Larkcall Lowlands spider besider

hoping for @Craw but also open to @Morganna and/or @Wraith (and any other WM wolves since they like travelling in groups :P might even through @Greer in here as well...)

Lach wants to talk business -- he is not too far past the line of trees near Kingsfall, making sure he is steering clear of the monadnock :)

A new pack had settled down in the expanse recently, much to Lachesis’ dismay. They did not appear to be of the threatening nature thus far, but he was curious as to who these wolves were. Since their arrival they had kept to themselves, which made Lachesis wonder if they also had puppies in their midst. Hearthwood had been careful not to draw too much attention to themselves since the birth of his own children and Karina’s daughter. Their safety was of utmost importance, which was why up until this point the healer had avoided seeking out the wolves who set up camp in the lowlands.

The sun had just kissed the sky when Lachesis ventured west, after a brief visit to the nursery. Normally he would not bother Karina with his presence until after his patrols, but he did not know how his encounter with this new pack was going to go. They could be similar to the wolves of Broken Timber Pines — who were just as peaceful and diplomatic as the river wolves were — or they were the complete opposite. He would not know until he spoke with them of his plans for an alliance. When Koda had sought him out during a storm he had spoken of a bond between the northern packs, an idea which intrigued the pale healer. He did not know if the wolves from the west would entertain the idea, but it was worth a shot. Otherwise they would tiptoe around their borders and avoid all confrontation with these newcomers to the north.

Once he left the canopy of trees behind him, the ghost called out for one of the wolves who made their home in the lowlands. He avoided the large, looming rock in the distance, for the scent markers were much heavier the closer its base. To avoid the possibility of trespassing completely, and to create an easy escape route if necessary, Lachesis kept close to the tree line as he waited for his call to be answered.

stick with those who stick with you

@Wraith, gonna say that they were chillin' together because haven't made enough of a point about that recently and Craw misses writing about him <3

The matter of learning about the neighbours was a growing priority now that the pack was settled and it was clear that the puppies were growing fine - despite the unfortunately alluring berries which grew near to the den... Craw had half a mind to rip them all out by the roots and toss them off the edge of the rock entirely out of spite. He was aware of the Pines wolves, but they were too far to be concerning, and the anonymous pack he had tasked @Celandine and @Greer with identifying. But there would be more.

If not for the recent focus on the Timber Pines pack, Craw may have paid more attention to the presence of another group in the woods more directly to the east, but as yet had encountered little more than faint trails. Nothing which had prompted him to delve too deeply into those forests north of the giant lake where he had met Zeta, anyway. But it was from the direction of those trees that a howl came, a howl for them - and as Craw's head turned towards it, brows and ears high, the cogs in his mind turned over with the implications of it.

Glancing to Wraith, with whom he had been lounging around in the tundra, just enjoying the man's company, there were no need for words before he hefted himself up, shaking the earth from where it had dusted his side. So as not to be impolite and think the mystery caller was being kept waiting, Craw lifted his head to reply with a short, gruff acknowledgement, before trotting towards the tree line where he had been called to. He expected Wraith to accompany him, trusting in the man's endless dutiful nature, and felt empowered by it - not that they needed any display of strength.

That this pack had been forthcoming rather than elusive immediately shifted Craw's impression for the better. As he approached, he caught sight of a pale shape lingering near the trees, the stranger's posture expectant, and knew that was their summoner. He did not speak as the gap closed, for the man to knock on the door should be the first to explain themselves. Interest obvious in his expression, Craw kept himself quite comfortably neutral, and, out of respect for the man who had shown them some of the same, did not encroach on the white man's personal space (as he was so wont to do with strangers).

@Lachesis, @Craw

Exchanging a glance with Craw, Wraith wordlessly stood to accompany him on answering the call at their borders. While it was unlikely that Craw needed assistance with a wolf who was politely requesting an audience, the black man didn't mind being that silent show of power either. There were pups here to defend, after all. There was no need for anyone to get the wrong idea that their pack was too weak to protect their own. With the pups already well looked after, the brute followed his friend's lead. Though his curiosity was piqued, there was no sense questioning Craw on what he thought the stranger wanted as they would find out soon enough. Of a suspicious mind now that there were pups to consider, Wraith's eyes did track around the monadnock as far as he could see for any sign of danger that the pack should be warned about. Spotting none, he continued on in silence. When the white man came into sight, Wraith's eyes again traced along the edge of the forest. It would be a neat place for an ambush. Though Craw and Wraith were more than capable of holding their own, numbers could overwhelm them if that was the point of this endeavor. Again, spotting none, he allowed his amber eyes to come to rest on the stranger. It was clear to the dark wolf that this was no pack-hopeful looking to join their ranks. The man's very stance spoke of his own authority. An Alpha, then, from one of the nearby packs they'd yet to meet. Politely, Wraith nodded his head once, but he held his head no lower. While he would acknowledge another Alpha, he owed this one no allegiance. He would defer to Craw alone in this instance.

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de

A lynx has left behind the remains of a deer. +5 Health

<3 @Craw @Wraith -- tagging @Lilya as well because she was thinking of popping in :3

It did not take long for the tundra wolves to answer his call. When the silver wolf was accompanied by a dark shadow it did not surprise him; he had expected nothing different. While he hoped a river wolf would appear behind him, XIX did not know if he would need it. Not unless the pair before him were not interested in being diplomatic. Lachesis was merely curious about their newest members and hoped to create some sort of alliance between the two packs — even if they remained neutral, it was a much better option than being enemies. While his posture relaxed as the pair approached, he held the dominant stance of an alpha, his chartreuse gaze fixated on the two strangers. A cool smile rolled onto his lips as the silence grew between them; they were waiting for him.

“I apologize for disturbing you two,” he started with a slow wag of his tail, forehead smooth as he studied the two wolves before him, “but I thought it was time I introduce myself to my new neighbours.” He paused, tongue pressed to the roof of his mouth for a moment as he selected his next mouthful of words. “My name is Lachesis Stark, leader of Hearthwood River nestled beyond these trees.” It was the first time the ghost had introduced himself with the name he had given his daughter. Not only was it another name to add to his growing collection, but it was also to honour the blue-eyed dove he had spent so much time with. Whether Ana returned to the Lore, or not, she would always have a place in Lachesis’ family, and the rendition of her surname would live on.

The silver wolf with the strange markings carried the scent of fresh milk, which meant that they would be cautious of their whereabouts, just as he was being. Whether they were his children or not, they were still children of the pack and to be protected at all costs. Secrecy was certainly expected. 

stick with those who stick with you

The young woman was fitting in nicely, she liked to think. She felt like she had more of a purpose, which was something she hadn’t had in quite a long time, and it’d been in part because of the encouraging words of Lachesis before she’d joined, despite knowing her demons he offered her a home, protection… these demons were demons that she was not sure were following her anymore. She wanted to trust Ruenna, after all she’d been the one to make first contact after learning Lilya’s name, but part of her had learned a long time ago that trust should not be easily given, and could be easily taken away.

It was that lack of trust in her parents after her sister’s death that had sparked her leave, the lack of faith that they could win… old demons she wanted to bury but knew she never could. She had a nasty habit of automagically appearing when it seemed most prevalent… and that rang to be true, taking a step out at the sight of Lachesis, two other wolves nearby who were not of their pack – in fact, quite the opposite. It wasn’t all that surprising – they weren’t on pack lands. Lilya still felt that it was a sign she should stick around, if only for moral support – she was hardly a threat to the naked eye, even if she packed more punch than she let on.

She dipped her head lightly, a soft wag of her tail before it lowered respectively to her alpha though she did not say a word – there was a time and a place for everything. She was far from a power display, her frame fitting more of a hunter’s build than that of a Guardian, but should, heaven forbid, things go awry then she’d prove just what kind of soldier her parents trained her to be. But of course, this was the ever alert Lilya in the back of her mind, and the carefree part of her had taken more control.

Hell, she didn’t even know if she should give her name. She wasn’t in a position of power, after all.

The white wolf held himself with a cool confidence which spoke clearly of his ranking before he could formally introduce himself, offering first a polite but meaningless apology and reason for the summons. Craw watched him easily, waiting for this Lachesis Stark to finish, a small smile on his lips and a soft rattle in his throat as he listened. A smooth, calm sort of wolf on first impression, Craw hoped that it would prove representative of the pack as a whole. He was so done with tumultuous, irrational people, even as neighbours.

He opened his mouth to reply when movement in the trees gave him pause, and another smaller woman crept out, no greeting on her lips. The way she approached Lachesis and looked at him said everything. Craw's gaze slid from her vibrant blue to her leader's softer green, and he cleared his throat - though it never seemed to make any difference.

"Craw, of Whitestone Monadnock," he rasped, head turning slightly and ears flicking back as if to indicate their plateau faintly visible against the skyline. "This is my Second, @Wraith Kael." He glanced to the as-yet unnamed woman by Lachesis' side, as if to prompt her own introduction, but then settled his attention comfortably back onto the white leader. "It was no disruption, I am pleased to meet you, Lachesis. Your pack has settled here long? I'm sure you're aware of our recent arrival to the tundra, we have not yet gotten to know everybody who lives near and within it."

Respectful. It was the first thing to strike Wraith about the way the Alpha of Hearthwood River spoke. There was no undertone of tension that the dark male could sense; only a true curiosity for their newest neighbors. Though he remained silent, the Second allowed his tail to wag slowly, though without excitement. Now was not the time to encourage such an atmosphere. This polite cautionary air was suitable enough. Ever watchful for a threat despite Lachesis' polite demeanor, dark ears pinned forward and amber eyes zeroed in on the petite she-wolf who came up behind her Alpha. Her scent alone made her readily distinguishable as one of his. While Wraith would have preferred he mention he had others with him prior, she seemed just as willing to cause a fight as himself. Hoping to let the female know she had nothing to fear from them so long as pack law was maintained, he offered a small smile in her direction before returning his attention to the conversing Alphas. Wraith nodded as Craw introduced him, satisfied that nothing further would be required of him yet. As always, the spider-faced male dove right into information gathering with a proficiency Wraith had come to admire in his best friend.

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de

so sorry for the wait everyone <3 thank you so much for responding so quickly! @Wraith "Lilya" "Craw"

The silver wolf before him clearly knew what he was doing and for a flitting moment he was envious of the male’s eloquent speech. He was relieved with Lilya came to join him — her presence was enough to reassure him, even if the two wolves before him were of no threat. “Lilya, one of Hearthwood’s newest recruits,” he introduced as he motioned over his shoulder to his blue-eyed friend, a faint smile curling his lips upward. The ghost glanced at the tawny wolf and dipped his head to show he was grateful that she had made an appearance. As the spider spoke once more XIX returned his focus to the two Whitestone wolves. “Just over a year,” he started with a smooth roll of his shoulders, his chartreuse gaze fixated on his company. “There are not many packs this far north, which is a nice change from the busy forests down south. Which is why I called for you — it’s been a few months since a pack settled down and they are rather … interesting.” His lip curled in annoyance as the word rolled off his tongue. While the wolves of Broken Timber were on neutral terms with the river wolves, the <>other northern pack did not sit well them. They’re alliance had been dissolved months ago which meant that Hearthwood wolves had to tread lightly between the fjord and the spring.

His gaze fell over to the raven, who remained just as quiet as Lilya. It did not bother him — actually, he preferred their silence. Their presence was merely for support, nothing else. XIX did not want his friend to chime in unless it was necessary, for this was a diplomatic meeting. He hoped to form some sort of alliance once they adjourned, for if the rest of the pack was anything like the two wolves before him, Whitestone would be a formidable ally.

stick with those who stick with you

I'M SO SORRY I DIDN'T REALIZE I WAS UP! Feel free to skip me in the future if I take too long to respond <3

She carried a ghost of a smile, listening carefully but not saying a word as she noted their names, a soft smile flashed in her direction that she was more than happy to return before Lachesis introduced her, a slight dip of her head towards the other alpha. It was basic politics, it seemed, but it was nice having even numbers there. She let her tail wave softly from side to side, because it did not seem like the others were incredibly eager to start a fight with them, which was probably wise on their parts as well as Hearthwood River’s own.

Craw. Wraith. She was repeating the names over and over in her head, putting them to memories with their faces so she might remember them better, a curious but light look shining in her eyes. It was true, the tawny wolf was not there to start a fight, though her eyes strayed more often to Wraith than not, perhaps a little on edge just because this was another pack, and her experiences outside of Relic Lore weren’t the best… they didn’t pose a threat for now, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t watching, even as she tried to mask it.

A girl could never be too cautious, right?