Cold Water Creek blue hands and a torch

For @Phineas or any other MG wolves. Al's just hangin out at the border.

The life of a lone wolf wasn't an easy life, and Albireo liked things easy. All this traveling had made him hungry, tired, weary, and the feeling that they were still chasing at his heels had him glancing over his shoulder far more often than he cared to admit. Winter hadn't set in yet, but the cold nights were getting colder, the days getting shorter, and it was only going to go downhill from here. Scrabbling for a living just wasn't something he could do for long.

As much as he knew finding a pack was something he needed, it wasn't entirely something he wanted. Al was nervous, but his insecurity was only manifest in the stiff edge to his gait and the defensive hunch of his black-streaked shoulders as he drifted about the creek-hewn territory. He had located a pack easily enough, kept his distance as he noted the trails of scent that lead in and out of what must be the pack's heart. He knew they were here, but he couldn't yet bring himself to meet them. Any moment he thought his border skulking might be caught out, he darted off like a ghost to hide off in the nearby mountain foothills.

For days he'd played this cautious dance, until his hungry stomach convinced him that he actually wanted to be found. In the dim light of the early morning he ventured in the farthest he'd dared yet, discovering the forest floor actually starting to slope into a valley. The scent of the pack had become overwhelming, and something told Al that he had gone far enough, suddenly stopping him in his tracks. He had enough sense to stop before he got too far, but not enough to call for anyone. Instead he waited, pacing in agitation when no one showed up immediately.

Albireo
a tooth for an eye

A strange scent had teased his nose for days – a ghost of a smell, drifting away but never coming too close to his home. He was fiercely grateful for that, if only because the alabaster male had grown sued to a more peaceful lifestyle since the birth of his children. Magnolia Glen had seen little trouble – had even dodged it at times, such as the cougar that had luckily drifted farther from their abode. Phineas was no fool to disruption however, and he knew the quiet of the vale would only last so long. With winter on its way, the Argyris male knew harsher times were coming.. especially with so many neighboring packs that threatened competition for food.

Yet the pack numbers were growing, and the Leader could take solace with that. His long limbs carried him through his terrain, his figure held with an air of dominance. Autumn was finally upon them – the crisp breeze that drifted across the glen hinted to the oncoming frosts, and soon he knew the leaves on the trees would paint themselves brilliant auburns, oranges and yellows. Soon, they would die, peeling themselves from the tree that had given them life.. and then the snow would come. All in a year, his life had changed so very drastically.

These thoughts crowded his mind greatly lately – though this was soon placed aside as the figure of another came to view. Stiffening, Phineas’ stoical features seemingly hardened, his lip curling in a warning growl. His fiery eyes swept across the male, noting the paleness of his fur. A low growling bark escaped his jaws then as he maneuvered closer, waiting for the wolf to speak his reasons for being so close to claimed land; after all, at least the stranger wasn’t haphazardly traipsing through his home without a care in the world.

Albireo's pacing had ceased upon hearing someone approach, and his first inclination was to dart off into the woods and disappear like he had been doing. Instead, he waited, legs squared in a solid, steady stance against the forest floor, with head leveled and dull eyes narrowed. The larger wolf that appeared before him was familiar in scent, and was the base component of the potpourri of odors that had told Al this land was owned. He tried not to flinch at the bark directed towards him, but tilted his head the slightest bit lower, with creamy ears angled backwards. He met the stranger's growl with his own show of pointed teeth, black lips pulled taught all the way to the corners of his mouth in a submissive grin. He would lower himself, but he wasn't happy about it.

Despite the miles of open land at his back, Al was starting to feel cornered, and starting to feel as if he didn't say anything now he never would. However, the thought of freezing or starving to death in the middle of winter pushed him forward. "I need a pack, this pack. You can help me." He spat out just to get it off his tongue. He had never had to do this before, a pack had always been a given and he grasped for whatever seemed the right thing to do. His stiff forelegs buckled into a crouch, peering up at the other male, waiting.

Albireo
a tooth for an eye

(This post was last modified: Sep 13, 2013, 08:14 PM by Albireo.)

The stranger’s teeth flashed in response to his own as the silver male crouched lower to the ground – the submissive sneer caused his own lip to curl in distaste, but he relaxed slightly as the other lowered himself even further. A demand was made at that point – the spit of words stirring an argument that held little meaning to the ivory wolf, and he allowed another snarl to echo through the air, prowling forward to close the distance between the two. Phineas rarely used such a fierce stance, his gums revealing as his lips pulled back while his ears flattened to his skull menacingly. He was not sure why the male offered such words – perhaps the onset of winter was closing in on him.. or perhaps the life of a lone wolf was beginning to take its toll. Either way, he was in no position to have demands made of him from those outside of his pack, nor did he owe this stranger anything.

“I do not recall offering my help,” he replied smoothly, his fiery eyes locked upon the stranger who dared make demands of him. To test him, the Argyris wolf swung his muzzle forward, his jaws agape to clasp the unknown male’s muzzle in dominance – if he made contact, he would give the muzzle a firm yet gentle shake, as if reminding the wolf he had best use better manners. There was only such a small amount of time for either to make a first impression upon one another, and already the alabaster Leader knew this was no wolf he would want near his children unsupervised.

Albireo had enough sense to tell he had struck a nerve somewhere along the way. The male, taller and more robust than himself, possibly even the lead himself, moved in closer but Albireo held his ground. With jaws agape the white wolf had dove in towards him. Albireo's legs yearned to push, teeth begged to grasp, throat ached to snarl, but he subdued those urges just enough to hold himself uncomfortably still. The jab of teeth on his muzzle drew a soft yelp from him as he closed his eyes to protect them, long enough until the wolf released him.

Stiff limbs now fluid, he crouched, spine curled to the tip of the tail now tucked beneath him. His brown eyes drifted aside, and Al found he couldn't bring himself to meet that fire orange gaze if he tried now. He recalled the boy with similar orange eyes from the other side of the mountain, foolishly wondered if it was the color alone that gave him this trouble.

"No, you hadn't. But, you could." He said, this time his rough voice hesitant. "What if I offered you my help? An extra set of teeth with which to hunt, or protect," He said. 'And an extra mouth with which to eat', he thought greedily. Still curled in on himself, Albireo watched the wide ivory paws of the wolf. Al was afraid now, but tense.

Albireo
a tooth for an eye

(This post was last modified: Sep 13, 2013, 10:04 PM by Albireo.)

Tagged Borlla and Inkheart -- it can be assumed that if Albireo is accepted, Phin warned them to keep an eye on him. ;) He's an ass like that.

The male succumbed to Phineas’ attack, much to his surprise. He had expected the rogue to buck and twist, to return searing jaws and attempt a grip. Impressed, he allowed the muzzle to fall free from his jaws, taking a step back before gazing critically upon the younger male. He did not trust him, but the stranger curled himself even tighter, even lower, seemingly realizing his full place now – one simply did not waltz upon pack borders and make foolish demands.

Phineas’ ears perked forward as he listened, a sardonic snort escaping his nares as a low laugh escaped him. He was not usually this heartless, but the silver wolf had already rubbed him the wrong way.. he wasn’t sure he could trust the wolf. “You could,” he mused aloud, flexing his shoulders slightly. “But the question is.. do I trust you to keep such word?” There was a small pause as his mind reeled – he wished @Borlla were here at the moment, for she could give her opinion on this matter. “What’s your name?” If only to bide some time, the Argyris male prodded for more information, hoping to glean further insight to the male he was dealing with before him. Upon acceptance, it would be likely that the ivory Glen wolf would seek out both his mate and @Inkheart, warning them of the new member to their little family so they could prepare themselves to be wary.

Then again, perhaps Phineas was completely misjudging the lone wolf before him. Allowing his snarls to subside, he withheld a sigh. “I’m Phineas, Leader of this pack.”

Albireo wasn't sure what was funny about what he said. But he was painfully aware of the fine line he was standing on here, both figuratively and literally, and held his tongue further. Edge of the territory, on the cusp of the valley, and skirting a reprimand worse than a muzzle grab. His dark eyes slid to the valley past the white wolf, wondering if he would even be allowed entrance or not. He wanted to shrug, and nearly did when the male asked if he could be trusted. Al couldn't see why it mattered, he would either pull his weight or not and it would become evident soon enough.

"It's Albireo. Or just, Al, if you want." Slowly, with the same care one would take in moving before any sort of wild predator, Albireo raised out of his hunched, grovelling stance. His tail remained ducked, face expressionless aside from the apprehension in his folded ears, facing Phineas but avoiding visual contact. If Al had more than a perfunctory set of manners, he might have tried to make small talk with the leader, ask about the weather or the pack, or launch into the convoluted chain of events that had lead him here in an effort to breed some familiarity between him and this stranger. However, the only thing on his mind and the only thing that managed to blurt from his mouth was, "So, are you going to take me, or not?"

Albireo
a tooth for an eye

Albireo. Or ‘Al’ if he wanted. Withholding bemusement at the option of a nickname, the ivory regal spoke nothing to this, instead, allowing his eyes to sweep over the male before him. There was a small pause between the two – the Glen leader awaited any questions the other might have to him regarding the pack itself, and yet all the pale wolf before him desired to know was whether he was accepted or not. Apparently, Albireo put little thought or care to what morals or conduct the pack itself held, which raised the Argyris’ suspicions even further.

“Magnolia Glen is a tight knit pack that looks to each member as family. Each wolf pulls their weight here and we do not accept laziness or selfishness.” There was a small pause as his tail gave a slight lash, his figure lifting higher in dominance. “You, specifically, are not to touch the pack cache until you add something to it,” he drawled now, a smirk slowly smoothing to his lips. “If you try to empty our caches and then leave.. I will hunt you down for taking food from my kids mouths.”

>He gave a nod behind him, his eyes only briefly leaving the wolf he had yet to trust. “The main den is that way.. make sure you make yourself useful, or I’ll throw your ass back over the borders.” Finally, his smirk turned more ferocious as Phineas took a step closer to the newcomer. “And lastly.. stay away from my kids until you’ve earned the trust of the pack.” These were the rules he set out for now, and with that, he prowled forward, his figure bumping somewhat roughly in to the other wolf’s as he rubbed his scent off upon him, accepting him to the pack… for now.

Albireo's blank stare into seemingly nothing might have implied he had been completely ignoring his prospective leader. Physically, he responded at the right moments by flinching downwards at each new motion of dominance from Phineas, but that was the only sign Al gave of 'being there' at all. After the Glen leader had finished speaking, Albireo gruffly said, "Yes, yes of course. We all help each other out, right?" His brother had seemed to believe if you said something enough times it would be true, maybe it would actually work this time.

Albireo braced against the rough brush of the leader's pilose flank against his own, which left behind the pungent scent of the territory and those who dwelled within it. Once Al was sure that was all there was to it, he rose from his squatted posture to slink into the territory proper. He was tired, and a proper rest somewhere safe pulled him forward.

Albireo
a tooth for an eye

The response he received at first was silence during his explanation of Magnolia Glen's values, which was exactly what he had wanted. Upon finishing, the silence did not stretch for very long between the two when Albireo confirmed agreement. Whether the ivory Leader believed the stranger was speaking the truth or not, even he did not know. The only reason the male before him had gained acceptance to the pack was because of his sudden realization regarding submission, and as Phineas stepped away from the pale tawny male, his eyes followed Albireo as the wolf began to slink in to the territory that was now his home.

With a grunt, the regal wolf followed after him, speaking nothing and keeping distance for now — if the newcomer desired company, he was free to seek him out.. though after his 'warm' welcome, he doubted such was the case. As much as he wanted to follow the other and keep an eye on him, duty called, and after minutes, the Argyris wolf veered to a path towards the eastern part of the land, continuing his patrol. He would check up on the male later, making sure the cache had been filled per his request and no trouble had arisen. Hopefully, his initial introduction of Albireo would be wrong, and the male would instead become a respected member of the pack.

Soon the ivory regal was out of sight and gone, his paws carrying him swiftly to mark his borders and perhaps scout the potential of the migrating herds.

(This post was last modified: Oct 02, 2013, 10:37 AM by Phineas.)