Post by Althaea on May 28, 2012 15:54:26 GMT -5
Two-River Fork
Ahiga m. Wolf (Ute)
Althaea f. Adol. Wolf (Ute)
Aolani f. Swan
Coinin m. Wolf (Cerulean Beta)
Tariro m. Wolf (Cerulean Alpha)
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Now there's something he doesn't see every day. Ahiga's eyes have lowered from the moon, his thoughtful expression still there. But there's something in the water that causes his ears to prick forward. A swimming bird... Now he's seen birds that fly. All kinds. Hawks, owls, ravens, and everything inbetween. But this elegant looking thing is like nothing he's seen before. Apparently, swans aren't customary in Ute! He blinks with apparent interest, his head tilting a little. What a curious sight! Definitely worth investation, though he's not about to go swimming out after it. He waits to see if it comes nearer to where he is, but his attention is instead caught by something else. The roaming beta's arrival is noted not very long after he enters the area, and he rises to his paws as his nostrils flare. Smells like the beta, if his nose is right. He lowers his head a bit, tail slightly shifting from side to side behind him. "Coinin?"
Coinin isn't really paying all that much attention to the bird. He doesn't really pay all that much attention to birds in general, though he has learned to pay attention to Dawn. The swan certainly isn't a threat. He makes a quick assessment of the area and there isn't much going on, except a voice he sort of recognizes. It has been a really long time since seeing Ahiga and the rest of the Ute, but at the very least he will get a few answers most likely, "Ahiga?" he asks. He is just about able to make him out in the darkness, he most certainly can smell him.
Aolani notices the wolf who watches her as she glides down the river, and looks back at him, locking eyes with the predator till he seems to be distracted by something else, and calls out a name. Another wolf was approaching? She stretches her wings a bit, just in case she has to make a quick getaway, she was willing to risk flying at night if it came to that. Though the wolves must not be hungry, as they seem more interested in each other, than in her, so she relaxes for now, folding her wings again now that she's given her flight muscles a good stretch.
Althaea's silence is well placed outside home, hidden away in the underbrush of the forest until now, where she break from the shadows stepping up to the river behind Ahiga pausing at the sight of the swan before actually dipping her head to the waters. A few laps to his surface is interupted by the calling of a name she's heard many times but never had a face to place upon it. Lifting her head from the river, she glances to her fellow Ute before turning out when Coinin's voice echos out through the shadows.
Ah, it is him. Ahiga exhales a light breath, glad to have run across the one he's been told is the one he should speak to. Oddly enough. Golden eyes shift to Althaea, meeting her gaze with a nod. "That's Cerulean's beta, Coinin." A fact that she may already know, but a refresher never hurts. "He's the one we need to talk to. He's a pretty cool guy," last he remembers anyway, "but...from what Niyt's said, Cerulean's got stuff they've got to deal with too. He might not want us here." He speaks lowly, gently, and his eyes roam back to the other wolf now. "C'mon, let's say hello." He moves forward now, keeping his stance neutral. Friendly. "Yeah, it's Ahiga. Althaea too. She's one've Skahla's pups," he says as he gets nearer to him. He offers a light grin in greeting. "Hey. Good to see ya again."
The forest had become quiet familiar again over the past moons, even the fork that had been said to shelter those of Cerulean. Treading through the brush and around the trees, the packs own white wolf stops upon a rise just shy of the river, scanning the area for any life. A few voices becoming known, he howls, his song a friendly one but also one of announcement. Stepping from the rise, Tariro proceeds to the river on the side which his beta resides.
Coinin does want to see the Ute at the present moment in time. They are the only ones who can really elaborate on what the raven had very briefly told him. At least this moment is finally here. It seems that the Ute also brought a new face. He had heard Skahla's name mentioned before, but of course never had gotten the chance to meet him. This must be one of the pups born last spring, at least thats his guess. He had meant to try to visit Ute to congratulate the alpha when he had heard about the birth, but never seemed to have a free moment, "Its good to see you too. I've heard that something happened..." Its at that moment that he hears a voice. A voice that he knows well. Good. It appears that Tariro has finally made his way back home, "You came back." he says as he turns to face his friend. This night apparently will provide a great many things that he has waited for.
Aolani gets out of the river after on the opposite side from Althaea and Tariro after swimming a bit further down, taking a break from the swimming, she spreads her wings and begins to preen her many, many feathers while listening curiously to the wolves.
Ears back for only moments as she turns back to Ahiga, Althaea nods in return to the refresher. She's never seen a beta before and really wasn't sure what one was- turning to the older wolf whom her companion speaks. Moving away from the river in follow, she begins to question why they'd need to speak to the beta.. what happened to their alpha? Keeping mute she tries her best not to come off as something she's not in her approach, nodding some to Coinin when she's introduced. Her advance cut short due to a sudden howl, the young wolf peers around her gaze falling upon a large white wolf. A curious look in her eyes, she peers at Ahiga once more before turning back to the two wolves ahead.
"Yes," Ahiga answers to Coining, "that's what we've..." The howl causes him to pause, head lifting up more than he intended, though it seems to be more of surprise than anything else. He turns his ears before his head does the same thing, eyeing the new white wolf to arrive. Tariro is not as familiar to him as Coinin is. Hardly. Though there is a flicker of recognition in his gaze as he watches the other. He's seen him before... He leans towards Althaea after a moment, head returning to a normal level. "Another Cerulean. Alpha." Or at least, he's pretty sure! Ahem. His gaze shifts from alpha to beta, the elegant bird nearly forgotten by now. He doesn't mean to be rude! But when in the presence of the leaders of a ally pack, one needs to pay attention. In greeting to Tariro, he nods his head, though a curious glance is given to Coinin in response to his choice of words. He came back? Was their alpha gone much like Ute's?
Tariro's arrival is met with concern- half concealed with a weak smile. Gaze turning to Coinin, the first to address him, he nods. The wolf wouldn't classify his appearance and act of coming back; it was more like an act of interest in the rumors that have spreadk across the wooded plain. "For a short time." His words a spoken true, planning to return to the brook for various reasons. Next, his gaze falls to the two Ute; one he had a recolection of remembering, the younger was a new face all around. "You've come during hard times, but I welcome you." His tone soft. "Please continue what you were going to say." With this he takes a seat. "I wish to speak with you later, Coinin, if you the time." he whispers to his pack-mate.
Coinin certainly has pleanty of time these days to make for conversations. He gives a nod to Tariro with a smile. He had hoped that he planned to stay, but at the very least he knew how to find this place. That was a good sign. Perhaps a bit of his memory is returning. That would be a welcome bit of news, "Of course." he says in response to Tar's request before turning his attention back to Ahiga and Althaea. He is most curious to hear about what is going on. It would make them able to plan better what they were going to do going forward.
Althaea's confusion over where their alpha was soon answered by Ahiga's sudden lean in. His words meet with a small 'oh', side-glancing to him for seconds, quickly turning back to the Cerulean leaders. Placing herself along side her fellow Ute, she is quiet letting Ahiga doing the talking since he knew more about what was going on than she did.
It seems as if curious things are happening all around. What was it that Niyt said? Something about clouds over sunshine? Ahiga does not interrupt Tarior and Coinin's short exchange, and when the alpha speaks to him, he nods in acknowledgement, a grateful expression on his face. One can never hear too many kind words after such an ordeal that has befallen the Ute. At the encouragement to go on, he nods and continues. "Again, I apologize...we apologize for coming on your lands unannounced...an' at a time where you might not want visitors," he says, looking genuinely sorry, though whether its for the intrusion or sadness that their friends cannot find peace either is hard to tell. "My pack needs help. Our lands have been taken over by dogs." A scowl. "These dogs ain't like dogs I've seen before. There were so many've them. They came from everywhere. We had to run, an' now we've no place to go. We were worried that they found you too. We remembered seein' a dog here in the fall when we last visited, so we came to warn ya and..to ask for help."
Her attention is drawn as Aolani hears mention of dogs. She had never heard of such creatures, and if it was something that was taking territory from wolves, making them talk about needing help from one another, well, color her curious. She spreads her wings and flutters over to the other side of the river, and slowly makes her way closer to the wolves so that she can hear what they are talking about a little better.
Pleased to be granted an audiance with his beta, Tariro gives his attention to the two younger wolves who have traveled far just to seem them. News of Ute's ordeal was brief and lacking though through patience, all things are revealed. Listening in he nods every so often to show that he hears them and hmms. The white wolf was never to strict over his borders as an all to common smile reaches over his muzzle showing he's not to overly concerned with Ute's unannounced arrival. ears dropping to the rather unsettling news, he says. "I am sorry to hear such tragedy has become of you and your pack." From what he can remember, the Ute seemed quite capable of handling themselves; to be overcome by dogs just didn't seem possible. "Jatya is of no threat to anyone.." a name he just so happens to remember. "She is a friend of my nephews." Though he does not over look the possibility of her being a friendly spy. "However, I do appreciate the Ute's concern for an ally. What help would your require of us?" Though the Cerulean were dealing with troubles of their own, they weren't near as dire as what appear to be Ute's.
( Tariro is always more than welcome to talk to Coinin whenever he would like. He is a friend after all. He too listens to the story that Ahiga tells. It does seem just about as bad as he thought. He would never have guessed dogs. He would have guessed a problem with other wolves since that would seem far more likely and logical. He also has his own reason for believing it was wolves that he has shared with no one except for one other, and so he finds himself almost relieved when he hears that it was dogs. Still dogs could be a major problem. He glances over to Tariro when he talks about Jatya. Good his memory appears to be returning, "I trust that everyone is ok?" he asks. Dovetailing on Tar's questions about what sort of help they want. )
Althaea had seen first hand the number of dogs that took to their lands- a fear struck pup hidden away in the shadows of a den just feet from the blood shed. She could only watch as her home was taken from them. It was a the swamp where she learned of the damage, the pain and suffering that became of the survivors.. Of how useless she was. Its why she's here.. to make up for all that. She wanted to finally be useful, yet here she was standing there before allies with nothing but silence to voice her words. Dropping to her haunches beside her packmate, she does nothing but listen, taking in what there is to learn.
Tell him about it. To be overcome by dogs is likely one of the last things Ahiga would've thought to happen to his pack, yet here they are, displaced from the only home he's ever known. Each retelling of the story is like reopening a wound, and even now he finds himself grimacing as the facts replay in his mind. Althaea's presence helps, knowing that despite the badness, they have survived and they still have each other. .. To a degree. Jatya's name causes an involuntary sneer, which he's quick to wipe from his face as he returns his eyes to Tariro. But it's Coinin's question that he answers first. "No. Our Alpha's mate is lost, an' he is weak. Part of our pack is scattered and we haven't heard from them since we ran. We've been stayin' in the cave behind a waterfall. One've our females is very hurt an'..." a pause. "..She's just had pups. The help we're askin' for is your permission to stay on your lands. At least 'til we get ou strength an' figure out what to do. We don' mean to be an extra burden to you. We'll handle ourselves."
Aolani wonders if the wolves have noticed her growing closer to their little gathering. She is still keeping her distance a bit, but she's strayed close enough to easily hear them, and as she listens to the conversation further, she risks drawing their attention to sate her curiosity. "What are dogs?" She asks simply, starting to wonder if she had maybe seen them but didn't know what they were. She has been staying closer to her home lately though rather than flying all over.
Tariro sits there bemused, his thoughts wandering a bit before head shaking to clear his mind. Focusing on the younger wolves now, gaze passing along the youngest who he felt sorry for. He knew what it was like to lose a loved one.. a parent. Whatever feelings she may have were no stranger to him. "I'm sorry. Its hard losing a loved one." "He says turning to Ahiga. "I hope that fortune finally favors you with her safe return." Side-glancing to the swan who had nt sliped his sight, a brow is risen but his attention remains on his wolfen guests. The story thickens with the mention of one of their own having just had pups.. Driven from their home.. no stable home and now pups. THe Ute have truely fallin onto hard times. Turning to Coinin for a moment as to suggest something but no words escape him till he turns back to Ahiga. "You and your pack are of no burden. Its in a time of need that allies are called upon. You were right to seek us out." The mention of the falls brings the old wolf some pausing, looking south tto the distant haze that shrouds the area. Did he ever claim the waterfall are part of Cerulean, he could not remember. "The Ute are welcome amongst the Cerulean. If your arrival at the falls has provided you with comfort and/or safty from hard times I would see to it that it continues to do so." For now he sees no reason to reject the Ute's presence, that is until their troubles should soon make follow.
Coinin didn't think that Tariro would ever kick the Ute out, but it does add a wrinkle to everything that is already going on here. If these dogs are out there somewhere pack is going to have to adjust how they go about doing things. They will have to do their best not to be noticed, which might be an excellent reason to head south as he and Tariro had already discussed. The Ute could even come with them if that was something that they wanted to do. That conversation is for a later time, however, and isn't something he would discuss with the Ute before he has had a chance to talk to Tar about what he wants to do. He glances over to the swan as she speaks. He had noticed her earlier in the day but hadn't really said much, "They are like us...but different." he says. Thats about the only way he knows how to put it. He sees the look that Tar gives him and returns it with a nod, "We will have to see if we can find everyone and do what we can to not wander off too far..." he says before turning back to Ahiga, "Do you know how many of them there are?"
There was a statement Althaea looked saddened to and her ears drooped. Knowing her father was atleast alive was a mood lifter, but the fact her mother was missing was a wound to the heart- a scar that would never heal. Her thoughts bent around her mother during the moments of Tariro's bout of kind words she looks up from her difting gaze upon the ground to the wolf who shares her pain. She hoped that one day those scattered by the raid would soon return home to them and if not, that their names before remembered. With their chances now at having at least a safe place to settle at hand, the young shewolf finds herself relieved and if anything glad. For one so young, she's moved far more than she hoped to. Letting her sadness fade, she continues to listen, looking to each wolf as they spoken, even the swan whose presence returns to her. "Dogs are cruel, caring for nothing but themselves." She bouts suddenly, going off her own observations. Course there are those select few who are different but she's yet to encounter any of those kind. Turning from the swan when it seems her question provided her with what she sought, she hopes her outburst wasn't a rude one.
Ahiga turns an ear upon hearing a new voice. The bird! He blinks his surprise upon seeing the swan nearer to them than she had been before. There's no urge to chase her, or even growl. This being is not a threat and, unlike the dog beasts, she seems a natural part of their world. Her question is a heavy one though. "Respectfully," he says, with a nod to Coinin, "I've gotta disgree with ya. Dogs aren't like us at all. Dogs come from a thing called Man. I don' know what Man is, but I've heard that it's no friend to any wolf, or cougar, or anything that lives with us." He turns to the swan. "The dogs that took my home? They ain't got a soul. No spirit. They came to kill with no reason. They tortured my friend. Did things to her I can' even say. An' for what? For the fun've it?" He scowls, head shaking. Althaea's interjection earns a nod from him, agreeing. But though his hatred for dogs remains unchanged, as heated as it will ever be, he does find solace in the fact that the Cerulean leaders are granting them permission to stay. "Thank you for.. your generosity. I don't remember how many there were. More than there were of us. Ten...maybe more. We haven't scented any other dog besides...yours around. They haven't followed us."
Coinin didn't mean that dogs were exactly the same as wolves, although there were some similarities. He hadn't been overly fond of Jatya being around the pack. Though his view has softened a bit with time. Unless she is a very good actress she is harmless. She is the only dog that he has really met in his travels and since he arrived here and would be very content to keep it that way. He sighs as he hears more about what has happened, he will certainly have to make sure that nothing like that happens to any of his pack. Then the thought of Molasses out there somewhere pops into his head. He has no idea where she has gone and hopes that she hasn't run into these dogs. Despite the fact that he only really got to know her for a short while he did grow to really care about her and now wants to find her all the more. Its not that he doesn't really believe Ahiga that they haven't followed them here, its more of a sense of nervous energy that he has that causes him to decide that the area needs another once mover before he sleeps, "Tariro is right. You guys will be safe here. I'm going to go do another patrol now. Tar I hope to touch base with you soon." With that he heads off into the dark. Ten dogs? He doesn't even know if they have even two or three wolves capable of fighting right now. These dogs can't be contained by Cerulean alone that is for sure.
Tariro is quiet as each give their respective responses to the swan on what a dog is. To him, a dog was nothing but a misunderstood creature that sought respect through means of violence. He does not voice his opinion however, finding it irrelevant to the cause. After what happened, the Ute have every right to think poorly of them. He certainly would had it been him in their position. So instead, he focuses his energy on Ahuga thanks. "No need to thank, it is simply the right thing to do." As for whether dogs have followed.. it was something to think about, something that worried him to an extent. Turning to Coinin when he speaks he nods. "You know where to find me." He states. If he was not seen here it was at the brook with his daughter. Looking to Ahiga next he says. "I hope we've provided you with what you seek. If there is anything else we can do.." he ends there pushing himself to a stand.
Althaea is once against quiet, that is until go quiet and seem to be coming to an end. She was grateful to be allowed to remain where her pack had settled for the time being. It gave time to grow and learn. Watching Coinin take his leave, she peers to Tariro with a subtle nod. "Thank you." He didn't seem like one for thanks but he deserved one regardless. It is Ahiga next who she turns to, a light nosing to his shoulder. Was this all that they were here for.. where they to return to the falls now? These were all questions she was she she'd find the answer to in short time. Standing with the alpha does, she gives respect, a simple bow of the head.
Ahiga nods in reply to Coinin. He doesn't blame him. He'd be patroling too ... if he had lands to patrol. Especially after receiving such news as a takeover. To Tariro he offers a gentle, yet grateful smile, nodding to him in thanks, though refraining from saying thank you again. Mission, accomplished. The touch from Althaea is answered with a nod and return nosing from him, tail slightly waving. "Time to go..." he pauses. He almost said home. The gentle movement of his tail falters, and the look of vague accomplishment fades from his face. But he doesn't correct himself. Doesn't add on any other word or backtrack and try a different phrase. Time to go. That says enough. An edge of his muzzle slightly curves as he bumps his head lightly against her shoulder. "Take care, Tariro. We'll see you. While we are here, the Ute will watch your borders as well," is said in departure before he heads off back to where the remnants of his pack lay in wait.
Tariro has taken a few steps toward the river since his last words, looking up from its silver lining to the wolf. "You do the same." He say nothing of the extra patroling from the Ute, it was expected after he just let them stay. Watching the two make depature back toward the falls, he waits till they are no longer seem before continuing her steps toward the shore. Things were going to start getting interesting.
Althaea smiles at up Ahiga and his returned bump, nodding to his gesture of returning to the pack. It 'was' time to go and she really looked forward to seeing her father again.. her brother too- Everyone. "I'm ready." Tail wagging some in excitment. Shaking out her coat, a look of farewell is given to Tariro before turning to follow after her packmate. To be left behind now... no way.
Ahiga m. Wolf (Ute)
Althaea f. Adol. Wolf (Ute)
Aolani f. Swan
Coinin m. Wolf (Cerulean Beta)
Tariro m. Wolf (Cerulean Alpha)
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Now there's something he doesn't see every day. Ahiga's eyes have lowered from the moon, his thoughtful expression still there. But there's something in the water that causes his ears to prick forward. A swimming bird... Now he's seen birds that fly. All kinds. Hawks, owls, ravens, and everything inbetween. But this elegant looking thing is like nothing he's seen before. Apparently, swans aren't customary in Ute! He blinks with apparent interest, his head tilting a little. What a curious sight! Definitely worth investation, though he's not about to go swimming out after it. He waits to see if it comes nearer to where he is, but his attention is instead caught by something else. The roaming beta's arrival is noted not very long after he enters the area, and he rises to his paws as his nostrils flare. Smells like the beta, if his nose is right. He lowers his head a bit, tail slightly shifting from side to side behind him. "Coinin?"
Coinin isn't really paying all that much attention to the bird. He doesn't really pay all that much attention to birds in general, though he has learned to pay attention to Dawn. The swan certainly isn't a threat. He makes a quick assessment of the area and there isn't much going on, except a voice he sort of recognizes. It has been a really long time since seeing Ahiga and the rest of the Ute, but at the very least he will get a few answers most likely, "Ahiga?" he asks. He is just about able to make him out in the darkness, he most certainly can smell him.
Aolani notices the wolf who watches her as she glides down the river, and looks back at him, locking eyes with the predator till he seems to be distracted by something else, and calls out a name. Another wolf was approaching? She stretches her wings a bit, just in case she has to make a quick getaway, she was willing to risk flying at night if it came to that. Though the wolves must not be hungry, as they seem more interested in each other, than in her, so she relaxes for now, folding her wings again now that she's given her flight muscles a good stretch.
Althaea's silence is well placed outside home, hidden away in the underbrush of the forest until now, where she break from the shadows stepping up to the river behind Ahiga pausing at the sight of the swan before actually dipping her head to the waters. A few laps to his surface is interupted by the calling of a name she's heard many times but never had a face to place upon it. Lifting her head from the river, she glances to her fellow Ute before turning out when Coinin's voice echos out through the shadows.
Ah, it is him. Ahiga exhales a light breath, glad to have run across the one he's been told is the one he should speak to. Oddly enough. Golden eyes shift to Althaea, meeting her gaze with a nod. "That's Cerulean's beta, Coinin." A fact that she may already know, but a refresher never hurts. "He's the one we need to talk to. He's a pretty cool guy," last he remembers anyway, "but...from what Niyt's said, Cerulean's got stuff they've got to deal with too. He might not want us here." He speaks lowly, gently, and his eyes roam back to the other wolf now. "C'mon, let's say hello." He moves forward now, keeping his stance neutral. Friendly. "Yeah, it's Ahiga. Althaea too. She's one've Skahla's pups," he says as he gets nearer to him. He offers a light grin in greeting. "Hey. Good to see ya again."
The forest had become quiet familiar again over the past moons, even the fork that had been said to shelter those of Cerulean. Treading through the brush and around the trees, the packs own white wolf stops upon a rise just shy of the river, scanning the area for any life. A few voices becoming known, he howls, his song a friendly one but also one of announcement. Stepping from the rise, Tariro proceeds to the river on the side which his beta resides.
Coinin does want to see the Ute at the present moment in time. They are the only ones who can really elaborate on what the raven had very briefly told him. At least this moment is finally here. It seems that the Ute also brought a new face. He had heard Skahla's name mentioned before, but of course never had gotten the chance to meet him. This must be one of the pups born last spring, at least thats his guess. He had meant to try to visit Ute to congratulate the alpha when he had heard about the birth, but never seemed to have a free moment, "Its good to see you too. I've heard that something happened..." Its at that moment that he hears a voice. A voice that he knows well. Good. It appears that Tariro has finally made his way back home, "You came back." he says as he turns to face his friend. This night apparently will provide a great many things that he has waited for.
Aolani gets out of the river after on the opposite side from Althaea and Tariro after swimming a bit further down, taking a break from the swimming, she spreads her wings and begins to preen her many, many feathers while listening curiously to the wolves.
Ears back for only moments as she turns back to Ahiga, Althaea nods in return to the refresher. She's never seen a beta before and really wasn't sure what one was- turning to the older wolf whom her companion speaks. Moving away from the river in follow, she begins to question why they'd need to speak to the beta.. what happened to their alpha? Keeping mute she tries her best not to come off as something she's not in her approach, nodding some to Coinin when she's introduced. Her advance cut short due to a sudden howl, the young wolf peers around her gaze falling upon a large white wolf. A curious look in her eyes, she peers at Ahiga once more before turning back to the two wolves ahead.
"Yes," Ahiga answers to Coining, "that's what we've..." The howl causes him to pause, head lifting up more than he intended, though it seems to be more of surprise than anything else. He turns his ears before his head does the same thing, eyeing the new white wolf to arrive. Tariro is not as familiar to him as Coinin is. Hardly. Though there is a flicker of recognition in his gaze as he watches the other. He's seen him before... He leans towards Althaea after a moment, head returning to a normal level. "Another Cerulean. Alpha." Or at least, he's pretty sure! Ahem. His gaze shifts from alpha to beta, the elegant bird nearly forgotten by now. He doesn't mean to be rude! But when in the presence of the leaders of a ally pack, one needs to pay attention. In greeting to Tariro, he nods his head, though a curious glance is given to Coinin in response to his choice of words. He came back? Was their alpha gone much like Ute's?
Tariro's arrival is met with concern- half concealed with a weak smile. Gaze turning to Coinin, the first to address him, he nods. The wolf wouldn't classify his appearance and act of coming back; it was more like an act of interest in the rumors that have spreadk across the wooded plain. "For a short time." His words a spoken true, planning to return to the brook for various reasons. Next, his gaze falls to the two Ute; one he had a recolection of remembering, the younger was a new face all around. "You've come during hard times, but I welcome you." His tone soft. "Please continue what you were going to say." With this he takes a seat. "I wish to speak with you later, Coinin, if you the time." he whispers to his pack-mate.
Coinin certainly has pleanty of time these days to make for conversations. He gives a nod to Tariro with a smile. He had hoped that he planned to stay, but at the very least he knew how to find this place. That was a good sign. Perhaps a bit of his memory is returning. That would be a welcome bit of news, "Of course." he says in response to Tar's request before turning his attention back to Ahiga and Althaea. He is most curious to hear about what is going on. It would make them able to plan better what they were going to do going forward.
Althaea's confusion over where their alpha was soon answered by Ahiga's sudden lean in. His words meet with a small 'oh', side-glancing to him for seconds, quickly turning back to the Cerulean leaders. Placing herself along side her fellow Ute, she is quiet letting Ahiga doing the talking since he knew more about what was going on than she did.
It seems as if curious things are happening all around. What was it that Niyt said? Something about clouds over sunshine? Ahiga does not interrupt Tarior and Coinin's short exchange, and when the alpha speaks to him, he nods in acknowledgement, a grateful expression on his face. One can never hear too many kind words after such an ordeal that has befallen the Ute. At the encouragement to go on, he nods and continues. "Again, I apologize...we apologize for coming on your lands unannounced...an' at a time where you might not want visitors," he says, looking genuinely sorry, though whether its for the intrusion or sadness that their friends cannot find peace either is hard to tell. "My pack needs help. Our lands have been taken over by dogs." A scowl. "These dogs ain't like dogs I've seen before. There were so many've them. They came from everywhere. We had to run, an' now we've no place to go. We were worried that they found you too. We remembered seein' a dog here in the fall when we last visited, so we came to warn ya and..to ask for help."
Her attention is drawn as Aolani hears mention of dogs. She had never heard of such creatures, and if it was something that was taking territory from wolves, making them talk about needing help from one another, well, color her curious. She spreads her wings and flutters over to the other side of the river, and slowly makes her way closer to the wolves so that she can hear what they are talking about a little better.
Pleased to be granted an audiance with his beta, Tariro gives his attention to the two younger wolves who have traveled far just to seem them. News of Ute's ordeal was brief and lacking though through patience, all things are revealed. Listening in he nods every so often to show that he hears them and hmms. The white wolf was never to strict over his borders as an all to common smile reaches over his muzzle showing he's not to overly concerned with Ute's unannounced arrival. ears dropping to the rather unsettling news, he says. "I am sorry to hear such tragedy has become of you and your pack." From what he can remember, the Ute seemed quite capable of handling themselves; to be overcome by dogs just didn't seem possible. "Jatya is of no threat to anyone.." a name he just so happens to remember. "She is a friend of my nephews." Though he does not over look the possibility of her being a friendly spy. "However, I do appreciate the Ute's concern for an ally. What help would your require of us?" Though the Cerulean were dealing with troubles of their own, they weren't near as dire as what appear to be Ute's.
( Tariro is always more than welcome to talk to Coinin whenever he would like. He is a friend after all. He too listens to the story that Ahiga tells. It does seem just about as bad as he thought. He would never have guessed dogs. He would have guessed a problem with other wolves since that would seem far more likely and logical. He also has his own reason for believing it was wolves that he has shared with no one except for one other, and so he finds himself almost relieved when he hears that it was dogs. Still dogs could be a major problem. He glances over to Tariro when he talks about Jatya. Good his memory appears to be returning, "I trust that everyone is ok?" he asks. Dovetailing on Tar's questions about what sort of help they want. )
Althaea had seen first hand the number of dogs that took to their lands- a fear struck pup hidden away in the shadows of a den just feet from the blood shed. She could only watch as her home was taken from them. It was a the swamp where she learned of the damage, the pain and suffering that became of the survivors.. Of how useless she was. Its why she's here.. to make up for all that. She wanted to finally be useful, yet here she was standing there before allies with nothing but silence to voice her words. Dropping to her haunches beside her packmate, she does nothing but listen, taking in what there is to learn.
Tell him about it. To be overcome by dogs is likely one of the last things Ahiga would've thought to happen to his pack, yet here they are, displaced from the only home he's ever known. Each retelling of the story is like reopening a wound, and even now he finds himself grimacing as the facts replay in his mind. Althaea's presence helps, knowing that despite the badness, they have survived and they still have each other. .. To a degree. Jatya's name causes an involuntary sneer, which he's quick to wipe from his face as he returns his eyes to Tariro. But it's Coinin's question that he answers first. "No. Our Alpha's mate is lost, an' he is weak. Part of our pack is scattered and we haven't heard from them since we ran. We've been stayin' in the cave behind a waterfall. One've our females is very hurt an'..." a pause. "..She's just had pups. The help we're askin' for is your permission to stay on your lands. At least 'til we get ou strength an' figure out what to do. We don' mean to be an extra burden to you. We'll handle ourselves."
Aolani wonders if the wolves have noticed her growing closer to their little gathering. She is still keeping her distance a bit, but she's strayed close enough to easily hear them, and as she listens to the conversation further, she risks drawing their attention to sate her curiosity. "What are dogs?" She asks simply, starting to wonder if she had maybe seen them but didn't know what they were. She has been staying closer to her home lately though rather than flying all over.
Tariro sits there bemused, his thoughts wandering a bit before head shaking to clear his mind. Focusing on the younger wolves now, gaze passing along the youngest who he felt sorry for. He knew what it was like to lose a loved one.. a parent. Whatever feelings she may have were no stranger to him. "I'm sorry. Its hard losing a loved one." "He says turning to Ahiga. "I hope that fortune finally favors you with her safe return." Side-glancing to the swan who had nt sliped his sight, a brow is risen but his attention remains on his wolfen guests. The story thickens with the mention of one of their own having just had pups.. Driven from their home.. no stable home and now pups. THe Ute have truely fallin onto hard times. Turning to Coinin for a moment as to suggest something but no words escape him till he turns back to Ahiga. "You and your pack are of no burden. Its in a time of need that allies are called upon. You were right to seek us out." The mention of the falls brings the old wolf some pausing, looking south tto the distant haze that shrouds the area. Did he ever claim the waterfall are part of Cerulean, he could not remember. "The Ute are welcome amongst the Cerulean. If your arrival at the falls has provided you with comfort and/or safty from hard times I would see to it that it continues to do so." For now he sees no reason to reject the Ute's presence, that is until their troubles should soon make follow.
Coinin didn't think that Tariro would ever kick the Ute out, but it does add a wrinkle to everything that is already going on here. If these dogs are out there somewhere pack is going to have to adjust how they go about doing things. They will have to do their best not to be noticed, which might be an excellent reason to head south as he and Tariro had already discussed. The Ute could even come with them if that was something that they wanted to do. That conversation is for a later time, however, and isn't something he would discuss with the Ute before he has had a chance to talk to Tar about what he wants to do. He glances over to the swan as she speaks. He had noticed her earlier in the day but hadn't really said much, "They are like us...but different." he says. Thats about the only way he knows how to put it. He sees the look that Tar gives him and returns it with a nod, "We will have to see if we can find everyone and do what we can to not wander off too far..." he says before turning back to Ahiga, "Do you know how many of them there are?"
There was a statement Althaea looked saddened to and her ears drooped. Knowing her father was atleast alive was a mood lifter, but the fact her mother was missing was a wound to the heart- a scar that would never heal. Her thoughts bent around her mother during the moments of Tariro's bout of kind words she looks up from her difting gaze upon the ground to the wolf who shares her pain. She hoped that one day those scattered by the raid would soon return home to them and if not, that their names before remembered. With their chances now at having at least a safe place to settle at hand, the young shewolf finds herself relieved and if anything glad. For one so young, she's moved far more than she hoped to. Letting her sadness fade, she continues to listen, looking to each wolf as they spoken, even the swan whose presence returns to her. "Dogs are cruel, caring for nothing but themselves." She bouts suddenly, going off her own observations. Course there are those select few who are different but she's yet to encounter any of those kind. Turning from the swan when it seems her question provided her with what she sought, she hopes her outburst wasn't a rude one.
Ahiga turns an ear upon hearing a new voice. The bird! He blinks his surprise upon seeing the swan nearer to them than she had been before. There's no urge to chase her, or even growl. This being is not a threat and, unlike the dog beasts, she seems a natural part of their world. Her question is a heavy one though. "Respectfully," he says, with a nod to Coinin, "I've gotta disgree with ya. Dogs aren't like us at all. Dogs come from a thing called Man. I don' know what Man is, but I've heard that it's no friend to any wolf, or cougar, or anything that lives with us." He turns to the swan. "The dogs that took my home? They ain't got a soul. No spirit. They came to kill with no reason. They tortured my friend. Did things to her I can' even say. An' for what? For the fun've it?" He scowls, head shaking. Althaea's interjection earns a nod from him, agreeing. But though his hatred for dogs remains unchanged, as heated as it will ever be, he does find solace in the fact that the Cerulean leaders are granting them permission to stay. "Thank you for.. your generosity. I don't remember how many there were. More than there were of us. Ten...maybe more. We haven't scented any other dog besides...yours around. They haven't followed us."
Coinin didn't mean that dogs were exactly the same as wolves, although there were some similarities. He hadn't been overly fond of Jatya being around the pack. Though his view has softened a bit with time. Unless she is a very good actress she is harmless. She is the only dog that he has really met in his travels and since he arrived here and would be very content to keep it that way. He sighs as he hears more about what has happened, he will certainly have to make sure that nothing like that happens to any of his pack. Then the thought of Molasses out there somewhere pops into his head. He has no idea where she has gone and hopes that she hasn't run into these dogs. Despite the fact that he only really got to know her for a short while he did grow to really care about her and now wants to find her all the more. Its not that he doesn't really believe Ahiga that they haven't followed them here, its more of a sense of nervous energy that he has that causes him to decide that the area needs another once mover before he sleeps, "Tariro is right. You guys will be safe here. I'm going to go do another patrol now. Tar I hope to touch base with you soon." With that he heads off into the dark. Ten dogs? He doesn't even know if they have even two or three wolves capable of fighting right now. These dogs can't be contained by Cerulean alone that is for sure.
Tariro is quiet as each give their respective responses to the swan on what a dog is. To him, a dog was nothing but a misunderstood creature that sought respect through means of violence. He does not voice his opinion however, finding it irrelevant to the cause. After what happened, the Ute have every right to think poorly of them. He certainly would had it been him in their position. So instead, he focuses his energy on Ahuga thanks. "No need to thank, it is simply the right thing to do." As for whether dogs have followed.. it was something to think about, something that worried him to an extent. Turning to Coinin when he speaks he nods. "You know where to find me." He states. If he was not seen here it was at the brook with his daughter. Looking to Ahiga next he says. "I hope we've provided you with what you seek. If there is anything else we can do.." he ends there pushing himself to a stand.
Althaea is once against quiet, that is until go quiet and seem to be coming to an end. She was grateful to be allowed to remain where her pack had settled for the time being. It gave time to grow and learn. Watching Coinin take his leave, she peers to Tariro with a subtle nod. "Thank you." He didn't seem like one for thanks but he deserved one regardless. It is Ahiga next who she turns to, a light nosing to his shoulder. Was this all that they were here for.. where they to return to the falls now? These were all questions she was she she'd find the answer to in short time. Standing with the alpha does, she gives respect, a simple bow of the head.
Ahiga nods in reply to Coinin. He doesn't blame him. He'd be patroling too ... if he had lands to patrol. Especially after receiving such news as a takeover. To Tariro he offers a gentle, yet grateful smile, nodding to him in thanks, though refraining from saying thank you again. Mission, accomplished. The touch from Althaea is answered with a nod and return nosing from him, tail slightly waving. "Time to go..." he pauses. He almost said home. The gentle movement of his tail falters, and the look of vague accomplishment fades from his face. But he doesn't correct himself. Doesn't add on any other word or backtrack and try a different phrase. Time to go. That says enough. An edge of his muzzle slightly curves as he bumps his head lightly against her shoulder. "Take care, Tariro. We'll see you. While we are here, the Ute will watch your borders as well," is said in departure before he heads off back to where the remnants of his pack lay in wait.
Tariro has taken a few steps toward the river since his last words, looking up from its silver lining to the wolf. "You do the same." He say nothing of the extra patroling from the Ute, it was expected after he just let them stay. Watching the two make depature back toward the falls, he waits till they are no longer seem before continuing her steps toward the shore. Things were going to start getting interesting.
Althaea smiles at up Ahiga and his returned bump, nodding to his gesture of returning to the pack. It 'was' time to go and she really looked forward to seeing her father again.. her brother too- Everyone. "I'm ready." Tail wagging some in excitment. Shaking out her coat, a look of farewell is given to Tariro before turning to follow after her packmate. To be left behind now... no way.