Mountain of Dire Fallout

@Pip late afternoon cold, light snow.

It had been a few days since she'd talked to Anastasia that Oksana had been thinking about what had been said. Then pale woman had seemed determined to learn what she could so she could help. Oksana didn't know if anything could be done and maybe she'd let her hopes of being able to see her mother again get the better of her. She made her decision she had to go and find Inna and bring her back to Driftwood.

She was sure it would take some convincing but if Ana wanted to talking her Inna needed to be there. The thought that maybe things could be better fueled the crow across the border and through the forest that surrounded her new home. She didn't stop searching for any sign of her mother as she went. Moving through the trees and jumping over small streams. The pup didn't leave any place unchecked. It wasn't until the ground started to get more rocky that she wondered if she'd gone too far. Inna was out there though and she could be anywhere. Oksana knew she had to go she had to at least try.

She started to climb the rock until she was high up but on a path which she followed. It was covered in snow and a couple of times her hind leg or a foreleg would slip but she caught herself and continued her search. Until her hind leg slipped once more but this time she didn't catch herself and she fell over the ledge. A loud yelp filling the air as she fell and with a thud and another yelp she landed on a ledge. Whines came from her throat as she tried to pull herself up with her front legs but couldn't put any weight on it. Oksana looked around and realized she couldn't get down or up from the ledge. “HELP,” she yelled with little hope anyone would hear her.

What was she going to do?

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@Oksana

The mute had found she really loved this area. The nearby pack was kind and tolerating her presence - at least the ones she'd met so far had - and they didn't seem too bothered by her catching small prey for herself and fish nearby in the lake. In return, Pip would bring fish to their borders as a gift of thanks every now and then. It was gorgeous, too, the way the snow glinted off the mountain side. Lost in thoughts, she wagged her tail. It wasn't until she ran across a familiar scent that she took note.

Oh! It's that little pup I taught how to fish a little! Oksana, Pip recalled fondly. Interested to see where she was heading, the little female followed after her, curious when her trail headed up the mountain side. Wasn't that a little dangerous? What was she looking for up there? Hopefully not prey.

Concerned, Pip trotted up, careful of her footing. Just because she was older didn't mean she was any less prone to slipping. The snow made it easy to see Oksana's paw placement and avoid areas where she'd lost her balance, but the farther the trail went, the more instances Pip found of scuffed snow. And then she heard the shrill cry for help. Oksana!

Treading a fine line between being careful and being fast, Pip rushed to where she heard the call. Her heart leaped into her throat when she saw the girl had fallen to a ledge below with no way of getting back up. The mute stomped on the snow to get her attention. Was she okay? Pip hunkered down and tried to stretch far enough to reach her, thinking to pull her up by her scruff. But the agouti was far too short to reach and likely not strong enough on her own either. She...she had to get help. But leaving the girl on her own... The mute danced on her paws, uncertain of what to do. It wasn't like she could call for help - and it had been only luck that she was around to hear Oksana's call in the first place.

The crow was worried that she would never be found as she stared up at the palace where she'd fallen. She could see the snow was disturbed and hoped that maybe someone would see it and know she was down there. She knew that wasn't likely because snow was falling from the sky and would eventually cover her tracks. The fear that she wouldn't get help finally settling in causing her to whimper. She'd tried calling for help, an effort to keep some hope alive but that slowly left her.

As did the adrenaline from the fall which brought her attention to the fact that her side and her front leg hurt badly. When she tried to put weight in it she couldn't even bare a small amount of pressure and it caused her to yelp once more.

She was getting angry at herself for being so stupid to try and climb the mountain to find her mother. She bent her head to lick her injured leg hoping it would sooth the pain that was going through it but it wasn't helping.

Her attention was pulled away when some snow fell beside her and she heard a thudding noise above her. Happy tears started falling from her eyes. Oh, Violet I am so happy to see you, I think I hurt my leg really bad, she said as she watched the woman try to get to her. Oksana tried to raise herself up on her back legs to try and make it easier for Violet to help her. It didn't work, the ledge was too low. Maybe there is someone who can help? She asked, Maybe Reid or Lachesis? They are in my pack. Please Violet, She called up hoping that the surge wouldn't be too far.

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Shallow water has trapped several fish in a small pond. Hunt Opportunity

Calling any and all Driftwood Surge wolves! Pip has crossed DS borders fully and come into the heart of the territory looking for help. EDIT: Also, permission given to anyone to enact any form of punishment they wish so long as she isn't maimed or killed. c:

Pip was relieved to know the girl was at least conscious. While pain was evident in her voice, she was maintaining well enough for an injured pup. Brave girl, she wanted to tell her. Hold tight, I'll get help. Nodding her understanding, the little mute steeled herself. It seemed she was destined to always break pack law...

In a flash, Pip tore down the mountain side, paws following the trail she'd taken up though she only took one bound for every four prior. Gravity worked in her favor to assist her speed as she practically flew down. Though a part of her flinched, the mute dared not hesitate at the borders. Oksana was in trouble and she couldn't just wait around for someone to maybe show up and find her. She needed help now!

The agouti could only hope she would come across one of the wolves she'd already met first so she wouldn't be torn to pieces before she could convince someone to follow her to the pup and help bring her home. The little mute dove straight into the heart of the pack's territory, using her nose to guide her to where the scent was strongest. Putting on the brakes, Pip skidded with only a modicum of control to a stop when she neared the den, gaze casting around for anyone at all. A wild eyed loner in the heart of a pack...this was going to go fantastic.

(This post was last modified: Feb 21, 2018, 09:39 PM by Pip.)

OOC: Jynx is on her way out from Driftwood territory, to begin her trip to OTB!

After her chat with Lachesis, Jynx had accepted his request to travel south and deliver new to Oak Tree Bend of their relocation. The chance to get out and stretch her legs was one she wholly embraced while looking forward to exploring parts of the Lore on which her paws had never traveled. On the plus side, it was the perfect excuse to keep a sharp eye out for any trace of her children while still being productive. She was fine with setting out alone. The time to herself would give her a clear head. Even if she returned with no more information concerning her children than she already had, at the very least she could be confident that she had covered yet more ground.

Fate though, had other plans. Before her excursion had even begun, it was cut short. Having gotten a full night's rest, she woke up refreshed and helped herself to a cache so she wouldn't be traveling on an empty stomach. Then it was a quick check on Emrys, and she was off to the southern border. Before she got too far, just as she came up towards the pack den, a scent that screamed outsider hit her square in the nose. Russet and black tipped hackles flew up instantly, her lip curling back into a silent snarl as she prepared to confront whoever had so blatantly barged through their doorstep. But when her swift strides took her closer and into view of the offender, her aggression melted away and morphed into genuine confusion. Under pinched brows, wide yellow eyes absorbed the petite agouti form of Pip, better known to her as "Squeak". It had been so long ago when she had last seen her, back in her days at Grizzly Hollow. While the interactions between the two females had been minimal, Jynx knew well enough that she was practically harmless. With her good heart, she would only breach a packs borders unless it was something serious. "Squeak...is...is that you?" She said while rushing up to the smaller female, concern written all over her face. "What's wrong...?" She peered down to meet her lovely orange eyes, as if those depths would hold the answer she'd never hear. She could sense the urgency radiating from the mute, but wasn't sure what the problem was exactly. A once over of her body showed that she was not injured. Not in any visible way. The urge to call for Lachesis or Lilya was strong, but she held off just a moment longer, to give Pip the time she needed to convey why she was here.

@Jynx and any other DS wolves <3

Hearing the familiar name, Pip felt herself freeze in confused anticipation. The only ones who called her Squeak... The mute turned quickly to see the former Grizzly Hollow lead. In fact, the pair had only met once - on Pip's acceptance into the pack - and the little female struggled to remember her name. Thankfully, she didn't have a voice to say the wrong one anyway. Small favors.

Shaking off the shock, Pip took a few false starts back towards the mountain, hoping the russet woman would understand her intentions. Impatient, the little agouti even went so far as to dash forward and nip her nose before bounding a few steps away again. If she had to get her to chase her, she didn't care, just so long as she came! Oksana needed help as soon as possible. It was far too cold up there in the mountains for a pup to make it on her own overnight.

Pip continued to hesitate, wanting to know for certain she would follow before running too far off. She didn't want the pack wolf to give up in a chase thinking she'd done her duty. Anxious and stressed, Pip let out a shrill, sharp chirp. She just had to understand!

(This post was last modified: Feb 21, 2018, 11:06 PM by Pip.)

Things were being taken care of. Their further neighbours were going to be alerted of the news. Their subordinates knew what would happen if they bred without permission this coming spring. Borders were being marked. Caches were getting filled. Even his infirmary would be replenished once André returned. They were settling in well, which soothed some of the ghost’s on-going concerns. The stress and anxiety would never leave him, no matter where he went, and that was okay. He was surrounded by wolves that believed in him and wanted to be with him (and his mate). That was all he could ask for.

His serenity, however, was short-lived as the sound of bushes moving caused his head to snap around. His upper lip curled back as he redirected his path, his long legs pushing through the foliage as he returned to the den area.

He was greeted by the familiar shape of Jynx, who was just about to set off on her venture south, and another tawny figure. His posture was still stiff as he approached the pair, his hackles raised. He had cared for the mute loner once before, but that did not give her permission to pass over his borders whenever she pleased. Jynx, however, looked concerned as she spoke to the mute—who she had called Squeak. He blinked, his brows narrowed darkly as he regarded his subordinate. They knew each other? A chirp from the loner caused his head to snap around, his features softening as he met her troubled orange gaze. Something was wrong. Bad wrong, otherwise she wouldn’t have trampled over the border like this. He swallowed, torn between trusting her and punishing her, but nodded silently. Lead the way, he commanded as he stepped forward, urging the silent female to lead them. There had to be something she needed from them. 

(This post was last modified: Feb 22, 2018, 12:40 AM by Lachesis.)

stick with those who stick with you

Only when she saw the dart of a wolf pass in front of her did she tilt her head, halting her movements before recognizing that she didn't know this one. Not that that was surprising considering that she was only starting to peek her head into the lives of her peers, but she at least knew what her pack mates looked like and that wasn't one of them. So, despite feeling like she should immediately find Lachesis and avoid stepping in as the "big bad monster", Ana moved off at a quick pace just in time to see that not only did one other come to see the stranger but Lachesis arrived as well. Though, they weren't acting in aggression and after seeing the face of the stranger and the weird language in which she tried to speak, Anastasia didn't think she was bad at all.

If it weren't for Lachesis' command for the stranger to lead the way, Ana would have done whatever she could to persuade this loner to leave. As it were, Anastasia looked to her leader and friend with confidence as she made his command and waited for the stranger to do as she was instructed. Anastasia was ready to accompany Lachesis, and despite her size and her demeanor she felt she needed to be here at his side. At their (lachesis & jynx) side, because they were family now.

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As Lachesis arrived, Pip struggled between cowering in apology and finishing her task. His body language was easily readable as he approached. He was furious. But Pip has crossed knowing the risks. She knew it could and likely would be misinterpreted as an aggressive move against the pack. The former Grizzly Hollow leader had been her saving grace, apparently, for the mute could see the white Alpha’s mind change upon observing their interaction.

His gruff command was all the approval she needed and she gave a firm nod before racing from the pack’s territory as yet another pack wolf joined the brigade. Despite her small size, Pip was fast. She had to force herself to slow a few times when she got a little too far ahead but surged onward as soon as she hit the mountain. With the snow, they could follow her easily and take more care to ensure they didn’t lose their footing. Having already made the trip, Pip knew where it was safe to run and where to slow herself.

By the time she reached the ledge where @“Oksana” has fallen, the mute collapsed above her, panting heavily. She managed a reassuring smile to the pup as she struggled to catch her breath, hoping to set the girl’s fears at ease. Help was on the way!