Though he had kept close by the lands, had stopped by and watched his nieces and nephews from time to time Chord hadn't actually yet spent any real quality time with them. Truth be told there were indeed moments he felt like a bit of an intruder within the lands of Abaven. It wasn't his home and he doubted that it ever would be, the way that the rest of the world kept calling him on. He of course wanted to be a part of their lives, but would they want to know their uncle Chord? Would they understand his wayward ways as his siblings did? He wasn't sure and truth be told was a little scared to find out what they would make of him. His own mother certainly hadn't trusted him with children, keeping Limerick, Envoi and Sonnet with her rather than letting him bring them back to Threar. Though his nieces and nephews weren't as big as his aunt and uncles had been on that journey, they were growing pretty quickly. Certainly they were no longer those tiny, delicate little bundles that he had first seen. Each of them were developing their own little personalities to match those unique appearances they each held and he had so much to learn about how they had changed. He was putting it off no longer, at least he had told himself that as he crossed the border into the Abaven lands. After his grandparents funeral he knew he had to make time for his family, try and stop any more distance growing between himself and his siblings and more importantly develop some sort of relationship with those kids. A short howl would sound for the family as he travelled a little further into the lands, not sure if Bass would want the kids too close to the borders and certain that he wouldn't mind him stepping a little further into the lands. Truth be told the only reason he ever called was just in case another member of Abaven came across him first. He certainly wasn't exactly famed as Bass's sibling, not like Motif, Harmony and Rhythm were anyway.

Adventure! With the melting snow there were more places the pups could get to more easily, and excited as he was Shrike would bolt about, looking for all the new places in Abaven to explore! He was going to learn everything about the territory and beyond! The child respected his parent’s wish to stay inside the borders of their home -- for now. The boy hadn’t fully discovered all of Abaven yet so he was content to stay close to home. But someday he would find himself growing more wayward, learning all about Alacritia.

A stranger’s howl would meet his ears and Shrike would abandon the abandoned rabbit warren he had been nosing at to investigate. Tail was up, wondering if Finch was anywhere about. He liked when she was with him. Finch was almost as cool as he was! Shrike’s bi-colored orbs were shining as he practically bounced his way to the one who made the call.

A male with eye marks like on other members of his family stood within pack lands. He was strange, yet kind of reminded the boy of his dad. Shrike wouldn’t event hesitate, bounding up to the stranger with his tail raised and wagging.

“Hiya! I’m Shrike! Who are you?”

She had been plodding slowly after Shrike, a bit behind him in fear of being left alone again. It seemed that it was quite a habit for her to get left back at the den. While she didn't really mind, she wasn't up for many adventures, she didn't like to be alone. She so trailed behind the multi-coloured boy, when she picked up another man in front of him. She froze, not knowing who he was. Squinting her blue eyes towards him, she sniffed at the air to try to pick up his scent. He didn't smell like anyone she knew, but the marks under her eyes held her interest. It was kind of like how daddies were... Shrike didn't seem to pause at all though, racing right up to the male. Squeaking, the girl ran towards him, ducking down behind her taller brother to hide. She probably would have been better off hiding far away, but there was no one to hide with back there. So she settled with hiding closer, cause... well at least it was hiding. She peeked out from behind his tan rump, two-toned ears falling against her pale skull. Who was this man and why was he calling for her family?

Though he was not the most social of his litter, Lark often kept close to his siblings. Today was no exception. But an unfamiliar call would steal their attention as it rang out across the land. He'd been trailing a good distance behind Shrike and Finch, content to watch them as they did as they pleased. He felt a bit like an older brother, though he was the same age as them both -- he was less inclined to play and much more apt to watch his littermates, and make sure he knew what was going on around them.

He would draw a bit closer as they increased their pace, his steps awkward and lopsided. His paws were far too big for his body and his ears nearly flopped down as he tilted his head down to sniff at the air. Cautious gaze woulds find the stranger in the distance, and he came to stand near Finch, noting the fear that the small girl held. Lark would study him curiously instead, a small laugh escaping his jaws at Shrike's enthusiasm. "Who are you?" he'd ask with little hesitation, wondering why this man was in their home and feeling as though they deserved an explanation.

When the call rang out, he had made his way slowly towards Chord. He trusted his brother, and knew that he would take care of his little ones. He couldn't help but linger though, he did miss his brother. Also it stressed him out a bit, thinking of his pups just wandering around. He smiled when he saw that Chord had come across the line though, pulling the children away from the border. Good, that was a great plan. The man smiled as he watched just how different his kids were. Shrike bounded right up to him and asked who he was, not a care in the world about who the stranger was. And then Finch came up, the sweet little shy girl who dove behind her brother and peeked out at Chord. Lark came next, his big boy who was a lot more cautious than his more brightly coloured brother. It was so strange, how all these babies that came from two parents were so vastly different. Him and his own siblings were a lot closer, in both looks and personalities. He had thought that it was going to be the same way with his own children, but he was very wrong. He could hardly shine a light on just how vast they ranged from one another. Bass was looking forward to the day they grew larger, to see just what kind of wolves they would become. Leaning against the tree he was standing beside, Bass smiled as he looked on at the meeting, wanting to give his pups a chance to react to the situation without him or Wren there to walk them through it.

It wouldn't be too long before the first faces begun to show up at the sound of his call. Though he had anticipated Bass or one of his sister's to appear it was in fact one pup, Shrike who bounded up and introduced himself excitedly. Chord would grin, lowering his body down slightly to the kid's level though before he had the chance to reply a second and then third of Bass' kids would appear. There should have been two more, though he wouldn't wait for them to introduce himself, he wasn't sure that Shrike would be able to stand still for long enough and the other two seemed a little more wary by his presence. "I am your Uncle Chord." He responded looking between the three of them. It was still an odd thought, him an Uncle though of course stranger still was the fact that Bass and Motif were parents. He didn't envy them, certainly not ready for kids yet himself but they were pretty cute and it seemed rather fun as he watched Shrike practically bouncing around.

An uncle! Shrike would yip, bouncing on his paws. He didn’t even notice that Finch had come up behind him, and had his tail not brushed against her -- startling him as well -- he wouldn’t have even noticed her. The boy would spin, tail wagging a mile a minute. Oh heyyyy Lark showed up too! He would nudge Finch, yipping with delight. “This is awesome! Come on Lark, come closer~” Shrike would prance around so he was facing forward again, still bouncing on his paws. “So you’re strong right? Or really fast? Bet you I can win in a race!” The boy’s energy seemed to be bubbling over. Challenge was set, and Chord better not take the bait. Shrike was the fastest runner! No doubt, and he’d stand by that claim.

"Speech!"
'Thoughts!'

Table by:: Eve

Unsure of why this man was here at all, let alone why he had called them, the young boy let his brows furrow as he gazed upon him in fierce curiosity. Quickly he answered his question, telling them that he was their uncle Chord.  "Oh. I'm Lark." Lark responded plainly, eying him unsurely still, though Shrike seemed quite excited by this new family member's presence. His brother's exuberance brought a small smile to his serious features, an expression rarely elicited by anyone other than his family.  "He could kick your butt," he warned Shrike seriously, shaking his head at his brother's confidence.  "And he's older so he's probably faster than you too." A soft snort sounded then. He was simply being honest -- though it'd be fun to watch Shrike try to outrun him anyway.