Larkcall Lowlands Mixed Messages

@Craw first, @Renier if he wants to pop in for lols
Whitestone Monadnock, it looks like someone has been messing with your cache!

Despite the barren appearance of the tundra, it was packed with all manner of prey - the clearly spotted larger animals were appealing enough, but now that their youngsters had found their feet they posed a greater challenge without the assistance of other wolves. The small lake at the base of their home was teaming with all manner of fish (although Morganna had no wish to try her paw at fishing - ever again), and the nearby pond was equally stocked. With fish came birds, and smaller mammals that fed on the fish and drank the water - there was no shortage of options in this veritable smorgasbord.

Her mind wandered as she considered where best to store the marmot, growing heavy in her jaws, as she approached the impressive cliff face of their home. She was quickly snapped from her wandering thoughts however, at the first sign of recently turned earth and a scent that didn't belong to any of her pack mates. While it was outside pack borders it was stupidly close and with the scent of a fresh kill in her nose all she could determine was that the scent was wron.

Morganna dropped the marmot and called for Craw. Was this recent development one that he was aware of?

And open to all WM!

The sound of her voice always cut cleanly through anything he was currently focused on. Having already been descending the track to take a walk to the lake, her summons - with a hint of concern, was it? - instantly became his highest priority. So dark against the paler green of the tundra, he was able to spot her form before fully reaching the ground, and, knowing confidently which direction to go in, turned his paws towards her and increased his pace to a steady lope. It hadn't been urgent, but he did so hate to keep her waiting.

The marmot at her feet was given a cursory glance and dismissed as the cause for her call. Instead, his eyes fell easily on the very same oddity which had stopped her, and as he approached their borders with a growing frown, it was only once he was close did he recognise the scent - and, with a somewhat possessive and unsettled growl, moved to run his chin over Morganna's head. Where once that scent might have brought a passive sort of cheer, now it was decidedly sour.

"The fuck is he doing," Craw grumbled, stepping towards the fresh mound and poking at it with his nose, almost as though it were a pile of droppings rather than a leavings of meat. It smelled of caribou - Renier must have scavenged it from some corpse and thought to leave a message. Considering how Craw had had to accept that he understood the man much less than he had once thought, that could have been a number of things. Still, he couldn't help but look down on it with irritated pity, lip twitching as he fought the faint, feral urge to snarl at it.

Craw voiced the words she had uttered in her own mind growing more and more confused with every interaction. Had she known he had feelings for her? She had thought so once, before everything got so damn complicated and now? She was happy. Wasn't that enough for him to leave her be?

Apparently not.

"Maybe he's tryin' ter apologise?" she wasn't so certain herself, "When Willow Ridge was  new, b'fore I was born, Angier used ter leave gifts fer th' pack cos they didn' 'ave room fer 'im..." but their's wasn't a space issue. It was an attitude problem far better addressed in person surely.

Peachy eyes surveyed the tundra for any sign of the tawny Lyall, but he would have a far better chance of laying concealed than she would. She snorted into the air, unsure how to take this latest development. She thought to go after him herself - bite him in the ass and try to shake a straight answer out of him, but she wasn't sure her mate would approve and she did have children to care for. 'Maybe @Wraith could shake a straight answer outta him?" she suggested, not truly expecting Craw to go for it. 

But clearly neither of them could manage it.

The sound of a howl broke through the calm silence that had surrounded the young male, as he sat sprawled contentedly outside the entrance of the main pack den. Russet ears perked up and he listened to the familiar vocals, instantly recognising them to belong to his new alpha female Morganna. Lorcan titled his head to one side as he shuffled his large paws beneath him to shift himself up onto his feet. The call had clearly been for Craw, but that didn't stop the newest member of Whitestone Monadnock from following it out of curiosity.

His tail swayed eagerly behind him as he began to make his way down from the steep rocky cliffside where the den was located and trotted out towards the edge of the territorial boundaries where their claimed land merged with the tundra lowlands. It didn't take Lorcan long to spot the dark silhouette of Morganna along with the monochrome figure of Craw. Golden eyes narrowed as he walked towards them, trying to work out what it was that had caught his superiors' attention. He could hear the faint muffle of talking, but it was only when he approached them from a closer distance that he was able to catch what was being discussed. "Maybe Wraith could shake a straight answer outta him?"

Approaching respectfully, Lorcan curled his tail between his legs and folded his ears back. Golden eyes peered past their shoulders before lowering to the ground as he noticed the object of their attention - some recently disturbed soil and the lingering scent of caribou. Salmon pink tongue swept shyly at his lips, unsure if his presence would be appreciated as it has not been him that Morganna had called for, but asked his question regardless as he approached from behind the pair. "You know who did this?" Lorcan raised a brow, unsure of how to interpret the disturbance.

(This post was last modified: Jul 30, 2016, 10:28 AM by Lorcan.)

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

Apologise? Craw acknowledged the possibility with a grunt, nudging at the mound with a paw in distaste. The story about Angier was touching, but hardly applicable, not unless he'd been able to sour his relationship with Elettra beforehand. It wasn't that they didn't have room for him, for they had plenty. It was that they didn't have room for someone inconsistent, unstable and disrespectful. @Morganna didn't sound all too convinced herself, but Craw could understand if she wanted to see the best in @Renier, even if he was rapidly running out of patience to attempt the same. There was only so long one could leave a bridge alight before it burned down completely, and Renier had been quite careless with where he left his matches.

Some piece of meat left by a wolf too cowardly to just talk to them wasn't about to fix that.

Her next suggestion had a little more merit, and Craw glanced up from where he had been glaring at the mound to find her eyes, and he softened. Were it up to him, he would leave the bridge on fire, but if she harboured hope that it could be put out, then he would not dash it. He rumbled softly in agreement, ghosting his nose along her muzzle, when the sight of another approaching them brought his eyes and ears twisting onto their company. His tail made a nominal twitch upwards at the presence of a subordinate, but @Lorcan's submissive display was more than enough for both parties. The question was sensible, and Craw ground his teeth as he turned back to look at the mound, wondering if Morganna was better suited to answer than he. Her relationship with Renier had certainly been more complicated than Craw's own - which was exactly why they were in this perplexing situation, no doubt.

"A wolf from our previous pack," he answered quietly, stepping to the side a little, just enough to make it clear that Lorcan was welcome to approach if he wanted. "Renier Lyall. He came by this way not long ago." He licked his lips, and glanced at Morganna, passing the rights to an explanation to her. Renier was her mess. He'd help her clean it up in whatever way she decided, certainly, but it was still her mess.

What more was there to say that hadn't already been said? She offered a shrug to @Craw's glance, everyone else knew - what harm could there be to telling @Lorcan too? "The children are mine, but 'e wishes ter lay some claim to'em... or at least 'e did. No doubt this is meant ter be fer them but as ter what he's thinkin', I never could figure tha' out." She hardly percieved the Lyall as a threat but it wouldn't hurt the Whitestone wolves to keep on their toes when dealing with him.

Once again she had to wonder if she should have tracked him down after their last encounter, but wouldn't that be twisting the knife some more? Perhaps he was just a sadist and enjoyed to torture himself this way? Maybe it was a farewell gift... She could only hope it was some sign of acceptance, and that if he came back he would show her mate the proper respect. It wouldn't kill him to take a leaf out of Lorcan's book, the young man was respectful above all else. There was no need to remind him of his place. A puff of air escaped her mouth through clenched teeth. He had his chance just like everyone else and had let her down just as badly as Skoll had. "I better get this ter th' kids." she indicated to her own kill dropped a few feet away. They were welcome to join her, or investigate further. She had no desire to dwell on it herself.

(This post was last modified: Aug 14, 2016, 10:29 PM by Morganna.)

Renier Lyall. The name meant nothing to him, but as the young subordinate listened closely to Craw's and Morganna's explanation, it was clear that the name belonged to a wolf who held some kind of significance in their past. An acquaintance from their previous pack trying to claim the children of the monadnock - who does that?. Morganna's hint towards the confusing situation that surrounded the parentage of the monadnock pups was completely lost to Lorcan - he had always believed the pups to be Craw's and had observed no reason to doubt his assumption. Therefore the situation around Renier didn't sit well with Lorcan, and as he slowly traipsed forward and neatly positioned himself to sit upright between the pair of alphas, he shot a questioning glance towards Craw with furrowed brows before stepping forward to sniff the buried cache suspiciously.

When Morganna turned to leave with the marmot she had caught earlier for the pups, Lorcan didn't follow suit. "How do we know that he won't return?" He spoke in a hushed voice to Craw, not wanting to concern or worry Morganna. Someone that wanted to lay claim someone else's children for their own must've had some kind of motive, or they may even be dangerous - no wonder they wanted Wraith to sort him out. Whilst Lorcan was not one for confrontation, he couldn't just sit by and do nothing. "I can keep an eye on the borders and the lowlands - in case he makes another appearance?" Lorcan quietly proposed the question to Craw, head cocking to one side as he watched his alpha carefully for a reaction. If he made himself present around the lowlands and around the pack borders he could hopefully stay aware of anyone suspicious that happened to be wandering close nearby. 

(This post was last modified: Aug 15, 2016, 02:03 PM by Lorcan.)

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

Two more and done? happy for it to be Lorcan -> Craw if you want Morg to have exited, becu :)

It was clear that the truth behind the children's paternity was still a mystery to @Lorcan, who hadn't picked up on any of the admittedly extremely obscure hints. Not that it mattered; in all important ways, Odin and @Kara were now very much his. @Renier might have been welcomed to the monadnock with open arms had he come across differently, as a happily familiar face and another soul devoted to the wellbeing of the pack's youngest. @Wraith had proven it was possible - or perhaps that man's sense of loyalty and priorities were simply much more refined than the average wolf? Whatever the case, Craw knew he faced no challenge from his Second, but now would always wonder if he had to concern himself with the same from a Lyall he had once considered a friend.

Whatever the case, Morganna was to waste no time and energy on it, and Craw couldn't blame her. Chuffing softly as she indicated her intention to get back to her young, Craw grazed her flank with his nose as she passed, lingering only because he could tell that Lorcan was doing the same. And besides - he wanted to make sure that Renier was definitely long gone, and would follow her back once that was confirmed. "We don't," he admitted to Lorcan, but didn't add that he wouldn't mind another encounter all too much; next time, Renier would not be met warmly. At his subordinate's offer of help, Craw huffed in quiet appreciation, a smile curling at his lips. "If you do, tell him he's an idiot. I'm going to try to catch a fresh scent, see whether he's loitering; do you want to come?"

I’m happy for you to fade etc if you wanted to @Craw :)

Lorcan watched with silent admiration as Craw sifted his scarred muzzle through Morganna’s ebony fur moments before she slunk away with her catch and Craw lingered back. Lorcan lowered his head respectfully in understanding when Craw answered his question, brows furrowing in concern. At Craw’s next comment, the agouti subordinate was unable to suppress the dark grin which crawled across his charcoal lips – sensing the mocking tone in his superior’s raspy voice.

Lorcan had been about to turn to leave, intent on lingering around the marked pack boundaries for any sign of the unwelcome male, but Craw spoke up first with alternative suggestion. One which Lorcan was very much interested in as it would be the perfect opportunity to work alongside his alpha and prove how serious he was about integrating into and providing for the pack. He might have only joined the Monadnock a few days ago, but Lorcan was determined to get stuck-in where possible. “Sure, I’d be happy join you, Sir.” He responded, russet ears falling flat against his head and tail curling briefly between his legs in submission. Then he took a few steps away and immediately lifted his muzzle to the air, hoping to catch the stranger’s scent on the breeze, as he waited to allow Craw to lead the way.

(This post was last modified: Oct 25, 2016, 03:38 PM by Lorcan.)

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

@Morganna @Lorcan, archived :)

The wannabe medic was only fresh to the monadnock, but already Craw had determined the man's type, and it was without surprise that Lorcan confirmed it when he consented to coming along for the ride. Obedient, respectful, agreeable - all things Craw liked in a subordinate. He got enough attitude from the others that Lorcan's almost effortless submission was a breath of fresh air. He regarded the smaller man for a moment, before snorting quietly to himself and nodding once, pleased.

If @Renier was to be found, then they would find him. Craw did not know whether to expect him to be long gone or not, for who left a gift like that without desiring reconciliation? And on the other hand, who acted so obliviously, knowing the kinds of wolves he was disrespecting, and think that a measly leaving of meat would make up for it?

Stepping towards Lorcan as he sniffed at the air, Craw touched his nose to his subordinate's cheek in affirmation and appreciation of his behaviour, before chuffing his command for the man to follow as he strode away. Renier could learn a lot from this one.