Post by Curiosity on Feb 17, 2010 19:09:19 GMT -5
Characters Involved:
Haze, male wolf
Alaqua, female wolf
Lexus, male wolf
Cottonpaws, female wolf
Helios, male wolf
Cyrus, male wolf
=== Two-River Fork ===
Since their meeting at the river a few days back, the former members of the Lazuli and Viridian packs have been living (more or less) as one - albeit with some adjusting to be had, but that's to be expected. However, for Haze, a former member of both packs at different points of his life, it strangely feels like home. Perhaps it's to do with being around blood-relatives once again after being separated for so long as much as it is to do with the unification of both of his families, but either way the deposed alpha feels more comfortable now than he has in a long time. Settled at the crux of the two rivers near the rest of the pack, the group still having yet to officially decide where to make their home for the winter, the brindled male is quietly watching the ebb and flow of the streams here, and not doing much else at the moment -- at least to the outside viewer.
For the one new comer to both packs all together, Alaqua seemed to have been integrating herself quite nicely as a silent pack member who has been more or less, happy. It seems that just being around other wolves is satisfying enough, and she has enjoyed the chance to get to know everyone, and sing songs to them, and tell vivid stories of her travels. Though, one thing still lingers in the back of her mind, and that is the proposal in which Shaggy brought up to her. Beta Female. A thought that has been itching at the back of her neck, and it is those thoughts which has caused her to head out to the river, so that she can stare along it's forks, to try and have the water push her in the right direction. Left, or right. With a shake of her mottled dark fur, she lets out a loud bark to the water, huffing. "Tell me what to do!" She demands, eyes squinting.
Lexus is one of more uncomfortable wolves in the joining. He's not against it, it's just a lot of new wolves to meet when he's been very used to just having his family around. He's been on the move all day, he went for a walk which then turned into a hunt and now he's carrying a hare back towards the packs. Maybe he can bribe some friendships with food, or he'll leave it for the pups to play with. Either way his mind is on other things as he wanders along the river bank, Alaqua's voice being the first thing to snap him out of his thoughts all day.
Maybe familiar to both pack, but never really a member of what Lazuli once was all those seasons ago; maybe a rumor or two during summer but Cottonpaws lost most interaction with the other pack after Haze decided to leave. Being in this place does feel strange but she still feels comfortable having her sons live here, almost like a real family again! "You should just do what your heart tells you." No one said the 'stranger' was talking to Cotton, but lets say mothers know certain things, and what her son has told her probably involves her in the scenario, "That'd make my Shag happy." All for the good of a son. The female standing in one of those small ponds, convenient!
Haze certainly hasn't noticed the presence of the other, as-of-yet-unknown female doing some similar form of meditation nearby, and so the older male nearly jumps right out of his fur when he suddenly hears the loud bark. Looking up and about with alert, wide amber eyes, he seeks out the source of the demanding inquiry, and when he finally spots the tree-shaded form of Alaqua, he tentatively addresses the stranger: "Who...me?" But, he's spared from the spotlight by the familiar voice of his sister, whom he now notices is also nearby. Seems he lost track of the approaches of others while he was wandering off in his own thoughts. "Oh. Hey." He never was the talkative one.
Having been staring so intently at the water, Alaqua startles a bit at the sound of Cottonpaw's voice, one that is at least familiar to her. With a tilt of her head towards her, she puts on a goofy grin upon her muzzle, giving her shoulders a lift upwards. "Shaggy really wants me to be his Beta female, but I'm not sure if I'm right for it. I don't know if I could be a leader like him, or Tariro." She says, her tail wagging a bit back, and forth as she paws at the ground. "That and I'm so new here, it'd be hard to earn everyone's respect." As Haze calls out to them, she swivels her ears upwards, then turns towards him, all smiles as usual. "Hi! I'm Alaqua. My apologies, I was asking the river for direction."
Lexus watches from afar as more voices and wolves appear, at least he recognises them all so far. A 'hrm' and he presses on towards the gathering, making sure he makes at least some noise as he walks so he's not sneaking up on them all. He nods a greeting when he gets closer, being unable to speak until he stops near the others and drops the hare off by his paws "Something going on?"
Well that's a bit of new information, Cotton must have missed that part, so it wasn't just about being together; this gets interesting! Cotton lets a smile curl on her lips once she faces Alaqua completely, then pacing slowly to where the troubled female is, just a couple of steps really, "How will you know if you're meant to be a leader if you don't try? Most gals don't get the chance to become Betas so I suggest you go ahead with it and give it a try.. Or you can convince him to step down and be a regular wolf. . . But as his mother, I'd hate you if you did that." Her smile never fades, so it probably means she doesn't mean it, after all she's just trying to lighten up the younger wolf's mood. Her muzzle parts open and she's about to say something probably wise about the situation, but she follows Alaqua's gaze just to see one she hasn't seen in a really long time, ears perk up as she listens. Oh Hey, yeah.
Well, he doesn't know Alaqua, and Cottonpaws is currently occupied in giving feminine advice to the unacquainted female, so that leaves...Lexus. At least it's his half-brother, but considering Haze left the valley when his younger siblings were still pups, it might make for some awkward pauses in coming up with conversation. Regardless, he turns towards the younger male, offering his brother a genuinely friendly smile before answering his question...even if he doesn't know too much of what's going on himself. "Well, as far as I can tell, that young lady over there seems to need to be told what to do...and Cottonpaws is doing just that." He can't help but smirk a little at that comment.
"I wouldn't tell Shaggy to step down. I told him to take another female for Beta, but he said No, that it was written in the stars that I lead at his side, or something. You know how he gets." Alaqua says as she flicks her tail back and forth behind herself nervously, before forcing up a quick smile to the older female. "I suppose I just need to really think it out, and talk to the rest of the pack, and ask their opinion. I don't feel it would be right for me to take the position, without really getting to know them better, and earning their respect first." She looks back at the river, then back towards Haze, and Lexus. "I haven't met those two yet." She says, before leaning in to give Cotton a nuzzle, then starts off towards them, practically swaying with each step as she goes, as if she had a natural plucky vibe. "Good afternoon! I'm Alaqua, Shaggy's mate." She introduces.
Lexus slowly grins. Long lost brother he knows next to nothing about and he thinks he might like Haze already for that comment "Same old, same old then. Nice to know things aren't so different" his attention shift, going back to Alaqua as she approaches "Actually, I believe we have met, though I may have just been leaving at the time. Lexus. Shag's uncle."
Well woah, now that whole lot of words begin to have some sense. Probably not in the same way the younger female is trying to explain, but Cotton's works with some personal theories and such. She still listens, and pays attention no matter what's going through her mind. Her brother will be treated respectfully later, right now Cotton feels the urge to say something. As she's nuzzled, that smile only grows wider and soon she speaks her mind up, "Then you're probably not Beta material. A beta HAS to take decisions quick if the Alpha isn't around and I'd feel more comfortable having a Beta who feels a little more secure of herself." Then it's turn to regard her brother, offering a nod to Lexus, then her not very brother, "And that would be Haze, my brother." She leans closer to the female, still gazing at her brother though, "But that doesn't mean you have to listen to him. Shag's uncle is always looking for attention, don't mind him."
It has been a very long time since this wolf has set foot anywhere near here. An at the moment Helios is quietly standing a good distance away from where the voices are coming from. Months on his own in the wild have taught the wolf some things it would seem. Maw twitching he sniffs out at the air, ears perking forward and back as he seems rather unsure about actually moving forward. After all for all he knows his family that is left is all gone. The red hued wolf left long ago, following after his aging mother to keep an eye on her only to find her having fallen asleep never to rise again. It was heart breaking for the male and he never returned home to tell the rest of the news choosing instead to be on his own. An yet here he is, at the outskirt of what once was home, attempting to see if any family may be left it would seem.
Haze shares a chuckle with his half-brother at the expense of their sister before the unfamiliar female approaches. When she steps up and introduces herself, Haze can't help but smile at her cheery demeanor. "Hi there, Alaqua. I'm Haze, former alpha of the Lazuli, brother of Cottonpaws." Considering all he's heard from the female so far, his brow furrows slightly in thought before he speaks: "Beta's mate, hm? I couldn't help but overhear some of what you were talking about...if you don't mind an old Lazuli wolf giving his opinion on the subject--" no matter what Cotton thinks-- "I think we all have the potential to learn." At least, he's hoping so with his nomination of the adolescent Motega as a co-beta alongside the more experienced Shag, but deep down he really does believe it.
Settling herself down upon her haunches, Alaqua gets comfortable as she cants her head to one side, lolling her tongue out for a moment. "Oh, that is right, I did spy you briefly, didn't I.." She says to Lexus. "Well, it's nice to actually meet you this time." With a look back towards Haze, she listens to his pearl of wisdom, nodding her head in agreement. "I understand. I believe that I could learn to be a good leader, I just would hate to step up, when I am so new to both packs, and assume charge if neither pack has respect for me yet. I'm young, I know, but I have a good head on my shoulders, and I'm good at planning, and hunting." She says with a rumble in her throat as she half lids her eyes. "But, I am self conscious, and I second guess myself quite a bit, and I spook easily, I'd be horrible with confrontations." She wheezes out with a chuckle.
Lexus tilts his head, listening quietly for a moment. He does give Cotton a quick nod back and a little smirk but the conversation continues and he slowly nods along before he can't help but add his own little bit, despite the fact he's never lead anything in his life "Just try and be confident. All the leaders are new to at least half of the joined pack, in terms of leading them at least, you couldn't have a better start without an entirely new pack. Behave like a Beta and you will be accepted as one."
With a mother like Cotton's, what can you expect. Cottonpaws may not like the Lazuli, but that doesn't mean they're bad, agreed! Her experience with that pack just wasn't the greatest and all for the wrong reasons, mom's! The female shakes her coat a little before her hindlegs demand her to sit down too, just getting comfortable. She listens to her brothers and something makes her frown a little, looking down at the ground and suddenly wondering if they're crazy. They sound nothing like mom; which is good.
The red wolf starts to slowly move forward, tail lashing a few times ashe moves along. There was at least one there that he knew, Haze. An while Haze was alpha and Lazuli by that Helios is full Lazuli, born into it and he will forever be one. His ears twitch forward, bright gaze slowly drifting across the wolves here while he slowly approaches. "Evening.." Is said with a calm tone. If any knew Felstride when he was alive Helios could almost be his match. His different coloring is about the only thing that doesn't fit in with the long departed Lazuli alpha.
Haze nods in response to his younger brother's own advice, and pauses a second before adding to his own. "Well...Shag said it was 'in the stars', right? Maybe you're meant to be by his side, no matter what. Maybe you'll even help him to lead better, somehow." The brindled wolf turns to finally address his own sister for the first time in moons, but barely gets out an ever-casual 'hey' before another voice is heard in a greeting. Turning to the newest visitor at the river's fork, a quick sniff tells Haze all he needs to know about this once-familiar wolf (except, admittedly, his name) -- he's one of Lazuli's children. He offers an acknowledging, if short, reply: "Greetings."
"It is what he said, that we were destined to meet, and to be together." Alaqua says as she wags her tail a bit more harder behind her, a happy, pleased look spreading about her face. It's obvious that she is love sick over her sweet puppy dog. With a twitch of her ears, she leans forward to give the two males in front of her a firm nuzzling, then bounds off through the grass. "Speaking of Shaggy, I can hear him calling me! I have to go see what he needs." Calling? But, there was no howls? That's odd.
Lexus blinks as he's randomly taken by surprise with Alaqua's nuzzle, backing up up a little too late. He raises a brow as he watches her go, strange wolf but then so is Shag. Hrm. The next distraction is already there and he turns to look round at Helios before nodding a greeting "Hello" someone he doesn't recognise.
He'd been wandering towards the sounds of voices on the wind when Alaqua went shooting by. Cyrus gahs and sidesteps, watching the younger happy female go as he turns his attention back the way she came. Head shakes 'dramatically' as the ashen male walks stiffly towards the river fork. When he breaks the treeline steel blue eyes flit from face to face, a majority of which he recognizes while a few he does not. Helios, his brother, gets a excited widening of his eyes before he glances to Haze and dips his maw. As far as greetings go that's all the former Lazuli beta gives for now.
"Haze.." Is said with friendly tone from Helios, his gaze drifting towards the others here, and then after the fleeing female which causes his head to tilt to the side. A twitch of his maw is seen while he shifts and lowers himself back to his haunches, tail lashing a few times. "Been a while." Is offered before his gaze drifts towards Cyrus and he blinks while his ears perk forward. "Cyrus?".. Is questioned after a moment, its been a while since seeing his sibling after all.
"Indeed, it has." Wow, these Lazuli boys are quite the talkative bunch, aren't they? Of course, can you blame them, having been separated from one another for so long? Perhaps now that they're being forced together, not only with themselves but with others, they'll get back in the practice of conversation again. Fortunately, Haze is spared from the humiliation of being forced to show his bluff in not remembering the other male's name by the arrival of his brother, Cyrus. His gaze turns to focus on the pair of them, watching the reunion as it happens.
Lexus quickly looks round as there's yet another wolf. He can only assume they're from the other pack and with no relation or any real clue who they are he sinks into silence too, looking between the wolves.
When they were younger, Cyrus was the loud mouth who always got in trouble and Helios was the one who tried to keep him out of trouble while at the same time tried not to get blamed for whatever Cyrus was doing. The male now stands and stares at his brother curiously, "Hey Helios." Head tilts to one side and his tail sways happily from side to side. Eyes eventually shift to Haze and the unknown wolves. One by one he peers at them before glancing to Helios and twitching an ear, "Ya look good." Odd? Probably. Cyrus slides back onto his haunches, his hurt hindleg giving him some issues as he tucks it stiffly against himself. He arches a brow curiously before clearing his throat, "So.... this is kind of awkward.." The silence? Yeah that.
Helios watches his brother with a unsure look across his face. Yes when they were younger, not that that either brother is that old mind you. A glance is offered to his brother's leg, maw twitching before a faint smile is seen. "Its good to see you Cyrus.." Its been a very long time since he saw another family member, well.. nearly a year at least. His gaze drifts back to the others and a slght half bow of his head is seen. "I'm Helios.. Sorry for just wandering in, use to be my home here when the Lazuli was still around." He only caught a small amount of the conversation before about how the packs may have merged.. That is interesting to say the least.
As he listens to the pair of brothers chat, Haze settles down onto his belly into a casually prone position, relaxed now that he's no longer the one in charge. "The Lazuli are still around...just alongside the Viridian now," the older wolf pipes up in response to Helios' introduction and explanation. "Together, we're the Cerulean."
Lexus tilts his head at the pair, well that's interesting, apparently they're paying catch up too. He nods back to Helios "Lexus, from the Viridian part of the pack. It seems to be a popular time for wolves to wander back too."
An ear twitches at the glance to his leg before he nods his head in agreement, "It's good to see you too Helios." Helios was always the one he was closest too Cyrus would most likely believe. When Haze speaks the former Beta glances towards him, gaze linger for a moment, before he shifts it to Helios and nods. "Yeah.. what he said." He throws his brother his normal trademark crooked smirk before sighing gently and stretching his front legs where he sits.
Helios lifts a brow while she curiously watches Haze at the explanation. "Both.. together?" His mother is having a fit for sure. He makes a face at the thought, ears lowering slightly while taking in a faint breath. He won't get into it now though. A glance is offered back to his brother, which there talk later that's for sure. "I suppose it is.. Pleasure to meet you Lexus.."
Cyrus nods his head, "Yeah.. together.." His voice says that he's neither for nor against the merging, simply.. there. The male slides down to his belly and yawns widely. As Lexus introduces himself the ashen male tilts his head in his direction, "Cyrus.. from the Lazuli. Pleasure Lexus." He returns his gaze back to his brother, a look as if 'we'll talk later don't worry' before he crosses his paws contently before him. "Where'd you run off to, Helios?" he questions curiously. He just remembers his brother being there one day and the next not.
Helios licks across his muzzle, there is a bad taste in his maw from all this. A faint ah is the only thing he offers to the whole pack thing. His tail flicks a few times before he looks back to his brother, catching the look and then pondering what he should say for a few moments. "I followed mom.." This said with a soft tone while he takes in a breath. He knows very well how close Cyrus was to there mother, and is unsure how his brother will feel about being told that she is with there father now..
Haze can sense the tension in the air between the brothers at the introduced topic of discussion, and so he returns his gaze to the river as he was before he heard Alaqua's cry, quietly watching the creek ripple so as to intrude as little as possible upon the pair's personal conversation.
Lexus nods his head in return to the greetings but with them done and the talk sounding a little private he tries to get his mind to wander so he's not just listening in. After a glance around he finally picks up his almost forgotten hare and quietly moves away down the river bank.
Cyrus twitches an ear at his brothers words and hrrs gently. Eyes shift to Haze and then Lexus, more so when the male slowly leaves the area. He glances back to Helios and sighs gently, "You know she goes where she pleases, why would you follow her?" The tone of the other male causes Cyrus' steely eyes to harden, his nose quivering. So much for him to take in, so fast. Guess that's what being away from it all will do to you.
Helios watches the other leave before she looks to Cyrus once more and a soft sigh escapes her. "Cyrus.. Mom's gone.." This said with a soft tone. His ears lowering slightly as his gaze drifts off towards the forest. "She's with dad." Is said with a softer tone, if that's possible.
Blue eyes remain stuck on Helios and the male's lip quivers faintly. After a few moments Cyrus' finally lets out a sigh, a breath he'd been holding. He'd figured, in all honesty, but hearing it is another thing. The male shifts somewhat where he lays and clears his throat, "Oh.." It seems somewhat cold, that being all that comes out of his mouth, but Cyrus had an extremely hard time dealing with his fathers death so after he somewhat formed a shell to ward any other emotional blows. He drops his gaze to his paws, pausing, and looks back up, "At least her and dad are together again.. she missed him.." he drawls in that deep gravelly voice.
Helios watches his brother for a moment and leans over to nose at his shoulder to show its alright. It took the younger brother a long time to get over it, an it has been some time since there mother did pass on. "Yes.. I don't think she ever got over father's death." A ear twitches at the thought of there father, remembering what happened to him well.
Cyrus shakes his head slowly before he sighs and settles his head down on his paws, "Such is life.." he mumbles. Eyes shift to the right to stare at particularly nothing, an ear twitching every so often. He finally stands and turns a little to the side, "Well.. I need to go find Motega if you'd like to walk with me.." he questions curiously. He glances to Haze, whether the other is still aware or not, and dips his head gently in farewell.
Helios nods slightly at this while watching his brother and shifts up onto his paws. "Sure," is all that's offered in response. The red hued wolf follows along at his brother's side, many things on his mind now that he is finally back home.
Haze, male wolf
Alaqua, female wolf
Lexus, male wolf
Cottonpaws, female wolf
Helios, male wolf
Cyrus, male wolf
=== Two-River Fork ===
Since their meeting at the river a few days back, the former members of the Lazuli and Viridian packs have been living (more or less) as one - albeit with some adjusting to be had, but that's to be expected. However, for Haze, a former member of both packs at different points of his life, it strangely feels like home. Perhaps it's to do with being around blood-relatives once again after being separated for so long as much as it is to do with the unification of both of his families, but either way the deposed alpha feels more comfortable now than he has in a long time. Settled at the crux of the two rivers near the rest of the pack, the group still having yet to officially decide where to make their home for the winter, the brindled male is quietly watching the ebb and flow of the streams here, and not doing much else at the moment -- at least to the outside viewer.
For the one new comer to both packs all together, Alaqua seemed to have been integrating herself quite nicely as a silent pack member who has been more or less, happy. It seems that just being around other wolves is satisfying enough, and she has enjoyed the chance to get to know everyone, and sing songs to them, and tell vivid stories of her travels. Though, one thing still lingers in the back of her mind, and that is the proposal in which Shaggy brought up to her. Beta Female. A thought that has been itching at the back of her neck, and it is those thoughts which has caused her to head out to the river, so that she can stare along it's forks, to try and have the water push her in the right direction. Left, or right. With a shake of her mottled dark fur, she lets out a loud bark to the water, huffing. "Tell me what to do!" She demands, eyes squinting.
Lexus is one of more uncomfortable wolves in the joining. He's not against it, it's just a lot of new wolves to meet when he's been very used to just having his family around. He's been on the move all day, he went for a walk which then turned into a hunt and now he's carrying a hare back towards the packs. Maybe he can bribe some friendships with food, or he'll leave it for the pups to play with. Either way his mind is on other things as he wanders along the river bank, Alaqua's voice being the first thing to snap him out of his thoughts all day.
Maybe familiar to both pack, but never really a member of what Lazuli once was all those seasons ago; maybe a rumor or two during summer but Cottonpaws lost most interaction with the other pack after Haze decided to leave. Being in this place does feel strange but she still feels comfortable having her sons live here, almost like a real family again! "You should just do what your heart tells you." No one said the 'stranger' was talking to Cotton, but lets say mothers know certain things, and what her son has told her probably involves her in the scenario, "That'd make my Shag happy." All for the good of a son. The female standing in one of those small ponds, convenient!
Haze certainly hasn't noticed the presence of the other, as-of-yet-unknown female doing some similar form of meditation nearby, and so the older male nearly jumps right out of his fur when he suddenly hears the loud bark. Looking up and about with alert, wide amber eyes, he seeks out the source of the demanding inquiry, and when he finally spots the tree-shaded form of Alaqua, he tentatively addresses the stranger: "Who...me?" But, he's spared from the spotlight by the familiar voice of his sister, whom he now notices is also nearby. Seems he lost track of the approaches of others while he was wandering off in his own thoughts. "Oh. Hey." He never was the talkative one.
Having been staring so intently at the water, Alaqua startles a bit at the sound of Cottonpaw's voice, one that is at least familiar to her. With a tilt of her head towards her, she puts on a goofy grin upon her muzzle, giving her shoulders a lift upwards. "Shaggy really wants me to be his Beta female, but I'm not sure if I'm right for it. I don't know if I could be a leader like him, or Tariro." She says, her tail wagging a bit back, and forth as she paws at the ground. "That and I'm so new here, it'd be hard to earn everyone's respect." As Haze calls out to them, she swivels her ears upwards, then turns towards him, all smiles as usual. "Hi! I'm Alaqua. My apologies, I was asking the river for direction."
Lexus watches from afar as more voices and wolves appear, at least he recognises them all so far. A 'hrm' and he presses on towards the gathering, making sure he makes at least some noise as he walks so he's not sneaking up on them all. He nods a greeting when he gets closer, being unable to speak until he stops near the others and drops the hare off by his paws "Something going on?"
Well that's a bit of new information, Cotton must have missed that part, so it wasn't just about being together; this gets interesting! Cotton lets a smile curl on her lips once she faces Alaqua completely, then pacing slowly to where the troubled female is, just a couple of steps really, "How will you know if you're meant to be a leader if you don't try? Most gals don't get the chance to become Betas so I suggest you go ahead with it and give it a try.. Or you can convince him to step down and be a regular wolf. . . But as his mother, I'd hate you if you did that." Her smile never fades, so it probably means she doesn't mean it, after all she's just trying to lighten up the younger wolf's mood. Her muzzle parts open and she's about to say something probably wise about the situation, but she follows Alaqua's gaze just to see one she hasn't seen in a really long time, ears perk up as she listens. Oh Hey, yeah.
Well, he doesn't know Alaqua, and Cottonpaws is currently occupied in giving feminine advice to the unacquainted female, so that leaves...Lexus. At least it's his half-brother, but considering Haze left the valley when his younger siblings were still pups, it might make for some awkward pauses in coming up with conversation. Regardless, he turns towards the younger male, offering his brother a genuinely friendly smile before answering his question...even if he doesn't know too much of what's going on himself. "Well, as far as I can tell, that young lady over there seems to need to be told what to do...and Cottonpaws is doing just that." He can't help but smirk a little at that comment.
"I wouldn't tell Shaggy to step down. I told him to take another female for Beta, but he said No, that it was written in the stars that I lead at his side, or something. You know how he gets." Alaqua says as she flicks her tail back and forth behind herself nervously, before forcing up a quick smile to the older female. "I suppose I just need to really think it out, and talk to the rest of the pack, and ask their opinion. I don't feel it would be right for me to take the position, without really getting to know them better, and earning their respect first." She looks back at the river, then back towards Haze, and Lexus. "I haven't met those two yet." She says, before leaning in to give Cotton a nuzzle, then starts off towards them, practically swaying with each step as she goes, as if she had a natural plucky vibe. "Good afternoon! I'm Alaqua, Shaggy's mate." She introduces.
Lexus slowly grins. Long lost brother he knows next to nothing about and he thinks he might like Haze already for that comment "Same old, same old then. Nice to know things aren't so different" his attention shift, going back to Alaqua as she approaches "Actually, I believe we have met, though I may have just been leaving at the time. Lexus. Shag's uncle."
Well woah, now that whole lot of words begin to have some sense. Probably not in the same way the younger female is trying to explain, but Cotton's works with some personal theories and such. She still listens, and pays attention no matter what's going through her mind. Her brother will be treated respectfully later, right now Cotton feels the urge to say something. As she's nuzzled, that smile only grows wider and soon she speaks her mind up, "Then you're probably not Beta material. A beta HAS to take decisions quick if the Alpha isn't around and I'd feel more comfortable having a Beta who feels a little more secure of herself." Then it's turn to regard her brother, offering a nod to Lexus, then her not very brother, "And that would be Haze, my brother." She leans closer to the female, still gazing at her brother though, "But that doesn't mean you have to listen to him. Shag's uncle is always looking for attention, don't mind him."
It has been a very long time since this wolf has set foot anywhere near here. An at the moment Helios is quietly standing a good distance away from where the voices are coming from. Months on his own in the wild have taught the wolf some things it would seem. Maw twitching he sniffs out at the air, ears perking forward and back as he seems rather unsure about actually moving forward. After all for all he knows his family that is left is all gone. The red hued wolf left long ago, following after his aging mother to keep an eye on her only to find her having fallen asleep never to rise again. It was heart breaking for the male and he never returned home to tell the rest of the news choosing instead to be on his own. An yet here he is, at the outskirt of what once was home, attempting to see if any family may be left it would seem.
Haze shares a chuckle with his half-brother at the expense of their sister before the unfamiliar female approaches. When she steps up and introduces herself, Haze can't help but smile at her cheery demeanor. "Hi there, Alaqua. I'm Haze, former alpha of the Lazuli, brother of Cottonpaws." Considering all he's heard from the female so far, his brow furrows slightly in thought before he speaks: "Beta's mate, hm? I couldn't help but overhear some of what you were talking about...if you don't mind an old Lazuli wolf giving his opinion on the subject--" no matter what Cotton thinks-- "I think we all have the potential to learn." At least, he's hoping so with his nomination of the adolescent Motega as a co-beta alongside the more experienced Shag, but deep down he really does believe it.
Settling herself down upon her haunches, Alaqua gets comfortable as she cants her head to one side, lolling her tongue out for a moment. "Oh, that is right, I did spy you briefly, didn't I.." She says to Lexus. "Well, it's nice to actually meet you this time." With a look back towards Haze, she listens to his pearl of wisdom, nodding her head in agreement. "I understand. I believe that I could learn to be a good leader, I just would hate to step up, when I am so new to both packs, and assume charge if neither pack has respect for me yet. I'm young, I know, but I have a good head on my shoulders, and I'm good at planning, and hunting." She says with a rumble in her throat as she half lids her eyes. "But, I am self conscious, and I second guess myself quite a bit, and I spook easily, I'd be horrible with confrontations." She wheezes out with a chuckle.
Lexus tilts his head, listening quietly for a moment. He does give Cotton a quick nod back and a little smirk but the conversation continues and he slowly nods along before he can't help but add his own little bit, despite the fact he's never lead anything in his life "Just try and be confident. All the leaders are new to at least half of the joined pack, in terms of leading them at least, you couldn't have a better start without an entirely new pack. Behave like a Beta and you will be accepted as one."
With a mother like Cotton's, what can you expect. Cottonpaws may not like the Lazuli, but that doesn't mean they're bad, agreed! Her experience with that pack just wasn't the greatest and all for the wrong reasons, mom's! The female shakes her coat a little before her hindlegs demand her to sit down too, just getting comfortable. She listens to her brothers and something makes her frown a little, looking down at the ground and suddenly wondering if they're crazy. They sound nothing like mom; which is good.
The red wolf starts to slowly move forward, tail lashing a few times ashe moves along. There was at least one there that he knew, Haze. An while Haze was alpha and Lazuli by that Helios is full Lazuli, born into it and he will forever be one. His ears twitch forward, bright gaze slowly drifting across the wolves here while he slowly approaches. "Evening.." Is said with a calm tone. If any knew Felstride when he was alive Helios could almost be his match. His different coloring is about the only thing that doesn't fit in with the long departed Lazuli alpha.
Haze nods in response to his younger brother's own advice, and pauses a second before adding to his own. "Well...Shag said it was 'in the stars', right? Maybe you're meant to be by his side, no matter what. Maybe you'll even help him to lead better, somehow." The brindled wolf turns to finally address his own sister for the first time in moons, but barely gets out an ever-casual 'hey' before another voice is heard in a greeting. Turning to the newest visitor at the river's fork, a quick sniff tells Haze all he needs to know about this once-familiar wolf (except, admittedly, his name) -- he's one of Lazuli's children. He offers an acknowledging, if short, reply: "Greetings."
"It is what he said, that we were destined to meet, and to be together." Alaqua says as she wags her tail a bit more harder behind her, a happy, pleased look spreading about her face. It's obvious that she is love sick over her sweet puppy dog. With a twitch of her ears, she leans forward to give the two males in front of her a firm nuzzling, then bounds off through the grass. "Speaking of Shaggy, I can hear him calling me! I have to go see what he needs." Calling? But, there was no howls? That's odd.
Lexus blinks as he's randomly taken by surprise with Alaqua's nuzzle, backing up up a little too late. He raises a brow as he watches her go, strange wolf but then so is Shag. Hrm. The next distraction is already there and he turns to look round at Helios before nodding a greeting "Hello" someone he doesn't recognise.
He'd been wandering towards the sounds of voices on the wind when Alaqua went shooting by. Cyrus gahs and sidesteps, watching the younger happy female go as he turns his attention back the way she came. Head shakes 'dramatically' as the ashen male walks stiffly towards the river fork. When he breaks the treeline steel blue eyes flit from face to face, a majority of which he recognizes while a few he does not. Helios, his brother, gets a excited widening of his eyes before he glances to Haze and dips his maw. As far as greetings go that's all the former Lazuli beta gives for now.
"Haze.." Is said with friendly tone from Helios, his gaze drifting towards the others here, and then after the fleeing female which causes his head to tilt to the side. A twitch of his maw is seen while he shifts and lowers himself back to his haunches, tail lashing a few times. "Been a while." Is offered before his gaze drifts towards Cyrus and he blinks while his ears perk forward. "Cyrus?".. Is questioned after a moment, its been a while since seeing his sibling after all.
"Indeed, it has." Wow, these Lazuli boys are quite the talkative bunch, aren't they? Of course, can you blame them, having been separated from one another for so long? Perhaps now that they're being forced together, not only with themselves but with others, they'll get back in the practice of conversation again. Fortunately, Haze is spared from the humiliation of being forced to show his bluff in not remembering the other male's name by the arrival of his brother, Cyrus. His gaze turns to focus on the pair of them, watching the reunion as it happens.
Lexus quickly looks round as there's yet another wolf. He can only assume they're from the other pack and with no relation or any real clue who they are he sinks into silence too, looking between the wolves.
When they were younger, Cyrus was the loud mouth who always got in trouble and Helios was the one who tried to keep him out of trouble while at the same time tried not to get blamed for whatever Cyrus was doing. The male now stands and stares at his brother curiously, "Hey Helios." Head tilts to one side and his tail sways happily from side to side. Eyes eventually shift to Haze and the unknown wolves. One by one he peers at them before glancing to Helios and twitching an ear, "Ya look good." Odd? Probably. Cyrus slides back onto his haunches, his hurt hindleg giving him some issues as he tucks it stiffly against himself. He arches a brow curiously before clearing his throat, "So.... this is kind of awkward.." The silence? Yeah that.
Helios watches his brother with a unsure look across his face. Yes when they were younger, not that that either brother is that old mind you. A glance is offered to his brother's leg, maw twitching before a faint smile is seen. "Its good to see you Cyrus.." Its been a very long time since he saw another family member, well.. nearly a year at least. His gaze drifts back to the others and a slght half bow of his head is seen. "I'm Helios.. Sorry for just wandering in, use to be my home here when the Lazuli was still around." He only caught a small amount of the conversation before about how the packs may have merged.. That is interesting to say the least.
As he listens to the pair of brothers chat, Haze settles down onto his belly into a casually prone position, relaxed now that he's no longer the one in charge. "The Lazuli are still around...just alongside the Viridian now," the older wolf pipes up in response to Helios' introduction and explanation. "Together, we're the Cerulean."
Lexus tilts his head at the pair, well that's interesting, apparently they're paying catch up too. He nods back to Helios "Lexus, from the Viridian part of the pack. It seems to be a popular time for wolves to wander back too."
An ear twitches at the glance to his leg before he nods his head in agreement, "It's good to see you too Helios." Helios was always the one he was closest too Cyrus would most likely believe. When Haze speaks the former Beta glances towards him, gaze linger for a moment, before he shifts it to Helios and nods. "Yeah.. what he said." He throws his brother his normal trademark crooked smirk before sighing gently and stretching his front legs where he sits.
Helios lifts a brow while she curiously watches Haze at the explanation. "Both.. together?" His mother is having a fit for sure. He makes a face at the thought, ears lowering slightly while taking in a faint breath. He won't get into it now though. A glance is offered back to his brother, which there talk later that's for sure. "I suppose it is.. Pleasure to meet you Lexus.."
Cyrus nods his head, "Yeah.. together.." His voice says that he's neither for nor against the merging, simply.. there. The male slides down to his belly and yawns widely. As Lexus introduces himself the ashen male tilts his head in his direction, "Cyrus.. from the Lazuli. Pleasure Lexus." He returns his gaze back to his brother, a look as if 'we'll talk later don't worry' before he crosses his paws contently before him. "Where'd you run off to, Helios?" he questions curiously. He just remembers his brother being there one day and the next not.
Helios licks across his muzzle, there is a bad taste in his maw from all this. A faint ah is the only thing he offers to the whole pack thing. His tail flicks a few times before he looks back to his brother, catching the look and then pondering what he should say for a few moments. "I followed mom.." This said with a soft tone while he takes in a breath. He knows very well how close Cyrus was to there mother, and is unsure how his brother will feel about being told that she is with there father now..
Haze can sense the tension in the air between the brothers at the introduced topic of discussion, and so he returns his gaze to the river as he was before he heard Alaqua's cry, quietly watching the creek ripple so as to intrude as little as possible upon the pair's personal conversation.
Lexus nods his head in return to the greetings but with them done and the talk sounding a little private he tries to get his mind to wander so he's not just listening in. After a glance around he finally picks up his almost forgotten hare and quietly moves away down the river bank.
Cyrus twitches an ear at his brothers words and hrrs gently. Eyes shift to Haze and then Lexus, more so when the male slowly leaves the area. He glances back to Helios and sighs gently, "You know she goes where she pleases, why would you follow her?" The tone of the other male causes Cyrus' steely eyes to harden, his nose quivering. So much for him to take in, so fast. Guess that's what being away from it all will do to you.
Helios watches the other leave before she looks to Cyrus once more and a soft sigh escapes her. "Cyrus.. Mom's gone.." This said with a soft tone. His ears lowering slightly as his gaze drifts off towards the forest. "She's with dad." Is said with a softer tone, if that's possible.
Blue eyes remain stuck on Helios and the male's lip quivers faintly. After a few moments Cyrus' finally lets out a sigh, a breath he'd been holding. He'd figured, in all honesty, but hearing it is another thing. The male shifts somewhat where he lays and clears his throat, "Oh.." It seems somewhat cold, that being all that comes out of his mouth, but Cyrus had an extremely hard time dealing with his fathers death so after he somewhat formed a shell to ward any other emotional blows. He drops his gaze to his paws, pausing, and looks back up, "At least her and dad are together again.. she missed him.." he drawls in that deep gravelly voice.
Helios watches his brother for a moment and leans over to nose at his shoulder to show its alright. It took the younger brother a long time to get over it, an it has been some time since there mother did pass on. "Yes.. I don't think she ever got over father's death." A ear twitches at the thought of there father, remembering what happened to him well.
Cyrus shakes his head slowly before he sighs and settles his head down on his paws, "Such is life.." he mumbles. Eyes shift to the right to stare at particularly nothing, an ear twitching every so often. He finally stands and turns a little to the side, "Well.. I need to go find Motega if you'd like to walk with me.." he questions curiously. He glances to Haze, whether the other is still aware or not, and dips his head gently in farewell.
Helios nods slightly at this while watching his brother and shifts up onto his paws. "Sure," is all that's offered in response. The red hued wolf follows along at his brother's side, many things on his mind now that he is finally back home.