Post by helaku on Jan 23, 2010 15:16:41 GMT -5
Skelaghe - Adult Wolf
Wanageeska - Adolescent Wolf
Rowtag - Juvenile Wolfdog.
----
Wanageeska walked quietly back into the Foggy Path, it being his third time back to this place. The young wolf did not dwell on the last few days, and instead focused on his location and possible heading. He knew he wouldn't return home. No point in doing that. Perhaps he'd head east, as far as he could go. Wan did live on the Western coast for most of his life until now, and heard rumors of an ocean being on the other side. Or..perhaps south, where he heard of something called the tropics where it never snowed. Options...options.
Skelaghe doesn't like this place. She is only here, beyond where her scent is strong, to periodically make sure that no one who should not be is getting too near Ute. She can't claim to know why it has been so easy for her to remains relaxed recently, but it has. Perhaps it has something to do with Siwa and Toyo. Regardless, she does not turn back when she catches Wanageeska's scent. She is not pleased about many of the things that have been happening, recently, but her feelings are somewhat superficial, in that regard.
Wanageeska felt at home in the fog. It normally hid him from sight and it was easy to live practically unseen in such a foggy place. He found a small mound of tree roots and considered stopping for now. There was no rush, no need to be anywhere. He paused, sniffing at the roots before settling down. He closed his eyes, losing himself in his thoughts for now. Perhaps living with herbivores might be a bit interesting.
Even here, the fog cannot hide everything, or for long. By the time Wanageeska is in Skelaghe's sight, though, he probably could have heard her coming. When she spots him, she stops walking to greet him, casually, with, "Snow Eyes." She is not so friendly as she mgith be with a member of her pack, but neither is she as cautious as she would be with a stranger.
Wanageeska's ears raised at the approach of Skelaghe. He didn't object to her following him, and he wouldn't object to interacting with her. She hadn't done anything wrong, and therfore he had no qualms with her being so close. He looked up at her, rather glad to see her at least. "Skelaghe," he said softly. "What brings you out here? It does not seem like a place you visit often."
"It is not... but like I told you before. I know who gets close to my land." Skelaghe is peaceful, and loving, but she is neither inept or stupid, and the years that she spent trusting her safety to Helaku and Teketa has not changed that. "I'm surprised to find you still so near." It's just an observation. She's not angry.
"I'm deciding which direction to head," he answered. "I've spent the last forty days moving to arrive here. Would seem logical to continue moving." That was it, then. He had entirely resigned himself, or nearly, to move on to where ever. Even while he spoke he didn't think on what happened to make him decide this. That could not be reversed. "Perhaps I'll find one of those things men use...ships...and cross the ocean. I hear there are wolves across the water."
"The tools of men are not for us, Snow Eyes. There are dangers to taking and using things that are not meant for us, to going where we are not meant to go." Skelaghe does not know much about the world of humans. She does not care to know. There is nothing of value for her there.
"That might be something you've come to abide by," he said. "But, if it were not for the tools of men, I would not exist. Father only came to the Redwood Barrens because humans caught him in a snare, and brought him to the human town." He breathed and leaned back into the tree roots. His tone wasn't displeased or critical of her opinions, or enforcing his own.
"And if the humans did had not also affected your mother's side of the family? How can you not know that your mother and father might not have met under better terms? That your life may not have been better?" Skelaghe has done meddling enough of her own, but she does not use tools to do it. "I can't blame you for your pride, Snow Eyes. It is a common affliction of youth. But you should not pretend to know you could see what would be, had men chosen not to meddle where they did not belong."
Wanageeska tilted his head. "To one whom doesn't know full Miakoda ways, my birthpack seems barbaric," he said, "but the thought of what could have been is not something I like to think about. My mother and father gave me life, and because of this the thought of them not having done so makes me fear the alternative route life might had taken. It could have been much worse...and almost happened. Mother told me he was nearly killed the first time men threw him against other animals. But it seemed Tobba and Lunai had other intentions. He didn't need to fight. Bad things happened to those that meant him harm in that arena."
Skelaghe shakes her head slowly. "I would not sacrifice my life for anything, Snow Eyes. I would not sacrifice the life of my pups. Any of them. But, again, it is dangeorus for us to assume we know what actions are best for anyone, and if Helaku dying, back then, would have spared him all of the pains and indignities he suffered later in life..." What happened happened. Skelaghe does not make a habit of dwelling on how things might have been different either, except for during her most private moments, when she most desperately needs a pleasant thought to make her smile. Even when she has those fantasies, though, she does not fool herself into thinking that she can really know what might have made things better... or made them worse.
Wanageeska looked down at the ground them. He now thought back to Wyanet's insults on Helaku and it still rubbed him wrong. "It would have been better for him," he said. "But, that Wyanet...when she insulted me, my father--it was fine she insulted me, but not him. She did not even seem to care that it was my father whom had a major part in the Ute still existing, the very pack she claims to defend. I don't know where she came from, or how long she's been with you...but I do not believe she's grateful when she speaks with such hate."
"I don't know how well you knew your father, child. I can think of countless days that I never saw him, though... I'd have noticed if he were gone eighty days... Regardless, you could not have known him as he was at the end. I am not pleased about how I heard Wyanet speak of my mate, but you must understand that Wyanet did not /know/ my mate. She knew a violent, angry, resentful male who, though his insult of her was accidental, refused to apologize for embarrassing her in public." Skelaghe said none of this when she spoke to Wanageeska last... but she is tired of wolves verbally attacking other wolves, in these lands.
"I don't know what he was like at the end," he said. "The way you describe him makes him sound as if he had an affliction. Still, though...I cannot say that she knows self control. Uncaring of a pack member's opinions on her hostile approach--neither Siwa or myself threatened her. Given what little I knew of my father, and what you tell me...they didn't get along. If they didn't, I don't think he'd have approved of her betaship. I only speculate, based on what my own pack elders told me of my father. He only appointed wolves to ranks whom knew how to control their emotions instead of firing them off."
"I did not give you manhy of the warnings that I give most newcomers to these lands. I regret that, now. But you were NOT innocent, child. You have behaved brazenly, with no respect for the laws of the land or the wolves already here. You are in no position to be casting judgement. If that is what will result from this conversation... Then I believe I will be taking my leave." Skelaghe's tone remains even and calm, but she is resolves. Wyanet is not the ideal beta, but she has proven that she will lay down her life for the pack, and that is what matters, for now.
"Before I was sent on my quest, I was being prepared for duties as a Beta," he suddenly said. "And I said what I said to you the last time we met because I don't want trouble in your packlands. No matter how much you may wish me to stay, I do not feel welcome with that creature serving as your Beta. She made a threat to have her teeth in my throat, and for that I should have beaten her. It is a promise, Skelaghe...if she dares attacks me, the only response I can afford is fighting her to the death because that is what I'm trained to do when attacked." He snorted and got up, beginning to walk off. "We Miakoda do not fight unless it is to kill or be killed. This is the mistake Wyanet makes. There is no mercy or prisoner taking with the precepts I learned, and this is why I have said I ban myself from your territory. For your dear bitchy Beta's safety." He snorted again and continued walking off.
"You should maybe consider yourself lucky that I am as permissive as I am, child. Because whether you are my mate's son or not, it is never wise to question a ranking wolf's authority and expect them to not take their pound of flesh." Skelaghe leaves it at that, turning to make her own way from the area. She would have had Wanageeska stay because her mate wished it, but if it will cause conflict, she will not fight for it.
Since, apparently, he wasn't banned from this area anymore and he still had a glimmer of hope that he'd find his father here, Rowtag comes trotting into the area with a focused look upon his face. His black nose touches the air, and a frown forms. Not only is there no sign of Vincent, but the two wolves, Wanageeska and Skelaghe were present. Wanageeska was an odd one that he didn't really have an opinion on at the moment, but his mother? He couldn't help but feel that no matter how kind she was treating him lately, that he was still on thin ice with her. He /was/ the trouble maker, wasn't he? Fear was what he felt as he slowed his pace and began to creep into the area of the path, wanting to go around the two, but knew that wasn't possible.
Wanageeska stopped and looked back at her. "Showing one's teeth is fighting language, which she did the moment her eyes fell on me, and Siwa. Not once did I bear my teeth at her. I will question anyone behaving in such ways because I know my father would have. My grandfather said Helaku often questioned behaviors like that, regardless of what rank they had, because he had other solutions. Every solution he had worked, so said the Elders.She might be fit for defense, but she will ruin your pack. Her aggressive spirit is arrogant, and will compel her to take the pack from you or from whomever is your heir. That's the real trajedy--the pack of my father overtaken by one who does not live by the ways you do, Skelaghe." Wan's tone didn't raise, and remained as calm as it had ever been despite his earlier snorting. His nose picked up the scent of a young one near by and he sighed. "Pups don't need to hear this," he said, once again turning to leave. "Last thing you need is them questioning your authority."
Yes. She does not need pups, especially not the overgrown sort, questioning her decisions. All Skelaghe does is shake her head again. Then, she spots her son. "Puppy? How are you doing?" She doesn't say anything else to or about Wanageeska.
"I'm not a puppy.." he mutters, knowing that he's aged some, due to his growing independence and the lack of need to be around his mother 24/7 as he had in the past. This isn't said to upset anyone either, as is clear in his tone, which is just rather lackluster. "Pups don't need to hear what?" He asked, stopping just short of his mother's side, and tilting his head at the older wolf. As usual, he doesn't bother responding to the silly formality questions of 'how are you,' because of his growing cynicism.
Wanageeska's larger ears folded back when he heard Rowtag's question, and once more he turned to watch this unfold. At the moment, he felt he might have said too much--not to Skel, but around a pup.
Skelaghe doesn't answer Rowtag's question. Rather, she says, "That's a losing battle, Rowtag. Abel often insists he is no longer a puppy, but that doesn't stop me from calling him puppy. You may as well get used to it." Skelaghe punctuates her sentence by lowering her head to nuzzle against her son.
With Wanageeska watching them, the last thing that Rowtag wanted would be for Skelaghe to sit there and nuzzle against him, like a newborn or something. Pulling away, he lets out a non-threatening growl, and stands further away from his mother, but still a good distance away from the other male as well. "I like it better when you just call me Rowtag." He insists, and flicks his ears back, eyes settling on the ground. After letting out a rather dramatic sigh, the young male rests his haunches on the ground, his defeated mannerisms almost laughable.
Wanageeska didn't question Rowtag, though inside he did wonder what the relation was between the two. He knew the pup wasn't fully wolf, and it didn't bother him. Wan himself wasn't fully wolf either, though he got by because the only hint that showed was his unusually larger ears. He had one generation separating him from dog, however.
( Rowtag is not the first one to go through this phase. It bothers Skelaghe, sure, but she keeps this mostly hidden. "I will make a compromise with you, then. If you can try to remember to be polite, I can try to remember to only call you Rowtag?" In public, anyway. "Sound fair?" To this day, she still calls Abel puppy, and she will probably never stop calling Rowtag her puppy entirely, but if he insists he wants to be treated more adult-like, Skelaghe will insist on him behaving more appropriately. )
Keeping his eyes on Skelaghe for a moment, his ears perk a bit at the notion of a compromise. Hearing her end of the bargain, he blinks, mulls it over for a minute, and then stretches his front legs out before laying down on his stomach. Be more polite? Well, that just wouldn't work out. He felt that he was being as polite as he needed to be. After all, he wasn't picking fights with anyone. Really, he tried to stay away from everyone, it just wasn't working out for him recently. "Nevermind, then."
Wanageeska tilted his head. "If you truly want something," he said, "then you must negotiate in life. Otherwise, no one will listen to you." What was that? Wan giving advice to Rowtag all of a sudden? "And if you demand something without a trade, they'll not favor you any more." Funny how that worked, him being set in his own ways, to leave the Ute, yet he stayed for some reason to give advice.
Indeed. Very funny, since Wanageeska is so unwilling to compromise, himself, in exchange for staying here. Skelahe twitches an ear toward him, but she keeps her eyes on her son. "Very well." Then puppy it still is." Skelaghe does not try to nuzzle her son as she says so, and despite what she says, she will still do her best. She doesn't need to admit to giving up that bargaining chip, though.
Rowtag's eyes soon found Wanageeska, and he shook his head apathetically. "I don't care that much." He said, and then looked over at his mother with a smirk that was often associated with him causing some sort of trouble. "I don't have to listen to her this way. My name isn't 'puppy,' so she could be talking to anyone." With a bit of a laugh afterward, he tucked his head down, resting on his forelegs, lingering here instead of wandering back 'home' to the den for whatever reason.
Wanageeska blinked, and Wan sat there...perhaps a better illustration was needed. "If that is how you believe, then you're in for a hard life. You find yourself shoved away, unwanted, unloved, no one to turn to, even those whom you might have trusted, and eventually you end up alone with no one to feed you should you become ill, or injured. You don't want that, pup. Do not become like me, because it is not a pleasant life to live."
Skelaghe turns her gaze to Wanageeska to reprimand the adolescent before her son can try to do so. Skelaghe knows much about the manners of growing children, just as Rowtag knows much about the consequences of disobeying her. "There are many punishments my children may face. The removal of my love is not one of them. I understand you want to help, but trying to instill in them fear of something that will never happen is not the way to do it." Skelaghe is no less polite now than when Survivor accidentally gave the impression that one of her children might be severely beatened and scarred in a parental punishment, but she is certainly no more polite than she was, in that instance. "Come, Rowtag. Snow Eyes has expressed well enough that he is to be alone and uncared for."
Rowtag blinked at what Wanageeska said, and gave him an awkward stare for a moment. Well, that better illustration of his certainly wasn't ideal. It wouldn't be so bad being alone, he figured, since he seemed to enjoy wandering about the packlands by himself much more than playing with either of his siblings, or even any of his older siblings for that matter. But to be unwanted and unloved didn't seem great. /He/ would be the one who would push other wolves away, not the other way around! Again, the dark juvenile grew silent, before Skelaghe broke said silence with her words. He listened to the both of them, and soon his attention faded. Not listening to his mother because of a simple name dispute wouldn't get him thrown out of the pack, he figured. Though this time he did listen to her, as she used his proper name. Standnig up, he shook some loose, dead grass from his coat, and followed after his mother at a leisurely pace. "Bye.." he said to the white-eyed wolf, unsure of what exactly was going on with him
"If that is how you wish to interpret my words, then...very well," he replied. "But I am not implying you'd ever cease loving your pups. Other wolves, however, have and do." Wanageeska gave a final look at them both. This talk only left him bitter. And bitter in a very bad way. He had even tried to be nice to other wolves and was turned on for it, which he didn't speak of. But, now he had a destination in mind. "You'll not see me again," he said. "I go to join my father. At least there is peace that cannot be disturbed." Again, calm. It was a wonder what the Miakoda did to raise such a wolf that spoke of such dire things so...sincere. First Hel, now Wan, and Wan was not hesitating this time in walking away. He did not look back, and said nothing else, period.
Wanageeska - Adolescent Wolf
Rowtag - Juvenile Wolfdog.
----
Wanageeska walked quietly back into the Foggy Path, it being his third time back to this place. The young wolf did not dwell on the last few days, and instead focused on his location and possible heading. He knew he wouldn't return home. No point in doing that. Perhaps he'd head east, as far as he could go. Wan did live on the Western coast for most of his life until now, and heard rumors of an ocean being on the other side. Or..perhaps south, where he heard of something called the tropics where it never snowed. Options...options.
Skelaghe doesn't like this place. She is only here, beyond where her scent is strong, to periodically make sure that no one who should not be is getting too near Ute. She can't claim to know why it has been so easy for her to remains relaxed recently, but it has. Perhaps it has something to do with Siwa and Toyo. Regardless, she does not turn back when she catches Wanageeska's scent. She is not pleased about many of the things that have been happening, recently, but her feelings are somewhat superficial, in that regard.
Wanageeska felt at home in the fog. It normally hid him from sight and it was easy to live practically unseen in such a foggy place. He found a small mound of tree roots and considered stopping for now. There was no rush, no need to be anywhere. He paused, sniffing at the roots before settling down. He closed his eyes, losing himself in his thoughts for now. Perhaps living with herbivores might be a bit interesting.
Even here, the fog cannot hide everything, or for long. By the time Wanageeska is in Skelaghe's sight, though, he probably could have heard her coming. When she spots him, she stops walking to greet him, casually, with, "Snow Eyes." She is not so friendly as she mgith be with a member of her pack, but neither is she as cautious as she would be with a stranger.
Wanageeska's ears raised at the approach of Skelaghe. He didn't object to her following him, and he wouldn't object to interacting with her. She hadn't done anything wrong, and therfore he had no qualms with her being so close. He looked up at her, rather glad to see her at least. "Skelaghe," he said softly. "What brings you out here? It does not seem like a place you visit often."
"It is not... but like I told you before. I know who gets close to my land." Skelaghe is peaceful, and loving, but she is neither inept or stupid, and the years that she spent trusting her safety to Helaku and Teketa has not changed that. "I'm surprised to find you still so near." It's just an observation. She's not angry.
"I'm deciding which direction to head," he answered. "I've spent the last forty days moving to arrive here. Would seem logical to continue moving." That was it, then. He had entirely resigned himself, or nearly, to move on to where ever. Even while he spoke he didn't think on what happened to make him decide this. That could not be reversed. "Perhaps I'll find one of those things men use...ships...and cross the ocean. I hear there are wolves across the water."
"The tools of men are not for us, Snow Eyes. There are dangers to taking and using things that are not meant for us, to going where we are not meant to go." Skelaghe does not know much about the world of humans. She does not care to know. There is nothing of value for her there.
"That might be something you've come to abide by," he said. "But, if it were not for the tools of men, I would not exist. Father only came to the Redwood Barrens because humans caught him in a snare, and brought him to the human town." He breathed and leaned back into the tree roots. His tone wasn't displeased or critical of her opinions, or enforcing his own.
"And if the humans did had not also affected your mother's side of the family? How can you not know that your mother and father might not have met under better terms? That your life may not have been better?" Skelaghe has done meddling enough of her own, but she does not use tools to do it. "I can't blame you for your pride, Snow Eyes. It is a common affliction of youth. But you should not pretend to know you could see what would be, had men chosen not to meddle where they did not belong."
Wanageeska tilted his head. "To one whom doesn't know full Miakoda ways, my birthpack seems barbaric," he said, "but the thought of what could have been is not something I like to think about. My mother and father gave me life, and because of this the thought of them not having done so makes me fear the alternative route life might had taken. It could have been much worse...and almost happened. Mother told me he was nearly killed the first time men threw him against other animals. But it seemed Tobba and Lunai had other intentions. He didn't need to fight. Bad things happened to those that meant him harm in that arena."
Skelaghe shakes her head slowly. "I would not sacrifice my life for anything, Snow Eyes. I would not sacrifice the life of my pups. Any of them. But, again, it is dangeorus for us to assume we know what actions are best for anyone, and if Helaku dying, back then, would have spared him all of the pains and indignities he suffered later in life..." What happened happened. Skelaghe does not make a habit of dwelling on how things might have been different either, except for during her most private moments, when she most desperately needs a pleasant thought to make her smile. Even when she has those fantasies, though, she does not fool herself into thinking that she can really know what might have made things better... or made them worse.
Wanageeska looked down at the ground them. He now thought back to Wyanet's insults on Helaku and it still rubbed him wrong. "It would have been better for him," he said. "But, that Wyanet...when she insulted me, my father--it was fine she insulted me, but not him. She did not even seem to care that it was my father whom had a major part in the Ute still existing, the very pack she claims to defend. I don't know where she came from, or how long she's been with you...but I do not believe she's grateful when she speaks with such hate."
"I don't know how well you knew your father, child. I can think of countless days that I never saw him, though... I'd have noticed if he were gone eighty days... Regardless, you could not have known him as he was at the end. I am not pleased about how I heard Wyanet speak of my mate, but you must understand that Wyanet did not /know/ my mate. She knew a violent, angry, resentful male who, though his insult of her was accidental, refused to apologize for embarrassing her in public." Skelaghe said none of this when she spoke to Wanageeska last... but she is tired of wolves verbally attacking other wolves, in these lands.
"I don't know what he was like at the end," he said. "The way you describe him makes him sound as if he had an affliction. Still, though...I cannot say that she knows self control. Uncaring of a pack member's opinions on her hostile approach--neither Siwa or myself threatened her. Given what little I knew of my father, and what you tell me...they didn't get along. If they didn't, I don't think he'd have approved of her betaship. I only speculate, based on what my own pack elders told me of my father. He only appointed wolves to ranks whom knew how to control their emotions instead of firing them off."
"I did not give you manhy of the warnings that I give most newcomers to these lands. I regret that, now. But you were NOT innocent, child. You have behaved brazenly, with no respect for the laws of the land or the wolves already here. You are in no position to be casting judgement. If that is what will result from this conversation... Then I believe I will be taking my leave." Skelaghe's tone remains even and calm, but she is resolves. Wyanet is not the ideal beta, but she has proven that she will lay down her life for the pack, and that is what matters, for now.
"Before I was sent on my quest, I was being prepared for duties as a Beta," he suddenly said. "And I said what I said to you the last time we met because I don't want trouble in your packlands. No matter how much you may wish me to stay, I do not feel welcome with that creature serving as your Beta. She made a threat to have her teeth in my throat, and for that I should have beaten her. It is a promise, Skelaghe...if she dares attacks me, the only response I can afford is fighting her to the death because that is what I'm trained to do when attacked." He snorted and got up, beginning to walk off. "We Miakoda do not fight unless it is to kill or be killed. This is the mistake Wyanet makes. There is no mercy or prisoner taking with the precepts I learned, and this is why I have said I ban myself from your territory. For your dear bitchy Beta's safety." He snorted again and continued walking off.
"You should maybe consider yourself lucky that I am as permissive as I am, child. Because whether you are my mate's son or not, it is never wise to question a ranking wolf's authority and expect them to not take their pound of flesh." Skelaghe leaves it at that, turning to make her own way from the area. She would have had Wanageeska stay because her mate wished it, but if it will cause conflict, she will not fight for it.
Since, apparently, he wasn't banned from this area anymore and he still had a glimmer of hope that he'd find his father here, Rowtag comes trotting into the area with a focused look upon his face. His black nose touches the air, and a frown forms. Not only is there no sign of Vincent, but the two wolves, Wanageeska and Skelaghe were present. Wanageeska was an odd one that he didn't really have an opinion on at the moment, but his mother? He couldn't help but feel that no matter how kind she was treating him lately, that he was still on thin ice with her. He /was/ the trouble maker, wasn't he? Fear was what he felt as he slowed his pace and began to creep into the area of the path, wanting to go around the two, but knew that wasn't possible.
Wanageeska stopped and looked back at her. "Showing one's teeth is fighting language, which she did the moment her eyes fell on me, and Siwa. Not once did I bear my teeth at her. I will question anyone behaving in such ways because I know my father would have. My grandfather said Helaku often questioned behaviors like that, regardless of what rank they had, because he had other solutions. Every solution he had worked, so said the Elders.She might be fit for defense, but she will ruin your pack. Her aggressive spirit is arrogant, and will compel her to take the pack from you or from whomever is your heir. That's the real trajedy--the pack of my father overtaken by one who does not live by the ways you do, Skelaghe." Wan's tone didn't raise, and remained as calm as it had ever been despite his earlier snorting. His nose picked up the scent of a young one near by and he sighed. "Pups don't need to hear this," he said, once again turning to leave. "Last thing you need is them questioning your authority."
Yes. She does not need pups, especially not the overgrown sort, questioning her decisions. All Skelaghe does is shake her head again. Then, she spots her son. "Puppy? How are you doing?" She doesn't say anything else to or about Wanageeska.
"I'm not a puppy.." he mutters, knowing that he's aged some, due to his growing independence and the lack of need to be around his mother 24/7 as he had in the past. This isn't said to upset anyone either, as is clear in his tone, which is just rather lackluster. "Pups don't need to hear what?" He asked, stopping just short of his mother's side, and tilting his head at the older wolf. As usual, he doesn't bother responding to the silly formality questions of 'how are you,' because of his growing cynicism.
Wanageeska's larger ears folded back when he heard Rowtag's question, and once more he turned to watch this unfold. At the moment, he felt he might have said too much--not to Skel, but around a pup.
Skelaghe doesn't answer Rowtag's question. Rather, she says, "That's a losing battle, Rowtag. Abel often insists he is no longer a puppy, but that doesn't stop me from calling him puppy. You may as well get used to it." Skelaghe punctuates her sentence by lowering her head to nuzzle against her son.
With Wanageeska watching them, the last thing that Rowtag wanted would be for Skelaghe to sit there and nuzzle against him, like a newborn or something. Pulling away, he lets out a non-threatening growl, and stands further away from his mother, but still a good distance away from the other male as well. "I like it better when you just call me Rowtag." He insists, and flicks his ears back, eyes settling on the ground. After letting out a rather dramatic sigh, the young male rests his haunches on the ground, his defeated mannerisms almost laughable.
Wanageeska didn't question Rowtag, though inside he did wonder what the relation was between the two. He knew the pup wasn't fully wolf, and it didn't bother him. Wan himself wasn't fully wolf either, though he got by because the only hint that showed was his unusually larger ears. He had one generation separating him from dog, however.
( Rowtag is not the first one to go through this phase. It bothers Skelaghe, sure, but she keeps this mostly hidden. "I will make a compromise with you, then. If you can try to remember to be polite, I can try to remember to only call you Rowtag?" In public, anyway. "Sound fair?" To this day, she still calls Abel puppy, and she will probably never stop calling Rowtag her puppy entirely, but if he insists he wants to be treated more adult-like, Skelaghe will insist on him behaving more appropriately. )
Keeping his eyes on Skelaghe for a moment, his ears perk a bit at the notion of a compromise. Hearing her end of the bargain, he blinks, mulls it over for a minute, and then stretches his front legs out before laying down on his stomach. Be more polite? Well, that just wouldn't work out. He felt that he was being as polite as he needed to be. After all, he wasn't picking fights with anyone. Really, he tried to stay away from everyone, it just wasn't working out for him recently. "Nevermind, then."
Wanageeska tilted his head. "If you truly want something," he said, "then you must negotiate in life. Otherwise, no one will listen to you." What was that? Wan giving advice to Rowtag all of a sudden? "And if you demand something without a trade, they'll not favor you any more." Funny how that worked, him being set in his own ways, to leave the Ute, yet he stayed for some reason to give advice.
Indeed. Very funny, since Wanageeska is so unwilling to compromise, himself, in exchange for staying here. Skelahe twitches an ear toward him, but she keeps her eyes on her son. "Very well." Then puppy it still is." Skelaghe does not try to nuzzle her son as she says so, and despite what she says, she will still do her best. She doesn't need to admit to giving up that bargaining chip, though.
Rowtag's eyes soon found Wanageeska, and he shook his head apathetically. "I don't care that much." He said, and then looked over at his mother with a smirk that was often associated with him causing some sort of trouble. "I don't have to listen to her this way. My name isn't 'puppy,' so she could be talking to anyone." With a bit of a laugh afterward, he tucked his head down, resting on his forelegs, lingering here instead of wandering back 'home' to the den for whatever reason.
Wanageeska blinked, and Wan sat there...perhaps a better illustration was needed. "If that is how you believe, then you're in for a hard life. You find yourself shoved away, unwanted, unloved, no one to turn to, even those whom you might have trusted, and eventually you end up alone with no one to feed you should you become ill, or injured. You don't want that, pup. Do not become like me, because it is not a pleasant life to live."
Skelaghe turns her gaze to Wanageeska to reprimand the adolescent before her son can try to do so. Skelaghe knows much about the manners of growing children, just as Rowtag knows much about the consequences of disobeying her. "There are many punishments my children may face. The removal of my love is not one of them. I understand you want to help, but trying to instill in them fear of something that will never happen is not the way to do it." Skelaghe is no less polite now than when Survivor accidentally gave the impression that one of her children might be severely beatened and scarred in a parental punishment, but she is certainly no more polite than she was, in that instance. "Come, Rowtag. Snow Eyes has expressed well enough that he is to be alone and uncared for."
Rowtag blinked at what Wanageeska said, and gave him an awkward stare for a moment. Well, that better illustration of his certainly wasn't ideal. It wouldn't be so bad being alone, he figured, since he seemed to enjoy wandering about the packlands by himself much more than playing with either of his siblings, or even any of his older siblings for that matter. But to be unwanted and unloved didn't seem great. /He/ would be the one who would push other wolves away, not the other way around! Again, the dark juvenile grew silent, before Skelaghe broke said silence with her words. He listened to the both of them, and soon his attention faded. Not listening to his mother because of a simple name dispute wouldn't get him thrown out of the pack, he figured. Though this time he did listen to her, as she used his proper name. Standnig up, he shook some loose, dead grass from his coat, and followed after his mother at a leisurely pace. "Bye.." he said to the white-eyed wolf, unsure of what exactly was going on with him
"If that is how you wish to interpret my words, then...very well," he replied. "But I am not implying you'd ever cease loving your pups. Other wolves, however, have and do." Wanageeska gave a final look at them both. This talk only left him bitter. And bitter in a very bad way. He had even tried to be nice to other wolves and was turned on for it, which he didn't speak of. But, now he had a destination in mind. "You'll not see me again," he said. "I go to join my father. At least there is peace that cannot be disturbed." Again, calm. It was a wonder what the Miakoda did to raise such a wolf that spoke of such dire things so...sincere. First Hel, now Wan, and Wan was not hesitating this time in walking away. He did not look back, and said nothing else, period.