Gathering Circle
Nevarre arrives from the west.
Snowback is sniffing around the bushes on the far side of the Circle when he suddenly tenses, raises his eyes and spots you entering the circle.
Nevarre walks out of the woods quietly, his intimidating size and strength evident. He growls when he sees the new wolf and says, "State your name and business, now"
Snowback's hackles rise at the threat of your presence. He keeps his body low to the ground, ready to either pounce or flee. He bears his teeth and growls back, "I'm called Snowback. I'm hunting for me supper, if it's anything to ye."
Nevarre continues to growls, his larger size an strength enhancing his intimidation. He replies, "You are hunting in pack territory, rogue"
Snowback keeps his eyes focussed on you, but covers his teeth, "Can't an honest wolf feed himself, then? I'm doing no one harm."
Petraverd comes trotting toward you from the south.
Nevarre keeps his intense gaze on the rogue, not relaxing. He says, "There are plenty of other places to hunt rogue that are not pack territory"
Snowback starts at the unicorn's entrance. Eyes darting back and forth between the newcomer and the large wolf, he starts to slink backward out of the circle, "Yeah, right. That's just what the giants say about the moors up north. And what the next pack will say about the critters in their neck of the woods, no doubt."
Petraverd trots into the circle from the west, looking a bit winded but no worse for the wear. He pauses a moment, noting the unfamiliar wolf present, though he does not seem particularly tense about it - at least, not just yet.
Nevarre arches a brow when snowback mentions the moors. He growls even louder, "What do you know of the moors?"
Snowback's hackles still raised, he snaps back, "Only what a wolf raised there from a pup and lately seen his Mom squished by a giant would know! What's it to you?"
Petraverd /does/ visibly tense at this news. While he still remains silent, he scrapes a hoof slightly at the grass beneath it.
Nevarre growls, though it lightens some, "What business did you have in the moors for so long. Why did you not leave that wretched place?"
Snowback relaxes slightly at the modulation in the wolf's tone but remains alert, occassionally casting a glance toward the spectating unicorn, "I'd tell you to ask me Mom, if you could. And once Mom was gone I didn't stay long, now did I? Mom, me brother, and me kept to ourselves, and the giants and all never bothered us much, except when they caught Bro last year, until when they got Mom the last moon."
Nevarre says, "That does not answer my question rogue. Why did you not leave? You could have at any time"
Petraverd gives his tail a short and somewhat sharp flick, ears swiveled forward. He chooses this moment to say, "I believe he /has/ answered the question, albeit indirectly."
Snowback says, "And what's wrong with the Moors, now, if a she-wolf wants to raise her pups there? We could mostly find enough critters to eat."
Glyn arrives from the west.
Snowback jumps at the new wolf's entry, and slinks backwards another step toward the edge of the Circle.
Nevarre ignores petraverd for the moment. He keeps his gaze on snowback, "You favor the moors then?"
Snowback sniffs, "Who cares? As long as a wolf can fill his belly in peace. Sorry to disturb you, Governor!" With the sarcastic jibe, he turns tail and runs out of the Circle.
Snowback heads north, toward the clearing.
The Shelter Tree Clearing
Nevarre arrives from the south.
Glyn arrives from the south.
Nevarre growls upon entering the clearing. He says, "You're stupid to think you can run off like that"
Glyn enters the clearing stubbornly behind his Alpha.
Snowback turns toward his pursuers as he continues slinking toward the underbrush, "Leave me alone, will you? I'll get out of your precious territory!"
Nevarre stands in front of the exit to the clearing, "The path out is behind me. If you think the moors are so great, then why did you leave them?"
Snowback growls back, "What do you care, as long as I'm going?"
Glyn eyes his Alpha briefly and stands to one side, remaining silent and studying the strange wolf intently.
Nevarre says, "You are in no position to do anything stupid rogue, especially because you are from the wretched moors. What are you doing here in Lantern waste"
Snowback exclaims, "Like I said before, Mom got offed last month. Pickings were poor and I didn't fancy getting squished myself, so I set off for happier hunting grounds. Even if Mom was still around it was about time for me to be setting of for meself, anyway. And now begging your pardon, Governor, I will take me mangy hide and look for pray somewheres else!""
Glyn stiffens and shifts his weight subtly, not exactly poised to spring but clearly ready to react quickly.
Nevarre keeps himself firmly in front of the exit. He growls at the rogue's disrespect, "That is rather rude just to say your mother was offed, don't you think?"
Snowback growls back, "She's my Mom, ain't she, and what's it to you? I talk like my Mom tought me, and I beg your pardon if it ain't fancy enough for the wolves of these parts."
Nevarre asks, "Then your mom didn't teach you much. You know nothing about the order of a pack, do you rogue?"
Snowback's hackles come up and crouches tensely as though he might pounce. He growls through bared teeth, "She taught me well enough, like how to steer clear of jack-a-napes like you, and she was right!"
Glyn takes one cautious step backward but comes to a crouch himself, standing firmly beside his Alpha.
Nevarre stands his ground. He scoffs, "Then you would know it would be stupid to insult and challenge one who is much bigger and stronger than you. It is a fight you cannot win"
Caileana arrives from the south.
Indra arrives from the south.
Indra arrives, following Caileana.
Snowback exclaims, "And with you standing in front of the only way out, I don't have much choice, now, do I? Now you said I couldn't hunt in your territory, so I'm leaving. Leave me alone and let me go!"
Glyn observes softly, "The territory of the Waste is very large. You'd have to travel far to leave Ulfden lands."
Caileana emerges from the south, Indra close behind her. She appears to be following a scent.
Snowback turns to the younger wolf and growls, "Then tell yer Dad to let me get going, sonny!"
Snowback glances behind him for another escape route, feeling trapped by the assembling pack.
Caileana eyes the stranger with only some surprise at first, but her hackles raise at his growl. She looks to Nevarre and bows her head. "Alpha. My mother and I wished to speak with you before we left the Waste." She moves slightly to the side as though to appear slightly less threatening, although she eyes the rogue with suspicion.
Nevarre notes the looks the Rogue is giving. He looks behind him, nods briefly to Caileana and Indra and then says to his pack, "Back off some. This many of us is not necessary for one rogue"
Glyn glances at the Alpha and nods, stepping back a few respectful paces but keeping his weight low and regarding the erratic newcomer wraily.
Snowback keeps his body low but relaxes slightly and covers his teeth, "None of you are necessary. I know when I'm out-numbered and unwanted. Let me pass and I'll be on my way. Like the pup says, I've got a lot of ground to cover."
Glyn's hackles suddenly spike at the rogue's words.
Caileana moves off more, behind Nevarre and out of the way, Indra following. She watches the exchange without comment, until the rogue speaks again. She looks at Nevarre with a slight frown and something akin to apprehension when she realizes the rogue is leaving, but as he continues to speak, she very nearly snarls at the word "pup."
Nevarre says, "You're stupid rogue. No matter how far you go, you will always encounter another who does not want you in their territory. No one likes a rogue. you're a wolf and a wolf is meant to be with a pack"
Snowback answers sarcastically, "Sorry, it didn't seem like you were interested in applications for membership."
Indra stands quietly beside Caileana, observing the interaction.
Nevarre says, "Why would I want someone who is automatically defensive, refuses to be civil and answer my questions, all while outside of his own territory."
Caileana keeps silent, although this appears to be by strength of will at first, deferring to Nevarre.
Glyn's fur begins slowly to smooth, but his stance remains rigid.
Snowback rolls his eyes, "Ooh, civil wolves have we here in the Wastes? Much too good for a brat from those aweful Moors now, eh? And of course a lone wolf outside his territory would have no reason to be defensive when a big blighter such as himself tells him to shove off, now would he?"
Nevarre growls slightly, "You fail to see the difference in our positions /rogue/" He emphasize the word rogue when he says it
Indra's ear flicks.
Caileana cants her head up at the gray wolf's words. Her eyes flash, and she shakes her head as if he has no idea what he is talking about when he mentions wolves from the moors.
Snowback says, "I thank ye, sir, for making the difference between yourself and me very clear. And, once again, sir, if you'll let me pass, I'll be clear of your territory, and no more bother to your august self, sir."
Nevarre says, "And where will you go? Remember, no one likes a rogue"
Indra glances at Caileana and leans toward her to speak in a low voice.
Glyn tenses and regards his Alpha at that statement, with some pain.
Snowback shrugs, "Who knows? It's plain it's no matter to you, and why should it be?"
Indra mumbles "If ... Alpha ... ... ... ... ... ... ... to follow ... ... ... rather ... hunting ... our trip?", to Caileana.
Caileana blinks, surprised at Indra's words. Her eyes flash, and she nods firmly.
Caileana mumbles "... would like ... if ... don't ... It ... ... hamper the time ... ... have ...", to Indra.
Nevarre asks, "If it didn't matter, then why would I ask?"
Indra mumbles "... ... like it, too. ... ... we ... ... ... ... ... ...", to Caileana.
Caileana smiles at Indra, looking pleased. She nods.
Snowback says, "I'm sure it would never occur to a stupid wolf like me."
Nevarre smirks, "Probably not, but that is the only impression you have given me thus far"
Indra bows her head a little in apology for the interruption she is about to make. "Alpha, when you have a moment, may I have a word?"
Indra amends, "While in present company."
Caileana nods, her posture a silent support of Indra's words.
Glyn frowns and watches the stranger with deepening suspicion.
Nevarre growls slightly, but calms himself. he turns around, still glances back regularly at the rogue, and says, "What is it Indra?"
Indra approaches her Alpha and speaks low with him.
Indra mumbles "Caileana and ... ... ... that ... would ... happy ... follow ... Wolf into ... ... ... ... Either by accompanying ... ... seeing if he ... ... ... ... ... this first impression, ... ... ... to ... ... he ... ... stir ... ...", to Nevarre.
Snowback glances at each of the pack wolves around him, staying alert.
Caileana stays back and meets the stranger's eyes boldly.
Nevarre thinks quietly for a moment. He replies in turn
Nevarre mumbles "And ... will ... ... ... ... find ... ... ... rogue?", to Indra.
Glyn spares only brief glances for the conference of his packmates, making an effort to keep the stranger always within sight.
Indra mumbles "... ... report back ... you ... then ... ... ... if you ... or I ... ... him to return with us ... report to ... with ... present.", to Nevarre.
Nevarre nods in agreement with the plan. he mumbles his replu
Nevarre mumbles "I like ... ... Keep ... eye on him ... see ... ... is ... I ... ... ... rogues, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... who ... ... strong", to Indra.
Indra inclines her head and backs off again.
Nevarre turns back around to the rogue. He steps to the side and gestures for the other wolves to do the same. He growls, "Get out of here rogue"
Glyn blinks at the Alpha's abrupt decision in surprise, but slowly shifts to the side, eyeing his packmates curiously.
Caileana glances between Indra and Nevarre. Dipping her head, she obeys.
Snowback bears his teeth briefly and snarls, "Yes, your worship," then flees the clearing with his tail between his legs.
Snowback strikes off on his own. Later, in unfamiliar country outside of the pack's range ...
Shuddering Wood
Indra slips silently through the brush, following the rogue Wolf. She gives Caileana a sharp glance when she makes a noise, but covers the sound quickly by coming out of hiding, "Excuse me--"
Caileana frowns at the glance, lookingly fleetingly hurt and offended, but she shrugs it off and follows her mother closely.
Snowback turns with a start, crouches and growls, "What do you ladies want? Here to finish the job the big buster was afraid to do himself?"
Indra says, "I apologize for my Alpha. He can be-- brusque. You understand, I'm sure. We Wolves have had to endure a lot of criticism for our past actions, and it has made some of us regimental in order to counteract the prevalent opinion. You seem to be a survival-oriented Wolf, and we value that in a pack. I wonder if we couldn't spend a few days with you... either help you get settled on your own outside the Moors or convince you to consider our pack.""
Caileana rolls her eyes at his attitude, and looks offended by his insult of the Alpha. She eyes her mother with appreciation when she speaks, and adds mildly, "If we wanted to do you in, we would have done it when there were four of us."
Snowback relaxes slightly but remains alert, glancing between the two she-wolves, "Oh, your alpha is the king of brusque, I'd say. All I ever wanted was a chance to make my own way in peace, an I can take care of myself." He turns to the younger she-wolf, "Yes, I suppose it would have taken all four of you to do me in."
Indra seems unfazed by the rogue's own disrespectful attitude. "Nonetheless, would you be entirely adverse to our company? We know the area well and could benefit you in that way, and perhaps you could teach us something from your life as a rogue."
Caileana smirks at him, relaxing as he does. She pointedly looks him up and down, and tilts her head to the side. "You think?" Her tone is wry and faintly sarcastic. She flicks a glance to Indra, after a moment making an effort to smooth her expression and follow Indra's lead.
Snowback relaxes and shrugs, "May as well. I've never been this far south. If you don't show me around, I'll just end up having to track you to find the best places to hunt. IF you think his brusqueness won't mind, that is."
Indra inclines her head. "Very well, then. Forgive me, I don't think I caught your name."
Snowback asks, "Mom called me Snowback. What are you ladies called?"
Indra looks amused at being called 'lady' given her middle-agedness. "Indra, and this is my daughter."
Caileana glances at Indra at the word "daughter" and something like warmth flares in her eyes. She nods deeply. "Caileana of Ulfden."
Snowback grins wryly at Caileana, "You sound like royalty, sis."
Caileana sits down and fluffs out her tail. "Ulfden is what I am," she says with a shrug, before narrowing her eyes at him. "And I am not your "sis."
Indra says, "I'll show you where the Dwarves live so you know what area to avoid while you're hunting."
Snowback nods and says in a tone of only the slightest sarcasm, "Lead away."
Indra offers to lead Snowback.
Snowback decides to follow Indra.
Indra trots eastward through the trees.
Snowback leaves, following Indra.
Madderholt
Indra hangs back with Caileana when she's shown Snowback around and they've given him space to go off hunting.
Snowback inclines his head toward Indra, then turns and sneaks into the undergrowth, looking for a delicious small animal to snack on.
Caileana follows Indra's lead, watching the rogue for a bit. She glances back at her mother.
Indra glances down at her daughter. "Well. What do you think?"
Caileana tilts her head. "Of the rogue?"
Caileana mmms thoughtfully. "Well, he's certainly sharp-tongued. Not that that's anything new for packmates. He's bold, I'll give him that. And he's survived on his own this long."
Indra nods. "He speaks tough. We'll see if he measures up to his boasting.
Caileana nods. "Do you think it would be permitted for one of us to spar him? That would certainly be the best test of his strength."
Indra says, "If he feels inclined."
Caileana nods, eyes gleaming at the prospect of, ahem, fresh meat.
