Recon flicked an ear when a dragonfly landed on it, lifting his chin to watch as it flew away. He softly chuckled at her comment, "I suppose I'm lucky then. A tail to the face is the last thing I need." There was a playfully sarcastic tone in his voice and his tail twitched behind him in happy little wiggles.

It was nice to be able to talk and play with someone, a luxury he hadn't been able to afford since his sister died, and especially not since he became beta. Even with his relaxed state, he still looked tense, unable to lay down the weight on his shoulders. Unable to take a moment to truly rest and set his worries and troubles aside, even for a heartbeat. And Recon had the feeling it would only get worse in their new environment. But when Doji leaned against him and rested her head on his shoulder, he felt something odd and when he thought about it, he began to wonder if this is how lightning felt when it struck the dirt. Grounded. Like it was no longer out of control. And his head dipped for a moment, as if just knowing he could be a good enough beta for someone to lean on, was all he needed in that moment.

The sound of Doji's voice pulled him out of his thoughts and he turned his head to look at her, "The beauty of it is amazing, but everything comes with a price. I just wonder when we'll learn what it is. It's nice to be free, but no one is ever truly free until they cross over, no?" It wasn't but a moment after he finished his thought that his head whipped around to see Deverick splash into the river. When Doji startled and rushed to get off of him, he couldn't help but feel a pang of loss, granted that was also accompanied by immence embarassment. How could he have let his guard down, his pack needed him.

Recon sprung to his paws and trotted through the mud over to the younger male. "Are you alright?" He asked, dipping his head to gingerly press his snout to his shoulder, a comforting and respectful gesture.

Deverick - M - Subordinate - Mention(s:): Doji, Recon (ind: / )

~

Deverick tried to nod, but his muscles betrayed him. "I'm... fine," he managed to utter out in response to their concern. "Just - give me, a minute." At least the marching band was playing quieter now - but they still hadn't stopped.

But for now, he just lay there, slowly regaining his senses as he realized how pathetic he must look, lying down like this next to the stream. No wonder the two of them had come over from where they had been - when did they come over? Probably sometime after he crashed through the grass without any stealth, and flopped into the shallows - although Deverick wasn't exactly looking at them, it wasn't hard to deduce why they came over.

"Really. I'll be fine." He smiled a bit at the two of them. "I'll go back in a moment." What he didn't say was that his legs felt like jelly and were most definitely not behaving with him. Which of course, it had to be now that it happened.

Attempting to stand, while he didn't notice it earlier over his thirst - legs feeling like jelly and being painful and tender were not the greatest to stand on. "I'm fine," he repeated under his breath as if it would make it fine. Even though he probably wasn't, not until the sedative wore off.

Well, frick.

~~~

Lidiya - F - Subordinate - Mention(s): Echo, Anubis (ind: Deverick)

~

Lidiya growled as Echo hauled her out of her little hiding spot. It was such a good spot and Echo had to have gone and pulled her out.

"I can walk by myself," she muttered with a hint of her trademark tone that indicated she was capable of handling her own business, thank you very much. She was about to wrench herself out of her grasp when she was unceremoniously dropped, and Echo walked away without a word.

Well, that was nice, she thought with a bit of a frown. Now she wasn't able to simply observe and watch.

Now she had a full view of everyone, though, and a brief look around revealed most of them were there - however one of those missing was, of course, her younger half-brother.

Of course it had to be him. While Lidiya still didn't exactly approve of Deverick's attitude, they were half-siblings, and as the older sister she had the responsibility.

Though, it could wait. It wasn't like she'd go running around in a panic trying to find him. Only if he didn't turn up in a bit would she go find him. He's old enough to take care of himself, she inwardly thought. When Lidiya was his age, she could - why would her younger half-brother be anything different?

Except for the fact that his attitude needed to change itself if he wanted to go anywhere.

Grumbling a bit, then banishing him from her mind, she looked around and spotted Anubis lurking around the edge of the circle of carrier boxes. Briefly, she debated whether it would be worth her time going to talk to him, before deciding that it was. After all, their thoughts and goals generally aligned - and definitely much more than Merlin, who was in the middle of - believe it or not - issuing more orders. She'd listen in later once it became relevant to her.

But for now, she tuned out of the consistent argument, turning slightly away to make her path intercept with Anubis's.

Anubis | Male | Subordinate | M: indrectly: recon, merlin, Echo . Directly: Lidiya

The white male carelessly listened to Recon’s scolding. Anubis' eyes rolled in annoyance from the hard ass male. What a tool? Anubis thought to himself bitterly. His large head rested between his large black paws in annoyance. His mouth heaved, screaming for a drink of water.

Anubis listened to Echo’s nice words. He let out a deep sigh as he rose to his paws. Anubis had mutual respect and trust with Echo. Something he lacked with the others. Not exactly a friend, but someone he wouldn't blatantly disrespect without a proper reasoning. Her maternal instinct was striving for everyone’s safety and atleast someone is needed to do that. Yes, Anubis didn't exactly want to wait for everyone. But at the same time he did care to a point. What’s a pack without followers? He has an excuse why he wanted to leave the others behind. To find who is the strongest and the ones that will just be a freeloader. Not exactly his type of crowd he wanted to be around.

His sharp pointed ears flattened when he heard Merlin’s orders that they would be going together. Would he follow? Anubis didn't exactly wish to, but for his own sake he needed to keep his rebellious nature down. He didn't exactly want another scolding at this moment.

Anubis chuckled seeing Lidiya getting snippy at Echo. Amusement flickered in his eyes at his fellow friend. He saw that Lidiya was nearing him. He tilted his head with curiosity pawing at his mind. He went closer to her and barked for her to hear.

“Just listen to Merlin. You and I can go off on our own, here soon. Plus I hate to admit he is right. And if you make fun of me for stating he is right, you can deal with being with them, while I go off by myself. But Just together to the river and we split off for a hunt or a shelter..”

He watched Merlin start signaling everyone to move to the river. He looked at Lidiya and pointed his head towards the direction of the river.

“Ladies, first love…”