| |
Neutral
|
Riven narrowed her eyes slightly in consideration. She didn't sense any mal intentions from the male, and she wanted to avoid a fight since there were so many inexperienced pups around. Her loyalty was fierce, but her morals were more important to her. Riven decided to take the wolf's words as truth and determined that he and his apprentices were no threat. "So long as you stay on your side of the border, we shouldn't have any problems," Riven said, giving the Mistfall wolf a warning glare. The air was getting thick with tension, and she wanted to move on and finish the tour. She held the male's gaze for a few more moments, letting a hint of a threating glint show through. "Alright pups. Let's continue on." She waited for them to start heading along the border towards the mountains, wanting to be inbetween them and the male should he decide to attack. . . . Dalton gazed at the rival apprentices a moment longer before following Riven's instructions. He kept his head high and jerked his head for his sisters to go ahead of him. He kept his body between them and the Mistfall wolves, wanting to take the brunt of any surprise attack. He may not take many things seriously, but he deeply loved and cared about his sisters and their safety. As they filed past him, he padded after them, staying behind them as they started towards the mountains. He had seen how Riven had angled her body to protect him and his sisters, so he wasn't worried about watching his back. That's what his mentor was for, and he was grateful. . . Navy padded alongside Cami, grateful that Dalton was behind them, being the protective big brother. She couldn't help but smile at the act even though the cloud of tension still hung around them. She had been worried that a fight was going to break out with how tense the interaction had been but thankfully, they had gone unscathed. A little bit of her fur still bristled anxiously, but she slowly started to calm down as they got farther from the Mistfall patrol. . . Cami padded happily beside her sister. She took the time to practice what Riven had said about having light pawsteps now that the run-in was over. She had actually enjoyed the interaction, though it seemed she was the only one. She didn't like the thought of rival wolves so close to the border, but she had taken advantage of the situation to get a read on their rivals. The male wolf had seemed like an ordinary pack member. He had been intimidating at first but otherwise didn't make much of an impression on Cami. She thought back to what Donovan had said about Mistfall wolves being the stealthiest. It made sense considering their territory was covered in shadows and if all of their wolves were as lean as that male had been, then she was sure that helped when stalking. A flash of pride went through her when she cosidered her and her siblings' powerful yet lean builds. She imagined they would be great stalkers one day. . The apprentices had been strange in appearance but otherwise hadn't made an impression on her. They weren't wolves so she didn't understand why they were being trained as such, but she decided that she didn't care. The male of the weird animals had seemed alright. He hadn't shown much emotion, so Cami concluded he might have been the more level-headed of them. The leaner female that had been growling had annoyed her. Cami chuckled lightly as she thought back to how she had answered the show of agression with her own warning growl. It had felt good to be defending her packmates and the dignity of Shadowcrest. The other leaner female had seemed nice. She also hadn't shown much expression and had actually looked upon Cami and her siblings with curiosity rather than mistrust. Cami smiled when she remembered the female's gaze of approval that had landed on her. The broader female had caught her attention a little longer than the others had. She had been less agressive than the growling female but still showed a fierceness about her. Cami always appreciated a strong female. She wondered if they could perhaps become friends. . As they padded on through the forest, Cami was the first to break the silence. "So, that was interesting. I could literally feel the tension in the air." Navy nodded seriously beside her, and Dalton gave a murmur of agreement. "What do you thinks those apprentices were?" Dalton asked. "They certainly weren't wolves." Cami nodded her agreement as Dalton padded up to her right side. "I think they were dogs," Navy said thoughtfully. "The elders tell stories of them somtimes, and some of the pack members have told stories of chasing off dogs that had wandered into the territory." "Yeah, that makes sense. I wonder what they're doing with a wolf pack though." Cami tried to find a reason, but she decided to forget about it and focus on the rest of the tour. She couldn't wait to see the training clearing and get a glimpse of the mountains. |
|
|
| |
Lightbringer
|
As the other wolves began leaving, Aether glanced over to the apprentices.
"All of you, start into the forest." He said, hearing the sound of three pairs of paws shuffle, hesitating, before one of them started off. Probably Shane, trying to get his littermates out of the dangerous situation, with his protective streak and more level-headed demeanor. But his focus was on the Shadowcrest wolf. By now, he was blatantly standing in front of the pups, shielding them with his lean body; head now lowered to a more normal position.
The air was still tense, making him want to bristle with the weight of it that triggered a instinctual response to defend his home and packmates. If he were younger, the heavy feeling in the air would have set adrenaline coursing through his veins like lightning, setting his heart pounding, and muscles aching to move and expend the sudden energy. Now, though, he made himself calm, but not relax; make him appear indifferent and while not peaceful, not antagonistic.
-
Shane, once hearing the older wolf's instruction, glanced at his littermates.
"Come on, let's go." He muttered quietly, turning and walking calmly off into the forest, deeper into their territory. He was tempted to stop, to check if they were following. A glance behind him showed that it was Cassidy who followed.
"That was interesting, never felt tension like that before." She commented, glancing over at him as she drew up beside him, matching him pace for pace. He simply nodded, then, once deeming they were far enough into the forest, he stopped, and waiting.
Listening, they barely heard Asteria as she came towards them, her entire bearing angry. Not too uncommon for their sister. nothing from Kinley or Aether yet. So they sat down, looking around the forest; and talked. Talked mostly about the interaction, what they thought of the Shadowcrest wolves. Well, Shane kept out of it a bit, but added in his own part. The general consenus was that it was a interesting thing to have occured. Each one felt differently according to personality, but the undercurrent of excitement was still there.
|
|
|
| |
Neutral
|
Once Riven was sure that the pups had gone and were safe, she threw the Mistfall wolf a warning growl before padding after her apprentices. She didn't want them to get too far ahead and possibly get lost. She glanced back to make sure that Donovan and Charlie were following close behind. Though the pups were the priority, she didn't want her friend and other other apprentice to get hurt either. When she saw that they were good, she picked up the pace until she had caught up to the pups. "Hey, are you all alright?" Riven wanted to make sure the run-in hadn't spooked them too much. Interacting with rival patrols was a part of pack life, but experiencing it on the first time out of camp could be intimidating. Surprisingly, the pups had been calm and mature. She was proud that they hadn't cowered and had represented Shadowcrest well. "It was awesome!" Cami said excitedly. Dalton agreed with her, giving her a playful shove. As the two pups started wrestling together, Navy watched them beside Riven. "It was interesting," the grey female said. Her voice was quiet, but she didn't seem scared or agitated. Riven gave the pup a smile and concluded that the pups were just fine. She let Dalton and Cami wrestle for a few more moments before stopping their playing. "All three of you did great. You showed confidence and acted like true Shadowcrest wolves." Riven chuckled when the pups gave her big smiles and stood proudly. She shook out her fur before continuing the tour of the territory. The next stop was the training clearing. As the pups padded beside her and chatted amongst themselves, a flash of pride went through her when she noticed they were walking with light pawsteps. These pups are going to grow up to be great assets to the pack. . . . Kinley watched the pups leave, disappointed that she hadn't had the chance to speak to them. They had seemed nice enough, and she had wanted to at least get their names. When Shane's voice broke through her thoughts, she lingered for a couple moments before padding after her siblings. They had gotten ahead of her and were speaking together when she came upon them. She sat near them and listened to their thoughts on the Shadowcrest wolves while waiting for Aether to show up. Now that they could back to the tour, she was itching to explore the rest of the territory. As she waited, she let herself get lost in her thoughts about the three wolf pups. She was curious about where their eye colors came from and how the smallest of them had split fur colors. She sensed that they were wolves through and through, so she couldn't come up with any ideas of where their uniqueness came from. She understood that rival packs didn't usually form friendships or even converse much, but she actually wanted to be friends with them. They seemed cool and being around the same age would mean they might would have things in common, like training. |
|
|
| |
Lightbringer
|
Ignoring the growl tossed his way, the male turned at almost the same moment the female mentor did, into the pack's land, toward his apprentices. A quick glance over the shoulder revealed no rival wolves left at the border, the younger white female and young but still adult gray male following the path of the adult mentor.
Padding to his apprentices, he came in on three of them talking about the Shadowcrest wolves, clearly excited in their own way. Sitting down near them, he listened to them for a moment, they made good observations.
"All of you did well back there. Shane, I liked your bearing, you were quiet but confident, and I noticed that you were returning their gazes, the apprentices, that is. Asteria, you were more aggressive and hostile, all I can say to that is to try not to growl at them when the interaction is calm; or relatively calm, but you still did good."
His gaze flicked to the other two pups.
"Cassidy, despite my role as a teacher to tell you otherwise in that situation, I liked your attitude, aside from the beginning, you showed fierceness, but was less aggressive. And Kinley, you acted calm, and even curious, I like that too; I like that curiosity."
"I didn't like how they looked at us, me and my siblings." Asteria responded, that ever present fire in her eyes.
"I understand Asteria. I imagine you four will get those looks from any wolf outside our pack often, and maybe even worse than just simple words; words can be cutting if placed right." Aether replied with a sigh, glancing away from them for a moment. Before either of them could say anything else, Cassidy butted in.
"Their apprentices looked weird." She didn't say it judgementally, but rather as a statement.
"I saw them too Cassidy. While I don't think I've seen a wolf that looked like those three, they are true blooded wolves. If you meant to imply they aren't wolves." Aether responded, glancing at her as he did so.
"I just meant they looked different from any wolves I've seen." Came the response from the female.
"How many wolves have you seen?" Was Aether's amused response.
"...how many other-" The quiet question to her siblings was swiftly answered by Shane, who answered so quickly that he cut her off.
"There's ten other wolves in our pack."
"And that'd be...eleven!" Cassidy said the last part a bit louder from the not-so-quiet whisper issued to her siblings. Aether gave amused bark.
"Eleven, that's quite a lot." He responded, shaking his head fondly.
"Any other questions? Kinley?" He directed the first part to all of them, then he asked the quieter pup's name, in case she had something to say.
-
Charlie and Donovan caught up to Riven as she started to continue the tour of the territory. The young female had some questions, to say the least. Most of them focused on the dog pups in the Mistfall group. Was it was group? The only actual wolf present over there had been their mentor.
"What did you think of the dogs?" She asked her mentor as she came up beside her, "I wonder why the pack took them as apprentices."
Then she glanced off at the three newer apprentices, talking among themselves. They had acted well in that tense situation, she doubted that when she was a newly made apprentice, she would have acted so well. Sure, she was still young and had a bit of training to go; but she was still older than they were, and more experienced too, if only by the fact that she has been an apprentice for about two more months than they.
-
Donovan rather approved of the pups' attitudes toward the other pack's members. They had all done well back there. While it hadn't been outright hostile, it still had been a tense situation.
Throughout the interaction, his attention had been split between the adult wolf present, and the four apprentices. Not wolves, but dogs. Even at a young age, he had seen power in two of the young dogs' builds, and more lean strength in the other two. He thought that the four had been littermates, they all looked too much alike to not be, and were all the same age, he assumed. While he could see that when older, the dogs may very well turn out to be valuable packmates; he didn't know why the Mistfall Pack had taken in dogs.
Charlie at this point had gone ahead of him a little to Riven, he heard her voice a question, but wasn't close enough to pick out the words. He continued to think over the encounter, while keeping an eye on the others, and the area around them. |
|
|
| |
Neutral
|
Kinley didn't really pay attention while Aether spoke to her siblings. When she heard her name, her ears perked up and her focus returned to the conversation. She searched for any questions she might have but came up blank. "No, I don't think I have anything to ask. I'd actually really like to see the rest of the territory." She gazed at her mentor with a hopeful expression. She didn't want to sound impatient, but the forest was calling to her. . . . Riven gave Charlie a small smile in greeting when her apprentice appeared beside her. She relaxed now that they were all back together and had gotten out of the run-in unscathed. Riven took a moment to mull over Charlie's question. "I'm not sure why Mistfall took in dog pups. I imagine a pack member found them and took pity," Riven said. "As far as them being trained as if they were wolves, that's not my business. Mistfall can do as they please with dogs they decide to take in. Though, I worry that the pups might not do as well in training as the pack hopes, but they just might surprise us all." Riven surprisingly felt indifferent towards the Mistfall pups. So what if the rival pack was training dogs. That was their business. She didn't really understand it, but she wasn't opposed to it either. If they did well in training, then that would be four more hunters and fighters which would benefit any pack. That thought did raise reservations as far as fights went, but she didn't let them linger in her mind for long. "What are your thoughts, Charlie?" |
|
|
| |
Lightbringer
|
Aether gave a small smile, he'd wondered who would say that first.
Now voiced, the others were looking at him hopefully as well.
"Of course, let's go then." Aether took a few paces forward, flicking his tail once, glanced around briefly; then set off again. His gait quiet and graceful, as cat-like as a canine could ever get. True to his pack's standard, he was like a shadow, like mist gliding over the ground; again, he made sure to go slower. Allowing for the pups' inexperience in moving in the particular manner the pack was known for quickly, and for the not so long legs they had; they would clearly grow into their build and strength, but they had some time to go before that.
He planned on going to the relatively flat grasslands next. It was a change from the rest of their territory, the comparatively small portion of Mistfall land open and bright; next to the dark forest.
Said area had some hills, not steep ones, but hills all the same. The grass varying in height; in some places it was tall enough to conceal the tallest wolves within, and in some the grass barely reached the top of a paw. The larger prey animals that they hunted often were found in the grasslands, a herd of deer or so. Of course, it was always uncertain whether there would be prey there, but for the more substantial quarry, the grasslands were a good place to go.
~
Charlie thought about her mentor's question for a moment.
"It's surprising, but I can see that when they're older, they'll be strong packmates." A thought suddenly popped into her mind as she said that, one that had briefly been forgotten during the tense situation that they had been in just a few moments ago.
"They didn't look like any dogs I've heard about, the elders have described some when they're talking about them. And I've heard the pack members talk about chasing some off sometimes; but I've never heard of any dog that looked like those four." She said with a glance over to Riven, tilting her head in slight confusion, and also in thought.
"If specific dogs have a purpose, I wonder that those pups were meant for." She mused. Judging by the build of two of those dogs, perhaps as fighters? Or maybe guardians? They could have been hunters as well. It was hard to tell. Again, they looked strange, and she could not remember any descriptions of any dog that looked somewhat like those four. |
|
|
| |
Neutral
|
Kinley followed after Aether. She kept in mind what her mentor had said about stalking and tried to copy his silent movements. As she padded after him, she let the encounter slip out of her mind. All the varying scents in the forest were now at the forefront of her thoughts. She could smell prey scents but also the forest itself. She took in a deep breath and slowly released it, her mind and body at peace. A smile couldn't help but appear. Kinley started to wonder where they were going next. All the prey scents around her were taunting. Her instinct to hunt was strong, but she didn't know how. If she tried to hunt without proper training, she'd just make a fool of herself. She let out a small sigh that expressed her disappointment as she followed after her mentor. . . . Riven nodded her agreement and approval. "Good observations," she praised. "I haven't seen dogs like those before either, but their breed could perhaps be used for fighting. Either way, I'm sure they'll make great assets for Mistfall." They were coming up on the training clearing. The area was located at the base of the mountains among the trees. A large clearing had been naturally made which was perfect for practicing battle moves. As they padded through the underbrush that kept the clearing hidden, the pups started to get excited. They padded all around the clearing, exploring every inch of it. Riven let out a light-hearted chuckle at their curiosity of the place. It was rather simple in her opinion, but she let them explore it all. After a little bit, she called them back. "Alright, pups. This is the training clearing. Here, you will be taught various battle moves." The pups got even more excited at that if their bristling fur, wagging tails, and bright eyes were any indication. Riven pointed her muzzle towards the mountains that were nearby. "Once you've been training for at least two months, you'll start mountain training. Hunting and fighting is different in the mountains than it is in the forest. Knowing both is important, especially since it could give you an advantage." Riven let the pups do some more exploring around the base of the mountains before leading the patrol back towards camp. They had been out in the territory for a while and had hit the important parts. Besides, the pups were starting to slow down. Tomorrow was going to be busy, and they all needed their rest. |
|
|
| |
Lightbringer
|
After a little bit of traversing the forest, they neared the end of the forest, their surroundings lightening and green medium-length grass rising up.
Stopping as his front paws hit the new ground, Aether stood tall, ears pricked forward and head tilted upwards slightly, his eyes closed to small slits because of the sudden change from darker scenery to very bright light. Different scents blew to him on the breeze, both less complicated and more so at the same time. The musky scent of larger prey came on the air as well, not very near, distant. The warm sunlight was pleasant on the back of his neck and head, the strength of it uncommon in the thick forest where the pack made their home.
"This is the grasslands, pups, and as you all can see, it is much different than from what you are used to." Aether turned his head toward them as he spoke, requiring him to turn his body slightly in order to bring the pups into view. "This is where the pack hunts the larger prey most of the time, when they can catch them."
~
After Riven responded to Charlie's observations, she fell quiet, thinking. The reason why she was interested about the dogs had differing reasons, mostly because wolf packs didn't take in dogs, it usually wasn't done; and the second was because of the pups' strange appearance. Her mentor was right, they very well could be used for fighting; the two bulkier ones definitely could. And actually, the thinner ones too, especially that mean looking one, she had a sharpness to her that usually indicated a fighter. Or at least the personality of one.
Coming into the training clearing, her head tilted upwards to the mountains. Then the subject of the dogs was pushed out of her mind for the moment, or pushed to the side for later consideration. She was going to start mountain training soon! She had been excited to start it since she had heard an older apprentice talk about it when she was young. Well, younger.
She thought about the new element to her training that was soon to come while watching the pups explore the clearing. Really, nothing beat the excitement of pups when new things happen. Even if she was probably still considered a pup. It was still fun to watch them, so enthusiastic. Most of them, anyways, she had met several more reserved ones when she was little.
After a bit more of the pups exploring, they headed back in the direction of camp. It had been a busy day, and it seemed the new apprentices were starting to tire. She didn't blame them, it was tiring to be brought out of camp for the first time, and to have an interaction with the rival pack in the same day. And the excitement seemed to tire out anyone. Besides, tomorrow would be busy for them as well; all of them most likely, and she was looking forward to resting a little.
Hey, she wasn't perfect. |
|
|
Fall 
Day Weather: 
