The Main den

"Have you ever been one for fishing? It is a great way to clear one's mind, as it takes total concentration."
He flickered his ears. Just the thought of water made him shiver. But if thats what it takes to be accepted here, he'll just have to manage.
"Or are you too terrified of crawdads?"
He laughed quietly remembering the springs, and looked up to her with a smile. "Nah I guess I can handle a few fish, but be warned, I have never tried!" he said with a smirk. As a warrior he never even thought of fishing, then he became a hunter because he didn't feel like a warrior. But as a hunter he specializes on outrunning and taking down rather big prey. Not to mention his water dislike... but oh well, maybe this will bring out a new talent.

He followed the fisher to the creek. The rain seemed to lighten, but probably not for Reyas and Anslo. Deep within him he wished them safety, and continues to go after Juniper. As he put his feet down right in front of the creek, he looked out to the waters. "This might be harder than I thought... OK how about you explain to me how to fish??? Are there any special techniques" he asked looking down, feeling rather clumsy.


Mentioned: Reyas, Anslo
Addressed: Juniper
Notes: Short post... sorry.

Shield lifted his one eyebrow at the speedy fishing of Juniper. She was talented indeed! Knew her job well. Now he had to decide which one of the techniques to use... All included water, all included reflexes as well as good sight, patience, excellent timing and good concentration.

He takes a deep breath by the thought of getting wet. You ARE gonna do this, you've been through worse than a few drops of water, you can handle it! he thought to himself again breathing deeply. He hardened himself and walked a few meters along the creek and then crouches down right before the water, staring into the water. He sees a middle-class fish swimming his way with the sunlight shining on his scales. He moves slightly and then prepares to take the wetting leap...

He clumsily falls into the water snapping around, surfacing few moments later to gasp for air. He climbs out with fur hanging like heavy sacks over his body. He shakes himself off and then appears as a ball of fluff. He rolls his eyes. Seriously! This is no time for a bad fur day! he thinks annoyed.

He was about to go back to the den, but that would mean... he gives up... there was no way he was gonna let simple brainless fish win the round! He walked up the creek a few meters from last time and crouched down once again. He sits without moving a thing and waits for another victim to arrive. A large scaled swimmer came up to him searching around the plants. He contracts his muscles... it is now or never...

He dives into the water and stays there for a few seconds, and then bursts out battling with the fish. He quickly jumped back to land and drops the fish on the ground, watching it flipper around. He paws it, hoping it will die from a new scratches. But no, he rather went for a final bite, looking at the trophy he caught. He looks up to the fisher and smiles. "How's this?"


Mentioned: X
Addressed: Juniper
Notes: poor thing caught his first fish

Shield perked his ears when he heard the familiar voice of Reyas howling back, saying they found Bramble and are okay. He smiled brightly and stood up, barking excitedly to the other three. He gasped as he saw the older female see his excitement. He gasped again and stood taller. "They will be back soon. Thank goodness they're alright!" he said. It felt like ages since he saw his three friends. He hesitated a moment by calling them friends. Anslo, he knew, was truly his friend. He didn't talk much with Bramble, but the time he spent with her they got along quite well. Reyas... he was not sure if they are friends or just packmates. He really wanted to call her his friend, but he's not sure if she'd accept his friendship.

He closed his eyes for a moment, thinking back.

The young male looked up to the bigger alpha, looking torn down. "Harden yourself you lousy omega! Get back to training." the male yelled at his son. He began to circle his father again and attacked him. The big male just pinned him down again, leaving landing on his same swollen shoulder. He gasped for air again and got up. "Father... erm I mean Alpha, can't I take a short break and go hang out with my friends?" the young grey male said. "Excuse me?! Your friends?! You there, come here!" he called to another young wolf who came walking up low to the Alpha. The large male pinned him down and bit into the young male, with him crying for help. The young grey male sees his father tearing at his friend and glues his ears to the back of his head. "Please father! He didn't do anything to deserve this! I'll train further, just please don't hurt him further!" the young male cried protecting his friend. The large male stood proud, with blood dripping from his mouth. "Friends are a distraction! A weakness!" the male yelled at the pup.

Shield sighed. "Friends are a distraction, a weakness..." he thought to himself. He scolded himself. "No, no, no Shield! You are not him, he's in the past, you know he's gone. Focus on the things that really matter, protecting your pack." he thought to himself. Jou groep... beskerm wat jy liefhet, moenie opgee nie." he thought to himself.


Mentioned: Reyas, Anslo, Juniper
Addressed: Anyone I guess?
Notes: X

She had done her duty-- and gotten everyone back safely without a run in with whatever that thing had been. To her surprise, Juniper and Shield weren't in the vincinity. It wasn't too hard to track their scents with the rain gone and the sun already starting to peak out from behind the clouds, and Rey's nose brought her to the creek, where Juniper and Shield were... catching fish? That brought a small grin to Rey's face. Shield was rather clumsy compared to Juniper's knowledge and finess, but he was catching meals all the same. "Looks good guys, are you having fun?" Reyas smirked, heading down to meet the two.

Glancing at Shield, Rey bowed her head as if to erase whatever had happened between them. Anslo was right-- you couldn't be mad at someone forever and hole your emotions up inside of yourself. It was wrong, and Rey would try her best not to do it. Walking beside Juniper, Rey spoke so that only she could hear. "Thank you for taking charge while I was gone. I appreciate it greatly." Then, acknowledging all of the wolves once more, Rey retreated back to the main den, settling down in front of it, and wrapping her tail around herself. She didn't sleep, just kept watch over the den area as she had almost a week ago when Brook had left the den. Is Chun a bheith go ní bheidh.

Shield looked up as he saw the beta coming towards them. A rushed feeling of pure excitement rushed through his veins. He just wanted to start pouncing around like a pup. He had never felt so happy to see other coming to them. She thanked Juniper and went to lay down in the den. He watched her, making sure she wasn't sleeping, and walked up to the den.

As he came up the hill, he gave Anslo and Bramble a welcoming nod, and continued until he finally took a seat next to the beta, who was laying next to him watching the place. He breathed in deeply and started collecting words to say. He had to make things right between him and the female. "I never had the chance to talk to you, but I'm sorry. I seem to create chaos everywhere I lay my paws down." he said and looked down, pawing the ground. "I thought coming here would be better, but I still made chaos out of a situation that could've been ignored. I'm sorry, about everything. I'm just a broken soul seeking peace somewhere in this world." he said not looking up. He felt ashamed and weak to speak so, but he had to make things right this time. He would not turn into what he was born to be. He had to change his fate.

He carefully looked down to the beta, unable to take his eyes away from the hypnotizing emerald gems. Her eyes seemed different... the unsure, arrogant, stubborn and painful feeling seemed to turn into joy and... love...? Could the beta really gotten her happiness before he did? Anslo... he thought to himself with a smile. That sly fox he smiled brightly at the thought of him being such a good friend, to everyone around him. He made everyone happy. He was like the glowing angel of peace. Shield frowned and looked down again. And he was the demon of chaos. Maybe he'll find his peace sooner than later. Hopefully... he thought sighing.


Mentioned: Juniper, Anslo, Bramble
Addressed: Reyas
Notes: dunno what to think about this poor soul...

The activities of his packmates were quickly drowned out as Anslo padded his way up into the den. He briefly returned Shield's nod, but beyond that the warrior was lost to the world. He found his spot, in a secluded part of the den, and laid down with a sigh. His eyes immediately began to feel heavy and there was no way Anslo had the strength to remain awake. Somewhere, he was vaguely aware of a conversation happening, but the words were garbled and unclear and held no meaning. Anslo decided that if he was needed he would be woken up, but until then, it was nap time. Letting his eyes slide shut, the warrior got comfortable and let sleep consume him.  

There are four pups in the den, three of which are sleeping next to their mother. The fourth, a young male with dark eyes and a shaggy pelt, is watching intently the ongoings outside. It is late, but the pack is still alive with activity. The warriors have just returned from a patrol, their powerful frames standing tall and proud in the moonlight. The lead warrior, a female named Peony, is reporting in to the alpha.

The pup looks at his uncle, who listens to the female's report with a calm expression. When she is finished, Peony bows and awaits further instructions from the alpha. Her fellow warriors follow suit and the alpha gives a slight smile, praising their hard work at keeping the pack secure. He issues a set of directions, to arrange patrols for the following day, as well as an escort for one of the healers who needed to gather more herbs. Once he is finished, the warriors are dismissed and the alpha is left alone, standing in the clearing. The pup stares at him, eyes wide with admiration.

His uncle is so serious and wise, beloved by the whole pack. The pup has been watching him nearly all day, and is amazed at how collected he is, how he manages the daily running of a pack while never seeming to need a break. He could doll out fair and just punishment in on breath while comfort a packmate in the next.

The pup wants to be like him. He wants that earnest attitude and unfaltering confidence, the ability handle any situation with ease and wisdom.

"Anslo?" His mother gently calls, bringing the pup back to the present. He turns, looking to her. "What are you doing still up, dear?"

The pup thinks, wanting to give a better answer than watching the others in the pack. He's about to speak, before an idea strikes him. He pauses, rewording his reply, before saying, "I am just star gazing, mama, I did not mean to stay up so late."

His mother smiles, "You're talking like your uncle." She says, "Now come get some rest."

The pup obeys, a smile on his features. Her words ring in his head, "You're talking like your uncle." As he cozies up next to his siblings, the pup's smile grows. I am going to be just like him. He thinks.
___
Addressed: Nobody
Mentioned: Everyone
Notes: Couldn't think what else to post, so here's some silly backstory stuff.

The multicolored fae had been trying to go to sleep, but sleep would not come to her restless mind. She had things to worry about, being in command while Brook was absent. She had absolutely no idea how to lead these wolves, but was determined to try if it killed her. So far everyone was accounted for, except for Ahora who was probably off fishing, or lurking somewhere around the densite. Reyas wasn't too worried, because her scent was everywhere. So, for the time being, the green-eyed fae would assume that everyone was safe. She reassured herself that Juniper was keeping an eye on everyone, or at least Shield, whom was fishing with her. Anslo had just walked by a moment ago, but Rey didn't bother talking to him, as it seemed the warrior was tired and went to sleep. Rey envied him at the moment, for her mind would not let her be at ease.

Just as Rey was starting to slowly drift off, a voice above her dragged her back to the surface. Blinking, Reyas caught sight of Shield sitting next to her, talking. Pulling herself to her paws, Rey would stare out across the den site, and past, into the trees. "I never had the chance to talk to you, but I'm sorry. I seem to create chaos everywhere I lay my paws down." He seemed to blame himself for everything he did, and Rey wondered if it was because of his past. She knew she was not one to interfere, but someone had to smack some sense into Shield. It was not only his fault, it was hers as well, and here he was, rambling on and on about... bringing chaos? Yes. Bringing chaos into the world. Oh , daor Tiarna nach gur fhios aige. Rey thought. "I thought coming here would be better, but I still made chaos out of a situation that could've been ignored. I'm sorry, about everything. I'm just a broken soul seeking peace somewhere in this world."

Rey absentmindedly nodded along, though she had tuned out at the beginning of Shield's seemingly rehearsed speech. When his voice no longer rang out, Rey stood and faced him. "Are you done yet?" She waited and heard nothing, so continued. "Good. Listen, Shield. It is not my place to tell you who to be, though it is my place to tell you what to do. You need to pick your head up and grow up, because life doesn't wait for those to feel sorry for themselves. What happened in your past is unspeakable, but you have done nothing. Were you the one who killed your family? No. Could you have stopped it? Probably. But you didn't, and that's how life works. Now, you can either sit on your rump feeling self-pity for the rest of your life, or do something about it and live. Live for your mother, and the pack that you once had. Avenge them by expressing yourself and your emotions. Tell the people you love that you love them. Defend the people that you trust and fight for them. I used to believe that love was weakness, that emotions were a plague that had no cure. I was partially right, but I was also wrong. It's up to you to decide what that means." Rey blinked and exhaled, sitting by Shield's side again and letting her words sink in. She was not Anslo. Her words would not be comforting nor friendly. She would say what needed to be said.

"We've both done things we've regretted. But those choices do not define who you are." She spoke in a more gentle tone this time, her emerald optics seeking his. She would patiently await his response, while hoping she wasn't too hard on him. But then she realized, it was her job to be hard on him. On everyone. That didn't mean that she had to be some ruthless dictator, but she had to keep wolves focused on the tasks at hand. It was her job as a warrior.

He listened carefully as the beta spoke. One sentence did caught him deeply. "Were you the one who killed your family? No." Yes, yes its all me... he thought swallowing heavily. He perked his ears and heard the female speak to him. Not as soft as Anslo, but the message said precisely the same thing.

Did she really mean the part of saying to others that he cared for them? That seemed like a big obstacle, a weakness... but this was his new life, and he didn't have to go through it alone, not anymore. "Well then its time I say this and get it over with... I care about you, all of you... Anslo, Bramble, Juniper, Brook, Ahora... you... I love you all and I'm willing to fight to the death to keep you all safe. I will not let those I care about die again." he forced out the words and finally breathed again. He slyly looked at the female beta again, meeting her eyes. The deepest of the emerald greens there can be found, yet so calming for a reason he could not explain.

Here laid the beginning of his new life, a time to forget the past and focus on the future, to focus on is pack, his friends, his responsibilities... a chance to be the teasing, playful wolf he used to be, all he needed to do now was choose... Hell yeah! he thought in his heartbeat rising from excitement. "You're right, Rey. This is gonna be a new beginning for me. And... thank you... I couldn't ask for a better beta." he said and smiled to her.


Mentioned: Anslo, Bramble, Ahora, Brook, Juniper
Addressed: Reyas
Notes: X

The multicolored female was rather surprised at Shield's response; she half thought he would lose it and be angry at her. Then this whole thing would start all over again. But he didn't, and his response surprised her greatly. Her mouth even gaped slightly. "Well then its time I say this and get it over with... I care about you, all of you... Anslo, Bramble, Juniper, Brook, Ahora... you... I love you all and I'm willing to fight to the death to keep you all safe. I will not let those I care about die again." Reyas was a bit taken aback at his wording, but quickly closed her mouth and glazed her eyes over again. No one has ever loved me before. Except for my mother and siblings. It wasn't time to be Shield's friend, it was time to be his commander. "Hopefully it will not come to that." Rey said coolly, but with a slight smile upon her face. She finally understood what both Juniper and Anslo had been talking about. She wouldn't have to be the stony faced serious beta all the time, but she couldn't be happy and excited and... loving all the time either. She had to be something in between, and Rey thought she finally had it figured out. Mo dhia, breathnú cé chomh fada agus tá mé ag teacht.

The almost sly look upon Shield's face shocked the beta into grinning back. She watched as Shield seemed to mull over what this could mean for him, and Reyas was astonished as she realized he was changing. It seemed her pep talk actually came through to him, which was a wonder. The multicolored fae never saw herself as the inspirational type, but it had worked. Maybe we're all on a better road to survival. Reyas thought. "You're right, Rey. This is gonna be a new beginning for me. And... thank you... I couldn't ask for a better beta." This made Rey's eyebrow raise. Tá mé, b'fhéidir, an dara ceann is measa i gceannas riamh, ach a bhuíochas ar aon bhealach sciath. She thought, while hesitantly returning the gesture of friendliness with a slight tail wag. "Well... thanks." She said. "This doesn't mean you becoming some reckless rule-breaker is okay by me." Rey grinned, joking with the hunter. She was about to leave the den in search for something to drink when something her mother had once told her popped into her head. Turning to the hunter and meeting his eyes, Rey spoke. "Just remember, Shield, don't change so people like you. Be yourself and the right people will love the real you." Nodding as if her business was finished, which it was, Rey turned and headed to the creek, maybe twenty feet away. Remembering Shield, Rey turned back to him.

"You're welcome to come, if you want." She said, walking back down to the spot that Juniper was at, still fishing. Rey wondered if perhaps she could learn... she'd only ever been good in combat, but perhaps it would be good for her as the second in command to learn. It wasn't too late... right? Walking beside the older fae, Rey admired her skill for a second before she spoke, trying not to spook Juniper. "I'd just like to say thanks again for your help... it was useful. And... if you're not too busy... could you teach me how to fish?" Reyas asked a bit doubtful in herself. After all, Crin had always said she would never change, that she would always be a weakling. He was wrong. Look at me now. Rey thought to herself, waiting for a reply from the fisher. She half hoped Shield didn't come-- he would see her fail, and failing made a beta look weak. However, she was determined to give this a try. Tá mé i gcónaí sásta rud éigin chun iarracht a dhéanamh aon uair amháih. Cé a fhios? B'fhéidir beidh mé a bheith go maith ar sé, nó ar a laghad maith liom é. She thought. Rey was always willing to try something once, and who knew? Maybe she'd be good at it. Or at least like it.

Shield smiled at the beta's words. He liked her new personalty, stone hearted but still playful and joking. He saw her heading down to the creek and heard her invitation. How could he say no? He quickly paced down where he saw her asking the older fisher for help. Not as if he could help in any way, but he was still hungry, a fish wouldn't hurt. He trotted down to the water and crouched down, half sitting there staring like a hawk.

After a few minutes he saw a nice fat fish swimming past him. Not as close as he would want him to be, but its close enough. He reached forward, ready to spring... too much! He slipped and fell head first in the water. He came back up quickly and saw the fish making his way for an escape. Oh no you don't! he thought and set after the fish, running and stumbling, but not taking his eyes off his prey. Water splashed everywhere as he created the tsunami and finally came back to land with the fish in his mouth. He paced up to the beta and dropped the fish by her feet. "For you, my royal queen." he said and bowed down to her playfully. He came back up with a smile and returned to the creek.

He quickly snatched another middle sized fish and climbed out of the water. He dropped the fish and shook off his pelt, leaving him looking like a Pomeranian afterwards. He walked up to the female and sat down, dropping the fish by his feet again. He tried to wipe his fur flat on his head with his paws. "Looks like my fur does not like fishing today." he said with a smile.


Mentioned: Juniper
Addressed: Reyas
Notes: sorry for crappy post!

Glancing around, Rey realized Juniper might be thinking things over, or too busy at the moment. That was fine, Reyas could figure out the basics by herself and ask for tips later. Getting off of her haunches, the multicolored beta would walk over to the edge of the creek, peering into the crystal waters. She thought she'd seen a school of fish swim by, but she wasn't sure if they were big enough to eat. Trying again at a different spot, Reyas squinted as her tail waved back and forth, her face set in grim determination and focus. Just as she was about to gather the nerve to jump in, a noise from behind her startled the fae into turning her cranium around. Shield had followed her to the creek, and was now sopping wet, looking around himself wildly. Turning her head to the side, Reyas would watch as the grayscale male caught a plump fish in his jaws and climbed out of the water. Conas is féidir leis a dhéanamh sin? Rey thought as the male sauntered over. "For you, my royal queen." Reyas raised a brow at the male's silly looking grin, but couldn't help her mouth tugging upwards. "I told you not to call me that. I'm not the alpha." Rey sighed, but with a grin on her face. Nudging the fish away, Rey thought again and grabbed it in her jaws, trotting over to the male. "Looks like my fur does not like fishing today." The male said, but Rey did not respond. She had a fish in her mouth.

Throwing the fish as hard as she could at Shield, Rey winced as it made a satisfying smack against the male's pelt. "Nice of you, but it's your kill. Besides, I can catch my own food." Reyas said proudly, though she was bluffing. She knew nothing about fishing, nor was she confident that she could catch her own. "It looks like your fur doesn't like a lot of things." Rey said coyly, referring to the splattered fish on his pelt. Walking back over to the creek, the multicolored beta stood atop a small uprise in the mud, her emerald optics tracing across the tiny ripples in the water, searching for a fish like Shield had caught. It seemed that she wasn't as talented, because the only fish she came close to skirted away like it sensed her presence. Sighing heavily, Rey looked back to Shield. She would not give up. Flattening her body, Rey's tail waved back and forth, spotting out a trout that had swum downstream. Foirfe. Anois, tá gach mé a dhéanamh ná léim. The female thought, gathering her nerves and leaping into the creek, her black tipped tail sailing behind her like a banner. After that, Rey lost her sense of direction and where she was going, and plowed into the edge of the creek, sending both water and mud into the air. Gritting her teeth, the beta would glare at the trout as it swam farther away from her. "Diabhal iasc." The emerald-eyed fae muttered, yelping in surprise as another trout leaped out of the water, hitting her in the snout.

Glancing back to shore, Rey eyed the splattered fish on Shield's pelt, wondering if she should have eaten it. Quick embarrassment washed over the fae as she realized Shield would be making fun of her for this. Looking around, Rey dove under and came up eye to eye with a crawdad on her nose. Letting out a sort of unmanageable squeak, Rey batted the crustacean off of her nose, glancing around for another fish. Spotting another silvery trout like the one before, Rey jumped on it, prancing around in the water with her tail held high until she picked up the trampled fish in her mouth, looking around with joy. Climbing out of the creek with bruises, a small cut on her paw, and muddy, matted fur, Rey sank to the ground, exhausted. "Piece of cake." She muttered, opening her jaws to let her catch flop on the forest floor.