Chasing Ghosts

For the first time since the beginning of their terse encounter the male's eyes found somewhere else to rest other than the two wolves across the river, and when he looked back up he had little sass left to offer them. A bemused smile appeared briefly on her lips; had he realized his mistake? Flatly he offered them his name, Angra, and went on to... apologize? What a change of events - certainly unexpected, but she was satiated by it. The black hairs of her spine relaxed as he took responsibility for his disrespect, though the Leader would not lower her chin. The forgiveness he sought was not given, not yet.

"Ava, of Darkwater Rapids. No offense taken. The waters have kept you off my property," she responded calmly with little purpose other than to remind the male that she was capable of influencing his fate here. Unless he went and ran off, which she would have preferred had it not been for a casually-pronounced question and a statement that drew rebuff from Maksim. As the Guardian drew nearer Ava stole a glance to judge the severity of disapproval in his green stare. With a humorless grin she noted that had they stood on the same bank he probably would've shoved the stranger into the turbulent current by now.

She, however, would at least consider him. The larger her four grew the more mischief they were causing. Extra eyes were always helpful. More frequent patrols. Then again, she had little desire to discipline anyone older the age of three months in basic manners, and every extra mouth was one more to feed. "There are many of my family, Angra," she added after Maksim's piece, hoping her emphasis would be well understood. No wolves beyond her border were outsiders. "And I care very much that their safety goes without threat." There was no doubt that his presence had been acknowledged as such a hazard, and changing it would require an effort.

He was looking for a pack, yes, but a pack was many things. Food, protection, duty, friends, belonging. Unless he intended to put in an undue amount of effort for somewhere safe to rest his head Ava would bargain he desired permanence in some form or another. Perhaps it was convenience that advised him to speak so at her front step but it wasn't convenience that was going to bring him over the river, if that was even how their encounter would conclude. "You need a pack. What makes the pack need you?" she prompted him, desiring more of his resume than just a name. If he had ability, in skill or character, her expectant gaze suggested he offer it.

art - threads

Angra's question might have seemed ridiculous, but the young male was interested to find out their numbers. A large pack offered many benefits but also one major disadvantage; it would be hard to climb the the pack hierarchy with soo many members holding ranks above him. In a smaller pack, Angra would have to work harder to earn his keep - but the male wasn't put off by this fact, as long as he was in a better ranking position. Angra had spend over two months holding the lowest position in his father's pack before he had left. It was not something he wished to repeat.

“No, there are more than just us." Angra ignored the larger males obvious annoyance towards him and diverted his full attention towards the dark-hued female who proceeded to introduce herself. "Ava, of Darkwater Rapids. No offense taken. The waters have kept you off my property," Angra held back a grin. "Indeed." He calmly retorted. "There are many of my family, Angra, and I care very much that their safety goes without threat." That was his cue to make his intention clear. "I have no intention of harming your family, Ma'am." He stated, head lowering slightly in respect, before shooting a sharp glance to the larger unnamed male. "If you would allow it, I would wish only to serve." His manners kicked in now, as he curled his tail neatly between his thighs and his ears fell flat against his head. But it seemed he was not off the hook yet; Ava's forgiveness and acceptance would not be handed over lightly. She questioned him: "You need a pack. What makes the pack need you?"

This was something he had never been asked before and for a moment the male remained silent, lost in thought. Pale golden eyes looked up to meet Ava's amber gaze. "I'm fast on my feet and I'm agile: I would be an aid to any hunting party. I could chase off any intruder that happens upon your lands. I could relay important messages between pack members, fetch pups that have wandered off too far.." He paused, catching his breath. "I think it's clear that I would be a good commodity to any pack - why not make it yours?" Angra held Ava's gaze confidently. Now, do we have a deal or not?

She had taken no offense? Maksim had to hand it to his leader, she could certainly keep her cool. In fact, Ava’s calmness towards the situation much needed for the guardian; his lip lowered and his teeth were no longer bared and ready, though he remained in a dominant stance with his hackles raised and his eyes were still narrowed on the visitor. The visible threat of an outburst had faded though inwardly the Darkwater guardian still bubbled and brewed. He would probably remain that way until an outlet was offered for him to vent his frustrations over. Maksim held the glance Angra offered with his green gaze. So this Dragomír fellow only wished to serve, did he? He’d serve under Maksim and he’d better make sure to show the guardian the respect he deserved, unless Angra actually wanted to be shoved into the ground and forced to kneel before the first guard. Watching with unreadable eyes, Maksim grunted as the loner finally managed to tuck his tail and fold his ears; much needed submission was finally presented to the Darkwater wolves. It was late. Maksim was still not satisfied, though whatever his leader felt he would have to go with and trust in her. Thus, he remained quiet when his leader asked Angra what he could offer to the pack. Words which could have easily been bullshit came from the stranger’s mouth but his mind wrapped around a single statement and within that statement around one word: pups. Charcoal lip was raised again and Maksim stepped as close as he could to the rapids, alarmingly swiftly at that, as if he were to plough straight through without fear of being swept away. Pups. “Should you be welcomed by Ava,” he warned with a deathly cold snarl against his rough voice, “you will not see those pups for a long, long time. I have no reason to trust you around them. You won’t even sniff the air they breathe without me watching you.” What if this vagabond was a pup killer at heart? The Baranski simply would not stand for it. He was a danger to the children and he’d remain that in the guardian’s eyes until he proved himself. Perhaps he had spoken out of place with his use of ‘I’ but, truthfully, Maksim considered himself the entire pack’s protector. They were his family just as much as they were the Attaya couple’s. Through it all, though, if the coaptation of loner to pack occurred, the loyal guardian would make damn sure this fool knew his place: beneath Maksim. So his lip remained curled, his jaw remained clenched and the snarl in his lungs remained vocal. MAKSIM BARANSKI “the only thing we’re allowed to do is believe we won’t regret the choices we make”

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

Ava did not deny the truth in his words as she listened, noting the value of his skill set. She cracked a wry grin as he turned the questioning on them once more - even with his tail curling in at the hocks of his feet his confidence would not go unvoiced and she black-furred Leader was yet unsure what to make of it. "Why not? Surely you could think of some reason why not." This time her voice lacked in its usual fluidity, the harshness of her tone suggesting that just because she had chosen to ignore the slight didn't mean she appreciated it. He was lucky to have found them, she thought, for others were more severe.

The silvery Guardian was quick to amend some of Angra's capability, curt words stating that under no circumstance was the Attaya brood to be involved with him. His anger permeated the air so thickly she was certain the other male could smell it even over the wild waters that were now literally the only thing that separated their clashing personalities. "I've no qualm with it," she added plaintively, lacking jest in her amber eyes. Maksim was Darkwater Rapids most prominent loyalist. She'd given him charge of their protection and he did not flaunt his warnings needlessly. Ava hoped Angra would pick up on this soon, or else their interactions would be nothing but miserable.

In lieu of an incredibly poor start, Ava had very nearly decided to provide this pale-eyed loner with a chance. She'd given one to everyone else that had happened upon her border, and she had yet to regret her decisions. Ava was certain the Guardian wouldn't find it so agreeable, and in truth it did pain her to go against him. Her power as a Leader was only strong so long as those of her pack believed in her decisions as well, and this one seemed a bit of a stretch for her - and probably a haphazard leap for Maksim. Well... they'd always known she was a risk taker.

"If you're certain I'm better off with you than without - come join us. Find a way across. Accept your position." This was no prank - there was at least one, perhaps two ways across the rapids nearby. The rocks were slippery and the surrounding banks could be unforgiving to anything less than a sure paw, but if it was what he wanted Ava would be confident in him. The trick, if there was one, lay in the last three words. She didn't intend to make his life hell for a mistake, but there was no way Ava would welcome him with anything but proper submission. Maksim she doubted would even be satisfied by his most vulnerable white belly surrender, but this was the way of wolves - Angra would have to answer to whoever held ranks above him. Accept this and perhaps he'd find life was not so bad on the banks of the snarling river, but would he? The dark Queen was eager to find out.

art - threads

It was clear Ava still did not completely trust him so soon after their little misunderstanding. Angra's attempt to instill confidence in the female leader ended with her making a sarcastic statement reminding him of the events that had only a few moments ago taken place. "Why not? Surely you could think of some reason why not." He voice was harsh and deliberate. Angra did not answer back. Her behaviour was beginning to impress him, her calm decisiveness was something he admired - her authority was not outspoken, or forced upon him when unnecessary. The same could not be said for the larger male. It was he who Angra held a great reservation towards, his constant displays of authority and unspoken threats of physical domination irked him. Angra wasn't even sure who the male was - he could only assume the large brute was Ava's mate and so also leader of Darkwater Rapids. But something perplexed him. At times the large male seemed to hesitate as if waiting for Ava's agreement or permission - other times he spoke up boldly even before the female leader could make a response.

“Should you be welcomed by Ava, you will not see those pups for a long, long time. I have no reason to trust you around them. You won’t even sniff the air they breathe without me watching you.” Angra's muzzle wrinkled and he frowned in agitation. The male refused to just be pushed aside and stripped of any pack duties. His muscles rippled slightly with tension as he shot a challenging glance towards the green-eyed male before he quickly recomposed himself and shook off his frustrations, turning his attention towards Ava. "I've no qualm with it," Angra held back a snort in satisfaction and instead allowed his provocative gaze to slide over to the disapproving male - only briefly. It seemed Ava was still willing to place some trust in him. It seemed his luck had not run out just yet.

"If you're certain I'm better off with you than without - come join us. Find a way across. Accept your position." Now that was a challenge if he ever heard one. A challenge he was more than willing to accept - should it only be to annoy the large brute of a male waiting on the other side. Angra nodded his head in understanding before quickly assessing the situation. He shot a glance to the right. The waters grew deeper in that direction, the river's flow was more turbulent. To the left, the waters calmed a little as it flowed downstream. Without a moments hesitation, lean muscles sprung him into action as he sprinted off swiftly to the left to follow the current downstream in search of a safe place to cross. Soon enough he spotted a collection of rocks which cut a bridge through the water. Water splashed and spluttered against them, making them wet and slippery. Angra edged himself slowly towards the bank, judging the size and position of each rock carefully. One large paw was placed firmly onto the closest rock, his tail swaying for balance, before his second paw reached out for the next available rock to stand on. Next came the third leg, which clung tightly onto edge of the rock which supported his first paw for a fraction of a second before he re-positioned his front paw on the next rock along. Gradually he made his way across and immediately set off proudly make his way towards the other pair of wolves back up the river bank. Angra was just grateful he hadn't embarrassed himself and fallen into the river.

When he spotted their two figures around the bend, his pace slowed to a casual place, tail sliding in-between his legs and ears falling back in submission directed towards Ava. He walked straight up to her, and crouched down low at her feet, tilting his head to one side to expose his delicate pale neck. Have I proved myself now?

Whoops, sorry this took a little long to push out!

The way Angra shot glances at Maksim, almost pushing him, caused the Baranski to hiss from between clenched teeth. Surely Ava could see this? Surely she would not stand for the disrespect this man was showing her loyal guardian? No, she did not turn a blind eye to it but she did not reprimand the stranger at their doorstep for it, either. It irked him, yes, but he simply had to suck it up and show the man he was below the guardian later. For now though, he clenched his jaw and listened to Ava’s proposition for the male. He snorted hotly; he hoped the idiot would slip and fall into the rapids. It’d be one less flea on his backside to deal with. And so, Angra departed swiftly. Maksim huffed, remained stiff and unwilling to let his guard down. Green eyes remained on the other man before he disappeared in the fog to which their attention was turned to his leader. He tried to read something from her face, tried to scramble some sort of idea together as to what she was thinking but he could find nothing. “Ava,” he finally muttered, moving his gaze to the water by his toes. “I understand you have your … reasons for offering that man a place in the pack.” Flicking his tail slightly he looked, once again, to her dark face for some trace of, well, anything. “But I know not what they are. Still, if the stupid bastard does not fall into the rapids, pardon me for saying I would take great pleasure in the occurrence, I would ask you one favour.” Maksim was going to push it with his request, he was sure, but he simply had to. “I ask that you allow me to escort him to the den site. Teach him a few things along the way.” It didn’t take long for Angra to come slithering towards them like an injured snake with no bite but a wicked hiss. Maksim raised his lip again and let out a low, warning grumble from his chest. The stupid gnat was still on uneven turf with the Baranski. Regardless, he was still a guardian; he didn’t care how submissive this stranger got with his leader. Disrespect had been shown and still remained, even if it was only directed at him. MAKSIM BARANSKI “the only thing we’re allowed to do is believe we won’t regret the choices we make”

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

<3

As she'd suspected the pale-eyed wolf was apt to her suggestion, turning away from the perch he'd chosen to mock them from to complete the task at hand. Ava too watched him disappear into the clutches of the mist, a little miffed that there would be no way for her to know how his trip over went, but she'd have to trust his journey as much as she'd trusted him. And speaking of - the dark-furred Leader turned to meet Maksim's gaze as soon as she felt its heat. Understanding he had a piece to say, she lifted her ears toward him, giving his opinion an undivided attention she doubted he felt was recognized.

She grinned crookedly as he remarked his delight should Angra not find passage safely, certain that it would make the silvery Guardian very happy. Her smile would be short lived, however, falling from her muzzle as he continued with a request that she allow Maksim to accompany their newest member home. With a slight tilt of her head she considered his proposition, amber eyes flickering between the burly male and the surrounding fog as she lowered her voice so that none might hear her besides her trusted Guardian. "It's not often you see a lone wolf flaunt his pride so shamelessly but most do have value beyond their arrogance. We'll give him a chance and hope he adjusts, but absolutely you may try him for what he's worth. Just try to keep him in once piece, alright?"

Unbemused she watched Angra saunter through the mist not long after their exchange of words, the ghost of a smile rumored along her dark lips as she let her amber gaze follow him the whole way forward. He placed himself physically beneath her and she accepted his submission, ready to end the performance for the sake of all parties involved. She extended her neck with a glamorous arch, reaching to grasp his muzzle firmly. If he allowed it, Ava would be contentedly finished with overt displays of dominance. She let her tail uncurl from her back though it remained wavering tall, allowing Angra to stand up.

Her bright gaze trailed from Angra, to Maksim, and back once more, as though foreshadowing. "Maksim will show you the way," she spoke calmly despite what an unmediated encounter between the two might mean. "Welcome to Darkwater Rapids." With a gentle wag of her tail the she-wolf would turn from the two of them, content to follow the mist back to her den as her need for excitement was satiated by their encounter. All she could hope was that there wouldn't be any murder of cold blood on her property, but that, she supposed, she'd just have to see to later.

-Ava out-

you're welcome to finish out the thread & archive however you'd like :3

art - threads