Secluded Spring the exchange

this thread is directed right after here, where nina is currently being treated by kyrie within willow ridge boarders. anyone may join, though one of the leaders is needed.

There travel was a far one, farther then Elettra would have been otherwise willing to go from her pack lands, mainly with a wolf not a part of her pack dwelling within them. Had it not been for the importance of this meeting and Elettra's ties with few members of Copper Rock Creek (Ruiko, Volkan) she would have sent another to come along other then herself. She was well beyond her home now, well beyond Grizzly Hollow far to the west and well beyond Swift River and Poison Path, the closer packs near her home. Her journey was straight north along the chain of mountain side, though her venture was not alone...
Though they were nearly equal in strength it seemed, Elettra was swifter but she did not doubt the older woman's abilities to keep up. Elettra and one of her newer members had kept an even loop and it had proved that despite her aging, Skana had the ability of stamina that even exceeded Elettra's own. The decision to bring another pack member on this venture was obvious and the need to bring Skana was just as equally agreeable. The woman had led a pack for more years then Elettra had lived and this was no happy visit to Copper Rock Creek they were taking - it was business.
On the way, Elettra had explained that she willed Skana to help her with this task, as the rank of Advisor would suggest. Speaking to another pack's leader was a political affair in this situation. Elettra had no means in allowing Nina to leave until she was able to walk properly and her leg was fully healed, whether or not she would have to deal with a heavy limp the rest of her life or not. Telling another leader that she had their member and was not going to let them leave was a touchy subject, even if she was helping to save the woman's life. For this, Elettra longed Skana's help, sure that she may have a way with words were Elettra might have lacked.
Taking in a deep breath, Elettra prepared herself. After all, not only would she be forced to tell the pack of their member's news, but with a sureness that she would gain something in return for the efforts, herbs, and time which Elettra and her healer, Kyrie, had placed into the woman. The possibility of an alliance would be offered, as well. Already, between the two packs they held a mates pair, and a brother and sister, as well as friendships. "We're getting close..." Elettra breathed delicately as she continued her stride forth, eyes shifting to the deeply chocolate woman at her side.

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While the trek was spent mostly in companionable silence, Skana's mind was not silent. The walk was longer than she would have liked, drawing more of the dull ache from her paw with each additional step. Ever present, she'd learned to ignore and cope with it, masking the way she would put less weight on it than the rest of her feet. She couldn't curse the distance, as it gave her a good opportunity to think. The woman turned the situation around in her head, trying to predict each and every scenario that could unravel once the two ladies would arrive.

It was a novel circumstance, to be sure. Healers were not something the fallen leader was familiar with. What she was used to, either one pulled through whatever ailed them, or, if it grew to be too much, were given the choice of a swift death by fang. Certainly, if she had come across a wolf so skilled in the art, she would have swept them up into her own numbers. Luck had not smiled upon her pack in that facet, though it seemed Relic Lore was a bit more fortunate in that regard. For one pack's healer to require the help of Skana's own similarly gifted leader, it was an interesting situation.

She could see where it could go wrong. She didn't know how trusted her leader was among other packs, if Copper Rock Creek would believe them about Nina's whereabouts or safety. Even if they did, it would be another matter if they agreed to let their healer stay away from her charges, not knowing when they might need her. But surely they would see she would be much more use to them whole rather than broken and in tatters. As Skana's first test, she hoped that her experience would be reassuring rather than vital in the forthcoming rendezvous. She expected that things would go smoothly, but one could never tell for sure and she would keep herself prepared for anything.

The soft words of Elettra pulled her from her thoughts. For a moment Skana's eyes met the argent ones of her leader, before sweeping forward to see wherever "close" was. It was as much a forest as any of other she'd ever seen, with the unfamiliar ones of the Lore even more identical to her eyes. But the subtle shift of "close" was held in the scent of the place, a pack border set not too far off. "Are you on good terms with them?" Skana asked. She suspected things were good enough, as Nina hadn't been turned away at least.

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Shadowstorm was waiting for Nina to return and give her the all clear. Shadowstorm was determined to help the pack while she was away however. Shadow was hunting near the border. The scent of Shade's pack filled her nose. "How may I help you? I am Shadowstorm Slayer." She said proudly, reaching the border to find two women. One older, but not leading. "Forgive me for bothering, but you smell of my brothers pack. Last I saw of him, he was the lowest male and all, is he fitting in nicely? Also, have you heard form Nina at all, last we saw her, she was rescuing one of the pups from the den. I haven't seen her since and I need her all clear for hunting and such." She bombarded them with questions.

It made her think. This was an alpha, should she show respect? But not the one she was to call alpha. The one she was to adress as 'Lady' was Aeylen. Mate to Ruiko. But this was a high figure to her brother. Oh, what to do? What to do? She wondered. She treated Shade with respect she she gave a brief head dip in respect for her brothers alpha. She awaited for one of them to respond. She wondered how her brother was. Was he fitting in well? Maybe he'd become a Guardian as well. That would be splendid news.

~ραяαησια ιѕ α tнєσяу, ι'м ησt ραяαησι∂, ι'м ιηѕαηє~

i'm still waiting for a leader (or maybe even a second?) to reply to this, but didn't want it to die in the meantime. :3

Skana's words were simple and reasonable in asking, perhaps a way to gauge how she may be treated by these wolves and how she may had to treat them in turn. Elettra had brought her here for reason, after all, and that was to help her in her words when it came to speaking of the situation and, of course, making an arrangement on how Nina was to stay and what formally alliance could become of it. "We've quite a connection between one another despite our distance... So I'd assume, yes." After all, she had known Ruiko far before his current mate, to which they had shown a sexual interest in one another where mentally they were not seemingly capable of getting along. Despite the fact that their interest in one another had not been offered allowed, they had formed a bit of a 'agreement' towards one another. Perhaps not friendship, but certainly not foes and far from strangers. Not to mention, though Elettra had not seen the woman in quite some time, took much an interest in their second (or who she still thought to be their second) Volkan, and Koda's relationship towards their only healer was without question, tis the reason as to why they were here now...
Quickly then, did someone arrive, but not at all in which Elettra had been hoping for. By her scent, she did not belong to this pack (guessing one not at all, having met and scented at least one member from each pack that she knew of in the land) but roamed near it as though she did. She was talkative - much like her brother for sure - and threw a mixture of questions at them which caused Elettra's lips to form in a tight line, tensed as she were. She did not expect and would not accept, being badged by a wolf not even a member to the pack, but more so a rogue, seemingly using them for their kindness.
When the woman finally finished her rant, it was with a small dip of her head that she showed any signs of respect and Elettra took in a deep breath, taking her time and thinking what news she may give the woman whom, although was a sister to one of her pack mates, did not at all know. "Your brother is fairing well, Shadowstorm." She offers her this small bit simply. After all, Elettra had yet to gain any reports from Remy that he was worthy of the task of Guardian, nor did she know how well he was fitting with the others, having only just recently joined the pack. Perhaps his outwardly friendly and talkative nature had fit in well with their youth in the pack, and perhaps Kyrie as well, though had yet to learn anything of it herself.
Now, recollecting what all the woman before her said, she took in that what Nina had told her of the flood and the pups to be correct and, that at least one ally of the pack knew that she had gone missing. "Nina is the exact reason why we are here. We await counsel with the leaders." Though she does not yet inform the woman that Nina is living in the territory with them, nor that she was currently forbidden to leave whilst she was being treated by Kyrie. These words were meant for the leaders and Shadowstorm would hear them should they deem her worthy.

The borders were more or less quiet these days – Secluded Springs offered the male what he had hoped; quiet from the many visitors and wanderer’s that seemed to frolic within the lands of Relic Lore. Within a few months, the tawny male would likely be taking his three children out with him in rotation, teaching them the importance of their borders and their need to guard the land they had claimed as their own. It amazed him how quickly they were growing.

What he did notice was a lack of Nina’s presence. Her scent was faded from the Creek, and earlier in the day the male had scouted out to see if he could find any sign of her. She was usually unwilling to leave home for so long, and while the tawny wolf was aware she held an interest in meeting others and leaving pack lands from time to time, he had never seen her absence stretch out so long. Worry was something that had begun to wear him down – worry for Kinis and his assumed death, worry for Volkan’s disappearance, and now worry for Nina. It would seem that fate had yet to unleash him from its grasp of tragedy.

A familiar scent drifted to him then, one he had not expected to scent so soon after their last interlude. Elettra Archer was an enigma; one he had been more than willing to learn more about until Aeylen had crept up on him in his life. Prowling forward, the Leader was soon near the group, coming forward just as he the darker lady spoke regarding Nina. Casting Shadowstorm a look of mild tolerance, the regal wolf moved forward, casting a nod to the regal she-wolf before him before canting his muzzle. “Is Nina alright?” Stoical as he was, it was hard to keep the tone of worry from lacing his words as he awaited response from the Ridge Leader.

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Internally recoiling at the sudden appearance of an inky black wolf, Skana's eyes narrowed. The woman's hasty introduction was immediately followed by an abrupt interrogation. She couldn't tell whether the unfamiliar scent she carried was that of Copper Rock Creek or not. However, even if Shadowstorm was one of the pack they were to be visiting, Skana found she did not have a lot of respect to muster for the talkative wolf. Shadowstorm nodded her head in what could pass for a gesture of courtesy, though Skana made an annoyed huff at the action. What was the point of such motions, when ones words didn't reflect them? Showing some restraint before quizzing them could have helped.

Elettra had offered the woman a bare scrap of information, which Skana saw no need to add to. Her stare at the black wolf was only broken when the sounds of another reached her through the brush. She found a russet male, who's scent plainly matched that of the territory. His rank she could not be sure of. However, she was sure it was more than that of Shadowstorm, whatever position that female even held, if anything. Skana kept her posture neutral, but did not glare into his eyes like she had Shadowstorm's. Already, a question of Nina passed his lips, which told her that not only was the girl missed, but assumed to be with Elettra. If Nina had mentioned something before leaving Skana figured that would make things go more smoothly. She couldn't really answer to whether Nina was alright or not, she was not her doctor, and would make no assumptions. Canting her head she looked to her leader, waiting for her to speak.

sorry i skipped! but i really wanted to get this done whilst i had the time and muse for it.

He came. And this time, her eyes did not search him wildly, her heart did not pound and a shiver of lust did not quiver its way down her body. She could only look at him now, as a wolf, as Ruiko, and little else more. That ship had long ago sailed, and the leader of the Ridge no longer had the time to wish on dreams and ideas that would never come true. Her chance at love had fluttered and died a long time ago in her youth, and any ideas to allow such a thing had been made clear would never stir with the failure of a relationship between both Ruiko and Alexander. Perhaps, forever, the dark queen was meant to be alone.
"Ruiko." No longer did it hold that lightened tone of interest and passion as it may have once held. It was mechanical, formal and all business. After all, each meeting they harbored together was seemingly a mix of wild emotions ether hidden or revealed by one another. It was the clash of the titans, this pair, whom were so alike with one another that it was this very thing which torn them apart. After their last meeting, any deep relationship the pair might have held had been made clear that it would never be. "She is alive, but she is not entirely well." She admits to the leader, taking in a deep breath before continuing. As a man whom had formerly spoken of the support the Creek would offer her, she could only hope that he would be happy that she was in turn, helping him. A formal alliance after all, was well overdue. "After your den's flooding Nina's broken limb had once more become broken. I have come to learn she is your only healer and due to this, crawled her way to my lands in order to get help from my pack. She speaks to get well quickly, as to return useful to your pack. I have snapped back the bone into it's original place and have applied aids as well as administered pain relief. I have an apprentice watching over her now whilst come with this news. Should the limb ever be of walking use again, whilst she heals, she cannot leave my lands."
She speaks all this and then, of course, waits. Taking in a deep breath, her eyes shift to Skana, encase the woman had anything else to add here, granted the woman had come as a sort of 'back-up' in all this. If anything, just the woman's support in coming and being a traveling partner had served her well enough. Elettra could only hope that Ruiko would be understanding as to the reasons why she forbid his own member from returning home: that it was, in fact, for Nina's own good.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/bluepups/SloanTable.png);background-position:top center; background-repeat:no-repeat; padding-top: 255px;padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px;">Sloane had been running border patrols, performing his duties without a second thought. His thoughts were rather on his friend Nina, whom he hadn't seen in far too long now. She'd been gaining weight and strength aided by his and the others supplementing her diet with protein. He hadn't seen or smelled sign of her in many days now and he worried for her health. She had wanted him to teach her to take better care of herself in a confrontation and he'd promised to do just that when she was at full strength. Now she'd gone missing and was likely not eating right again. He was worried for his friend and his brows furrowed as he travelled along the borders

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts and bring his focus back to the task at hand, he realized that he heard some voices just a bit ahead of him. One, he recognized as Shadowstorm, the midnight colored wolf with the questionable motives. He hadn't had the opportunity to get to know her better, but her first impression on him had not been the best and a small frown crossed his russet countenance. He didn't like feeling distrust or conflicted emotions. She had acted brashly and then done a turnabout when her leg had given way. He was unsure whether or not to trust her change of heart.

The other voice was unfamiliar and was accompanied by two unfamiliar scents. His head came up and his hackles rose ever so slightly. He would not approach in anger, but he would leave little doubt in the stranger's minds that Copper Rock Creek was a strong and well protected pack. As he was emerging from the treeline he spotted Ruiko approaching the trio of faes. He was just close enough to hear the interchange between the dark stranger and his leader in regards to Nina.

He moved over to the group without a sound, silently grateful for the information that Nina was all right, save her injured leg. He gave Shadowstorm a quick look of greeting and dipped his head deeply in respect to his alpha. "Ruiko," he greeted in a deep voice filled with as much confidence as it was with respect.

He dipped his head silently to the quiet older fae in greeting as well and then turned to the fae that had spoken of Nina and gave her a nod of respect. She herself had a proud regal bearing so he was sure that she held an upper rank. She had indeed spoken of being a Healer like Nina. Although he remained silent for the moment, his bright amber eyes asked for more information on his missing friend.

Knight of Honor

Shadow gave a nod of submission and respect to Ruiko, she could see she was not needed nor wanted. She knew just by listening, <i> "After your den's flooding Nina's broken limb had once more become broken. I have come to learn she is your only healer and due to this, crawled her way to my lands in order to get help from my pack. She speaks to get well quickly, as to return useful to your pack. I have snapped back the bone into it's original place and have applied aids as well as administered pain relief. I have an apprentice watching over her now whilst come with this news. Should the limb ever be of walking use again, whilst she heals, she cannot leave my lands." </i> She was worried for Nina.

She padded away a bit, Ruiko had given her a look, a tolerant look. She knew that she was not wanted here at all. She headed for the den, feeling sorry for herself would not get her anywhere. So she was gonna go look for something that needed to be done and she was gonna do something for the good of the pack.
* SHADOWSTORM EXIT*
(I'm cutting down on threads)

~ραяαησια ιѕ α tнєσяу, ι'м ησt ραяαησι∂, ι'м ιηѕαηє~

Just wrapping this up/finishing this so you guys can claim your points. <3

He listened to Elettra’s words, his stoical eyes giving way nothing despite the worry that clenched at him. Many things ran through his mind – why would Nina not have told them, why would she not have sought their help? Even to gain assistance to Willow Ridge territory? Had he of known, the tawny male would have broke the back of fate to aide her in her need.. and yet it seemed the Healer had not felt comfortable enough to turn to him for help.

The regal barely noticed the exit of Shadowstorm – his eyes remained intent upon Elettra as she spoke, a soft sigh escaping his lips. “You have my deepest gratitude, Elettra,” he murmured, knowing he could never repay her for such an act. “Copper Rock Creek is in your debt.” The news that Nina would make it through was relieving, but it did not stir relaxation to the Leader.

Sharply, his eyes switched to Sloane. “We will hunt and bring the food to Willow Ridge. They look after one of our most valuable members – the least we can do is make sure the lower number of wolves they have for hunting while caring for Nina will not affect their pack health.” With a dip of his muzzle, Ruiko made to turn – he would need to tell Aeylen of the current situation and reassure that Kashikoi would handle the borders and responsibilities while he was gone and his mate was looking after their young. “We will bring you a meal to your borders tonight Elettra. Thank you again.”

With that, the beast prowled away, beckoning Sloane to his side.