Home Sweet...Den. (All Of Amber Moor Pack)

[Larka]

Larka flittered gracefully into the den site. The trees around her sparkled with melting snow. She slid into the central den and growled as she saw the moss she'd dragged in before had become wet. She dragged it back out and went for more.

The tree was right in the densite where she got the moss. She quick swipped her claws across the moss 4 times, gathering enough moss for all the pack.

As Larka slid back into the den, she changed the moss quickly. She knoticed how her scent had changed....she felt different. That's when she relized, spring!

Laqrka was in heat. She cursed the bad timing, knowing that she'd probably remain pupless untill next year because Unalaq didn't quite seem over his old mate yet.

Sighing, the white fae slid back out of the den, holding her tail high dispite her scent. She knew it would drift to the noses of the males but she didn't mind...she was just hoping Unalaq was over his old mate enough to take her as his new one. She was ready...she alway's had been. But now when it really mattered, was Unalaq ready?

[Unalaq]

The sweet scents of spring made Unalaq smile genuinely for what felt for the first time in several months. He stood on a low out crop of rock, a warm breeze ruffling his thickly shedding winter coat. He flicked his ears ahead and turned his head as Larka came into sight. He nodded to her proudly as he watched her slip in and out of the den. A crooked smile spread on his maw as he watched her drag moss into the den. He was never sure about the moss thing; to him it just smelled strange. He walked out from under the bough of the trees and suddenly frozen, slowly opening his tightly closed eyes as he looked up above him, cold wetness pulling down his fur and collecting down in his chest.

He snorted and shook his body violently, causing his damp, thick fur to stand on end.

He leaped down to the ground, pushing his nose through the various earth scents before laying down on the ground and getting onto his back. He rolled around in the damp earth, scratching his back, immersing himself into the scents of nature. He used his claws to pull him through the leaves and pushed his face through the soil. He paused with a sigh and then push himself up and shook himself again. He trotted up to Larka, a stray leaf protruding from his neck. This day felt good, warm and sweet and . . .

He came to a stop and stared at Larka, tentatively putting his nose ahead of him. He flicked his ears back.

Spring. He knew that scent. He sighed, knowing that Larka couldn't help it. Regardless, hair stood up cautiously along his spine and he looked around him, eyes hardening.

“Have you seen Keris?”

The Omega hadn't caused him any problems of late. But there were two females in this pack and he knew from experience that young males had a problem controlling themselves this time of year. Then he thought of who those two females were and eased himself back into his good nature from before.

Nevermind, he had nothing to worry about.

He refocused on Larka, instinct taking over and making his brain muddled. He sighed and smiled kindly at her.

“Good keeping, Larka. The dens will be magnificent, I'm sure of it.” he walked past her easily, holding his breath.

It would be easier if she hadn't found him attractive and willing to be his mate. This would all be easier if she didn't want him. Then he would, at least, have some reason to ignore her. He trotted around the side of the dens, slipping into a smaller one, pushing out old winter wetness so the dens could dry. Wet dens made sick wolves after all . . .

[Heron]

Heron lay on her thinking rock, deeply immersed in her own company. It was her rock, or so she claimed, a slab of rock a short distance from the den that held the suns warm rays in its surface. It was the perfect size for Heron to stretch her body across, and think. Or pretend to think rather. As a rule Heron wasn't a deep thinker, not prone to journeys down memory lane and not terribly concerned with the philosophical questions sometimes thrown her way. So it would appear that her rock was misnamed, though it was her place to relax.

The den was an easy distance away, close enough that had Heron been paying attention she would have heard the exchanged words between Unalaq and Larka. The thinking rock was Herons refuge from the spring cleaning that had struck Larka, cleaning a foreign idea to the warrior... She had tried to help, but only found herself in the way. If they needed her they would call she knew.

Nature was in full bloom around Heron's warm rock, plants and animals alike vigorously alive with the new weather. Plants had begun their annual journey back to life, trees and flowers blooming with a vengeance. Insects buzzed busily and the birds sang as they began their own spring chores. It was good to feel the life around her, a welcome reminder that winter was not the only season.

Heron's glazed eyes passed over the den entrance, watching Alpha Unalaq and Larka for a few moments. She felt pity for both of them; Unalaq unwilling to move on from his past, single and determined to stay that way. He had to balance the talents of his Beta with her obvious feelings for him to make the pack work, the danger of upsetting her always present... And Larka, in love with a wolf who could not love her back for his own reasons. Larka acted like an Alphess, dominant in almost all ways, sometimes mistakenly undermining Unalaq by instinct...

Snorting away an annoying insect Heron turned her attention away from the two wolves... She herself was feeling the effects of Burgeon, a rather unwelcome side-effect in her opinion. Heron wasn't one for puppies, and preferred them only over the old folks. She did not handle the young well, and pups would only hold down her fighting spirit. She had not been around the pups of her old pack much, and most of what she knew was in the fighting skills... Puppies were... Dangerous. They made you love them in all their helplessness.

Relaxing her head down onto her front legs, Heron's mind blissfully wandering away from the present world.

[Kerisis]

Ah, Burgeon! The scent of blooming flowers, the excitement of small creatures coming out from their deep hibernation . . . the chill of icy water as the river broke though Shadow’s icy grip once and for all to allow Burgeon’s warm breath to bring life to its waters. Keris was happiest this time of year but for another reason.

He wasn’t sure what that reason was exactly. Perhaps it had something to do with his past, the thing that continued to haunt him but he continued to forget. Heron had said he was a fighter . . . perhaps this was the season when training began? When sparring started? Come to think of it, he would mind a bit of kind spar. A pity his request might be seen as a challenge. No matter, though. He didn’t want to bother anyone this half the season anyway. The females would surely kill him, and if he made one of them mad, it was Unalaq’s anger he’d have to deal with. He wished there’d be pups this year, but the way things were looking, with no mated pairs or such, there would not be that option. He sighed.

What a shame.

Keris had left the den sight early that cool morning and trotted down to a small creek running through the woods, not far from the dens if he was needed but far enough away to hopefully make sure this gift would surely be a surprise. Fishing wasn’t exactly his mastery; his strength lied within chasing herds, cutting off the weak, and tearing at the throat. Fishing required more agility, but it still came as naturally to him as walking – he just stumbled a few times.

“Here fish, fish, fish . . .” he coaxed, large bulk positioned carefully on an unsteady rock.

Already on the bank behind him he had three large trout. He was scouting for one more, praying that a fox or other sneaky predator didn’t take this moment of his back being turned to snag a meal. He dug his nose into the water when he saw a flash of scales slip by, heading up stream to join the river. He slipped and his teeth clashed together, empty. He pulled his nose out and snorted out the water before inching steadily closer. His strong legs held him as sturdy as they could as he tentavily reached his neck out over the water.

“Fish, fish, fish . . .” he mumbled quietly to himself.

He inched closer, shoulders pressed in close together, haunches tight as he held his balance.

Keris exploded with excitement and lunged for an easy catch as a large trout leaped over the top of the water, snatched it, over balanced and came crashing down into the cold water. His eyes grew wide, but he kept his grip on the wriggling morsel in his mouth. The flow wasn’t heavy at least, so he fought the current easy enough. When he reached the bank and trotted onto the grass, he shook himself off in the warmth of the sun, dropping the last fish onto the pile. The last two were still moving slightly but it would do. Triumphantly, he smiled over his prizes and wagged his tail. It was now time to get back to the dens, where he was sure they were all waiting. He nosed the fish together and reached down and grasped their tails before trotting back into the trees.

He moved easy enough through the trees, though the close setting felt unnatural to him. But he had learned to cope with it easy enough. He loved running on the Moorland though, hunting or scouting . . . either way had been fine with him. When he heard the sound of Unalaq and Larka’s voices drifting to his ears, he slowed to a walked, squared his shoulders and held his catch up proudly to show their gleaming scales Alpha Unalaq first. When he approached him, he sat the fish down and lowered his head in respect.

“Caught these for the pack, Alpha. There’s plenty big ones in the stream. Thought we could use a good meal.” He picked the largest one up and sat it down at Unalaq’s feet before turning to nod at Larka. He picked up another and dropped it at her paws, avoiding both their eyes, unless they chose to speak to him. “Beta Larka.”

He swiped the other two up in his mouth and looked around for Heron, before spying her on a rock, he trotted a short distance from before slowing. Several feet away he stopped and dropped the fish. He sighed and picked up the larger of the two left and approached her, ears laid back, tail low, but still walking his true height. He stopped a foot from her and nosed the fish the rest of the way.

“Uh . . .” he cast his eyes to the ground, a crooked smile on his face. “Hope you haven’t eaten yet . . .”

Slowly backing off, he returned to the remaining fish, drug it a little farther away and lay down with it between his paw, waiting for the others to eat. Ever since being titled Omega, he felt afraid to take the first bite, even in situations like these. He watched Unalaq, as though waiting for the “go” command, some little wire in the back of his brain unwilling to let him think otherwise.

[Larka]

OOC: Unalaq is in a small den..,.his place

Larka smiled at Unalaq, noticing his troubles with her. She didn't say a word as he past her, only wagged her tail slightly. A grin spread across her face, she was going to make herself as irrisistable as possiable...but for now she needed to think.

She too, like Heron and Unalaq had her own little spot. It was just outside of the den site, on a hill overlooking the moorland. There was a badger set big enough for two wolves but was just as comfortable with one. She was about to go there when Keris trotted up with fish.

Larka smiled half heartedly. "Thank you Keris." she said, taking one bite. Not wanting to be rude she finished the fish in a couple of gulps and then nodded to the Omega so that he knew he could also eat. She wondered if he knew that her and Heron's differnet scents were because they were in heat. Maybe he didn't...

She trotted out of camp, ears perked for any male wolves. She still had to be careful, even though she was on Pack territory. She knew even Keris, a meer Omega, could get a little....roudy during breeding season. She knew that because he was a younger male, that he would be even more...erm...eager.

Larka trotted carefully though the forest until she reached the hillside, a warm breeze blowing. She decided to sit outside the badger set this day to think, being it was fairly warm for Early Burgeon Season.

Forgetting about having to be on her toes while she was in heat, Larka go lost in thought. She didn't remember that there could be strange males about or even one of the two in her pack...they were Brutes...even Unalaq could lose control sometimes.

[Unalaq]

((OOC: It’s alright, I got this one.))

Unalaq immerged just in time to see Keris trotting over to them, fish dangling from his mouth. He smiled pleasantly as the Omega stopped in front of him and offered a large fish. He casually took the top of Keris’s maw into his mouth, a signal of dominant greeting.

“Thank you, Kerisis. A pleasant surprise!”

He shook loose soil from his fur and lay down in the warmth of the sun, taking the fish between his pause and began to eat.

He could tell the Omega was proud of his catch and contribution. Perhaps he had been too hard on Keris; the young male seemed willing to work hard, even for his rank. He watched silently as he approached Heron, eyes intent, waiting to see how the red warrior accepted the interaction. Keris didn’t come to close, merely nosing the fish to her before plopping down with his, several feet away. Keris then looked to him, as though asking to eat. Unalaq nodded kindly to him.

“You may eat, Keris.”

He started to gnaw at the trout. He usually wasn’t fond of this specific type of fish; they were incredibly bony, but it was still good, and a gift. He couldn’t exactly pass it up.

He was surprised Larka finish hers so quickly and paused in his eating to see her trot away. Something made him want to follow her but he held himself back, trying to refocus on his meal. He wondered why she had left though; she seemed pretty insistent on this den cleaning ritual of hers. Oh well, he thought. Perhaps she needed her space. When he finished his fish, he rose up and stretched, yawning in the warmth of the sun. Unalaq quietly approached Heron. He waited until she saw and then sat before her.

“Just thought I would give you fair warning.” He said with a soft smile. “In case you wanted to rest up first. Tonight I want to take you scouting the lands with me, down towards the river border. Are you up for the journey?”

He didn’t want to her to go alone and at first he thought of sending Kerisis with her, but instantly threw out that idea. Not only had he tried hard to keep the two apart but during this season, he felt a certain protectiveness. It was instinct that he would separate the other females from the males within his pack, even though Keris seemed hardly interested in the fact that females smelled different. Besides, he figured this way, he would get to see more how Heron worked. It would be a good test for her.

[Heron]

The blissful small noises that Burgeon had brought had lulled Heron into a completely relaxed state, and she lay draped across her Thinking Rock, oblivious to the world around her. The wondrous scene around her was lost as Heron chased squirrels in her mind, a silly grin lazily etched across her face. These were some of her favorite days: days where the pack was a family... Some of the siblings skirting their duties while others worked tirelessly. These were the days that truly made the pack feel like a family, not the wars, not the trials... Just every day.

Even the sight of an approaching Kerisis could not take the brightness out of Herons day. Not today. He proudly held his prizes and dished them out to the pack members, Heron last. As he came closer a little of the relaxation left her pose, but she did not stand. Eyes no longer glazed by her journeys through Lala land watched him as he stopped a short distance away and pushed the fish to wards her.

She watched him for a second, face emotionless. Then, unexpectedly, she grinned. "Thanks, Kerisis." Stretching her neck she snared the trout, and slowly began eating, eyes still watching the Omega carefully. She still didn't trust him. She probably never would fully...

Heron hardly ate fish, seeing as one had to enter water to retrieve them... She didn't much care for the flavor either. A little less then expertly she navigated around the bones, swallowing one or two along the way. One of these bones scraped down her throat, and set her coughing.

As the fit died down Unalaq approached her, sitting. Quickly she sat up, not at attention, but still respectful of her Alpha. She responded to his smile with an answering grin, as lopsided as the previous. "Hell yea-- I mean... Aye, Alpha Unalaq. Tha' soun's like fun. Been sittin' round too long here, mah joints are gunna start rustin'! But if I might be mah bold self; what are we hopin' to find down by the river?"

She wagged her tail slowly back and forth, the prospect of a mission exciting to the warrior. She had been still for too long, and was aching to something. What would they find? There had been activity in three of the former pack lands... Amber Moor, Sun Crest, and Blood Fang. Where they hoping to find someone in the river valley? Or something?

[Kerisis]

Keris thoughtfully wagged his tail as he received thanks from his pack mates, still feeling rather proud of himself. But it was Heron’s thanks that pleased him most; at least he had done something right. The instant Unalaq gave him the command, he dug in, tearing at the fish with the normal grace of a bachelor. Everything went down, bones included.

He was still licking away bits of the fish from his paw he watched Larka walk past them all. She ate fast for a female . . . He flicked his ears as a scent wafted past his nose. The same scent had caught him off guard several times in the past couple days. Heron had it too. Something in the back of his mind told him though that if he should ever let this scent control him that something bad would happen to him . . . strangely enough, he seemed to have built up the ability to resist it. Well, it was easier when both the females didn’t want much to do with him. He returned to his fish, wiping his muzzle his paw.

The next time he looked up was when the Alpha approached Heron. They were going to go scouting? He couldn’t stop the pathetic whine that escaped him. He wanted to go too! His eyes began large with anticipation but he kept himself on the ground, waiting to see if the Alpha had a job for him to do.

((OOC: Ugh so short . . . sorry, Keris has no muse I guess . . . XP))

[Larka]

Larka found herself still lost Deep in thought. She actually wasn't thinking about anything...just thankful to have time to herself. She thought about Heron and Keris's rocky releationship. How would the pack manage if Keris's memory flooded back and he remembered everything....including why killing Heron had been so important to him. What would Heron do it that happened?

Stupid question. If the warrior fae was challenged by Keris then she would no doubt fight.

What would happen if Unalaq never opened his heart enough to let her in. What then? These were the questions haunting Larka. Her white pelt glistened in the fading daylight. She looked up, shocked at how much time had past while she was there.

[Unalaq]

Unalaq smiled at Heron’s enthusiasm, smirking a bit when she corrected her word choice. Well, at least she tried.

“I’d like to find nothing but peace and quiet, hopefully, but mostly I’m just hoping to see more of how you work. We will be checking perimeters today, make sure we haven’t had any wanderers wash up.” He turned when heard Kerisis whine and raised an eyebrow at the Omega. “I suppose you need a job too . . .”

He pointed his nose into the wind, thinking he wanted his own one on one time with Keris. The male had a lot of potential he felt, but he wanted to see him work himself. Maybe a day would come where enough trust would be made that he could at least send Heron and Keris out, maybe with another wolf, to scout or hunt, but right now, he felt it safer to take baby steps, easing things in. For now, he supposed he could give the male a small task.

“I’d much rather to have you here Keris. For now, you can do a run of the forest if you wish, keep the foxes and the coyotes at bay and away from our food storage, hm? Larka should . . .”

He stopped. Where had Larka gone? She had wandered away earlier; he had let her gone. He didn’t worry about her doing her own thing; whatever kept her busy after all. He sniffed the air and flicked his ears back thoughtfully. She was still out there. He wondered why she hadn’t returned though. He sighed softly; ah well. He would call out for her in a moment.

“Larka will be here should you need anything. Don’t hesitate to call if something goes wrong, of course.”

He smiled, hoping he was okay with the idea of being left behind. He took a deep breath then and called out a short, snippet of a howl, focused towards Larka. All he was looking for was a response, to make sure she was still safe and sound.

[Sparrow]

Sparrow’s mind was intent on one thing, one goal. At least Burgeon had returned; that pleased her. She could smell the warmth of the earth again, and taste the sweetness of blooming plants on her tongue. She had seen herds of deer on her way through Raven Wing as well as the hopeful scent of wolves; faint yet, but still there. She wondered what packs had reformed, what packs were still cold from lack of members. She wondered what the Heus were doing now since it was warmer, and if she needed to keep a stricter watch around herself. Bloody beasts . . . or at least, that’s what they were like when she had fought them. Their alphas had been so power hungry, they didn’t even know where their weaknesses were.

Dumb brutes.

She paused in her journey only once and that was when she came near to Amber Moor. The boundary scent was stronger here, which meant that there were wolves here, a pack. It filled her heart with joy and hope – if Amber Moor was regrouping, that was a start, right? Carefully, she made her way through the woodland; she’d have to go through River Wood eventually, that was the only way into the Outland, but she wasn’t up for their crazy antics, assuming they had come together. Besides, it would only be a short trek. She only needed to ask permission to cross Amber Moor lines first, and that had always been okay in the past. You just had to be upfront with these wolves, and tell the truth. They could tell when you lied.

Or at least, the last pack had been able to.

She sighed and picked her way quietly through forest. She had camped at the Amber Moor dens once during the war and the pathways seemed to open up in her memory as she navigated through the dense forestland. Her ears pricked as she picked up a faint howl and she picked up her pace slightly, pushing herself into an easy gate. Her heart began to race but she kept herself quiet, the scouter in her taking control of her mind. Stay quiet, stay alive . . . she slowed as the scents of wolves filled her nose and she sauntered forward, easy and proud, though her tail was held low so as not to disrespect –

Wait a second!

She sniffed the air attentively again. Two scents registered in her mind; one gave her a small bit of happiness, the other made her fur stand up slightly. But she calmed herself. She could not appear as a threat, not until she met with the Alpha, not until she saw for herself and knew that it wasn’t just her mind playing tricks on her.

Just in case that . . . traitor . . . really wasn’t here.

Purposefully announcing her presence with breaking leaves, she appeared then, right in front of three wolves. At first, all she could see was Keris, a brother, someone she had fought with side by side but her head drifted and landed on . . . her. She swallowed hard, her eyes saying all they needed to. She was not about to start a fight.

So the red fae had found a new pack . . . but what was Keris doing here? With . . .her?

She wrinkled her nose in disgust at the fae, figuring she did not have title of an Alpha. At least she hoped not – spirits forbid the day she’d have to put up with that . . .

“Long time no see, Heron. I’m surprised to see you . . . alive.” she said tightly, acid dripping from her voice. She nodded to Keris. Something seemed wrong with him. Hadn’t he tried to kill her before?

She raised her eyes to the other male. He was not familiar to her but she lowered her head slightly, erasing the disgust from her face.

“Excuse me for coming onto your territory unannounced.” She said calmly, formality taking over. “My name is Sparrow. I would like to speak to the Alpha or Alphess, if you don’t mind.”

She purposely ignored Heron. They had left on a rather sour note. Part of her still didn't want to see the fae as traitor, but she couldn’t get the image from her head, the yelling . . . the screaming . . . pack against pack. Her family tore apart . . . all because of her.

[Larka]

Larka heard a voice carried on the wind, one she knew very well. Unalaq. She lifted her muzzle to howl back when another wolf's scent drifted to her nose. One she was not at all fermilliar with.

The fur rising on her back, Larka turned, sprinting towards the densite. The trees flew by her and her white paws hit the ground with a force. Her claws dug into the thawing ground...she didn't like the smell of the new wolf.

Skidding into the Densite next to Unalaq, her hackles raised and her teeth bared, Larka saw the new fae. Her ears turned with intrest as...Sparrow, spoke to Heron.

"Unalaq, I think you have the floor. I'm Larka, the Betess." She growled, her eyes locking on Unalaq, watching him curiously to see what move he'd make next. It was kind of like teaching a pup the ways of the pack, the way she was helping Unalaq learn the ways of the Alpha.

[Sy]

Firstly: Heron, You were skipped because you missed the two day deadline. Go ahead and jump in after Larka, or wait until the cycle returns to your current position in the thread if Kerisis posts. I know its Holiday season, so no pressure. Woot!

Secondly: Larka, rule number four states that IC posts "...should be at least two paragraphs, which is about five, full, juicy sentences." This is done so that people have more to work with when posting their replies, as well as giving your character more depth. This makes the gaming experience better all around for everyone. You currently provide great detail in your posts, however brief. Expanding that detail will compliment your writing even more!

Keep up the good work everyone!

-Your Mod
Sy.

[Heron]

The job description Unalaq gave Heron was more than what she needed. With a playful yip she jumped up and licked Unalaq under his chin, bumping her head against his with more playful force than she intended. With an apologetic glance Heron spun in a circle before plopping her rear onto the soft earth and sitting at mock attention.

She was barely able to contain her energy.

A new scent mixed oddly with the packs, and oddly it was one Heron knew. She cocked her head, looking over Unalaq's shoulder at the on coming fey. Sparrow. Heron remembered little of the female... Only her sorrow. She had been the orphan of the pack, Heron thought. She had little to do with the fey, but remembered her sorrow at Heron's supposed betrayal.

Would they all follow her here?

“Long time no see, Heron. I’m surprised to see you . . . alive.”

A low growl escaped Heron. They all came here to prosecute her... Followed her home.

"No thanks to you Sparrow or your bloody pack. I see you survived the war. Did you run by your self, or were there others?" Heron remained at mock attention, now ignoring Sparrow as intensely as the fey was ignoring her.

[Kerisis]

Keris sighed and lowered his head.

“Yes, my Alpha.” He said automatically.

He really wanted to hunt . . . or scout or something. Or spar. But he wasn’t so sure if starting up a play fight with Heron would be a smart idea. Didn’t matter anyway; the Alpha and Heron were going off to scout anyway. Perhaps they’d bring back interesting news; or maybe someone would show up here and he’d have to help while they were away! He began to feel better at the thought and got heavily to his feet, shaking his heavy bulk. Keris found the thought of being alone with Larka uncomfortable. He was pretty sure she didn’t like still. He felt better with the others here.

Suddenly he pricked his ears and sniffed the air, a scent drifting into his nostrils . . .

The taste of blood laced his mouth with a metallic taste . . . a strange, familiar flare of family rushed through him, followed by confused, uncertain anger . . .

He shook his head, only to find that a new wolf had appeared.

The new wolf’s eyes had landed once on him with familiarity. As with Heron, he gazed back at her blankly, wondering about the quick beating of his heart, the sudden desire run up and rejoice . . . he whined pathetically, frustrated. Why was it these two knew each other? Had this wolf wanted Heron dead as well? He tried to catch her eye again, wanting to see if it would trigger any sort of remembrance . . .

“Long time no see, Heron. I’m surprised to see you . . . alive.”

Her voice held acid in it, but she did give any sort of threatening posture away. Regardless, her tone had been directed towards a fellow pack mate and he stalked over to Heron, his eyes locked on this . . . Sparrow, as she introduced herself. This was one of the few times that he over ranked another wolf – she was trespassing in his home. She was not pack. He gave Heron her space but his posture spoke volumes towards the wolf.

Raise one lip towards her, and my jaws will be on your throat, it said.

He heard Heron speak to, calmly ignoring Sparrow regardless. Keris said nothing, past instincts kicking in full throttle. He remained still and stiff, even as Larka came in. The Beta Female growled, speaking to Unalaq. He wasn’t sure why she got defensive exactly, Sparrow didn’t have the appearance of one here on a mission to kill. But her words disturbed him regardless. But something else disturbed him as well . . . He was fairly certain he was looking at a long lost pack mate.