Willow Ridge one familial morning

<blockquote>Dawn broke with little fuss as it did many a day; the summer mornings were mild and pleasant and even when the sun grew fierce the shade of the willows did well to keep the wolves of Willow Ridge sufficiently cool. It was this time, when the sky was shades of pale yellow and lavender and grey, that Remy did like to maintain the marking on their territory. It was her pleasure to see for herself if there was any mischief attempted on them under the cover of night fall, but it was also a time of quiet, which she found to lack in having joined a group of wolves permanently. To her great surprise she did not disdain them as much as she would have thought to, but the Mackenzie Valley female was still stubbornly in need of solitude on a daily basis. If she rose early enough, the border patrol provided her with a good amount of peace.

That morning, however, she had indulged in sleep a moment too long. It was well beyond her usual time when the massive woman rose, but diligently Remy went to her work anyway, marking and sniffing the borders with pride. There was the stench of some female often hinted around their marking, usually accompanied by Koda. Her irritation at this constant intrusion was quite easy to guess; Remy would give no one the honor of a warm welcome unless they swore their fealty, and even then she would not simply <i>open her arms</i>. Elettra desired more than a pack, she desired a family, and the grey-backed female knew and respected her matriarch's desire without question. However, she would be damn sure to inspect each brother and sister from tip to tip and determine if they were worthy of their elite group.

Each step the behemoth of a female took - slow, considerate, strong - pushed forward a thought that had risen from the forefront of her mind: whose company would be her pleasure on this border patrol today?</blockquote>

people should join this! :D
im not sure how it is time wise, but im going to assume this is AFTER both shade & skana joined but BEFORE rosealia.

Her body stirred lazily atop her perch without worry nor care. Atop the rocky formation to which the cavern of their den was made, the woman rolled to her belly from her side for a deep stretch. She lay there, moments longer if only to take in the rising sun of the new day through the lush, thick coating she harbored of shadows, made by varying grays and black. Then the woman rose, the lands of her territory lay open to view, the patchy canopy on her willow tree home. Within the far distance, a creek off the main river stirred gently. Beyond in the much further distance, was the rocky peeks of Serpent's Pass. Never she a need to feel rushed to begin her day, when so many others below her feet did her bidding for her. Tis' one of the various pleasures of being leader. But oh, still, work to be had, if only to make sure her members were doing the jobs they promised to upkeep and to keep tabs on the hierarchy within her ranks. There were two new members within her pack, after all. One a man honing on the role of guardian and then a bolder woman, with age but with might. Would she stay for two long below in rank of a yearling and a two year old of such small proportions? Only time may tell. It was all about a manner of dominance, after all.
Now, having taken all the time in the world, the darkly cloaked woman set off with bounds from her perch, pushing forth fast into a brisk trot, looping towards the edges of her home to re-mark what was rightfully her own. Much time passed in her business, nearly fresh out of piss to offer, before the shuffle of another caught her attention. Large- larger then she and though she feared nothing of this, she feared not more once the familiar scent of Remy was brought to her attention. Back in Grizzly Hollow, little time had Elettra spent with the members of her pack. If she was not scaling her pack's boarders for trespassers, then she was collecting new herbs. She spoke first hand to Jaysyek and little to any else. Now, with her leadership, she was forced to converse with everyone. Even when she meant for moments of privacy, it would seem fate would tell her otherwise.
Her approach to the other woman was slow coming, her head held high but her tail low, a relaxing sway at her ankles with the comfort of being not only around a fellow pack member, but a member whom she favored over most. With her, Elettra held never a need to force a smile nor try to 'play nice'. And, as well, never the need for endless chatter. Relishing in this, Elettra approached with only a delicate huffing from her parted lips in greeting.

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The soft glow of the morning sun shone through the woman's closed eyelids. It pulled her from her slumber, and she grumbled an annoyed sound. Throwing a heavy paw over her eyes, she hoped to ignore the light and go back to sleep. However, it was to no avail, the bright rays were strong enough to work around her paw, and even if that hadn't kept her awake, the chattering birds did the trick. Perhaps it would have been a better idea to sleep inside of the cave than right outside of it's mouth. With a groan, she removed her paw and cracked her eyes open, blinking away the fog of sleep. The fogginess of her left eye remained, and she wondered if it had gotten worse recently. It was a nuisance, but there was nothing she could do about it.

Digging her gnarled grey claws into the ground, she reached out before her and stretched her rump up into the air, yawning. Coming to a stand, a glance above her told her that she had slept in much later than she had intended to. Shifting her gaze, she noticed that Elettra was absent from the stony precipice above. Today, Skana decided she would survey the territory she would now call home and acquaint herself with all it's nuances.

With a steady pace she moved into the surrounding forest. She had noticed Elettra's scent along the ground, brushed against the shrubs and trees, and while Skana did not avoid her path, she did not follow it, either. She had no reason to seek the woman out at the moment, though the position and test she had been offered lingered on the forefront of her mind. She was sure the time for that would not be long off, but for the moment she only wanted to familiarize herself with the place and possibly her new packmates.

At some point she branched off from the scent of the charcoal lady's trail. For a while she wandered inside the confines of the territory. Unexpectedly, the newly familiar scent of her leader reappeared, accompanied by a wolfish scent she couldn't place, but had noticed on her walk, was well woven into the scent of Willow Ridge. It would be one of the pack, no doubt. Decisively, she moved in the direction of the scents, figuring now was as good a time as any to see who else she would be sharing a pack with.

Knowing Elettra would be there, and knowing not the position the fellow female might hold, she kept her grizzled muzzle respectfully downward and her tail hanging freely. She didn't like to be at the bottom of the pecking order, nor did she plan to remain dead last as a new wolf. However, she was new within the ranks and didn't want to rock the boat just yet. First her eyes moved to Elettra, then settled her subtly curious amber gaze upon the unknown mountain of a woman. She wasn't any taller than Skana, but the thick muscles that ran down the silvery female's limbs gave her considerable bulk over the gaunt crone.

(I'm assuming that this is after Remy and Shade meet for the Guardian position for Shade and after Skana and Shade's meeting)

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j347/holdbacktherain/sets/shadetable.png) bottom center no-repeat; background-color: #c7b49b;"> Shade awoke from his peaceful night of slumber. No nightmares of his past had creepily made they're way silently into his dreams and he was thankful for that. He noticed that Remy and Elettra where already up as well as Skana. He dipped his head in respect to Remy and Elettra as they were both higher rankings then him. He wondered what fared to them this fine morning. He was looking for something to do. Perhaps prove a worth to him being a (possibly?) Guardian. He yawned slightly and stretched his muscles briefly. Perhaps a border patrol with Remy. Maybe later he could take Reed up on his offer for a hunt. It would be nice to talk more with the other male. He was a fisherman by the terms of they're last speak in the den. Shade saw the scarred muzzle of Skana and briefly remembered the conversation they'd had as lone wolves back at Iridescent Lagoon, when she'd told Shade she use to lead a pack. that she was a renowned leader. Shade wondered what had happened to the fae to land her here. Older, under the control of two young alphas and they're young seconds, why did she simply not return to her former pack? He didn't know and wouldn't ask her such an uncomfortable question. He simply stayed quiet. He was tired as hell, but he wasn't gonna say anything about it. This was pack life. He woke up. Time to get to work and get up. (Sorry for the lameness and shortness in this post)<b style="color:#8e989d">"speech."

table by bryony

<blockquote>It was only a short while before Remy realized her random desire for company had been fulfilled. Each prominently placed step forward brought the scent of her leader stronger and stronger until it seemed that all at once her queen stepped from among the willows, wearing her shadow of a coat like the robe of royalty. Needless to say the gargantuan Second was more than pleased to regard her Leader had chosen her company. Immediately would she lower her head and keep it there - underneath Elettra's without a shadow of a doubt but still held strongly enough to let any other who might cross their path know that while the steel-gazed woman at her side did instruct her bidding, Remy would take no one else's order. Elettra's light greeting was returned with a soft touch beneath the female's chin, swift enough that it would not interrupt her pace but with enough prominence to note that her absolute loyalty was not a matter taken lightly.

And on the matter of <i>things not taken lightly</i>, Remy was quick to discover the smell of a unknown wolf. Her frosted green stare grew severe, tail lifting ever so slightly, watching as the intruding scent appeared with ease. From up close she could find Elettra's mark quite easily on the woman and at once accepted this was another member of Willow Ridge. Pride rose within her chest only for the increase in their numbers and subsequently, strength. Besides that, Remy did not know this new she-wolf at all and it was without hesitation or poise that she stared the amber-eyed female down. Large like her, but lacking in brawn. Was it age that had stolen it from her, or had it never been there in the first place? Age was apparent in her scent and by the greying of her maw - though she was obviously not a useless bag of bones, lest she wouldn't be allowed entrance. What intrigued Remy the most, and softened her glare, was the patterns of scar tissue and re-growing fur. The woman had no shorage of battle wounds.<i>Interesting</i> was far an understatement... she did love a wolf of power unabashed.

Before she could act upon her interest another wolf came to join their company - this time a familiar face, her young apprentice. Remy's pale stare laid heavily upon the boy, as though blaming him for taking the perfect timing away from her, though she held no actual grudge. An easy nod was delivered to Shade, quickly making up for her evil stare. Remy would have to make sure he had learned from his lessons and perhaps, while Elettra was present, she could provide approval on her teachings - but first and foremost, she had to address the decorated general. Red ears perked forward, simultaneously giving a lift to both her chin and tail and she addressed the chocolate-furred female before her: "<b>Your addition must have been recent, else it is unfortunate that we have not met. I am Remy, Second and Guardian.</b>" The tone was yet neutral - little opinion had been formed besides a somewhat twisted envy of her silvery adornments - but her cold eyes held a clear meaning. Judgment would be passed in this moment. <i>Impress me</i>, please.</blockquote>

It was a simple gesture of her submission towards Elettra, which Remy gave by the lowering of her skull just slightly to that of Elettra herself, and the touch under her chin ever so quickly offered. Subtle was all that Elettra would ever require from Remy, knowing of her nature. It was Remy's word which outweighed everything else; that she would be at her side with unshakable, brute ferocity when needed be. And it was quickly obvious the moment Skana's scent touched Elettra's nares, just a moment past Remy's own realization. Remy's stance adjusted to the stranger, both dominantly and defensively, her sea-foam gaze hard on the stranger. Elettra's blackened muzzle would briefly brush the hairs at Remy's creamy nape and a huffing noise grumbled from her throat, assuring her that she was welcomed. Skana held much promise to Elettra by her abilities not of entirely the body (though she was without question a large woman) but the mind in which only years of learning had granted her. The former leader certainly had not only her share of pack politics, but wars, and natural disasters alike.
There is a delicate waving of her tail towards her newest member but little more as yet another joins the grouping, all whom had been in the process of scouting out the boarders, which Elettra was proud for. It was Shade, one of the older wolves within the group though not nearly the eldest (where Skana was around seven and Reed perhaps six by his scent?) yet still aged more then Elettra here, and of course Remy, the youngest in this gathering. Elettra takes interest to these things with a tilt back of her ear, noting the power the younger Remy held over both new recruits. Even still, little Kyrie was above Skana and Elettra would wonder the time when Skana made an attempt for a higher placement within the ranks.
Elettra shifts on her weight then, dipping her muzzle slightly into the direction of Shade before averting her gaze towards Remy, whom shown much interest in Skana as she addressed her. Little seemed to empress Remy and seeing these small hints now caused a smirk upon her lips. Elettra had thought by the mannerisms and past of which they seemingly shared, that the three women may have much similarity in one another. For the time being, Elettra's dark haunches turned downward for a sit upon the earthy forest whilst they spoke. With hunting, patrolling, collecting herbs, and greeting new wolves at her boarders, it left little room to actually know those members that she did have. This opportunity seemed fitting as any.

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Skana met the sharp stare of the woman with an equivalent intensity, her shoulders and tail stiffening despite her lower rank. She held her head slouched down in a manner that spoke that she knew she was lesser, though her rigidity displayed that it was not something she necessarily accepted. It took a great deal of self control to keep from drawing herself up to a more superior stance, lest she irk the woman. No longer did she stand at the top of the chain, and while at one time she could have wrestled with the wolf as an equal, that time had since passed for her. She was not going to pick a fight with the guardian, knowing it was a battle she could not win.

She couldn't easily avert her gaze without admitting some small defeat to herself, and was relieved when the approach of Shade allowed her to glance away without either seeming to be cowed or starting some sort of altercation. She looked to him with an expression of recognition, surprised that her initial annoyance with him had somewhat faded. The she-wolf spoke, redirecting her attention from Shade. Tilting her chin up from her reluctant slouch, she again faced Remy. "Yes. Quite recent. I'm Skana Coho..." She trailed off, no proud title to the end. For a moment, a lost look crossed her brow before it quickly smoothed back into a blank mask. She had assumed the wall of muscles was somewhere up in the hierarchy, with the way she stood and interacted with Lady Elettra. Skana had been careful to not let old habits of confidence let her move too boldly, but with the knowledge that the wolf was Second as well reinforced her mindfulness of it. It wouldn't do to be torn up and left for dead again. A cat may have nine lives, but there was no telling how many a wolf might have.

Elettra sat, the confidence in her pack shown by the action. It would have been Skana's cue to seat herself as well, though she wasn't particularly comfortable enough with Remy to do so. But she would be damned if she would let someone intimidate her from not doing something, so after a moment's hesitation she sat down.

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Shade looked at Skana. She was the first he'd met in the Relic Lore. Now she was his packmate, even though they hadn't started off great. They were stuck with each other now. He looked to Remy. Respect for the fae of higher rankings and the one to judge him was in his eyes. He'd been patrolling the borders constantly for intruders. He would never give up. He'd pull all nighters if he had to. He was ready for this. His eyes wandered mischievously, looking to make sure no one else was about.

Shade had a random flashback: Shade was born to an unknown line of Lone Wolves. The Slayer wolves. His father ruthless, crueld and mean. When he started training Shade and his sister Shadowstorm how to survive the cold world. He used his first lesson: Packs are weak, bottomfeeding losers that couldn't take care of themselves, so they hung together and shared food. He told Shade never to join a pack. Shade was an idealistic child. He had reason and said that wolves would be stronger in numbers. His father attacked him, leaving no permenant scars, but the emotional trama to get it stuck into his head. This went on for a year or so, his mother kept begging his father to stop, claiming they were children, they didn't know better. It got worse as it happened. His father started to beat her too. It was gruesome to watch. He was out on a final hunting assignment. Returned early with two hares for the family. He came to the sight of his parents fighting a group of two or three lone wolves. Out of fright, he ran for his life. Hoping his sister made it out alive too, he began to search for her. He searched everywhere far and wide for a long 4 years. He finally came and arrived here, in Relic Lore.
(So sorry, I am low on muse for right now, I promise this will be my ONLY flashback) "Speech goes between these."