Spring was almost here. She could feel it in the air, the change. Most of the more arctic animals were safe up north, where it would always snow further. But the melting came and with its desperation, predators were scrambling and waking. Wren had time to call out a warning to anyone in the vicinity. The pale coat of a polar bear stalked among the Woods.

Armada didn't have pups to her knowledge, but they had wolves to protect all the same. She launched herself at the polar bear, uttering a vicious and warning growl as her teeth found fur. The bear sounded half angry and half surprised. Wren knew someone would be along, be they giant or not, she welcomed the challenge and comradery.

She had aimed a bite at the bear's paw, dragging the hefty limb back to yank the polar away from the border. If she had to kill it, she would. But she rather hoped not.

"Speech"
1/3 - fight predator (polar bear)

The bitter bite of winter is lessening and the great spring thaw has already begun. Keahi moves through the woods that the pack has laid claim to, her white polar coat still wrapped snuggly around her shoulders. It may be slowly warming up but it is still freezing to the tropical wolf and so, she continues to wear the coat while out on patrol. A call catches Keahi's attention, her packmate issuing a warning of a predator in their territory and the red woman takes off in a flash. It doesn’t take long for the familiar sight of Wren’s brown and gold coat to come into view and, along with it, the stark white of a polar bear.

Eyes quickly assess the situation and she realizes that the bear hasn’t seen her yet. Swiftly she changes her angle of trajectory, aiming to race up from behind the huge bear. Keahi’s white-cloaked form blurs through the trees and, as Wren drags the large paw, and bear, away, the tropical wolf takes the great creature by surprise. Muscles bunch and release as Keahi launches herself up and onto the bear’s back and, as soon as her paws hit fur, the red woman latches on. She grabs a huge mouth of fur and fat near the beast’s spine, thrashing her head to inflict a painful, but nonlethal, wound to the polar bear’s back.


"Keahi Mogotsi"

Keahi appeared. Wren wasn't surprised. She was an active part of the pack, a Watcher to be admired. The bear bellowed in pain as the women assaulted it, making sure to teach it a harmful lesson for straying so close. Had it been Sirius or Basilisk or any of the Dire wolves, the animal would surely be dead by now. But it wasn't. It was Wren and Keahi, issuing a warning.

She let go of the paw after yanking it again, making the bear stumble almost to all fours. Dodging a heavy swipe, Wren pivoted to the side of the predator. Aware of Keahi on the bear, she aimed to make the beast distracted. Lunging close and egging it on, she made it more or less focus on her. Torn between Keahi and Wren, the polar bear went after what it could see.

But it wasn't enough. Fed up with the wounds on its back, the bear stood and tried to slam into a nearby tree. Attempting to get Keahi off its back. No! Wren gasped inwardly, lunging again.

"Speech"
2/3 - fight predator (polar bear)

The tropical wolf trusts Wren completely and she has no doubts about her packmate’s ability as a fighter. If Keahi had had any doubt, she would not have leaped atop the angry bear. But her confidence in Wren allows her to leap up on the unsuspecting creature and know that her packmate will do her best to keep its attention. The red woman opens two more wounds on the polar bear’s back before she feels the beast shift its weight. While Wren does a valiant job vying for the trespassing creature’s attention, the collection of wounds that Keahi has been inflicting is enough to earn its wrath. She feels the muscles tense along the beast’s back and it suddenly plants its back feet to stand.

It throws its entire weight back toward a nearby tree in a bid to crush the red woman between the tree and it. However, the moment that she feels the shifting of muscles, Keahi releases her hold and, as it stands, she allows gravity to pull her back to the ground. The moment her red paws hit earth, the tropical wolf races away from the polar bear as it slams its wounded back into the tree. A bellow if pain follows Keahi as she runs around to where Wren stands. Flashing the brown and gold wolf a quick grin, she comes to stop near her and stands up to her full height. The red wolf growls deeply at the bear, showing the beast that the two women are a united front against it and it will be leaving.


"Keahi Mogotsi"

"Go!" She said this to the bear. Wren is shoulder to shoulder with Keahi as she stands in unison. A growl and snarl, a snapping of jaws as she speaks to the predator. "Leave now, or we'll make you regret it!" There was no reason to kill it, even if its materials would be useful to Armada. She was thankful Keahi didn't end it either, instead, she would be agreeing with Wren in her own way.

It was hard to tell if the polar bear actually understood. It seemed to furrow at her words, bellowing a roar - it's final. Wren had let up on the attack and backed away, having forced it with Keahi toward the scent line. Its hesitation caused her to briefly rush it, snapping her teeth. It growled in warning before turning its tail and running off. As fast as it could go. "I'll have to report this to Sirius." Wren huffed.

If the predators were getting bolder with spring... Armada could be in trouble.

"Speech"
3/3 - fight predator (polar bear)

Standing shoulder to shoulder, Keahi mirrors Wren’s movements and when her packmate growls, she does. She lets Wren speak while they continue to prod polar bear toward the border, growls and snarls filling the forest as they go. As they near the scent line, the bear hesitates and Wren rushes in with Keahi right beside her. It finally gives up, turning to flee as fast as it can. Adrenaline courses through her veins and the tropical wolf trots a few strides after it, barking a final work of parting before turning back to her packmate.

Wren huffs and speaks of reporting to Sirius and Keahi nods her agreement. Blue eyes look to Wren as the red woman muses, “We are a fairly new to this area. They could be trying to test the borders. Maybe we should increase patrols for a bit? I would be willing help with that.” She offers her packmate a friendly smile, ready to lend a helping paw wherever she is needed.


"Keahi Mogotsi"

"Yeah" she had to think of the pack, and the pack needed fresher scent lines. She could tell Sirius later, after making sure another barrier was formed. Proverbial or not, they would be met with an active community. Think twice! "but first, we'll mark here just to give them warning" Wren glanced along with the woods' location "if they're still bold... That's on them. We have a pack of near Dire wolves. They could take down a polar bear - easy."

She began to move up along the west, flicking a tail to Keahi to join her. The brunette's fur trickled along the invisible line, marking it. "Increasing patrols'll be good" she agreed too "I certainly have..." nothing to do was what she wanted to say "actually, I have too much to do!" She bit back a sigh, shaking her head. Wren had to tell Basilisk she was leaving eventually, but that could wait. They could still see each other.

"I appreciate you helping me out, Keahi" she added to the other woman, stopping "you just literally met me, so you don't have to. But I still value it."

"Speech"

Keahi watches the brunette wolf as she silently muses over the red wolf’s words; blue eyes quietly observing the way Wren’s face moves and crinkles when she is in thought. Wren speaks of marking the area and the tropical woman again nods her agreement. It isn’t that the red wolf doesn’t like to speak, she just prefers to allow others to do the talking when she can. A warm smile is given to Wren as the brunette wolf turns to move and Keahi easily falls into step with her… once invited. Blue eyes watch the forest ahead while darting a glance to Wren when the red woman catches a hint of hesitation in her voice. The statement, changed mid-thought, has the tropical wolf quirking a questioning eyebrow at the brown and gold woman.

There seems to be a sadness that lingers around the statement and Keahi gently asks, “Is there anything I can do to help?” Stress is often handled better with a friend or family member at one’s side and the red wolf sees Wren as part of her adopted family. Wren suddenly thanks her stopping and looking to Keahi while stating how much she values it. A warm, kind smile pulls at the red woman’s lips as she dips her head in gratitude for the thanks given. Straightening up, she says, “You do not need to thank me Wren. Where I come from, we protect our families, adopted or blood. My ohana… uh… my family is far from here, back on the island of Hawai’i.”

A sad, wistful smile appears for a brief moment before fading, Keahi’s eyes look to capture Wren’s gaze fully as she says, “You are part of my hanai. You are my family, not by blood, but by choice. And it isn’t because you are pack of the pack, Wren. The moment I met you… I sensed a kindred, lost spirit. Now, no matter what happens, no matter where you go, you will always be my sister.” Keahi tilts her head, watching Wren absorb her words. Would this make the brunette feel uncomfortable? In the red wolf’s culture, love is given freely to those deserving of it. Kehai has determined Wren is worthy of her’s and has already adopted her as a sister into her heart.


"Keahi Mogotsi"

"I always wanted a sister."

Wren mused this first, too touched by emotion to properly respond. She felt the beginning of tears in her eyes and blinked rapidly, turning her cheek away from Keahi. "It's good to know we'd still be friends" she added "I... Sirius is mentoring me. I wanted to make my own pack, close to Armada. Be allies and friends" She didn't shrug off the reveal like a badass though "there's so much to do. So much to prepare. I've gathered some members and we'll be moving in spring."

She turned properly to face Keahi now. "Until then, maybe you can help make the Menagerie members feel welcomed" Wren didn't doubt this though "Sirius said we can stay at the Cove until the pack is formed. I won't bring them all to the Cove, but I expect... even with Sirius's okay, Armada might look funny at them" especially Kotori, that annoying fuzzball "it's important to me that Armada and my pack are friendly. But even more, it's important for my new friends to be treated well."

She marched forward again, brushing and patrolling as they went. "You're a good wolf, Keahi" Wren admitted "I hope you know if I get the pack up, you can always come to visit. You'd be welcomed. My... sister would be welcomed."

"Speech"

A smile blooms on Keahi’s red lips, as Wren admits she always wanted a sister. As emotions build in the brunette wolf, the red woman softly asks, “Would you allow me to show you a custom from my homeland? When we meet our family and friends, we usually share our breath. It is simple, we place the foreheads against each other and just… breathe. It is symbolic of our connection. Of the ‘oneness’ of us all.” The tropical woman waits for permission and, if given, she will step up to Wren and lay her forehead against her sister’s. With their heads pressed up together, noses touching, Keahi closes her eyes… and just breathes. It is a simple act, yet it has such a deeply profound meaning to the red wolf.

Stepping back, she smiles to Wren as the brown and gold woman speaks of making her own pack and a happy glint appears in the corners of the red wolf’s blue eyes. Bowing her head, Keahi says, “I would be honored to help, sister.” Straitening, she falls back into step with Wren as she marches off, one of her red shoulders rubbing against her sister’s. Again, Wren praises her and talks of her being welcome, the red woman brushes gently against her sister’s side. A wide smile is Keahi’s red lips as she glances to Wren, saying, “You are a good wolf too, Wren. Please, do not sell yourself short.” A gently smile is given as she adds, “I would be honored to visit your pack sister. I wish you all the luck and happiness as an Alpha. And… if you need a listening ear, I’ll be here.”


"Keahi Mogotsi"

She lets Keahi do her custom. Participates in it too. Wren tries to breathe, subconscious of her breath smelling like a polar bear at the moment. When the tradition is done, she is both in awe and amused. "What's that called in your native tongue?" she asked the other woman, aware Keahi actually had a different language "and... what's your homeland like?" She suddenly was buzzing with questions, and it only dimmed when the other wolf continued.

She was happy for Wren. The brunette grinned sheepishly. "I'll be back in Armada if I fail" she told Keahi with amusement "but consider the border open to you" As she said, she didn't want her wolves to be hurt over potential misunderstandings. Borders were loose, especially to allies "you'll be listening to me bitch a lot, I think" Another joke as they moved further along the woodlands "never ran a pack on my own. I bet I'll make a lot of mistakes."

"Speech"

Wren allows Keahi to place her forehead against the other woman’s head and, nose to nose, the red woman partakes in one of her culture’s most scared traditions. Sharing of breath allows her to feel the life force that flows through the brunette wolf, to feel the connection both women have to each other and the earth underneath them. When she steps back, Keahi offers Wren a warm smile and says, “Thank you.” The question of what the tradition is called in her native tongue has the red wolf’s smile growing as she explains, “Honi ihu. It is… one of the most important things we can give each other. Not only does it allow us to exchange breath but we also share scents and… it helps remind us of close we are to each other and the land.”

Bright blue eyes light up with happiness as Wren asks what her homeland was like and a wistful smile appears on Keahi’s red lips. Taking a deep breath, she casts her gaze at the forest around them as she begins, “It is… beautiful. The area my family lived was always warm, with tropical storms bring warm rain and, with it, life. The fields were always green and the trees grew tall and strong. And the flowers… Oh Wren they were beautiful. Bright and big, exclaiming their joy for living just by blooming.” There is so much to tell here about Hawai’i but the tropical woman opts to change the subject as the pair walk through the forest and Wren speaks in being back in the Armada if she fails. The red wolf chuckles and says, “I doubt you will back anytime soon. But, if you are, know that I will be very proud of you for trying.”

Keahi offers the brown and gold wolf an easy, caring smile, knowing that there are many in the world that would rather sit on their ambitions instead of take the risk and try. With the information that the border will open to her the red woman smiles brightly and says, “Expect me to show up at random baring gifts.” A happy bounce is in her step as she listens to Wren, and at the mention of mistakes, Keahi quirks a brow and says, “I hope you make mistakes sister, that is how we learn. But making a mistake does not make you a failure, it just means you have more to understand.” Another, softer smile is given as the tropical wolf falls silent for a moment, pondering what else she can tell Wren of her homeland while allowing the soon-to-be leader time to consider her words.


"Keahi Mogotsi"

"Your home sounds so beautiful."

Wren sighed wistfully, used to northern climates with a splash of blue. Not tropical areas, rich with vegetation and warm in culture. She had shores, coves, and lakes with rivers and pools. Places that weren't very out of the ordinary, belonged in any place they chose. The breathing culture was interesting, even if she knew she'd never do it with another wolf. It wasn't her culture to share, anyway. Seemed a bit intense to Wren anyway, but was thankful Keahi trusted and welcomed her.

She laughed now. "I have to try to be more positive" Wren admitted "if someone believes in me... If many others do, then I'm doing something right" Mercury and the others believed in her vision; so why couldn't she so easily? She moved along the foliage once more before stopping. They had done one side, so she angled herself back to Armada's inner lands "let's head back. We can ask someone else to get the lower border, while we report to Sirius." It was important to let them know.

They had company and competition near spring.

"Speech"

Memories of the island she had grown up on swirl through Keahi’s mind as a melancholy-filled smile flits across red lips while she nods in agreement at Wren’s words. A soft sigh falls from her mouth as she whispers, “It was truly… paradise.” Blue eyes look to her sister the golden wolf releases a wistful sigh that fills the air and the red woman’s smile of longing, morphs into a warm, affectionate one. Oh, to be able to take Wren there! Thoughts dance like crazed butterflies through the tropical wolf’s head as the red woman ponders the places that she would show her sister and the adventures that might have.

As their talk turns to the Wren’s pack, Keahi offers gentle words of encouragement the ambitious wolf and the red wolf smile brightly as her golden sister laughs. Red head dips in fervent agreement to Wren’s words, blue eyes glancing to her adopted sister as the tropical woman hopes that she can help build the soon-to-be alpha’s confidence. Keahi offers, “Being a leader can be daunting but, when others believe in you and your vision… amazing things can happen.”

A warm smile appears as they turn back toward the cove that the Armada has claimed and she dips her head in agreement about giving a report. Amusement tints the edges of Keahi’s eyes as she says, “Well… I’ll leave that part to you.” She tosses Wren a wink and a happy laugh fills the air as they walk.


"Keahi Mogotsi"