Post by Pavane on Oct 7, 2012 21:38:34 GMT -5
Who: Hadir, Althaea, Ikuna, Skahla, and Ahiga
Where: Woodland Clearing
What:
The winter seems to be moving apace and the snow seems to be now covering the ground in a thick coat of wet cold snow. Hadir presently is resting on his stomach under a bush to get away from at least some of the cold and wetness. He never really liked the snow all that much, but it was a great deal more fun when you were a pup. Now that you are older its just cold and wet...and tiring. He has just been feeling more and more tired lately. He just doens't have the energy to do the things he did before. So he has to be content with just resting and waiting for something interesting to happen. He has become aware of the return of Tala and Ahiga. He had missed those two and is pleased that they have returned.
Ikuna is tired too, but his tiredness is of a different sort. The young alpha of Ute finds himself with many things to do, even here in the middle of winter. There might even be more to do now; or at least, it takes longer when the prey is hidden by the snow and winter-wary of hunters. He's been gone for a while, hunting, and now at last he returns with a lean hare dangling from his jaws. He sets it in down on the snow, and wuffs softly. Chow's here.
Hadir pokes his head out from under the bush with a smile at his uncle, "Hi Ikuna." he says to him. He really can't get used to the whole idea of Ikuna being alpha. Not that he doens't respect him and like him, its just that he'll always just be uncle Ikuna to him. The wolf who taught him cool stuff when he was young, "How are you?" he asks. Yes. Poor Ikuna has a great deal on his mind these days it seems.
Ikuna looks over to Hadir, and smiles back. If the smile is, perhaps, a little more harried these days, it's still a genuine one. Ikuna may be alpha now, but he's still the same Ikuna as ever... just, sometimes, he's the Ikuna who tells people what to do. Right now, though, he's the Ikuna who's hunting for the pack. "Hey, Hadir," he says, and takes a step over that way. "How are you doing?"
Hadir is deteriorating...and it would be obvious to anyone who was really paying attention to the situation, but thankfully or not the pack probably has other worries that are more pressing, "I'm the same.." he says simply. He can't really lie and say he is doing well, but by and large he isn't doing horribly either, at least by the standard that he has set for himself, "Is Tala doing ok?" he asks.
Ikuna nods, and tilts his head back toward the hare. "There's food," he says. "The pups'll probably want some too, but I can always hunt more later." He smiles, and takes a step to the side, then seats himself in the snow before sighing and looking up to the trees. "Tala is... she's making it through." He hopes, at least.
Hadir gives a nod his head but doesn't really move toward the food. He is comfortable at the present time and thats something that is rather hard to accomplish so he stays where he is. Then again, it could just be that doesn't want to take food away from the pups, "I'm doing ok...thanks though." he responds to the first comment. He sighs softly as he hears the second, "I'm sure she'll make it through. She's really tough. I worry more about Ahiga...."
It has been nearing a week since Althaea left the pack with Minya to help find others, perhaps a few others things as well too. Not all things have been so cheerful on the matter; a conversation thats left her questioning her own motives still runs through her mind, then there are other things. Upon finding that the pack was no longer near the river the young she-wolf was a bit concerned. Had her uncle moved them already? It was a possiblity that left her searching once more. Half a day went by by the time 'thaea reaches the clearing where it became evident that pack was here. Sniffing around, voices draw her attention toward the far side of the clearing and she smiles. An added bark to let those here know she's there.
Ikuna frowns briefly at the first, with a glance for Hadir. So hard to tell under the fur. He looks away again after a moment, and the frown lingers this time. "So do I," he says softly. "But right now, what Ahiga needs from me... is to be left alone." His frown deepens, and he lowers his head slightly to stare at the wolf-trampled snow. The sound of a voice makes his head lift again, and he looks over to see Althaea approaching and responds with a low wuff of his own.
Hadir notices the frown, but there is little he can do to make Ikuna feel any better. Indeed there doesn't seem to be much he can do to make anyone here feel better, "I know that things have been strained between you guys. I think that you might be wrong. I think he really needs a friend. Just apologize for whatever happened and be there for him. He needs a friend right now..." He then turns his head toward the sound of the wuff and responds, "Hi Alth.."
Her tails wags slowing as first steps are taken to reunite with her family, looking back only once as if to see the wto she left by the river. Turning back to the front when a returned wuff is given her smile returns and Althaea quickens her pace. Reaching the pair is met with a slight skid, back peddling some across the frozen ground. "Hi Hadir." She offers her brother whos looks are worse for ware even now. Gathering her paws, she moves up to nuzzle him but halts at a closer look to her uncle. Something has happened. Looking between the two now she hmms. "Everything alright?"
Ikuna shakes his head slightly to Hadir. "It's not that simple," is all he says, and then he rises up to his feet to pad toward Althaea, leaning in for a light touch of muzzle. "Hello, Thaea." He steps back again, quiet in answer for a moment. "I hope so." He doesn't look terribly happy about it, but then... heavy lies the head with the crown, right? "Tala and Ahiga are with us again. How did your own searching go?"
Hadir really does think it is that simple. Ahiga really needs a friend and Ikuna was always his best friend, but for the moment he doesn't really say much else on the topic for the present moment, "Tala has been hurt.." he says simply. He doens't really know all the details, and the details that he has managed to put together himself he doesn't really want to say. He is presently sitting under a bush and resting, but his ears perk up as Ikuna asks about her search. Who was she searching for?
Not that easy for what..is all Althaea can wonder about lightly touched. Gaze shifting from Ikuna and out in the opening as if to find both Ahiga and Tala standing there, but theres nothing. She'll have to take his word for it for now. Turning back to her uncle she holds a short frown then smile. Quiet a story goes with the answer she was about to give but it is held back further when hearing the words about Tala. It was hard to think something like that wasn't going to happen but since it has she grimaces the thought it could be her fault they were even out there. Head shaking, she reverts her attention back upon her uncle. "Only one I managed to find was Brutal." Probably not the best name to be presenting at this time but its the only one she's got.
Ikuna flicks one ear at Hadir's addition, but he nods to it. Nothing more of his own is added. He tilts his head to Althaea, listening to her report. Brutal. His gaze flicks to the trees, as if checking for the large wolf, then back to Thaea again. He seems calm enough, hackles unraised and posture relaxed, and he nods. "He was worried for you, when you were hurt." Perhaps that's why Ikuna doesn't seem threatened now, having seen Brutal's concern and thought it genuine. "How is he now?"
Hadir is not a really big Brutal fan. Not after the incident with him when he was younger. Brutal is too scary to be messed with. He frowns when his sister mentions him and looks away. He just can't understand her liking for this wolf. He honestly doesn't know why anyone would like him, but he isn't going to say anything to her about it. If thats who she wants to be with then its her choice, not his.
That was the first thing she heard form him, that he was worried. For Althaea, hearing that Brutal was concerned for her well being wasn't harad to believe. Even his desire to keep her save by leaving. For a moment she looks sad remembering all that was said. But then not everything was so horrible. "He is doing well. Shares a common fear that his brother may still be out there.. alive." She wasn't so much afraid that her would-be kill may still be out there then she was about the possible outcome it may bring. "He plans to come here.." A quick glance is made to her brother. "Apologize."
Ikuna is silent for a moment at the talk of Grim, while a frown works itself through his face enough that he can speak again. A chill of the heart like that of the wintry day these three wolves stand and speak in. "Brutal is welcome to visit here. He is... not Ute, but I will accept him as a guest here." Despite all that happened, or because of it? He doesn't say. "If he still wishes to be Ute, we can speak of that, he and I."
Hadir does flick his ears back as he hears the word apologize. An apology certainly would be more than welcome. Brutal had scared him very nearly to death and it was a very stricking experience for him that still sticks in his mind to this day. He doens't say anything to his sister for the present on that. He will believe that when he sees it. He does glance over to his uncle though when he speaks about letting him into Ute...or at least thinking about it. He isn't going to gainsay him, but it should be obvious from his reaction that he doesn't really think highly of that idea. He turns his head away again and rests his head on his paws.
It was a long walk Ahiga took. Not far, just ... long and slow. Not much hunting was accomplished, as that was not his intention. Pawprints in the snow left a long and winding trail. Aimless wandering through these unknown, yet not undesireable lands. but like aforementioned, he did not travel far. There's an unseen barrier that keeps him within a certain area of where the pack has stopped. An invisible leash that keeps him reined, and now he is being pulled back. Back to the clearing, retracing his steps through the bare trees til the trees stop. Ears prick forward, both hearing voices and spying wakeful wolves ahead. His nose wiggles faintly before he continues forward.
The best laid plans of mice and wolves... Skahla is far from old yet. But how he feels it. He is here. He is always here, but at the same time... he is seldom available, no matter what he promised well before the Ute moved. He doesn't even try to make excuses for it. If he were still of a mind to make excuses for his lack of involvement, he would not have appointed his brother to replace him in the first place. Certainly it is a weight off of his shoulders, even if he only got there by thrusting that weight securely onto Ikuna's shoulders, and so the once-alpha does not look as worn as he might as he lets his ears guide him to the sound of voices. He has never been a wolf of much more than action, and he has no more idea now than he has at any time in the past why he seeks out those voices rather than avoiding them as he so often does.
That statement was something she hoped to hear, but it wasn't something that would happen. According to Brutal anyway. It was a tear in the heart, but there was still time to change things. "He plans to come here, though I'll let him now of this. Perhaps it'll..." She doesn't say anymore. Such a think will have to finished at a later time. Dropping to a sit, the she-wolf looks to the ground a a brief moment, quite possibly in thought, then looks up. "Where is..' Her voice trails only to fall silence to the sight of Ahiga breaking through the emptiness of the trees and into the clearing. Standing, she takes a few steps forward, hesitant to go further. She wanted to apologize, but how.? Was this even the right time? To this, she reseats herself and settles for a less forward approach. "Hello Ahiga." Her tone raised just enough for him to hear her.
Wandering wolves, who hold themselves apart and yet are still drawn, at times, to the pack. It seems that's the way of Ute now. Where is the pack, with so many wanderers? A philosophical question, but one with a practical answer: where Ikuna has set it. The young alpha has declared their territory to be the area around this clearing. He wears the mark of Tobba on his shoulder, and says that is a part of being Ute. Whatever else Ute is, it is Ikuna's pack. Leadership is nothing at all like an adolescent's fantasies. Ikuna nods to Althaea as she speaks of Brutal's arrival. "If he calls from the border, I will meet him there," he tells her, and then his gaze is drawn to Ahiga's arrival. He gives the other a look and a slight dip of his head. "Hey," he says, and then a scent from the other direction brings Skahla to his attention. Hey, hey, the pack's all here. Ikuna smiles slightly as he glances that way, and shakes out his fur at a gust of wind. By the time his winter coat settles back to his body again, the smile is almost gone.
Hadir doesn't know what it means to be 'Ute' anymore than he knows much of anything else. His life has been chaotic to say the least. When he hears Ahiga arrive and smells his father nearby he lifts his head and looks in the direction of the new arrivals. He smiles and woofs out a greeting first to Ahiga and then to his father, "Hi." he calls out from his place underneath the bush where he is resting. Its warmer and dryer under here and more comfortable. Yes the pack is all here. Its certainly a change of pace.
Ahiga is not quite sure where he's going. In a conversational mood he is not, and immersing himself within pack life has not been easy. His eyes shift, scanning the clearing. Tala is nowhere to be seen. A good and bad thing, for he cannot bear to see her, yet seeing her assures him that she is safe. It's an odd thing, this, and an even odder position he finds himself in. But she's not here, which is proving to be good, though a lot of others are, and his ears gently begin to fold back. Greetings all around. Eyes glance to Althaea, then shift to Ikuna, followed by Hadir, and finally the emerging former Alpha. "Hey," is said in general answer to everyone, eyes on none. Shoulders gently square as he continues forth, pawsteps taking him in the general direction of Hadir's bush. "You alright?"
Perhaps it is the fact that Skahla heard the voices of his children that he decided to take a break from seclusion, or maybe it was the voice of his younger brother that drew his attention. He doesn't know, and he doesn't give much thought on it either. Ragardless, as he approaches the small gathering, his ears and tail are held high while his posture is relaxed. Clearly, he trusts that Ikuna has been handling affairs as well as they can be handled. He does not insert himself into whatever conversation may be happening when he first sets eyes on the others, the moment he passes that last tree to let him into the clearing. He is not here for any particular reason, not that he knows, and so he is content to let the gathering that was here before him continue to speak. He has always been more content to listen than to talk, anyway.
An ear turns back to her uncle and she nods soundly acknowledging his words. It was a simple enough request she'd make sure to have followed. Thing were hard enough here, adding another certainly wasn't desired. Shaking out her own coat, the presence of her father starts to become known through the many greetings that have been tossed around. She doesn't go searching for him until she hears Ahiga greet everyone back, a light smile passes over her lips but its short lived. Following the wolf up to her brothers location, Althaea watches for a time before turning away to find her father. When his form enters into the clearing he calls out, "Dad!" If there ever was a wolf she missed more it was him.
Whether or Skahla was here for his children, it seems his children intend to be there for him. Ikuna smiles a moment once again at Thaea's cry, glancing to Skahla and giving his elder brother a nod and something of that smile before looking away. He rises to his feet, pacing a few steps and then turning to sit again and watch. His eyes fall once more on the hare he hunted, eaten by none and now growing cold from the snow beneath it.
Hadir is rather overwhealmed by the number of wolves that have arrived for the evening. Its almost a bit too overwhealming in the amount of energy that it takes to interact with everyone. His first thought goes to Ahiga and he gives him something of a weak nod. It is probably obvious to all that he is going downhill. His energy level has been exceedingly slow and its difficult for him to do even as much as he did in the old days, "I'm doing ok..." he says as he turns his attention to his father, "Dad..." he says to him, "Its nice to see you again..." He misses his dad too..but has grown used to his extended absences.
Ahiga doesn't seem to share Hadir's thoughts concerning himself. If that is ok...then Ahiga doesn't want to know what 'bad' looks like. But he can only nod in reply to him. If he says he's ok, then who is he to question that? His head bobs in reply and he pauses, caught in an awkward moment. Now what? He just got here. Leaving would seem weird, but, really, leaving is the only thing that's coming to mind. He doesn't want to talk to anyone. Pleasantries are beyond him. Even questioning Ikuna about that stupid mark on his shoulder requires more effort than he's willing to put forth. Right now, all he seems willing to do is feel sad and displaced, and that's always easier dealt with alone. He's made his appearance. Now is time for his exit. So he continues after another nod to Hadir, heading to the opposite side of the clearing.
Whether Skahla saw fit to address his children or not, at the enthusiastic greeting from Althaea, and even the much more subdued one from Hadir, there is a trace of a smile on the eldest male's muzzle. His ears and tail remains raised as he walks to greet his daughter with a nuzzle... and then turns to approach his son in order to do the same. If any wolf can claim to know how severe Hadir's ailment is, it is not Skahla. He has not been around the boy often enough, for thoughts of Hadir always come with guilt. That trouble is no longer his own, though. That trouble, too, is now Ikuna's, and it allows Skahla to approach his son just ever so slightly more easily than he ever has in the past. Skahla will abide by and support whatever Ikuna may decide about how much help Hadir is given in the future (if Hadir is even in need of help, as Skahla could not even claim to know that much), but until such a time as a decision is made, here in the depth of winter, Skahla is willing to foster some form of relationship with his son. "Hello." In the former alpha's preoccupation with his children, something he showed so seldom when he was actually alpha, he does not seem to pay any attention at all to how withdrawn Ahiga is, nor even to the brother who had so much of Skahla's attention back when it was Skahla who was alpha.
Though she may not of ever said it, Althaea's always been there for her father. It was a subtle was of getting to know him despite how long it seems to be taking. Getting to know anyone, whether it was to further acquaint or just simply for the first time, wasn't exactly easy anymore. Time fixes all things though, right? Keeping an eye on everything, for the moment that is, she turns to address her father whom she returns the nuzzle to. Watching him approach Hadir she is quiet. Still not overly fond of the attention her brother gets for his condition, she's learned to accept it. So instead of wallowing in the shadow of envy and grief she keeps her place, side glancing toward Ahiga as he makes away from the group.
Ikuna lowers his head for a moment, listening to the greetings of Skahla and his children. He looks up again to see Ahiga walking on, preparing to depart, and he shifts up to a standing position, a move toward the other - but then he stops. What Ahiga needs from him now is to be left alone. That's what Ikuna said, mere moments before. His own feelings are no reason to change that. So, Ikuna stays on his feet, but he turns in the opposite direction, walking slowly. The hare is left where it is; food, offered to Hadir and ready for whoever of the pack should chose to gnaw the soon-to-be-frozen meat. That, thus far, is the only form of decision Ikuna has made about the youngster's weakness, and to him at least, it doesn't seem like there was even a choice to make. Perhaps as winter continues and food becomes scarcer, he'll have to think on it again.
Hadir would rather see the pups eat than himself honestly. It isn't a mystery to him. He knows that he is dying. He can feel the time growing nearer by the day. He doesn't really share this with anyone becuase he doesn't know want them to worry, though it would be nice to have someone to talk about it with. He doens't want his sister to envy him. If there is anything to envy in life its not dying young, "You've been gone a long time dad." he says to him. It would be nice to see his father let his fur down so to speak even if it was only just one time. His dad has always been so serious...that can't be good for him. He glances over to Ikuna and inclines his head toward Ahiga. His look says go talk to him. Ikuna and Ahiga need each other, if anyone ever did the pair of them did. They have always been like peas in a pod. They should be.
Due to his walking away, Ahiga is not aware of any advances, slight as they might have been, towards him by Ikuna. Or the eyes of any wolf that may be watching him. The glorious thing about walking away is that one usually doesn't see the things that happen after the walk off begins, and all he's aware of are the things in front of him. Snow and trees. A path he hasn't walked today, accompanied by the same old morbid thoughts that have been with him for days. With no wolfdog pup to distract him this time, he moves off.
It would be a mistake to for Skahla to apologise. If he were sorry, he would certainly not be as absent as he is. All the same, it is tempting. As Skahla leans forward to nuzzle the son who does not away from him, the older male manages to answer simply, "I know." Nothing more. No questions of how Hadir is doing, because he does not want to know the answer. Or perhaos because he already knows that answer. Only the nuzzle, and then Skahla, still ignoring his brothers, adopted and biological, lies down near his son and offers a glance back at his quiet daughter. It seems appropriate to him that, if he is going to be in the same area as them, he should simply spend a moment resting by his son and daughter, and it is surprisingly easy to do as Skahla has gradually come to terms with the fact that his responsibilities (and therefore the responsibilities that he is shirking) are few in number these days.
After a moment Althaea looks away from Ahiga as her uncle motions to cross his path. When it doesn't happen she head tilts blinking in a bit of confusion. Not questioning the matter, she lets the two go on there way. Looking back to her father and brother, the hare seen mid-way through, she stands. Moving to it, Thaea picks the hare up and moves it over closer to the one it was intended for, or least one she's assuming its for. Not aware of Hadir's desire for the pups to eat over him, she places the hare down beside him and slowly take a seat. "You really should eat something."
Ikuna's ears flick to the voices of the others, but he finds nothing in them to keep him here, and so he departs. Perhaps to patrol, perhaps to hunt again. He'll be back, soon enough, but for now, it seems this clearing is for Skahla and his children, and whatever new start they may make in this new land.
This day is turning into quite the family reunion. He has his father and his sister here. Thats definitely a good thing and when a good thing happens you don't let it pass you say the things that you want to say, especially when you aren't sure how much time you have left. He looks first to his sister, "I'm not hungry right now...besides the pups should eat before I do. I'm older." He isn't a selfish wolf and he isn't only looking out for himself. He pauses for a moment and screws up his courage to say what he has to say, "I'm going to be gone soon..." he says to Ahiga and then looks to his father, "Dad...I'm dying. I have been for a long time...but its coming soon. I know its been really hard for you having me as a son. I'm sorry that I couldn't be what you wanted me to be, but I didn't really have much of a choice in it." He doesn't blame his dad at all. He loves and cares for him, "And after I'm gone I don't want you to feel guilty...that goes for both of you." he says to the pair of them, "I'll get to be with mom." he says simply and sighs, "I know you really miss her dad..." His dad never was an emotional fellow, but Hadir knows that he really loved Shawnee. He continues to grow more serious as the monlogue continues, "Dad you have to deal with this...while you still have time." With that he lets his voice trail off.
As content as Skahla was to simply lie and enjoy what amounts to as peaceful an afternoon as he ever manages to have... well, he likes to believe there's a reason that he goes where he does, does what he does, doesn't he? And here, perhaps, is his reason... but that doesn't mean he has to like it. "Hadir. Hush." Now, when Skahla is finally willing to give his son the time of day... now is when they have to do this? Well, no one could ever accuse Skahla of being anything less than selfish. "Hey. It's not important, right?" Of course, the aging wolf does not mean that. Not precisely. So far as Hadir is concerned, this is likely the most important thing he has ever had to come to terms with. What Skahla does mean... "I could not be more proud of you." Has it been easy, having an ailing son and a daughter who died when she was very young? Not even remotely. There is a wisdom in Hadir that seems to go far beyond his age, though. A sense of sacrifice, of trying to do what is best for everyone, that he could not have possibly gotten from Skahla, because none of Skahla's intentions in that direction ever bore fruit. What is not to be proud of?
Althaea sighs to that response. Older or not, the pups weren't on the brink of death. It fustracted her how Hadir would neglict himself the benefit of others. If he payed as much attention to himself as he did the others maybe.. Her thoughts end there when hearing him speak about dying. That was never a good thing. Why couldn't he just be positive about it.. and then he was. But was he really. Mom. Another one they failed to know. Many have died since Hadir and herself were born. It was this horrible season. Winter has proven to be nothing but a heartache to those of this pack. Why did it even have to come. Kicking the snow infront of her, Thaea's silence remained even has her brother spoke then her father who she knew was falling apart on the inside. When the day comes for Hadir to join their mother, it was her whom their father will have left. A sad reality it was.
Hadir is a bit shocked to recieve the compliment from his father. He has always known that his father loved him, that was never really something that entered into his mind. Its one thing to know it though and another to hear it. A few tears well up in his eyes after his dad says that. Its rendered him sort of speechless. He still worries about them both when he is gone for different reasons. He worries that his dad will wander off when he has no reason to come back and just be alone. Its not good for him. He worries that Althaea will wander off away with Brutal and something bad will happen to her. He shuts up for now and rests his head on his paws with a smile.
Althaea is then left here watching them both. Her father, the wolf always hard to understand, and her brother, mourned before his time. They laided there resting with her gaze over them. A creepy sensation no doubt, but her gaze soon turns out over the clearing.
Hadir is resting peacefully knowing that his father is proud of him. That is totally like the best compliment that he has recieved like well...ever. Especially coming from his dad who seems incapable of saying something that he doesn't mean.
Where: Woodland Clearing
What:
The winter seems to be moving apace and the snow seems to be now covering the ground in a thick coat of wet cold snow. Hadir presently is resting on his stomach under a bush to get away from at least some of the cold and wetness. He never really liked the snow all that much, but it was a great deal more fun when you were a pup. Now that you are older its just cold and wet...and tiring. He has just been feeling more and more tired lately. He just doens't have the energy to do the things he did before. So he has to be content with just resting and waiting for something interesting to happen. He has become aware of the return of Tala and Ahiga. He had missed those two and is pleased that they have returned.
Ikuna is tired too, but his tiredness is of a different sort. The young alpha of Ute finds himself with many things to do, even here in the middle of winter. There might even be more to do now; or at least, it takes longer when the prey is hidden by the snow and winter-wary of hunters. He's been gone for a while, hunting, and now at last he returns with a lean hare dangling from his jaws. He sets it in down on the snow, and wuffs softly. Chow's here.
Hadir pokes his head out from under the bush with a smile at his uncle, "Hi Ikuna." he says to him. He really can't get used to the whole idea of Ikuna being alpha. Not that he doens't respect him and like him, its just that he'll always just be uncle Ikuna to him. The wolf who taught him cool stuff when he was young, "How are you?" he asks. Yes. Poor Ikuna has a great deal on his mind these days it seems.
Ikuna looks over to Hadir, and smiles back. If the smile is, perhaps, a little more harried these days, it's still a genuine one. Ikuna may be alpha now, but he's still the same Ikuna as ever... just, sometimes, he's the Ikuna who tells people what to do. Right now, though, he's the Ikuna who's hunting for the pack. "Hey, Hadir," he says, and takes a step over that way. "How are you doing?"
Hadir is deteriorating...and it would be obvious to anyone who was really paying attention to the situation, but thankfully or not the pack probably has other worries that are more pressing, "I'm the same.." he says simply. He can't really lie and say he is doing well, but by and large he isn't doing horribly either, at least by the standard that he has set for himself, "Is Tala doing ok?" he asks.
Ikuna nods, and tilts his head back toward the hare. "There's food," he says. "The pups'll probably want some too, but I can always hunt more later." He smiles, and takes a step to the side, then seats himself in the snow before sighing and looking up to the trees. "Tala is... she's making it through." He hopes, at least.
Hadir gives a nod his head but doesn't really move toward the food. He is comfortable at the present time and thats something that is rather hard to accomplish so he stays where he is. Then again, it could just be that doesn't want to take food away from the pups, "I'm doing ok...thanks though." he responds to the first comment. He sighs softly as he hears the second, "I'm sure she'll make it through. She's really tough. I worry more about Ahiga...."
It has been nearing a week since Althaea left the pack with Minya to help find others, perhaps a few others things as well too. Not all things have been so cheerful on the matter; a conversation thats left her questioning her own motives still runs through her mind, then there are other things. Upon finding that the pack was no longer near the river the young she-wolf was a bit concerned. Had her uncle moved them already? It was a possiblity that left her searching once more. Half a day went by by the time 'thaea reaches the clearing where it became evident that pack was here. Sniffing around, voices draw her attention toward the far side of the clearing and she smiles. An added bark to let those here know she's there.
Ikuna frowns briefly at the first, with a glance for Hadir. So hard to tell under the fur. He looks away again after a moment, and the frown lingers this time. "So do I," he says softly. "But right now, what Ahiga needs from me... is to be left alone." His frown deepens, and he lowers his head slightly to stare at the wolf-trampled snow. The sound of a voice makes his head lift again, and he looks over to see Althaea approaching and responds with a low wuff of his own.
Hadir notices the frown, but there is little he can do to make Ikuna feel any better. Indeed there doesn't seem to be much he can do to make anyone here feel better, "I know that things have been strained between you guys. I think that you might be wrong. I think he really needs a friend. Just apologize for whatever happened and be there for him. He needs a friend right now..." He then turns his head toward the sound of the wuff and responds, "Hi Alth.."
Her tails wags slowing as first steps are taken to reunite with her family, looking back only once as if to see the wto she left by the river. Turning back to the front when a returned wuff is given her smile returns and Althaea quickens her pace. Reaching the pair is met with a slight skid, back peddling some across the frozen ground. "Hi Hadir." She offers her brother whos looks are worse for ware even now. Gathering her paws, she moves up to nuzzle him but halts at a closer look to her uncle. Something has happened. Looking between the two now she hmms. "Everything alright?"
Ikuna shakes his head slightly to Hadir. "It's not that simple," is all he says, and then he rises up to his feet to pad toward Althaea, leaning in for a light touch of muzzle. "Hello, Thaea." He steps back again, quiet in answer for a moment. "I hope so." He doesn't look terribly happy about it, but then... heavy lies the head with the crown, right? "Tala and Ahiga are with us again. How did your own searching go?"
Hadir really does think it is that simple. Ahiga really needs a friend and Ikuna was always his best friend, but for the moment he doesn't really say much else on the topic for the present moment, "Tala has been hurt.." he says simply. He doens't really know all the details, and the details that he has managed to put together himself he doesn't really want to say. He is presently sitting under a bush and resting, but his ears perk up as Ikuna asks about her search. Who was she searching for?
Not that easy for what..is all Althaea can wonder about lightly touched. Gaze shifting from Ikuna and out in the opening as if to find both Ahiga and Tala standing there, but theres nothing. She'll have to take his word for it for now. Turning back to her uncle she holds a short frown then smile. Quiet a story goes with the answer she was about to give but it is held back further when hearing the words about Tala. It was hard to think something like that wasn't going to happen but since it has she grimaces the thought it could be her fault they were even out there. Head shaking, she reverts her attention back upon her uncle. "Only one I managed to find was Brutal." Probably not the best name to be presenting at this time but its the only one she's got.
Ikuna flicks one ear at Hadir's addition, but he nods to it. Nothing more of his own is added. He tilts his head to Althaea, listening to her report. Brutal. His gaze flicks to the trees, as if checking for the large wolf, then back to Thaea again. He seems calm enough, hackles unraised and posture relaxed, and he nods. "He was worried for you, when you were hurt." Perhaps that's why Ikuna doesn't seem threatened now, having seen Brutal's concern and thought it genuine. "How is he now?"
Hadir is not a really big Brutal fan. Not after the incident with him when he was younger. Brutal is too scary to be messed with. He frowns when his sister mentions him and looks away. He just can't understand her liking for this wolf. He honestly doesn't know why anyone would like him, but he isn't going to say anything to her about it. If thats who she wants to be with then its her choice, not his.
That was the first thing she heard form him, that he was worried. For Althaea, hearing that Brutal was concerned for her well being wasn't harad to believe. Even his desire to keep her save by leaving. For a moment she looks sad remembering all that was said. But then not everything was so horrible. "He is doing well. Shares a common fear that his brother may still be out there.. alive." She wasn't so much afraid that her would-be kill may still be out there then she was about the possible outcome it may bring. "He plans to come here.." A quick glance is made to her brother. "Apologize."
Ikuna is silent for a moment at the talk of Grim, while a frown works itself through his face enough that he can speak again. A chill of the heart like that of the wintry day these three wolves stand and speak in. "Brutal is welcome to visit here. He is... not Ute, but I will accept him as a guest here." Despite all that happened, or because of it? He doesn't say. "If he still wishes to be Ute, we can speak of that, he and I."
Hadir does flick his ears back as he hears the word apologize. An apology certainly would be more than welcome. Brutal had scared him very nearly to death and it was a very stricking experience for him that still sticks in his mind to this day. He doens't say anything to his sister for the present on that. He will believe that when he sees it. He does glance over to his uncle though when he speaks about letting him into Ute...or at least thinking about it. He isn't going to gainsay him, but it should be obvious from his reaction that he doesn't really think highly of that idea. He turns his head away again and rests his head on his paws.
It was a long walk Ahiga took. Not far, just ... long and slow. Not much hunting was accomplished, as that was not his intention. Pawprints in the snow left a long and winding trail. Aimless wandering through these unknown, yet not undesireable lands. but like aforementioned, he did not travel far. There's an unseen barrier that keeps him within a certain area of where the pack has stopped. An invisible leash that keeps him reined, and now he is being pulled back. Back to the clearing, retracing his steps through the bare trees til the trees stop. Ears prick forward, both hearing voices and spying wakeful wolves ahead. His nose wiggles faintly before he continues forward.
The best laid plans of mice and wolves... Skahla is far from old yet. But how he feels it. He is here. He is always here, but at the same time... he is seldom available, no matter what he promised well before the Ute moved. He doesn't even try to make excuses for it. If he were still of a mind to make excuses for his lack of involvement, he would not have appointed his brother to replace him in the first place. Certainly it is a weight off of his shoulders, even if he only got there by thrusting that weight securely onto Ikuna's shoulders, and so the once-alpha does not look as worn as he might as he lets his ears guide him to the sound of voices. He has never been a wolf of much more than action, and he has no more idea now than he has at any time in the past why he seeks out those voices rather than avoiding them as he so often does.
That statement was something she hoped to hear, but it wasn't something that would happen. According to Brutal anyway. It was a tear in the heart, but there was still time to change things. "He plans to come here, though I'll let him now of this. Perhaps it'll..." She doesn't say anymore. Such a think will have to finished at a later time. Dropping to a sit, the she-wolf looks to the ground a a brief moment, quite possibly in thought, then looks up. "Where is..' Her voice trails only to fall silence to the sight of Ahiga breaking through the emptiness of the trees and into the clearing. Standing, she takes a few steps forward, hesitant to go further. She wanted to apologize, but how.? Was this even the right time? To this, she reseats herself and settles for a less forward approach. "Hello Ahiga." Her tone raised just enough for him to hear her.
Wandering wolves, who hold themselves apart and yet are still drawn, at times, to the pack. It seems that's the way of Ute now. Where is the pack, with so many wanderers? A philosophical question, but one with a practical answer: where Ikuna has set it. The young alpha has declared their territory to be the area around this clearing. He wears the mark of Tobba on his shoulder, and says that is a part of being Ute. Whatever else Ute is, it is Ikuna's pack. Leadership is nothing at all like an adolescent's fantasies. Ikuna nods to Althaea as she speaks of Brutal's arrival. "If he calls from the border, I will meet him there," he tells her, and then his gaze is drawn to Ahiga's arrival. He gives the other a look and a slight dip of his head. "Hey," he says, and then a scent from the other direction brings Skahla to his attention. Hey, hey, the pack's all here. Ikuna smiles slightly as he glances that way, and shakes out his fur at a gust of wind. By the time his winter coat settles back to his body again, the smile is almost gone.
Hadir doesn't know what it means to be 'Ute' anymore than he knows much of anything else. His life has been chaotic to say the least. When he hears Ahiga arrive and smells his father nearby he lifts his head and looks in the direction of the new arrivals. He smiles and woofs out a greeting first to Ahiga and then to his father, "Hi." he calls out from his place underneath the bush where he is resting. Its warmer and dryer under here and more comfortable. Yes the pack is all here. Its certainly a change of pace.
Ahiga is not quite sure where he's going. In a conversational mood he is not, and immersing himself within pack life has not been easy. His eyes shift, scanning the clearing. Tala is nowhere to be seen. A good and bad thing, for he cannot bear to see her, yet seeing her assures him that she is safe. It's an odd thing, this, and an even odder position he finds himself in. But she's not here, which is proving to be good, though a lot of others are, and his ears gently begin to fold back. Greetings all around. Eyes glance to Althaea, then shift to Ikuna, followed by Hadir, and finally the emerging former Alpha. "Hey," is said in general answer to everyone, eyes on none. Shoulders gently square as he continues forth, pawsteps taking him in the general direction of Hadir's bush. "You alright?"
Perhaps it is the fact that Skahla heard the voices of his children that he decided to take a break from seclusion, or maybe it was the voice of his younger brother that drew his attention. He doesn't know, and he doesn't give much thought on it either. Ragardless, as he approaches the small gathering, his ears and tail are held high while his posture is relaxed. Clearly, he trusts that Ikuna has been handling affairs as well as they can be handled. He does not insert himself into whatever conversation may be happening when he first sets eyes on the others, the moment he passes that last tree to let him into the clearing. He is not here for any particular reason, not that he knows, and so he is content to let the gathering that was here before him continue to speak. He has always been more content to listen than to talk, anyway.
An ear turns back to her uncle and she nods soundly acknowledging his words. It was a simple enough request she'd make sure to have followed. Thing were hard enough here, adding another certainly wasn't desired. Shaking out her own coat, the presence of her father starts to become known through the many greetings that have been tossed around. She doesn't go searching for him until she hears Ahiga greet everyone back, a light smile passes over her lips but its short lived. Following the wolf up to her brothers location, Althaea watches for a time before turning away to find her father. When his form enters into the clearing he calls out, "Dad!" If there ever was a wolf she missed more it was him.
Whether or Skahla was here for his children, it seems his children intend to be there for him. Ikuna smiles a moment once again at Thaea's cry, glancing to Skahla and giving his elder brother a nod and something of that smile before looking away. He rises to his feet, pacing a few steps and then turning to sit again and watch. His eyes fall once more on the hare he hunted, eaten by none and now growing cold from the snow beneath it.
Hadir is rather overwhealmed by the number of wolves that have arrived for the evening. Its almost a bit too overwhealming in the amount of energy that it takes to interact with everyone. His first thought goes to Ahiga and he gives him something of a weak nod. It is probably obvious to all that he is going downhill. His energy level has been exceedingly slow and its difficult for him to do even as much as he did in the old days, "I'm doing ok..." he says as he turns his attention to his father, "Dad..." he says to him, "Its nice to see you again..." He misses his dad too..but has grown used to his extended absences.
Ahiga doesn't seem to share Hadir's thoughts concerning himself. If that is ok...then Ahiga doesn't want to know what 'bad' looks like. But he can only nod in reply to him. If he says he's ok, then who is he to question that? His head bobs in reply and he pauses, caught in an awkward moment. Now what? He just got here. Leaving would seem weird, but, really, leaving is the only thing that's coming to mind. He doesn't want to talk to anyone. Pleasantries are beyond him. Even questioning Ikuna about that stupid mark on his shoulder requires more effort than he's willing to put forth. Right now, all he seems willing to do is feel sad and displaced, and that's always easier dealt with alone. He's made his appearance. Now is time for his exit. So he continues after another nod to Hadir, heading to the opposite side of the clearing.
Whether Skahla saw fit to address his children or not, at the enthusiastic greeting from Althaea, and even the much more subdued one from Hadir, there is a trace of a smile on the eldest male's muzzle. His ears and tail remains raised as he walks to greet his daughter with a nuzzle... and then turns to approach his son in order to do the same. If any wolf can claim to know how severe Hadir's ailment is, it is not Skahla. He has not been around the boy often enough, for thoughts of Hadir always come with guilt. That trouble is no longer his own, though. That trouble, too, is now Ikuna's, and it allows Skahla to approach his son just ever so slightly more easily than he ever has in the past. Skahla will abide by and support whatever Ikuna may decide about how much help Hadir is given in the future (if Hadir is even in need of help, as Skahla could not even claim to know that much), but until such a time as a decision is made, here in the depth of winter, Skahla is willing to foster some form of relationship with his son. "Hello." In the former alpha's preoccupation with his children, something he showed so seldom when he was actually alpha, he does not seem to pay any attention at all to how withdrawn Ahiga is, nor even to the brother who had so much of Skahla's attention back when it was Skahla who was alpha.
Though she may not of ever said it, Althaea's always been there for her father. It was a subtle was of getting to know him despite how long it seems to be taking. Getting to know anyone, whether it was to further acquaint or just simply for the first time, wasn't exactly easy anymore. Time fixes all things though, right? Keeping an eye on everything, for the moment that is, she turns to address her father whom she returns the nuzzle to. Watching him approach Hadir she is quiet. Still not overly fond of the attention her brother gets for his condition, she's learned to accept it. So instead of wallowing in the shadow of envy and grief she keeps her place, side glancing toward Ahiga as he makes away from the group.
Ikuna lowers his head for a moment, listening to the greetings of Skahla and his children. He looks up again to see Ahiga walking on, preparing to depart, and he shifts up to a standing position, a move toward the other - but then he stops. What Ahiga needs from him now is to be left alone. That's what Ikuna said, mere moments before. His own feelings are no reason to change that. So, Ikuna stays on his feet, but he turns in the opposite direction, walking slowly. The hare is left where it is; food, offered to Hadir and ready for whoever of the pack should chose to gnaw the soon-to-be-frozen meat. That, thus far, is the only form of decision Ikuna has made about the youngster's weakness, and to him at least, it doesn't seem like there was even a choice to make. Perhaps as winter continues and food becomes scarcer, he'll have to think on it again.
Hadir would rather see the pups eat than himself honestly. It isn't a mystery to him. He knows that he is dying. He can feel the time growing nearer by the day. He doesn't really share this with anyone becuase he doesn't know want them to worry, though it would be nice to have someone to talk about it with. He doens't want his sister to envy him. If there is anything to envy in life its not dying young, "You've been gone a long time dad." he says to him. It would be nice to see his father let his fur down so to speak even if it was only just one time. His dad has always been so serious...that can't be good for him. He glances over to Ikuna and inclines his head toward Ahiga. His look says go talk to him. Ikuna and Ahiga need each other, if anyone ever did the pair of them did. They have always been like peas in a pod. They should be.
Due to his walking away, Ahiga is not aware of any advances, slight as they might have been, towards him by Ikuna. Or the eyes of any wolf that may be watching him. The glorious thing about walking away is that one usually doesn't see the things that happen after the walk off begins, and all he's aware of are the things in front of him. Snow and trees. A path he hasn't walked today, accompanied by the same old morbid thoughts that have been with him for days. With no wolfdog pup to distract him this time, he moves off.
It would be a mistake to for Skahla to apologise. If he were sorry, he would certainly not be as absent as he is. All the same, it is tempting. As Skahla leans forward to nuzzle the son who does not away from him, the older male manages to answer simply, "I know." Nothing more. No questions of how Hadir is doing, because he does not want to know the answer. Or perhaos because he already knows that answer. Only the nuzzle, and then Skahla, still ignoring his brothers, adopted and biological, lies down near his son and offers a glance back at his quiet daughter. It seems appropriate to him that, if he is going to be in the same area as them, he should simply spend a moment resting by his son and daughter, and it is surprisingly easy to do as Skahla has gradually come to terms with the fact that his responsibilities (and therefore the responsibilities that he is shirking) are few in number these days.
After a moment Althaea looks away from Ahiga as her uncle motions to cross his path. When it doesn't happen she head tilts blinking in a bit of confusion. Not questioning the matter, she lets the two go on there way. Looking back to her father and brother, the hare seen mid-way through, she stands. Moving to it, Thaea picks the hare up and moves it over closer to the one it was intended for, or least one she's assuming its for. Not aware of Hadir's desire for the pups to eat over him, she places the hare down beside him and slowly take a seat. "You really should eat something."
Ikuna's ears flick to the voices of the others, but he finds nothing in them to keep him here, and so he departs. Perhaps to patrol, perhaps to hunt again. He'll be back, soon enough, but for now, it seems this clearing is for Skahla and his children, and whatever new start they may make in this new land.
This day is turning into quite the family reunion. He has his father and his sister here. Thats definitely a good thing and when a good thing happens you don't let it pass you say the things that you want to say, especially when you aren't sure how much time you have left. He looks first to his sister, "I'm not hungry right now...besides the pups should eat before I do. I'm older." He isn't a selfish wolf and he isn't only looking out for himself. He pauses for a moment and screws up his courage to say what he has to say, "I'm going to be gone soon..." he says to Ahiga and then looks to his father, "Dad...I'm dying. I have been for a long time...but its coming soon. I know its been really hard for you having me as a son. I'm sorry that I couldn't be what you wanted me to be, but I didn't really have much of a choice in it." He doesn't blame his dad at all. He loves and cares for him, "And after I'm gone I don't want you to feel guilty...that goes for both of you." he says to the pair of them, "I'll get to be with mom." he says simply and sighs, "I know you really miss her dad..." His dad never was an emotional fellow, but Hadir knows that he really loved Shawnee. He continues to grow more serious as the monlogue continues, "Dad you have to deal with this...while you still have time." With that he lets his voice trail off.
As content as Skahla was to simply lie and enjoy what amounts to as peaceful an afternoon as he ever manages to have... well, he likes to believe there's a reason that he goes where he does, does what he does, doesn't he? And here, perhaps, is his reason... but that doesn't mean he has to like it. "Hadir. Hush." Now, when Skahla is finally willing to give his son the time of day... now is when they have to do this? Well, no one could ever accuse Skahla of being anything less than selfish. "Hey. It's not important, right?" Of course, the aging wolf does not mean that. Not precisely. So far as Hadir is concerned, this is likely the most important thing he has ever had to come to terms with. What Skahla does mean... "I could not be more proud of you." Has it been easy, having an ailing son and a daughter who died when she was very young? Not even remotely. There is a wisdom in Hadir that seems to go far beyond his age, though. A sense of sacrifice, of trying to do what is best for everyone, that he could not have possibly gotten from Skahla, because none of Skahla's intentions in that direction ever bore fruit. What is not to be proud of?
Althaea sighs to that response. Older or not, the pups weren't on the brink of death. It fustracted her how Hadir would neglict himself the benefit of others. If he payed as much attention to himself as he did the others maybe.. Her thoughts end there when hearing him speak about dying. That was never a good thing. Why couldn't he just be positive about it.. and then he was. But was he really. Mom. Another one they failed to know. Many have died since Hadir and herself were born. It was this horrible season. Winter has proven to be nothing but a heartache to those of this pack. Why did it even have to come. Kicking the snow infront of her, Thaea's silence remained even has her brother spoke then her father who she knew was falling apart on the inside. When the day comes for Hadir to join their mother, it was her whom their father will have left. A sad reality it was.
Hadir is a bit shocked to recieve the compliment from his father. He has always known that his father loved him, that was never really something that entered into his mind. Its one thing to know it though and another to hear it. A few tears well up in his eyes after his dad says that. Its rendered him sort of speechless. He still worries about them both when he is gone for different reasons. He worries that his dad will wander off when he has no reason to come back and just be alone. Its not good for him. He worries that Althaea will wander off away with Brutal and something bad will happen to her. He shuts up for now and rests his head on his paws with a smile.
Althaea is then left here watching them both. Her father, the wolf always hard to understand, and her brother, mourned before his time. They laided there resting with her gaze over them. A creepy sensation no doubt, but her gaze soon turns out over the clearing.
Hadir is resting peacefully knowing that his father is proud of him. That is totally like the best compliment that he has recieved like well...ever. Especially coming from his dad who seems incapable of saying something that he doesn't mean.