Larkcall Lowlands On the Breeze

Those who knew Wraith for any amount of time knew well his bleeding heart. The male was reminded fiercely of a similar situation in which Skoll had bullied a strange female. But it was different. @Sylva was hardly an innocent, despite her beliefs to the contrary, and @Craw was nothing like Skoll. Trusting in his Alpha to not go overboard, Wraith did nothing to break them apart. The lesson was well deserved and even if it tingled at the back of his neck to interfere, he refused. "It would be wise," he advised stonily, "for you to show him the same respect owed to your own Alpha. Regardless if he is yours or not, he is your better. Ignoring that most basic law is the surest way to get you killed." Wraith snapped it harshly, his last attempt to get the idiot to understand. Even if he didn't like her in the least, it was only natural for him to try to curb her idiocy for her own sake. Though Wraith knew Craw to be capable, the brute was grateful to have never been in the same place as Sylva. It wasn't the first time Craw had physically intimidated another, that much was obvious. Thus far, Wraith hadn't seen the ghostly male ever have to react so forcibly before, but was honestly relieved to see it. It only proved that the northerner himself wasn't being unreasonable with his frustration directed toward the odd female.

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de

There were some grains of common sense lurking beneath her ridiculous manner somewhere, then. Her struggles against his grip were utterly in vain, and with excellent judgement the girl refrained from spouting more disrespectful nonsense - and instead lifted her dainty little skull and called for help.

That was immediately interesting. Of course he had already thought it perfectly likely that she was part of some pack, because how else would a stupid creature like that survive? But it wasn't until this confirmation - unless she was hoping on the benevolence of strangers to save her sorry hide - did he really zero in on the fact. And then suddenly he paid attention to her scent and realised it was familiar.

She was one of them - from the same lot as that other ridiculous wolf he had met, who @Greer and @Celandine had trailed, who lived down in the south with their little pack there. It was fortunate for Sylva that Craw was keen to learn more about them, and that she had just eagerly obliged, otherwise he might have chosen to interpret her plea as running her mouth - it certainly wasn't the kind of treatment which Wraith was so coolly suggesting would be wise.

Craw said nothing as his Second spoke, just smiling at Sylva and her shaken little expression, wondering if any of it would sink in. This was going to cause a confrontation. Hardly adverse to it, nevertheless Craw broke his staring at the black girl to glance back at the monadnock, visible in the distance, much closer than her allies could surely be. He wanted to think that, with a track record of Sylva and that man-child, anything this pack could field could hardly be that impressive... but he had been wrong before. Assumptions were dangerous. But knowing that @Morganna, @Isuni, @Greer, @Celandine and @Lorcan were surely only a hop, skip and a jump away... Craw very much fancied his chances.

By the time he turned back to Sylva, he had decided not to pre-emptively kill her, thinking that would probably taint the situation. There was a chance this could go smoothly.

Assuming anyone cared about her enough to even show up, of course.

"You would do well to listen to your friends," he said softly, and released his grip on her, letting her fall free or move away as she wanted. He wouldn't stop her, and indeed if she chose to just flee, wouldn't pursue. She'd made her decision. "I'm keen to find out if they listen to you."

Assuming that he'd know a few things about WFN by now since Greer and Cel have done their reconnaissance, but keeping it super vague :] @Sylva, I thought maybe you could post again before @Gent - just to establish her reaction to being let go, so when Gent arrives, Cade doesn't have to make assumptions about how/where they're all stood in relation to each other? Since I know that could affect a first impression of the situation a lot!

As She was released from the larger wolf’s grip, Sylva pulled herself further away, putting enough distance between her and the two wolves before any of Wraith’s words even registered inside of her head. Her brown gaze, still filled with fear flicked toward Craw as realisation dawned that he was an alpha. Why hadn’t it been obvious before. “Stupid, stupid girl. She whispered to herself, she had made a massive mistake in her assumptions and now...hopefully her packmates could bail her out of it. She wasn’t sure what Craw or Wraith had planned if no one showed up.

Sylva lowered her head toward the two before taking a deep breath she said quietly “Sorry….that’s all I can really say for my actions…” She realized that there one only one wolf that she’d prefer to not answer her plea and that was @Gent, if the alpha found out about this then she was positive she’d be in hot water later, nothing could excuse naivety anymore, something the girl didn’t want to use as a crutch but...she’d rather find a better way to tell her mentor about this encounter instead of him coming across it…

ThoughtDialogue

(This post was last modified: Aug 21, 2016, 05:56 PM by Sylva.)

There is a family of deer nearby. Hunt Opportunity

please let @Merys post next

Very fortunate for Sylva, help was actually nearby. Gent had recruited Jynx the previous day in tracking the herds, making plans to leave before noon the next and spend the day traversing the Lowlands. Despite the developing crowd just past the Palisades, the shade king still considered the tundra fair game for his own pack to hunt upon. After all, only a fool would try to stake claim to inexhaustible herds of thousands and expect that self-asserted right to be respected. Hopefully, @Drestig and his band weren't those fools.

They made use of the pass that had been previously discovered by the Notch monarchy, effectively skirting around any and all of the fuzzy territory that may or may not have been a pack. Far from limacine, they had set about the work immediately and their paws had taken few rests as they surveyed the land. Conversation was the only thing that kept the work from being too mind-numbingly boring, but the information they were gleaning was important and every bit of it was being locked up tight within the leviathan's mind.

Hours in, something unexpected happened. The howl carried itself effortlessly over the flat land, reaching out to the duo and immediately drawing Gent's long-legged strides to a halt. His head lifted and ears turned to take in the tune, recognized swiftly as both belonging to Sylva and being a cry for help. While questions leapt up by the dozens inside of his skull, the king did not hesitate to answer his subordinate's plea. Without a word to the hunter he launched forward at a bolt, thundering over the plain to get to her.

Their wavering figures were visible on the horizon long before arrival, and Gent's eyes strained to make out all the details he possibly could as the distance steadily disappeared. Only when he could see that she was not in immediate danger did his pace slow to a brisk trot, bringing him to her side and then to stand between her and the two strangers who had clearly caused the alarm. Her posture, submissive and guilty, spoke volumes enough for him to regard the others with a stoic eye. His tail hovered just above the line of his spine, posture assertive without yet being aggressive or challenging. He needed information, now, before he could decide how exactly to resolve whatever this sudden problem was.

Eyes focused on the ones he could not trust, he spoke only to Sylva as he commanded her to "explain."

(This post was last modified: Oct 10, 2016, 12:05 AM by Gent. Edit Reason: changed Merys to Jynx )

He couldn't help it. Upon seeing the strange male trotting forward, Wraith edged between the approaching wolf and Craw. It wasn't that his friend, his Alpha needed protection. Rather, it was only the innate drive within the brute to provide that for his loved ones. Protect these ones here and now for all the ones he had failed before. Of everyone, Craw would know the reason over anyone else. The new wolf was Sylva's Alpha, without a doubt. Had to be a screw loose in there, Wraith mused, for him to accept the likes of her into his ranks. At the very least, he had to have an infinite amount of patience the likes of which the brute had never before seen. He wasted no time in questioning his subordinate, demanding answers with a no bullshit tone. Wraith could admire that, if nothing else. A grand number of comments came to mind to offer in Sylva's stead, each as scathing as the last. But he would leave that to Craw if he so chose. The spider-faced male was far more precise with his words than the northerner could ever hope to be. Instead of butting in, he would act as the stony monolith. Honestly, he couldn't wait to hear what excuses the little bitch offered to get out of trouble.

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de

Tossing in a stern Jynx in place of Merys via Cade's request.
<3

Stretching her legs like this was just what she needed. As much as she loved her home and spending her spare time entertaining the children, the wanderer in her yearned for more space. Just as the hard working hunter within, demanded that the core needs of the pack be met. To keep themselves well fed, she needed to venture beyond the bounds of White Fir Notch territory. Jynx needed to know where the migrating herds were at this time of year. By keeping a tab on them now, she could overlook their numbers and try to predict where their path would take them next. It was occasions like these, that gave her the freedom to work, honing her talents, that she loved.

What was even better, was that she had the company of Gent along with her, this time. She knew he was a busy man; being both a father and a leader. Not every minute of his time could be spent socializing with his subordinates, but Jynx understood this, being a busy lady herself. With this opportunity, she seized it readily, glad to spend at least some form of quality time with the man she respected. Perhaps, she hoped, that while they trailed the herds at a distance, he would observe her skills at work. A sign of proof that she was more than a capable hunter, in the physical sense.

When a familiar, panicked howl rose up, Jynx had her nose pressed close to the short grass of the tundra. Fully engaged in dissecting a two day old scent of Caribou, with the telltale signs of a blooming infection. Abruptly, she jerked her head back and up, hackles rising only briefly in surprise. Then those red and gray hairs smoothed along her spine. Sylva. What on earth was she doing all the way out here? There was no time for such questions, as her paws sent her body flying across the tundra, only strides behind Gent, who was quick to respond.

As three distinct figures grew in her vision, two darker than the other, her pace slowed from a sprint down to a steady, purposeful gait. Sylva appeared to be considerably shaken and frightened, but unharmed. The two males, she noted by their postures and expressions, seemed none too pleased with the yearling. Her molten eyes narrowed suspiciously on the girls face. What had she gotten herself into now? As she closed in to settle just to the side of her leader, the only greeting her pack mate received was a soft, rumbling growl of displeasure. Other than that, she mirrored the role of Wraith, sitting by patiently, stonily for an explanation. 

Sorry? Craw had scoffed at that, meaningless and irrelevant as the token sentiment was. Perhaps she really meant it, but it was too late for that. She'd already held out her tongue and gotten it bit - late apologising wasn't about to stem the bleeding.

But if that had been the end of the matter, she would either be dead or on her own by now, but no. She'd called for backup. And Craw was so keen to find out just who would bother to align themselves with such a pitiable creature.

Wraith spotted them first, the black Second shifting to come between his leader and the oncomers. Craw's eyes narrowed as he focused on them, black and brown, one shape large and the other decidedly average in comparison, ears pushing forwards as his tongue pressed against the back of his smallteeth, suppressing a hostile hiss. As the cavalry approached it became clearer who the dominant beast was, that great dark brute whose tail was resisting the urge to curl up and over. Craw contemplated standing, letting his own stance mirror this leader of a fool, but he did so like the impression that was given by choosing to remain sitting in the face of attempted threat.

But the only exchanged word was not directed at him, but at the very guilty-looking girl, and Craw had to respect that decision. "Yes, please do," he hissed, focus shifting from @Sylva's much more impressive-looking superior to the girl herself, joining all the others in putting the onus of explanation on the fool herself.

If she damned Craw and Wraith for her actions and denied her own, then all the more unforgivable.

The ebony yearling groaned internally as she saw a familiar shape loping toward her, growing by the second. The groan emitted yet again as she realized who the other that would be coming to her rescue was. @Gent and Jynx, Her mentor and the pack’s lead hunter. Her tail curled between her legs and her muzzle pointed toward the ground in shame as Gent demanded answers from her. Brown eyes flicked between all the scowls aimed at her and Sylva paused, trying to figure out the best way to explain. Instead of trying to be nitpicky with details, the girl fell onto her oldest habit and the easiest way to say something. Spew it all out without any filters.

“I came out this way to try some hunting when I picked up a scent I hadn’t recognized, thinking ti could be useful to gather more information about it, I followed it toward the pack’s boundaries, without crossing.” She knew it be wise to mention that as she sucked in a breath “Then the two of them appeared and there were brief words before I screwed up and insulted them without fully thinking, then he.” She gestured toward @Craw with her muzzle. “He came at me and I panicked, when i called for you…”

The girl kept her eyes pointed toward the ground, simply adding “It’s my fault.” She had resigned herself to whatever Gent decided to do with her later, her heart racing at the fear of banishment, the one thing she wouldn’t really be able to handle. She just wanted to get back to her plants at this point, curling in the corner of the infirmary den and never leave again.

ThoughtDialogue

brian, let me know if the muzzle grab isn't okay <3 wanted to get this up since you guys've been waiting long enough

Gent had been willing to start with giving Sylva the benefit of the doubt. Solidarity was vital, and he would first trust the young woman who spent every day at his side, despite her flaws, over a pair of strangers out in the tundra. Yet she willingly damned herself, and while her honesty was worthy, this confirmation of what he had always feared from her fractured the faith he'd begun to develop in her. It had been his reservation, what would have made him turn her away if @Raela wasn't present in his life to soften him. Even if the pack could tolerate her eccentric behavior and thoughtless rambling, outsiders could never be expected to. The image she presented to others would make them think less of the pack for harboring her, scarring and weakening their reputation.

The shade king could not tolerate such critical risks.

His long neck easily stretched the distance between them, jaws closing over the top of Sylva's snout in a flash. While he would not break the skin, his grip was rough, and a deep growl resonated from his throat into her skull. The communication was clear: this would not be overlooked, and she could expect further discipline once they were home.

Releasing her, it was clear in his posture that she was all but dismissed. She would receive no comfort from him as he moved on to seek resolution. His glacial eyes focused on the natives before him. Little changed about his posture, though no longer did he regard them with mistrust.

"What can be done to repair the damage she has done?"

(This post was last modified: Nov 18, 2016, 04:13 AM by Gent.)