Blackberry Fields She who fears losing has already lost

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The blackberry fields were in full bloom, and Naia could smell the blackberries ripening in the sun long before she laid eyes on her beloved’s homeland. It was the first time she had ventured to the place Inali called home, preferring to meet her in the Cherry Orchard to the south under the cover of night. The fields that spread out before her in the afternoon sun were cheery and inviting—a beautiful place to settle down, in the summer at least. For a brief moment Naia imagined the field covered in ice and snow, winds howling across the plain, and the thought alone sent a shiver down her spine. Perhaps the Downs wolves would come south and spent the frozen months in the shelter of the Cedarwoods once more… She could always hope.

There was no visible indicator of where the Downs wolves gathered, and the afternoon breeze brought several different pack wolves’ scents to Naia’s nose. Rather than waste time sniffing around the entire field for the Downs border markers, Naia leaned her head back and howled a polite summons, identifying herself as a member of Cut Rock River and ally of the Downs. She thought to speak to @Minka, the leader Inali treasured so dearly, and she suspected that Inali herself would be curious enough to show up too. Naia hoped she would—not only for the thrill of seeing and smelling her, but because @Inali had an important role in the plan she was about to present to Minka. Finishing her howl, Naia watched the fields for signs of movement, intending to meet anyone who came to greet her halfway.

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Speech.

The hare's cries were only heard for a short moment before the merciful woman snapped it's neck to end it's misery. Animals were made for wolves nourishment, but that didn't mean she had to enjoy the act of killing them. Carrying the now limp hare in her jaws, Inali slowly made her way back to Black Thorn Down borders, taking the time to enjoy the peace and quiet. Since the pack had settled down in the fields, their life had been for the most part peaceful. It was quite unnerving, if she admitted it to herself. Black Thorn Downs held not only one or two packs as their enemies, but three, counting Willow Ridge. They were basically surrounded and all of them were acting, including herself, like this was their personal bubble of heaven and no one would dare to pop it. When in truth, people would gladly do so. A howl rang through the territory, a voice she knew well. But this time the tone was different. Her love wasn't here for pleasure, but for business. Pity, was Inali's fleeting thought as she hurried her pace to deposit the hare in one of the nearby caches so she could find her beloved.

There was no hesitance now, Inali loved Naia. Now she just had to have the guts to actually tell her. Shaking herself from her ludicrous thoughts, Inali made herself focus. This was business. Her paws moved on their accord and her tail lifted naturally to show her high rank in the pack as her blue gaze found Naia's familiar tawny form. She usually didn't feel the need to show her rank, but this was a meeting she instinctively knew she had to be professional about. "Naia," she called out to her beloved to gain her attention. Light on her feet, the woman quickly made herself over to the fellow scout. "What brings you here?," she questioned in a friendly, polite matter. Though you could detect her curiousness at what this was all about. Inali had no doubt that @Minka would be here soon, so she would also soon know what Naia had been sent here for.

(This post was last modified: Aug 06, 2014, 12:51 PM by Inali.)

super crappy post! Sorry guys

This afternoon was the same as all the others of late had been, hot as hell which left most members exhausted. Their duties and sleeping clocks were changing with the weather, waking up earlier and going to sleep later, with the afternoons left for lounging and naps of course. Minka found herself laying at @Tokino's uninjured side in front of the infirmary watching the pups lazily spar each other. As a call rose from the air one tawny ear flicked forward to attention and instantly her curiosity was piqued. What was a member of Cut Rock River doing so far north? The mother could only hope that the pack of her friend @Maksim was okay. It was as if an unspoken agreement passed between the mates and the female alpha stood and went to investigate, leaving the male to watch the pups.

Moving slower than usual due to the heat it took five or ten minutes before Minka crested the hill that marked the edge of their territory. Golden eyes assessed the body language from afar, it would seem the messenger of the River King was not in distress which was a good sign. Moving forward she came up beside her second, greeting her with a gentle shoulder bump, her own posture casual. Smiling now at the petite woman in front of her she greeted the stranger, "Now no need to be so formal, the wolves of Cut Rock River are always welcome within our borders. My name is Minka Lagina, founder and alpha and Black Thorn Downs, I hope that everything is well within the Cedarwood?" A crest of worry showed upon the woman's face as she finished, a small V forming between her eyebrows.

OOC|| Please excuse the wait.. I wanted to see how Naia's thread with Narime was going to turn out before we went any farther with this one. ||

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Naia’s honey gaze swept the field before her, watching for movement that might indicate where the Downs wolves reside. She was startled to hear Inali’s musical voice call out from so close by, and she turned to the woman with a small, sheepish smile. Inali had been a scout for at least as long as she had—silly of Naia to think she would see the light-footed lady’s approach. As she met Inali’s azure gaze, her strongest desire was to close the space between them completely and bury her face into her lover’s soft pelt. She smelled so enticing, the scent of a fresh kill wafting from her like perfume. The Downs scout’s tail lifted then, shattering Naia’s daydreams and reminding her that there was important work at stake here. If this meeting went as planned, she and Inali were about to embark on a journey together, and there would be ample alone time for the pair.

Inali spoke again, and Naia flashed her an I-know-something-you-don't grin. Inali certainly looked high and mighty with her tail in the air and her second-in-command stance, and the timber lady couldn't help but tease her a little. "Ought we wait for you leader?" she asked coyly, cocking a playful brow. Just as she spoke of her, the Downs royal appeared and Naia drew her gaze away from Inali reluctantly. She modified her stance to show respect for Minka’s postion before answering her question.

”No trouble,” she assured Minka, ”At least not yet.” The words were a hint to the request she was about to make. ”The pups grow stronger every day, two males and a female.” Minka herself smelled heavily of milk, so Naia knew she had been blessed with offspring as well. ”I hope all is well in the Downs?” Just as she asked, Naia caught a faint whiff of something else on Minka’s pelt. Healing herbs.. the sort their medic Lachesis would apply to a wound he feared might fester. Mika appeared uninjured herself, which left Naia wondering if another in her pack was suffering.

”My name is Naia. I’m Cut Rock River’s scout,” she said, remembering to introduce herself. ”Maksim has trusted me with an important task, and I’m here to ask for Inali’s help. If she can be spared, of course.” Now that she suspected someone in the Downs ranks might be injured, she wasn’t so sure Minka would jump at the chance to send her scout away.

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(This post was last modified: Aug 15, 2014, 02:26 AM by Naia.)

speech Inali took in Naia's teasing with a good natured chuckle and was about to speak her own playful retort when Minka made her appearance. Taking in Minka's words, Inali lowered her tail and lifted her gaze to Minka, her muzzle curving into a smile. As Minka spoke to Naia, Inali turned her gaze back onto her beloved and a brow arched questioningly at Naia's answer to Minka's inquiry. What trouble was Naia hinting at? Her heart leaped in her chest, worry filling her being. Was Naia in danger? Was something brewing in Cut Rock River? Making herself breathe and calm down, her ears flicked attentively. She didn't want to miss a word that escaped her lover's maw. Of course she was glad that Maksim's children were doing well, since she had always held a soft spot for children. But she couldn't help but silently want to rush Naia, wanting her to get to the point of her visit. She hated to hear any inkling of danger surrounding Naia, no matter how small. Naia continued with small talk, before she finally introduced herself to Inali's queen and finally got to the point that Inali had been itching to hear. What had Maksim entrusted Naia with, that hinted at something dangerous? And Naia wanted her to come along? The 'yes' was at the tip of her tongue, but she forced herself not to get ahead of herself. Minka was the one that had to give the final decision, but as she looked at her queen to see her reaction, and then back to Naia, she couldn't help but wonder what this mission would entail for her and her beloved.

AustriaAngloAlliance @DA & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

Hey guys, sorry I let this go dead but I think its important enough we should finish it, also its safe to assume Minka will say yes as long as @Inali takes @Atlas with her.

The V between her eyebrows smoothed as @Naia spoke of no trouble though they shot up at her comment of 'not yet'. What exactly had @Maksim sent his scout here searching for that would constitute coming trouble? Showing no sign of impatience despite the curiosity that consumed her Minka nodded at the river woman, "Just two for us, a male and a female. I hope that come the fall months we will be able to make a trip down to visit the River king." The Lagina woman missed her friend and would like to at least introduce her children to his, the next generation of both their legacies coming together.

Feeling Inali's blue gaze upon her Minka's head tilted at Naia's words, she still spoke in cryptic messages. Maksim had sent her here on an important task that would need the aide of their own scout but the task still had not been said forthright. Not turning to look at her second the golden gaze staid focused on the small woman before her as she spoke, "Forgive me for being blunt Naia, but what exactly is the task you've been sent to do? I of course trust the judgement of Maksim completely, but I would like to know what I would be sending my scout to do before blindly agreeing." It was true that she trusted what the Baranski thought was best for his own pack and consequently his allies though she knew she also had responsibilities to her own. Should the journey be long or treacherous it would be a decision she would need to discuss with her mate before allowing Inali permission to go.

There is a moose carcass that has been scavenged by coyotes nearby. +15 Health

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Naia made her face carefully blank as Minka delivered her pack’s news, allowing a small smile as she spoke of her own healthy pups. The scout had been sure that there was some sort of injury or sickness back at their den, judging from the smells wafting from Minka’s pelt. Was Naia simply wrong, or were the Downs wolves hiding this information? Naia’s eyes flicked aside to catch Inali’s expression. She couldn’t imagine any reason for their allies to conceal information… Perhaps the Downs leader simply did not consider it headline news, and was impatient to hear Naia’s purpose. Naia’s suspicion was confirmed when Minka spoke again with a certain snappiness in her tone. The scout trained her honey eyes on Minka’s feet, silently vowing not to annoy the woman further.

”Certainly,” she said, gaze still averted. She hadn’t meant to tease the Downs wolves by hinting at danger—she was only being honest. She wasn’t going to say all was well in Cut Rock River when it very well may not be, though now she was wondering if the Downs was offering her the same honesty. ”Last winter we got into a spat with Hollowheart Keep when their scouts attempted to raid one of our caches,” she began, finding her confidence as the story continued. She had always liked telling stories. ”Maksim was furious—you remember how bad prey was last winter—and the packs were declared enemies. Although now there is prey aplenty but new tension with Whisper Caverns..” Naia spoke quickly as she mentioned Whisper Caverns, not wanting to appear like she was accusing Minka. ”..and we think it is best to repair with the Keep instead of keeping them as an enemy to the east when we now have a new enemy to the west.” Breaking ties with Whisper Caverns had definitely put Cut Rock River in a tough spot. No scout liked to see her homeland surrounded by enemies.

”I’m leaving in the morning to offer a nonaggression pact to the Keep. I have an associate within their ranks who has already been discussing peace with certain Keep wolves.. I’m expecting them to agree to the pact without question.” Naia was actually a little late for her meeting with Evann, her friend in Hollowheart Keep. She hoped the Keep woman was still waiting for her in the orchard, as she agreed several moons ago—Naia would feel much better having a Keep wolf already on her side when she presented the pact. ”However, I want a backup plan in case it takes some.. convincing. I would like Inali along to represent the Downs as an ally to Cut Rock River.” Even if there were still hard feelings, Hollowheart Keep would surely hesitate to sign up for two enemies. ”Whatever they choose will stand with both of our packs, be it nonaggression.. or war.” Although the likelihood of the reclusive Keep wolves choosing a multi-pack war seemed incredibly low to Naia, the Downs leader needed to know that it was a possible –even if quite improbable-- outcome.

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OOC|| Heh, this thread began before anyone knew HK was disbanding. We've got another thread going where Naia and Inali meet with Naia's friend in the orchard and find out that HK is gone.. so it's going to be a shorter mission than Naia expects. The best laid plans.. >.< ||

Speech.

Naia seemed to be speaking in riddles, not really getting to the point of the matter. Inali was starting to notice that her love seemed to do that alot. Minka spoke, urging Naia to get to the point. The Downs scout was now starting to wonder as well, her insatiable curiosity getting the best of her. Naia began, speaking of a pack called Hollowheart Keep, one she had known nothing about. Apparently, Cut Rock River had had a disagreement with them and from then on were on unfriendly terms. It was only logical really, for the winter had been a rough one and this Hollowheart Keep had no right to steal from their caches. But then she told them of their tensions with Whisper Caverns, and the petite woman's brows furrowed slightly in worry. Were they in danger? Inali knew Ash held a terrible anger against the Black Thorn wolves, and if he had find out that the River wolves had aided them in their time of need, he could probably hold a grudge against them as well for doing that. But was there something else that contributed them to being enemies now?

Naia's soft tone rang once again in her ears and Inali flicked them attentively, tuning back into the conversation. Naia was planning on proposing some sort of alliance with the pack that had troubled them the winter before, for it wasn't a good thing to have enemies on both sides. Inali turned her attention to Minka as Naia finished speaking, telling her alpha of wanting to bring Inali along on the trip. The Down's scout tail flicked as she waited for Minka's verdict. WOuld she let her go and accompany their ally? This decision was not Inali's to make, no matter how much she wanted to aid her lover, but also her pack.

Minka listened to everything that the River wolf had to say without interrupting, her maw emotionless as she took all of the information in. It was a lot, ranging from disputes escalating into enemies, to an alliance to an all out war. truthfully the most shocking thing was the growing tension between the two southern packs and a part of the fae couldn't help but feel guilty. For perhaps the first time since she had founded the Downs the alpha was unsure of a decisions and she wished desperately that Tokino was there. Glancing briefly at her second she could easily see the anticipation in her face and with a sigh she looked away. Finally she broke the silence, "Given the last winter I understand why your packs became enemies, it's a decision any leader would have made. Though I do apologize for the tension between the Caverns and yourself, Ash Hervok has always been rather unreasonable and quick to resort to violence. I grant Inali permission to aide you as the Downs will always support the River and we are indebted to you. I send you both with extreme caution, please do everything to can to keep this from war. The Downs are short a warrior as my mate is still on the mend from a wandering bear and while he should be healed soon he won't be fit for battle." Looking back to her scout she urged Inali with her eyes to take warning of her words, a multi-pack war was the last thing they should be trying to deal with right now.

It would seem that all their business had been taken care of and all Minka wanted to do now was return to her mate so she could consult him about the decision. It was too late to change anything now but he should at least be aware, plus she craved his closeness after this rather surprising turn in events. smiling at them both she said her goodbyes, "Naia you of course are welcome to stay within our territory until you and Inali leave for your mission. I myself must go however, @Tokino will need to be informed about what is happening." Flicking her tail as a conclusion she turned and made her way through the territories, mind troubled with what was about to happen.

EXIT MINKA