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 Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 1:19 pm
 He was still very green to the pack, but he would be completely lying if he said he wasn't enjoying it. It was as if life had been grown completely within himself again and gone was the dour, slightly depressed mood that had been eating away at him throughout his self imposed quarantine. He had reason to be kicking again and he was happy with the paw he had been dealt since his reuniting with Eileen, who also seemed to be pretty content with running with a pack yet again.
Once again, he felt important, as though his hard work was beneficial to someone. He had leaders to pleas and pups to guard. Oh lord, were there pups! The pack was growing rapidly and the little, squirming bundles of fur seemed to be falling out of every tunnel. It was a good thing, though, because he simply adored them. He felt much like an uncle to each one, enjoying telling stories and teaching them when he had a spare moment.
Oh, how he couldn't wait to be a father. Until then, though, he was more than content with caring for the pack as a whole. It was this he was thinking on as he patrolled the borders, unaware that Pol had returned with a stranger.
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 1:28 pm
 When she had finally caught up some with her brother, Tuilinn opted to get to know the territory and the pack. Pol hadn't followed her, but she wasn't too worried. She'd converse with her friend once she had gotten a fill of her surroundings. After all, there was so much to learn about how this pack functioned and worked, plus she was a more than eager student.
That and she needed to think of a few witty jokes to hold over her friend's head. She didn't tell Samhain of Pol's failure to stand his ground, nor did she inform him of his inability to stay conscious during his turn to stand watch, but that didn't mean she wouldn't heckle him in private! This was running through her mind as she made her way through the territory that belonged to Hollow Earth, which was led by her older brother. She was so lost in thought that she didn't even notice the tan and brown wolf that was patrolling the borders. A shame, to be caught unaware. It wasn't until he was close that she caught scent of him and turned to face him as he approached. Her tail flagged and her hackles rose, a rather unfortunate instinct when faced with the unknown. She wasn't the type to simply roll over in a situation.
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 1:40 pm
She might not have noticed him right away, but he didn't miss a beat. The older, more experienced wolf didn't let his thoughts cloud his senses as he checked the borders for any breaks or odd scents. It was at this time that the wind wafted an unfamiliar one towards him and a slight growl began to swell deep in his chest. Ears erect and tail high, he swiftly began his silent approach. She didn't notice him at first, which was just as well, but when she did, she reacted aggressively, which only fueled on his approach.
He stopped several paces before her, much larger and steadier in size, but her boldness concerned him. She was young, clearly not old enough to be that much of a threat, right?
"Who are you, state your business, trespasser. Why are you here, in Hollow Earth?"
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 3:48 pm
Ah, he was one of the pack.
Hackles still raised, she kept her bright blue eyes pinioned on him, but her hiked tail lowered slowly, so that it was only just under stream lined with her back. Bigger or no, she wasn't too afraid. Samhain would have her back, correct? She hoped so, but it wouldn't be good to pick fights with his pack members, especially ones that were older and larger enough to out muscle her.
"My apologies, but I am visiting, which has already been sanctioned by Samhain, himself. I'm Tuilinn of Tomkin, daughter of Schatze and Stryder. Samhain is my older brother." Short, simple, and to the point. There was no point in beating around the bush with this fellow. He looked strong and capable. The way he carried himself cried beta in her mind, so she tried to be a little more respectful.
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:03 pm
She did look familiar, after all...
"Apologies accepted, young one. I was unaware that you were here. Have you heard from young Pol?" He inquired curiously, letting his own hackles relax. She had a scent that wasn't all that unfamiliar, yet was at the same time unlike that of Samhain. The more he looked her over, the more he could see the resemblance. He was also curious about the young wolf that Samhain had an eye out for. Tan and white, he had been told. While he had not yet met the other youngster, he knew well enough that he had been missing, so he had been on the alert.
Perhaps this stranger, er, rather, relative of the pack was aware of something or another. It was worth it to ask, though he could assume that the alpha had already questioned her. Still, it was better to err on the side of caution than to act as though another must have already done it.
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:13 pm
"Pol?"
He must be new if he didn't recognize the scent that she carried on her coat. She had been carrying him and tending to him for so long that it seemed almost ingrained on her at the moment, though only just slightly. They must have been worrying about the fellow, no wonder he had been eager to get back, though that eagerness had been detrimental to his health. Her own hackles relaxed and her tail wagged slightly as she admired the splashes of color along his pelt and the red beaded string that hung about his neck.
"Yeah, I seen him, brought him back here, actually. He's a bit scuffed up, was when I met him, but we got his head cleaned up a bit and he ought to be right as rain soon. He's with Samhain, if you wanna meet him. Hey, where you from? I haven't seen much of those kinds of things, before." She motioned with the tip of her snout towards the decor that he wore.
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:24 pm
"Hurt, you say?" He looked her over yet again. Something about the way she spoke seemed off. Was she lying to him? No, he believed her about him being hurt, but something in her inflection caused him to believe she was fibbing about something. Still, now wasn't the time to drill her. Maybe he would ask Pol, later, to see what the young male had to say about the matter.
"Ah, I see... Well, hopefully the young lad'll be alright. Why don't we head back to the tunnels? I'm pretty much done with my rounds and it'll probably bore you to death to do a recheck with me. We can swap stories on the way back, yes?" His tail wagged lightly as he offered to spend time with her, though his aim was really to get to know her a little better, especially after Pol's suspicious, unknown injury. Unbeknownst to him, she was simply trying to protect the tan and white fellow's pride.
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:48 pm
"Nonono, I'm fine with walking along with you. Don't cut your duties short because of me." She cracked a grin and wagged her tail as she replied, still curious over the mysterious adornments. She was also curious to know just how he lost use of his eye, but she tried to keep her bubbling questions to herself. There was little point on being rude. First impressions were the most important and she already feared she might have been doing poorly.
Still, there was time yet.
"I don't think I caught your name either, stranger. Gonna be all mysterious with me or something?" She motioned with her head in the direction that he had originally been heading and promptly began plodding in that way at an even, comfortable pace. Head was held high, as was her tail, in an effort to show that she, while not in charge, was capable of taking care of herself, though she was unsure that she could win if it came to competition.
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:53 pm
Saucy little thing, wasn't she?
Could get her into trouble in the future, but he put that thought out of his head. She would learn her place soon enough and wasn't it like all youngsters to push their limits as far as they can go? He wouldn't let it get under his fur. As she began trotting, he quickly followed and matched her step for step.
"Where are my manners? Jukka is the name. I, as well as my friend Eileen, came from a pack further up north, one called Swift River. It, eh... Disbanded some time ago and we eventually settled here. The trinkets, though, come from my wanderings before the pack started." He offered her a smile as he recalled those times, so many interesting things had occurred during that time in his life, including finding his long since past mate, who had been the love of his life.
"Lots of great things out there to see, lots of fun to be had, but it has it's own dangers."
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 5:20 pm
"You traveled?"
Why would that seem so odd? He already had an exotic look about him, so it shouldn't have seemed that surprising. Still, the fact that he had intrigued her and she wanted to know more, to hear stories, all that jazz. There were many things interesting in the world, he didn't have to tell her that, but it was obvious she was curious, which would prompt him to explain. As if he wouldn't notice, though, she pressed on.
"Soooo, Jukka from Swift River, eh? What sort of stuff have you seen?" Though she struggled to keep from staring, her blue eyes drifted now and again towards the three scars that traced across his face. She wanted to know just what brought those on, as well.
Did she have the gall to ask him directly? Not really. That was just rude. While she tended to be a bit rough around the edges, she wasn't that rude.
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 6:31 pm
"Well, yeah~ It's what I did, up until life happened. My best friend, the one I did most of my travels with, set out to start a pack and we eventually settled down, taking mates and getting along with what landed on our plates." He sighed wistfully as he plodded along in his familiar, silent gait. Ah, those were the times, before illness came and wiped out what he held dear.
"But before then, we travelled far and wide, seeing many natural wonders along the way. The southern coasts have been my particular favorite, near the waters. The weather tends to stay warm down there. I've seen a waterfall, too~ Absolutely breath taking."
Grinning, he glanced towards her. There was a question on her mind, and he figured he knew what it was.
"It's alright, you can ask..."
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 6:47 pm
"Waterfalls... I want to travel, you know. I wanna see all the world's got to offer. I will, one day, too. I so, really will, and I'll learn all I need to know to provide for my pack." She jutted her lip slightly as she spoke with a fiery determination. The thought of waterfalls only inspired her further. She wanted to see those and the mountains and all up close. She'd already been underground, which was an experience in and of itself.
And then he brought up what she had been avoiding. His eye. It was a curiosity, yet at the same time felt alost taboo. She glanced towards the older wolf, slowing her pace slightly. It still felt wrong... Yet he had given her permission. It couldn't be all that bad, right?
"Sorry... I didn't mean to stare... But what did happen, since you don't mind me askin' and all?"
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 6:58 pm
"Bear." He grinned sidewise at her, then began to walk again. They were nearly done and he was actually steering her towards the den site as they spoke. She'd probably notice it shortly, though she hadn't been there too long, now.
"Got into a bit of a scrap before we settled down, but we came out of it alive. Lost my eye, but it could have been worse." I could have lost my life... It had been a painful bout and he was lucky he hadn't been infected. He could have very easily lost his life back then, as he could have when the illness swept over the pack.
Yet, somehow, he was still kicking.
"You know... If you're so keen to travel, I hear there is an amazing site~ I've never been, but I hear the tree is amazing. It's a big tree, bigger than most. And it glows. I hear a seer lives there. I regret not going when I was a bit younger."
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 7:11 pm
"You fought a bear?" She stopped completely this time, gawking at the lighter pelted wolf. Bears were formidable creatures, certainly, and though she hadn't seen one, she had heard stories about their size, strength, and ferocity from others in the pack, while growing up.
"..."
She had a hard time believing him, yet her hopes began to soar at his words. A large tree that glowed. A seer that lived there? Did he make it glow? How did he do that? She had all sorts of questions, but she doubted that this fellow, although he seemed to know a good deal about things, could explain it to her.
"A glowing tree!? I wanna see it! Do you know the way there!? Do you think I can find it if I look? Do you think the seer would talk to me?" Her questions flowed out quickly, tumbling faster than she had anticipated.
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 7:28 pm
"Ah, such youthful vigor." He chuckled at her enthusiasm, though given the way she held herself and the way she spoke, he didn't expect any less. While he was still a bit suspicious of her, it was nice to see a budding young wolf, who was getting a feel for the world around her.
He wished he was that young, again. A budding adolescent.
"Yes, I was told that it glows. It should be beautiful." He sighed lightly. Maybe he should try that journey once he had settled in well enough. He would have to speak with Samhain once he was well integrated into the pack.
"I can give you directions during the last leg of the trip. We're almost there as is, see?" He motioned towards the den site, which was coming into view.
"And yes, it was a bear. I didn't do it alone, however. My former alpha was amazing. We were lucky we got off as well as we did." His voice faded as the two quickly approached the place that Jukka now called home.
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