,Wishing on a Shooting Star, :MB:

One who withholds wisdom... Looking back to see Tom coming after her she laughed at his exuberance. His bashfulness had gone unnoticed by her so there was no need for complications. Surveying the are it looked..right for them. A new start. Too many bad thing had happened in these lands and this was a time to cleanse the land. Exodus chimed in and her dial swiveled in the fems direction. A light smile graced her features at her commentary. A part of her resented the way she had treated the young fae when she first arrived and wished to correct the matter. Letting Rodion respond to it in kind she again looked to the site. With a little work this could be very defensible and open all in one. If they perhaps built the dens closer to the trees where hills were more common they would have that then the open meadow. Watching Exodus leave just then made her sad for it again reminded her how she wronged the fem. Taking a deep breath she knew that in time it would all correct itself. Rodion addressed her and Tom and she shrugged. This is good as any other place that we can build. Perhaps better. Then there were others who came and she watched as Morgan brought news of a timid newcomer. Eyes flicked to the fem who lay back in the shadows and giving her space she motioned for Tom to step away. She would start marking and digging the dens. Padding over to once section she circled round it and tested the dirt, a little too hard in this section...but ah! If we move over a little it is much more malleable. Paw dragged across it a few times to loosen the dirt and with a powerful stroke she started a deeper divet. "The flow of time is always cruel... its speed seems different for each person, but no one can change it... A thing that does not change with time is a memory of younger days..." -Shiek Happy to see that she would not argue with him he snuggled closer to her. His tongue washing over her head to comfort her. Again to respond to her comment. Yes, he loved her too though right now was not the time to scrape out a scratchy remnant of the words he, before, would be able to sing out with such conviction to woo a songbird. Pleased that she was comfortable once more he tucked himself tighter against her, a content humming in his throat. The other who withholds courage...

[b]

Rodion watched after Exodus with a warm gaze, sending her a low, well-meant bark, sending from a distance that he hoped for her to feel better soon. He hated to see her so sore, and knowing full well why made it all the more painful and personal. His powerful gaze scanned over everything, and his body began to tense. He was raring to dig, and every second that passed was another that dirt wasn't moved. Even though he had hoped for this to be a sort of leisurely work, it was work nonetheless, and it had to get done soon. He resumed his brisk trot with the femme's leave and found Zelda and Tom in the midst of their exploring. "Anything interesting yet, you two? I'm hoping that we can get to digging soon." His accent came cool and clear over the grass, and he knew a few others would maybe catch the words in idle auds.

Morgan nodded at Vaarak's information, looking briefly between him and the space his brother had occupied moments before. "Good to know.I worried for just a moment." His attention immediately shifted back to Braeden, who seemed rather apprehensive at his approach. He thanked Fenris for her small friend, who seemed to have the mute gift of speaking to her in a way they couldn't. When she seemed to agree, he smiled, tassel fully wagging. "Come," he spoke not in command, but in tones that suggested she follow. Motioning to Braeden's companion in thanks and Vaarak in the manner of a leader, he took to a slow trot. The Welsh caught the scent of the pack in his nares and pressed on, but no faster.

He came to them sooner than he had hoped, but realized that he had made it all the way to the meadows. His eyes had wandered behind him frequently, checking on Braeden to make sure she came along. Vaarak he knew was sure to follow. A particular scent stuck to his nose, and he followed it to find the alphen where he socialized with Zelda and Tom. There seemed to be something at work here, though what he was not yet informed of. His voice came in a submissive bark. "Rodion, a visitor. Perhaps we should take some caution with this. It would be best handled bits at a time." At first he received a confused look, but was met by a resolute and wordless grunt at the image of Braeden to his eyes. He turned to watch as the alphen pushed forward quickly, but slowed immediately, taking a tender turn to the emaciated vix before him.
"Does she speak?" He asked over his shoulder softly.
"Very little," Morgan responded. "She goes by Braeden."
"Braeden," Rodion addressed her amiably, "Welcome." They were all the words he would speak right away. he understood from the sparse information what Morgan meant by bits at a time, and he would do so with the utmost caution. His tasself wagged but remained lowered. no need for too much dominance around her. It would come off as threatening, and it was the last thing he wanted her to think of him.

Braeden perked her long, pointy auds toward Morgan as he spoke to his friend in words that didn't make sense to her, none of which she knew. She wished she could understand so she did not feel so helpless, but there was no changing the past. She had not learned language, save for a few useless words, and this was going to be a difficult challenge to overcome. The only thing that would save her now was trust and dedication, on all of their behalfs. Then, suddenly, he moved closer to her. His stance was unthreatening, but his closeness put her back on edge. She shifted away from him, ears flattening against her skull. His tone was questioning, but what did he mean? She glanced to her little friend; he always seemed to give her a little bit of understanding, or a glimmer of hope that she was doing the right thing.

The small, black-brown-and-white dog looked to Braeden, blue eyes glimmering excitedly. He nodded his head vigorously, panting as his hind end wiggled in replacement of his stub tail. He knew she could not understand the words, but he knew she trusted his judgement, and his understanding. He knew what would be good for them both. Braeden watched the knee-high dog's reaction. He seemed enthusiastic about whatever it was Morgan had said, and was nodding intently. Her brow furrowed, but she looked to Morgan, a nervous glance shot to Vaarak, then back to Morgan. She nodded her head to him, agreeing with whatever terms had been laid out before her. They seemed to be wanting to go somewhere, and kept communicating with each other. And her small friend seemed more than willing to go with them. She tried to let that be good enough reason for her to go as well. If they were to go, then she would follow...

Ooc- If you guys would like to bring her around to the pack, that's fine with me. It will be interesting to see the interaction, even I don't know what will happen yet XD

Morgan noticed Balthier right away, and sent him a smile, but not much else. He was going to be as simple and careful around Braeden as he could. Braeden spoke, phrasing her introduction just right. The drake offered an encouraging nod, signifying to the fae that she had spoken well. He took note of her tail moving ever so slightly, and was warmed by it. He hoped she would come to warm up to them rather quickly. He could smell Rodion and the others now, too. He looked to Vaarak, speaking up enough so Balthier could hear as well, even if he was already aware. "The pack is on the move... Perhaps we should rejoin them."

He wasn't quite sure how Vaarak would handle Braeden when it came to introductions, but he seemed to be doing well so far. He trusted the young male not quite fully yet, but enough. His gaze fell back to Braeden and he stood close, disarming, as a friend would. "Come meet our friends?" He questioned casually. Perhaps putting it this way would keep her at ease about being around more wolves. Morgan knew the pack well. They wouldn't act upon any impulse to put fear in the canine's heart. They would be kind and understanding. As for the food... they could leave it if only briefly. He would come back and take care of it later. As far as he knew, Midnight wolves weren't exactly apt to steal from others.

Belikov found himself quickly pursued by others. He noticed Zelda's kindness towards Tom and felt truly happy to see such closeness within the pack. His eyes followed her carefully as she sprinted ahead, eager and joyful. It was a nice change to see from previous dark hours. His large pads kept their steady pace, in no rush to go too far yet. He knew the whole pack didn't follow, but he was at peace with it. Some had their business. Absences could always be atoned for. Thinking of absences, his mind crossed over to Link and Cinder. Perhaps when the majority of the issue at hand was taken care of, he and Zelda could go and speak with them, offer condolences and the like, and inform them of the new denning site. Cool wind blew across his cheek as the thoughts closed. He took it as a sign that he was pondering in the right direction.

He took note of Tom once more. The old bru had taken on a look of bashfulness at Zelda's touch. Charming. He had a sort of fatherly love for her, and yet was oddly enamored of her at the same time. Rodion couldn't help a chuckle. The elder felt a burst of youth within him, it seemed, and he took off after the femme, raring to catch up with her and survey their future home. A shake of the crown, and the alphen looked to Fran with a light smirk. "Seems as if it's settled then. Unless some unorthodox majority decides to disagree." He continued to follow the easily trackable trail, feeling a bit of a flutter in his heart to aid in the creation of a new denning site.

Tom caught up surprisingly quickly with Zelda, returning the nose to her fur with a young zest. "Think you were going to lose me?" His heart pounded in his chest with the exertion, but the adrenaline in his blood allowed him to pass it as nothing. The elder's eyes shone as he came alongside the femme. He was grinning, cheeks pulled back as far as they could go. He was truely happy, though for him it wasn't quite so rare a feeling, as being an optimist had its perks.

His joints creaked just slightly, but it was to be expected. He spectulated the grass with enthusiasm and looked to the advisor. "So what do you think?" He panted, mind catching up to his body, "Is it home?" He truely hoped so. To leave earth's realm in sleep after seeing such a sky would be a great and wonderful blessing.

((Nooo! Mah post is gone... ...this is a shorter version...))

Morgan looked over Braeden's weak form and Vaarak's anxious, waiting one. "One of us should get back to the pack. They need to know she is here." While trying to pull his thoughts into a conclusion of some kind, he came to realize that he had not told the emaciated fae his name, nor had he learned hers. With a kind smile he looked to her in welcome and faint curiosity. "I'm Morgan. What is your name?"

Yes, soon they would be needed with the others. He had the feeling they had missed something rather important. His nares caught a familiar scent on the wind. A friend of his coming their way. It was still vague enough for him to not make it out right away. Balthier probably. He would have notified Vaarak about it, were it not for his occupation with a so far unanswered question.


Rodion really had nothing more to tell. The meeting had sort of adjourned itself, but there was still the matter of relocating the dens. His kingly head rose to look at the others who remained. His voice lowered a bit from its official tone to one of friendly suggestion. "Any able paws willing to help me and Zelda to dig the new dens would be most welcome. Those who come would be active in choosing an area we can all agree on." His face held a sort of half smile as he gazed out at his members. "Perhaps I can get to know all of you better on our way out." With a nod he stood, glanced at Zelda with that expression of friendship he had reserved for her, and started off into the terra. Anyone who caught up with him soon would be able to give a suggestion, and they would turn in whichever way their whim suggested. He couldn't decide for them where the dens would go. This was really their home. He was just there to keep them in line.

His pads had barely taken him a few steps when Tom caught up with him. He offered up a friendly smile, but noticed the way the elder tried to keep pace. He wouldn't bring it up though, out of plain respect. "Tom. I'm guessing you've got a suggestion for me?" His eyes wandered over the healthy but aging form with concern. He was displeased with the words that came to them.

"I'm ready and willing to help with the dens if you'll have me. I mean... as much as I can do."

Rodion winced inwardly and gave another, more difficult smile. He hated going back on his word, but it had to be done. He stopped where he was. The others could catch him this way, and he could make his point clearer. "No. I'm sorry. Please don't take any offense by my words, but... I see how you've been lagging behind the others. I fear you may get too exhausted. This is a big job, Tom."

The elder hessian bit his lip, nodding. "It's alright, I understand. Maybe... just helping you find a good place to start, then?" Tom wasn't one to take offense to much, and this younger, stronger wolf was right. He'd been a fool to think he could do much about the digging.

The alphen breathed a sigh of relief. He was so glad he took it well. "Absolutely. Where, then, do you think would be a good place to settle?"

"I was thinking somewhere closer to the meadows. Wouldn't it be something to fall asleep to those stars every night?" He had a sort of reminiscent smile on his face. It would be nice.

"Duely noted, friend," He made a point of addressing Tom as such, "I think it would be a wonderful pleasure. I'll take the others' opinions and see if we'll reach a consensus."He remained where he was and let the others catch up. He would wait for their suggestions and continue from there.

Braeden was still watching them, noticing when they shifted closer to each other, muttering lowly to each other. What could they be talking about? Her anxiety grew further, wondering what they were planning as they glanced to her. She began pacing back and forth slowly, watching them. She froze in place as Morgan made inches toward her, her weakened muscles tense but in no condition to fight. She took several paces back, hackles up and tail between her legs; she still was unsure about trusting these larger canines. It was easy to accept her smaller friend, for he was no threat to her, and never had been. But these wolves... they seemed so strong, so intelligent, the way they said this or that and knew exactly what it meant. Her communicative skills were entirely lacking, and she found their abilities to speak to one another quite intimidating, especially when she did not understand.

But she tried to pay attention to him as he spoke. His ears were back and his tail offered a friendly wave, gestures that she knew were not threatening. Her tall ears pointed toward him, head canting to the side. She tried to piece together what he was saying, but it was extremely difficult; all she understood was 'more food' and 'help'. Her eyes narrowed; did he mean there was more food than this? Or he would help her get more food? She sat down, contemplating what he meant. Then she saw her friend come up beside Morgan, and he flicked his nose as though to beckon her away from the meat. Clearly he had been listening, and to him it seemed these two wolves needed to be somewhere; Braeden needed to come soon or she would be spending some time alone. But could she really trust them? Huffing indecisively, she rose to all fours and stepped off the carcass, looking to Morgan, then to Vaarak.

For whatever reason she was being beckoned away from the food, she would follow. She had put her trust in them thus far, and they were her only chance for survival. Now that she thought about it, when the deer meat ran out, she would once again be left helpless if she had nobody else to help her. She needed to stay with these wolves and hope that they meant only good upon her, not harm.