Secret Falls How to Commit the Perfect Murder

this is *so* bad but I wanted to get something up before I run away for 3 days so, sorry >_>

Not long after her paws had found their place did Ava sense her love slipping through the trees toward them. Kade's presence at her side easily brightened her smile, resisting the urge to lean into his strength as her bones ached to do. His magnestism could not be denied, but Ava held out - though she did dare to break her gaze from the yearling for a moment just to touch her muzzle against his, a demure greeting that did little for appearances but helped her heart beat stronger never the less. When she pulled away she smiled, knowing what an imposing figure he'd brought to the scene. The girl was belly to the floor from the sight of them, something which suceeded in both fueling her pride and breaking her heart.

Ava listened to her introduction, the little backstory and further the promise to extend her help. She noted the white yearling was not careless with her words nor her posture, an important indicator for cooperation, and eased, "No worries, Lily. You don't have to be scary to be here." The lot of them were big, but their group new no bounds for kindness. Kade's soul was warm in a way his silver eyes deceived. Destin was jovial. Sibyl had never been cruel. And Maksim - well, he'd made a friend of her already. Surely she'd feel welcome.

"Duty will come. Every wolf pulls their weight. And if you say you'll help, I trust you." She responded, because it was true. There was no room for freeloaders in their small group. But Ava was not worried about that. Once you loved something, you would serve it regardless. "But for now, you make yourself at home, and we'll make it home for you. Would you like that?" That's all Ava really wanted anyway.

♥ Allie

art - threads

He intercepted Ava's affectionate greeting in a way that came naturally, his sights lingering on the smile that after adorned her lips. Perfect she was, and at times her fiery eyes and lionheart all but dwarfed his own sense of self. Quick to give his attention to the matter at hand, however, his gaze came to fall once more upon the girl who was now virtually flattened to the ground. Where once he may have appreciated the display as a stranger's deserving token of submission, maybe it was the father in him now that wanted to raise her up, figuratively and, well, physically, too. She was a pretty thing, young, and whether it was humility or respect, or both, that emanated from her here, he rendered that both attributes were to be valued and as such valued the potential she had, judging from his first impression. She had every reason to be scared, but she didn't have to be here and hopefully he and Ava could make her feel more welcomed..

With an open mind he listened to the words that flowed from the girl's lips. The manners she spoke of were plain to see, and a small grin flickered on the corners of his lips as she regarded him as being one of the 'scary' ones. 'Scary' was something he'd perfected and liked to be in some situations, but it was hardly who he was, and this wasn't one of them. In a conscious and subtle effort he made to relax the features of his face, the tip of his tail flickering patiently.

va had always had a way with words and this occasion proved no different. He couldn't have said it better himself and probably wouldn't have been able to. Either way, Ava had granted her acceptance and he would second it, if not with words. He anticipated Lily's answer as his mate's conclusive inquiry lingered in the air.

♥ Allie

I'm happy for this to be Lily's last post/the end if you guys want OR if everyone else does one more and @Kade wraps it up I believe @Maksim can get 'Demonstrating Role Guarding' points for getting 15+ replies? Just tagging @Ava too so everyone gets a tag <3

I always chose the icicle

Lily Aquila

the weapon melts away

Nervously her eyes flickered from one set of paws to the other, two belonging to the dark leaders of the pack, and a much paler pair belonging to Maksim. Although her heart still thundered in her chest, her apprehension was quickly melting away. She did not feel threatened as much as exhilarated by her first encounter with pack wolves. Yes it was daunting, but they weren’t nearly so harsh as her mother had warned her they could and probably would be. Maybe they were just like her grandparents had been... well, except that they were black. It could be just like home but different...

As Ava spoke she slowly pulled herself up, her tail snaking free from its prison to knock between her hocks happily, betraying her answer before she gave it. A large, slack jawed smile painted itself on her pretty white face as her tongue lolled freely from once taught jaws. “Oh yes Miss, I’d like that very much!” she dared to yip in high tones, unable to contain the adrenalin that was now coursing through her system. She wanted to patrol the borders and hunt until the caches were full and meet all of her pack mates, and she wanted to do all of it right now!

Excitedly the girl danced from one paw to another, her ears canted back and her posture still lower than the wolves that were gathered here, but a far cry from the huddled pile of fur she had been only moments before - every inch the young wolf eager to please. Her energy was boundless, but she was patient enough to wait to be marked as one of them (just in case there were more fierce guardians lurking just over the border who might mistake her for an intruder).

☽ ✦ ☾

template made by GINNYSAURUS. of RPG-D.

I'm certainly not opposed to being able to claim points for Maksim ;) Just wanted to throw this in, just in case!

Had the Baranski known of Lily’s experiences as a child he may have implored his leaders to allow her a place in the pack, however he knew just as much as Ava and Kade did. This was a youngster who needed shelter and he was sure the black pair would not deny her a chance. Still, you could never be sure.

Maksim listened to Ava proposal for the yearling and his tail flicked in a brief sign of agreement; ‘make this your home and we’ll make it a home for you’ was excellent wording on her part. Kade stood ever quiet but the Baranski very much doubted he disagreed with his mate. He could’ve even sworn he saw a slight smile grace the silver eyed leader’s face. Maksim chalked it up to silent approval. Regardless, it was nice to know that Darkwater Rapids would have a new member should Lily accept. He, personally, would be pleased to have her about and would definitely keep a watchful eye over her so that if anything occurred he’d be able to deal with it swiftly. Settling in could be difficult, especially with someone who seemed as nervous around strangers as she di—oh. Well. Nevermind.

The yearling was suddenly a picture perfect description of joy, tail wagging away with her grin. A chuckle escaped the subordinate as he watched her dance on the spot, delighted tones in her voice. Was she pleased that she would get food in her belly? Or was it simply that she’d have company? Maybe both! It was a warming sight to see, though. It seemed they’d made her feel comfortable enough for such a display, that was sure, and he smiled, swinging his gaze from the black wolves to the white one.

we are shining in the rising sun, as we are floating in the blue

I am more than happy to help a brotha out :P to 15!

Her eyes widened with a pleasant surprise as the groveling yearling's nervous appearance melted away with a burst of energy. Her eagerness was all too appealing, as Ava had noted their territory's calm and quiet could get a bit sheltering. Briefly and oh so foreshadowingly Ava wondered if this golden-eyed yearling harbored any more surprises, though the thought flickered in and out of her mind and was quickly lost to reality. The girl's zeal was infectious and she found a grin, widening by the moment, had taken over her calm expression as she moved forward to brush against the youth and give her the same claim they all shared.

Once finished Ava stepped away from Lily to allow her scary hubby to do the same, dipping her head in a reprieved gratitude to Maksim for his interception at the borders. He seemed to find the decision agreeable, which sat well with the night-cloaked she-wolf. Ava recognized easily his loyalty and capability, and though he held the third seat of their home she couldn't help but feel as though he was deserving for more. But she was quick to swallow the discussion, noting that hierarchical concerns were probably better brought up somewhere else than the acceptance of a new member at the border.

Returned to the situation at hand, she flicked an ear and suggested, "Should we head in then? Perhaps we'll run in to a few more of our own on the way."

♥ Allie

art - threads

It was settled, then. With an exuberant display of what was perceived as joy and elation, Lily's outright submission melted into something more familiar─the form of a wolf who was one of them now. It was heartening to see her up off her belly and with a bright smile on her face, and the energy of her reaction to the induction seemed to spread like the subtlest wildfire. No matter how she'd come to be here, it was clear that what she brought with her was more than her own potential. Casting a glance over the others, Kade took the sight of the vibrant girl in with satisfaction and pride.

Ava stepped forward to mark the pack's newest addition, and as she slipped back he drew near to do the same. The hardened curves of his musculature slipped along her shoulder and side easily, the ebony tones of his fur brushing against the fine, soft ivory of her own. They appeared together like night and day─polar opposites─and even the bright tones of her young eyes were starkly different than the cool silver of his stare. Only time would tell if they were so different after all. "Welcome, Lily."

Nodding his agreement to his mate's words, the sooty man made for the secluded ravine, slipping into the shadows of the forest as if he'd been borne of them.

♥Allie