Hourglass

Lost in a blind panic, the fish wriggled and squirmed and eventually swam right into Regem's jaws. A perfect catch. Holding on tightly, he allowed the life to drain from the fish before taking the step onto the creek's sandy banks to stand across from Avox. With a wide grin, he noticed she too had been successful in the hunt. Her words portrayed that she had enjoyed her time fishing with her family.

Dropping down onto his belly, Regem laid the still dripping fish between his two large front paws and began to feed on its tangy, warm, and very wet innards. Fish had been common prey in his birth pack. When he left, one of the things he'd been looking forward to escaping from was eating fish day after day. Now, older and wiser from his journey, the grey guardian was pleased to have found a piece of his old home within his new home. That reminded him that he had a border patrol to finish.

Licking up the last pieces of fish, he stood up. Burning with guilt and purposely avoiding looking at Avox, he spoke quickly. "I'm sorry, I hate to put a damper on a perfectly good meal, but I should return to my pack. I am supposed to be checking the borders right now. Of course, if you wanted, you could come back to Black Thorn Downs with me. Lady Minka and Lord Tokino would be happy to have you, I'm sure." Regem desperately wanted her to return to his pack with him, and it was evident in his words. Why he had taken to such a quick friendship with this wolf, he could not say. For the meantime, he wanted her to come with him and to adore his pack. If she could not, he would understand. In that case, he'd just have to find her again.

Avox watched him chew on his fish before biting into hers, the scales revolting her but she was so hungry. She devoured the fish in a few minutes, the catching bringing her energy and lots of memories. Her and her sister would take off to the creek near the den, barking and nipping at each other along the way. They used to leap into the creek and play on the banks, romping around and making so much noise.

Once, while they were playing, a badger had come up hoping to sneak a quick and easy meal, but Avox protected her sister, battling the badger even though she was only a eight month old pup. She ended up with a cut on her hip, which healed into a scar that no fur grows over. She loved her sister and her brother, but they demanded the attention from her mother and father, leaving her in the shadows. His voice brought her out of her thoughts, making her jump slightly. "I would love to, I need to get a start in a new pack. Being a loner is quite, well, lonely." She chuckled at her own joke, her mood brightening since she had made a new friend. Her tail wagged and she sat up, wiggling her dark toes.

@Avox: Just because you're fairly new here, I just wanna alert you that for her to join BTD we'll want to set up a separate join thread. Regem can kind of escort her and tag along for moral support and to help convince Minka or Tokino if necessary. If you want to chat a little more about that just shoot me a PM. :)
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Laughing heartily, the man turned to walk beside the river, giving Avox space to stroll beside him. Pleased that his newfound friend wouldn't be leaving, he wagged his tail and tipped his face blissfully toward the morning sun's warm rays. Closing his eyes, he paused his stroll to allow himself a moment of complete and utter warmth, pleasure, and peace. Unlike his perilous mountain home, the Lore was simple, relaxed, and peaceful.

Smiling calmly, he gazed around himself as he resumed walking once more. His belly was full, his pack awaited, his new friend was here, and he had finally found a home. And, it was up to him to keep it safe for him and his family. As big and daunting a responsibility as it was, he found himself calmly devoted to the task. Determined that he would succeed, the Rakkair boy vowed to himself that he would do whatever it took to protect his homeland.

Turning to Avox, he began to casually brief her on how best to gain entry to the pack. "Now, the biggest thing in this pack is loyalty. I vowed I would give my life to protect the pack and its members. You probably won't have to go that far, but you should let Minka or Tokino know that you'll be very loyal. Also, a gift would be nice. If you want to catch another fish, I can wait for you. And be sure you're submissive to the alpha when they come. I almost wasn't. Come on, the borders are this way." Regem talked fast but clearly, and was very expressive the entire time, making faces, bobbing his head, and waving his tail to emphasize his words.

An idea dawned upon him. "Come on, let's race! You'll know when we reach the borders, so the last one there is a blind elk!" Dashing between trees, Regem proudly led his new friend toward his new home.

Exit Regem.

She wagged her tail and yipped loudly, watching as he stopped to catch the suns rays on his back. Avox walked beside him, thinking about what a pack life is about, ears flicking, becoming alert again. She got anxious again, ears flicking back nervously as she followed Regem. She listened to his words, trying to soak up how to gain entry into the pack, nervousness coming back. "What if I don't make it?" She lowered her head, shoulders moving under her sooty pelt as she walked.

Her eyes scanned throughout the trees, birds swooping overhead and landing somewhere, pulling up worms or scooping up bugs to take back to their babies. She chuckled and watched a mother bird try to teach her young how to fly. One of the young clung to the nest, the mother trying to push it out of the nest, chirping hastily as the young just wouldn't go.

Her eyes lit up as he suggested a race, and she shot off after him, yipping and kicking along happily as she followed.

Exit Avox.