Post by Pavane on May 26, 2010 14:39:36 GMT -5
Characters:
Atka - male Adolescent Wolf
Niyt - female Wolf Pup
Shag - male Wolf
Tariro - male Wolf
Soto - female Wolf
Setting:
Isolated Oasis - Mid Spring (RL Day 1) (Yeah, I'm a bit late posting. Details.)
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Wandering his way down from the butte stones, Atka, the self-described Omega wolf, not sure of his place in the pack except that he's made a promise to watch pups and aid in hunts, is lingering at the edge of the oasis, watching the water, which has finally broken free of Winter's icy grasp. His pelt has become something of a mess, with spring in play; no longer thick or winter-girth, now sleek and losing all manner of shed-chunks. A good deal has been helped by wandering through briar plants as advised. Slowly, Atka steps into the water, up to his knees, and then dips his head to lap at the cold, delicious, brisk wonder of glacial run-off.
Still-uncertain legs bring Niyt along, a couple steps at a time with little pauses in between as the pup follows a familiar shape towards the oasis. She lifts her nose to the wind that ruffles along between her ears, and makes a little 'hrff' sound at what she scents there, scrambling forward a few more steps before she stumbles and her legs give way, a surprised look on her face as she tumbles down, as pups so frequently do.
No more snow, even during Winter. That's one of the things Shag likes about the desert. Of course, spring is here. Meaning cold nights, blazing hot days, and... pups. Pups are one of the main reasons he also now loves spring. His pups. They're here, and he's keeping an eye on one of them. He plods along behind Niyt, watching from a respectable distance. The oasis is near. He doesn't know why, but he's never approached it before. The shimmering, cool waters seem... frightful. Like he knows he may see something other than his reflection. But Niyt is here, and so he is. Watching. Always watching.
Staring into the waters after lifting his head, ears briefly turn back to the sound of something approaching; and with his ears, turning so too his head. He blinks-- Oh. A pup. Atka smiles, tail wagging lazily at his side in a friendly display, before he returns to watching the waters again, head tilting. The sound of a larger approach draws his attention once more; but.. Knowing the smell to be of Shag, higher of rank than he (at least in his mind) Atka isn't too worried about the pup. Still... after staring into thr waters for several moment, he turns, and slips out of them, shaking his body even without water soaking any of his fur except his legs. Then, toward the puppy, he gives a half chuff, and dips into a play poise, before greeting Shag with a half yippy noise, and flopping to his shoulder on the ground. "Hello, sir, how are you, sir?"
The wind is almost always blowing, here in the desert, and it ruffles through Niyt's fur as the pup pulls herself to her feet again. She's used to the shadow of her father trailing behind her, or watching from nearby; she'd notice his absence more than she does his presence. Standing upright - for the moment - she cocks her head to the side at Atka's wagging tail, her own giving a swish back and forth before it stops so she can pay that attention to keeping upright, wobbling just a little. When Atka approaches, she lifts her nose and takes in a little sniff, barking softly - but her main attention seems to be on something else than play, just now, and she lets the young wolf pass by to greet her father.
Winter was over and strangely enough it was missed. No more ways to keep hidden from just about anything; making Tariro's hidden childish enthusiasm a thing of the past. Leaving the Butte, a sure blessing for most he was sure of, the oasis came into sight from the opposite direction of where those of the pack now venture in from. The lone tree, a suitable spot to rest, becomes the wolfs main attraction; settling beside it then looking out toward those he joins. Watching Atka first, somewhat blocking his view of his brother and niece, the white alpha blinks at his formalism; almost glad it wasn't him who was being addressed in such a manner. Ears perking to the tiny bark, Tariro can't help but smirk.
Sir? He'll never get used to being called that. He shakes his head and smiles as he approaches the others, his mind half here and half elsewhere. He always has something on his mind... his mind won't let him be, otherwise. "Fine, Atka," is all he says, settling down onto his haunches, unsure how else to reply to it. Should he do something commanding, and give him an order? What? He looks down his daughter with a faint smile, as if unable to believe that she's actually there. Pups had never factored into his long term plans until... well, he met his future mate of course. "The, um. Pups. Found you, I see." He looks up at Tariro and nods once.
Atka blinks, and smiles. "Yessir, it looks like she did." He rolls onto his back breifly, with a series of soft yips, before rolling back over, and, sitting up some, watches Niyt. "She is lovely, sir. I was sad to hear about the rest of the litter.. But that's... how the spirits work, I guess." He says, with a weak smile. Ears perk at the sound of more approaching; and turning to see Tariro, Atka gulps, and moves forward, dipping into a crawl, tail held at a submissive, yet calm manner. "Hello, Tariro, Sir," the adolescent says, posture begging both forgiveness, and peace. He's trying so hard to please everyone.
Niyt stands her ground for a moment, her head tilted to one side as she looks over... the desert? The oasis? Whatever it is, it seems to take the pup's full attention, ignoring the older wolves for several moments. Then, seemingly satisfied, she turns around by the simple expedient of first sitting down, and then getting back up facing the other way, her tail giving another wag as she faces towards father and uncle and submissive Atka. She likes hearing the voices of her family, though she still doesn't really know many of the words - just the tones, the familiar cadences of conversation.
Tariro, of course, says nothing even as his brother gives but a single nod to his presence; returning it. Watching the pup, more so Atka, his eyes close if only for a moment as he shakes his head toward the adolescent. Although he held the highest of ranks bring treated as such was an odd feeling and seeing Atka crawl submissively wasn't any different. "Hello." He does say however, adding a smile to his lips. "Uh.. Its more fitting if you'd sit up Atka.."
"Um..." Shag seems just as distressed about Atka's almost idolization of their positions as his brother does. "You can, you know... not crawl around like that, a good bow is more than enough," he says, wagging his paw at the other wolf. He doesn't even feel like a Beta sometimes, with his odd powers and strange habits. He turns to his daughter and goes over to her, somewhat hesitantly. "The spirits do work strangely. I should know, talking to them. But she and the others are a blessing, no matter what we might lose. Just one gain like this is more than enough for me." He settles down, slightly curled around her, his tail wagging.
Ears fleck forward, then back, then forward again-- Atka is not used to this, but, he nods, and stands up, sheepish in expression of face and tail. "Sorry, sir, I guess I'm used to my old pack still.." He turns to look toward the pup again, and smiles, murmuring, "She's breathtakingly cute." He smiles, tail wagging like mad, as he moves to sit down. "But I still feel bad that we only had one.. The winter.. was really bad. I was kind of hoping to see... More life." He says, softly. He then moves to his feet again, and starts towards Niyt, dipping down as he reaches her, to give her a lick abut the head, before he turns and continues on back to the oasis waters, wading into it. Something about those waters.. just.. draws him in. He wades in to his chest this time... and takes to watching the waters thoughtfully.
As quiet as her family tends to be, it's small wonder those voices are simply sounds to Niyt still, if pleasant ones. Her tail wags as her father comes towards her, padding closer to him as well. When she's close enough, she makes a little jump up towards her father, followed by sitting down abruptly as her hindquarters stop wanting to support her. Her tail thumps against the sand as she sits there, though, muzzle uplifted to smile happily at her father. Her head tilts at Atka's lick, one of her ears twitching as she turns her head for one moment to smile at Atka before her attention returns to Shag, even before the young wolf is gone.
Tariro nods slowly and understands how one can act the way they do he for one doesn't act as he should being leader at times think in git often best to not show rank unless needed. Shrugging to his own thoughts, he looks past Atika for the moment to gaze upon his niece who he's never actually met. Standing up, the alpha slowly moves over to Niyt, dropping down before her even if her attention isn't directed at him.
Shag can't help but smile back. It's his daughter, dang it, and she's as cute as a button! He never believed that he could produce something so darn cute. He bends down and gives her lick over the top of her head, wrapping a large paw around her and tugging her momentarily into a hug in the embrace of his shaggier than normal pelt. "You and me are going to have so much fun together," he decides. He watches Atka enter the water, letting her turn to her uncle. His eyes are distracted. His thoughts elsewhere as the water swims up and over the other wolf's chest. Water broken, images distorted... "Don't drown," he warns, though he doesn't seem to be talking about the water.
"No... No, I won't drown," Atka says, still quite transfixed by the water about him, tilting his head. For a moment-- no, it can't be. For a moment, he thought he saw some flash of a memory he'd thought long past. He shakes his head, snorts, and then splashes about in the water some, trying to banish away these thoughts which sometimes haunt him anyway. He then turns, and starts for the shore, smiling softly. "Congratulations, sir."
Niyt thumps her tail, that motion making her unstable for the moment - but she's okay with it, just leaning in against the warmth and shagginess of her father, her ears splaying happily as he licks over them, her entire posture stating her agreement with him in that moment. Then she turns her attention towards Tariro as he approaches and lowers himself towards her, her ears perking as she tilts her head to the side to consider him. Something about him seems right - family resemblance, maybe, or something about his smell that's familiar to the little pup. She wags her tail softly, taking a wobbly step forward from her father's embrace to nudge her little black nose towards the alpha, her uncle.
Shag stands up as Niyt focuses on her uncle, shaking his head. "Yeah... yeah," he says to Atka, distracted. "Uh... I need to go check something," he whispers, and wags his tail as he watches his brother and daughter interact. "Um... see you all later."
Tariro smiles carelessly toward the pup as she looks at him, then steps toward. She was indeed cute.. more so than his own admittingly. Not even saying a word, letting his expression speak for him, he lays there placing his head on the ground between his fore paws; ear up listen very intently.
Stepping out of the water, Atka shakes the oasis from his pelt, his thoughts trailing off into whimsical manner. He steps onto the shore, laying down, and begins licking water from his long legs thoughtfully, before murmuring, "Sir... Has there been any scent of good prey lately? I might attempt to hunt something for the pack later. You know, pull my weight around, and stuff."
Niyt pads up to Tariro, her ears perked like his in an unconscious echo of his expression. Her tail sways faster, held up straight and proud - the happy pup, that in itself all that needs be thought of for rank, her only challengers the other younglings. She barks once, and leans in, licking with little pink tongue at the tip of her uncle's muzzle.
Tariro chuckles lightly under the mysts of his niece; motioning to lick back but doesn't not wanting to startle the young girl even though the chances of that are likely low. Tail swaying, the alpha soon looks up from Niyt for a moment to address Atka. Being Spring it was likely that prey could be found anywhere, but he could not tell you were this exact moment. Sniffing the air to give a fair response.
"The forest holds a decent selection." he says, "Though I would not suggest hunting there alone." Looking out into the distance he hmms. "I hear rabbit are abundant in this area."
"Rabbit," remarks Atka thoughtfully, nodding. "I'll go find a rabbit then, perhaps that will endear me to others of the pack." he chuckles some, and smiles, standing up, and starting to trot away. "I'll be careful!" he says, as he looks over his shoulder, before disappearing, oddly, into the cactus patch. Well, it also helps clean out shed fur, too!
Niyt wags her tail, her muzzle opened a bit to grin as Tariro licks back at her. Definitely something right about him, something that feels familiar - like her father, but unlike as well. It's not quite the look, or the scent, or any of that, though that's all part of it. He's just family, and belongs here with her, and that makes the little pup happy.
A faint nod given to Atka as he takes his advice to find rabbit, Tariro turns back to Niyt with the same smile he had given her before. It was good to see her happy; it made him happy, glad to be an uncle. Rolling over into a side, he looks up at the pup wondering what to do other than just watch her.
A soft soprano voice drifts on the wind, as, trotting lazily in from the west, eyes closed, following some sent it hasn't known before, with nose high, a young female wolf soon somes into view. "~When you long for the height of the mountains, when you long for the blue, leave your heart where it's deep and it's down again, lose your heart till it's new.~" Head swaying side to side, the diamond-marked face of the she-wolf is given unto a warm smile, as she comes, heading... for the water, of all things. "~Seek your heart on a high blue skyway, keep your heart and it's bound. steep your heart in the deep of the earth again, lose your heart and it's found..~" She pauses as her legs reach water, stops, and looks down. ".. Oh, hello again, mother," she intones, cheerily, at her reflection."
A breeze ruffles through Niyt's fur, and she lifts her muzzle up into it, nose twitching. She's easily distracted, at this age. Perhaps more so than the other pups, even; she seems to find her attention caught by things that aren't obvious. She turns at the sound of a new voice - was it that scent she caught on the wind? Maybe, maybe not. She's not quite facing towards Soto, at any rate, though she starts to pad forward, coming to the barrier one of Tariro's forelegs makes and pausing there a moment before starting to laboriously clamber over it.
A light tune and a cheery demeanour; that sure puts someone into mind. Not giving much thought into what he hears at first, just watches Niyt as she does what she does finding not the slightest odd or concerning or least till he hears the ripples of the oasis behind him. Turning his ears back, he listens only to look down at he feels the sudden attempt of being climbed over. Raising his brows, Tariro slides his limb out of the way carefully not wanting to knock his niece to the ground in the process. On hearing the most peculiar of words, the white wolf turns to look. At first he mistakes the unknown wolfess for one of the packmembers he hadn't met or wasn't to familiar with but then realizes he doesn't remember seeing this one before. Standing up, keeping Niyt close he inquires, "Pardon me.."
Ears perk, and Soto tilts her head. "What's that, mother? We've arrived? Oh, that's good!" She beams! And wags her tail-- only to stop, and turn, looking at Tariro, blue eyes wide in surprise, before she smiles. "Oh, hello! You must be... Uhm... Actually, mother didn't know your name, she just knew you lived here. Oh, sorry, sorry! I'm Soto!" She casts her look over her shoulder-- but her reflection has gone from the water, and she ... sighs wistfully. "Always afraid of meeting new people," she says, sadly, before looking to Tariro with a smile, and a dipping bow.
Niyt finds her obstacle gone, and her uncle rising to his feet beside her. She turns her head to look up at him, and then takes notice of the direction of his gaze, carefully placing her paws, one after the other, and turning herself to look in that direction as well, her small body, in the shadow cast by his. She's not looking quite at Soto, though - well, not at first. She seems to be looking more towards the female wolf's reflection, her ears perked and her muzzle lifted up, as though to catch a scent. Though how she could see a reflection from this distance is a mystery. As Soto starts talking, though, the pup's attention seems to fix on her. Maybe she was just being distractible again.
Tariro looks a bit taken as he listens to the...um.. well he does know what to call it. Looking at the female wolf his head tilts to say the least confused. "She uh.. I'm sorry, I don't understand, knew I lived here?" Ok whats going on where, whos this mother... Tariro has seen and heard some strange stuff in his lifetime but this he just doesn't get.. yet. Taking a few steps toward Soto he tries not to make it seems like he thinks this other is mad. "Tariro. Who were you talking to?"
Soto sits, and smiles, tail wagging behind her. "Oh, I was talking to my mother. She's a spirit, you see. I've been following her for some time now, because she said she would lead me to a place where I might be welcome into a pack. My old pack sent me away because I can speak to, and even see, spirits, and that made the new leaders uncomfortable. They thought it was bad luck." She shakes her head some, then says, "Really, I do not think it is bad luck. All the world around us tells of spirits. How else are stories born?" She smiles. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Tariro."
Niyt watches Soto for a few moments, and then looks back at Tariro, but her attention soon wanders. Talking is boring for a little pup that doesn't understand it. There's a little plant nearby, swaying in the wind, and that's what seems to draw her now. She pads off from her uncle's side - not too far, still in easy reach with a couple loping steps for the adult wolf - and starts to investigate the stubborn bit of greenery here in the desert.
Tariro's mind was never set in stone; focusing on place to place even though his attention was left on a sole presence in the area. As Soto continue on and answers his question he begins to understand. "Seems many of wolf these days can commune with the spirits." Had his brother and own daughter not be one of them this wolf may be a hard one to believe it. "Why would your mother lead you here?" Not that he wonders, just curious. As he waits for that to be answered, he turns to keep eye on Niyt who trails off just a tad.
"She said that the time would come when I am needed. And that you would appreciate my skills. At least, she did say I would be more welcome here." Soto says, with a smile, before she lifts her head, letting her nose hit the light whirling breeze, before she smiles. "So I suppose maybe I should ask if you need more wolves for your pack, hmm?" She smiles, warmly. "I'm willing to help with anything-- Oo, though I love puppies! I could tell them stories.."
The little plant sways as Niyt noses at it, sliding along the side of her muzzle. She tugs at one of the leaves, and it tears in her muzzle, releasing a herbal scent. It doesn't taste very good, and she opens her mouth, shaking it to let the leaf flutter down to the ground, and curling her tongue as she tries to get the taste of that herb shaken out as well!
(OOC: Players had to go, at this point, so it ends a bit abruptly.)
Atka - male Adolescent Wolf
Niyt - female Wolf Pup
Shag - male Wolf
Tariro - male Wolf
Soto - female Wolf
Setting:
Isolated Oasis - Mid Spring (RL Day 1) (Yeah, I'm a bit late posting. Details.)
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Wandering his way down from the butte stones, Atka, the self-described Omega wolf, not sure of his place in the pack except that he's made a promise to watch pups and aid in hunts, is lingering at the edge of the oasis, watching the water, which has finally broken free of Winter's icy grasp. His pelt has become something of a mess, with spring in play; no longer thick or winter-girth, now sleek and losing all manner of shed-chunks. A good deal has been helped by wandering through briar plants as advised. Slowly, Atka steps into the water, up to his knees, and then dips his head to lap at the cold, delicious, brisk wonder of glacial run-off.
Still-uncertain legs bring Niyt along, a couple steps at a time with little pauses in between as the pup follows a familiar shape towards the oasis. She lifts her nose to the wind that ruffles along between her ears, and makes a little 'hrff' sound at what she scents there, scrambling forward a few more steps before she stumbles and her legs give way, a surprised look on her face as she tumbles down, as pups so frequently do.
No more snow, even during Winter. That's one of the things Shag likes about the desert. Of course, spring is here. Meaning cold nights, blazing hot days, and... pups. Pups are one of the main reasons he also now loves spring. His pups. They're here, and he's keeping an eye on one of them. He plods along behind Niyt, watching from a respectable distance. The oasis is near. He doesn't know why, but he's never approached it before. The shimmering, cool waters seem... frightful. Like he knows he may see something other than his reflection. But Niyt is here, and so he is. Watching. Always watching.
Staring into the waters after lifting his head, ears briefly turn back to the sound of something approaching; and with his ears, turning so too his head. He blinks-- Oh. A pup. Atka smiles, tail wagging lazily at his side in a friendly display, before he returns to watching the waters again, head tilting. The sound of a larger approach draws his attention once more; but.. Knowing the smell to be of Shag, higher of rank than he (at least in his mind) Atka isn't too worried about the pup. Still... after staring into thr waters for several moment, he turns, and slips out of them, shaking his body even without water soaking any of his fur except his legs. Then, toward the puppy, he gives a half chuff, and dips into a play poise, before greeting Shag with a half yippy noise, and flopping to his shoulder on the ground. "Hello, sir, how are you, sir?"
The wind is almost always blowing, here in the desert, and it ruffles through Niyt's fur as the pup pulls herself to her feet again. She's used to the shadow of her father trailing behind her, or watching from nearby; she'd notice his absence more than she does his presence. Standing upright - for the moment - she cocks her head to the side at Atka's wagging tail, her own giving a swish back and forth before it stops so she can pay that attention to keeping upright, wobbling just a little. When Atka approaches, she lifts her nose and takes in a little sniff, barking softly - but her main attention seems to be on something else than play, just now, and she lets the young wolf pass by to greet her father.
Winter was over and strangely enough it was missed. No more ways to keep hidden from just about anything; making Tariro's hidden childish enthusiasm a thing of the past. Leaving the Butte, a sure blessing for most he was sure of, the oasis came into sight from the opposite direction of where those of the pack now venture in from. The lone tree, a suitable spot to rest, becomes the wolfs main attraction; settling beside it then looking out toward those he joins. Watching Atka first, somewhat blocking his view of his brother and niece, the white alpha blinks at his formalism; almost glad it wasn't him who was being addressed in such a manner. Ears perking to the tiny bark, Tariro can't help but smirk.
Sir? He'll never get used to being called that. He shakes his head and smiles as he approaches the others, his mind half here and half elsewhere. He always has something on his mind... his mind won't let him be, otherwise. "Fine, Atka," is all he says, settling down onto his haunches, unsure how else to reply to it. Should he do something commanding, and give him an order? What? He looks down his daughter with a faint smile, as if unable to believe that she's actually there. Pups had never factored into his long term plans until... well, he met his future mate of course. "The, um. Pups. Found you, I see." He looks up at Tariro and nods once.
Atka blinks, and smiles. "Yessir, it looks like she did." He rolls onto his back breifly, with a series of soft yips, before rolling back over, and, sitting up some, watches Niyt. "She is lovely, sir. I was sad to hear about the rest of the litter.. But that's... how the spirits work, I guess." He says, with a weak smile. Ears perk at the sound of more approaching; and turning to see Tariro, Atka gulps, and moves forward, dipping into a crawl, tail held at a submissive, yet calm manner. "Hello, Tariro, Sir," the adolescent says, posture begging both forgiveness, and peace. He's trying so hard to please everyone.
Niyt stands her ground for a moment, her head tilted to one side as she looks over... the desert? The oasis? Whatever it is, it seems to take the pup's full attention, ignoring the older wolves for several moments. Then, seemingly satisfied, she turns around by the simple expedient of first sitting down, and then getting back up facing the other way, her tail giving another wag as she faces towards father and uncle and submissive Atka. She likes hearing the voices of her family, though she still doesn't really know many of the words - just the tones, the familiar cadences of conversation.
Tariro, of course, says nothing even as his brother gives but a single nod to his presence; returning it. Watching the pup, more so Atka, his eyes close if only for a moment as he shakes his head toward the adolescent. Although he held the highest of ranks bring treated as such was an odd feeling and seeing Atka crawl submissively wasn't any different. "Hello." He does say however, adding a smile to his lips. "Uh.. Its more fitting if you'd sit up Atka.."
"Um..." Shag seems just as distressed about Atka's almost idolization of their positions as his brother does. "You can, you know... not crawl around like that, a good bow is more than enough," he says, wagging his paw at the other wolf. He doesn't even feel like a Beta sometimes, with his odd powers and strange habits. He turns to his daughter and goes over to her, somewhat hesitantly. "The spirits do work strangely. I should know, talking to them. But she and the others are a blessing, no matter what we might lose. Just one gain like this is more than enough for me." He settles down, slightly curled around her, his tail wagging.
Ears fleck forward, then back, then forward again-- Atka is not used to this, but, he nods, and stands up, sheepish in expression of face and tail. "Sorry, sir, I guess I'm used to my old pack still.." He turns to look toward the pup again, and smiles, murmuring, "She's breathtakingly cute." He smiles, tail wagging like mad, as he moves to sit down. "But I still feel bad that we only had one.. The winter.. was really bad. I was kind of hoping to see... More life." He says, softly. He then moves to his feet again, and starts towards Niyt, dipping down as he reaches her, to give her a lick abut the head, before he turns and continues on back to the oasis waters, wading into it. Something about those waters.. just.. draws him in. He wades in to his chest this time... and takes to watching the waters thoughtfully.
As quiet as her family tends to be, it's small wonder those voices are simply sounds to Niyt still, if pleasant ones. Her tail wags as her father comes towards her, padding closer to him as well. When she's close enough, she makes a little jump up towards her father, followed by sitting down abruptly as her hindquarters stop wanting to support her. Her tail thumps against the sand as she sits there, though, muzzle uplifted to smile happily at her father. Her head tilts at Atka's lick, one of her ears twitching as she turns her head for one moment to smile at Atka before her attention returns to Shag, even before the young wolf is gone.
Tariro nods slowly and understands how one can act the way they do he for one doesn't act as he should being leader at times think in git often best to not show rank unless needed. Shrugging to his own thoughts, he looks past Atika for the moment to gaze upon his niece who he's never actually met. Standing up, the alpha slowly moves over to Niyt, dropping down before her even if her attention isn't directed at him.
Shag can't help but smile back. It's his daughter, dang it, and she's as cute as a button! He never believed that he could produce something so darn cute. He bends down and gives her lick over the top of her head, wrapping a large paw around her and tugging her momentarily into a hug in the embrace of his shaggier than normal pelt. "You and me are going to have so much fun together," he decides. He watches Atka enter the water, letting her turn to her uncle. His eyes are distracted. His thoughts elsewhere as the water swims up and over the other wolf's chest. Water broken, images distorted... "Don't drown," he warns, though he doesn't seem to be talking about the water.
"No... No, I won't drown," Atka says, still quite transfixed by the water about him, tilting his head. For a moment-- no, it can't be. For a moment, he thought he saw some flash of a memory he'd thought long past. He shakes his head, snorts, and then splashes about in the water some, trying to banish away these thoughts which sometimes haunt him anyway. He then turns, and starts for the shore, smiling softly. "Congratulations, sir."
Niyt thumps her tail, that motion making her unstable for the moment - but she's okay with it, just leaning in against the warmth and shagginess of her father, her ears splaying happily as he licks over them, her entire posture stating her agreement with him in that moment. Then she turns her attention towards Tariro as he approaches and lowers himself towards her, her ears perking as she tilts her head to the side to consider him. Something about him seems right - family resemblance, maybe, or something about his smell that's familiar to the little pup. She wags her tail softly, taking a wobbly step forward from her father's embrace to nudge her little black nose towards the alpha, her uncle.
Shag stands up as Niyt focuses on her uncle, shaking his head. "Yeah... yeah," he says to Atka, distracted. "Uh... I need to go check something," he whispers, and wags his tail as he watches his brother and daughter interact. "Um... see you all later."
Tariro smiles carelessly toward the pup as she looks at him, then steps toward. She was indeed cute.. more so than his own admittingly. Not even saying a word, letting his expression speak for him, he lays there placing his head on the ground between his fore paws; ear up listen very intently.
Stepping out of the water, Atka shakes the oasis from his pelt, his thoughts trailing off into whimsical manner. He steps onto the shore, laying down, and begins licking water from his long legs thoughtfully, before murmuring, "Sir... Has there been any scent of good prey lately? I might attempt to hunt something for the pack later. You know, pull my weight around, and stuff."
Niyt pads up to Tariro, her ears perked like his in an unconscious echo of his expression. Her tail sways faster, held up straight and proud - the happy pup, that in itself all that needs be thought of for rank, her only challengers the other younglings. She barks once, and leans in, licking with little pink tongue at the tip of her uncle's muzzle.
Tariro chuckles lightly under the mysts of his niece; motioning to lick back but doesn't not wanting to startle the young girl even though the chances of that are likely low. Tail swaying, the alpha soon looks up from Niyt for a moment to address Atka. Being Spring it was likely that prey could be found anywhere, but he could not tell you were this exact moment. Sniffing the air to give a fair response.
"The forest holds a decent selection." he says, "Though I would not suggest hunting there alone." Looking out into the distance he hmms. "I hear rabbit are abundant in this area."
"Rabbit," remarks Atka thoughtfully, nodding. "I'll go find a rabbit then, perhaps that will endear me to others of the pack." he chuckles some, and smiles, standing up, and starting to trot away. "I'll be careful!" he says, as he looks over his shoulder, before disappearing, oddly, into the cactus patch. Well, it also helps clean out shed fur, too!
Niyt wags her tail, her muzzle opened a bit to grin as Tariro licks back at her. Definitely something right about him, something that feels familiar - like her father, but unlike as well. It's not quite the look, or the scent, or any of that, though that's all part of it. He's just family, and belongs here with her, and that makes the little pup happy.
A faint nod given to Atka as he takes his advice to find rabbit, Tariro turns back to Niyt with the same smile he had given her before. It was good to see her happy; it made him happy, glad to be an uncle. Rolling over into a side, he looks up at the pup wondering what to do other than just watch her.
A soft soprano voice drifts on the wind, as, trotting lazily in from the west, eyes closed, following some sent it hasn't known before, with nose high, a young female wolf soon somes into view. "~When you long for the height of the mountains, when you long for the blue, leave your heart where it's deep and it's down again, lose your heart till it's new.~" Head swaying side to side, the diamond-marked face of the she-wolf is given unto a warm smile, as she comes, heading... for the water, of all things. "~Seek your heart on a high blue skyway, keep your heart and it's bound. steep your heart in the deep of the earth again, lose your heart and it's found..~" She pauses as her legs reach water, stops, and looks down. ".. Oh, hello again, mother," she intones, cheerily, at her reflection."
A breeze ruffles through Niyt's fur, and she lifts her muzzle up into it, nose twitching. She's easily distracted, at this age. Perhaps more so than the other pups, even; she seems to find her attention caught by things that aren't obvious. She turns at the sound of a new voice - was it that scent she caught on the wind? Maybe, maybe not. She's not quite facing towards Soto, at any rate, though she starts to pad forward, coming to the barrier one of Tariro's forelegs makes and pausing there a moment before starting to laboriously clamber over it.
A light tune and a cheery demeanour; that sure puts someone into mind. Not giving much thought into what he hears at first, just watches Niyt as she does what she does finding not the slightest odd or concerning or least till he hears the ripples of the oasis behind him. Turning his ears back, he listens only to look down at he feels the sudden attempt of being climbed over. Raising his brows, Tariro slides his limb out of the way carefully not wanting to knock his niece to the ground in the process. On hearing the most peculiar of words, the white wolf turns to look. At first he mistakes the unknown wolfess for one of the packmembers he hadn't met or wasn't to familiar with but then realizes he doesn't remember seeing this one before. Standing up, keeping Niyt close he inquires, "Pardon me.."
Ears perk, and Soto tilts her head. "What's that, mother? We've arrived? Oh, that's good!" She beams! And wags her tail-- only to stop, and turn, looking at Tariro, blue eyes wide in surprise, before she smiles. "Oh, hello! You must be... Uhm... Actually, mother didn't know your name, she just knew you lived here. Oh, sorry, sorry! I'm Soto!" She casts her look over her shoulder-- but her reflection has gone from the water, and she ... sighs wistfully. "Always afraid of meeting new people," she says, sadly, before looking to Tariro with a smile, and a dipping bow.
Niyt finds her obstacle gone, and her uncle rising to his feet beside her. She turns her head to look up at him, and then takes notice of the direction of his gaze, carefully placing her paws, one after the other, and turning herself to look in that direction as well, her small body, in the shadow cast by his. She's not looking quite at Soto, though - well, not at first. She seems to be looking more towards the female wolf's reflection, her ears perked and her muzzle lifted up, as though to catch a scent. Though how she could see a reflection from this distance is a mystery. As Soto starts talking, though, the pup's attention seems to fix on her. Maybe she was just being distractible again.
Tariro looks a bit taken as he listens to the...um.. well he does know what to call it. Looking at the female wolf his head tilts to say the least confused. "She uh.. I'm sorry, I don't understand, knew I lived here?" Ok whats going on where, whos this mother... Tariro has seen and heard some strange stuff in his lifetime but this he just doesn't get.. yet. Taking a few steps toward Soto he tries not to make it seems like he thinks this other is mad. "Tariro. Who were you talking to?"
Soto sits, and smiles, tail wagging behind her. "Oh, I was talking to my mother. She's a spirit, you see. I've been following her for some time now, because she said she would lead me to a place where I might be welcome into a pack. My old pack sent me away because I can speak to, and even see, spirits, and that made the new leaders uncomfortable. They thought it was bad luck." She shakes her head some, then says, "Really, I do not think it is bad luck. All the world around us tells of spirits. How else are stories born?" She smiles. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Tariro."
Niyt watches Soto for a few moments, and then looks back at Tariro, but her attention soon wanders. Talking is boring for a little pup that doesn't understand it. There's a little plant nearby, swaying in the wind, and that's what seems to draw her now. She pads off from her uncle's side - not too far, still in easy reach with a couple loping steps for the adult wolf - and starts to investigate the stubborn bit of greenery here in the desert.
Tariro's mind was never set in stone; focusing on place to place even though his attention was left on a sole presence in the area. As Soto continue on and answers his question he begins to understand. "Seems many of wolf these days can commune with the spirits." Had his brother and own daughter not be one of them this wolf may be a hard one to believe it. "Why would your mother lead you here?" Not that he wonders, just curious. As he waits for that to be answered, he turns to keep eye on Niyt who trails off just a tad.
"She said that the time would come when I am needed. And that you would appreciate my skills. At least, she did say I would be more welcome here." Soto says, with a smile, before she lifts her head, letting her nose hit the light whirling breeze, before she smiles. "So I suppose maybe I should ask if you need more wolves for your pack, hmm?" She smiles, warmly. "I'm willing to help with anything-- Oo, though I love puppies! I could tell them stories.."
The little plant sways as Niyt noses at it, sliding along the side of her muzzle. She tugs at one of the leaves, and it tears in her muzzle, releasing a herbal scent. It doesn't taste very good, and she opens her mouth, shaking it to let the leaf flutter down to the ground, and curling her tongue as she tries to get the taste of that herb shaken out as well!
(OOC: Players had to go, at this point, so it ends a bit abruptly.)