Post by Therdde on May 30, 2009 16:52:19 GMT -5
Characters:
Skelaghe - Female Wolf
Jarin - Male Adolescent Cougar
Helaku - Male Wolf
Abel - Male Wolf Pup
- Hilltop Vista -
As rare as it is that all four of her cubs are sleeping at once is it for them to still be asleep when Skelaghe awakens. This is one of those times, though. When she leaves her den, she is surprised to find the sun well advanced toward the highest point in the sky. She responds to the near-noon by yawning widely and stretching out before she looks around for any of her companions. She will not leave the mouth of the den unguarded, so unless one of them happens by, she is unlikely to wander far from her current position. Of course, were she eager for a break, she would call one of them with a howl, and she doesn't even think of doing that.
Jarin slowly walks along the trail he found. It must lead somewhere. It's farther than he's come yet, but he feels he should really really know the area. He still needs to talk to that other cougar, but at least eh'll know what's going on. He then stops as he hears a noise and looks over where he spies a wolf. Oh this might not be good. He starts looking around for more wolves.. they never are just alone, and his mom said that they are tough in packs.
They're tough alone too, especially in defense of young. Skelaghe remains precisely where she is, though, as the young cougar doesn't advance. Even as young as this one is, would she have a chance if he got violent? Pushing that negative thought far from the forefront of her mind, she says, in her most pleasant voice, "Good morning." Maybe just barely morning, but still. She fights off a second yawn after she speaks, as she wouldn't want to do anything that might insult the male cougar.
Jarin cocks his head some, there's something there in her manner. Course she's in front of a den, that means, she probably have pups He doesn't want to approach. "Morning, and is this your territory here?" he asks, not that he would care, but still sounds like a polite thing to say.
Skelaghe remains standing, but her tail is only slightly raised, and her ears are perked forward. This is her territory, but she has no intention of asserting her authority in the near future, if things continue as they are. "It is. My pack and I have decided to settle these lands." It's difficult to tell how viciously she might defend Ute territory from an outside presence. Not /too/ viciously, apparently, but then, Jarin is hardly presenting himself as being a danger.
Jarin nods as he sits down, and licks a paw some, pesky fur. he looks back up. "It's a nice area for a pack and a family." he adds over the licking, watching out of the corner of the eye for reactions to the family part.
"Hmmm, yes." Skelaghe wears a pleasant smile. Nothing new for her. Skelaghe continues to watch Jarin, even once he sits. As the breeze shifts to bring his scent directly to her, she smells. And then, finally, she sits. "And of your family?" This one is not here after Ashen. She's certain of that. Her only experience of cougars in a group, even a familial group, comes from Amaranth, though, and this one seems hardly old enough to be out on his own, by wolf standards.
Jarin chuckles.. "I am a family of one." well maybe depends on that other cougar but she doesn't need to know that. "So where's the rest of your pack?" he looks around, wondering if there are others around, he doesn't smell any. He's sure he could take care of himself, but not against a pack.. he at least could get up in a tree and wait, that isn't a problem either, but she doesn't seem to be aggressive.
That would be a possibility if there were any trees around here. The nearest trees are still far to the south... But then, even an adolescent cougar could probably outrun a wolf with ease. "They're around here somewhere. I'm sure they're not too far off, but you needn't worry." Worrying would be one of the main two reasons the young cougar might ask, after all. The other would be that he wants to fight her and makes off with an easy mean in the form of a pup, but once more, Skelaghe forcefully pushes that thought away. She never used to be so concerned or skeptical all the time.
If anyone routinely thought bad thoughts, it was Helaku. Bad things seemed to circle around him, no matter where he went. Sometimes, he preferred that way because he was never bored. This place was...lacking in excitement. It was a game, almost. Here and there, everywhere. He had gone off by himself to keep clean, and therefore low on profile and scent. Where had he gone off to? Not far. He suddenly appeared from the grass, silent and...brooding?
Jarin nods.. he's not worried really, but it's strange, not the stories his mom told him that the pack didn't spread out far from a new mother.. but he believes his mom, well, if he didn't she woudl nip him so.. "I see, So there must be enough prey around here for a pack." he's always wondering about food. Now, he's sure there's a pup somewhere, but that would just bee too much effort, and Jarin doesn't really like that much. he turns his head quickly as something catches the side of his eye.. another wolf.. well, there's another one.
Skelaghe spots her mate as well. And, immediately, she realizes that with all the foreboding thoughts that have intruded in her mind, she has completely skipped common courtesy. Kicking herself mentally, she speaks up. "Ah. Forgive me. My name is Skelaghe, and this is my mate, Helaku." Hopefully these paranoid thoughts will calm eventually, as she doesn't like the fact that she has been incredibly rude, to this point.
Helaku looked between them, curiously so. He kept his ears up and tail alert. There was nothing threatening he knew of concerning this visitor, but he wasn't too trusting of strangers. He approached and came up beside Skel. "And this one's name is...?" he said softly. It was a new cougar, and he didn't smell like the others, not like Kein, Nayeli, Malak, or Revan. Curious, but cautious as always.
Jarin doesn't know that it wouldn't hurt to be rude back. "I'm Jarin." he looks at the two, at least this is still friendly. "I understand that there is a group of cougars around here as well." though what he's been told about them.. that's up to speculation.
Skelaghe remains sitting where she is, watching their "guest", even with her mate now here. "Around here? Not... that I know of." Is it possible Skelaghe could have missed meeting with such a group? Of course, but... More likely, Jarin is speaking of the cougars a fair bit to the south. "There is a tribe in the mountain, but it's at least a couple days from here, whichever way you take."
Helaku tilted his head slightly, his eyes remaining solely on Jarin and nothing else, or anyone else for that matter. His ears did that. "I would be cautious if you approach them," he said. "A couple of rogues have put them on alarm. They attack anyone they see fit." What's this? Helaku...giving safety warnings to a stranger? That might be unusual to many here, but it wasn't for him. He did it normally, in fact, away from Skel.
Jarin blinks some.. why would a wolf tell a couger that he should stay away from some of them. He's not used to this, last wolves he saw didn't really like to see him. "Hmm, I will remember that, thank you Helaku. As you can tell, I'm fairly new to this area, so any help I can get would be wonderful."
Skelaghe casts a sudden, if brief, glare at her mate, then looks back to Jarin. She only just sent an apology back with Nium. How many times must she apologize for her mate's hatemongering? "Helaku's advice is sound, but... He's a bit alarmist. I have never seen their leader do anything more than restrain even the most insistent of intruders." Read, Sketch. "Be observant of their borders as you would any group's borders, and you'll be fine." As far as hunting goes... "I must admit I catch most of my food from the water, but there is, indeed, plenty of food around."
Helaku blinked, suddenly looking at Skel. "What I mean are the rogues," he said, "Malak and Revan--they attack anyone they see fit." And...his attention returned to Jarin himself. "The only advice I can give you if you encounter the two is to run. They are experienced creatures from what I've heard, and well trained in fighting. Bullies, but the dangerous sort." Apparently, Skel was...wrong in this case. It was not Kein or the Amaranth he was warning about, but the two troublemakers. "Dangerous enough they even attacked the tribe's matron--hence the guardingness."
Jarin nods some, and files those names away to ask this sorta friend he has. "I will keep an eye out for them. are they only in the South?" he wonders as he's been staying up in the norther area at the farm. He still isn't used to a tribe of cougars.
Skelaghe looks back at her mate, at least a little mollified... Even if his previous statement really sounded to her, and likely to Jarin, a warning about Amaranth. The whole subject has her as down as she ever gets, though. She does not respond to jarin. Rather, she keeps an ear perked, listening for her mate's response. How closely have he been tracking those two, begging to be caught and killed so he can leave a mate and pups behind?
"To be truthful," said Helaku, "I'm not sure where they are. My information comes from those who've heard of their actions. I do know the young Alpha of Lazuli might be hunting them, as they may possibly be the murderers he is searching for. He's not ready...and I still haven't found him to ensure he hasn't gone after them." He finally sat back on his haunches and woofed. "Unclaimed territory law enforcement...is what I used to do at one time. And so I generally give others warning of troublemakers. You are new to this area, and it makes more sense to do so."
Jarin watches the looks that the female gives the male.. there's something more there, but not for this subject, but still something to think about. He licks his other paw. "I see, so there is unclaimed territory as well." he looks around at the grassy area and wouldn't really want to live in here anyway.. tooo open.
There was something more, but it went unspoken. Helaku had been through much, and it was no doubt a shock or surprise to Skelaghe that he had...gathered information. "In a sense, yes. Specifically, I refer to the land between borders. The mountains are to the south, and circle around back to the northernlands, located norhtwest of here. Also, south, and to the east is, I believe, the territory of another wolf pack if I'm not mistaken. I too am new to this area, but have been here a short time to understand its lay."
Jarin nods.. "So there's another wolf pack and a cougar pack.. anything else I should be worried about?" he asks, not sure if there are other packs.. they're all so formalized.. never did like that.
"I wouldn't say worried, but there is a pack on the mountain as well." Skelaghe shakes off her emotion-driven thought and stands, forcing a smile. "/Not/ all of the animals here are unpleasant, though. Keep your nose clean, and I'm sure you'll do fine." After that, she moves to close the distance between herself and her mate, planning to nuzzle against him before she retreats back into the den. Obviously, she is not all well, and seeing as how it's affecting not only how she speaks, but also how she listens... Probably best that she takes her leave.
Helaku accepted the nuzzle against him, and returned it equally as he watched her. She wasn't used to this; he was. Even if they had known each other since the original Ute, a pack located off these lands, fell apart. "Politeness goes a long way, particularly with the young Alpha of the Lazuli, Haze. I'm rather fond of him myself. He has a lot of potential as a leader."
Jarin nods.. "I will remember that, which is why I"ve been polite here." he says as he swishes his tail some. "You seem to know a lot though." he says as he remember he said the wolf was newcomer here. "Not at all what I was told wolf's were like."
Perhaps she picked a good time to leave. In her current state, could she stand listening to another story about how nother species had a view of them as dumb brutes? Disappearing into the den, she leaves her mate to field the young cougar's questions and curiosities.
Helaku openly chucked on that statement. "There are many wolves who've given our kind a bad name," he said. "I've met a few myself in lands far from here. But, rotten ones exist in every species. It is...my nature to know a lot, but I do not know everything." In truth, Helaku was all ready fond of this particular Cougar, even if he wouldn't say it. "We maintain a diet of fish mostly. There is a stream not far from here that has a nice choice of fish."
Jarin nods.. "Fish are good, fortunatly I was shown how to catch many things." His mom was good at that, teach them young how to survive and then kick them out. and that she did. He doesn't mind this wolf, seems good, nothing he has to worry about. He twitches his tail , flicking the ears as he looks around. He ponders. "Well, you dont' have to worry to much, I have a place to stay and hunt, but I just wanted to know how things are around here as well.
Helaku smiled at that. "This is good, then," he said. "It is likely that we will run into each other in the future, perhaps. I will patrol the area on occasion, after all." What else could be said--Helaku found a stump in the road on talking at this point.
Jarin nods, "Well, that's not a bad thing to patrol the area. Oh, do you know Cheveyo, or know much about him?"
Helaku's ears stoof stiffly at the name. It was new. "No, I don't know this individual. Why do you ask?"
Jarin ponders.. "Well, I just like to find out about this cat that I have met." he wonders aoubt the reaction though.
Helaku blinked softly, his tail lazily flipping from side to side. "What was he like?"
Jarin ponders.. "well, he's letting me stay in his territory, so that's good, I just wonder about things. I"ve been told to be very wary when out in the world.
"Sound advice, though I don't know this individual," he said. "Skelaghe most likely does, as she has been here longer than I."
Jarin nods as he looks towards the den. "She seemed a bit tired or something." He says as he flicks his tail, turning back to thw wolf. "I"ll see if I can find anyone else that does, so what other preditor types are around here?
Helaku looked back towards the den himself. "She recently gave birth to our pups," he said. "And she's been tired since. As for other predator types--mainly us wolves, the cougars, the occasional bear perhaps. Not much, in fact."
Jarin nods.. "I've heard of bears.. so I'll have to avoid them." he then looks around some more.. "I think this will be a good area then, this mountain and such.
"It is a perfect area if you don't want to be bothered by much," he answered. "The bears--I've not met any of the locals, but a bear on your side is always a good friend to have. Loyal, usually, and...no one dares to mess with a bear."
Jarin nods.. "I've heard that, but they are hard to approach. He slowly stands and stretches.. he flicks his tail some.. "I'll remember that.
Helaku smiled softly. "I must attend to my mate. I hope you find the answers you seek, however."
Jarin nods.. "You do that, I'm going to head back to my what's it called, Barn?" he says then nods as he thinks that's right. "Okay, thank you for the information.
"The Barn--a structure built by humans," he said. "You are welcome, Jarin. Hopefully, we will run into each other again."
Jarin nods. "yeah, whatever hoomans {still has trouble saying that word} are, but yeah, some weird den, but it's where I'm staying at the moment." he then starts padding away
Helaku grinned, watching him slip off. He wouldn't tell im what humans were now..perhaps next time they met. Helaku was one wolf who knew humans too well. He turned and slipped into the den, away from the sunlight.
Meanwhile, in the:
- Hillside Den -
It is still not quite yet noon when Skelaghe returns to the den. When she left, all the pups were sleeping, and when she returns, she gives them only the briefest of looks, to make sure they're all here, before curling up far enough from the den's entrance that she does not risk overhearing the conversation outside.
Abel pops open his eyes as, in his light sleep, mom reenters the den. His tail wags momentarily, glad to see his mom. He stands up slowly and stretches his back and legs, pointing his tail out in an attempt to stretch that too. Abel cheerfully bounces to mom and forces himself against her, whining for attention. "Moooom!"
Skelaghe turns her head as she hears one of her pups whine. Ah. Forcing a smile, Skelaghe says, "Good morning, Abel." Whether they are capable of speaking well yet, Skelaghe always speaks to them as if they are perfectly capable of understanding complex sentences. How else are they to learn? Once she is fully facing her son, she licks gently at his head. He normally likes to play upon waking, but there is only one game Skelaghe is truly in the mood to play right now, and that's snuggling.
Abel is very much in the mood for snuggling. He bounces infront of her as he's licked, ready and willing to be groomed. Sitting down, he repeats what his mother does. "Good morming, mom." His speech, much like his personality and size, is developing quickly.
Skelaghe's smile becomes a little less forced with her son's enthusiasm. Placing her paws to either side of the boy, she continues grooming her son, just enjoying the presence of her pups. /Her/ pups. Even if Helaku is more interested in creatures outside their pack, nothing can keep her from these pups. Not this time. "Mommy loves you so much, Abel. You and all of your sisters." And they will never be given cause to doubt that. Not for so long as she lives.
Abel lies down on his stomach and wags his tail with a surprising amount of force behind the swing. He clearly enjoys the attention, the grooming, and of course mom! He's rather quiet, as is turning to be his nature (though at such an early stage in life, anything can happen).
When Abel lies down, Skelaghe rests her head on him, just lightly. Her children don't really get very dirty, but that won't stop her from cleaning them regularly. It does ensure she doesn't have to clean them for very long at any one time, though. "Did you have sweet dreams, puppy?"
Though Abel doesn't exactly know what his mother is talking about, he responds positively, and with gusto. He relaxes significantly, resting his head on his mother's paw. He's very content, not a single care in the world.
Skelaghe may never again regain her carefree nature. She worries about things that never used to worry her, thinks thoughts that, once upon a time, would have never crossed her mind. At least she has Abel and his siblings, though, and can delight in their simple joys and innocence.
Skelaghe - Female Wolf
Jarin - Male Adolescent Cougar
Helaku - Male Wolf
Abel - Male Wolf Pup
- Hilltop Vista -
As rare as it is that all four of her cubs are sleeping at once is it for them to still be asleep when Skelaghe awakens. This is one of those times, though. When she leaves her den, she is surprised to find the sun well advanced toward the highest point in the sky. She responds to the near-noon by yawning widely and stretching out before she looks around for any of her companions. She will not leave the mouth of the den unguarded, so unless one of them happens by, she is unlikely to wander far from her current position. Of course, were she eager for a break, she would call one of them with a howl, and she doesn't even think of doing that.
Jarin slowly walks along the trail he found. It must lead somewhere. It's farther than he's come yet, but he feels he should really really know the area. He still needs to talk to that other cougar, but at least eh'll know what's going on. He then stops as he hears a noise and looks over where he spies a wolf. Oh this might not be good. He starts looking around for more wolves.. they never are just alone, and his mom said that they are tough in packs.
They're tough alone too, especially in defense of young. Skelaghe remains precisely where she is, though, as the young cougar doesn't advance. Even as young as this one is, would she have a chance if he got violent? Pushing that negative thought far from the forefront of her mind, she says, in her most pleasant voice, "Good morning." Maybe just barely morning, but still. She fights off a second yawn after she speaks, as she wouldn't want to do anything that might insult the male cougar.
Jarin cocks his head some, there's something there in her manner. Course she's in front of a den, that means, she probably have pups He doesn't want to approach. "Morning, and is this your territory here?" he asks, not that he would care, but still sounds like a polite thing to say.
Skelaghe remains standing, but her tail is only slightly raised, and her ears are perked forward. This is her territory, but she has no intention of asserting her authority in the near future, if things continue as they are. "It is. My pack and I have decided to settle these lands." It's difficult to tell how viciously she might defend Ute territory from an outside presence. Not /too/ viciously, apparently, but then, Jarin is hardly presenting himself as being a danger.
Jarin nods as he sits down, and licks a paw some, pesky fur. he looks back up. "It's a nice area for a pack and a family." he adds over the licking, watching out of the corner of the eye for reactions to the family part.
"Hmmm, yes." Skelaghe wears a pleasant smile. Nothing new for her. Skelaghe continues to watch Jarin, even once he sits. As the breeze shifts to bring his scent directly to her, she smells. And then, finally, she sits. "And of your family?" This one is not here after Ashen. She's certain of that. Her only experience of cougars in a group, even a familial group, comes from Amaranth, though, and this one seems hardly old enough to be out on his own, by wolf standards.
Jarin chuckles.. "I am a family of one." well maybe depends on that other cougar but she doesn't need to know that. "So where's the rest of your pack?" he looks around, wondering if there are others around, he doesn't smell any. He's sure he could take care of himself, but not against a pack.. he at least could get up in a tree and wait, that isn't a problem either, but she doesn't seem to be aggressive.
That would be a possibility if there were any trees around here. The nearest trees are still far to the south... But then, even an adolescent cougar could probably outrun a wolf with ease. "They're around here somewhere. I'm sure they're not too far off, but you needn't worry." Worrying would be one of the main two reasons the young cougar might ask, after all. The other would be that he wants to fight her and makes off with an easy mean in the form of a pup, but once more, Skelaghe forcefully pushes that thought away. She never used to be so concerned or skeptical all the time.
If anyone routinely thought bad thoughts, it was Helaku. Bad things seemed to circle around him, no matter where he went. Sometimes, he preferred that way because he was never bored. This place was...lacking in excitement. It was a game, almost. Here and there, everywhere. He had gone off by himself to keep clean, and therefore low on profile and scent. Where had he gone off to? Not far. He suddenly appeared from the grass, silent and...brooding?
Jarin nods.. he's not worried really, but it's strange, not the stories his mom told him that the pack didn't spread out far from a new mother.. but he believes his mom, well, if he didn't she woudl nip him so.. "I see, So there must be enough prey around here for a pack." he's always wondering about food. Now, he's sure there's a pup somewhere, but that would just bee too much effort, and Jarin doesn't really like that much. he turns his head quickly as something catches the side of his eye.. another wolf.. well, there's another one.
Skelaghe spots her mate as well. And, immediately, she realizes that with all the foreboding thoughts that have intruded in her mind, she has completely skipped common courtesy. Kicking herself mentally, she speaks up. "Ah. Forgive me. My name is Skelaghe, and this is my mate, Helaku." Hopefully these paranoid thoughts will calm eventually, as she doesn't like the fact that she has been incredibly rude, to this point.
Helaku looked between them, curiously so. He kept his ears up and tail alert. There was nothing threatening he knew of concerning this visitor, but he wasn't too trusting of strangers. He approached and came up beside Skel. "And this one's name is...?" he said softly. It was a new cougar, and he didn't smell like the others, not like Kein, Nayeli, Malak, or Revan. Curious, but cautious as always.
Jarin doesn't know that it wouldn't hurt to be rude back. "I'm Jarin." he looks at the two, at least this is still friendly. "I understand that there is a group of cougars around here as well." though what he's been told about them.. that's up to speculation.
Skelaghe remains sitting where she is, watching their "guest", even with her mate now here. "Around here? Not... that I know of." Is it possible Skelaghe could have missed meeting with such a group? Of course, but... More likely, Jarin is speaking of the cougars a fair bit to the south. "There is a tribe in the mountain, but it's at least a couple days from here, whichever way you take."
Helaku tilted his head slightly, his eyes remaining solely on Jarin and nothing else, or anyone else for that matter. His ears did that. "I would be cautious if you approach them," he said. "A couple of rogues have put them on alarm. They attack anyone they see fit." What's this? Helaku...giving safety warnings to a stranger? That might be unusual to many here, but it wasn't for him. He did it normally, in fact, away from Skel.
Jarin blinks some.. why would a wolf tell a couger that he should stay away from some of them. He's not used to this, last wolves he saw didn't really like to see him. "Hmm, I will remember that, thank you Helaku. As you can tell, I'm fairly new to this area, so any help I can get would be wonderful."
Skelaghe casts a sudden, if brief, glare at her mate, then looks back to Jarin. She only just sent an apology back with Nium. How many times must she apologize for her mate's hatemongering? "Helaku's advice is sound, but... He's a bit alarmist. I have never seen their leader do anything more than restrain even the most insistent of intruders." Read, Sketch. "Be observant of their borders as you would any group's borders, and you'll be fine." As far as hunting goes... "I must admit I catch most of my food from the water, but there is, indeed, plenty of food around."
Helaku blinked, suddenly looking at Skel. "What I mean are the rogues," he said, "Malak and Revan--they attack anyone they see fit." And...his attention returned to Jarin himself. "The only advice I can give you if you encounter the two is to run. They are experienced creatures from what I've heard, and well trained in fighting. Bullies, but the dangerous sort." Apparently, Skel was...wrong in this case. It was not Kein or the Amaranth he was warning about, but the two troublemakers. "Dangerous enough they even attacked the tribe's matron--hence the guardingness."
Jarin nods some, and files those names away to ask this sorta friend he has. "I will keep an eye out for them. are they only in the South?" he wonders as he's been staying up in the norther area at the farm. He still isn't used to a tribe of cougars.
Skelaghe looks back at her mate, at least a little mollified... Even if his previous statement really sounded to her, and likely to Jarin, a warning about Amaranth. The whole subject has her as down as she ever gets, though. She does not respond to jarin. Rather, she keeps an ear perked, listening for her mate's response. How closely have he been tracking those two, begging to be caught and killed so he can leave a mate and pups behind?
"To be truthful," said Helaku, "I'm not sure where they are. My information comes from those who've heard of their actions. I do know the young Alpha of Lazuli might be hunting them, as they may possibly be the murderers he is searching for. He's not ready...and I still haven't found him to ensure he hasn't gone after them." He finally sat back on his haunches and woofed. "Unclaimed territory law enforcement...is what I used to do at one time. And so I generally give others warning of troublemakers. You are new to this area, and it makes more sense to do so."
Jarin watches the looks that the female gives the male.. there's something more there, but not for this subject, but still something to think about. He licks his other paw. "I see, so there is unclaimed territory as well." he looks around at the grassy area and wouldn't really want to live in here anyway.. tooo open.
There was something more, but it went unspoken. Helaku had been through much, and it was no doubt a shock or surprise to Skelaghe that he had...gathered information. "In a sense, yes. Specifically, I refer to the land between borders. The mountains are to the south, and circle around back to the northernlands, located norhtwest of here. Also, south, and to the east is, I believe, the territory of another wolf pack if I'm not mistaken. I too am new to this area, but have been here a short time to understand its lay."
Jarin nods.. "So there's another wolf pack and a cougar pack.. anything else I should be worried about?" he asks, not sure if there are other packs.. they're all so formalized.. never did like that.
"I wouldn't say worried, but there is a pack on the mountain as well." Skelaghe shakes off her emotion-driven thought and stands, forcing a smile. "/Not/ all of the animals here are unpleasant, though. Keep your nose clean, and I'm sure you'll do fine." After that, she moves to close the distance between herself and her mate, planning to nuzzle against him before she retreats back into the den. Obviously, she is not all well, and seeing as how it's affecting not only how she speaks, but also how she listens... Probably best that she takes her leave.
Helaku accepted the nuzzle against him, and returned it equally as he watched her. She wasn't used to this; he was. Even if they had known each other since the original Ute, a pack located off these lands, fell apart. "Politeness goes a long way, particularly with the young Alpha of the Lazuli, Haze. I'm rather fond of him myself. He has a lot of potential as a leader."
Jarin nods.. "I will remember that, which is why I"ve been polite here." he says as he swishes his tail some. "You seem to know a lot though." he says as he remember he said the wolf was newcomer here. "Not at all what I was told wolf's were like."
Perhaps she picked a good time to leave. In her current state, could she stand listening to another story about how nother species had a view of them as dumb brutes? Disappearing into the den, she leaves her mate to field the young cougar's questions and curiosities.
Helaku openly chucked on that statement. "There are many wolves who've given our kind a bad name," he said. "I've met a few myself in lands far from here. But, rotten ones exist in every species. It is...my nature to know a lot, but I do not know everything." In truth, Helaku was all ready fond of this particular Cougar, even if he wouldn't say it. "We maintain a diet of fish mostly. There is a stream not far from here that has a nice choice of fish."
Jarin nods.. "Fish are good, fortunatly I was shown how to catch many things." His mom was good at that, teach them young how to survive and then kick them out. and that she did. He doesn't mind this wolf, seems good, nothing he has to worry about. He twitches his tail , flicking the ears as he looks around. He ponders. "Well, you dont' have to worry to much, I have a place to stay and hunt, but I just wanted to know how things are around here as well.
Helaku smiled at that. "This is good, then," he said. "It is likely that we will run into each other in the future, perhaps. I will patrol the area on occasion, after all." What else could be said--Helaku found a stump in the road on talking at this point.
Jarin nods, "Well, that's not a bad thing to patrol the area. Oh, do you know Cheveyo, or know much about him?"
Helaku's ears stoof stiffly at the name. It was new. "No, I don't know this individual. Why do you ask?"
Jarin ponders.. "Well, I just like to find out about this cat that I have met." he wonders aoubt the reaction though.
Helaku blinked softly, his tail lazily flipping from side to side. "What was he like?"
Jarin ponders.. "well, he's letting me stay in his territory, so that's good, I just wonder about things. I"ve been told to be very wary when out in the world.
"Sound advice, though I don't know this individual," he said. "Skelaghe most likely does, as she has been here longer than I."
Jarin nods as he looks towards the den. "She seemed a bit tired or something." He says as he flicks his tail, turning back to thw wolf. "I"ll see if I can find anyone else that does, so what other preditor types are around here?
Helaku looked back towards the den himself. "She recently gave birth to our pups," he said. "And she's been tired since. As for other predator types--mainly us wolves, the cougars, the occasional bear perhaps. Not much, in fact."
Jarin nods.. "I've heard of bears.. so I'll have to avoid them." he then looks around some more.. "I think this will be a good area then, this mountain and such.
"It is a perfect area if you don't want to be bothered by much," he answered. "The bears--I've not met any of the locals, but a bear on your side is always a good friend to have. Loyal, usually, and...no one dares to mess with a bear."
Jarin nods.. "I've heard that, but they are hard to approach. He slowly stands and stretches.. he flicks his tail some.. "I'll remember that.
Helaku smiled softly. "I must attend to my mate. I hope you find the answers you seek, however."
Jarin nods.. "You do that, I'm going to head back to my what's it called, Barn?" he says then nods as he thinks that's right. "Okay, thank you for the information.
"The Barn--a structure built by humans," he said. "You are welcome, Jarin. Hopefully, we will run into each other again."
Jarin nods. "yeah, whatever hoomans {still has trouble saying that word} are, but yeah, some weird den, but it's where I'm staying at the moment." he then starts padding away
Helaku grinned, watching him slip off. He wouldn't tell im what humans were now..perhaps next time they met. Helaku was one wolf who knew humans too well. He turned and slipped into the den, away from the sunlight.
Meanwhile, in the:
- Hillside Den -
It is still not quite yet noon when Skelaghe returns to the den. When she left, all the pups were sleeping, and when she returns, she gives them only the briefest of looks, to make sure they're all here, before curling up far enough from the den's entrance that she does not risk overhearing the conversation outside.
Abel pops open his eyes as, in his light sleep, mom reenters the den. His tail wags momentarily, glad to see his mom. He stands up slowly and stretches his back and legs, pointing his tail out in an attempt to stretch that too. Abel cheerfully bounces to mom and forces himself against her, whining for attention. "Moooom!"
Skelaghe turns her head as she hears one of her pups whine. Ah. Forcing a smile, Skelaghe says, "Good morning, Abel." Whether they are capable of speaking well yet, Skelaghe always speaks to them as if they are perfectly capable of understanding complex sentences. How else are they to learn? Once she is fully facing her son, she licks gently at his head. He normally likes to play upon waking, but there is only one game Skelaghe is truly in the mood to play right now, and that's snuggling.
Abel is very much in the mood for snuggling. He bounces infront of her as he's licked, ready and willing to be groomed. Sitting down, he repeats what his mother does. "Good morming, mom." His speech, much like his personality and size, is developing quickly.
Skelaghe's smile becomes a little less forced with her son's enthusiasm. Placing her paws to either side of the boy, she continues grooming her son, just enjoying the presence of her pups. /Her/ pups. Even if Helaku is more interested in creatures outside their pack, nothing can keep her from these pups. Not this time. "Mommy loves you so much, Abel. You and all of your sisters." And they will never be given cause to doubt that. Not for so long as she lives.
Abel lies down on his stomach and wags his tail with a surprising amount of force behind the swing. He clearly enjoys the attention, the grooming, and of course mom! He's rather quiet, as is turning to be his nature (though at such an early stage in life, anything can happen).
When Abel lies down, Skelaghe rests her head on him, just lightly. Her children don't really get very dirty, but that won't stop her from cleaning them regularly. It does ensure she doesn't have to clean them for very long at any one time, though. "Did you have sweet dreams, puppy?"
Though Abel doesn't exactly know what his mother is talking about, he responds positively, and with gusto. He relaxes significantly, resting his head on his mother's paw. He's very content, not a single care in the world.
Skelaghe may never again regain her carefree nature. She worries about things that never used to worry her, thinks thoughts that, once upon a time, would have never crossed her mind. At least she has Abel and his siblings, though, and can delight in their simple joys and innocence.