She could smell the borders here, a pack of course. Many wolves inside yet a lot of them were stale too. She was interested in knowing what happened here but more than anything was eager to see that she was needed. If they lost many, she may have been considered valuable. She just came across here by chance, not really looking or even heard anything about the pack. Just a loner looking for a home. The young girl sat back with a quick howl from her throat, a gentle voice behind it. She was a kind being yet she had a lot of her flaws that others would definitely not see coming. She had to be one of the most generous yet the spot light had to be on her and she wanted everything in the world. Spoiled may have been a good word, but there was no one ever there to spoil her. Walk "Talk" Think

He had finally reached the second Summer of his life and he had found it considerably hotter than the first. He had grown larger than his mother but still seemed to have a bit more growing to do. With his adolescence came a deep and bitter resentment for those around him, and without his brother to comfort him he had grown distant from the rest of his pack. He patrolled regularly, the lesson Bass had given him when he was a small frail pup still present in his mind, although thoughts of Bass in general usually set his teeth on edge. He had grown large enough to fight against the rapids if he ever fell in, but more importantly had gained the grace of a sprinter and the lean deer-like body of a born runner His ears perked at the howl; an unfamiliar voice entirely different from what he considered to be the inharmonious voices of what was left of Abaven or the remorseful bellows of the traitors who had left. He approached the cry cautiously, keeping his body low, careful to avoid stepping on twigs or scraping his claws against stones to avoid making noise.  His golden eyes fell on a girl, not much older than himself with snow white fur and blue eyes. He had of course seen white wolves before, a majority of what was left of Abaven was nothing but white wolves, but this girl was different. This girl was new . “Can I help you Miss?” He asked, stepping from his cover in one of the various bushes in the thicket and approaching her with his head raised and ears perked attentively. His voice had deepened in pitch considerably but still had a touch of youth to its tone. More than anything else he sounded confident, assured of himself, and helpful. He didn’t want to scare her off, but more importantly he wanted her to see him before she saw Vali or any of the other useless whelps that had chosen to stay in Abaven. Speaking Thinking You

Sparrow wasn't sure how the things between her and Vali were. She wasn't sure if the pack would accept the change in leadership again. At least some of those devoted to Bass might accept her since she carried his blood.

Sparrow had locked herself in the pack so that she could prepare for when the seasons changed. When it became apparent Bass wasn't coming back, the woman knew it was her time to take over.

From within the pack, Sparrow heard a howl. For a moment, Sparrow's heart jumped, wishing it was her sister or another family memebr. It wasn't. It was, however, someone new.

Sparrow made her way to the borders.

When she approached, she saw the white woman and Tyranis greeting her. Sparrow attempted to shoulder her way between the two protectively. It hadn't gotten in her head that Tyranis was a year old now. To her, he was just another one of Storm's pups.

Storm didn't need to lose any more pups.

"Tyranis, you should return to your mother," Sparrow said softly as a warning. "It's dangerous to approach loners you don't know. Let the higher-ups handle it."

Sparrow turned to face the young girl at the border, "Welcome to Abaven, Miss. The alphaess should be here shortly. She will be able to help you with whatever you need."

Though Sparrow didn't love that Vali was alpha, she didn't hold any malice in her voice nor ill will in her heart. Right now her mind was on the survival of Abaven- part of which included keeping Storm's pups from continuously disappearing.

A boy just her age would come out of the brush, speaking, and her ears would perk tight and forward towards him. She wasn't startled but he sure knew how to jump out of no where. She would begin to answer him, seeing his age as no level of importance, "Oh, I was just, uh, looki-" But before she could speak anymore, an older woman would barge her way between the two. Aranea shot her ears back not meaning to be rude, but this woman sure was. Interrupting a boy and a girl from potential friendship. Come on lady! She quickly relaxed herself, knowing her professional ways to react even at her young age. She only tilted her head to "Alphess". Was everyone here a girl? The heck, poor boy here all alone. Whatever. But then she would demand him to go back to his mother. Jesus this was getting so complicating. "He could uh, stay. Maybe start learning what to do for a new person like me." light sapphire eyes looked gently at the boy, a small grin and a wag of her tail to welcome him. There wasn't any reason for him to be shunned away. He just wanted to help. But she would quickly turn back to the brown fae, stating her interest, "I was actually looking to join. I know a good bit about herbs and poisons, something I'd hope could be useful to your pack." She was worried about her "poisons", what made her become homeless to begin with. But she could at least tell her she was making sure no one poisoned themselves. "I can tell you've lost a few members recently... I'd like to help you grow." Walk "Talk" Think

The call was sweet, gentle, and hinted at an interest in the pack. Vali was on her paws in a minute, interest sparking her days even as she made her way to the border - only to see Tyranis and Sparrow already there, and a younger girl as well. "Tyranis, Sparrow," she greeted warmly, having completely missed the altercation that had just taken place. She did, however, arrive in time to hear the girl's words, and what she had to offer. Hmm. Another healer. They had three already, but to turn away a member now... particularly one with knowledge of poisons.

What she didn't like was the fact that their borders still had scents of the old members on it. It was... irritating, because she knew that passerby's would be able to tell that some members were no longer there, whether it was due to death or leaving. "I am Vali, Primo of this pack. Who might you be?" she greeted quietly, and rather warmly on top of it. She didn't mention that it was only temporary, or that it wouldn't be for much longer. That... was an issue for later. But for the time being. "Those skills are indeed useful, though for the time being we will also need you to learn another skill or trade, as well." She eyed the young girl. Messenger? Maybe; they did have two of those. However, with Tyranis having an interest in messenger as well... she glanced at the boy. Perhaps it would do him some good to have interaction of his age. He was now a yearling, after all.

"Before you join, would you like to know about the pack?" That was honestly a test. If she said no, then it was clear the girl still had a lot to learn. However, if she said yes, that would give Vali a more solid indication of the girl's quick-thinking, and on top of that, it would make the girl be able to make a more educated decision about joining.

"Speech"

art by noxeri

He drew back his head with a look of pure contempt as Sparrow jumped between them. He was bigger than her and she had the audacity to treat him like a child. He came dangerously close to lunging forward and closing his jaws against her throat but held back once the stranger said he could stay. Regardless the fur on his back bristled and his claws sank deep into the ground ready to kick off at a moment’s notice, looming over the would-be alpha like a dark cloud. He relaxed once Vali approached if only because he knew she would have taken Sparrow’s side if he attacked her but still momentarily drew back his lips before he forced a sneeze. One day, but not today. He returned his attention to the female, at the rate they were going Abaven would be nothing but healers. Some diplomatic part of him noted that could be used to forge alliances but a far more present part of his mind knew it meant they would be nothing but a pack of frightened sheep if they were attacked. Thankfully once his training began he would strive to be the greatest fighter there was if only because he would need it much later on. "Talk"  Thought "You"

Sparrow glanced at the white woman as she spoke. Sparrow didn't trust the loner yet. Her words made it almost seem like she was baiting Tyranis. Maybe Sparrow was just being too cautious, but after almost all of Tyranis's other siblings had disappeared, there really wasn't such a thing as too careful. At least not until Storm's children could learn to not disappear or whatever the did. She wasn't intending to do anything other than block Tyranis from doing anything that might lead him to the same fate as his siblings.

As the young man bristled, Sparrow shot him a sharp look, her maw nearly curving into a smile. Young little spitfire, huh? Sparrow reminded herself to never let him meet Ashmedai. She wasn't too threatened by his stature. He was young and reckless and somehow Sparrow felt pretty sure he was somewhat of a coward at heart. Otherwise, he would have put that oh-so-scary attitude to use, right? Storm's pups never seemed too eager to learn anyway. They all seemed meek and shy, but that was to be expected since they kept vanishing one by one. Maybe they should be scared. Sparrow assumed this boy thought he knew everything, but still had a lot to learn in reality.

Vali approached, and Sparrow dipped her head only slightly nervous. Vali didn't seem to harbor any ill will towards Sparrow, so the brown girl let herself smile warmly back at the alphaess. She stepped to the side of Tyranis, closer to Vali. "Tyranis," Sparrow whispered, her smile lingering. "Watch and learn. It's a good opportunity."

The girl was only slightly distracted by the brown girl's voice, only telling the young boy to pay attention. But she would flick her ears back to the alphaess before her. "My name is Aranea.", and she would listen intently to her next words, making sure to show her interest and respect. "Oh I can hunt and whatever else you need me to do." Well... other than fighting but that wasn't something she would speak out loud. Aranea was very respectful but not always honest She would be a little caught off guard by her next question. Why wasn't she so eager to gain a new member after everyone who had left the pack? "I suppose so." but instead of being one of those stupid wolves that would just stand there and look at the alpha, waiting for an explanation, Aranea would continue, "What is it you strive for in pack life? Is it to protect one another or just the pack itself?" She wanted to gain the Alphaess' attention, "Do you ally other packs or have more as your enemies?" Tilting her head, she would bunch the two into one question, "Well, really, do you find yourself as a friendly pack or not. I guess that's all I'm worried about." Walk "Talk" Think

This girl definitely had a lot to learn, the more she spoke. The questions she asked were good ones to ask, but not information that one would just give out - period. No questions on their customs, no questions on the laws of the pack, no questions on anything actually related to how the pack ran. Definitely was not experienced in asking any of those questions, and it seemed that the questions were only made to indulge Vali, as the girl had been intending to jump headfirst into the pack with absolutely no knowledge.

"Both." Her answer was firm on the answer. "There is no pack with those within it. You cannot protect the pack, without protecting all who are a part of it." Now the ally one, hrm. She didn't say anything at first - instead letting the girl finish. Friendly pack, or not. "I suppose that would depend on your viewpoint. We are neutral with most other packs, neither allies nor enemies. As for friendly, we're friendly to those who mean us no harm." Now, if they meant harm... not so friendly.

"Hmm..." She let out a quick sigh in thought, "It's just important to me to know that I wouldn't be abandoned by my friends in case of a pack emergency." The alpha wasn't buying into to anything she was saying, and at this point she just thought it best to be as honest as she could and if she wanted her or not would be an end result she couldn't help. That didn't mean she wouldn't be butt hurt about it. She was already let on the curb by the pack who took her lone self in as a tiny pup. "A wolf them self is important to me. I would stick by them no matter what." She may have been getting aggravated thinking that she wasn't of any value to the woman,  but what could hurt the situation now? Perhaps the brown fae would have been easier to deal with after all... "Keeping the pack together is something that means a lot, don't get me wrong. But I'd rather have everyone's back and know that they have mine in a time of need. No wolf left behind." "I'm going to be honest, I'm not a fighter but I would protect my packmates if they needed me. I just can't say I would win the battle or not." Aranea felt like she was losing the fight, and she couldn't help but lightly squint her eyes and try to hold back the tears that barely made a layer over her eyes. It may have been noticeable to the alpha but not to the other two. One of her canines poked out and grabbed her chin as she was obviously fighting something inside her. She just didn't want to be thrown aside again. Walk "Talk" Think

Oh goodness. This girl had absolutely no idea. None whatsoever. She clearly barely knew what being in a pack meant, if she thought the pack would abandon her... in an emergency. And that it was different from making sure everyone was together. "You, dear, just described exactly what keeping the pack together and taking care of the pack means," Vali said softly. "You will learn, over time." Hopefully. She was young, though, and had potential.

"You are young, are you not? Regardless of your current strengths, your youth can be used in whichever way you desire, and you can improve in anything you deign to improve in. And that, too, is the basis of my decision now. If you still wish to join Abaven, based on this conversation, then you may."

As she had shown she was not happy, she still wasn't. She would look over to the other wolves only for a moment before returning her eyes to the alphaess. Her inner feelings were definitely showing and all the wolves may have noticed that she was struggling with something in her past. She just wished Vali would have noticed, and maybe even understood. "I don't want you to just let me in if you don't want to." She took a breath before continuing. "Can I try to show you I'm worth your while? And if I'm not up to your standards I don't have to stay." A trial more or less. She understood the alpha thought her young and stupid and maybe she was, just not entirely. "I get that I'm young and I can learn, but I want to show you I know some things that other wolves don't." "I just..." she would look to the couple wolves with a glance and then to her paws, "Maybe we can talk about it later." She was accepting her entry into the pack, but didn't want to find herself homeless yet again. Maybe she should have just shut her stupid mouth and she wouldn't feel this way right now. Walk "Talk" Think

As far as Tyranis was concerned Vali was ruining everything. The girl was clearly uncomfortable and she was treating her like she was an idiot. It wasn’t her fault if she didn’t know what a pack would or wouldn’t do. Who was she to act like that was inherently known by all? He seethed in silence, his narrowed eyes burning into the back of the plain white wolf’s skull. Maybe if she had a single thought in that head of hers she wouldn’t have passed the role of Primo to the only wolf in Abaven that was even worse than herself. “I can show you around if you like.” He offered softly, keeping his voice even and measured to hide the fire burning inside him and attempting to ignore both of the women out from his existence. He wanted to show the newcomer that not everyone in Abaven was a complete moron and maybe in time she would come to support him as well in the months to come when he would make his stand. “My name is Tyranis.” He said with a soft smile, stepping toward her and daring either Sparrow or Vali to try and do anything about it. Speech, Thought, You

Looking for pity was something Vali could never approve of, even if she did feel sympathy for the insecurity she saw. Even less was the thought that this wolf thought Vali was letting her in based on that pity; it seemed to Vali that she was looking for pity, due to the weakness showing, and then... Vali shook it off, mentally. "If I did not mean my offer, I would never have offered it to you." Her voice was stern, though not unfriendly in the least.

Throughout it all, she glanced at Tyranis, who was glaring hatefully in her direction. Truthfully... she didn't understand the young man. He had so much potential... it seemed he was just going to throw it all away in a fit of adolescent rage and hatred. He didn't get his way - and therefore he turned a burning hatred on anyone who even hinted at preventing him from doing exactly what he wanted, when he wanted it. In this case, she supposed it was being Primo. Ever since that one conversation, he had been hateful - it didn't make sense in the least. To be raised by a loving mother in a quiet, peaceful pack, yet be so filled with hatred... it bothered Vali to no end, though she already knew that Tyranis would listen to no one.

When he offered to escort her around, she simply nodded. "That would be ideal. Thank you, Tyranis."