Larkcall Lowlands hail rain or sunshine

RE: Whitestone Monadnock, one particularly cold morning absolutely everything is covered in hoarfrost.
Jan. 1st.
8 ° F, -14 ° C
@Mittani, @Craw, and others of WM. But please allow Mittani and Craw to post first. This thread will be kept fast moving to allow for plots to move forward.

Weariness dragged at the brute. In his time away, he'd lost weight. Wraith had forgotten how harsh the Far North could be and prey was not as readily found as he recalled, especially for a wolf traveling alone for much of the journey. There was a new cut under his eye from a nasty fall that could have been far worse, but all in all, he was whole in every sense of the word. His purpose for leaving in the first place had been fulfilled, but it would be a story to tell Craw at another time. No doubt his leader would be anxious to hear how the rest of his mission fared. The black male turned to his companion and offered a weary smile as they finally entered Larkcall. That he'd been willing to brave the harsh winter storm with him came as no surprise. He seemed tough as nails and less trustful of Wraith's story that Craw lived. Far from offended, the Northerner was grateful he'd accompanied him on the journey. As capable as the black wolf was, he missed his pack and the companionship that came with their presence. "Almost there," the brute assured as hoarfrost clung stubbornly to his whiskers. In the distance, Wraith could see the Monadnock and felt his heart swell. Home. There was home right there waiting. He nodded towards the monument, drawing Mittani's attention to it. "You can see it there." Falling quiet again - he was a poor travel companion for conversation, but did his best to answer any questions Mittani had on the way - he continued on with steadfast determination. Mostly, Mittani's questions felt like an interrogation. Wraith was luckily far from offended and didn't protest the inquisition. When finally within range, the brute threw up his head and howled out in his baritone voice a summons for his packmates. The note broke through the early morning cold. It felt like hope and love and home all rolled into one.

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de

(This post was last modified: Jan 01, 2017, 03:23 PM by Wraith.)

Mature language in Mittani's post! || @Wraith @Craw

So the fucker was still alive? He found that hard to believe and still did even as he followed this Wraith fella back to where Craw supposedly ruled. "I swear if this shit is false it'll get nasty quickly." He hadn't verbally thrown the warning out but it was likely given away with the way his eyes pierced through Wraith. But Mittani had trusted himself through the first five years through his life, why would his gut fail him now? While the others had stayed behind he almost preferred them to do such. Mittani and his ego were figuring he'd have a better time getting out of some sticky situation.

The closer they got to the giant monadnock the more fidgety he got. His voice broke out in rough tones. "This is where he picked to stay? Has he lost his goddamn mind?" Mittani ruthlessly cackled at his own words. Craw certainly had guts to want to live even near to such high grounds.

The "almost there" assured him that if Craw truly was here and not some franken-wolf or ghost, they were nearing in on him. A sight that Mittani's eyes were begging to see. He didn't do anything but offer a little chuff. A sign he heard the male but wasn't giving any words. Not even a thanks. He wouldn't have any reason to thank the other till he saw the large male. Even then it'd be debated if he could say thanks.

His ears pushed forward, eyes scanned around as Wraith called out. "How long, give or take, will it take for the truth to be before me? His voice laced thick with curiosity. He had come this far, surely he deserved to know how long his old friend would take now that they were upon his doorstep.

There was the vain hope that, if he spent evey spare moment (of which he had few) watching the horizon to the north, he might be fortunate enough to spot a black shape approaching. Occasionally, dark specks of movement would catch his eye as they roamed the snowy lowlands, but either they never came his way or he was able to identify them as deer, as coyote, as stranger. Each time he would huff and turn away, disappointed, with one more false alarm scratched into the cell wall of his mind.

Ever since hearing the impossibly beautiful news that his daughter was alive, desperate hope for Wraith's return had only grown, for now he had to wonder if his friend of the present might be accompanied by those of his past. He could have no idea how many were still alive, still in the fields of Ritter in the shadow of the Howler, how many had stayed there nor how many might want to find him again after so long. He would have thought himself dead, in their position, for nobody survived a tumble off those cliffs.

But if the tear-stained girl had been right, the strange girl who had known so much, his daughter believed... and if Roosemooth was truly with her, then he must believe, too.

I would have never abandoned you.

The odds that he might have been privileged enough to actually have his eyes on alert when Wraith returned were slim, so slim that when he saw yet another dark speck move slowly over the tundra, he suppressed the urge to hope. Instead he just watched, perched upon the very northern point of the monadnock, paws so close to the edge that below his thick blunt nails was only air. The dark shape grew larger, slowly, slowly, and was headed straight towards their territory, but still it was further away than some wanderers he had eagerly watched, only for them to turn away at the smell of their borders or just by chance, and so he still resisted hope. It was a while before he realised that the shape was not alone, for its companion was smaller and white and blended far better with the backdrop of snow. If anything, that just quashed his belief further; who would Wraith possibly travel with that matched that description?

Still he watched. He refused to look away until this, too, ended in clear disappointment. He ended up watching for so long that the frost which decorated every exposed surface began to grow on the tip of his tail.

The pair of wolves drew close, improbably close, teasingly close, and then they stopped and the call went up.

Craw moved faster than he had in months. Some of his packmates likely saw him as he sped past, racing to the goat track so that he might reach the ground and then  curl back around at the base of the monadnock and turn his paws that most delicious direction... north.

"Wraith," he breathed to himself as he ran to meet them, finally letting himself believe it, feeling as though he were taking the first sweet drink after a long drought. He slowed as he approached, if mostly because all-out sprinting had always been hard to sustain since the wound, but also so that he might bask in the sight a little before he came face-to-face with them, them, who was the other -

Tail wagging in shameless delight at this moment he had been waiting for every day since watching Wraith disappear over the horizon, he meant to sweep forward to greet his Second with great enthusiasm, to run his body alongside Wraith's and bump their cheeks and laugh, but -

"Morelli," he wheezed in utter disbelief, eyes widening as they fell on the unmistakable face stood next to Wraith, all his overt delight momentarily short-circuited as he realised what this could mean.

@Mittani

Wraith prides himself on being fairly unflappable. It is only the truly asinine that seem to get him riled like a particular tree-loving, loony female who doesn't know when to shut the -- He takes a breath. It is the same annoyance that flits through him now at Mittani's scoffing, biting remark in regards to his home, however, the brute is positive it has more to do with hunger and exhaustion than the white wolf himself. All in all, he was a fairly decent traveling companion and kept up even as Wraith recklessly traversed the mountains during a blizzard. He doesn't answer the male's question after he howls. Instead, golden eyes scan the horizon, blood practically thrumming with sudden anxiety. His ache to see Craw has been a constant throughout his travels, but now it hummed just beneath the surface and his limbs trembled in a way that has little to do with the frost and wind around them. Spotting the spider-faced male, a quiet whine worked its way up his throat while his tail began wagging furiously, windmilling in his excitement. He watched as his Alpha ran to greet him, tail just as happy as his own. Rather than greeting him as Wraith fully expected, Craw paused. His annoyance returned ten-fold. In a rather un-Wraith-like fashion, the dark male closed the distance between them and nipped his brother gently across the muzzle. Shock or not over his companion, that was far from the kind of greeting he deserved. Of course, it was easily forgiven and Wraith rubbed against his friend, mingling their scents and reaffirming bonds that had been stretched too thin in his travels. "Me first," the Second grumbled grouchily, though his subtle smile would be easy for Craw to spot above anyone. Finally leaning back to take stock of Craw, Wraith's tone relayed the weariness he felt. "We have much to discuss. But food and home would be much appreciated first. And maybe a nap." Seeing as how Craw was still apparently dumbstruck, Wraith glanced back at Mittani and inclined his head towards the Monadnock. "Since he's too rude to invite you himself, welcome to Whitestone Monadnock," though it was said with a smile to let all know he was teasing.

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de

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

@Wraith @Craw

excuse me for my plastic taste

There was no answer, to both his joke and question and almost instantly Mittani could feel his blood boil. "Deep breaths. You haven't ripped into him this far, and there's no need to make a mess on his doorstep." The opposite duo had made it this far and that on its own was impressive. The poet would never admit it but he admired the dark lad for so boldly guiding them through the winter storms. It was no wonder why Craw would want such a male on his side.

Time healed all wounds. But dear lord did it also rip some wounds back open. The sight of another large male moving was enough to get Mittani to take a neutral pose. Not submitting but in no way claiming dominance. While his ego may be big he was no fool. The closer the 'stranger' got the more his pale golden eyes narrowed in. This was what he had come all this way to see, was it not? He hadn't taken a stroll in lovely spring weather. He had ripped through blizzards and frost with Wraith to see the proof.

"Morelli,"

And that was all he got.

The pale coated man didn't speak. Instead, his eyes raked over the scene before him. How Wraith interacted with Craw and so selfishly said "Me first,". Was he a child? Did he need Craw to hold his hand and praise him? It made him sick and perhaps even jealous. There was more talk from the male who had been his only company for a while. Talk of food and home. So this truly was where Craw picked to lay his head at night. Damn fool he was. What did it take to scare that hardened man?

A fakely polite nod was given towards Wraith before his eyes fell upon the spider again. Mittani still hadn't spoken and there were a thousand and one things he could think to say. "I find out you're alive, I heavily doubted it, acknowledge it's the worst time of year for travel, and still come all this way with one of your men. Yet all I'll get is Morelli?" He scoffed before he offered Craw a true smile. "You're damn lucky I like you, Craw." The poet growled his words in an affectionate way that perhaps only the spider would understand.

His head turned partially to look at Wraith. "He's right, though. You won't get much out of me except for teeth if I don't get some rest soon. A bite to eat would be nice but I won't overstay my welcome." The Morelli male couldn't keep the smirk off his face. So the fortune teller had been right. Craw was alive and mostly well.

let these moments go to waste

She cursed under her breath as the call went up, of course she was on the other side of the monadnock when he finally got home. A smile was on her face, the sort that was usually only reserved for @Craw or their children. He was back. Finally, and maybe now she would manage a decent nights sleep the like of which she hadn't managed to enjoy since he went on his little pilgramage north.

It didn't cross her mind that he might have company, and even as she spotted the white stranger she didn't slow her racing gallop, because it was plain to see that Craw had beaten her and so even if things did suddenly turn nasty well, the stranger was outnumbered. Her tail waved furiously and her paws thundered through the snow, ears turned back and tongue flopping madly as she made no effort to slow or conceal her approach. If @Wraith didn't brace himself or jump out of the way she would no doubt bowl him clean over in her attempt to make sure he started smelling as he should in the shortest possible order.

A sound somewhere between a whine and a growl was offered in place of words. There was no denying she was happy to have him back.

The hesitation and distraction was so unlike him, for they all knew Craw as a decisive and reactive wolf who was thrown off kilter by little... and yet here they were, with him staring at the arctic wolf like a fool. It would have been a short-lived shock, for while his engine had momentarily stalled, it was being swiftly restarted again. Not fast enough for the two travellers, though, who both displayed their impatience and displeasure in their own ways - Wraith by sweeping forward to close the gap that Craw had failed to do, and Mittani in his steely, judgemental glare. Even though a small part of Craw twinged unhappily at seeing it - a younger part of himself who had feared the man - another part of him swooped with glee. There was no mistaking it, this was @Mittani Morelli himself, and the implications of his presence were vast and glorious.

Growling his excitement as Wraith brushed against him, he snapped gently back in his companion's direction in affectionate acknowledgement of his Second's displeasure and pushing back so that their scents would properly mingle once more. "Brother," he crooned into Wraith's ear, the I missed you implicit even if unspoken. His reboot was still finishing up when first Wraith then Mittani spoke, otherwise he would have interrupted them swiftly, and yet hearing that smooth voice straight from his past was enough to threaten to make him stall all over again. Fortunately, he'd composed himself quite well enough by then, nostalgia soaring just by looking at the smaller white man who had clearly not changed one bit.

"Mittani, my friend, forgive me," he wheezed, stepping away from Wraith's side with a last needy brush of his cheek along the black wolf's neck so that he could more properly attend to their guest - for Mittani was perfectly right, of course. This was hardly a reunion grand enough under the circumstances, nor one to suit the white poet's ego. "If I had known you were coming I would have readied a welcome to befit you - it is so good to see you again."

It was about this point that he noticed movement in his peripherals, heard Morganna assault their long-awaited companion enthusiastically, and the spider smiled, feeling more whole than he had this morning. Content that Wraith was getting the kind of welcome he deserved, Craw felt comfortable paying a little more attention to their other esteemed guest - and despite knowing that they were likely tired and wished to rest and eat before getting into it, his need to know was insurmountable, though he forced it down for the sake of etiquette, of not pushing them too hard too soon, perhaps even in fear of the chance he might get an answer he didn't like.

He shook his head when thinking of Mittani's last comment, growing smile on his scarred face. "My home is your home, always. How can you expect anything but my greatest hospitalities? We have meat and shelter - come, rest, both of you." And he glanced between Mittani and Wraith, and the need was boiling over, but he managed to control himself. Wraith had said it only moments ago - but Craw affirmed it nonetheless.

"We have so very much to talk about."

(This post was last modified: Jan 03, 2017, 12:35 PM by Craw.)

His Alpha's grumble was a welcome one and Wraith took the affectionate nip without complaint, smile broadening. That was much better, he thought with satisfaction. Brother. The sentiment was shared in kind as the male rubbed his head firmly beneath @Craw's chin, heedless of their company. He cared little for @Mittani's thoughts on their reunion. While it may change, he was not pack now and would not understand. Even if he did join the ranks, it was still unlikely he would ever understand the bond he and Craw shared. An oddly possessive satisfaction settled in his belly. As Craw stepped away to give their guest a proper welcome, Wraith's ears perked high on his head and the open-mouthed grin flashed quickly. @Morganna. His heart felt full to bursting when minutes before, it had been flagging low. He was home and now surrounded by pack, pack, pack. Wraith side-stepped his other leader's head-on assault enough to avoid impact, but not avoid the solid brush along his side. The brute turned quickly, tail wind-milling all over again as she gave him a far more proper greeting that Craw had. He'd already forgiven his brother, knowing well the male had a lot to take in with seeing an old friend. Morganna's whine-growls were met with Wraith's own and he nipped excitedly at her, tongue darting along her muzzle and face and ears and neck. He wanted nothing more than to curl up with his family after a good meal and sleep for days. "I missed you," he told her, voice soft and low with emotion. "How are the pups?" There was some disappointment for not seeing them immediately. He wondered how much they have grown since he left. Guilt for leaving assaulted him all over again - how was their training going? More importantly, had someone been mucking up all his progress?? He caught Craw's eye and nodded. Indeed. A mix of good and bad news, but Wraith liked to think there was more good than bad. "Let's go home," he suggested, already angling towards the Monadnock with Morganna alongside him.

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de

@Craw @Morganna @Wraith

well no church will listen to your sins

The group grew bigger by one more wolf. A dark female who was much much closer to him in size than the two giants. This was the Mittani Morelli, though. One wolf's height had never scared him before and it obviously didn't unsettle him now. He was still the smallest man among them but he knew perhaps he was the most glorious of them. Even if Craw had escaped death he still needed to know if it was for the best. Mittani would agree that perhaps they were both living legends.

He watched as more touchy feely scenes unfolded before him. His mind was quickly swept away by the spider's words. "Craw, you were forgiven the moment you arrived." His lips twitched into the form of a soft smirk. "But I would not have turned down a readied welcome. It's truly nice to see you in the flesh, my friend. I deem you a truly living legend now." Pale golden eyes gleamed with a bit of pride as they looked over Craw more. He couldn't be more proud to call this man a friend and an ally. Anyone who survived a cliff fall was more than alright in his book.

"And you know I have and always will offer you the same politeness." With a swift movement he neared Craw's large form. His body still neutral as he attempted to offer a friendly nip to the man's shoulder. "I do believe that between me and him," Mittani's head nodded in the direction of Wraith. "that we can tell you everything you want and need to know." The spider had every right to hear what went on up in the northern regions he once called home. The pale poet was intent on letting him know every last thing and then some.

oh no, no church will take you in