Post by Ashen on Nov 12, 2008 13:30:29 GMT -5
Location: Dense Undergrowth
Characters:
Bodhi
Cyrus
Miakoda
Shikoba
Storm
Season: Late Winter
After he'd rested up at the border with Eclipse, Cyrus was back on his paws and racing home. It had gradually darkened during his run home, a light dusting of snow falling from the sky for a breif moment before ceasing. The half full moon causes the faintly dusted snow covered grown to glow slight, as well as the silver in his fur. He reaches the dense undergrowth where his packs den was located and finally slows to a halt. The ashen male lifts his nose to sniff at the area curiously, tail level and swaying from side to side. He's /just/ got home and already he's gotta go BACK to his mom and hope she doesn't eat his face off. >D Joy.
The aging alpha is settled down in front of the den, Storm looks well rested and is just relaxing as she listions to the forest. A yawn escapes her and she blinks while glancing towards the movement and smirks as she spots Cyrus. "Ah.. There you are. What have you and your brother been up too?" She questions with a knowing smirk as she watches her son while shifting up onto her haunches.
Shikoba is standing by a clump of brown thicket, browned and killed by the frosty weather. Her nose is pushed part way through the foliage, snuffing around for something within. She doesn't know Cyrus has arrived until the sound of pawsteps on snow makes it to her ears. Pulling her head away from the thorny overgrowth, her eyes wander over to the young male. She sneezes.
The sneeze catches his attention right after his mother so his 'hello' is delayed as he casts a steeley glance in Shikoba's direction. Blink. "Shikoba?" She's... grown. Ah he. Such is the teenage boy life. *_* Cyrus grins widely, tail swaying more quickly as a wolfish lopsided grin spreads upon his maw. Its then he finally remembers and looks to his mother, paws carrying him quickly over to lick at her chin and cheeks lovingly. "Me and Helios? Ah idk about him, haven't seen him. /BUT/," he begins excitedly, "I met a friend. She's at the border." BEAM.
Miakoda lingers just outside of the den's mouth, head on her paws and eyes closed. Miakoda, though more active than the older Felstride, has been quiter as of late. Laying and sitting more than doing too much physical activity. Ah .. she's getting older! Run for your lives!! But there's nothing wrong with her hearing, even though reaction time has gotten a tad bit slover. Ears twitch as she hears the familiar sound of packmates and she blinks her eyes open, yawning. "What's this about friends?" Friends are good things. Friends who say at borders are even better.
Storm licks across her maw and mms faintly while looking to Shikoda and smile before looking to Mia and then back to Cyrus. "Yes.. What friend are you talking about, and why is she at the border?"
Shikoba catches the glance she receives from Cyrus, snorts softly, and turns to make her way toward her own mother. She has no idea what's going on, but she intends to listen quietly. It's not like that's much else to do at this moment.
Aw no hi?? XD He's been gone for so /long/. Cyrus throws a smile in Miakoda's direction and dips his nose to her, "Mia'," he greets. It was good to see her face too. After she asks her question and his mother does as well Cyrus flicks an ear, "Her name is Eclipse, I ran into her. .. Literally." Sheepish grin. "She apparently got chased by some cougars bent on ridding the world of wolves or anything not cougar or something," he shrugs, "So I figured she'd be safer close to the border. Doubt any cougars will try with the pack so close. And she's at the border.. because..." Ahhhh... she's a wolfdog? She's part dog? She's.. "She's a stranger and I didn't want to just drag her in unannounced..." Yes! That's.. part of it.
Kuckunniwi yawns as he walks into the Dense Undergrowth, he is holding a dead field mouse in his muzzle and looks around for a nice place to eat it. He nods to the other wolfs awake and plops down under a tree to have his dinner.
Miakoda smiles softly as her eyes settle upon Shikoba, and her daughter is acknowledged with a few flips of her tail. "Shiko," she greets as she sits up, her expression warm and inviting. As she nears, she stands to nuzzle her behind the ears before touching noses with her. An ear is turned though, listening to Cyrus' story before she turns his eyes to him. "Chased by cougars?" she echoes with a quirked brow. "That sounds .. strange." Muted gold eyes turn to Shiko. "Have you seen this female?"
Storm blinks while watching her son a moment. "Cougars.. down here?" She looks to Mia with a questionable look. Something sounds fishy. A faint humm escapes her while she nods slightly, tail lashing a few times. "Well, if that's true we all need to keep a look out." The alpha says while looking off slightly, A ear twitching to Mia and her daughter. "Good point.. Glad to see your actually thinking Cyrus."
Shikoba smiles softly, nuzzling her mother in return. Quietly, she murmurs; "If you have time, now or later... I have something I need to talk to you about." Trying her best not make it sound urgent or anything like that. Then her ear twists at the mention of cougars. Her head tilts.
Kuckunniwi chews on his mouse then his ears perk up some. "Yea, I saw a Cougar a few days ago talking to some foxes in the Sparse Corpse, you know that area near the farm house." he goes back to chewing on his mouse.
Cyrus flicks an ear towards the unkown male, steele eyes narrowing slightly before he looks back to his mother. Scowl. He THINKS. ._. "Yeah, she seemed pretty shaken up by it." Cyrus shuffles where he sits and coughs faintly, "And.. well.. she didn't feel really comfortable just tresspassing onto the pack lands so I figured I'd come tell you she was out there. She's really nice mom.." But. BUT. He hesitates, the next scentance said almost too quick for anyone who's not ready to understand. At all. "YouCan'tEvenTellShe'sPartDog."
Miakoda's ears prick again, and she gives her daughter a questioning look. "There is always time in the present for you, Shiko," she answers as she settles onto her haunches, her easy-going smile resettling on her muzzle. It doesn't seem as if she has intentions of taking this talk elsewhere, unless her daughter seems to deem it a private conversation. But her eyes do glance at the yong male, Kuckunniwi, a moment, ears flicking back. "We do not go near Man's land," she answers simply. And Cyrus' blurred words? Nope, she didn't catch not a one of them.
Storm smiles at Cyrus and nods. "Well I'm sure she was very shaken up, cougars are no laughing matter." A ear flicks towards Kuck and she mms softly before looking to Cyrus a moment and ahs faintly. "What was that last part Cyrus?.." She didn't catch it all and so it seems Mia didn't either..
No, not private. Just... a bit difficult for her to ask. Still, it's important. Shikoba opens her mouth to speak, when Cyrus' words bolt past. Her mind reacts a bit quicker than the older she-wolves, and her eyes bulge wide open. "She's part /what/?" She wonders, out of sheer bewilderment, her full attention momentarily shifting onto Cyrus. "What is a 'dog'?"
Kuckunniwi mumbles as he keeps chewing on his mouse. "well nobody told me, I guess my dad is a bad parent for that, and all i was doing out there was hunting for food, I din't go futher in and I stayed by the forest. If it wasn't for that other big cat jumping me I would be eating fox cubs soon."
A smug little grin settles upon his face before its shattered at Shiko's astonished question. Drat! She has quicker ears then he'd thought. The other male is currently ignored as he lets his eyes quickly snap back to his mother and he simply sits and waits. A narrowed harmless glare is breifly shot at Shiko' quickly before he focuses all his attention on his mother, ears faintly tilting back.
For a moment, Miakoda looks bewildered. "That is the question you wished to ask?" she says, sendng a puzzled look Shikoba's way. But Shiko is no longer lookin at her, and she follows her gaze over to Cyrus. Waaait a minute. She narrows an eye, giving the young wolf male one of those /looks/. No, she's not his mother, but she's had much practice giving those looks with her own brood! "A dog," she answers evenly, the word nearly spat, "is Man's toy. An abomination who dares to think they share the same blood as us. A dog is not a wolf," she schools to her daughter. "And never will a dog be one. They do Man's bidding. They idolize Man. Their minds and senses have been softened by Man. They are plague that once roamed these woods before they died, because without Man, they are nothing."
Storm just blinks while watches Cyrus and a ear flicks to Shikoba as her maw opens slightly. "A hybrid?" The alpha finally questions. She got the part and dog from Shiko when it was repeated so could only guess. "Why are you hanging around a hybrid?" Not that she has a big issues with them but she's dealt with them when she was wandering, actually when she was Cyrus's age and it wasn't a pretty sight. "They can be trouble Cyrus.."
Bodhi yawns widely as he starts to slowly wake up from all the noise around him, his head rising from the ground as he surveys the densite toughtfully
Shikoba returns Cyrus' glare with a confused stare. What'd she /do/? She only asked a simple question. When her mother explains the concept of a dog, the young she-wolf turns, her expression dropping to sorrow. "Oh! Oh, that sounds sad. Isn't there anything that can be done?"
Cyrus flusters visibly at Miakoda, his ashen pelt bristling in certain places. "They can't be that bad," he snaps. "Besides, she's /half/ dog. She doesn't even LOOK like a dog.. she looks like.. like... Kind of like you.. and Shiko'.. she's got red on her." Scowl. Cyrus fumes faintly behind his steele eyes before looking back at his mother and frowning, "Because I ran into her. She's really nice mom.. there's somethin about her," he mummbles. Yeah, her cute butt, beautiful eyes, the way she walks... *_*; Cyrus scoffs lightly, "She's less trouble then I am. I wanted to drag her on the lands, 's her idea to wait." Grummble. XD
Kuckunniwi shakes his head some as he finshs his mouse, he stands back up and looks around. "I guess I better go fins my dad, I'm sure Seven is wondering were I am right now, we need to go hunting again soon anyway."
"No," answers Miakoda to Shikoba. "They live with Man and that is their choice. There is nothing we can do to help them." Nor does it sound as if she'd be willing to help even if there /was/ something she could do about the plague that is Dog. An ear is idly turned Cyrus' way before her eyes gradually do, and she lifts her muzzle faintly, gazing at hi as if he were incredibly slow. "Half a dog is dog enough."
Storm glances to Mia slightly, her maw opening before her gaze turns back to Cyrus and she just frowns. "An how do you know she is not a man's beast to call who was sent into the forest to find wolves for man to kill? It /has/ happened before." She states while lowering her head to eyes Cyrus a moment. "I don't want her on the land Cyrus.. Not now." An what will his father say when he finds out? Oh dear.
Bodhi shakes his head slightly to wake properly before he stands up and studies those awake and arguing "Talking about dogs again it sounds like from the tone" brows furrowing as he sits back down "One area i tend to disagree quite a bit with our packs attitude even if i understand why we have it"
From the way her mother it talking, Shikoba decides not to mention how one of her pledged goals in life was to meet a human for herself. Instead, she shifts the subject. "Um, but about the question." Hopefully her mom will stop berating Cyrus long enough to listen. This is something Shiko's been waiting a long time to ask, but has continuously put off.
Cyrus lifts his chin up, eyes narrowing and ears twitching breifly. "As you say, my alpha." Mia' doesn't have to worry about berating him for much longer. He turns a dark glance to Bodhi, dipping his maw for a moment before looking back at his mother. Helios could find him later, he was sure his brother would hunt him down along the border. "I'll be back.." Eventually. With that the growing male stands, dipping his nose to Mia' and her daughter briefly before he turns and without glancing over his shoulder begins to pad quickly back in Eclipses direction.
Miakoda watches Cyrus with a difficult to read expression. Not exactly blank, borderline curiosity but not quite. Moreso a look that hints that she has an inkling that difficulties may lay ahead. BUt she doesn't stop him and instead turns her eyes to Storm and Bodhi, saying nothing to the latter as he puts in his two cents, though churring a soft apology to Storm. Huffing a breath, she focuses again on Shikoba. "Ah, so that wasn't your question," she says, and she sits patiently to listen.
Storm shifts on her paws and stands while watching Cyrus. "Cyrus.." She starts before pausing figuring its best if he leaves to think about it himself though. A sigh escapes the aging wolf while she glances to the sky. "I was never this much trouble." Speaking to who?.. Her parents who else. The alpha turns and slowly settles down where he was before, her head laying upon a forepaw. Its not that she felt all hybrids were bad, but with the threat a possibility she can't take any chances with the pack.
Shikoba chuckles. "Of course it wasn't." Her chuckles turn nervous and she looks down at her paws, opening and closing her mouth a few times. Finally, she lets out a sigh, looks back up and smiles. "Mama, would it be okay if I left?"
Miakoda blinks once, then blinks again, surprise stunning her expression. " ... Leave?" she echoes, bewildered by the word. A look is given to Storm, a near tortured thing, but she composes herself when her attention turns back to Shikoba. "For what reason do you wish to leave your home? Are you unhappy hear?" she asks with furrowed brows.
Storm blinks at the question and looks to Shikoba a few moments. Well that's a first, she hadn't heard of one of the younger wolves ever wanted to leave.. A ear flicks to Bodhi and while she did catches his comment before she won't speak on it now.
Bodhi cocks his head slightly as he watches Shikoba curiously, being quite interested in her reasoning for wanting to leave since its been in his nature to wander a lot
A little while after she finished speaking, it dawns on Shikoba that she should have /clarified/ some things first. She was never particularly terrific at leading into things. "Oh, of course I'm happy! I love everyone, that I do. And I don't mean for good." She shakes her head to reaffirm the answer. "This is still my home, but... I want to get out for a little while, /see/ the world."
Miakoda exhales a slow breath that she wasn't quite aware that she was holding. Non-permanence is good. As long as she plans on coming back, she can handle it ... right? Though Cyrus' words ring in her head. Crazed cougars on a killing spree. She considers her words carefully before speaking them. "Are you thinking of bringing Echo with you?" A bodyguard, albeit a silent one. Though the thought of not having her children with her to watch over and keep safe is difficult, knowing that she might not be totally alone when out facing the world is a small comfort.
Storm mms faintly, not sure about this. "Or.. Helios.." The boy should do something then sleep. "You should remember what Cyrus says about cougars.."
Shikoba cringes visibly. The last thing she ever wants to do is drag her siblings, or the alpha's children along. If anything happened to /them/, she'd... well, she'd be in deep trouble, but she's also never forgive herself. "I'm not going alone, if that has you worried." She offers an assuring smile. "And even so, I can look after myself. And if I couldn't, I wouldn't be of much importance to the pack, would I?"
Miakoda nods in agreement with Storm as she volunteers Helios. If he has other plans, well .. apparently they've just been broken! But her head twists as she claims of not being alone. "Oh?" she says questioningly. "Who will be accompanying you?" This is her only baby girl, talking about going off in the cold and cruel world! Of course she needs every detail of this adventure before even /considering/ letting her run off. Her last comment has Miakoda's expression softening a bit, and she leans in to nuzzle the youth. "I do not doubt that you are able, Shikoba. But even if you weren't.." her mind flickers to Moonbird... "you would still be a treasured member. I just want to make sure that you will be safe."
Storm mms faintly as she eyes the girl pondering who is do go with her as well.. She figured Mia should be the one really talking to her daughter so slips quiet for now, being the watcher for the time being.
Shikoba noses affectionately against the side of her mother's face, never losing her smile. "I know, but I also want to make you proud of me... I want /myself/ to be proud of me." Stepping back, she goes back to the earlier question. Who's going with her? The youth looks a little hesitant at first. "... Hali offered to take me. I wanted to leave once it gets warm and the snow is all gone away."
Miakoda seems to settle a little more as Shikoba's cold nose touches her, perhaps becoming a bit more persuaded both by that and her spoken words. But the serene look detaches itself from her face as Shikoba goes on to answer the previous question. "Halidari /offered?/" she asks, pulling one ear back before it rights itself again. It's a struggle to keep her expression even, but she has some mild success. "Honey, was this your idea or hers?"
Storm blinks and lifts her head as Halis brought into this.. She wonder's who's idea wasit as well and frowns while shifting up so she is sitting once more. The alpha tilts her head while listioning and watching Shiko closely.
Shikoba freezes outwardly, but her mind races. She was hoping this wouldn't go badly, and maybe it's not too late to smooth things out. "I... It was my idea." She glances off in a random direction, remembering the initial conversation she'd had. "I told her about my hopes, I did. I wanted to see every creature and learn about them, so she offered to help."
Miakoda glances over to Storm again, her head slightly turning to one side. She's quiet a moment looking pensive as she breathes slowly in and out. In and out. "And ... /she/ .... is the only one that find suitable to accompany you? Why not Larkspur?" she suggests, sounding a bit more confident in the other wolf's abilities. "Halidari has a tendency for dramatics and recklessness which clouds her senses."
Storm sighs slightly at this and shakes her head. "I have to agree with your mother in this. Don't get me wrong I love my daughter but she has a strange streak at times.." She murmurs softly, not fully sure this is such a good idea.
Shikoba's shoulders slump. "But I don't know Lark that well, and doesn't she have other things to worry about?" She feels so torn up. One the one hand, she wants so badly to listen and take her mother's advice. But Hali seemed so knowledgeable about everything, like the perfect asset to one setting off on her own for the first time. But when Storm chimes in, Shiko can feel her resolve crumbling. How can she go against her mother /and/ the alpha? "I'll... talk to Larkspur."
Bodhi cocks his head slightly "While i have my doubts that Larkspur would wish to wander so soon after returning, however if she does agree i would offer myself to follow along on the wander as well"
A thankful look is given to Storm, but when her eyes return to Shikoba ... a bit of /her/ resolve seems to melt. A slow and silent breath is exhaled as he watches her, seeing the face of a young pup instead of the young adult she's growing in to. Her head lowers slightly as her eyes half lid, about to speak but pauses as Bodhi does. He's been so quiet, she's almost forgotten that he was there. "Only if she agrees?" she questions flatly, giving him a look. "Shikoba," she continues, turning back to the young wolf, "I don't want to keep you from exploring this world. It is a beautiful place, but it is as dangerous as it is lovely. I only want to see you come back in one piece. Talk to Larkspur. See what she says. If she does not agree, and only if she does not agree..." Sigh. "Go with Halidari, but I want you to return before the hot season."
Storm says nothing for a moment and slips quiet while her maw twitches. She glances to Bodhi and then settles back down and glances from daughter to mother.
Shikoba glances at Bodhi. Mother wouldn't mind about this, right? "If you'd be willing, that would be kind of you, that it would." She doesn't want to turn this into a full-out expedition; this is supposed to help her 'come of age', in her own mind at least. But having another along would make it a bit safer. Turning back to her mother, she nods. "I will talk to her. And I promise I won't be gone too long." Oh, how it's going to be painful to keep that promise. She only has one season to explore? Still, Shikoba can understand her mother's concern for her, and that helps keep her from getting too frustrated.
Bodhi dips his head as he looks over at Miakoda"If more then one is out wandering then there should be atleast three in my opinion" a slight shrug of his shoulders "as its safer, i didn't offer to follow along in regards to Halidari since the two of us have never really gotten along, while we do not dislike eachother we also hardly know eachother even after all this time" his head gazing toward storm with a slight smile "no offense intended" His gaze finally moving to Shikoba as he dips his head "it would be my pleasure to help"
Oy, if only she can see into the future! But she cannot, which means that Miakoda can only trust in Fate to keep her daughter safe, no matter who she may be going with. Shikoba's promises make that a little easier, and she inhales a deep breath. "I will speak to your father and let him know," she says, apparently feeling that discussing this with him isn't exactly necessary. Bodhi is acknowledged with drifting eyes, smirking vaguely and briefly. "If it is what Shikoba wants. It is not my intention to leave the pack with low numbers because of this." Another breath is exhaled. "Promise me that you will say goodbye before you leave, Shikoba."
Shikoba nods. "Thank you." She says to Bodhi, and then she tilts her head and presses it against her mother's chest. "I will, mama. I love you." In spite of what feels a like a few set backs, she still feels her hopes swell. It looks like her plans are really going to happen, if potentially altered a bit. However, soon her eyes drift shut and a small yawn escapes her throat. Shaking her head, the nearly grown wolf moves to pad into the den. "Good night, and thank you for listening."
Bodhi smiles softly at Shikoba "my pleasure, and sleep well" his gaze then shifting to Miakoda as studies her toughtfully for a few moments. He gets to his paws and pads a few steps over to Miakoda's side so he can give her neck a gentle and comforting nuzzle
Miakoda dips her head to her pup, her nearly all grown up pup, as she retires for the night. She watches her move off with a very slow sight and distant look. When does a mother know whether her choice is right or wrong? She shudders faintly, pushing away less than pleasant thoughts as she sets her head down on her paws, eyes half lidding. What a night.
Characters:
Bodhi
Cyrus
Miakoda
Shikoba
Storm
Season: Late Winter
After he'd rested up at the border with Eclipse, Cyrus was back on his paws and racing home. It had gradually darkened during his run home, a light dusting of snow falling from the sky for a breif moment before ceasing. The half full moon causes the faintly dusted snow covered grown to glow slight, as well as the silver in his fur. He reaches the dense undergrowth where his packs den was located and finally slows to a halt. The ashen male lifts his nose to sniff at the area curiously, tail level and swaying from side to side. He's /just/ got home and already he's gotta go BACK to his mom and hope she doesn't eat his face off. >D Joy.
The aging alpha is settled down in front of the den, Storm looks well rested and is just relaxing as she listions to the forest. A yawn escapes her and she blinks while glancing towards the movement and smirks as she spots Cyrus. "Ah.. There you are. What have you and your brother been up too?" She questions with a knowing smirk as she watches her son while shifting up onto her haunches.
Shikoba is standing by a clump of brown thicket, browned and killed by the frosty weather. Her nose is pushed part way through the foliage, snuffing around for something within. She doesn't know Cyrus has arrived until the sound of pawsteps on snow makes it to her ears. Pulling her head away from the thorny overgrowth, her eyes wander over to the young male. She sneezes.
The sneeze catches his attention right after his mother so his 'hello' is delayed as he casts a steeley glance in Shikoba's direction. Blink. "Shikoba?" She's... grown. Ah he. Such is the teenage boy life. *_* Cyrus grins widely, tail swaying more quickly as a wolfish lopsided grin spreads upon his maw. Its then he finally remembers and looks to his mother, paws carrying him quickly over to lick at her chin and cheeks lovingly. "Me and Helios? Ah idk about him, haven't seen him. /BUT/," he begins excitedly, "I met a friend. She's at the border." BEAM.
Miakoda lingers just outside of the den's mouth, head on her paws and eyes closed. Miakoda, though more active than the older Felstride, has been quiter as of late. Laying and sitting more than doing too much physical activity. Ah .. she's getting older! Run for your lives!! But there's nothing wrong with her hearing, even though reaction time has gotten a tad bit slover. Ears twitch as she hears the familiar sound of packmates and she blinks her eyes open, yawning. "What's this about friends?" Friends are good things. Friends who say at borders are even better.
Storm licks across her maw and mms faintly while looking to Shikoda and smile before looking to Mia and then back to Cyrus. "Yes.. What friend are you talking about, and why is she at the border?"
Shikoba catches the glance she receives from Cyrus, snorts softly, and turns to make her way toward her own mother. She has no idea what's going on, but she intends to listen quietly. It's not like that's much else to do at this moment.
Aw no hi?? XD He's been gone for so /long/. Cyrus throws a smile in Miakoda's direction and dips his nose to her, "Mia'," he greets. It was good to see her face too. After she asks her question and his mother does as well Cyrus flicks an ear, "Her name is Eclipse, I ran into her. .. Literally." Sheepish grin. "She apparently got chased by some cougars bent on ridding the world of wolves or anything not cougar or something," he shrugs, "So I figured she'd be safer close to the border. Doubt any cougars will try with the pack so close. And she's at the border.. because..." Ahhhh... she's a wolfdog? She's part dog? She's.. "She's a stranger and I didn't want to just drag her in unannounced..." Yes! That's.. part of it.
Kuckunniwi yawns as he walks into the Dense Undergrowth, he is holding a dead field mouse in his muzzle and looks around for a nice place to eat it. He nods to the other wolfs awake and plops down under a tree to have his dinner.
Miakoda smiles softly as her eyes settle upon Shikoba, and her daughter is acknowledged with a few flips of her tail. "Shiko," she greets as she sits up, her expression warm and inviting. As she nears, she stands to nuzzle her behind the ears before touching noses with her. An ear is turned though, listening to Cyrus' story before she turns his eyes to him. "Chased by cougars?" she echoes with a quirked brow. "That sounds .. strange." Muted gold eyes turn to Shiko. "Have you seen this female?"
Storm blinks while watching her son a moment. "Cougars.. down here?" She looks to Mia with a questionable look. Something sounds fishy. A faint humm escapes her while she nods slightly, tail lashing a few times. "Well, if that's true we all need to keep a look out." The alpha says while looking off slightly, A ear twitching to Mia and her daughter. "Good point.. Glad to see your actually thinking Cyrus."
Shikoba smiles softly, nuzzling her mother in return. Quietly, she murmurs; "If you have time, now or later... I have something I need to talk to you about." Trying her best not make it sound urgent or anything like that. Then her ear twists at the mention of cougars. Her head tilts.
Kuckunniwi chews on his mouse then his ears perk up some. "Yea, I saw a Cougar a few days ago talking to some foxes in the Sparse Corpse, you know that area near the farm house." he goes back to chewing on his mouse.
Cyrus flicks an ear towards the unkown male, steele eyes narrowing slightly before he looks back to his mother. Scowl. He THINKS. ._. "Yeah, she seemed pretty shaken up by it." Cyrus shuffles where he sits and coughs faintly, "And.. well.. she didn't feel really comfortable just tresspassing onto the pack lands so I figured I'd come tell you she was out there. She's really nice mom.." But. BUT. He hesitates, the next scentance said almost too quick for anyone who's not ready to understand. At all. "YouCan'tEvenTellShe'sPartDog."
Miakoda's ears prick again, and she gives her daughter a questioning look. "There is always time in the present for you, Shiko," she answers as she settles onto her haunches, her easy-going smile resettling on her muzzle. It doesn't seem as if she has intentions of taking this talk elsewhere, unless her daughter seems to deem it a private conversation. But her eyes do glance at the yong male, Kuckunniwi, a moment, ears flicking back. "We do not go near Man's land," she answers simply. And Cyrus' blurred words? Nope, she didn't catch not a one of them.
Storm smiles at Cyrus and nods. "Well I'm sure she was very shaken up, cougars are no laughing matter." A ear flicks towards Kuck and she mms softly before looking to Cyrus a moment and ahs faintly. "What was that last part Cyrus?.." She didn't catch it all and so it seems Mia didn't either..
No, not private. Just... a bit difficult for her to ask. Still, it's important. Shikoba opens her mouth to speak, when Cyrus' words bolt past. Her mind reacts a bit quicker than the older she-wolves, and her eyes bulge wide open. "She's part /what/?" She wonders, out of sheer bewilderment, her full attention momentarily shifting onto Cyrus. "What is a 'dog'?"
Kuckunniwi mumbles as he keeps chewing on his mouse. "well nobody told me, I guess my dad is a bad parent for that, and all i was doing out there was hunting for food, I din't go futher in and I stayed by the forest. If it wasn't for that other big cat jumping me I would be eating fox cubs soon."
A smug little grin settles upon his face before its shattered at Shiko's astonished question. Drat! She has quicker ears then he'd thought. The other male is currently ignored as he lets his eyes quickly snap back to his mother and he simply sits and waits. A narrowed harmless glare is breifly shot at Shiko' quickly before he focuses all his attention on his mother, ears faintly tilting back.
For a moment, Miakoda looks bewildered. "That is the question you wished to ask?" she says, sendng a puzzled look Shikoba's way. But Shiko is no longer lookin at her, and she follows her gaze over to Cyrus. Waaait a minute. She narrows an eye, giving the young wolf male one of those /looks/. No, she's not his mother, but she's had much practice giving those looks with her own brood! "A dog," she answers evenly, the word nearly spat, "is Man's toy. An abomination who dares to think they share the same blood as us. A dog is not a wolf," she schools to her daughter. "And never will a dog be one. They do Man's bidding. They idolize Man. Their minds and senses have been softened by Man. They are plague that once roamed these woods before they died, because without Man, they are nothing."
Storm just blinks while watches Cyrus and a ear flicks to Shikoba as her maw opens slightly. "A hybrid?" The alpha finally questions. She got the part and dog from Shiko when it was repeated so could only guess. "Why are you hanging around a hybrid?" Not that she has a big issues with them but she's dealt with them when she was wandering, actually when she was Cyrus's age and it wasn't a pretty sight. "They can be trouble Cyrus.."
Bodhi yawns widely as he starts to slowly wake up from all the noise around him, his head rising from the ground as he surveys the densite toughtfully
Shikoba returns Cyrus' glare with a confused stare. What'd she /do/? She only asked a simple question. When her mother explains the concept of a dog, the young she-wolf turns, her expression dropping to sorrow. "Oh! Oh, that sounds sad. Isn't there anything that can be done?"
Cyrus flusters visibly at Miakoda, his ashen pelt bristling in certain places. "They can't be that bad," he snaps. "Besides, she's /half/ dog. She doesn't even LOOK like a dog.. she looks like.. like... Kind of like you.. and Shiko'.. she's got red on her." Scowl. Cyrus fumes faintly behind his steele eyes before looking back at his mother and frowning, "Because I ran into her. She's really nice mom.. there's somethin about her," he mummbles. Yeah, her cute butt, beautiful eyes, the way she walks... *_*; Cyrus scoffs lightly, "She's less trouble then I am. I wanted to drag her on the lands, 's her idea to wait." Grummble. XD
Kuckunniwi shakes his head some as he finshs his mouse, he stands back up and looks around. "I guess I better go fins my dad, I'm sure Seven is wondering were I am right now, we need to go hunting again soon anyway."
"No," answers Miakoda to Shikoba. "They live with Man and that is their choice. There is nothing we can do to help them." Nor does it sound as if she'd be willing to help even if there /was/ something she could do about the plague that is Dog. An ear is idly turned Cyrus' way before her eyes gradually do, and she lifts her muzzle faintly, gazing at hi as if he were incredibly slow. "Half a dog is dog enough."
Storm glances to Mia slightly, her maw opening before her gaze turns back to Cyrus and she just frowns. "An how do you know she is not a man's beast to call who was sent into the forest to find wolves for man to kill? It /has/ happened before." She states while lowering her head to eyes Cyrus a moment. "I don't want her on the land Cyrus.. Not now." An what will his father say when he finds out? Oh dear.
Bodhi shakes his head slightly to wake properly before he stands up and studies those awake and arguing "Talking about dogs again it sounds like from the tone" brows furrowing as he sits back down "One area i tend to disagree quite a bit with our packs attitude even if i understand why we have it"
From the way her mother it talking, Shikoba decides not to mention how one of her pledged goals in life was to meet a human for herself. Instead, she shifts the subject. "Um, but about the question." Hopefully her mom will stop berating Cyrus long enough to listen. This is something Shiko's been waiting a long time to ask, but has continuously put off.
Cyrus lifts his chin up, eyes narrowing and ears twitching breifly. "As you say, my alpha." Mia' doesn't have to worry about berating him for much longer. He turns a dark glance to Bodhi, dipping his maw for a moment before looking back at his mother. Helios could find him later, he was sure his brother would hunt him down along the border. "I'll be back.." Eventually. With that the growing male stands, dipping his nose to Mia' and her daughter briefly before he turns and without glancing over his shoulder begins to pad quickly back in Eclipses direction.
Miakoda watches Cyrus with a difficult to read expression. Not exactly blank, borderline curiosity but not quite. Moreso a look that hints that she has an inkling that difficulties may lay ahead. BUt she doesn't stop him and instead turns her eyes to Storm and Bodhi, saying nothing to the latter as he puts in his two cents, though churring a soft apology to Storm. Huffing a breath, she focuses again on Shikoba. "Ah, so that wasn't your question," she says, and she sits patiently to listen.
Storm shifts on her paws and stands while watching Cyrus. "Cyrus.." She starts before pausing figuring its best if he leaves to think about it himself though. A sigh escapes the aging wolf while she glances to the sky. "I was never this much trouble." Speaking to who?.. Her parents who else. The alpha turns and slowly settles down where he was before, her head laying upon a forepaw. Its not that she felt all hybrids were bad, but with the threat a possibility she can't take any chances with the pack.
Shikoba chuckles. "Of course it wasn't." Her chuckles turn nervous and she looks down at her paws, opening and closing her mouth a few times. Finally, she lets out a sigh, looks back up and smiles. "Mama, would it be okay if I left?"
Miakoda blinks once, then blinks again, surprise stunning her expression. " ... Leave?" she echoes, bewildered by the word. A look is given to Storm, a near tortured thing, but she composes herself when her attention turns back to Shikoba. "For what reason do you wish to leave your home? Are you unhappy hear?" she asks with furrowed brows.
Storm blinks at the question and looks to Shikoba a few moments. Well that's a first, she hadn't heard of one of the younger wolves ever wanted to leave.. A ear flicks to Bodhi and while she did catches his comment before she won't speak on it now.
Bodhi cocks his head slightly as he watches Shikoba curiously, being quite interested in her reasoning for wanting to leave since its been in his nature to wander a lot
A little while after she finished speaking, it dawns on Shikoba that she should have /clarified/ some things first. She was never particularly terrific at leading into things. "Oh, of course I'm happy! I love everyone, that I do. And I don't mean for good." She shakes her head to reaffirm the answer. "This is still my home, but... I want to get out for a little while, /see/ the world."
Miakoda exhales a slow breath that she wasn't quite aware that she was holding. Non-permanence is good. As long as she plans on coming back, she can handle it ... right? Though Cyrus' words ring in her head. Crazed cougars on a killing spree. She considers her words carefully before speaking them. "Are you thinking of bringing Echo with you?" A bodyguard, albeit a silent one. Though the thought of not having her children with her to watch over and keep safe is difficult, knowing that she might not be totally alone when out facing the world is a small comfort.
Storm mms faintly, not sure about this. "Or.. Helios.." The boy should do something then sleep. "You should remember what Cyrus says about cougars.."
Shikoba cringes visibly. The last thing she ever wants to do is drag her siblings, or the alpha's children along. If anything happened to /them/, she'd... well, she'd be in deep trouble, but she's also never forgive herself. "I'm not going alone, if that has you worried." She offers an assuring smile. "And even so, I can look after myself. And if I couldn't, I wouldn't be of much importance to the pack, would I?"
Miakoda nods in agreement with Storm as she volunteers Helios. If he has other plans, well .. apparently they've just been broken! But her head twists as she claims of not being alone. "Oh?" she says questioningly. "Who will be accompanying you?" This is her only baby girl, talking about going off in the cold and cruel world! Of course she needs every detail of this adventure before even /considering/ letting her run off. Her last comment has Miakoda's expression softening a bit, and she leans in to nuzzle the youth. "I do not doubt that you are able, Shikoba. But even if you weren't.." her mind flickers to Moonbird... "you would still be a treasured member. I just want to make sure that you will be safe."
Storm mms faintly as she eyes the girl pondering who is do go with her as well.. She figured Mia should be the one really talking to her daughter so slips quiet for now, being the watcher for the time being.
Shikoba noses affectionately against the side of her mother's face, never losing her smile. "I know, but I also want to make you proud of me... I want /myself/ to be proud of me." Stepping back, she goes back to the earlier question. Who's going with her? The youth looks a little hesitant at first. "... Hali offered to take me. I wanted to leave once it gets warm and the snow is all gone away."
Miakoda seems to settle a little more as Shikoba's cold nose touches her, perhaps becoming a bit more persuaded both by that and her spoken words. But the serene look detaches itself from her face as Shikoba goes on to answer the previous question. "Halidari /offered?/" she asks, pulling one ear back before it rights itself again. It's a struggle to keep her expression even, but she has some mild success. "Honey, was this your idea or hers?"
Storm blinks and lifts her head as Halis brought into this.. She wonder's who's idea wasit as well and frowns while shifting up so she is sitting once more. The alpha tilts her head while listioning and watching Shiko closely.
Shikoba freezes outwardly, but her mind races. She was hoping this wouldn't go badly, and maybe it's not too late to smooth things out. "I... It was my idea." She glances off in a random direction, remembering the initial conversation she'd had. "I told her about my hopes, I did. I wanted to see every creature and learn about them, so she offered to help."
Miakoda glances over to Storm again, her head slightly turning to one side. She's quiet a moment looking pensive as she breathes slowly in and out. In and out. "And ... /she/ .... is the only one that find suitable to accompany you? Why not Larkspur?" she suggests, sounding a bit more confident in the other wolf's abilities. "Halidari has a tendency for dramatics and recklessness which clouds her senses."
Storm sighs slightly at this and shakes her head. "I have to agree with your mother in this. Don't get me wrong I love my daughter but she has a strange streak at times.." She murmurs softly, not fully sure this is such a good idea.
Shikoba's shoulders slump. "But I don't know Lark that well, and doesn't she have other things to worry about?" She feels so torn up. One the one hand, she wants so badly to listen and take her mother's advice. But Hali seemed so knowledgeable about everything, like the perfect asset to one setting off on her own for the first time. But when Storm chimes in, Shiko can feel her resolve crumbling. How can she go against her mother /and/ the alpha? "I'll... talk to Larkspur."
Bodhi cocks his head slightly "While i have my doubts that Larkspur would wish to wander so soon after returning, however if she does agree i would offer myself to follow along on the wander as well"
A thankful look is given to Storm, but when her eyes return to Shikoba ... a bit of /her/ resolve seems to melt. A slow and silent breath is exhaled as he watches her, seeing the face of a young pup instead of the young adult she's growing in to. Her head lowers slightly as her eyes half lid, about to speak but pauses as Bodhi does. He's been so quiet, she's almost forgotten that he was there. "Only if she agrees?" she questions flatly, giving him a look. "Shikoba," she continues, turning back to the young wolf, "I don't want to keep you from exploring this world. It is a beautiful place, but it is as dangerous as it is lovely. I only want to see you come back in one piece. Talk to Larkspur. See what she says. If she does not agree, and only if she does not agree..." Sigh. "Go with Halidari, but I want you to return before the hot season."
Storm says nothing for a moment and slips quiet while her maw twitches. She glances to Bodhi and then settles back down and glances from daughter to mother.
Shikoba glances at Bodhi. Mother wouldn't mind about this, right? "If you'd be willing, that would be kind of you, that it would." She doesn't want to turn this into a full-out expedition; this is supposed to help her 'come of age', in her own mind at least. But having another along would make it a bit safer. Turning back to her mother, she nods. "I will talk to her. And I promise I won't be gone too long." Oh, how it's going to be painful to keep that promise. She only has one season to explore? Still, Shikoba can understand her mother's concern for her, and that helps keep her from getting too frustrated.
Bodhi dips his head as he looks over at Miakoda"If more then one is out wandering then there should be atleast three in my opinion" a slight shrug of his shoulders "as its safer, i didn't offer to follow along in regards to Halidari since the two of us have never really gotten along, while we do not dislike eachother we also hardly know eachother even after all this time" his head gazing toward storm with a slight smile "no offense intended" His gaze finally moving to Shikoba as he dips his head "it would be my pleasure to help"
Oy, if only she can see into the future! But she cannot, which means that Miakoda can only trust in Fate to keep her daughter safe, no matter who she may be going with. Shikoba's promises make that a little easier, and she inhales a deep breath. "I will speak to your father and let him know," she says, apparently feeling that discussing this with him isn't exactly necessary. Bodhi is acknowledged with drifting eyes, smirking vaguely and briefly. "If it is what Shikoba wants. It is not my intention to leave the pack with low numbers because of this." Another breath is exhaled. "Promise me that you will say goodbye before you leave, Shikoba."
Shikoba nods. "Thank you." She says to Bodhi, and then she tilts her head and presses it against her mother's chest. "I will, mama. I love you." In spite of what feels a like a few set backs, she still feels her hopes swell. It looks like her plans are really going to happen, if potentially altered a bit. However, soon her eyes drift shut and a small yawn escapes her throat. Shaking her head, the nearly grown wolf moves to pad into the den. "Good night, and thank you for listening."
Bodhi smiles softly at Shikoba "my pleasure, and sleep well" his gaze then shifting to Miakoda as studies her toughtfully for a few moments. He gets to his paws and pads a few steps over to Miakoda's side so he can give her neck a gentle and comforting nuzzle
Miakoda dips her head to her pup, her nearly all grown up pup, as she retires for the night. She watches her move off with a very slow sight and distant look. When does a mother know whether her choice is right or wrong? She shudders faintly, pushing away less than pleasant thoughts as she sets her head down on her paws, eyes half lidding. What a night.