Seeker
Pack life was nice… she hadn’t realized how much she had missed the simple security of having other dogs around her, protecting the boarders, keeping an eye out for danger, and sharing quiet stories just before sunrise. The members were all very welcoming of her and her sister, each of them showing patience in teaching them the ways of their pack and introducing them to their new roles within the pack. Sindar had also been given her wolf-name- Seeker.
It was fitting enough, and poetic in a way. Her sister had been given the simple name “Dreamer”. They were simple enough, but spoke well of their character. It was a good deal better than the name “Drywit” at least. Poor boy…
She still had a habit of rising just before sunset to begin her night. It often meant she grew groggy before sunrise, but none had complained yet. She was eager to settle into her new role within the pack, eager to do a good job and see the fruits of her labor. Her work meant she had to find and collect seeds from various trees, sometimes work led her from the pack’s territory. She was always very careful to keep the territory markers within sight, just in case the unthinkable happened. That dusk she decided to pick along a rocky area just a few paces outside the territory. Rodents were known for keeping their stashes under rocks or in burrows, it was a good enough place to start.
Adekotbuno:
Adekotbuno was out on a walk of his own. The stones in their lake had started ti disappear and he needed those to greet visitors. His strange habits were long since ignored by the pack. After all, they figured if he really could purify water then he'd be a good thing to keep around. Even if his crazy siblings thought they were both God of Fire and God of lightening then they could deal so long as no problems came to the pack.
He was unaware of this. No one had the heart to tell the wild trio. He lifted his ears and inhaled catching scent of a territory. He paused for a moment and lifted his head. Ah, there was a female wild dog. Perhaps she would know the directions to the nearest lake. As he approached he realized she looked about the same age as his litter. Adult but youthful and still getting her mark on life.
He chuckled. Now if only Lugia was this out going. Instead the poor boy stared at the ocean as though it held the answers. He didn't seem to know he had to go find them himself. "Ah excuse me." He said his voice rather deep for his appearance. "I hope I'm not intruding on your home. I have something to ask."
Seeker:
The female was pawing at the ground, sniffing here and there and gently rooting through any patch of dirt that seemed to be over-turned. She liked to collect seeds that had been harvested by the rodents rather than plucking them directly from the trees. She'd been told that unless they were on the ground, the seeds weren't ready. Perhaps those within the ground were even better! She wouldn't know until she tried.
She froze, her body tensing as a new scent broke through the air. She lifted her head and snorted free a bit of dirt that had flicked the tip of her damp nose. Ears pinning back, she took a few leery steps back.
A male? A rogue? What was he doing here? She'd not heard that there were rogues roaming about. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her head, giving her a larger appearance than she'd spotted a moment ago. At least...he was being polite.
"Oh....ah yes well...you're just outside the boarders. What...can I do for you?"
Adekotbuno:
The male stood still and bowed his head in respect. He didn't want to intrude. "Am I? Then I shall reamin here." He responded sitting down and letting himself rest. "I'm looking for the nearest body of water. I collect the stones you see and I wish to make sure that its pure. After all, its my duty." He tilted his head observing her. She certainly looked like a nice one if he was any judge of character.
"If its not ... imposing, how old are you, dear?"
Seeker:
His duty? What a strange task... of course, she had thought the duty of collecting seeds and planting them was a little strange as well. Her old pack would never have wasted its time with such idle taskes. The pack, however, explained that it was a very important role. She was still learning the culture of her new pack, learning to respect and carry out her duties, and even a thing or two about their beliefs. Perhaps the stones had some spiritual significance.
...Dear?
The female made a face, obviously not flattered by the nickname. "Please keep formalities to a minimum. I am called Seeker here. I can show you the river nearby... it's suitable for drinking if that helps."
Her age? He wanted to know her age? The female took another long breath. Her luck... why did males seem to think such questions were good ice-breakers. Perhaps he was related to Drywit. "I am a young adult. Is...there something wrong with that?"
Adetokunbo:
He chuckled slightly a friendly thing. He was far beyond cradle robbing and he was taken. He gave a small shake of his head. "Seeker?" He questioned smiling lightly. "What an interesting name. Well then Seeker, my name is Adetokunbo. You may call me Adeto. I am God of the Lakes. Ah, a river might do as well. The stones in them are interesting usually."
He quipped a smile. "I have a littler your age..." He responded coming a slight be closer. "I was simply curious." He paused as a look lighted his face. Hm... Another wild dog Lugia's age? One that wasn't one of his sisters might be enough to get him to socialize. "Tell me, do you come to this spot often, Seeker?" He asked as he sat down near to her.
Seeker:
A god? He certainly didn't look like a god. Of course, she'd not seen one personally, but it seemed far-fetched. Why on earth would a god want her help to find water? More importantly, why would a god be speaking with her.
"It's nice to meet you, Adeto." She dipped her head slowly.
A litter? He was a father? Interesting...
"The river is this way." She took a few steps, only to have another question. Was...he...flirting?
"Well...this is my first time. I'm...working."
Adetokunbo:
The male carefully treaded after her. "A pleasure to meet you as well." He responded giving her a glance. He rose his brow at her and smiled again. "Ah, well at least your helping to further your pack with your skills. Which I'm assuming is seeking things."
He glanced forward. "I don't intend to give you the wrong idea. I have a mate and a family. However... though this is completely unorthodox... I have a young son who... he doesn't fit in well with our pack. I was wondering maybe if you could explain yours to me. He really needs something to do, you see and I'm afraid nothing really fits him in ours."
Seeker:
"I am a tree-shaper. I suppose you can say seeking is part of the profession. I have to find seeds and see that they grow into strong trees. It's very important to the pack." She wasn't entirely sure why, not yet, but she'd work to see that she did her job well. In time, she'd adapt to the new lifestyle. That was perhaps the hardest work of all. She and Dreamer had been nobility, though neither had ever been opposed to hard work.
"Ah I see... well I could meet him here. I'm new to this pack myself, I'm working on it, though. It might be nice to have someone to tutor. Afterall, in teaching we also learn."
Adetokunbo:
"What a wonderful notion. More trees is a good idea after all no one can live without them. They provide us with shelter and our game places to hide and live." He already liked the idea of this pack.
He glanced over with a soft smile. "I would be happy to bring him here. I'm sure you two will get along well. He's rather shy and quiet... He tends to keep to himself but... I think he could use a friend. I will gladly return with him."
Seeker:
"We'll see. The dogs here are very welcoming to outsiders as well as new members. They're very patient with newcomers, and very good at teaching the ways of the pack. I'm... a little slow I'm afraid."
She continued on her way towards the river, careful to keep the strange male well within her scope, just in case. She'd still not outgrown her old pack's leery suspicion of newcomers and neighbors. Silly as it might have been. The male seemed harmless...
Adetokunbo:
"That's good to hear. Will they be alright if he comes home to visit us?" He questioned and perked his ears toward the rushing water. Ah! Good he could find stones there. He trotted forward faster eager to find it.
Seeker:
"Oh... well I'd think so but... it's best to check with our pack leaders. They're the only ones that can give permission or take it away. I'm just a tree-shaper, and new." She chuckled softly. It was a good, fair question, but she had never had any reason to leave the pack. Her sister was here, and her pack was likely in shambles, divided by the territory wars.
She slowed as they topped a small hill overlooking the river. Nodding towards the water, she glanced over to her companion. "There you are. The water is drinkable, as I said. I'm not one to judge purity though."
Adetokunbo:
"That will be up to him. It will be his pack." He responded softly. He stopped ontop of the hill and gazed down at the water. "Ah... it looks clear even from here. That is a very good sign." He smiled at her and made his decent. It wasn't long before he reached its edge. He glanced back at her, his ears flicking. He nodded once before his paws touched the water as he stepped into its currents. He sniffed at it. Safe and clean. Cleaner now that he'd touched it, at least in his mind. He took his muzzle and pushed into the water and started to deposited rounded stones on the shoreline. Choosing only the brightest and most interesting colored. He couldn't carry many in his maw and had to be choosy of what he took.
Seeker:
She watched him from atop the hill, eyes curious as he stepped into the water and began dipping his head in and out of the water. Now and then, he'd resurface with a stone in his maw.
Very strange. She didn't like to get wet, especially during the colder season. Secondly, dipping his head right into the water like that? Wasn't he afraid of drowning?
She offered him a lopsided smile as he looked back to regard her. "Do...you need my help?"
Adetokunbo:
Aedeto glanced up at her with a flash of a grin. "I'm afraid you cannot help me. The water will give what she will give and I will be blessed to take it." He finally climbed out of the water and shook himself to rid his fur of the chilly water. He had gathered a vast collection. This river was thankful of his presence. He bowed to it before picking up the stones again, as many as he could carry and began his accent to the female. He deposited the river rocks there in front of her and nosed one toward her. "Your lake wishes for you to have this blue stone. I will return as soon as I can with my son and I thank you for your help..."
Seeker:
He was different, that was for sure. Well-meaning, polite, and kindly though, she couldn’t fault him. At least he wasn't showering her with dry puns and jokes. Charming as they were, it was nice to meet a new individual with his own brand of odd.
As he nosed the stone over towards her she blinked, keeping a good distance from the very wet Adetokunbo.
The...lake wanted her to have it? Well that was....alright.
"Oh well...thank you. It's very pretty. Perhaps I can put it on my bracelet..."
She looked up once more and gave the male a dip of her head. "I was happy to help, please take care in your travels."
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