Post by Pavane on Oct 18, 2011 16:28:15 GMT -5
Coinin - Male Wolf of Cerulean
Maka - Female Wolf
Helaku - Male Wolf
Rayen - Female Wolf
Tariro - Male Wolf, Alpha of Cerulean
Niyt - Female Wolf of Cerulean
---Two-River Fork---
Coinin had awakened closer to the waterfall and found that most of his friends that had been there previously were no longer there for some reason. Naturally being curious he decided to see where they had headed off to. Their scent trails were fairly clear and so he picked himself up onto his paws and headed off toward the fork of the river. Perhaps something had drawn them up this way and if so he definitely wanted to know about it.
Since her arrival at the edge of Cerulean lands, Maka had kept dutifully to the border where the scent markings of the alpha weren't as strong. Niyt had claimed that she'd set up some sort of meeting between her and the alpha, perhaps to arrange a mutually beneficial hunting situation for the upcomming winter. However, Maka has never been very good at keeping herself in one place for too long. Without any duties to a pack, or companions to really steal her interest, she has decided to try and entertain (and feed) herself.
The result is that the white and black wolfess is perched precariously upon a rock at the edge of the frozen part of the river, looking down into the water intently. Her tail swishes out behind her, but it's the only sign of movement as she peers down into the nearly clear river below. Her muscles tense, and then quite suddenly, she leaps! Sploosh. Her jaws snap down onto a passing fish and all too quickly she scrambles right back out of the water. At the edge, Maka shakes herself off and drops the fish, and makes an audible 'brr' sound before pawing her still flopping prey a few times. "Got you fish. Now you're dinner." She chuckles to herself.
Coinin unlike Maka does have duties that have been assigned to him by the alpha of the pack. His job, at least as Tariro put it, was to patrol the borders and keep a watch out for intruders and anything else that might be considered strange. What his duties seem to have amounted to thus far, however, are wandering the borders and bringing in strays. He has now found several different wolves in his wanderings and has brought them back to the Cerulean lands. This seems to please Tariro, and so naturally it pleases Coinin. In his wanderings he has also managed to find something of a large group of coyotes and foxes that live next door to where the pack is staying. In general the seem like nice folks, but Coinin remains a bit uncomfortable with them being so close. Still there certainly could be worse things. As he wanders up from the south he quickly notes several things. First the scent of some of the members of his pack linger here, as well as the scent of someone new. This news from his nose is quickly confirmed by both sight and sound as he watches the wolf pull the fish from the water. Well certainly she is brave to be fishing this time of year for as cold as it has become...brave or hungry, "Hello." he calls out to her. He maintains a respectful distance so as not to startle her.
Maka is already one mouthful into the fish when Coinin's voice catches her ears. They perk, even before her head lifts and she finishes chewing before cocking her head in his direction. "Hey." She offers, and then lets her pink tongue run over her muzzle to rid her maw of the reddish tone of the fresh fish. She doesn't seem agressive, or frightened, simply curious as she looks him over. Water still drips in places from her fur, making it look more spikey than normal, but she offers a small nod of greeting. Her head lowers a bit towards her meal, and there is a little bit of a tensing in her haunches as if she were readying herself to flee if he were to try to steal her dinner.
Coinin is certainly no thief. Even if he were hungry he wouldn't steal from her, and since he is not hungry her meal is certainly safe. He too is curious about her. Most of the wolves that he has met have been substantially further away from the pack lands. This one, however, has come closer than the rest. He does take his job seriously, but he intends her no harm, "You have no need to run. I'm not here to chase you off or take your fish. You were brave enough to stick your head into ice cold water in the middle of winter. You deserve to eat the fish." he says. He sits himself down on the ground, remaining a fair distance away from her, "My name is Coinin. I patrol the border of the Cerulean lands." he says. He may as well introduce himself, no sense in being rude.
As he sits, Maka seems to relax slightly, the tension easing from her haunches, although her ears and amber eyes stay trained on him. "It's not really bravery." She notes quietly, one ear dropping in an almost quizical expression. "Easier to fish than to find small game this time of year." Most of the squirrels or mice or other creatures were holed up in their warrens or dens and wouldn't be seen until their stomachs drove them to the surface. That could be a while yet. She takes the time to rip off another piece of fish-meat, stripping the bones out and leaving little remaining. The fish didn't make much of a real meal, but it might just tide her over for now.
"Maka." She replies, and at first it seems as if she might have just said some random word with little meaning. "I'm Maka." She repeats, and then lowers her head to lick at her paws. No threat of attack meant that she had time to relax and let her meal settle. "I hope I'm not too close to the border. I've been keeping away from pack lands as Niyt told me." She raises her head again, and stands, dusting a bit of dirt over the fish bones. It might be enough to keep the racoons away for a time. "I don't mean any harm, promise." The edge of her maw curves up in a hesitant sort of half-smile.
Well it seems Niyt has been bringing home strays as well. If she manages to gather a few more she can rival the number that he brought. At the sound of Niyt's name his ears perk a bit, "If you have been welcomed here by Niyt then you are most welcome." he says. After all when he arrived it was Niyt who welcomed him and he respects her very much. She is a very intelligent wolf and a good judge of character, "You are not too close. I would say if you wished you could come closer. There is little sense in wandering alone in the wilderness." Especially if one does not have too. Maka seems friendly enough and there is little harm that one wolf could do to the pack. He has always noted that Tariro is most welcoming, even to those that seem strange. He has little doubt that the alpha would welcome her as well, which is the reason he feels comfortable making such as offer, "I'm certain that if you wished to be a guest of the pack that you would be allowed to stay."
On her feet again, Maka gives herself another shake, sending the last few water droplets off of her fur. She isn't a particularly large wolf, which might lead one to thinking that she is a bit younger than her years. Still, there is a well traveled sort of look in her eyes. "I've been chased off of enough lands not to risk it again, especially when welcome has been offered." She walks calmly, seemingly unable or unwilling to stay still for too long. "Niyt said she'd arrange a meeting with your pack leader. She suggested that I might be able to arrange hunting with the pack for the winter, so long as I can make it mutually beneficial." She rolls her shoulders, not seeming too sure about that prospect. "Is your pack so needing of wolves that you'll take any stranger?" Her voice is curious, finding such welcome a bit odd.
Coinin ponders that thought for a moment or two. It's true that the pack is very welcoming. At least that has been his experience so far, but he can't see Tariro just letting anyone in. He is a bit loathe to speak for the alpha without him being present, but he can certainly speak to what he has seen so far in his time with the pack, "I don't believe they would take just anyone. I do think that lord Tariro tends to find value in most that come. Not too long ago I was without a pack and Niyt found me. I was welcomed here and given a job to do. I certainly can understand your hesitancy, but I speak from experience." He smiles, "If I am asked to chase you off I will." he says with a chuckle, "Though I consider that unlikely." She seems to have a desire to serve. This is something that is valuable to any pack.
"You make it sound like a wolf's life is something to be bartered like meat." A smirk plays on her muzzle as she settles finally to her haunches. "Finding 'value'." She shakes her head slightly. "Do you ever think that maybe a wolf is more than just what they have to offer the pack?" She's had a lot of time on her own to think about these sort of things. Ever since she left her birth pack, and then Ute, she hadn't found any place who valued an undersized, somewhat wiley female wandering into their territory. Then, she seems to realize her own words and laughs to herself. "I'm sorry, Coinin. I've been on my own a bit too long I think." Her tail swishes along the ground, thumping it in a steady rhythm. "I guess, I'm not really looking for just a place to be useful. I'm looking for a place to call home." That wry look shows on her muzzle again, although it's tinged with a hint of sadness. "I just haven't quite found it yet. So far, anyways."
Coinin was having a conversation about this with another wolf just the other day. That other wolf was not really in a state to listen to him given his condition but that doesn't mean that he didn't mean what he had said to him, "Actually yes." he says in response to her comment, "I do believe there is more than that. I was talking with Helaku the other day and told him that I believe everyone has value. Not because of what they can do but because of who they are." In some respects he is very much and old school sort of wolf, though he maintains something of a liberal attitude when it comes to other things. It was this liberal attitude that didn't sit so well with his former pack and got him kicked out...well sort of at any rate, "You have no need to apologize. I say stay with us for awhile if you like what you see...then stay. If you don't you will be free to move on. I have no doubt you will someday find what you seek."
Maka's ears perk once more as she listens to him explain his views, and then she nods her head, offering a more true smile on her features. Knowing that she might not just be bargaining her services in exchange for hunting privileges serves as some comfort. Too many judged by first appearances, and Maka seems either too young, or too small to be of much use. In truth, she is neither. "Helaku?" The name sounds familiar to her, and it causes her to blink slightly. No, it couldn't be /that/ Helaku, he had died, she was sure she had been told that. Confusion shows on her features for a moment, then she seems to settle again. It must just be a similar name. "We'll see what your alpha has to say when he meets me. Until then, I'm going to keep my paws away from the border. Safer for my hide that way, I think." She muses, and then glances toward the water. "Someday, I hope so. I thought I'd find home with my sister, but it didn't work out that way. And now she's dead and I'm right back in the old stomping grounds."
Coinin can imagine that this wolf has been through some interesting times. What wolf hasn't really? She seems rather wary, but given her past experience this is probably completely justified, "Yes Helaku. I'm afraid I don't know too much about him. He sort of showed up the other day. Niyt seems to know him though so you might have more luck talking to her about him." He isn't particularly she how he feels about Helaku yet but he isn't a wolf that makes snap judgments and is willing to give that newcomer time to show himself for who he really is, "As you wish." he says in response to her desire to stay here. He knows that she has nothing to fear, but he can respect that she doesn't know that yet. "I'm sorry to hear about your sister..." Thats all that he really can say, especially since he doesn't know anything about her or her sister. What he can respect though is the pain of her loss.
"The name just sounds familiar." Maka explains, giving another shake of her head. She'd been too many places and there had been years between the last time she'd heard that name and now. Maybe it's just her imagination. "And don't be sorry. She had a full life, lead a pack, had a mate and pups. I doubt she went to the great spirits regretting much." Although, in truth, Maka really had no idea how her sister had spent the last years of her life, or how she had died, so it's all just guesswork. "Anyways, what about you?" It's easier to turn the conversation back onto the male rather than deal with her own past. "How did you end up here? I mean, you said you were an outsider once." She leans to the side and scratches at an itch with her back leg.
Coinin senses that there might be more of a backstory with that, but lets that pass for the time being. After all no sense in being rude or attempting to pry. If she decides to stay he will likely hear the full story later on, "I will certainly keep her in my prayers." he says, "As for myself...its true that recently I had no pack. I left my birth pack because..." Its something a bit difficult to describe. Not because he doesn't know, but just how to say it without sounding too stupid or weird, "...of a difference of belief that I had with the majority of the pack members. They found it uncomfortable to keep me around. So they and I decided to part ways." He isn't sorry that it happened. He had to follow his heart, but he does miss some of them.
Maka accepts the notion of his prayers, although her own beliefs are different. It comes as no small amusement to find out that such a difference in beliefs is what drove this wolf from his own pack. "Oh? So what exactly did you believe that they didn't?" She asks, not finding it rude at all to ask the question that comes so easily to her muzzle. "I left mine when an outsider killed our alpha and took over. He tried to calm the others by seducing my sister, but she fled, and I left afterwards." At least her own story is more straitforward. "Seems strange to be cast out for what you believe. Unless it went against everything they did."
Coinin's story isn't all that strange really, at least not to him. To him it makes very good sense, "I came to the conclusion that there could be only one Creator. It's not that I don't believe there are other spirits or anything like that, but I came to the firm conclusion that these are not the Creators equal." Yep Coinin is a monotheist, "This differed considerably from the belief that my pack held. At first I was humored...then laughed at...and then I was asked to leave." By that point Coinin had already come to the conclusion that he was going to have to search for a home elsewhere, but that sort of sealed the deal. Coinin is very much a philosopher and thankfully this has yet to cause him any friction with the new pack. In fact he feels that he has been able to express himself more here than he was able to back at home.
"Hmm." Maka seems to take in this odd sort of belief, considering it rather than laughing or jeering outright. "To be honest, I'm not sure what I believe, anymore." She relaxes, settling herself back down and stretching her front paws out in front of her. "My pack believed in the spirits, but I've seen too many wolves waste their time on prayers that I don't think ever get heard. One creator or many, I don't think they're listening." She looks skyward, glancing at the passing bits of blue and white, and then lets her amber gaze settle on Coinin again. "I don't think anyone can prove they're right, though." She smirks, as if somehow already expecting some attempt at conversion. "And I'm not likely one to get converted. If there are gods, I'm generally not a fan."
Coinin has met many wolves who share her opinion. He is pleased that she didn't laugh at him. The disagreement he can deal with, but the laughing is a bit more difficult, "Perhaps and perhaps not.." he says. He isn't out to change other's opinions. He is willing to share his thoughts and if they end up sharing them that is their business not his. His only goal is to stay true to himself, "..at any rate I came to this conclusion after pondering that everything has a begining and that there had to be a first cause of everything..."
"Does everything have a beginning?" Maka asks, sounding honestly confused by the statement. "Does the mountain, or the sky? They've been there as long as I remember, or my ancestors, or those before me." In truth, the lifespan of a wolf is fairly short in the grand scheme of things, and her entire family tree as far as she knows many only go back a matter of decades rather than any great expanse of time. "Even wolves. I live, because my mother lived, but I don't know who the first wolf was. When I die, my children will go on in my place, or if I never find a mate, my line will carry on in my sister's children." She seems thoughtful, rather than outright denying what he is saying. "I guess matters of the gods don't matter much to me. Food, shelter, companionship, they're worth more to me than all the gods ever worshiped."
Coinin has run into that same particular concern. Truth be told it was a difficult concept for him to come to as well. He watched how in nature things have a begining, a middle, and an eventually an end. He simply took this pattern and extrapolated backward to come to the conclusion that yes there must have been a time when everything wasn't, and then something changed that. He certainly doesn't claim to have all the answers, but what he has he certainly isn't shy about sharing, "I believe that it does...but as for food and friendship...I think you will find them here."
"Well, when you find the beginning of the sky, you tell me? The eagles haven't even found that one. I heard of one that went as far as the great sea. He told me that that is where the world ends and there is nothing beyond." Not that she strictly believes the stories of eagles, but they certianly have seen more of the world than she has. She offers a smile, seeming somewhat warmed by the thought, and the discussion. Even if they have different world-views, it didn't mean there had to be anger or agression built around it. "I tried to find the end of the mountains once, but the cold drove me back down into the valley." She pauses, and then asks, "How far was your home? Did you see the great sea?" Now this seems more interesting to her. For all her travels, there is still so much she hasn't seen.
Two rivers. And voices. Helaku hadn't wandered too far since the conversation between Niyt, Tariro and the newcomer wolf. He wanted to know this land, as he was very unfamiliar with its layout compared to that of Ute. The white-eyed wolf moved silently until he caught the words 'great sea'. Now there was a place he knew about--a place his father had been to, and that he had been too as well. Yes, there was something beyond the great sea...humans different from those that live here arrived on their boats with breeds of dogs he'd never seen before, foods and smells he never smelled before. Slowly he emerged into view, ears perked and tail half raised. Now that hsi leg had healed he was in much better condition to posture himself the way he was meant to be.
Coinin has no acrimony to her at all. Its true they might have a different perspective on things, but Coinin has developed a rather thick skin and he takes considerably more than that to cause him any amount of irritation at all, "I'll keep you in the loop to be sure." he says in response to her question. Now is perhaps not the right time to delve further. He glances back toward the south. His pack is beyond the desert and the mountains, "If you keep traveling south past the mountains and the desert you will find my old pack." Slightly more complex journey perhaps, but it suffices for now, "I'm afraid that I've never seen the sea. I've heard of it though." He doesn't have the same desire that she has, but certainly he would be curious to see it if he could. As he finishes speaking he senses the presence of someone else and turns his head to see who it is. Oh its Helaku, well he looks to be doing better than he had been, "Hello Helaku."
She'd traveled tentatively around the packlands outskirts for a little bit now. Mainly keeping an eye on her neice when she could find her that is. She'd picked up many scents, of course all were unfamiliar, well most anyway. Coinin, the male she'd spoken to when she first found Catori, wasn't too far away and thus her paws were headed in that direction in a slow trot. As she nears Rayen slowly draws to a halt, ears flicked forwards and tail twitching low at her heels. She hasn't picked up on any of the conversation though she does hesitantly backup a few paces before tilting her head to one side. She was a friendly wolf yes, but she wasn't stupid. The two unfamiliar wolves is what have her stopped at a good distance and all she offers in a light grunt in Coinin's direction.
Leaving the waterfall left things quiet; a ringing in the ears broken only by the sound of the snow crunch beneith him and the one he followed. Moving alongside his niece, Tariro looked at her with a smile before turning away seeking out this other whom she mentioned. Trailing the river up to the fork, a mild chill falls upon the wolf, ruffling his white coat to keep warm. Drawing closer, it is voices that draw his attention further up the fork, ears perked as one of them is quite familiar; the other one he would soon meet. Giving Niyt another looking to, he howls, not to her but to the others in the area. Afterwards Tariro picks up Helaku through the trees, following the distance ahead of him for possibly a view of everyone else.
Niyt travels with her uncle, leading him toward where she last met Maka. As they get close, her ears also perk to the sounds of conversation, and she laughs. Perhaps it won't be so difficult to find the others. He hardly needed her help at all! Still, she joins her voice to Tariro's in that howl, adding the note of her presence there before they continue along.
"My own home is over the mountains, but there is a river that runs down through the range, and they lived near the basin." Maka explains, and there is a lingering whistful look in her amber eyes for a moment. There was a time that she had been happy there, before everything had changed. Perhaps she may have said more on the matter, but the sound of approaching paws draws her ears swiveling around. The outsider quickly is on her feet, taking a few steps backwards as she catches the howl from Tariro and then the emerging of Helaku. There were others nearby, she's sure of it. Her eyes dart around, as if she were suddenly primed for an ambush. Her foot steps back as far as the edge of the river, but then she lifts it, feeling the ice beneath her pawpads. "Um... friends of yours?" She asks, slightly nervously.
When Niyt's voice joins Tariro's, it seems to calm Maka at least somewhat. There would be another among these that she knew. But wait... Her eyes swivel to the arriving Helaku. She knew that name was familiar, but it's not just that. He /looks/ familiar. "Who..." She starts, head tilting. "We've... met before." Her eyes narrow slightly, as if she were trying to remember.
Helaku's ears slightly turned at the howl of Tariro, though his eyes remained solely on Maka. He was sure he met this wolf before--yes, somewhere. Somewhere at some time long ago. That would be long ago to him. The very presence of Helaku then delivered more cold than likely asked for. It wasn't cold in terms of spirit or personality or aura, but cold in terms of the air, the snow. A few stray flurries of snow swept by him as if to say...Winter cherished Helaku enough to stand behind him. "Are you certain of this?" was his response. "The majority of those who've met me are deceased."
It seems that this is destined to be a rather busy day. The first thing he notices after greeting Helaku is the grunt from Rayen. He is pleased to see her. He hadn't seen her for many days and was begining to wonder where she had gotten herself off to. He turns toward the sound of the grunt and gives a smile in return, "Hi Rayen." he calls out to her. Shortly after the greeting left his lips he perks his ears at the sound of the howls. He knows both those howls and lifts his head, opens his mouth, and howls in return. It appears that Maka might get her chance to meet Tariro sooner than he had anticipated. After lowering his head he nods in response to her question, "They are friends...you have no reason to be concerned." He gets to his own paws and turns around, ready to greet Tariro and Niyt when they arrive.
That's when they all start coming out of the wood work. Rayen's green tinted eyes flicker towards the arriving wolves who appear a few moments behind the other male and her ears give a hesitant twitch backwards. She knows how the other female is feeling, the only difference is Rayen is already a safe distance away should she feel the need to bolt. She stands stone still however, weighing her options. Coinin spoke highly of the wolves in these lands and Rayen had the feeling that he was a wolf of his word. However instinct of being out numbered in a land she didn't belong to was beginning to gnaw at her. She takes another small step backwards for safe measure, nostrils flaring to take in the new scents fluttering around the air.
Tariro wasn't too concerned about being the center of attention as he arrived; he was rather appreciative actually. Moving forward, he stops shy of the fork and takes a moment to scan the area; who was there who wasn't. When hearing a return howl, Tariro immediately knows who it is, moving forward once more to meet up. He does so cautiously however, even if the likelihood of something happening was slim. As he progressed forward, he realizes there are more here than the smells had let on. Waiting for someone to fill him in, the white wolf comes to a halt once more, positioning himself in a spot where he could see everyone.
So many voices, and the scents with them. So many new arrivals. Niyt smiles as she approaches, her head sweeping from side to side as she catches each of those voices with her perked ears and her eyes look past them blindly. There's Maka, who she's bringing her uncle Tariro to meet. There's Coinin, with his strange theories of the universe. He's probably already tried to ply the new wolf with them. There's Helaku with his brooding - but at least he's up and meeting people. That's good, even if he's sounding more threatening than he likely means. There's this Rayen, who she's heard mentioned before, but can't quite locate just now because of her silence. "Hello, everyone," she says. "Yes, we're friends." Are, hope to be... something like that, anyway. She turns her head toward where Maka seems to be, and says to her, "Hello, Maka. This is our alpha, Tariro." She tilts her head to indicate her uncle. "I see you've met Coinin and Helaku already; they've both come to stay with us recently." See? Friendly. Welcoming. All that sort of thing.
Maka's eyes initially stay locked on Helaku. Her ears perk around, working like radar as she takes in the approaching others. He looked so familiar - she's sure that her memory can't be /that/ wrong. Then again, this might not be the time for her to address such issues. It's clear that more of the pack is arriving and questioning this male might be best held until later. "Well, I'm not a ghost. Last I checked. And I'd like to avoid the whole death thing. I'm rather attached to myself." Amusement plays around her features, although it is still somewhat nervous. At the very least, she isn't the only wolf feeling somewhat nervous about this gathering. Her eyes flash towards the as-of-yet quiet one, who apparently is recognised by Coinin, but don't linger there for long. No, the arrival the two males still has her attention.
When she's introduced by Niyt, Maka nods slightly. "Um, pleasure to meet you." She offers, although she doesn't sound quite sure about the pleasure part of it. The look she gives towards the blind wolf is one that distinctively reads 'I hope you know what you're doing', even if Niyt can't see it. Then, she ducks her head politely. She seems to lose all track of what she should say in these instances. Crap.
Helaku retained his posture, but didn't say much else in regards to Maka. Well, there was one thing. He had a vague hint of where he met her before and he desired little of it. Yes, he was quite sure...them. As he turned, the mark on his shoulder became visible for Maka, though he didn't make a big deal of it. His focus went to Tariro. But there was that one thing...that one thing. "Are you still with the Ute?" he said.
Coinin lowers his head to greet Tariro respectfully. He is glad that Tariro is here and can welcome these two properly, should that be something that he both wishes and they want. He blinks as Helaku mentions Ute and lifts his head to glance at hime a moment. This Maka might be someone that he knows. Coinin also knows that Helaku didn't have very many nice things to say about Ute, hopefully this won't be too much of a problem. He then turns to Tariro, "My lord this is Rayen..." he says as he motions his head toward her, "I spoke to you about her awhile ago. She is Catori's aunt." He then motions his head toward Maka, "This is Maka...she is also new." He says nothing to Niyt at the present moment but will surely have a chance later.
She listens intently from her safe little distance away, that is until Coinin introduces her. Not wanting to be rude, Rayen moves from her previous stone still position, covering the distance between her and the gathering wolves slowly, though also leaving still a respectful space between her and them. She dips her nose gently towards the earth in Tariro's direction, "Pleasure..." she drawls softly. She gives Coinin a polite smile as well that she was unable to from where she was before and finally lets her gaze shift to all the other faces. An ear twitches and she swallows faintly to steady herself. It was comforting however ot know she wasn't the only new face here.
The direct announcement of his arrival brings out a nod from the alpha. Feeling a tad on the spot, he takes in a breath looking to each wolf separately; taking in who they are. The attention is later given to Maka as she gives an unsure greeting. He knows what its like to be unsure of something or even someone, even though he doesn't show it very often. Before addressing the she-wolf with any spoken word, Tariro looks to Helaku for a moment then back to Maka; slightly curious. Seems many from Ute are making their way this direction lately. Swiveling an ear to Coinin when he introduces Rayen, he looks to the lone wolf with a look he hopes sets her at ease. "As with you, Rayen." He greets, glad to finally put a face to the name. He then turns back to Maka. "It is a pleasure to meet you aswell, Maka."
There do seem to be a lot of Ute-affiliated wolves near Cerulean lately. Perhaps, once the snow melts, it'll be time for Niyt to make another visit there. Now that the conversation is started, she goes silent, smiling and listening until there's something more for her to add. She doesn't see Maka's look for reassurance, but her pose may still give it, for she, alone of the females here, seems quite comfortable.
Maka's ears tilt backwards slightly, the question from Helaku having caught her off-guard. Very few wolves here would recognise her, and while some part of her bloodline still runs in Ute, she has not been part of it for many seasons. "No." She replies simply. "I was never really part of Ute. I came to find my sister. When she became alpha, I left." Her ears remain slicked backwards, though. "I could ask you the same, but I guess you gave up that life just as I did." She had tried to put that in the past and move on, but here it comes again to haunt her.
As her eyes turn towards the alpha, she lifts her head slightly. "Perhaps it's better to have it out now than later. My sister was Wyanet, former alpha of Ute, but I was never really part of the pack. I've been on my own for almost two years, and right now I'm just trying to figure out a way of surviving the winter." She settles herself to her haunches, not feeling at ease, persay, but at least not feeling threatened. Her ears lift slightly, and she gives one more unsure glance at Helaku before addressing Tariro again. "Niyt had said you might be willing to let me hunt with the pack for the winter, but I'm not much of a hunter. I'm quick, and a good scout, and I can flush game, but that's all I can offer. I wish I could make a better deal, but I can't."
That froze Helaku. The instant she said 'sister' and 'Wyanet', he snapped his attention back to her, his eyes locked on this newcomer wolf. "There's been no Alpha of Ute since Skelaghe," he said. Yes. That was an entire crapstorm itself. It seethed from Helaku. He didn't approve of Wyanet, nor did his father. "I won't hold your relation against you, however. I'd be stooping to their level if I did." He relaxed his posture and started heading off. "Let her hunt in winter, I'd offer her a chance to join your numbers, Tariro. This one came from a rather strong pack if she's Wyanet's sister." And then he...put distance between himself and everyone else..except Niyt.
History. You had to love it, thought Coinin. He doesn't know that much about Helaku, but what he does know is that clearly this Wyanet person and he didn't get along so well. Once again he is finding Helaku to be a little less respectful to Tariro than he would like. He is definitely going to have to have a chat with Hel when he gets the chance, however at the moment he is concerned mainly with Tariro's reaction to everything. Maka appears to be able to take care of herself quite well and he isn't going to get involved in arguments and disagreements that don't belong to him. Coinin offers a smile of reassurance to Rayen. He told her that the pack was welcoming and it seems like things should work out just fine.
The tension between the two other is thick for a brief moment but as this Helaku wanders away a few paces it seems to ease.. maybe. Rayen knows all about shakey historys and uncertain pasts, she has her fair share and even more now that she left her's and Catori's homepack at the disapproval of the others. She pushes the thought away and instead shifts a hair closer to Coinin. What is she supposed to say? She had never been faced with an Alpha save her own, and it was the one she'd known since birth. Green flecked eyes take in everything curiously before her shoulders relax and she wills herself to calm. She knew in the back of her mind she had nothing to worry about though it didn't hurt to still be just a tad bit cautious. "I don't know the wish of my niece," she begins faintly, "However our homeland is far away and with heavy winter just around the corner.." she hesitates, "If it would be acceptable I also would be willing to lend my paws and mouth to help others survive, not just myself and Catori.
Although it was his position to seek out information from the known and make the decision on what possibly do with them, Tariro found himself with little or nothing to say. He never was much for words, let alone just jumping out into the open. Suiting with just sitting there and listening, such pleasures are taken from him when a name he knows comes to ear. He had met Wyanet once, a shame to know she no longer lives. The fact he knew the former alpha is made clear when he says, "Wyanet was a decent leader." despite what Helaku has to say, "Knowing she has passed is well known here." Unknown as to how, he moves on. Listening to Maka he hmms and nods; she wasn't the first wolf to come to him saying they weren't much for hunting. "Not all are hunters." He tells her, "But that doesn't mean what skills you do have can't be implemented into such things." Judding his attention to Helaku as he speaks, his brows knot. "The decision is hers to make, not mine." His offer means little otherwise should he make it.
Such an offer does stand however, as he looks back to Maka when the wolf steps away. Before he could say anything, however, his attention is drawn from her and to Rayen. "Any help is appreciated when it means survival. Both of you are welcome to stay and make use of what can be found here by means of food and shelter. Friendship..." Of any kind. "..can also be found should it be something you seek." He may not know those he welcomes, but having them here would help him learn and then make the right choice in their future should they stay.
Niyt's pose stiffens, and she turns her blind gaze toward Helaku. Her ears are up, her tail is raised, and she has a frown on her face. "Ute -" she says, emphasizing the name, "- are friends of Cerulean. The current alpha of Ute is Skahla. This pack acknowledges that," she says, her tone one of rebuke. She knows something of Helaku's issues, but she doesn't consider them to give him a free pass to badmouth another pack. If he wants to dislike them, let him. He can avoid them, and she won't say a word, but she won't just sit idly by for this sort of free-ranging hatred.
And with that Rayen nods her head, "Thankyou." It's all she knows to know though it has nothing but sincereity behind it. "If you will excuse me, I need to go find Catori and speak with her." She dips her nose politely to Tariro and then as well Coinin, a small smile of gratitude given, before her gaze sweeps the other faces and Rayen decides instead to make a silent get away. She'll introduce herself later when certain topics haven't riled those gathered.
The words of Helaku cut like barbs into her fur, enough so that her ears tilt backwards. The seething aggression coming off of the wolf causes her to show the barest hint of her teeth, but then she licks at her muzzle and seems to get the urge under control. "Skelaghe chose her, for good or bad. My sister is dead now. So bury whatever hatred you have in that grave and let it go." Why? Why even here is she having to face the shadow of her sister? Hadn't she run far enough to get away from it? "I'm not my sister." She lets out a huff of breath that hangs in the air. Small as she might be, Maka can stand up for herself. Her eyes turn back to Tariro, "And I don't wish to be judged on my sister. It isn't fair to /me/." No, she won't accept a recommendation spoken with such malice.
There is some comfort in the fact that both Tariro and Niyt seem to take her side on things. She had never known her sister as a leader, or as an alpha, so all she has is the words of others. Regardless, she still cares about her family, dead or not. Luckily, it seems that the alpha is more cool-headed, and Maka's tension eases as she nods, "I'll do what I can. All I ask is that you judge me on my merits and actions. Not on anyone else's." Yes, she has a bit of an issue with being compared to her sister. Even in appearance, the two wolves are quite different, and it is time for to stop being in her sister's shadow.
Oh this was just great. He wanted to get 'away' from anything related to the Ute. It wasn't Niyt's words that kept his attention, it was Maka's. "Your sister came into the Ute, tried to woo my father, destroyed the stability he had within the Ute, antagonised my sister, antagonised me--thoroughly wrecked that home before she was ever made into a Beta," said Helaku. "Because of her, my sister was driven to suicide. Because of her, my father had no one in the end except Ixkin." He rounded firm and strong, his ears alert and tail high. Helaku II was an high ranker wolf, regardless of where he was. And he was not about to be talked to in such a way. "Skelaghe chose her, but my father did not. Nor did Aquene, nor did Abel--who was the rightful heir to Alpha." He didn't close distance with anyone. His words were as firm, strong and solid as a leader who didn't take crap from anyone, and he didn't need to show his teeth, growl or snarl to make his stance clear. "No one told you that, did they? Of course they won't. They'll ass-kiss Wyanet without trying to see what she did. If my father wasn't as devoted to Skelaghe as he was, he'd have let her leave the Ute land after he made it clear she wasn't welcome." Yes. Out with it. And that was that. It wasn't so much anger that seethed from Helaku at that point--it was a lot of hurt. "You're not your sister. I said I wouldn't hold relation against you, and I won't." the white-eyed wolf slowly started walking and this time he didn't stop. "Because I am the source of tension I will remove myself from here. I've survived the Winter on my own before." And he kept going!
Now that Rayen has departed to go tell Catori the news, Coinin can afford to turn his attention to the conflict of words between these two wolves. Honestly he could care less about what conflicts they have had in the past. So long as they don't bring their conflicts with them. It seems this Ute pack has a great deal of difficulty even within itself. This suprises him a bit given that Niyt spoke highly of them. Perhaps they haven't always been that way? Perhaps in the past the pack had issues. At any rate it concerns him little. Maka has been a decent enough guest and given his own relationship with his brother he can certainly understand her desire to be judged on her own merits. He turns his face toward Maka for a moment and offers a small smile as hears Tariro speak of friendship and welcoming, that is definitely the Tariro that he knows and had told both new arrivals about. However, as Helaku speaks he comes to understand the wolf a little bit better. What he learns is consistent with the pain that he had shared during that first meeting. He begins to pad slowly after him. Unless Tariro calls him back he plans on following this wolf and perhaps having a chat with him in private.
Niyt steps toward Helaku, her pose stiff. She cares nothing for his posturing, for the claim of dominance she can hear in his tone of voice. He is a guest here, not a leader; and she has as much confidence in her gesture and voice as he does. "She is not her sister. You are acting as you claim Wyanet did. You drag out your old fight, when those you fought with are dead. You snarl and snap at the mention of a mere name. Perhaps Wyanet caused fights. But she left a /pack/ behind her. Can you say the same? I have seen you act to destroy. Think of those Ute ideals you claim to prize. Love. Create!" She pitches her words to reach the retreating Helaku, though she does not follow him.
Tariro wasn't going to judge Maka for something she wasn't. He would find out who she was be seeing it for himself not from someone's opinions. "You don't needs to worry about that with me. If I judged everyone by who their family was I'd be the one out in the cold, not them." Said firmly he smiles after. "Everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves for who they are." This he says glaring over to Helaku; tension between he and Maka quite obvious, he didn't need to hear the rant that followed to know. "Helaku!" He addresses the wolf, standing and taking a few steps forward. "I welcomed you here because I believed your life could change. Whatever quarrels you have with Ute and its former alpha I ask that you put behind you. Whatever relations may exist there don't exist here." Turning to Niyt as she speaks up he nods. "If you can not move on from such hatreds, then I will have to ask you to leave." Helaku may be treating now, but should he continue his current bout, he'd make the departure permanent. Such behavior is not condoned here and Tariro was not about to just sit there and let it continue.
As Helaku continues to spit more and more harsh words at her, Maka can't help but have her heckles raised by the agression. The wolf's ears slick back along her head, golden eyes narrowing. She may have never been a high ranking member of a pack, herself, but no one likes to be talked to in such a way. "I am /not/ my sister!" Maka repeats this much, "And I don't deserve your venom. I didn't do anything to you, and I never hurt you or your sister or your brother. Abel was my /friend/." The word catches in her throat. No, there had been a time that she had thought that he might have become more than that. Things hadn't gone that way, though.
Maka blinks back the tears that threaten to well up in her own eyes. "Whatever my sister did, I don't defend her actions. I wasn't there. I never saw it with my own eyes." This time, she's talking not only to Helaku but to Niyt and Tariro as well. "No matter what mistakes she made, she was my sister, and I can't hate her." Her eyes find the retreating back of Helaku. "Just as I'm sure you love your father regardless of the mistakes he made. That's what love means. It means forgiveness." She takes a shakey breath, "For all you claim not to judge me, your hatred drips from you like poison. So for what little good it does, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for the pain she caused you and your family."
At last, her gaze moves towards Niyt, although she knows the other wolf can't see it. "I'm sorry, Niyt. I brought this to your borders. I was stupid to think it wouldn't follow me here." She takes a step backwards, and then looks to Tariro with an almost pained expression. "Thank you for your welcome. I'll... consider it." But not now. No, now she wants to do the one thing she's good at. Run. Run until her legs give out and hope the past doesn't catch up with her.
Helaku paused his walk only once, his ears perked to Niyt, then to Tariro, and lastly to Maka. It was a struggle between two philosophies: Ute and Miakoda. They were exact opposites which his father had perfectly balanced somehow. His voice softened as he addressed Maka this time. "Don't flee from an opportunity, Maka," he said. "Otherwise, you'll become what I am. You don't want that." It was an odd thing to say after such a rant. Helaku was tired, tired of everything. His voice alluded to the notion that he was nothing more than broken goods. Miakoda threw out broken goods. "Tariro, I all ready know I'm unfit. I want nothing to do with the Ute. I can't stay here." He didn't want to leave; he was forcing himself to. Lastly, he eyed Coinin. "Stay with your Alpha. I'm not worth the trouble, Coinin."
Coinin will be the judge of who is worth the trouble and who is not worth the trouble. He doesn't view what he is doing as being disloyal to Tariro or the pack. Rather Tariro has expressed a desire to help him, and that is exactly what he intends to do until he is told to stop. Coinin is not a particularly flashy fellow, nor is he one to step out of line, or be loud, or any of that business. But when the situation calls for it he can be very firm and it feels good to be let a bit of that out again. Since he has arrived he has felt like he was walking on egg shells. Perhaps this is a sign that he is really home, "Helaku you are worth it. Look I don't pretend to get what's happened to you...but you seem like a decent guy and this is your chance to stay and make something new for yourself. Let go and live again...you can be happy. And you deserve to have a shot at being happy. Drop the posturing...be respectful to Tariro...and spend time with Niyt. If you leave now you will not only fail her...you will fail yourself, and sometimes we don't get a third chance." He says all of this rather bluntly and firmly. He isn't reproaching him, or rebuking..rather he is simply stating fact.
Niyt turns from Helaku, and all that aggression drops from her as she trots towards Maka. "No. I'm the one who's sorry, Maka. You shouldn't have had to deal with this. Helaku brought it, not you. -You- are still very welcome, if you choose." As for Helaku, well... that's another matter, and it depends a great deal on what happens next with him. Perhaps he'll take himself away, as he claims. She will not pursue him; he is a wolf grown, and his decisions are his own. Niyt cares for many; but even her patience has its limits. None of her frustration is with Maka, and that much is clear in her expression and pose, though she doesn't try to keep the other here now. She understands the need to run, to wear the body and emotions into exhaustion. She simply hopes the other will return. "I'll be here."
There are times in his life where Tariro wasn't sure why he even tried to sort of the conflicts of others lives; he wasn't even good at dealing with his own. What he has witnessed today was something he thought he'd never have to handle. Technically the problem was not of his pack but it did revolve around it. Helaku and Maka were possible additions to the pack but he could not have what one brought when together. Quiet, he looks to everyone, Maka first before she makes those first steps to run off. He wished her to stay; something would be worked out. He wanted Helaku to stay too but making him reconsider just seemed harder. Stepping back now, he would let them resolve their own feelings there. He and the pack weren't going anywhere. Looking to Coinin for the first time since he's been here, he says nothing. What was he to say when his actions are that of what he'd of done had it been in him to of done so.
Maka - Female Wolf
Helaku - Male Wolf
Rayen - Female Wolf
Tariro - Male Wolf, Alpha of Cerulean
Niyt - Female Wolf of Cerulean
---Two-River Fork---
Coinin had awakened closer to the waterfall and found that most of his friends that had been there previously were no longer there for some reason. Naturally being curious he decided to see where they had headed off to. Their scent trails were fairly clear and so he picked himself up onto his paws and headed off toward the fork of the river. Perhaps something had drawn them up this way and if so he definitely wanted to know about it.
Since her arrival at the edge of Cerulean lands, Maka had kept dutifully to the border where the scent markings of the alpha weren't as strong. Niyt had claimed that she'd set up some sort of meeting between her and the alpha, perhaps to arrange a mutually beneficial hunting situation for the upcomming winter. However, Maka has never been very good at keeping herself in one place for too long. Without any duties to a pack, or companions to really steal her interest, she has decided to try and entertain (and feed) herself.
The result is that the white and black wolfess is perched precariously upon a rock at the edge of the frozen part of the river, looking down into the water intently. Her tail swishes out behind her, but it's the only sign of movement as she peers down into the nearly clear river below. Her muscles tense, and then quite suddenly, she leaps! Sploosh. Her jaws snap down onto a passing fish and all too quickly she scrambles right back out of the water. At the edge, Maka shakes herself off and drops the fish, and makes an audible 'brr' sound before pawing her still flopping prey a few times. "Got you fish. Now you're dinner." She chuckles to herself.
Coinin unlike Maka does have duties that have been assigned to him by the alpha of the pack. His job, at least as Tariro put it, was to patrol the borders and keep a watch out for intruders and anything else that might be considered strange. What his duties seem to have amounted to thus far, however, are wandering the borders and bringing in strays. He has now found several different wolves in his wanderings and has brought them back to the Cerulean lands. This seems to please Tariro, and so naturally it pleases Coinin. In his wanderings he has also managed to find something of a large group of coyotes and foxes that live next door to where the pack is staying. In general the seem like nice folks, but Coinin remains a bit uncomfortable with them being so close. Still there certainly could be worse things. As he wanders up from the south he quickly notes several things. First the scent of some of the members of his pack linger here, as well as the scent of someone new. This news from his nose is quickly confirmed by both sight and sound as he watches the wolf pull the fish from the water. Well certainly she is brave to be fishing this time of year for as cold as it has become...brave or hungry, "Hello." he calls out to her. He maintains a respectful distance so as not to startle her.
Maka is already one mouthful into the fish when Coinin's voice catches her ears. They perk, even before her head lifts and she finishes chewing before cocking her head in his direction. "Hey." She offers, and then lets her pink tongue run over her muzzle to rid her maw of the reddish tone of the fresh fish. She doesn't seem agressive, or frightened, simply curious as she looks him over. Water still drips in places from her fur, making it look more spikey than normal, but she offers a small nod of greeting. Her head lowers a bit towards her meal, and there is a little bit of a tensing in her haunches as if she were readying herself to flee if he were to try to steal her dinner.
Coinin is certainly no thief. Even if he were hungry he wouldn't steal from her, and since he is not hungry her meal is certainly safe. He too is curious about her. Most of the wolves that he has met have been substantially further away from the pack lands. This one, however, has come closer than the rest. He does take his job seriously, but he intends her no harm, "You have no need to run. I'm not here to chase you off or take your fish. You were brave enough to stick your head into ice cold water in the middle of winter. You deserve to eat the fish." he says. He sits himself down on the ground, remaining a fair distance away from her, "My name is Coinin. I patrol the border of the Cerulean lands." he says. He may as well introduce himself, no sense in being rude.
As he sits, Maka seems to relax slightly, the tension easing from her haunches, although her ears and amber eyes stay trained on him. "It's not really bravery." She notes quietly, one ear dropping in an almost quizical expression. "Easier to fish than to find small game this time of year." Most of the squirrels or mice or other creatures were holed up in their warrens or dens and wouldn't be seen until their stomachs drove them to the surface. That could be a while yet. She takes the time to rip off another piece of fish-meat, stripping the bones out and leaving little remaining. The fish didn't make much of a real meal, but it might just tide her over for now.
"Maka." She replies, and at first it seems as if she might have just said some random word with little meaning. "I'm Maka." She repeats, and then lowers her head to lick at her paws. No threat of attack meant that she had time to relax and let her meal settle. "I hope I'm not too close to the border. I've been keeping away from pack lands as Niyt told me." She raises her head again, and stands, dusting a bit of dirt over the fish bones. It might be enough to keep the racoons away for a time. "I don't mean any harm, promise." The edge of her maw curves up in a hesitant sort of half-smile.
Well it seems Niyt has been bringing home strays as well. If she manages to gather a few more she can rival the number that he brought. At the sound of Niyt's name his ears perk a bit, "If you have been welcomed here by Niyt then you are most welcome." he says. After all when he arrived it was Niyt who welcomed him and he respects her very much. She is a very intelligent wolf and a good judge of character, "You are not too close. I would say if you wished you could come closer. There is little sense in wandering alone in the wilderness." Especially if one does not have too. Maka seems friendly enough and there is little harm that one wolf could do to the pack. He has always noted that Tariro is most welcoming, even to those that seem strange. He has little doubt that the alpha would welcome her as well, which is the reason he feels comfortable making such as offer, "I'm certain that if you wished to be a guest of the pack that you would be allowed to stay."
On her feet again, Maka gives herself another shake, sending the last few water droplets off of her fur. She isn't a particularly large wolf, which might lead one to thinking that she is a bit younger than her years. Still, there is a well traveled sort of look in her eyes. "I've been chased off of enough lands not to risk it again, especially when welcome has been offered." She walks calmly, seemingly unable or unwilling to stay still for too long. "Niyt said she'd arrange a meeting with your pack leader. She suggested that I might be able to arrange hunting with the pack for the winter, so long as I can make it mutually beneficial." She rolls her shoulders, not seeming too sure about that prospect. "Is your pack so needing of wolves that you'll take any stranger?" Her voice is curious, finding such welcome a bit odd.
Coinin ponders that thought for a moment or two. It's true that the pack is very welcoming. At least that has been his experience so far, but he can't see Tariro just letting anyone in. He is a bit loathe to speak for the alpha without him being present, but he can certainly speak to what he has seen so far in his time with the pack, "I don't believe they would take just anyone. I do think that lord Tariro tends to find value in most that come. Not too long ago I was without a pack and Niyt found me. I was welcomed here and given a job to do. I certainly can understand your hesitancy, but I speak from experience." He smiles, "If I am asked to chase you off I will." he says with a chuckle, "Though I consider that unlikely." She seems to have a desire to serve. This is something that is valuable to any pack.
"You make it sound like a wolf's life is something to be bartered like meat." A smirk plays on her muzzle as she settles finally to her haunches. "Finding 'value'." She shakes her head slightly. "Do you ever think that maybe a wolf is more than just what they have to offer the pack?" She's had a lot of time on her own to think about these sort of things. Ever since she left her birth pack, and then Ute, she hadn't found any place who valued an undersized, somewhat wiley female wandering into their territory. Then, she seems to realize her own words and laughs to herself. "I'm sorry, Coinin. I've been on my own a bit too long I think." Her tail swishes along the ground, thumping it in a steady rhythm. "I guess, I'm not really looking for just a place to be useful. I'm looking for a place to call home." That wry look shows on her muzzle again, although it's tinged with a hint of sadness. "I just haven't quite found it yet. So far, anyways."
Coinin was having a conversation about this with another wolf just the other day. That other wolf was not really in a state to listen to him given his condition but that doesn't mean that he didn't mean what he had said to him, "Actually yes." he says in response to her comment, "I do believe there is more than that. I was talking with Helaku the other day and told him that I believe everyone has value. Not because of what they can do but because of who they are." In some respects he is very much and old school sort of wolf, though he maintains something of a liberal attitude when it comes to other things. It was this liberal attitude that didn't sit so well with his former pack and got him kicked out...well sort of at any rate, "You have no need to apologize. I say stay with us for awhile if you like what you see...then stay. If you don't you will be free to move on. I have no doubt you will someday find what you seek."
Maka's ears perk once more as she listens to him explain his views, and then she nods her head, offering a more true smile on her features. Knowing that she might not just be bargaining her services in exchange for hunting privileges serves as some comfort. Too many judged by first appearances, and Maka seems either too young, or too small to be of much use. In truth, she is neither. "Helaku?" The name sounds familiar to her, and it causes her to blink slightly. No, it couldn't be /that/ Helaku, he had died, she was sure she had been told that. Confusion shows on her features for a moment, then she seems to settle again. It must just be a similar name. "We'll see what your alpha has to say when he meets me. Until then, I'm going to keep my paws away from the border. Safer for my hide that way, I think." She muses, and then glances toward the water. "Someday, I hope so. I thought I'd find home with my sister, but it didn't work out that way. And now she's dead and I'm right back in the old stomping grounds."
Coinin can imagine that this wolf has been through some interesting times. What wolf hasn't really? She seems rather wary, but given her past experience this is probably completely justified, "Yes Helaku. I'm afraid I don't know too much about him. He sort of showed up the other day. Niyt seems to know him though so you might have more luck talking to her about him." He isn't particularly she how he feels about Helaku yet but he isn't a wolf that makes snap judgments and is willing to give that newcomer time to show himself for who he really is, "As you wish." he says in response to her desire to stay here. He knows that she has nothing to fear, but he can respect that she doesn't know that yet. "I'm sorry to hear about your sister..." Thats all that he really can say, especially since he doesn't know anything about her or her sister. What he can respect though is the pain of her loss.
"The name just sounds familiar." Maka explains, giving another shake of her head. She'd been too many places and there had been years between the last time she'd heard that name and now. Maybe it's just her imagination. "And don't be sorry. She had a full life, lead a pack, had a mate and pups. I doubt she went to the great spirits regretting much." Although, in truth, Maka really had no idea how her sister had spent the last years of her life, or how she had died, so it's all just guesswork. "Anyways, what about you?" It's easier to turn the conversation back onto the male rather than deal with her own past. "How did you end up here? I mean, you said you were an outsider once." She leans to the side and scratches at an itch with her back leg.
Coinin senses that there might be more of a backstory with that, but lets that pass for the time being. After all no sense in being rude or attempting to pry. If she decides to stay he will likely hear the full story later on, "I will certainly keep her in my prayers." he says, "As for myself...its true that recently I had no pack. I left my birth pack because..." Its something a bit difficult to describe. Not because he doesn't know, but just how to say it without sounding too stupid or weird, "...of a difference of belief that I had with the majority of the pack members. They found it uncomfortable to keep me around. So they and I decided to part ways." He isn't sorry that it happened. He had to follow his heart, but he does miss some of them.
Maka accepts the notion of his prayers, although her own beliefs are different. It comes as no small amusement to find out that such a difference in beliefs is what drove this wolf from his own pack. "Oh? So what exactly did you believe that they didn't?" She asks, not finding it rude at all to ask the question that comes so easily to her muzzle. "I left mine when an outsider killed our alpha and took over. He tried to calm the others by seducing my sister, but she fled, and I left afterwards." At least her own story is more straitforward. "Seems strange to be cast out for what you believe. Unless it went against everything they did."
Coinin's story isn't all that strange really, at least not to him. To him it makes very good sense, "I came to the conclusion that there could be only one Creator. It's not that I don't believe there are other spirits or anything like that, but I came to the firm conclusion that these are not the Creators equal." Yep Coinin is a monotheist, "This differed considerably from the belief that my pack held. At first I was humored...then laughed at...and then I was asked to leave." By that point Coinin had already come to the conclusion that he was going to have to search for a home elsewhere, but that sort of sealed the deal. Coinin is very much a philosopher and thankfully this has yet to cause him any friction with the new pack. In fact he feels that he has been able to express himself more here than he was able to back at home.
"Hmm." Maka seems to take in this odd sort of belief, considering it rather than laughing or jeering outright. "To be honest, I'm not sure what I believe, anymore." She relaxes, settling herself back down and stretching her front paws out in front of her. "My pack believed in the spirits, but I've seen too many wolves waste their time on prayers that I don't think ever get heard. One creator or many, I don't think they're listening." She looks skyward, glancing at the passing bits of blue and white, and then lets her amber gaze settle on Coinin again. "I don't think anyone can prove they're right, though." She smirks, as if somehow already expecting some attempt at conversion. "And I'm not likely one to get converted. If there are gods, I'm generally not a fan."
Coinin has met many wolves who share her opinion. He is pleased that she didn't laugh at him. The disagreement he can deal with, but the laughing is a bit more difficult, "Perhaps and perhaps not.." he says. He isn't out to change other's opinions. He is willing to share his thoughts and if they end up sharing them that is their business not his. His only goal is to stay true to himself, "..at any rate I came to this conclusion after pondering that everything has a begining and that there had to be a first cause of everything..."
"Does everything have a beginning?" Maka asks, sounding honestly confused by the statement. "Does the mountain, or the sky? They've been there as long as I remember, or my ancestors, or those before me." In truth, the lifespan of a wolf is fairly short in the grand scheme of things, and her entire family tree as far as she knows many only go back a matter of decades rather than any great expanse of time. "Even wolves. I live, because my mother lived, but I don't know who the first wolf was. When I die, my children will go on in my place, or if I never find a mate, my line will carry on in my sister's children." She seems thoughtful, rather than outright denying what he is saying. "I guess matters of the gods don't matter much to me. Food, shelter, companionship, they're worth more to me than all the gods ever worshiped."
Coinin has run into that same particular concern. Truth be told it was a difficult concept for him to come to as well. He watched how in nature things have a begining, a middle, and an eventually an end. He simply took this pattern and extrapolated backward to come to the conclusion that yes there must have been a time when everything wasn't, and then something changed that. He certainly doesn't claim to have all the answers, but what he has he certainly isn't shy about sharing, "I believe that it does...but as for food and friendship...I think you will find them here."
"Well, when you find the beginning of the sky, you tell me? The eagles haven't even found that one. I heard of one that went as far as the great sea. He told me that that is where the world ends and there is nothing beyond." Not that she strictly believes the stories of eagles, but they certianly have seen more of the world than she has. She offers a smile, seeming somewhat warmed by the thought, and the discussion. Even if they have different world-views, it didn't mean there had to be anger or agression built around it. "I tried to find the end of the mountains once, but the cold drove me back down into the valley." She pauses, and then asks, "How far was your home? Did you see the great sea?" Now this seems more interesting to her. For all her travels, there is still so much she hasn't seen.
Two rivers. And voices. Helaku hadn't wandered too far since the conversation between Niyt, Tariro and the newcomer wolf. He wanted to know this land, as he was very unfamiliar with its layout compared to that of Ute. The white-eyed wolf moved silently until he caught the words 'great sea'. Now there was a place he knew about--a place his father had been to, and that he had been too as well. Yes, there was something beyond the great sea...humans different from those that live here arrived on their boats with breeds of dogs he'd never seen before, foods and smells he never smelled before. Slowly he emerged into view, ears perked and tail half raised. Now that hsi leg had healed he was in much better condition to posture himself the way he was meant to be.
Coinin has no acrimony to her at all. Its true they might have a different perspective on things, but Coinin has developed a rather thick skin and he takes considerably more than that to cause him any amount of irritation at all, "I'll keep you in the loop to be sure." he says in response to her question. Now is perhaps not the right time to delve further. He glances back toward the south. His pack is beyond the desert and the mountains, "If you keep traveling south past the mountains and the desert you will find my old pack." Slightly more complex journey perhaps, but it suffices for now, "I'm afraid that I've never seen the sea. I've heard of it though." He doesn't have the same desire that she has, but certainly he would be curious to see it if he could. As he finishes speaking he senses the presence of someone else and turns his head to see who it is. Oh its Helaku, well he looks to be doing better than he had been, "Hello Helaku."
She'd traveled tentatively around the packlands outskirts for a little bit now. Mainly keeping an eye on her neice when she could find her that is. She'd picked up many scents, of course all were unfamiliar, well most anyway. Coinin, the male she'd spoken to when she first found Catori, wasn't too far away and thus her paws were headed in that direction in a slow trot. As she nears Rayen slowly draws to a halt, ears flicked forwards and tail twitching low at her heels. She hasn't picked up on any of the conversation though she does hesitantly backup a few paces before tilting her head to one side. She was a friendly wolf yes, but she wasn't stupid. The two unfamiliar wolves is what have her stopped at a good distance and all she offers in a light grunt in Coinin's direction.
Leaving the waterfall left things quiet; a ringing in the ears broken only by the sound of the snow crunch beneith him and the one he followed. Moving alongside his niece, Tariro looked at her with a smile before turning away seeking out this other whom she mentioned. Trailing the river up to the fork, a mild chill falls upon the wolf, ruffling his white coat to keep warm. Drawing closer, it is voices that draw his attention further up the fork, ears perked as one of them is quite familiar; the other one he would soon meet. Giving Niyt another looking to, he howls, not to her but to the others in the area. Afterwards Tariro picks up Helaku through the trees, following the distance ahead of him for possibly a view of everyone else.
Niyt travels with her uncle, leading him toward where she last met Maka. As they get close, her ears also perk to the sounds of conversation, and she laughs. Perhaps it won't be so difficult to find the others. He hardly needed her help at all! Still, she joins her voice to Tariro's in that howl, adding the note of her presence there before they continue along.
"My own home is over the mountains, but there is a river that runs down through the range, and they lived near the basin." Maka explains, and there is a lingering whistful look in her amber eyes for a moment. There was a time that she had been happy there, before everything had changed. Perhaps she may have said more on the matter, but the sound of approaching paws draws her ears swiveling around. The outsider quickly is on her feet, taking a few steps backwards as she catches the howl from Tariro and then the emerging of Helaku. There were others nearby, she's sure of it. Her eyes dart around, as if she were suddenly primed for an ambush. Her foot steps back as far as the edge of the river, but then she lifts it, feeling the ice beneath her pawpads. "Um... friends of yours?" She asks, slightly nervously.
When Niyt's voice joins Tariro's, it seems to calm Maka at least somewhat. There would be another among these that she knew. But wait... Her eyes swivel to the arriving Helaku. She knew that name was familiar, but it's not just that. He /looks/ familiar. "Who..." She starts, head tilting. "We've... met before." Her eyes narrow slightly, as if she were trying to remember.
Helaku's ears slightly turned at the howl of Tariro, though his eyes remained solely on Maka. He was sure he met this wolf before--yes, somewhere. Somewhere at some time long ago. That would be long ago to him. The very presence of Helaku then delivered more cold than likely asked for. It wasn't cold in terms of spirit or personality or aura, but cold in terms of the air, the snow. A few stray flurries of snow swept by him as if to say...Winter cherished Helaku enough to stand behind him. "Are you certain of this?" was his response. "The majority of those who've met me are deceased."
It seems that this is destined to be a rather busy day. The first thing he notices after greeting Helaku is the grunt from Rayen. He is pleased to see her. He hadn't seen her for many days and was begining to wonder where she had gotten herself off to. He turns toward the sound of the grunt and gives a smile in return, "Hi Rayen." he calls out to her. Shortly after the greeting left his lips he perks his ears at the sound of the howls. He knows both those howls and lifts his head, opens his mouth, and howls in return. It appears that Maka might get her chance to meet Tariro sooner than he had anticipated. After lowering his head he nods in response to her question, "They are friends...you have no reason to be concerned." He gets to his own paws and turns around, ready to greet Tariro and Niyt when they arrive.
That's when they all start coming out of the wood work. Rayen's green tinted eyes flicker towards the arriving wolves who appear a few moments behind the other male and her ears give a hesitant twitch backwards. She knows how the other female is feeling, the only difference is Rayen is already a safe distance away should she feel the need to bolt. She stands stone still however, weighing her options. Coinin spoke highly of the wolves in these lands and Rayen had the feeling that he was a wolf of his word. However instinct of being out numbered in a land she didn't belong to was beginning to gnaw at her. She takes another small step backwards for safe measure, nostrils flaring to take in the new scents fluttering around the air.
Tariro wasn't too concerned about being the center of attention as he arrived; he was rather appreciative actually. Moving forward, he stops shy of the fork and takes a moment to scan the area; who was there who wasn't. When hearing a return howl, Tariro immediately knows who it is, moving forward once more to meet up. He does so cautiously however, even if the likelihood of something happening was slim. As he progressed forward, he realizes there are more here than the smells had let on. Waiting for someone to fill him in, the white wolf comes to a halt once more, positioning himself in a spot where he could see everyone.
So many voices, and the scents with them. So many new arrivals. Niyt smiles as she approaches, her head sweeping from side to side as she catches each of those voices with her perked ears and her eyes look past them blindly. There's Maka, who she's bringing her uncle Tariro to meet. There's Coinin, with his strange theories of the universe. He's probably already tried to ply the new wolf with them. There's Helaku with his brooding - but at least he's up and meeting people. That's good, even if he's sounding more threatening than he likely means. There's this Rayen, who she's heard mentioned before, but can't quite locate just now because of her silence. "Hello, everyone," she says. "Yes, we're friends." Are, hope to be... something like that, anyway. She turns her head toward where Maka seems to be, and says to her, "Hello, Maka. This is our alpha, Tariro." She tilts her head to indicate her uncle. "I see you've met Coinin and Helaku already; they've both come to stay with us recently." See? Friendly. Welcoming. All that sort of thing.
Maka's eyes initially stay locked on Helaku. Her ears perk around, working like radar as she takes in the approaching others. He looked so familiar - she's sure that her memory can't be /that/ wrong. Then again, this might not be the time for her to address such issues. It's clear that more of the pack is arriving and questioning this male might be best held until later. "Well, I'm not a ghost. Last I checked. And I'd like to avoid the whole death thing. I'm rather attached to myself." Amusement plays around her features, although it is still somewhat nervous. At the very least, she isn't the only wolf feeling somewhat nervous about this gathering. Her eyes flash towards the as-of-yet quiet one, who apparently is recognised by Coinin, but don't linger there for long. No, the arrival the two males still has her attention.
When she's introduced by Niyt, Maka nods slightly. "Um, pleasure to meet you." She offers, although she doesn't sound quite sure about the pleasure part of it. The look she gives towards the blind wolf is one that distinctively reads 'I hope you know what you're doing', even if Niyt can't see it. Then, she ducks her head politely. She seems to lose all track of what she should say in these instances. Crap.
Helaku retained his posture, but didn't say much else in regards to Maka. Well, there was one thing. He had a vague hint of where he met her before and he desired little of it. Yes, he was quite sure...them. As he turned, the mark on his shoulder became visible for Maka, though he didn't make a big deal of it. His focus went to Tariro. But there was that one thing...that one thing. "Are you still with the Ute?" he said.
Coinin lowers his head to greet Tariro respectfully. He is glad that Tariro is here and can welcome these two properly, should that be something that he both wishes and they want. He blinks as Helaku mentions Ute and lifts his head to glance at hime a moment. This Maka might be someone that he knows. Coinin also knows that Helaku didn't have very many nice things to say about Ute, hopefully this won't be too much of a problem. He then turns to Tariro, "My lord this is Rayen..." he says as he motions his head toward her, "I spoke to you about her awhile ago. She is Catori's aunt." He then motions his head toward Maka, "This is Maka...she is also new." He says nothing to Niyt at the present moment but will surely have a chance later.
She listens intently from her safe little distance away, that is until Coinin introduces her. Not wanting to be rude, Rayen moves from her previous stone still position, covering the distance between her and the gathering wolves slowly, though also leaving still a respectful space between her and them. She dips her nose gently towards the earth in Tariro's direction, "Pleasure..." she drawls softly. She gives Coinin a polite smile as well that she was unable to from where she was before and finally lets her gaze shift to all the other faces. An ear twitches and she swallows faintly to steady herself. It was comforting however ot know she wasn't the only new face here.
The direct announcement of his arrival brings out a nod from the alpha. Feeling a tad on the spot, he takes in a breath looking to each wolf separately; taking in who they are. The attention is later given to Maka as she gives an unsure greeting. He knows what its like to be unsure of something or even someone, even though he doesn't show it very often. Before addressing the she-wolf with any spoken word, Tariro looks to Helaku for a moment then back to Maka; slightly curious. Seems many from Ute are making their way this direction lately. Swiveling an ear to Coinin when he introduces Rayen, he looks to the lone wolf with a look he hopes sets her at ease. "As with you, Rayen." He greets, glad to finally put a face to the name. He then turns back to Maka. "It is a pleasure to meet you aswell, Maka."
There do seem to be a lot of Ute-affiliated wolves near Cerulean lately. Perhaps, once the snow melts, it'll be time for Niyt to make another visit there. Now that the conversation is started, she goes silent, smiling and listening until there's something more for her to add. She doesn't see Maka's look for reassurance, but her pose may still give it, for she, alone of the females here, seems quite comfortable.
Maka's ears tilt backwards slightly, the question from Helaku having caught her off-guard. Very few wolves here would recognise her, and while some part of her bloodline still runs in Ute, she has not been part of it for many seasons. "No." She replies simply. "I was never really part of Ute. I came to find my sister. When she became alpha, I left." Her ears remain slicked backwards, though. "I could ask you the same, but I guess you gave up that life just as I did." She had tried to put that in the past and move on, but here it comes again to haunt her.
As her eyes turn towards the alpha, she lifts her head slightly. "Perhaps it's better to have it out now than later. My sister was Wyanet, former alpha of Ute, but I was never really part of the pack. I've been on my own for almost two years, and right now I'm just trying to figure out a way of surviving the winter." She settles herself to her haunches, not feeling at ease, persay, but at least not feeling threatened. Her ears lift slightly, and she gives one more unsure glance at Helaku before addressing Tariro again. "Niyt had said you might be willing to let me hunt with the pack for the winter, but I'm not much of a hunter. I'm quick, and a good scout, and I can flush game, but that's all I can offer. I wish I could make a better deal, but I can't."
That froze Helaku. The instant she said 'sister' and 'Wyanet', he snapped his attention back to her, his eyes locked on this newcomer wolf. "There's been no Alpha of Ute since Skelaghe," he said. Yes. That was an entire crapstorm itself. It seethed from Helaku. He didn't approve of Wyanet, nor did his father. "I won't hold your relation against you, however. I'd be stooping to their level if I did." He relaxed his posture and started heading off. "Let her hunt in winter, I'd offer her a chance to join your numbers, Tariro. This one came from a rather strong pack if she's Wyanet's sister." And then he...put distance between himself and everyone else..except Niyt.
History. You had to love it, thought Coinin. He doesn't know that much about Helaku, but what he does know is that clearly this Wyanet person and he didn't get along so well. Once again he is finding Helaku to be a little less respectful to Tariro than he would like. He is definitely going to have to have a chat with Hel when he gets the chance, however at the moment he is concerned mainly with Tariro's reaction to everything. Maka appears to be able to take care of herself quite well and he isn't going to get involved in arguments and disagreements that don't belong to him. Coinin offers a smile of reassurance to Rayen. He told her that the pack was welcoming and it seems like things should work out just fine.
The tension between the two other is thick for a brief moment but as this Helaku wanders away a few paces it seems to ease.. maybe. Rayen knows all about shakey historys and uncertain pasts, she has her fair share and even more now that she left her's and Catori's homepack at the disapproval of the others. She pushes the thought away and instead shifts a hair closer to Coinin. What is she supposed to say? She had never been faced with an Alpha save her own, and it was the one she'd known since birth. Green flecked eyes take in everything curiously before her shoulders relax and she wills herself to calm. She knew in the back of her mind she had nothing to worry about though it didn't hurt to still be just a tad bit cautious. "I don't know the wish of my niece," she begins faintly, "However our homeland is far away and with heavy winter just around the corner.." she hesitates, "If it would be acceptable I also would be willing to lend my paws and mouth to help others survive, not just myself and Catori.
Although it was his position to seek out information from the known and make the decision on what possibly do with them, Tariro found himself with little or nothing to say. He never was much for words, let alone just jumping out into the open. Suiting with just sitting there and listening, such pleasures are taken from him when a name he knows comes to ear. He had met Wyanet once, a shame to know she no longer lives. The fact he knew the former alpha is made clear when he says, "Wyanet was a decent leader." despite what Helaku has to say, "Knowing she has passed is well known here." Unknown as to how, he moves on. Listening to Maka he hmms and nods; she wasn't the first wolf to come to him saying they weren't much for hunting. "Not all are hunters." He tells her, "But that doesn't mean what skills you do have can't be implemented into such things." Judding his attention to Helaku as he speaks, his brows knot. "The decision is hers to make, not mine." His offer means little otherwise should he make it.
Such an offer does stand however, as he looks back to Maka when the wolf steps away. Before he could say anything, however, his attention is drawn from her and to Rayen. "Any help is appreciated when it means survival. Both of you are welcome to stay and make use of what can be found here by means of food and shelter. Friendship..." Of any kind. "..can also be found should it be something you seek." He may not know those he welcomes, but having them here would help him learn and then make the right choice in their future should they stay.
Niyt's pose stiffens, and she turns her blind gaze toward Helaku. Her ears are up, her tail is raised, and she has a frown on her face. "Ute -" she says, emphasizing the name, "- are friends of Cerulean. The current alpha of Ute is Skahla. This pack acknowledges that," she says, her tone one of rebuke. She knows something of Helaku's issues, but she doesn't consider them to give him a free pass to badmouth another pack. If he wants to dislike them, let him. He can avoid them, and she won't say a word, but she won't just sit idly by for this sort of free-ranging hatred.
And with that Rayen nods her head, "Thankyou." It's all she knows to know though it has nothing but sincereity behind it. "If you will excuse me, I need to go find Catori and speak with her." She dips her nose politely to Tariro and then as well Coinin, a small smile of gratitude given, before her gaze sweeps the other faces and Rayen decides instead to make a silent get away. She'll introduce herself later when certain topics haven't riled those gathered.
The words of Helaku cut like barbs into her fur, enough so that her ears tilt backwards. The seething aggression coming off of the wolf causes her to show the barest hint of her teeth, but then she licks at her muzzle and seems to get the urge under control. "Skelaghe chose her, for good or bad. My sister is dead now. So bury whatever hatred you have in that grave and let it go." Why? Why even here is she having to face the shadow of her sister? Hadn't she run far enough to get away from it? "I'm not my sister." She lets out a huff of breath that hangs in the air. Small as she might be, Maka can stand up for herself. Her eyes turn back to Tariro, "And I don't wish to be judged on my sister. It isn't fair to /me/." No, she won't accept a recommendation spoken with such malice.
There is some comfort in the fact that both Tariro and Niyt seem to take her side on things. She had never known her sister as a leader, or as an alpha, so all she has is the words of others. Regardless, she still cares about her family, dead or not. Luckily, it seems that the alpha is more cool-headed, and Maka's tension eases as she nods, "I'll do what I can. All I ask is that you judge me on my merits and actions. Not on anyone else's." Yes, she has a bit of an issue with being compared to her sister. Even in appearance, the two wolves are quite different, and it is time for to stop being in her sister's shadow.
Oh this was just great. He wanted to get 'away' from anything related to the Ute. It wasn't Niyt's words that kept his attention, it was Maka's. "Your sister came into the Ute, tried to woo my father, destroyed the stability he had within the Ute, antagonised my sister, antagonised me--thoroughly wrecked that home before she was ever made into a Beta," said Helaku. "Because of her, my sister was driven to suicide. Because of her, my father had no one in the end except Ixkin." He rounded firm and strong, his ears alert and tail high. Helaku II was an high ranker wolf, regardless of where he was. And he was not about to be talked to in such a way. "Skelaghe chose her, but my father did not. Nor did Aquene, nor did Abel--who was the rightful heir to Alpha." He didn't close distance with anyone. His words were as firm, strong and solid as a leader who didn't take crap from anyone, and he didn't need to show his teeth, growl or snarl to make his stance clear. "No one told you that, did they? Of course they won't. They'll ass-kiss Wyanet without trying to see what she did. If my father wasn't as devoted to Skelaghe as he was, he'd have let her leave the Ute land after he made it clear she wasn't welcome." Yes. Out with it. And that was that. It wasn't so much anger that seethed from Helaku at that point--it was a lot of hurt. "You're not your sister. I said I wouldn't hold relation against you, and I won't." the white-eyed wolf slowly started walking and this time he didn't stop. "Because I am the source of tension I will remove myself from here. I've survived the Winter on my own before." And he kept going!
Now that Rayen has departed to go tell Catori the news, Coinin can afford to turn his attention to the conflict of words between these two wolves. Honestly he could care less about what conflicts they have had in the past. So long as they don't bring their conflicts with them. It seems this Ute pack has a great deal of difficulty even within itself. This suprises him a bit given that Niyt spoke highly of them. Perhaps they haven't always been that way? Perhaps in the past the pack had issues. At any rate it concerns him little. Maka has been a decent enough guest and given his own relationship with his brother he can certainly understand her desire to be judged on her own merits. He turns his face toward Maka for a moment and offers a small smile as hears Tariro speak of friendship and welcoming, that is definitely the Tariro that he knows and had told both new arrivals about. However, as Helaku speaks he comes to understand the wolf a little bit better. What he learns is consistent with the pain that he had shared during that first meeting. He begins to pad slowly after him. Unless Tariro calls him back he plans on following this wolf and perhaps having a chat with him in private.
Niyt steps toward Helaku, her pose stiff. She cares nothing for his posturing, for the claim of dominance she can hear in his tone of voice. He is a guest here, not a leader; and she has as much confidence in her gesture and voice as he does. "She is not her sister. You are acting as you claim Wyanet did. You drag out your old fight, when those you fought with are dead. You snarl and snap at the mention of a mere name. Perhaps Wyanet caused fights. But she left a /pack/ behind her. Can you say the same? I have seen you act to destroy. Think of those Ute ideals you claim to prize. Love. Create!" She pitches her words to reach the retreating Helaku, though she does not follow him.
Tariro wasn't going to judge Maka for something she wasn't. He would find out who she was be seeing it for himself not from someone's opinions. "You don't needs to worry about that with me. If I judged everyone by who their family was I'd be the one out in the cold, not them." Said firmly he smiles after. "Everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves for who they are." This he says glaring over to Helaku; tension between he and Maka quite obvious, he didn't need to hear the rant that followed to know. "Helaku!" He addresses the wolf, standing and taking a few steps forward. "I welcomed you here because I believed your life could change. Whatever quarrels you have with Ute and its former alpha I ask that you put behind you. Whatever relations may exist there don't exist here." Turning to Niyt as she speaks up he nods. "If you can not move on from such hatreds, then I will have to ask you to leave." Helaku may be treating now, but should he continue his current bout, he'd make the departure permanent. Such behavior is not condoned here and Tariro was not about to just sit there and let it continue.
As Helaku continues to spit more and more harsh words at her, Maka can't help but have her heckles raised by the agression. The wolf's ears slick back along her head, golden eyes narrowing. She may have never been a high ranking member of a pack, herself, but no one likes to be talked to in such a way. "I am /not/ my sister!" Maka repeats this much, "And I don't deserve your venom. I didn't do anything to you, and I never hurt you or your sister or your brother. Abel was my /friend/." The word catches in her throat. No, there had been a time that she had thought that he might have become more than that. Things hadn't gone that way, though.
Maka blinks back the tears that threaten to well up in her own eyes. "Whatever my sister did, I don't defend her actions. I wasn't there. I never saw it with my own eyes." This time, she's talking not only to Helaku but to Niyt and Tariro as well. "No matter what mistakes she made, she was my sister, and I can't hate her." Her eyes find the retreating back of Helaku. "Just as I'm sure you love your father regardless of the mistakes he made. That's what love means. It means forgiveness." She takes a shakey breath, "For all you claim not to judge me, your hatred drips from you like poison. So for what little good it does, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for the pain she caused you and your family."
At last, her gaze moves towards Niyt, although she knows the other wolf can't see it. "I'm sorry, Niyt. I brought this to your borders. I was stupid to think it wouldn't follow me here." She takes a step backwards, and then looks to Tariro with an almost pained expression. "Thank you for your welcome. I'll... consider it." But not now. No, now she wants to do the one thing she's good at. Run. Run until her legs give out and hope the past doesn't catch up with her.
Helaku paused his walk only once, his ears perked to Niyt, then to Tariro, and lastly to Maka. It was a struggle between two philosophies: Ute and Miakoda. They were exact opposites which his father had perfectly balanced somehow. His voice softened as he addressed Maka this time. "Don't flee from an opportunity, Maka," he said. "Otherwise, you'll become what I am. You don't want that." It was an odd thing to say after such a rant. Helaku was tired, tired of everything. His voice alluded to the notion that he was nothing more than broken goods. Miakoda threw out broken goods. "Tariro, I all ready know I'm unfit. I want nothing to do with the Ute. I can't stay here." He didn't want to leave; he was forcing himself to. Lastly, he eyed Coinin. "Stay with your Alpha. I'm not worth the trouble, Coinin."
Coinin will be the judge of who is worth the trouble and who is not worth the trouble. He doesn't view what he is doing as being disloyal to Tariro or the pack. Rather Tariro has expressed a desire to help him, and that is exactly what he intends to do until he is told to stop. Coinin is not a particularly flashy fellow, nor is he one to step out of line, or be loud, or any of that business. But when the situation calls for it he can be very firm and it feels good to be let a bit of that out again. Since he has arrived he has felt like he was walking on egg shells. Perhaps this is a sign that he is really home, "Helaku you are worth it. Look I don't pretend to get what's happened to you...but you seem like a decent guy and this is your chance to stay and make something new for yourself. Let go and live again...you can be happy. And you deserve to have a shot at being happy. Drop the posturing...be respectful to Tariro...and spend time with Niyt. If you leave now you will not only fail her...you will fail yourself, and sometimes we don't get a third chance." He says all of this rather bluntly and firmly. He isn't reproaching him, or rebuking..rather he is simply stating fact.
Niyt turns from Helaku, and all that aggression drops from her as she trots towards Maka. "No. I'm the one who's sorry, Maka. You shouldn't have had to deal with this. Helaku brought it, not you. -You- are still very welcome, if you choose." As for Helaku, well... that's another matter, and it depends a great deal on what happens next with him. Perhaps he'll take himself away, as he claims. She will not pursue him; he is a wolf grown, and his decisions are his own. Niyt cares for many; but even her patience has its limits. None of her frustration is with Maka, and that much is clear in her expression and pose, though she doesn't try to keep the other here now. She understands the need to run, to wear the body and emotions into exhaustion. She simply hopes the other will return. "I'll be here."
There are times in his life where Tariro wasn't sure why he even tried to sort of the conflicts of others lives; he wasn't even good at dealing with his own. What he has witnessed today was something he thought he'd never have to handle. Technically the problem was not of his pack but it did revolve around it. Helaku and Maka were possible additions to the pack but he could not have what one brought when together. Quiet, he looks to everyone, Maka first before she makes those first steps to run off. He wished her to stay; something would be worked out. He wanted Helaku to stay too but making him reconsider just seemed harder. Stepping back now, he would let them resolve their own feelings there. He and the pack weren't going anywhere. Looking to Coinin for the first time since he's been here, he says nothing. What was he to say when his actions are that of what he'd of done had it been in him to of done so.