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 Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2020 12:33 pm
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 Halycon | Protector | with Bird and Hazel
The next thing that Halcyon was really aware of was the mixture of the tension in the clearing, and secondly, the tension in her own body. This was broken by another wave of shock brought on by Hazel's delicate voice. With eyes even more wide than they had began, Hal looked at her friend with a mixture of amazement and chastising. Had she heard right? Shaking her head to be sure to clear her mind, her ears, or whatever, she tried again. Nope, she'd definitely said she was visiting another pack. It was utterly and totally unprecedented for Swiftfell wolves to mingle with other packs and exactly how had she even come upon such an invitation?
Her same concerns were clearly being asked by her father, the idea of his siring puppies totally wiped from her mind in this moment. Shifting her eyes between Thrush and Hazel, she waited with anticipation for answers and what she expected to be a denial of permission.
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2020 1:12 pm
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Maybe she should have waited before bringing up her request. But if not at the meeting, then when? When would Hazel ever get a chance to just walk up to the alpha and say hey, a stranger asked me to go to their pack for a party, how's that sound? Which...in hindsight didn't sound all that trustworthy. Hazel felt foolish as the pack's eyes turned to her, and she felt an urge to bury herself in her gaggle of girls and pretend she had never spoken up. The bard in her protested.
Besides, Halcyon was eyeing her now, and Bird looked put out. She wouldn't find safety in anywhere except her own bravado at the moment.
"So! Um. I wouldn't be alone," Hazel explained. "I'd be going with my inviter--invitee? invitationalist?--Stag Jump, one of the elves. Weird word, isn't it? He says the Murkwood Court wanted to celebrate finding a new home after they had their own big bad stuff happen, and I thought, um, it'd be fun?" She eyed Thrush hopefully. "They went through something like we did. And if they're close, maybe we could, I dunno, be friends while we're both rebuilding? It'd only be for a night, and I'd be with my guide the whole time. Please, Alpha Thrush sir?"
The same look briefly went to her father as well, Willow Bark targeted with large, bright blue-green eyes.
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2020 4:37 pm
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Ghost Whisper | Protector | Open for interaction!
Not wholly surprised when Huck opened his mouth to respond, Ghost Whisper winced a bit at his words. She liked to think that Willow Bark, Thrush, and Dusk Owl were doing their best, doing what was good for the pack with the means that they had. Sure, it wasn't the best solution, possibly, but it was a solution, and that was a start. They couldn't just bank on being able to rapidly up their game in recruiting outsiders — it took time to establish those relationships, and you always run the risk of wolves with bad intentions. Ghost had encountered enough of those when she was a rogue, thank you, and would rather be a bit more on the cautious side.
When he finished, Huck murmured to her an invite to chat before calmly storming off. If that was a thing. She knew immediately that she'd take up the offer — as hellish as he could be sometimes, he held a weird place in her heart for some godforsaken reason. Plus, she couldn't pass up any juicy gossip.
Then, Hazel. Good gods, Hazel, what was she thinking? Ghost whipped her head around to see Thrush's reaction, and saw him throw an accusatory look her father's way. Had Willow known about Hazel's plan? She highly doubted it. She knew her father to be an honorable and trustworthy wolf, and this was no different — he wouldn't keep Thrush in the dark on something like that. But still, Hazel continue on, even after her father's harsh tone, pleading her case before the pack's jury.
Magpie | Caretaker | With Gill and Minnow
"Oh, thank you, Minnow!" Gosh, if Minnow were any sweeter Magpie didn't know if she'd be able to stand her presence, but gods she was just the perfect little wolf. She leaned into Minnow's nuzzle, her tail thumping in time with her own. Honestly, Maggie was blissful. Sure, the announcement about Thrush opening up himself for breedings wasn't ideal, but it was what was right. She was sure of it — sure of herself — and that meant that she was having a really, really good time. Aside from Maple leaving... and Huck (everything about him, really — poor soul)...
And then Hazel. Thrush immediately reacted, clearly startled and unhappy with the declaration of her tramping off to a foreign land. The Bluestone Mountains? Sure, it sounded pretty, and a party was always a fun time but couldn't she just contribute to throwing a bash here? Why did she have to seek out another pack — what part of her life were they not fulfilling? New to being the alpha's mate, her mind was swirling with questions brought up by her assumed role. She was not thinking as Hazel's aunt, but as a female in a position of relative power within the pack. After all, the pack's concerns were her own concerns.
She was too busy to notice the look Thrush threw Willow, but it was harsh. Instead, her focus landed back on Hazel as she explained her situation. A strange wolf? In a strange land? That called themselves "elves"? What in Kells was Hazel thinking, of course that's not okay. But her voice was sweet and pleading, eyes like oceans, wide and open. There's no way this will work on Thrush, Maggie thought. Hazel was bonkers for asking. But, then again, Hazel was young. And Magpie had made her own mistakes when she was young. Things that she wished she could change, but making those mistakes made her the wolf she was today.
Unsure how she felt about it after all, Magpie shifted her position and glanced over at Minnow, concerned.
Willow Bark | Beta | With Thrush and Dusk Owl
Huck, wholly unsurprising. Maple... gods, what to do with her. He didn't have too much faith in the idea that she would stick around long. She was a very... independent soul, and if that took her away from The Swiftfell — her home — so be it. But he hoped with all his might that his inclinations were wrong.
Then, Hazel opened her mouth. Willow tilted his nose down, eyes widening and brows arching at the request. No, it wasn't a request so much as a proclamation, really. He was shocked, frankly, to hear his daughter demonstrate such poor judgement. Willow Bark nearly opened his mouth, but Thrush cut in, clearly upset by this... statement. He was staring at the other male, a bit slack jawed, when Thrush threw a hard and questioning look his way. Willow shook his head quickly, trying to indicate that he truly had no idea of Hazel's plans. He was just as shocked as his alpha, really.
Then Hazel continued on, talking about some stranger she met that invited her to their home pack. Willow once again looked to Thrush, the ultimate decider of matters like these, pointedly ignoring his daughter's puppy eyes. They couldn't do everything for her, as beautiful and sweet as they were.
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2020 4:50 pm
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Mourning Dove sat and watched the proceedings of the meeting, her eyes moving between their leaders, but often stopping on Dusk Owl. She wanted to wait for him to be alone, but now that the meeting had started, that may not be possible. Listening to his declaration about the matter of pups... She shook her head a little. She wouldn't worry about the matter of hips or aches... She knew who she felt comfortable with in this pack and she was going to do what she could to ensure the future she wanted!
She slowly rose to her paws and made her way through the crowd, thankful for her smaller stature. With everyone's eyes on Huck and Hazel, she managed to slip closer to the Elder. She heard a sharp accusatory tone and turned her head quickly, wondering if someone was talking at her, but no... something Hazel had said had rattled the others. She probably should've been listening, too, but... She was so close to him!
"U-Uhm. Elder Dusk Owl..." She whispered to the older wolf. "On the matter of... well for the conversation topic at paw...That is to say..." She needed to tell him quick, before anyone saw her talking to him. Not that there was anything wrong with that, but she didn't want to be accused of interrupting a meeting for something as trivial, or as embarrassing, as telling a wolf you l-l- Well, that you liked their personality. Ahem.
"Can I speak with you after the meeting?" She asked him at last, lowering her ears and hoping he heard her. Surely it was just his hips that acted up and not his hearing, right?
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Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2020 4:44 pm
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Thrush | Alpha | Speaking to Hazel
Thrush believed Willow Bark was just as ignorant to his daughter's plans as he himself was. That said, he was less pleased that his beta seemed disinclined to intervene or otherwise attempt to reason with his offspring... leaving it to Thrush, in front of most of the pack, to determine what was to be done. He suppressed a sigh, shifting his eyes back onto Hazel.
The Elves, otherwise known as the Murkwood Court, were not unknown to him. In fact, it wouldn't surprise him if several of the pack within the hunters or protectors knew something of this group of wolves provided it was their job to be aware of threats, neighboring groups, and how to handle interactions with these others. It perhaps was a failure on Thrush's part for not having set firm guidelines or rules regarding these other packs, something which he would be correcting in the near future.
As to his knowledge of the elves, it was sparse and unclear. While they were not an unimaginable distance from their pack lands, they weren't exactly close, and therefore he'd taken less pains in hunting out information on them. His impressions, though, were that they were recluse and unwelcoming to strangers— which was in direct conflict with what Hazel was now conveying to them.
Quirking an eyebrow, he looked to Dusk Owl, hoping the old one would be able to offer his opinion on the matter.
OOC I feel like I'm trying to channel Kerchak from Tarzen here. |
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Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2020 8:49 pm
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Oh...Oh dear.
Meetings were not uncommon places for tempers to flare and arguments to break out. Dusk Owl had seen more than his fair share in the old lands, and there would be more to come as they grew here. But he had not expected it to quite manifest like this: like younglings storming out over topics he had hoped to smooth over. Had he not done a good enough job explaining that he was open to, well, opening the pack up? Given how long he had went on, perhaps not...
As he mulled over his words, one ear pricked as another one stood up to bring something to the table, he felt a presence draw near and turned with an owlish blink. "Yes? Oh, ah..." Dusk Owl lowered his voice after noting Mourning Dove's tone. It barely registered to him what specifically they would be discussing until a second later, which he tried to hide with a kindly smile and slight nod. "Of course, my dear. No need to be anxious."
Said the increasingly worried elder.
If nothing else, Dusk Owl thought, this was a test for Thrush's administrative capacity. Handling his son, the no doubt polarizing topic of open breeding, and now this possible contact with another pack. While Dusk Owl was open to the idea, it wasn't for nothing that there was a sense of reservation in the Point. With Willow Bark choosing not to speak and Thrush's look, it seemed he needed to step in again--and hopefully calm the waters this time.
After a deep breath, he raised his voice. "Young Hazel, I can see that gleam in your eye even from here," Dusk Owl said fondly, as it was his turn to have the puppy dog eyes levied at him. "A call to adventure, just like your songs, eh? I have advocated for opening our borders, and in light of that, I would give you my blessing to treat with these 'Elves' for a night. However, all adventures come with an element of risk, yes? The Point would prefer to minimize that risk, for we are still fledgelings here. This is no romp in the forest beyond our borders, but something else entirely. You might meet more than simply another Forest Shadow out there."
Dusk Owl coughed into his bear coat for a few seconds and then cleared his throat again. "What say you this: we will have one of ours accompany you, one that we choose. They will follow you and your invitee to the outskirts of their borders and await your return when it is finished to return you home. You will have an evening to learn about this, er, Court, and then must report back to us the next day about what you have learned. I believe this is a fair deal to allow you your request while assuaging our worries while you are out of sight, yes?" He glanced at Willow Bark and Thrush for confirmation, hoping that this peace offering might be the first step towards the loosening of their isolation--and the growing tension at the meeting.
- - -
Hazel's heart had nearly sunk into her stomach when Willow Bark didn't speak. Sure, she probably should have alerted her dad about the whole thing but, like, excuse her for being excited! Too excited to remember to tell someone before the meeting! Or, well, more like wanting to be extremely dramatic and reveal it then and there. Besides, if she had told Mom or Dad about it before, they probably would've tried to shut it down.
But if her heart went into her stomach about Willow Bark, it was actively trying to escape from Thrush's silence. Hazel had never felt so small as then. Alone? Small, and stupid as well for just...agreeing on a whim. It had just seemed to magical then, storied even. Reality like this was harshing her vibe immensely.
Expecting a third silence from even the elder, she was grateful the elder spoke at all. He could have said she had only an hour and she would have accepted. Chaperoning was...gross (she was an adult, damn it!), but anything was better than not going at all. So while Dusk Owl waited for the other two responses, Hazel nodded her head enthusiastically. "I'll be the best scout about it, promise! Full report and everything!"
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Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2020 2:19 pm
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Thrush | Alpha | Speaking to Hazel & Pack
Thrush's expression deepened as Dusk Owl's spoke and didn't immediately prompt a reply. The alpha had been looking for information rather than a decision from the elder, hoping he was more knowledgeable about this pack than he was himself. Without that information, he did not feel comfortable agreeing that a young female of the pack was to travel there and be left on the Murkwood Court boarder, well outside protection of Swiftfell. What if she were to be held there, against her will? Were their pack numbers enough to retrieve her by way of force? What sort of defenses did these wolves have? What was the terrain? Were the elves trained to fight, to defend? Was their culture of a kind to hold an outsider hostage? To harm her, even?
Thrush shook his head, the questions swimming in his mind. "Hazel." The serious expression on the alpha's face remained. "While I am not forbidding your going, I am neither granting permission... yet. I wish to meet with you, your father, and Dusk Owl to discuss more in detail a plan to guarantee your safety." By the end of his sentence, his expression had softened to one of open concern.
He turned to the pack now, addressing them in a louder voice. "All. When you encounter an outsider, you are to consider your safety and the safety of the pack first and foremost. Avoid being alone with them—for example, hunt and patrol in pairs as you are already directed to do whenever possible. If you leave pack territory, for whatever reason, alert your beta or elder, which ever is most appropriate. Alert me if neither of them are available. If the outsider is not alone, or you suspect the pack should be on alert, signal the pack."
Pausing for questions, he scanned the crowd.
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Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2020 1:20 pm
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Ghost Whisper | Protector | Open for interaction!
Ghost watched all of these exchanges, swiveling her head a tad to center each speaker in turn. Hazel was excited about Dusk Owl's idea, even though Ghost could imagine that she hated the thought of having a "chaperone" along to patrol the trip. She wondered who would escort her half-sister to the Murkwood Court - she herself would certainly be up for it. After all, she had the experience of having formerly been a rogue, so it wouldn't be totally off-base for her to wander far-off.
Thrush addressed the gathered once more, reciting safety tips and reminders tot he crowd. Ghost nodded as he fell silent, glancing at the assembled wolves. She had nothing to bring up just yet. Considering her burgeoning crush on one of the female members of the pack, she certainly wouldn't have a litter to announce any time soon, that was for sure.
Magpie | Caretaker | With Gill and Minnow
Mourning Dove's movements did not go unnoticed by the alpha's mate, her ears turning in an attempt to snoop on what the other female was saying to Dusk Owl. Although, Magpie had an intuition, and current context only supported the idea that the she-wolf was finally making a move on their elder. Maggie smiled a bit at the thought, hopeful for the sweet wolf.
Dusk Owl's idea seemed to spark some whispering among the gathered wolves - oh no, please don't let this be a slippery slope with pack members wanting to romp off to foreign lands Why could the young ones not understand how good they had it? Why did they feel the need to venture off? Though Magpie was not old, she was older than much of the pack, at this point, and she truly couldn't understand the ways of the youth.
Willow Bark | Beta | With Thrush and Dusk Owl
Spying Mourning Dove winding her way through the crowd and to Dusk Owl's side, Willow fought hard (and failed) to suppress half a grin. But then Dusk Owl spoke, addressing Hazel and the subject of the elves, and Willow's ears perched forward. At the elder's decree, and then his daughter's enthusiasm, Willow nodded slightly, taking the situation in. Then, Thrush spoke, formulating a meeting among the three of them to discuss the matter further. That felt appropriate, Willow thought, continuing to listen to his friend. He gave out sage advice for protecting the pack, then pausing for questions. No one seemed to be jumping forward, so Willow Park cleared his throat and asked, "Any questions? Comments? Concerns?" Then he added, "Feel free to pull us aside if you'd like to speak about these matters privately."
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