Grizzly Hollow if your wings are broken please take mine so yours can open too

@Rook <3

The water had not been her friend of late. First with the beaver attack and then with the floodwaters that carried her far from Grizzly Hollow territory, Pip had grown shy of her favorite thing in the world. With all that had happened, she thought it best to avoid fishing for a while unless she had the company of her sister or cousin. While the activity was one of her favorite interests, it was far from her only one. Yvly and Amaryllis had been teaching her how to hunt 'land prey' recently and now seemed as good a time as any to practice the techniques they had shown her.

Better yet, it didn't even require her to leave pack lands! Well within chirp-range should she need help, Pip spied a pair of chipmunks squabbling among themselves at the base of a spindly, young pine. Quietly, the little wolf made sure she was downwind and crept towards where they fought. Or maybe they were mating? She knew some species preferred late springtime for such things. Either way, their distraction served her well and she pounced on the pair of them. One caught sight of her just as she made her move and was able to scramble away to safety, but the other fell victim to her lithe jaws. Pleased, the little female held it aloft proudly, tail wagging as if she'd been given a kiss by another.

Of course, Pip couldn't very well keep a neat little snack like this to herself. The mute girl trotted back towards the main den where others would likely be resting when she found herself distracted. Sitting off on his own was one of her packmates. She tilted her head in consideration. He did seem rather lonely over there. Hoping to cheer the gray male up, she bounded over to him and approached respectfully. By now, she no longer crawled on her belly towards her packmates. But she still ducked her head and wagged her tail low to show the correct submission.

Delicately, Pip presented the dead chipmunk by placing it at his paws and backed away to lay down, tail swishing along the ground behind her, hopeful that he would accept the random gift.

even if we can't find heaven

He couldn't be sure how long he had been sitting there now, taking in the summer sun as it filtered down in beams through the hallowed sanctuary that was the heart of Grizzly Hollow. Apart from checking up on the den site where the three little Macieo's were busy at play, he had gone nowhere else but here. Here, in a small clearing, where he was bound to be found by anyone who happened to traverse this well-marked highway that snaked through the pack territory. His head was bowed, his ears tall yet neutral atop his skull, but his eyes were closed. Once upon a time, one might have considered that he was praying, but that piety and piousness had long since passed - particularly when his sister Bishop had abandoned him.

A deep breath exited his nostrils and parted lips and, when he thought to straighten himself and regard the waking world around him again, he realized that he was about to have some company. His ears swiveled now at the prospect of meeting someone, listening as that pitter-patter of footsteps through the yelled pine needles came soon enough. He turned to acknowledge one of Veho and Oula's newest recruits, an unfamiliar face with an even more unrecognizable scent. The only thing that was familiar was that hint of musk and aroma that marked her as one of Grizzly Hollow's own. He had almost hoped it had been Oula; it had been much too long since he had even seen her face-to-face and he felt he owed Veho's "other partner" the quality time they ought to have had when she entered this 'agreement' of raising a family with the two males.

Rook looked her over now, taking in the brilliant orange of her eyes, that characteristic mask that graced her own face, and the petite build that made up her figure. His head canted to the left as he saw her place a gift at his feet before reclining onto the ground with a waving tail. He tried to smile; what came of his attempt was a small simper and a very crooked half-grin that was more grimace than anything else. "Oh," he murmured, glancing from the rodent and to the young lady's face. "For me? Well..." He ground his molars together, suddenly all too aware of the emptiness that still plagued his chest. "Y-You didn't need to do that... What'd I do to deserve a treat like this?"

(This post was last modified: Jun 16, 2016, 06:12 AM by Rook.)

Chances are I have a BEN WHISHAW gif for that.

There is a rabbit's nest nearby. +1 Health

She tries so hard.

What had him so sad? Pip noticed how his crooked smile didn't reach his heterochromatic eyes and her own wagging tail slowed in response. Something was clearly upsetting the male and while she couldn't ask - really, what business was it of hers anyhow? - the little wolf hoped to be able to make it better. This was @Rook. Even without having met him before, Veho had spoken of him with love while she stayed in his medical den following her injury. His eyes were identifying enough for her to be positive of it.

His question had Pip standing once more. Gently, she bumped her muzzle to his and gave his chin a tender lick in comfort. The sea-wolf had thought her intentions were clear when she offered the small prey; there was no reason! He just looked like he could use a little snack.

Since food didn't seem to be distraction enough for him... Pip bowed down in the front, tail resuming its playful wag behind her. She nipped at the air in front of her face, hoping to entice him into a game. Sitting still wasn't good for sad things! It made them hang around more and could make one feel as if they were sinking. She knew that well enough from experience. Back in Bella Coola, the cruelty from some of her packmates had usually sent her off on her own to sulk and feel sorry for herself. But since joining Grizzly Hollow, the girl had slowly grown used to their company and comfortable with truly being herself. And so she would give gifts, she would play, she would do whatever it was her packmates needed to stay happy. For all they had done for her, they deserved nothing less.

Ahhh~ so cute!

even if we can't find heaven

While he had anticipated a straight answer, he gave a jolt as she suddenly came up close, grazing his muzzle with her own and planting her tongue to his chin. He hadn't thought she would have attacked or even thought to harm him, but it was clear to him now that all his tip-toeing around and (semi-immature) evasiveness was starting to take its toll. She bore the distinctive signature of a Hollow wolf and he had known a little about the new members (the Miz-something family) who had come to call this part of the Cedarwood home - there was absolutely no reason for him to think that she might pose a threat, especially if Veho (his devoted partner) and Oula (a woman who hailed from a well-disciplined pack in the form of a battalion) had found them a nice fit into their hodgepodge of a family. There was a lump in his throat as he watched her slip back into a play bow. The gesture was the total opposite of a warning or a hint of an impending dangerous situation; and, really, as he slowly began to loosen up, he realized that she was probably a little younger than he had initially thought.

Truthfully, he found her little antics, the whole jaw snapping (maybe "clicking" was a better, friendlier word), endearing. He leveled his head, his smile still crooked but slowly becoming more genuine as the seconds passed. "Okay then," he started again. The sadness had not yet crept out of his voice even if his gratitude was apparent in the way he relaxed and nudged the chipmunk closer. "Thank you. I'll save it away for later."

It was here that he had to remember her position, the way her posture seemed to try and invite him for something more than words. Rook was not old but he definitely acted like it - too serious, too somber, too sober, and mostly too boring. At least, he felt so. His uneven smile practically switched sides in which corner was now turned downward. "Did..." Oh, this felt so awkward. On one hand, he almost felt like she might be paying attention to him because she liked him (in, say, all the ways that made Veho his partner); on the other, he wasn't entirely sure whether or not he ought to come across as paternal or someone like a playmate. "Did you want to show me something?

Chances are I have a BEN WHISHAW gif for that.

Give in to the cute, @Rook :D

When Rook agreed to save the chipmunk for a later snack, her heart practically fluttered into her throat with excitement at her success. Unable to help herself, she spun about in a delighted circle before resuming her play bow. The light was still absent from his pretty eyes, Pip noted. She couldn't very well leave him alone until she fixed that!

The gray male's halting question gave Pip pause and she half stood from her bowed position before her head tilted towards her paws and her small body shook. Though there was no sound besides that of her quickening breath, there was no doubt she was laughing at him. Of course, it wasn't with cruel intent. It simply struck her as funny that he had taken her play form as wanting to show him something.

Oh, I'll show you something! Like how to play. Apparently, he had no idea how! Of course, she didn't have much experience either, but she'd seen enough of it done - and Tomen had been giving her good practice lately, too. Tail wagging fully now, Pip bounced forward to nip gently at his jaw and then dashed around him in an excited circle that threw up loamy soil and rotten leaves. When that couldn't entice him into a game, she raced right back in front of the male and flopped on her back at his paws while her own front legs stretched into his chest, trying to push him into action. All the while, her tongue lolled from her mouth in a happy smile.