stood and got a better look she realized the sandy stranger had already disappeared over the edge, quick as he had arrived. Naia ran to the precipice and looked over, hoping the male was truly built as sturdily as he looked upon first glance.

An easy grin broke out across Naia’s face as her honey gaze fell to the young man below, already up and casually sniffing around as if he hadn’t just taken a significant tumble. She barked a hello down to the boy from her perch atop the hill. ”What brings an acrobat such as yourself to the border of Cut Rock River?” she called, still grinning at her own little joke. Even atop this hill, she knew that her petite form was anything but intimidating, so more often than not she chose to greet newcomers casually--- even the ones that might have fumbled a step or two over her border mark.

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A friendly bark startled the youth as he untangled the scents here with great interest. Looking up at her, he assumed the classic "deer in the headlights" look, but it was of embarrassment about falling down a hill in front of a lady rather than fear. Fear and being afraid did not come easily to Kato, and even though she might've been leader of the nearby pack, which she called Cut Rock River, his posture remained neutral.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to trespass. Remarkably well marked border you've got there. I'm Kato. Is Cut Rock River yours? I mean, do you lead it?" He fumbled, words falling out of his mouth without any real meaning or direction. "I'm not usually that clumsy. Usually somersaults aren't part of my daily run," the fawn boy added. The breeze gave a gentle gust right then, blowing several particles of an unknown substance up his nostrils, causing him to sneeze twice in succession.

She seemed a nice girl, the one standing at the top of the rise. Her eyes were a beautiful shade of honey which contrasted the black and tawny hues decorating the rest of her features. It was almost a good thing she was standing above him on the hill. The two-tone lady was most certainly a great deal shorter than Kato, and she was considerably more lithe as well. Presumably, she was a scout. Kato shifted awkwardly, realizing he had remained nearly perfectly still for the past several moments. His tail flopped back and forth, wagging in a friendly yet cautious manner.

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The young man turned eyes wide as saucers toward Naia, and she did her best not to snort with laughter. This boy was too funny! An apology tumbled out of his mouth, and Naia’s tail twitched in slight annoyance at his flattery. If her border had really been remarkably well-marked, he wouldn’t have tread over it on accident, now would he? Her grin fell as the thought struck her that the youth might have been speaking sarcastically. As much as she loved pups, when they made it into adolescence they could be remarkably irritating. He continued speaking, asking to know if she was the leader of Cut Rock River. There was a valid question, but if he thought she might be an alpha shouldn’t he be presenting himself a little more humbly? His current stance wasn’t overtly contemptuous, but it conveyed none of the respect she was due as a pack wolf speaking to a loner.

She had to smile a little when he told her somersaults were not his preferred form of exercise. Deciding that she didn’t much like them having to shout back and forth, she picked her way down the hill to where the stranger stood, sliding gracefully in places where it was too steep to walk. As she neared the young man, she replied, ”If I’m not mistaken, this forest isn’t usually part of your daily run either.” She prided herself on knowing every pawstep taken in the Cedarwoods, and she had never caught this man’s scent in these parts before. ”Naia Aegina,” she introduced herself, Second to Maksim and Kisla Baranski.” He was lucky it was Naia who had caught him stumbling over the border and not one of the Baranski pair. She imagined her leaders would have been far less forgiving.

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Sorry this is such a scrappy post :(

A grin washed over the tawny lady's features and disappeared almost as suddenly as it had appeared. Puzzled, Kato sought an explanation. Did she hold him in disregard? Had he done something to anger or annoy her already? Flattening his ears and lowering his tail, he started to apologize, but she came down the hill and proceeded to speak to him, so the boy just bit his tongue. Stupid, let her speak! Kato chastised himself.

A sigh of relief left him as she announced her rank of beta. Thank goodness! Pull it together and say something intelligent! his inner voice roared. "I really am sorry about crossing your borders. This Forest is new to me, so you're right, I haven't been here before. There's so many places to explore, I don't know if I'll ever see them all! It's wonderful to meet you though Miss Aegina. Please pass on my apologies to Maskim, I mean Maksim, and Kisla," Whuffinf softly as he finished, Kato couldn't help but feel he'd already established a poor relationship with this pack. He just had to do something to fix the situation. The solution he put forward was certainly other than ordinary.

"Please don't take this the wrong way, but would it be alright, do you think, for me to speak with them? Maksim and Kisla, I mean? If they are your leaders, then there are a few things I'd like to discuss with them," the fawn youth inquired in an almost pleading tone. He was almost certain she would take it the wrong way, as so many wolves nowadays would, so he crouched down a little. They were almost eye to eye when he did that.

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The stranger apologized again, and it seemed to Naia he really was sincere. Her stance relaxed as he spoke a little about his journey so far. His excitement about exploring Relic reminded her of the days when she was new to these parts and there was still something unbelievable to discover around every turn. This place is truly magical, she thought, and a hint of her former smile returned. Lately she had been so caught up with inter-pack politics, raising the pups, and falling in love that she had forgotten how truly blessed she was just to call this place home.

”Think nothing of it,” she told him, forgiving him in an instant for his transgression. ”I’m happy to hear you're enjoying my homeland.” Perhaps he thought to settle down here? Cut Rock River sure could use a new face or two. The pups would be eating solid food soon, and one more hunter in the ranks could certainly make a difference. Naia’s honey eyes softened as the young man stumbled out a request to speak with her leaders, his tone almost begging. He crouched into a more submissive position, and Naia wagged her tail to show him that she was placated. He must have imagined he had upset her.. the thought was almost laughable. It took a great deal to anger the level-headed scout, much more than accidentally putting a paw over her border.

”Certainly,” she said simply. Although he seemed to think he was asking a lot, it really wasn’t all that unusual a request from a loner at the border. @Maksim and @Kisla were used to hearing her howl echo through the cedarwoods, requesting their presence at the border. She lifted her voice and called out her usual polite summons to her leaders, indicating there was a loner wishing to speak with one of them. ”The pups are quite a pawful right now, so likely only one of them will appear,” she explained, ”..And feel free to keep that mistake with the border between the two of us.” Out of politeness she hadn’t asked the stranger his business with her leaders, but if it so happened he was trying to join it wouldn’t do for him to start out already in trouble.

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It was rare for Kisla to beat her mate to the newcomers – and so, when Naia released a summoning cry, the honeyed she-wolf quickened her pace, a smirk upon her pale muzzle as she considered the whereabouts of Maksim. Likely, he was with or near the children closer to the den site, though, the way the youngsters tumbled around these days, it was hard to day. The trio kept them busy – that much was certain, but every so often, one parent would need to slip away as duty would call. That, and a pack with the unified intent to raise them was also key.

Her lope brought her to the borders where the familiar form of Naia was. Kisla offered the woman a warm smile, and despite the fact her figure lifted to a natural dominance, her stance remained relaxed as she closed the distance to the scout, her muzzle brushing against the she-wolf’s soft cheek. Pulling back, it was then her tail would sweep the air with more calculation as her green eyes studied the stranger. The assumption he was interested in joining was not made, but she did notice that if he did.. he would certainly make a grand addition to their home, should his personality be suitable. With tension rising between Cut Rock River and both Whisper Caverns and Hollowheart Keep, she was not so foolish to turn others away.. not with three extra mouths to feed that required able-bodied hunters.

“Who is this, Naia?” The question might have been directed to her friend, but her eyes remained upon the other, her muzzle poised as a wolfish brow arched in calculated question. The question was blatantly for him – not for the she-wolf she had coyishly addressed. And so she awaited an answer – her eyes flickering between the two as the cool breeze swept across her heated form.

sparking up my heart

Following the melody of Naia's howl, a tawny she-wolf appeared. Presumably this was the pack alphess, Kisla, for Kato remembered Naia introducing herself as second in rank. The lady greeted Naia as leaders greeted their subordinates, and a faint ghost of a smile danced across his features. "Who is this, Naia?" The question was directed at him. His father often would've asked questions like that. "Greetings. I must assume you are the alphess Naia has spoken to me of, Lady Kisla. It is an honor to meet you. My name is Kato Aetomis. My birthplace is far from here, but I asked if Naia would call for you for a reason you might not expect, and if you have the time, I would like to discuss something with you," The fawn hued youth sank to the proper submissive position. He hated to submit to other leaders when he hoped to soon be one himself, but he knew acting like he already was one would only cause problems. Whether Miss Kisla would be willing to accept him on his terms could not be foreseen. He badly needed another experience with pack life, but wasn't sure if he would be able to find what he was looking for. Negotiating his terms could be tough. And some wolves, he didn't know if Kisla was among them, could really drive a tough trade. Of course, Kato was more than pleased to join the pack and work harder than any of their other members as a hunter or guardian. But that was only if they would allow him to leave when his pack was ready to form. And if this all worked out, it could be the start of a long term alliance between his pack and Cut Rock River. That was what he hoped to gain by visiting them. "Speech"

PirateLotus-Stock @DA, Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

OOC|| I realized I didn't say this earlier, but you two can skip Naia's turn as Kato and Kisla talk. Sorry if you were waiting on me! =/ ||

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Kisla was quicker to the border than Naia expected, greeting the scout warmly as she made her entrance. As Kisla’s muzzle brushed across her cheek the scout whined softly, tilting her muzzle down to lick her leader’s chin. Although the females had been leery of one another at first, no one could deny that since Kisla had stepped up to lead, the pack had been prosperous and happy. As Maksim’s mate she deserved Naia’s respect, but the she-wolf had earned Naia’s loyalty as well. The scout's tail beat a quick cadence against the ground as she lowered her body, and her honey eyes darted sharply to Kato to make sure he was assuming a similar pose. She remained silent, her gaze trained on the stranger as she awaited his answer. Even if the question had actually been directed toward her, she wouldn’t have been able to answer anyway.

The creamy-pelted male introduced himself, indicating that he had an unusual request. Naia’s brow furrowed, and the scout wondered if she had been too hasty in calling Kisla to the border. Perhaps she had gotten a little complacent in her duties as a scout, assuming that every young loner who turned up asking for a leader was here for membership. Naia’s tail began to switch back and forth in a nervous gesture. She should have questioned the stranger beforehand, just to make sure he wasn’t here to waste her alpha’s time. Her eyes narrowed as Kato assumed a submissive position only after he finished speaking, and even then it seemed rather reluctant. It was always these young ones that had trouble submitting. True, Naia was not a dominant wolf by nature, but she couldn’t fathom why it was so difficult for these young loners to show proper respect to an alpha while standing on their territory. Was it because Kisla was female? Naia’s hackles rose slightly at the thought, but she remained otherwise motionless. She had turned the conversation over to Kisla, so she would watch quietly now unless directly spoken to or dismissed by her leader.

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Naia greeted her with the familiarity she had only known at Oak Tree Bend -- a gentle croon escaped her for the female's ears as her own tail gave a sway of contentment. Cut Rock River had the potential to be formidable -- not only was the agouti female sure of this, but she was willing to see it so.. and knew her mate would accept nothing beneath that description.

But her attention was quickly rapt upon the youthful male. He was respectful enough, but it was already very obvious that he was not here to join -- this was fine. Not every wolf that came to the borders was expected as such, and instead, her muzzle canted quizzically between the male and Naia, curious to know if the she-wolf knew what he wanted to discuss. By the looks of her expression, she didn't seem to, and with a light nod, the pale she-wolf cast her bright green eyes over the pale wolf. "By all means," she murmured then, allowing herself to settle to a comfortable sit. He had her attention -- her curiosity was piqued, and she vaguely wondered if this was something Maksim should have been involved with as well.

She did not call to her mate though -- he was likely with the pups, or in their vicinity, and given the unknown nature of the stranger before her, she would much rather their father be their protective eye.. especially now that they were of an age that their curiosity led them further and further from the den.

sparking up my heart