Blackberry Fields Approaching the Border

Quote: @Minka @Tokino

Firefly maneuvered her way through the tall grasses and thorny bushes. She had been travelling for days looking for signs of other wolves. With winter approaching she had to find a pack or else she wouldn't survive. Fly just hoped that the first pack she ran into was welcoming.

Fly sniffed the air as she had been doing every few minutes. Once again she picked up the scent of some delicious smelling prey: deer, rabbits. She had to focus, though. If there was anything she had learned after losing her mother and brother it was that prey could wait. Finding other wolves was the priority now. She sniffed again and once again...wait. This time she caught the scent of another wolf. Of many other wolves, actually. She had to be approaching there territory. As the scent grew stronger, Fly stopped. She did not want to cross a scent marker and offend the pack. Instead she sat down where she was and howled, hoping the other wolves would hear her and come to their border.

Fly was nervous, but this was her only option. It wasn't even a bad option. This seemed like a wonderful territory with plenty of prey and good cover for protection. If the pack would accept her she could definitely make a good life for herself here. She just had to make a good first impression. Firefly sat up straight but lowered her head as she heard someone coming closer. She wanted to seem confident, but not disrespectful.

It was a call she had heard many times before, both while a subordinate in Whisper Caverns and as a leader of the cavern wolves and now of the downs. Taking her time she finished the task at hand, burying a plump groundhog into one of the pack caches, noting that this one at least stood fairly full. Glancing up at the setting sun Minka felt a chill run down her spine, it was still fairly warm out now, pleasant even and the sensation had not been caused by the weather she was experiencing now. It was the weather of the future that worried her. The last winter had been so severe many pack mates had died or been separated to never return, their fates unknown. Fall was upon them now, the trees about the tawny fae shifting in colours, from vigorous green to vibrant oranges and red as if they were ablaze. It wouldn't take long for winter to grasp them all tight in its clutches, and if it was as merciless as last year the mother could only pray for the well beings of her pups.

Caught up in her own thoughts Minka crested the hill that marked the border of their territory, fully expecting the scene that sat before her. A single wolf, who smelled not of others but of the wilderness sat across from her, apparently the one who had called. It took just a moment for the alpha's golden eyes to flick over the stranger, making easy judgements from her first impression. She was slightly taller than herself, though more slim as her own sisters had been. What caught her eyes the most though was the reddish colouring along her back, almost mirroring Minka's own. Her posture remained dominant, tail above her back and shoulders and cranium held proudly but it was enough to surprise a smile on the Lagina woman's face. Flicking her tail in a way of greeting she got right to business as always, "Why do you come calling on the borders of Black Thorn Downs?" It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out and Minka knew with ninety-five percent confidence that she was looking for acceptance, but she always liked to hear it from her own ears.

There is a rabbit's nest nearby. +1 Health

Firefly took in the sight of the approaching she-wolf. She had red coloring similar to Fly's own fur. But her heir was different. This wolf was much more experienced and more confident than Firefly; she had to be the alpha. The dominant position the wolf took supported Fly's assumption. At first, Fly felt nervous but then she saw the alpha smile briefly and wave her tail in greeting. Fly relaxed, just a little and immediately decided that she liked this wolf and would happily serve under her.

"Why do you come calling on the borders of Black Thorn Downs?" The alpha asked with a ring of authority in her voice, but not aggressively. She was already earning Fly's respect and had only just appeared. Fly dipped her head as she answered: "My name is Firefly and I am a lone wolf. I am hoping to earn acceptance into your pack." Fly paused and debated if she should say more. Would that be disrespectful? Fly decided it was better to take the risk and try to impress the alpha than to let caution ruin her opportunity to find a home. She kept her head lowered but raised her eyes to look up at the other she-wolf. "I am an excellent hunter and a hard worker. I would dedicate myself to the well-being of the pack. I would happily do whatever you ask of me to prove my loyalty." This last part was a promise that Fly was hesitant to make; she would remain alone rather than do something she believed was wrong. But this she wolf did not seem like the type of leader who would ask Fly to do anything like that. And she needed to be accepted into a pack if she wanted to survive the winter. Fly respectfully lowered her eyes again and waited for the alpha's judgment.

Please don't mind his angry cuteness <3 - I'll probably be off for the rest of tonight though, so feel free to skip/pp him if you guys catch up on posts. :)

Following his mothers trail excitedly, the gray prince named Kova ran along the smaller path adjacent to the main one that most of the larger adults used for traveling. His tail wagged happily since the Lagina pup knew that his mother was off to take care of business. He wanted to learn all about the jobs his pack mates and family did, and by himself Kova practiced those jobs all around the territory. Like the one boulder his father had claimed some time ago. Kova had taken to marking that boulder like a guardian would mark a border and then he would lay upon it himself while his father wasn't around. Of course this was most of the time since Tokino was still healing from his accident back at the main den. He had heard the call himself and dashed around the territory trying to find his mothers scent. Kova wouldn't approach a stranger at the border alone anymore. Not since the mishap where Bane had showed up to help out. Now Kova always waited for his mother to arrive before attempting to investigate. However since he had found her trail and was following it, the young child didn't tossed caution to the wind and headed to the border believing that he was perfectly safe with his mother around. Which was pretty much true. He arrived skittering around and past a bush then raced into view of Minka and the stranger. Slowing himself to a stop, Kova caught his breath while smiling happily towards his mother. Though his blue eyes flicked back and forth to the stranger in suspicion. He moved closer to his mother but kept behind her unsure if she would be okay with him even being there. Noting the very same stance in his mother's display that Tokino had taught the pup to use during fights and arguments, Kova let a little growl slip past his teeth towards the stranger. "Is she fighting with you momma?" He growled while puffing out his chest and copying his mother and fathers dominance display. The little child's tail flicked up to his back while his head raised to stare defiantly and bravely back at FireFly. "I'll help protect you!" He let the little snarl slip through his muzzle while glaring at the other she wolf.

SalsolaStock @DA, Eirian-stock & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

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I love his angry cuteness <3 so no worries:)

Fly looked up as a little ball of fur came bouncing up behind the alpha. He seemed excited at first (a very energetic pup) but quickly took in the situation and assumed a defensive stance. He had striking blue eyes that seemed to light up the second he believed the alpha was in trouble. Fly thought of her own mother and would bet her life that this was the alpha's son. His confidence and security next to her was enough to prove that. Still, coming face to face with a rogue wolf might scare another pup.
"Is she fighting with you momma?" He growled and stared defiantly at Fly, then said: "Ill protect you!" as he snarled. Fly almost smiled, impressed with the pup's courage. But she didn't want to offend him or his mother. Instead she simply dipped her head towards the pup the same as she had done for his mother. He might be a pup, but she was a rogue so for now it was best to submit and prove she meant no harm.
"No prince, I mean no harm to you or your pack." Fly wanted to acknowledge him to show her respect but didn't tell him why she was here because he was only a pup. She would show him respect, but acceptance into the pack was a matter for his mother to deal with. For now, he simply needed to watch her and learn. Still, Fly admired how protective he was of his mother. How would the alpha react? Would she be offended by her sons behavior or would she encourage it? Fly looked at the she-wolf and waited to see her reaction.

The girl before her, for that was all she truly was an adolescent lowered instantly in respect, pressing her belly to the dirt and avoiding eye contact. Appeased with the display of submission Minka felt her own posture relax slightly, not all the way but her tail lowered to a more comfortable position and she relaxed her neck. As Firefly made her introductions the alpha once more felt a smile grace her features, "Ah Firefly, you are a fae after my own heart, I also specialize in hunting." Quickly the loner before her had made a good impression and Minka felt safe in her assumptions that she would make a welcome addition to their pack when Kova burst up beside her.

The mother couldn't help but smile at her son's bravery, he had always had such a strong personality. Ducking down she licked the top of his platinum crown in a way of comfort, "No Kova we are not fighting, but thank you for your offer of protection. Sometimes when you stand as I am it is a way of asking for respect, and when the other wolf lies down as Firefly has done it is them offering it to you. It only turns into a fight if the other wolf refuses to give the respect you think you deserve." The golden eyes focused in on the blue of her boy's as she spoke, watching for the understanding to flash behind them as it almost always did. Reassured that Kova did in fact hear her words and wouldn't continue to act aggressively towards the loner Minka turned back to the matter at hand.

Slightly sheepishly the alpha smiled on the yearling now, somehow being a mother turned everything into a teaching opportunity; perhaps this was why Kova was already so smart. Seriousness took over her expression once more as she addressed Firefly, "Excuse me if I'm wrong, but you're a yearling are you not?" Minka was almost certain, her paws were still slightly too large for her body, her ears just out of proportion with the rest of her body, her legs still spindly like a fawns. Continuing on once she had answered she nodded, "Yearlings within our pack are expected to chose a speciality to study, you will be given a mentor who will teach you throughout the year until your second birthday when you can become a role given member of the pack. Tell me Firefly, is hunting the speciality you would choose?" She was silent now, she had said her piece and now it was up to the girl in front of her to choose who she wanted to be in a years time.

Firefly felt reassured that she had given a good impression as the alpha seemed to relax a little bit. She listened to the mother explain to her son what was happening and felt a small pin prick of pain in her heart as memories of her own mother flooded back to her. Silently, Fly hoped her mother and brother were safe. Now that she had the security of a pack she was less worried about herself and more worried about her lost kin. The alpha interrupted Fly's internal concerns and in a serious tone asked "Excuse me if I'm wrong, but you're a yearling are you not?". Fly nodded as all of her thoughts were brought back to the present. The alpha continued, "Yearlings within our pack are expected to chose a speciality to study, you will be given a mentor who will teach you throughout the year until your second birthday when you can become a role given member of the pack. Tell me Firefly, is hunting the speciality you would choose?" Fly took only a moment to carefully consider this. She hated fighting, unless she had to. She loved helping the young and the old, but she also knew she would never be satisfied as only a babysitter. She liked to help the sick as well, but that just wasn't her calling. If there was anything Fly wanted to do, it was hunting. "Yes ma'am, I love to hunt and I feel that is how I can best serve my pack."
Firefly filled with pride as she realized she had just taken the first step on her life path.

Watching the stranger carefully, the young pup kept his brave face on despite the feeling of soothing calm that came with her submission to him. Her words calmed him further making it hard to keep his fur bristled on top of his little back. Kova felt his attention turn from the stranger back onto his mother after her warm lick across his crown. The child's own tense features smoothed out across his young face before a wide smile flickered across the pup's long muzzle. Though the idea of respect was still something Kova struggled to understand. He did get the fact that the woman before them was friendly, and that she wasn't going to attack. Allowing his tail and head to settle downwards comfortably before his mother. He nodded quietly before looking to the other wolf. "Hi I'm Kova. What's your name?" The question was spoken between the pauses of the adults conversation. He listened intently as Minka asked whether the woman was a yearling. The word "yearling" held a great meaning to Kova. It meant that you weren't a pup anymore, but that you weren't exactly an adult either. However the most important thing it meant was that you had more freedom to do what you wanted. That was what excited Kova the most. He couldn't wait until he was a year old. The only thing that Kova wasn't sure about was exactly what the two females were talking about now. A role to learn. He knew about hunters, guardians, and healers. However Kova had no idea which of the things he liked the most. Hunting excited him, but if guarding was what Bane and Tokino did then he could like that too. Healing was the only thing Kova didn't exactly find much interest in. He liked eating plants like berries sure, but that was about it.

SalsolaStock @DA, Eirian-stock & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

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(This post was last modified: Sep 29, 2014, 01:49 AM by Kova.)

After answering the alpha's question, Fly noticed the pup staring at the two of them intently. He seemed so eager to learn, hanging onto every word that had passed between the two she-wolves. He would make a great addition to his pack one day. Fly wondered what role the pup would end up taking. A hunter, like herself? A guardian? Maybe even a leader. It suddenly registered with Firefly that the pup had introduced himself while she was talking with the alpha.

Not wanting to seem rude, she lowered her head so that she was eye level with him and responded: "My name is Firefly, little prince." That was all Fly said for now; most of her attention needed to stay focused on the alpha. But she made a mental note to talk to the pup later. She wanted to ask him what role he planned on pursuing. Whatever he did, Fly was sure he would be great at it. For a moment, she considered how interesting he seemed to her. Fly had had to grow up so fast. With it being just her, her mother, and her brother she had to shoulder much more responsibility than the average pup that belonged to a pack. This pup was free to be a pup, yet he seemed so determined to grow up. Fly respected that, but at the same time it also seemed odd. All in all, Fly was just curious to see how the little prince turned out.