Xola || 6 || Female || Wolf || Eastern Medic || M: Killjoy, Hondo, Hymir, Ráðgríðr, Hondo, Open

The night pelted female watches as the alpha turns to set his startled blue gaze upon her, extending a rather flimsy greeting. His rather strained smile told her all she needed to know, no matter how he responded to her following question. As suspected, he denied having any form of discomfort. This was an honorable reaction, seeing as he was putting the care of his pack before his own, but she wouldn’t be budging any time soon.

Xola returns his answer with a complete look of skepticism – tilting her head to the side with slightly narrowed eyes. Did he seriously think that would work? She may not have been living in this pack for very long, but she had been working as a medic for years. This type of excuse was all too common. She was not buying it, and this would not get him out of any healing he was to receive.

As he continued speaking, a prickling feeling began to climb up her spine. Her ears pick up at the sensation, confused as to what could be causing it. It felt as though someone was staring directly at her, but she didn’t know who that could be. Hymir was out scouting so it couldn’t be him, and she didn’t really know anyone else in the pack all that well. Keeping her piercing honey-amber eyes set on the male, she notices his shifting eyesight as he chooses to glance behind her rather than hold eye contact.

Taking this as some sort of que, one of the medic’s ears twitches around before settling into a backwards position. Seconds later, when the feeling refuses to let up, she turns her whole head to look behind her as best she could. Her gaze immediately halts upon a dark brindle male whom she had yet to meet. He was standing some ways away and just… staring. Confused by his actions, she tilts her head slightly to the side – her ears mimicking the motion with slightly floppier movements.

A call from her favorite wolf in the pack breaks her from the exchange, grabbing the attention of both her and the alpha. Glee shoots to her paws at his return, ready to jump up and welcome him back... but that emotion quickly comes to a thundering halt at the sight of a severely injured wolf. Without a second thought, she scurries over to the unfamiliar female to survey her wounds. Getting into her personal “bubble” she sniffs each and every bump, scratch, and tear she had – noting the color, smell, and condition of each and every injury.

Backing away from the female, a jolt of common sense floods her mind and she bows her head in embarrassment. “Gosh, where are my manners,” she scolds herself, “I am Xola, the new medic of the Eastern Pack. And you, my dear, are much too injured to be out in camp like this. Come, we must get you to my den for treatment.”

Moving to stand by the strange female’s side – in case of needed support – she begins to help her towards their destination… but she pauses to look towards Killjoy once more. He began to speak soon afterwards, suggesting that maybe she should just heal ‘Rags’ and not him. She stares blankly at him once he finishes his ‘I’ll be fine’ speech – her face portraying her thoughts precisely.

You seriously think you’re getting out of this?

“I have plenty of herbs, Killjoy. I am quite certain of that,” her quiet voice held a stern undertone, disappointed that he would risk his health. “Now, I may not be the alpha between the two of us, but I will not allow you to walk away from any aid under my watch. I am the healer, and no sick or injured wolf will be seen hobbling around camp as long as I live. So, please, come with us to my den. I do not wish to see my leader injured.”

The sound of a fourth wolf startled her out of her confidence. The dark male she had caught staring was now beside the autumn pelted female, ready to let the female lean against him. His sudden order, however, caught her even more off guard than his staring and appearance combined. And she did not take kindly to it, even if he did offer his aid. However, being the pacifist she was, she chose not to start anything… but she wasn’t about to take this lying down.

With pinned ears, she stares him down with a slightly disgruntled and slightly hurt expression. “Do you not trust me enough to ponder the idea that I have everything already prepared,” she tilts her head to the side for emphasis, “I have been doing this for five years, even if I may be new to this particular pack. I always start my day by making nest preparations and setting out herbs in case something were to happen,” she stops to take a deep breath. Maybe she was being a tad too harsh on the younger male. Maybe even rude and disrespectful. But, she also didn’t want him getting any preconceived notions about character. She was kind, sure, but not a pushover. And she was certainly no slacker. Though, she had to give him the benefit of the doubt. This situation was a rather harsh one, so it was natural for him to be concerned for – what she could only assume – to be a lost and returning pack member. But, that did not make his seemingly distrustful statement hurt any less.

“I appreciate your concern,” she began, “ and if you insist on helping, then please help her walk to my den. She’s much larger than me, and I do not wish to strain myself along the way. I would not be able to heal her in that case.”

Xola begins to walk forth – leaving the two ‘new’ wolves with each other – and signals for Killjoy to follow her (and glancing back to make sure he was). She then pauses, and looks over her shoulder at the new male. “I appreciate your concern for your injured companion, but I do not like being accused of laziness – even inadvertently. I promise you that you will never have the need to tell me what to do, in regards to healing those in camp, as long as I am here. I will always be prepared.”

Without another word, she slowly trudges towards her den – glancing over her shoulder to check the whereabouts of the other wolves along the way.

Killjoy looked at his pack's Medic. She was fiery, that was for sure. He didn't mind it though.. He put his head down in defeat as he stepped forwards to support Rags. His gaze fell to the ground as he dragged his feet to the medic den. The self control he felt to not sigh loudly suprised him. He wasn't used to being told what to do.

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Killjoy stopped in sync when Xola did. He too looked over his shoulder at Hymir, only he gave him an apologetic look. He was sure that he hadn't meant any harm, but he tried to only look for the nice side of wolves, and tried to think the best of everyone.

Once they reached the den, he went to sulk in the corner, and let Xola do her job without being too much in the way.

Quilo || 3 Years, 5 Months || Male || Strays United Guard || M: Alha, Harry, Loki

Quilo couldn’t have asked for a better reaction. Somehow, some way, he had managed to make the alpha laugh. He was not sure exactly how or what got her to chuckle (as didn’t say anything particularly funny), but he’d take it! He puffs his chest out pride, lifting his head a smidge with a friendly grin. His tail – miraculously – managed to pick up in speed, going from a blur to a solid blob at the spark of glee that the interaction spurred. He just loved to make others happy.

The husky mix listens intently to her following words, making sure to remember each and every one. He did not wish to screw up on his first day. Her first statement was a bit disheartening to him… or it would have been if not for her optimism. He appreciated that she managed to find the good within the bad. And she was right. Things could be a lot worse for all of them. They could’ve not met him, after all! Not that he was the most important member – far from it. But their meeting had been beneficial for both parties, so he would count it.

At the second part of the shepherd’s speech, the mutt nearly jumped for joy. He had never really considered the idea of a literal warm welcome. He just thought that he was brought along and that would be the end of it. He thanked her quietly – as not to disrupt her flow – and bowed his head in slight embarrassment. Though he was quick to pick it up once more she brought the other guard back into the picture. Harry was his name.

I’ll have to remember that. Harry. Harry the fellow guard. My fellow guard is… what was his name again? It started with an ‘a’ I think. Airy? Wait, no! Harry! Not Airy! Get it together, me! His name is-

He was broken from his trance (since when was he looking down?) by Alha bringing up the final part of her little speech. His duties. His ears perk forward at the mention of them, practically writing them down within his own mind. Hunting and fishing? Yeah, he could do that! He was great at both those things!... What was fishing?

Deciding not to question it, he just nodded his head. He’d figure it out sooner or later. Once she finished, she made a motion for him to sit with the two. With a much louder ‘thank you’ than the last one, he trot over to… Harry’s! Harry’s side. Plopping down into the grass beside him, he grins up at the older male. His tail continues to wag behind him, only slowing down so as to not cause himself any pain.

A sudden flash of silver (mixed with a few other colors) falls in front of the trio, causing him to jump to the slightest degree. Looking up, he spots yet another new face who declares that they’d be having “fish for breakfast.” Well, looks like he’ll be learning sooner than he thought.

The husky proceeds to wait for the other two to take their share before gingerly grabbing his own. He nearly shuddered at the texture. This was something he was going to have to get used to. However, he extends his thanks nonetheless – just glad to have some food in his belly.

Taking a bite from the freshly caught meal, he finds that he was not as bad as it seems. Of course, it doesn’t hold up to the standards of other prey items, but it was a pleasant taste. He proceeds to gently munch on the “fish,” not paying much mind to those around him until he is addressed. Pausing in his slow consumption of the animal, his icy eyes flicker up to the male before him mid bite. He was extending a proper greeting.

Man, they just keep getting nicer and nicer!

Biting completely through the former being and swallowing what he had managed to grab, he answers with near-blinding energy and glee, “I’m Quilo! It’s nice to meet you, Loki!”

Storm gave Illusion a friendly smile before looking up at the sky, taking a whiff of the cold air. It stung his nose, and probably brought most squirrels and rabbits into hibernation. With a growl, he turned to look at Veracious, who was also sniffing the air. It was clear the two didn't know where they were going, and just following the other male in hopes he knew where to go. Then, when the other wolf talked, Storm smiled at him again. "Uh, I dunno. Maybe like, fifteen minutes? That's normally how long a deer hunt would take in my pack..." He thought, sniffing the air again and Veracious' ears were pinned back. "Maybe we could find some rabbits if we have no luck? I'd hate to bring nothing back on my first hunt in this pack." He growled, wagging his tail. A breeze came through, making him bristle his fur from the cold, but that breeze also rustled some leaves that were in a pile, making them go blowing around.

Brute l Male l Beta l Raven l M: Willow and Sundown

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Brute padded alongside Sundown, when Willow approached them. When he locked eyes with the Raven Queen a warm feeling swept over him. He knew what this feeling was, as he had felt it with the previous Raven Beta, Fallon, who disappeared and hasnt returned since. Brute had had a crush on her for the longest time, and Brute was heartbroken. He missed her every day, and wanted her to come back, but now he knew it would never happen. It was time for him to move on. He looked up at Willow, then to Sundown. He knew Sundown could read him like a book. "Sundown, would it be ok for me and Willow to go out on a hunt?" He asked.

Hondo l Male l Beta l Eastern l M: Group

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Hondo's ears immeadiatly were pinned to his head. A wave of embarrassment flooded over him, he felt bad about saying that to her. His eyes went down to his paws, not bearing to look at Xola, even if he did have a crush on her. He hadnt meant to be rude, hadnt meant to say she was lazy, and in front of Killjoy and most of the pack. It was just an overall embarrassment. Hondo stepped in and allowed Rags to lean on him for support, and trudged to the medic's den behind Xola, bringing Rags in and allowing her to lay down. He looked up to Xola, "If you need anything just ask." He said in what seemed like almost a whisper. Is ears still lie flat on his head as he allowed Killjoy in the medic den, and then slowly walked out. He lay down a little ways from the den, still in earshot, head on his paws, in case Xola needed anything.