Fool's Gold Chasm alliance building

His friend had to be.. somewhere around here. Though a number of months had passed since Alarick had last seen Leviticus, he still remembered the area well enough, and had managed to track down the location of the pack itself. While he had been hoping he might be able to meet his friend first, it did not seem as if the fates were going to grant him that good fortune.

Which was fine. He had a job to do, as well, for his leader. So, setting down the small bundle of herbs he had thought to collect on the way - a gift he had been able to procure as a result of Clover’s teachings so many months prior - Al tipped his head back and issued a summons. If Leviticus was still part of this pack, he would likely hear the summons, too. So, maybe, hopefully, they could meet and catch up later.

-hoping for the leaders, @Adelard or @Woya - Al here to extend friendship on behalf of Avella and WR - probably backdated to around April 15th cause I'm slowww

It had been roughly a month since her coupling with @Adelard, and as she cleared the first stretch of gestation Woya felt confident the litter was viable. What proved to be seen was if she could see them through the lack of water, a long trek now being required of the Chasm wolves to slake their thirst. She wouldn't have minded it so much outside of her condition, but the lithe woman was painfully aware of the swelling of her sides and discomfort began to plague her when she exerted herself.

More than anything, she was just hungry. Every damn day.

She'd been stalking a hare when the call reached her, the first of her time at the helm. With a scowl she abandoned the pursuit of lunch to heed the howl, prowling toward the fringe of their territory where from it had issued. The wolf found had brought something with him, but a quick sniff of the air made it clear there was no meat about his being. She schooled her inky lips into a thin line before breaching the cover of the burgundy ferns to appear before the stranger, small skull held high.

Woya said nothing, but her honeyed eyes fixed expectantly upon the other in a silent bid for him to state his reasons for summoning her.

A single, lone female was the first to meet him, emerging from the ferns to meet him. Her scent and swollen figure indicated expectancy of pups, which was good, then, Alarick assumed. From that huge clue, and the way the small woman carried herself, he was hopeful that she was a lead, here.

She did not speak except through her gaze, a silent directive to not keep her waiting and get right to the point. Something Al was more than happy to oblige.

”I am Alarick, and I was sent to extend an offer of alliance and friendship on behalf of my pack, Willow Ridge, and our leader, Avella Archer.” Al kept his head lowered as he spoke, in deference to the unnamed woman and her pack. He did, however, keep his gaze locked with hers, hoping to convey sincerity. The woman had not exactly extended a warm welcome, but surely with the growing scarcity of water and other resources, Avella's offer was not something they would turn down.

 

The stranger did not leave her waiting, promptly answering the unspoken query. Alarick, seeking an alliance of all things. Willow Ridge, Archer. They rang bells, but the chime was nearly inaudibly faint. She could not recall any specifics about these names.

"I don't know your Avella Archer," she stated bluntly. Were she not burdened with tiny lives growing within her, she might have attempted to be more diplomatic in her speech. As it was, her patience was frayed and she couldn't be bothered to put the effort into masking her serrated personality.

"Where are you settled?"

It wasn't like they had a scout to tell them of any new packs, did they at last have a neighbor? Woya wasn't sure she liked that, especially if it meant competition over limited water supplies.

(This post was last modified: May 14, 2022, 06:51 AM by Chan.)

The woman was still not overly polite in her speech. She provided him with no introduction, no title of her pack, or anything of the sort. But, at least, she was not openly hostile either. Perhaps this pack was just the more secretive type. Alarick supposed he could work with that.

”I see. I am sure she would like to come and introduce herself, as soon as she is able, if that would be welcome.” He offered. The next inquiry was about the pack’s settlement, another simple, straightforward question.

”Across the mountains, and south a little. Willow Ridge is both the name of our pack, and the territory we call home.” The former hunter explained. He was half tempted to ask the name of the woman’s pack, but decided against it, not feeling like dealing with being questioned about how he knew the pack was here, but did not know their name. Although, his next inquiry would have revealed that, he realized.

”I was.. also hoping I might get to see my friend Levi, if he is still here?” Alarick opted to add instead. He did not want the woman worrying if he hung around for a little while after this, and maybe mentioning his friend would gain a little favor. Provided Levi had not run off or done something stupid, which Al doubted. His friend did not seem like that type.

(This post was last modified: May 17, 2022, 12:45 AM by Alarick.)

Woya shifted her increased weight continuously as he spoke, and still was unable to find a way to stand that was truly comfortable. It preoccupied half her thoughts, detracting from what was before her. There was no guilt or shame in this, however. He had come knocking at her house, he'd get what he got and Woya cared not whether he or his pack was happy with it.

Especially knowing how far away they resided. Far enough to be practically inconsequential to her, though she wondered what this new group's affiliation was with her cousin and his little mountain kingdom. Was that why he'd come all this way, had Aleister spoken of them?

I was.. also hoping I might get to see my friend Levi, if he is still here?

Oh. Woya's ears tipped forward attentively at the familiar name, the young medic absolutely still within their ranks despite her best attempts to scare him off during her estrus.

"You know Levi? Shoulda started with that. That why yer here? Yer Ridge is pretty far, can't see how we'd be any real use to 'em n' vice versa."

The mentioning of his friend did seem to garner at least a little bit more interest. The edge this woman had seemed to fade a bit, as the other spoke more than just a couple of pithy one-liners in response.

”I do know him. And it is.. partly, yes. But, my duty to my leader and pack came first, and I.. thought it better for you to judge me and the offer at face value.” That had not initially been his intent, but that was how it had worked out. And for now at least, it seemed as if things were going to work out well enough. ”You are probably right. We are rather far apart, but it.. never hurts to have an idea of who can be trusted.”

In all likelihood, there would probably never be any need to use friends or allies this far away. Al had not really considered that until the woman had mentioned it. Passing along the message for his leader and making a good impression had been higher on the priority list.

Woya listened to his words, eloquently spoken but ultimately meaningless within her ears. She huffed, annoyed to be on her paws for so long, and apparently only for Leviticus to have a playdate. She stepped back, and motioned with her muzzle for Alarick to pass her and begin the trek inward. The thought of taking her eyes off of him didn't sit well with her despite his convivial and docile demeanor thus far, whether that be by leading with her back to him or trusting him to sit tight here alone. Anyways, the closer they got to the den, the more backup she'd have should things really go awry.

"So sure you'd know what is and isn't bullshit? I ain't interested in an alliance or friendship with yer pack. The only likely way we'll be interactin' is if you end up in a spat with @Aleister's Sanguine Cove, and in that case, we're with the Cove. All y'need to know."

She'd take him to Levi, though. The medic could use a break and some good news, gods knew they all could.

She was evidently not interested in alliance or friendship with the ridge, but at least it did not seem like they had to worry about hostility, either. Her blunt manner of speech was unlike anything he had encountered thus far, but he could at least appreciate the honesty of it. Al was not completely sure who or what the Sanguine Cove was, but he doubted this woman needed to worry about the Ridge posing a threat to them. It was a bit surprising, that she offered to escort him further into her territory instead of making him wait for Levi, but welcome, so he moved to step toward the designated path.

”I would like to think I’m a decent judge of character,” he spoke cautiously. One could never be completely sure, but instinct had not steered him wrong thus far. ”I doubt Avella has any plan for that. I will relay your words, though. I.. do appreciate your honesty and your time.” It was not exactly what he had hoped for, but at least it was not bad. If Avella wanted to try again, he supposed he could leave that to her, in the future.

This group seemed to just want to keep to themselves, and he could respect that. How Levi had managed to fit in here, though, if the wolves were like this, Alarick was not quite sure he understood. But that was not for him to judge, either. As long as his friend had found a home and was happy, that was what mattered.

Despite her answer, the man did not make this any more difficult for her. When she directed they move, he obliged and fell into step as desired, reflecting well on him and this Willow Ridge.

I would like to think I’m a decent judge of character he then said, communicating to Woya that he was a gullible creature. She scoffed softly, a kneejerk reaction rather than a pointed huff as her thoughts alone answered wouldn't we all?

"No problem," was instead what she said when he was completely finished, without any kind of heartfelt enthusiasm. It was what she was here for, and at least he hadn't come to her with a problem. She supposed Levi deserved a break from all their sour faces, as well.

She walked behind him, giving verbal direction as needed until they found the wolf in question. The alpha would hand Alarick off to the aspiring medic and deem him Levi's responsibility from thereon out.