[ A New Day]

[-zynêx-]

Now that the cast has been set (hopefully with more to come) and the small pack is growing, this shall prove to be an interesting turn of events. With ranges of elements and personalities alike, some wolves may form bounds, others may habor ill-intent or tension. But none can deny that this will be an exciting story....
[There is no posting order as of yet. Feel free to post as you like. Let the first day of training commence!]

[nerrezai]

In the dawn’s waxing light, an agile lupine figure clambered among the rocks of the rugged Emeti canyon. It was a new day, and a bright one at that. Violet hues still hung at the western end of the sky, while at its opposite the sun gradually climbed above the horizon. It had not, however, shed any rays directly into the canyon; instead, it was still concealed by shadows, and its stone cold with the lingering darkness.

Fully rested and bright-eyed after the overwhelming events of the previous night, Nerrezai stretched leisurely with her haunches in the air and chest lowered to the ground, muscles rippling in compliance. The femme breathed out a contented sigh, a small smile tugging at her thick, inky lips. Suddenly, she leapt back into action, darting between the upright stones and jumping over the ones that blocked her path. She strove to prove herself to the Tytanus, and learning of Razoniel’s doubt in her abilities to explore a mere mountain drove her endeavor.

Without the eyes of any apparent wolves on her, Nerrezai was free to test herself, see just how far her strength, endurance, and speed went. There was no shyness here. Her petite frame needed some toning if she were to become as strong as she guessed the Tytanus were expecting, though, as she was having a bit of trouble maneuvering the terrain. She wouldn’t let them down. Zai vowed not to because in reality the Tytanus made her happy, happier than she was in a very, very long time.

Abruptly stopping, the wolfess glanced over her shoulder, scanning the walls of the canyon. Her steel blue gaze finally met what she was looking for: a large stone that protruded from the surrounding sides. It was near to the same spot she had first met the Tytanus at, which, now that she thought about it, wasn’t even twenty-four hours ago. Yet she set off swiftly in its direction, seeking the shelter and high position the perch offered.

Her mind wandered with boredom as she approached it. It was a good distance away, so would take about a minute to reach if she kept a decent pace. Nerrezai decided to think over the night prior to this beautiful morning. She seemed to have made a decent impression on the alpha and beta, but that Aya still left her puzzled with her disgusted looks. Now able to dwell on it, Zai realized that it had hurt her emotionally. She was beginning to wonder if something was wrong with her. It was tempting to ask Zynex or Razoniel if there was something amiss with her personality or appearance, but she wouldn’t feel comfortable with such a… personal question. She was fearing that the truth might hurt. Maybe they had taken her in because they felt sorry for her…

Nerrezai shook her head in a vigorous attempt to clear the depressing thoughts from her mind. She didn’t need this right now, she thought to herself as she neared the protruding stone. The grey female leapt atop it with as much strength as she could muster, crouching low then springing upwards.

She made herself comfortable atop her new perch, lying down with her head held high. A sense of pleasure washed over her, and a melody sounded from her throat. It was a beautiful one, one that she was so passionate about that her quiet humming grew into hushed words, matching the tones she had heard so many years ago as exact as she could recall.

“My tea's gone cold, I'm wondering why I got out of bed at all. The morning rain clouds up my window and I can't see at all. And even if I could it'd all be grey, but your picture on my wall, it reminds me that it's not so bad. It's not so bad.” As the shadow elemental sang, she lifted a few tendrils of darkness from the rock, summoning it to her and then making it dance to the sound of her voice with a few waves of her tail. She didn’t know what a “tea” was, or a window, or a picture, but she didn’t care. After all, she had heard the song from a senile she-wolf whom she had met while traveling in her short time was a loner. She figured she’d never know. It might have seemed out of character for her to be singing, but she was different when left alone. Today felt like a good day, though, a good time to start training her abilities…

[ooc] Just look up "Thank you" by Dido if you want to listen to the song. ;3 [/ooc]

[-zynêx-]

ooc: Totally have the song =3

A soft melodious tune tickled awake an onyx tipped appendage. It flickered alone here and there, trying to accurately locate the sound as it flowed from lupine lips. Its twin soon joined in the search, both now active and swiveling every which way, much like a lost pup search blinding through heavy trees. Their erratic dance soon ceased, as a tired mind was too awakened to the morning light. A rusted cranium shifted slightly on top of umber paws, a subtle furrow folded an orange brow as the body struggle to wake. The mind now conscious, the ears once again commenced their dance then focused on a sound below. The voice was familiar, enraptured by song. And as heavy lids parted and rose from the weight of sleep, soft grey hues glanced over the edge of the rocky pedestal and beheld the dainty wolf.

Once, twice the Alphess blinked at her subordinate below, slowly allowing her body to remember itself and wake. A paw twitched, legs were now keen to the touch of the rocky ground beneath them. She rolled onto her unoccupied side and extended both forelegs and hind in an intense stretch. A soft whine emitted from widened jaws signaled her fully conscious state. She righted herself with a rough shake of her pelt, raised her elegant plume high then loped down the canyon face in powerful leaps til onyx pads graced canyon floor. The 'clink' of metal reminded her of her find from the previous day and she proudly felt her ensemble was all the more complete by it.

Padding quietly over to her subordinate, the fae cleared her throat coupled with a soft woof to gain the delicate femme's attention. "Well...I cant say I've ever been awakened by singing before.." A smile curled her lips. "I thought you would have slept in after a late night." A curious brow slowly ascended upon a skeptical face. "How was your night with my Beta anyway...?" There was perhaps more emphasis than where it was needed, but Zynex knew her tone would not be questioned. Not by this wolf at least.

[Yeti]

ooc: This is taking too long so I'm just going to go ahead and post before Fraenr.

Since late night Yeti had been haphazardly following after Fraenr. He had made it a point to stay well behind the male and not seem interested in the canyon he mentioned. Yeti wanted it known that he could take care of himself: he didn't need help. But, the young male, at some point throughout the night, had lost track of the large male wolf. He was too tired to care, really, and didn't bother sniffing around for a scent. He wasn't that desperate. It had only rained lightly and Yeti took shelter for a short time under a shrub. His thin coat and sickly protruding ribs offered no warmth - he hardly had a scrap of fat left on his body, so it had been only a matter of time when Yeti bit back his pride and wandered off, once more, to the canyon.

He had heard talking at one point, and startled by the volume and number of voices, he shyed away. The largest group he had ever been around was his mother and sister and they had never really spoken much. Intimidated he stayed away until the wolves went to sleep, scowering for mice and other small edibles. Come morning he awoke to soft singing and soft talking: there were only two females this morning. Not so bashful around females he decided now, rather than later, was as good a time as any to show himself. Fraenr was righ, Yeti could not survive much on his own. Pride and stubbornness away he softly came out of the dew-ridden bushes, low to the ground at first, and peered cautiously at the two wolves.

He was still a distance away but at least he was visable now. With each slow, deliberate step, he lifted himself further and further; his proud pride swelling. He stopped twenty feet or so away and blinked. His nostrils flared gently and his ears twittered to the side, one flopping sideways slowly. His tail was limp at his heels, unmoving. He didn't bother to look at the canyon closely, he knew a way out: back the way he came. He was flightly and prone to running, so that was all he needed to know. Behind the wolves the sun was rising, and he squinted lightly against it. His fur was damp and the sun was heaven against his body. Soft tints of red became visable in his black fur, and even his dull eyes caught the light and seemed more lively.

"Fraenr told me to come here." His voice, despite his feelings, was calm and rather strong. A slight stutter, perhaps he was getting sick, was the only flaw. He was cautious and stayed elevated on his toes and angled slightly towards his exit. He didn't know what else to say. This was the first time in a couple weeks he had been around wolves, besides Fraenr. His social skills were rusty, it only worsened them that he was young and ill-practiced. He wanted help but held his tongue against that idea. He never asked for help, he had never got it when he asked as a younger puppy. "But I don't know where 'here' is, and who you are." He finished lamely, eyes wide and round with a slight fear.

[nerrezai]

The blue-eyed fae lowered her head to rest on creamy white paws, her jaws no longer agape as she sang. She was humming to the rest of the melody, due to the fact that, unfortunately, the lyrics had escaped her. Her eyes flickered to the sky, and her head bobbed from side to side in beat of the music with fluid, slow movements. The tendrils of shadow that had once danced at her will had melted back to the ground, as if happy to escape Nerrezai’s control.

Rolling onto her back as she recalled the words, Nerrezai pawed at the air a bit as she sang, still hushed. Unbeknownst to her, however, her alphess was stirring from her sleep not to far from her position on the icy, darkened stone. My, was she enjoying this bout of delight. “I drank too much last night, got bills to pay. My head just feels in pain. I missed the bus and there'll be hell today. I'm late for work again and even if I'm there, they'll all imply that I might not last the day. And then you call me and it's not so bad. It’s not so bad and…”

Hot embarrassment gripped her, and her body went as rigid as steel. She did not dare move from the stone on which she was laying atop, and scarcely even breathed. Nerrezai was caught… singing. She gulped audibly, flattening the back of her head and neck against the stone as she glanced at her alpha. It was rather comedic the way she did, that spark of fear glittering in the depths of her steel blue gaze.

At Zynex’s smile, however, Zai’s nerves were eased just that much more, allowing her to swiftly rise to her paws in a submissive, sitting position. “I.. uh…. guess you heard that….” Nerrezai’s voice trailed off in discomfiture, and murmured a small ‘sorry.’ Her ears felt like they were on fire.

The autumn-coated alpha’s next expression only proved to puzzle Nerrezai. It seemed like she was getting confused a lot…She tried to ignore the strange tone as well, but decided to busy herself with an answer. “Was exciting, really. I learned quite a bit.” A pup-like eagerness glittered in her gaze and a small smile curved her inky lips.

Then a pup, black and with reddish tints in pelage, approached. The grey she-wolf’s gaze didn’t soften, but it was curious as her brow arched. She didn’t have much experience with pups, really. The ones that she was supposed to protect died before they were born at the claws of a bear, and it caused her gaze to cloud over in wistfulness at the poignant memory. Nerrezai figured she’d let Zynex handle him, since the blue-eyed fae feared she’d scare the pup off if she spoke.

[ooc] I guess we’re assuming they trained? :3 [/ooc]

[-zynêx-]

ooc: zai- Indeed. Since you and Raze are making a thread yes?

The Grey's reaction to the autumn fae's sudden appearance, was nothing short of comical. To save face in front of her underling, Zynex had to skew her head slightly to the left to keep that wolfish smile at bay. Nerrezai would prove to be an interesting pack member if all her reactions were this amusing when she was startled. Yet, was easily as the mirthful expression appeared on her muzzle, it waned at the conclusion of hers and Razoniel's night training.

It was a subtle display, though the Alpha could feel the hairs rising along her back then just as quickly relaxed. Despite the less than innocent thoughts pooling in her mind, she thought better of it. After all it was she who instructed them to bound, and she had more faith in her Beta than that. He was not one to chase after a pretty tail (since he obviously couldn't grasp a hint when it was waving blatantly in his face), but still... These two wolves held a commonality that the Alpha was not [yet] able to experience with her Beta. It was..a little upsetting. But nothing more than that. The female's gaze softened, having called her suspicions down a few degrees. "I am glad to hear that," she said, somewhat forced but none the less true. "Before you know it, you will be on par with Razoniel in no time." As a friendly sign, the female raised a paw and gently swiped at the younger's ear with a growl of satisfaction. Praise, if you will.

And it was by a brief inhale that the female capture another scent, young and foreign. Metallic orbs shot towards its source, then widened with both surprise and delight. The little one's voice was attempted to be strong, but she was aware of the fear he harbored. It was rare to see a pup wandering alone. Even from her distance she was able to see that the pup was malnourished and still very young. It was a miracle the little thing managed to survive this long alone. She couldn't have been happier he stumbled into their midst. How she adored pups. Her love and want for them was only comparable to the love and desire she harbored for the growth of this pack and the wolves within, regardless of their disposition. Whether hers or not, she was never one to leave a pup unnoticed. Those little round eyes beckoned to her, and like a moth to the flame she approached.

Disposition nothing short of docile, she walked to the small creature, lowering her head to be at eye level then slowly descended to lay on her belly, forelegs outstretch. "Hello little one," her soft voice took on an alien tone, almost motherly. "Where you are is the Emeti Canyon...a part of the Tytanus Domain. And you may call me Zyn if you like." She turned her muzzle and gestured to the fae behind. "The Grey behind me is Nerrezai." Introductions in place, she shuffled a little closer to the up, opening her paws in a welcoming gesture should the pup accept this minor invitation. Ashen lips curved into a delicate smile. "Tell me..what is your name?"

[viggo]

The sun was rising, casting various hues of reds, pinks, and golden yellows across his view as it filtered through the canyon. A tawny paw raised itself to cover his eyes. The darkness was a brief respite, because soon the birds too had noticed the heavenly body making its way through its daily upward arc and began saluting and cheering it onward. A second tawny paw reached up to cover ears of a similar color only to find disappointment as the sound still entered. The morning would not be shut out, especially today apparently.

Rolling onto his back, he gave a salute to the sky, a soft growl of pleasure escaping through his maw. Viggo soon left this positon, and righting himself on his paws, shook the debris and dirt from his coat's mottled colors. Now, what were his plans for the day? In the last twenty four hours, his entire routine, not to mention life, had been redone. No longer was he free to do whatever he pleased, but he had entered into the more regimined day of pack life. This was a definate downside. However, the plus side was this: today he would see Zynex again.

The alphess was worthy of this adoration. However, little did he know, but Viggo was not the one handling the situation. Zynex had been manipulating his hormones for the entirity of their relationship. Well, he liked to think of it as a relationship. Truth be told, had he known he were only being used, he still probably would have joined in.

Vig was very much a jester. He enjoyed making others the butt of his jokes... pretty much anything to be the center of attention. Today he would annoy the shit out of the male beta. How could the male have been so ignorant to his alphess's beauty and desires? Once she had mentioned the other male, Viggo was sure that Zynex had a thing for him and he was ignoring her or oblivious, and from what he knew of Zyn... she was not a subtle wolf, so he doubted it was the latter.

Once stretched, he moved swiftly back towards the open area that had served as a meeting place. The scent of the fae that left with the Beta reached his nares, along with that of a male youth and Zyn. Regally, he walked into the clearing and tail wagging slightly, went to join Zyn.

[Yeti]

After he had spoken Yeti took a moment to glance around. Naive as he was, he was not so slow as to not notice this was indeed a pack. His mother had spoken fondly of them, briefly hinting that she was part of one before they came along. Of course she had been speaking of Yeti and his sister, Evra. It was no secret that his mother despied her puppies, and it wtas no surprise that she'd left them to go home to the pack she craved. Whether the pack would have accepted "rape puppies" was unknown, but his mother couldn't accept them so that was that. Since then the little male hadn't been too keen on finding a so called pack, but it appeared to be that a loner wouldn't just pick him up and raise him. A pack would be the best: they could care for, train, and protect him. Once he got past his trust issues.

For the first few moments Yeti's paws and ears burned warmly. The female's eyes were on him - both pairs - and he prickled uneasily. Then finally, the one he assumed was in charge, finally moved. Her body language was calming, as was her voice; a tone he'd never heard before from his mother. He liked it and was instantly drawn towards her friendliness. However, he winced inwardly. He was uneasy and flightly around males, but around females, he tended to be sexist and crude. He knew he had to be careful with what he said, at least to the brightly colored female approachnig him.

To his surprise she lowered himself down to his level. He liked that, too, and relaxed his tensed body, though still kept himself shyed away. She cemented his thoughts: this was a pack, and continued with introductions. Zyn he thought, briefly glancing over her shoulders to the gray female, Nerrezai. He could remember those.

For a heartbeat or two he was silent. He breathed deeply and allowed his eyes a bit more wandering. The light in them dimmed as he heard another one stirring. He searched frantically, ready to run, when another wolf loped over towards them. It was a male, but he wasn't quite so big as Fraer had been. His tail wagged and Yeti let his fear go, though his heart raced. Not wanting to seem so scatter brained and naive he looked back to Zynex. "Yeti-" he replied, a small, hesitent smile touching his muzzle before disapearing. He had always found his name ironic - his mother explained why he was given that name. Though he wasn't white, nor did he have an icy element, Maya had always thought her little son would grow up to be a big 'monster', and she had a sick sense of humor when it came to her puppies, hence giving him the name Yeti. "-my name is Yeti." He finished, staring hard at the female in front of him.

"Are you in charge here?" He boldly asked.

[nerrezai]

Somehow, Nerrezai found that hard to believe. She, in her self-degrading habits, shook her head to gesture her negative thought. The grey she-wolf would have reacted much the same way she had to Raze’s contact the previous night at Zynex’s praising, ginger swipe, but this time she just pulled back a ways, not nearly as panicked as the night before. Still, alarm did flutter in her stomach as it was accompanied by a low rumble from the alphess’s throat. She was jumpy now and the happiness that she had initially started out with had vanished. It seemed to be an oddly pleased growl, but Nerrezai had never heard a wolf use it in such a manner. It was tempting to give up on trying to discern these wolves.

Briefly, Zai felt a moment of gratitude surge through her as Zynex, quite nicely, introduced the pair of faes to the pup. It was alien the way the alphess had spoken, as well as her gestures. They appeared maternal, much unlike the way the autumn femme had acted last night. Now actually taking the time to study the pup, she noted in pity how malnourished the youthful male’s form was.

Nerrezai’s blue-grey gaze met that of a new tawny male’s, his tail wagging as he approached. Vaguely remembering his scent from the night prior to this beautiful dawn, the grey femme felt her ears burning. He was handsome, she’d give him that, and so chose not to meet his eyes. Her paws shuffling, she was beginning to debate whether or not she should exit.

Momentarily distracted as the youngest of the wolves spoke his name, Nerrezai smiled lightly, glancing at the black pup. So his name was Yeti. What an interesting choice to name a cub. The blue-eyed wolfess almost answered Yeti’s question herself, but clamped her muzzle firmly shut for two reason: one, the tawny male was still present, and she internally berated herself that went something along the lines of, “You idiot, Zynex can speak for herself.”

The crowd was growing a bit too much for Zai’s comfort, and so chose to shuffle subtly away, not turning her back on the group. It was humorous, though. Her singing was what had attracted the Tytanus alphess, which in turn brought Yeti and Viggo. It only made her ears felt as if they were ablaze again. The more wolves meant the more room there was for mistakes and embarrassment. Why had she wanted to join a pack again?

Finally inching close enough to an outcrop to dart behind it, Nerrezai followed a trail swiftly up the slopes of the canyon, coming to rest at a new protrusion similar to the one she had just rested on. She didn’t really want to leave though, she wanted to learn more about all three of the wolves she had just came in contact with, but couldn’t bring herself to it. Nerrezai was no longer concealed from view, either, as she rested a top the stone, curling into a gray ball and sweeping her gaze across the canyon. If Zynex wanted her or to start training, then this way she could easily spot her form only about a dozen feet away.

[ooc] Yep ^^ [/ooc]

[-zynêx-]

ooc: This is perhaps the only time she'll ever be this enraptured by something. Just a warning.

A mother's smile adorned the lips of the female as she looked upon the onyx pelted pup. The light within her moonlit depths could only be described as loving and calm for this pup that was of no blood to her. Yet it mattered not. Little Yeti was a pup in need, and that was all that was needed for her love to instantly be given to him. Even as the pheromone laced scent of Viggo wafted to her nares, her attention was kept on the wolf-pup. She inched closer.

"Well...it's nice to meet you Yeti." Her head tilted slightly. Left ear went limb and comically slapped against the fae's skull as the right audit as well went lifeless and flopped much like a pup's. Her stature too changed. Her sphinx' like position was altered as the femme lowered her head and slightly hunched her shoulders burying her cranium within the sturdy walls. Her tail rose and curled, slowly fanning the air in a playful gesture.

The pup's body language, though he tried to conceal it, revealed that he was nervous in the presences of so many wolves. Immediately, she sought to put the pup's mind at ease while still maintaining an authoritative air. "I am indeed in charge, dear. But don't let that bother you. I would like for us to be friends?" Her head rested on the ground, she looked up with playful, anticipating eyes, and even went so far as to whine softly. It was the pup's choice to make such a bond and she wanted him to not feel pressured. Bringing herself to his level was perhaps the best way she could figure to let him feel as though he were in charge. Though she was certain the pup understood ranking order. Her concern was making him feel as comfortable as possible and lessen his anxiety if only a little.

[viggo]

Amber eyes took in the youth before him and his alphess. She was crouched down to the little male's size and speaking with him... something about being friends? Viggo rolled his eyes. As much as he wanted every puppy to be his own, he still did not care for them. In fact, there were many instances in the past where he had actually killed the pups of rival males. These were few and far between (and also followed by a swift exile from the area) but they had happened.

A slight snort was emitted from his nares at her. Not that her puppy obsession would be a problem, generally it helped his own desires. Regardless, he was not about to sit here and be ignored for a half-pint male. Lifting his nose to the wind, he began looking for the fey that was in the canyon. Vig did not see her, but according to her lingering scent she had just left and was somewhere nearby.

Following her scent, he soon came upon the ledge she had stopped at. Quietly, he spoke, trying to appear concerned and aloof all at once. "Are you okay?" Simple concern. Easy enough, right? "The name's Viggo... and your name, beautiful?"

[nerrezai]

The grey she-wolf found that staring at the reddish stones and slopes of the canyon was… well, boring to say the least. Maybe she should have herself a tiny hunting trip, explore the territory during it. Kill two birds with one stone. The only trouble with that was the fact that she didn’t know the ideal places to find quarry, and didn’t want to tire herself out in the effort. After all, traversing Emeti proved a somewhat difficult task for her petite frame, even if she was just testing herself.

Huffing, she uncurled most of her body, now lying in a much more comfortable position on her side. The majority of the canyon was still veiled in the lingering darkness, the sun unable to shed any light directly into it. A little more time and the sun would rise to the point in its arc that the canyon would turn ablaze in its reddish, sandy hues, and the rocks absorb the warmth of the fiery orb.

Nerrezai decided to focus herself on mastering her element, or at least test how much of a grasp she had on it. Summoning a wave of shadows to her side, she proceeded with twisting the shapes of the darkness. First a rabbit, then a wolf, the moon, a leaf, a falling flower, a variety of other things that shown darker against the already shadowy stone of her perch. She wondered…

Rising to her paws, she blinked, fading into the shadows as she did so. She stalked forward, leapt, and dug at the ground, shrouded in her element and invisible to the eye of any other elemental. It dawned on her eventually that her energy was quickly drained, and she lay visible one more, panting.

For the second time that day, her body went as rigid as steel as Viggo approached. A sharp intake of breath sounded from her as he spoke. He wasn’t really concerned, was he? No, that was impossible, no wolf, not even Zynex or Razoniel, would ever be concerned for her. It must be some cheap joke, yet her heart raced a mile a minute as he said the word ‘beautiful.’ How could such a handsome brute think of her, the timid, self-conscious Nerrezai, as even mildly attractive?

She set a steel-blue glare on him in confusion, her brow furrowing, and answered with a slight stutter. She was uncertain and it was as plain as day. “I'm fine, j-just not fond of crowds. N-Nerrezai.” The grey and white fae was hormonal, and her ears were burning. She wanted someone to like her, she just couldn’t believe it. Her last spring and height of maturity was spent during the time that Kouvan took over her old pack, and Nerrezai wasn’t about to mate with any male her sexist bastard of a brother had recruited.

[Yeti]

He watched the gray female leave, unsure of how he felt about that. On one side he did not fancy crowds with so many strangers and she made the male leave with her, but on the other side, he didn't know if he could trust being alone with Zyn. He found himself wanting to trust her. She was very unlike his mother, very polar opposite, in fact. That was a plus, but he didn't know what would happen if he lay his trust in her. The thought of abandonment flashed briefly in his mind, but when faced with the other outcome - death - it didn't seem so bad.

He exhaled as if he had just made a big decision, dramatically, and looked back to Zyn. His eyes, however distant and dull they may be, were happy for the first time he'd been abandoned, or rather they were trying to be. He watched as she slid her paws forward and curled her tail playfully in the air. He'd known that stance from wrestling with his sister and his heart squeezed. He couldn't help but laugh quietly as she went even further, her head tilting and ear flopping not so unlike his own. He hadn't grown into his ears quite yet so they were flopped and tilted over most of the time.

"Friends?" He repeated. Sure he knew what it meant but he had never had any. He banished the thought of asking how a female got in charge and thought about her question rather than his. "Sure-" He finally smiled, his own tail lifting from his heels to wag slowly, picking up momentum as he took a step towards her. As she whined he barked playfully and jumped at her head, his paw carefully extenting to bat at her tilted ear. "-we can be friends." Though, just exactly what friends implied he didn't know; was he staying here with her?

[-zynêx-]

With elated spirits the female took the pup's laughter as a sign that their friendship would blossom beautifully, and she couldn't have been happier at the notion. Her smile grew as he initiated their little game. His overgrown paws came up to swat at her ear, which suddenly flicked to life and dodged. The female too changed her initial position. Umber limbs sprang the larger body to all fours with a mighty pounce, but she lept back so as not to frighten the onyx pup. Tail waving as a banner in the air, she once against crotched to his eye-level, slowly raising her own paw and lightly tapped the pup on the ear before springing a short distances away.

The pup was too small for her to truly turn this into a sparring match, nor would she even attempt such a thing on a creature so small and thin. He definitely needed to be fattened up, she decided. And she knew just how to do so while teaching the pup an important lesson in hunting. For the time being though, she pranced around little Yeti acting as a pup herself. Her movements were deliberately slow, so that the pup could reach her, but also agile staying just a hairs width out of reach to keep the wolf-pup following. Yet, once Zynex felt the heat of the afternoon warm her coat, she called a time to rest. Catching the pup lightly by the scruff of his neck the female descended to her side in a heap of heated fur and heavy pants. She placed the pup against her side and took a moment to catch her breath.

Wolfish grin adorned her elegant muzzle as she lowered the tip of her nose into the pup's side, gently nuzzling his exposed flank whilst a pleasure growl rumbled softly from her chest. "Well now.." she mumbled from within the short obsidian coat. "Who's hungry?"

[Ɽazǿniel.]

R A Z O N I E L !!

Late, damn it. He was late. Not that he could remember if he’d been told the pack would be meeting here today, but Razoniel could hear the voices of wolves up ahead and smell the strong scent of Tytantus on their coats. Panting as sunlight soaked into his dark fur, he quickened his pace through the tunnel of the canyon and picked up new smells. It took his darkness-accustomed eye a few moments to adjust to the sunlight, but he picked out at least two new forms, making him hesitate on the stone and wonder what the hell he’d missed. He tossed his head with a soft growl, vowing that he was never going to let the rest out of his sight, lest something like this go on again. He stepped forward, claws digging as much as they could into the brown rock, and loped forward until he was in sight.

At first the shape of his charge and an unfamiliar adult male, up on a ledge, grabbed at his attention. They seemed to be conversing about something, though Nerrezai had taken on a nervous stance. From this far he could not smell the hormone-laced pelt of the new male, so he didn’t think much of it besides her shyness emanating from her once again. But some depth of concern rose into him, and not for his apprentice in shadow-manipulating. Threatened, he flattened his ears and forced his gaze away from the tawny male, jealously. Something was making him really not want another guy in the pack, but, well, that was a fact of life. It’d look a bit odd to outsiders for him to be in an all-female pack, though he would never desire anything like a harem.

“Zynex?” Razoniel looked quickly over to his leader then let his jaw drop at her expression as she nuzzled gently into the dark fur of a cub he’d also never met. He’d seen that motherly expression only once before, when they’d conversed with the ghost elemental, Caecus. He thought that would be a one-time thing, perhaps grieving for the dead pup, but to see it again made his legs shaky as he walked toward her and glanced curiously at the young wolf again. He cleared his throat awkwardly and looked at his alphess. “Who… Who is this?” He hesitated then jerked his head in the direction of the tawny male on the ledge. “And who’s that?” he added, a bit frustrated but trying not to let it show.

His amber eye closed as he remembered her behavior the night before, back when he couldn’t figure out why she’d been on edge. He’d concluded jealousy, but not the kind of jealousy that was making him want to push the tawny newcomer off of pack land. He opened his eye again and paused for a moment, before reaching and brushing his muzzle over her ear. Sitting as if either nothing had happened or as if that was a normal occurrence, his gaze fell on the cub again. The sight filled him with an unusual, stomach-twisting feeling, as he stared at black fur. Nor did he like the tinges through his pelt when the sun touched it the right way.

“Guess I missed a lot,” he mumbled.