Grizzly Hollow every man will be a king

For @Rook and @Tomen only.
Dated 9/18 - Clear & sunny, 55 F.

Most of all, Nineva loved the thick carpeting of pine needles that completely coated the forest floor. As she walked beside Rook, only a few steps behind as he led her toward their destination, she scooted her paws so as to push them underneath the amber blanket. They piled around her ankles, and behind her it seemed like trenches, the bare earth so dark in comparison to its covering. It was an easy distraction, pulling her attention away from the unexpected anxiety that was creeping in on her mind. Never before had she met another wolf her age that wasn't her siblings, and she had to wonder how different it might be. After all, as things were she only had a 50/50 success rate of agreeableness between Rose and Korrin! What if this kid tipped the scale toward 33/66 against her? What if he didn't like that she was here, what if he had enjoyed being the only youth around? The questions swarmed like hornets within her skull, and she was miserably reminded of Rose's whining, and therefore refused to let a single one of them out to Rook, leading to an uncharacteristically quiet Nineva during the trip to meet this Tomen.

She could smell him then, at least, what she assumed to be him, and her nose dropped lower toward the forest floor, dual colored gaze hardening with focus as she tried to keep her attention honed on the littering of needles. Korrin likes you lots, she had to remind herself. Korrin's the best... it's just Rose. Maybe it's just girls. This boy will be fine... maybe he'll be like another brother! It was a genuine attempt within her mind, to try and bolster hope concerning the situation, yet her nerves refused to be sated. Not until she saw him, saw what was in his eyes when he laid them upon her for the first time.

(This post was last modified: Oct 20, 2015, 04:03 AM by Nineva.)

SET UP THE FAIL-SAFE

Today would be the big day... Well, it wasn't a big day as in something significant (like the union of two mates or a youngster's coming of age), but it was definitely something important. For the first time ever, Rook Lyall was going to introduce his son to a more (suitable) playmate, one that was of the same species and the same age, and definitely not that pesky burrowing owl whose home shared the small clearing with Quil's den. Being an only child, according to the Leader, must have been tough on the boy. Surely the more mature, adult-aged company had done wonders for him mentally and developmentally, but, from time to time, Tomen's father did worry that his son had matured much too fast for his own good. He, himself, might have turned out fine, but being the "baby" in the family had certainly cast him into a different mindset. He had older siblings whereas Tomen had... none.

So when Rook went to collect @Kenelm's niece from their little part of Hollow territory, he did so with the nicest of smiles and a small morsel of leftover rabbit. Once they had started walking, he led the youth through the trees with his head and tail held high. If she had any questions, he was willing to answer them, and as they drew closer to the pack den, he quietly turned to acknowledge her. She and @Tomen, by now, were old enough to not have to be chaperoned and coddled, but he supposed, at the very least, he could let her know that he was there if she needed him. After all, who wasn't to say they wouldn't be shy? Or maybe one would be a little overwhelmed and would need the presence of someone who could neutralize the static between them...

"He's just beyond that thicket there," the Leader lent, his tone amicable and gentle on the ears. He probably should have asked if she was ready, but instead he merely began to walk again, his steps leisurely and even as they had been on the way to Quil and Tomen's den. He peered around a tree, his paws rustling the leaves of the copse that his the den entrance from view on the eastern end of the small clearing. "Tomen?" he called, his ears drawing forward. "Tomen, I've someone I think you'd like to meet."

ROOK LYALL

Chances are I have a BEN WHISHAW gif for that.

Upon first learning that another wolf the same age as himself had joined the Hollow, Tomen's internal reaction had been mixed. Almost immediately he had leapt to excitement and trepidation at the same time, eager to have someone like himself to spend time with, but wary as to whether or not she would even like him. He had grown up exclusively with adults, and this would be the first time he would have to interact with someone as young as him. It would be easy, right? They should be the same. But then the darker, more anxious notes came crawling in, like - what if they were trying to replace him? What if this meant he wasn't good enough? Where would a girl that young come from, why wasn't she with her parents? The existence of @Kenelm was explained, but an uncle wasn't a father, so it still didn't make much sense. Oh, apparently her parents had died. That was awful. Now he would feel even more awkward; what was the right mix of sympathy and avoiding the topic? Don't mess this up!

Outwardly, he had smiled, wagged his tail, and said: "I can't wait to meet her."

The day that his father's voice called from just beyond the thicket, Tomen had been engaged in a quietly heated discussion with the only other same-age friend he currently had. Even though some part of him felt as though his friendship with the owl was childish, he could never convince himself to severe it. That just seemed cruel and unnecessary, particularly when the little bird was the easiest company he had ever known. It listened and contributed when it was prudent, and just the fact that Tomen could rely on its presence was a comfort. Maybe one day they would outgrow each other, but for now...

"Yeah dad?" the boy called back, just before his father came into view, his prior distraction meaning that he properly registered the second sentence a moment later. "Oh," he breathed, turning to face Rook and his company with a little more manners, straightening his posture. The owl cooed quietly at him, which was received with an urgent shh. "Hey," he offered, ears twisting forwards in helpless curiosity, offering his father a warm smile before letting his gaze fall on the distinctly Tomen-sized wolf with him. It was weird - they were meeting for the first time but likely already had heard of the other, so was he supposed to introduce himself? "I'm Tomen... You probably already know that."

Helplessly he glanced at his father for guidance, tail swaying a few times behind him with excited nerves, not wanting to mess this up.

Oh man you brought the bird xD sorry for the wait on this! @Rook @Tomen

Through Rook's change in stride she understood that they were drawing near, and her nares expanded as she drew in a deep breath to take in this other boy's scent. Oh, he was really close, something she understand with extreme trepidation only a beat before Rook voiced the fact aloud. With a final deep exhale, she did her best to brush her insecurities away, and composed herself by rolling back her shoulders and lifting her chin. Yet as she stepped forward to peer around the alpha, her eyes fixed not upon his equally-nervous son, but instead the small burrowing owl that perched beside him.

Tomen's words were but a rush of air within her ears, the meaning incomprehensible as the phobia developed in her much younger months overtook her. By the end of his introduction, her every muscle had grown rigid, and without consciously meaning to she took a defensive posture, chin tucked down to her chest in defense of her neck as she leaned back upon her locked-straight limbs, away from the tiny devil. Her ears airplaned downward and her mismatched eyes were wide enough to see a ring of white around each iris.

For a moment, she could not even speak. Yet as the silence pressed in around her, those unbelievably wide owl eyes staring her down, she finally stuttered out, "B-b-b-b-bird... y-y-y-you've, g-g-g-got a b-b-b-bird b-b-by you..."

SET UP THE FAIL-SAFE

His son was quick to reply and it was with poise and boyish charm that Tomen came to regard Rook and the Hollow's newest recruit. The Leader's wagged at his heels as he smiled through his disappointment over Prudence, that nosy little burrowing owl. It had been an endearing part of their portion of the territory a few months ago but now it had wormed it's way into his son's (lack of a) social circle. It was, without question, rather unconventional; though, he supposed it's presence was just as beneficial as, perhaps, a raven's was - and, so began, the tolerance of it. It cooed characteristically, which the dark cub shushed; Rook looked over his shoulder to encourage Filae forward, even as Tomen introduced himself to her.

He continued to smile, not wanting to give Prudence any mind as she burrowed her way into yet another situation where she might not have been invited (Rook, at this point, was probably never going to forgive her for eavesdropping on him and Veho by the Rocks). "It's all right," he crooned to her, stepping to one side as to allow her space and casually hinting to her that she did not need to hide. But, then, she figuratively hit the nail on the head. The first words to leave her mouth were those that forced the owl into the spotlight.

Rook grit his teeth. He probably wouldn't forgive the little burrowing thing for this either. He looked to Tomen and tipped his head to one side as to wordlessly suggest that his feathered playmate should probably be ushered away for the time being. They could play together another time. Maybe.

"Oh- it's..." he started, still wanting to make sure the cubs were able to make that crucial connection with one another. "That's just Tomen's... friend." He could have gone on to tell her that it lived nearby, practically one wolf's leap away in a hole at the base of a cedar tree, and that a name had been given to her since she and Tomen "bonded" in some sense, but he held his tongue. He wanted Tomen to exercise his social skills; surely another cub might mean another playmate for the little owl to "roly-poly" all over and "preen." "She's just very curious is all. Never seen another cub before." He glanced over to his son, his tone playfully chiding, "Now, now, don't forget to introduce your feathered friend also. It isn't nice to leave your other companion out."

ROOK LYALL

Chances are I have a BEN WHISHAW gif for that.

A young deer has been separated from the rest of its herd. Hunt Opportunity

It wasn't quite the reaction he'd expected. For a few bewildering moments, during which he very much registered her fear, he battled the idea that he was causing it. Was... was he really that intimidating? But then he noticed that she wouldn't actually looking at him, but just past him - but when he glanced to the side to see what was so terrifying, it honestly didn't do anything to reduce his bafflement.

Stammering, she confirmed that the little, unassuming owl was the reason for... whatever she was feeling... and Tomen had no idea what to make of that. Opening his mouth, no sound came out, and fortunately his father got there first; the boy's eyes went to Rook, and he saw the disapproval there, and shrunk just a little under the weight of it. "Um," he started, looking back at the grey girl, noticing then her two-coloured eyes. What an unusual coincidence, just like his dad, and one was even blue... suddenly very self-conscious and uncomfortable, but not really understanding why, Tomen's tail wilted even as he tried to smile. "That's just Prudence, she's totally harmless. But, uh, she's got stuff to do, so..." He looked down at the owl, and jerked his head back with a small, urgent "tch". Prudence fluffed up for a moment, hooting once at the dark boy before complying, hopping away into the trees and out of sight.

Hoping that would satisfy both the new girl and his father (if for different reasons), Tomen looked back at the young wolf with the pretty two-coloured eyes, forcing a hopeful wag into his tail. Was everything okay now? He hoped this hadn't totally ruined her first impression of him, that would suck.

Friend? her mind echoed, utterly incredulous that such a description had fallen from the man's mouth. How could any wolf ever call a bird a friend? She stared at him as he spoke, an edge to her dual-colored gaze making it clear she wasn't quite buying the story. Yet as he carried casually on, transferring the baton over to Tomen who, though seemed embarrassed at the least, also didn't seem to think that what he was saying was as crazy as Nineva thought it to be, she began to realize that they truly did think the feathered beast to be a kindred spirit. With a gulp she began to lower herself steadily closer to the ground, wondering if perhaps it had been a mistake for her and @Kenelm to come to them and seek shelter at all.

"You, um..." her voice caught in her throat like something thick and sticky, and she felt an immense pressure to choose her words wisely. You named it? It didn't try to kill you? How can you stand those big, gaping eyes? The possibilities of what could be said were endless and yet despite how outrageous their claims might be, she certainly didn't want to offend them.

Her mind was reeling and she sought to see the more benign aspects of what was occurring. This thing, Prudence, was rather small. If she was to be realistic, which took effort, she could rationalize that the thing was ultimately harmless. Well, mostly harmless. She was sure its tiny little talons would still sting. But it certainly didn't look anywhere near as vicious as raptors or geese, and she supposed that maybe, just maybe, it was possible that not all the birds in the world were absolute evil. Perhaps they had found an exception to the rule. None of this meant she wanted to go anywhere near it, though, and it wasn't until the thing was gone completely that she was able to find her voice again.

"You... m-made friends with a bird?" she was at last able to choke out. "And its never... t-tried to hurt you, or a-anything?"

(This post was last modified: Dec 08, 2015, 06:00 AM by Nineva.)