Thicket of Secrets If the World Turned Upside Down

For @Nios <3

Every once and awhile it was nice for Nina to have a breather from her pack lands. Lately, she had never strayed far, especially with winter upon them. The memory of what happened last winter still weighed heavily on her mind. The pack’s activity seemed to be centered on the pack grounds and Nina couldn’t blame them. With this in mind, the Hervok woman had it on her mind to get closer to her pack mates. Most of them were already family, in some way or another, but there were others, such as Sijinali, who Nina had get to gain a bond with. There was also a matter of one of the pups she had originally helped raise, Nios. While the golden brown woman had thought that she and Nios had been on good terms, Nina found that she had become closer to Mirren over time. Sometimes, she thought it had to do with the fact that Mirren was much liked Ruiko…

She had been meaning to speak with Nios for quite some time, so the thought of him sparked the idea to call upon him. However, Nina felt that when she was doing non-business calls, she liked to be outside of the territory, it made her feel less obligated to be dominant towards her members. With this in mind, Nina started on a path closer to Blackberry Fields but still well within the thickets. The alpha had long since found that she felt much safer when she was in the cocoons of the thickets. When she got to an area she was comfortable in, she sat down, tilted her head back slightly, and made a low, polite call to one of the Princes of Copper Rock Creek. It had been too long since they had spoken and it was time to remedy that.

Nios had luckily been favoring his day on the side of their borders closest to the fields. Nina's beckon was not missed, but it did perplex the male somewhat -- but he did not hesitate to respond in turn. His own howl lifted across the air -- clipped only in reassurance that he would seek her out, and soon the swarthy wolf began to make his way to the Hervock lady.

It took him a bit, as the span of terrain between the Woodlands and the fields was not only moments away. Yet as he came upon her, the ebony Tainn swept his form lower in respect, closing the distance toward the matriarch with a crooning growl of a greeting before tipping his muzzle to nudge beneath her chin in a casual but affectionate greeting. "Nina," he offered, his tone deep before he took a pace back. His memories of the woman were fond -- but there weren't many, given they had left the Creek at such a young age. All he truly knew was that his father and mother had been fond of the she-wolf, and during their stay at the Creek, he had been too.

He waited silently for the reason as to why she had summoned him here -- there were things he could discuss with her.. but for now, he remained stoically silent with his patience to hear her out.

'cause its home, but it's gone

Over the years, Nina had learned how to execute her patience. She would not have minded waiting long for Nios but that would not be the case. He arrived promptly and to his greeting Nina gave a soft hum. She had saved him once, from drowning, and while the memory might not have been the fondest she still felt a strong affection for the boy. While Mirren was handsome in comparison to his father, it seemed that Nios had been gifted with his uncle’s dark beauty. Both boys were attractive in their own way and, whilst Vaeta had once again gone missing, Nina was content to have both Tainn boys back under her wing. The golden brown woman made haste to inquire as to his mood, "Do you enjoy it here? I haven’t had much time to speak with you since you joined…"

Nina made sure that her single emerald eye was trained on the other man. After all, he wasn’t a little boy anymore and she would be sure not to treat him as such. She was unsure if he was truly happy in her home. He had once denied joining and, while Nina did not push him, she had still felt disappointed that she could not provide a home he felt worthy to live in. As far as she felt, he was only here for Mirren, and before she left, Vaeta. The Tainns always stuck together forever and if Ruiko’s look-a-like son decided to leave, she would not be surprised to see Nios follow in return.

It seems when you're around, my life is complete.

Sorry for the wait! Can we fade? I'm dropping Nios with both of his siblings gone -- it can be assumed he went to look for Mirren and Vaeta. Changed my mind.

Nina was quick to welcome him – to see how he was doing. She reminded him of his mother in many aspects – and he knew Mirren considered her to be such a figure in his own life. Nios was certainly not looking for a replacement to his parents – as far as he knew, both were content in Sequoia Vale.. perhaps they had even had a second litter now, as they had so dreamed. Someday, he would need to visit them once more. But for now, he needed to rebuild the relationships that had faltered in his absence here.. and Nina, he considered to be one of those. At one point, she had been a friend to him.

“Yes,” he offered, his ears flicking gently forward as he studied the regal she-wolf. He did not stare to her gaze – dominance was not something he sought right now, least of all over her, but there was a certain softness to his gaze as he took in her appearance. She seemed weary. Tired. “It is good to be back with my siblings.”

It was then that the wolf made to tell Nina of his encounter with Morganna – how Willow Ridge sought to set up a hunt with them, and the presence of a pack called Grizzly Hollow. He might not have been a scout or a messenger – but he was pack, and he wanted his leaders to be informed.

(This post was last modified: Jan 14, 2016, 02:44 PM by Nios.)

'cause its home, but it's gone

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

The Tainn siblings had always held a place within her heart. They had been the first litter she had assisted in bringing into the lore, as well as the last. Since then, she had her own litters and then so on. Nina was glad they were reunited and even more so that they were reunited over her reign, even if it were no so for much longer. Nios made haste to tell her about Morganna’s visit, one of Elettra’s children, and Nina’s tail waved in happiness over this news. A new pack hunt would be fantastic for their packs and it would give Nina and Elettra a chance to speak on some much needed business. It was the mention of Grizzly Hollow that held her interest the most.

"Grizzly Hollow is back? Did Morganna say anything of their relations with them?" Her single emerald eye remained on Nios, finding that it was much easier to have a conversation with him when she was looking at him. Now…if he would only look at her. Grizzly Hollow had been around when she had been in Copper Rock Creek and when she had founded Secret Woodlands but had disbanded quite some time ago. They had been on neutral grounds back then but Nina did not know where they stood now.

It seems when you're around, my life is complete.