Oak Tree Bend what do we got here?

At the top of the last hill, Teshi had gravely considered tucking his chin under and rolling himself down the next slope. His legs were starting to shake from weariness, and he'd run out of thoughts to distract himself about two miles ago. Look how pretty the grass is, he tittered, to trick himself into distraction.

Nope, not quite convincing enough. He chuffed a sigh and rolled his eyes. A large bird soared lazily overhead then, its claws curved around a small carcass, and this was sufficient development to occupy his attention—would it drop its load, haha, or would it not—until he crested the hill. He sent the bird off with a fond gaze. Thanks, pal.

It was a pretty little scene below; he counted at least one creek and plenty of sunbeams. But what set his tail to wagging, albeit slowly due to his lack of non-hunger, was the pervasive scent of a wolf family. A number of blood relatives occupied this space, not just a collection of lone wolves banding together out of necessity. He hadn't run into a proper family since he'd left the Warbler Forest tribe, and he felt a pang of fond regret at remembering them. If only they'd liked to travel! But here was his next chance to meet some fine, interesting folk who could teach him their traditions... And possibly tell him where the rabbits liked to nest.

His stomach gnawed at him in a petty reminder of what he was missing. Paying it no mind—wretched, ungrateful scoundrel—Teshi cleared his throat and tilted his head back. He shot a clear, fairly brief announcement into the still air.

Hey there. Anybody home?

Hi Misa! I just wanted to let you know I am away this weekend for my convocation so please don't feel like I'm ignoring you if I don't post between Friday and Monday <3

The pups were getting older. Aponi was beginning to spend more and more time away from the den as long as there was another adult available to watch them. In the next few days the mother would start to spend hours away from the triplets so she could hunt on her own and slowly start to get back to her regular routine. Which was why when a howl came from the borders it was the perfect opportunity for the alpha to stretch her legs and explore some of her regained freedom. Chuffing to alert the pack she waited until one of the yearlings took over her watchful position to keep an eye on the pups rolling around in the grass.

It took several minutes before the silver queen arrived at the borders to take stock of who had called for them. Her appearance spoke volumes about her current state and the age of her children, her sides still slightly plumper than normal and her teats heavy with milk. Yet her head was still held confidently high and her tail curled over her back in a display of dominance, her blue eyes sweeping over the loner and making quick calculations. Older than the yearlings that occasionally showed up at their doors and better fed than some of the other loners that came seeking acceptance. Overall, a decent physical impression.

Casting her gaze upwards towards the man's face she broke the silence that had stretched out since Aponi arrived, "Aponi Donata of Oak Tree Bend." This was all she said, she knew why the stranger was probably here and it was time for him to speak his piece.

OOC: All good! Happy graduation!! :D


Teshi had stretched himself out on the grass to wait, hoping to conserve some energy for the arrival of whoever would show up to greet him. He was soon lost in contemplation of the miniature flowers that bloomed in a heavy carpet nearby, and he nearly forgot what he was waiting for when he heard pawsteps approaching from the forest nearby. He scrambled up into a more presentable posture. The heavy scent of den and milk accompanied the stranger's appearance, and Teshi reacted automatically with a happy wag of his tail.

The female who had come to see about him was impressive in stature. She reminded him of the fish he'd seen in the rushing rivers to the east, the ones that leaped mightily against the current—against what felt like the very command of nature itself. She sported a couple of scars across her face that only served to deepen her intimidating presence. Teshi lowered his eyes so he wouldn't stare, but he winced inwardly in sympathetic pain.

As she drew closer, he threw himself to the ground, presenting his belly with slow sweeps of his tail. He wondered if this would be anything like when he met the Warbler pack, who had been so warm and inviting that he'd hardly showed up at their borders before they were welcoming him into their ranks. His heartbeat quickened hopefully.

Her voice was as commanding as the rest of her. As she spoke, Teshi found himself straining his ears to make sure he didn't miss a single syllable. What a musical name; he found himself putting it to a tune when she said it. Aaaaponi Donaaaataaaa. He righted himself slightly, still low to the ground, and flicked his eyes upward occasionally as he replied.

"Hello, Aponi Donata"—he tried not to sing it—"of Oak Tree Bend. I'm Teshi. I come here from the east, from a pack in Warbler Forest." His voice softened. "Congratulations on your new additions. I understand that, as a new parent, you're fairly suspicious of strangers stopping by. But I was hoping to make a home here, and I gladly offer you my services in hunting, guarding, or pup-sitting. Your land seems like a beautiful place to live, and your pack appears to be an admirably strong family. Would you be so kind as to have me?"

Aponi was ultimately pleased with the immediate display of submission as the loner rolled over to display his belly. She was not one to strike out without reason, especially since she needed her physical strength to raise her newborns but knowing that she could calmed her nerves. The Donata was not one who trusted easily and the current state of the pack did not ease this, everything was about Mabel, Ayla and Corsair as it should be. That meant that any loners allowed within the ranks would be in close contact with them, it was not an easy thought to hurdle.

Still, the flashed belly and respectful aversion of his eyes allowed Aponi to lower her tail to a slightly more neutral position. As expected Teshi had called upon their borders hoping for a place within their ranks, as most loners who call upon a pack ask for. Again her blue eyes cast over his overall appearance, noting that while he was slim he was not malnourished. Obviously he was able to survive on his own which bode well for his hunting abilities.

But joining a pack was not that easy, especially a pack with small children. His words addressed her concerns but anyone could talk, "Have you been formally trained in any specific role Teshi?" Jack of all trades were a good addition to the pack but a wolf who had some kind of speciality would be even better. Other than Ice as their guardians the others mostly hunted small game and lent their abilities in any way the pack needed.

Seeing Aponi relax her posture, however minutely, the former Warbler allowed himself to flash her a reassuring grin. He knew that asking to join a pack with fresh babies was a gamble. He was honestly a little surprised, and greatly relieved, that she was entertaining the notion at all. It was nice of her to humor him at least. When she asked if he had any formal training, though, he dipped his ears back in a brief show of contrition.

Teshi wasn't given to speaking puffery of himself; he preferred to let others form their opinions and tended to not go out of his way to change them. Though he had never completely failed at anything he'd put his mind to learning, he certainly couldn't claim any sort of professional development in a particular field. If he said no, would she instantly dismiss him? Maybe that was their pack's "thing," that everyone had to have a special role in the pack. But if he said yes, and he was asked to prove himself, he was unlikely to impress in any exercise she might choose to put him through.

In the end, his sense of honesty prevailed. "No formal training, but I would be willing to learn whatever skill your pack would like to see strengthened. I'm a quick learner, and fairly quick in general." He smiled gently and joked, "Not the worst dancer either."

He was taking a risk in joking with her. His sense of humor didn't always jive with other wolves, and he couldn't claim to know Aponi well enough at all to assume she would appreciate his attempt. Still, if this was a pack that didn't like jokes, he wouldn't want to stay. He'd always been around laughter.

Her question was met with a brief silence and the woman found a single silver brow to slowly raise in response. Aponi had figured it was simple enough and had to wonder if Teshi was trying to come up with an elaborate rouse in an attempt to join ranks in the pack. In the end his answer was as simple as the question had warranted, though a joke was attached at the end. The alpha felt a side of her lip twitch upwards into a lopsided smile though no laughter rang through the trees. There was a time and place and the Donata was as poised as ever during formal leadership duties.

"Most of our ranks have no formal training or role so you will not find yourself to be alone in that regard. We do have cubs born this spring and our biggest needs fall within filling the caches, marking the borders and keeping them in line. Are these duties you believe you can fulfill?" They were simple tasks and could seem rather tedious but it was the grunt work that kept the pack alive. Without hunters and gatherers they would starve, without guarded borders they could be stolen from or attacked, without pupsitters Aponi would start pulling her own fur out.

Welcome back!

Teshi saw the slightest tilt to her lip after his joke, and he breathed an inward sigh of relief. Some wolves didn't condone humor, especially when fulfilling their duties as superiors, but he was glad to see that she tolerated it even if she didn't encourage it outright. Aaaaaaponi confirmed that other members of their pack weren't trained in particular skills, which again relieved Teshi. She went on to list a few typical duties that would be expected of him, and he wagged his tail as though to demonstrate his readiness.

"Oh absolutely," he replied with vim.

He might have waxed on about his willingness to fill in any spot or chat with her a little more about the cubs, but he sensed that she wasn't the most loquacious of beings and so restrained himself. Maybe another time, when she wasn't trying to fulfill an alpha duty. He looked forward to catching her in a more relaxed state; maybe he would hear a joke from her in return.

He could tell they were in need of more members, if no one was formally trained; smaller packs tended to contain members with minor expertise in all skills. His arrival, and his eagerness to contribute, was probably welcome in that case. In the meantime, he held himself very still, as though worried the slightest twitch would cause her to disapprove of him.

There is a deer that was killed by a lynx nearby. +10 Health

Thanks for being so patient! I will fade out and archive on my next post

Well this was all going along swimmingly. While certainly not her first joiner since she had taken the helms of Oak Tree Bend it was the first since the arrival of her and Serach's children. Teshi's tail wagged in apparent enthusiasm at the list of duties that Aponi had given and his answer while only but two words carried enough gusto to convince the alpha. It would seem that the pack would have another new addition, though this one was clearly much older than the pups and hopefully less needy as well.

Lowering her tail so it no longer flew upwards in superiority she granted Teshi a full smile from the smirk that she had worn before. Nodding her head once in finality she declared, "Well then, welcome to Oak Tree Bend Teshi." With her words she moved forward to press her sides against each of his flanks, marking him with her scent. Now should any of the other stumble upon him before they had been told about their newest member they would have no questions about whether he was supposed to be within the borders or not.

Packs with new pups could be a bit testy after all, Teshi wouldn't want to get on the bad side of their guardian or anyone else for that matter.

No worries! Thanks for accepting Teshi!

Her smile, when it came, was soft and beautiful. It eased the lines on her face and made it seem as though they had been two pals, trading stories of old times. Teshi found himself grinning back in response. Aponi nodded once, and the traveling jester's heart thudded joyfully in his chest. He hardly needed her next words.

Welcome to Oak Tree Bend. Teshi kept himself still while his new alpha—his alpha!—marked him as one of her own. He breathed his new scent in fondly, tickled that he now smelled like babies. He gave a brief whine of enthusiasm.

"Time to meet the rest of the family?" he queried, stepping forward at an excited clip.

How strange it was to be using that word again after so much time alone. And yet, how natural. His tail flew in quick strokes behind him. Head still lowered at a respectful height, he glanced up at the Oak Tree Bend leader with shining eyes. Wherever she led him now, he was obligated to follow. And as long as she, and the rest of the pack, looked after him, he would return the favor. That was how family worked, right?