Dixie

Dixie walked along the Alley, she was followed by a group of canines who have decided to stay with her this winter to keep from having to be alone. It seemed that small packs were always created more so in the winter or at least when it was getting close to winter. It seemed that was a time when canines especially needed others. So, that was how this little group came to be. Dixie herself was a beautiful Boxer female, who was mostly white in color with a few patches of brindle thrown in over her pelt. As you looked at her, she was a good bit skinnier than one should be this close to winter, but that was due to the lifestyle that her group had, they were always on the move and there was not much food to be found most of the time. She looked around this alley for a possible meal as the rest of her group arrived behind her.

Holly was right on Dixie's tail so to say. Her sleek black and tan pelt was shaken as some debris landed on it from above. Once her pelt had been shiny and beautiful, but it was currently a little dull due to her lack of nutrition. Though, this was not something that could not be fixed. She was in no way sickly, just a bit malnourished. Her son was right by her side, him and the other two young ones were the only ones who did not look overly skinny due to the fact that Holly and Dixie both went without so that the younger ones would have plenty. And two of them were not even related to them, but they had come to them in search of protection and it had been given.

Asrai and Dagda where pups of a female named Destroying Angel and a male named Blade. It was known that their father was a pet to the humans, so they could not go to him when they were out on their own. Instead they had run in to Dixie and Holly who had pretty much taken them under their wing, and Dagda had become best friends with Guess. They still followed the other three as they walked towards the Alley. Asrai looked like a wolf, though she took her sleek fur from her father, who was a Doberman. Her color was black and she had light gray markings on her tail and ears. Her brother Dagda had a build that was much like the Grey wolf with the fur of an Arctic wolf that kept him warm. His head and facial features were completely like his father, though. He was pure black in color with just a tan marking on his tail.

Argolis, Skeil, & Alanaque

There were plenty of things to keep Argolis's mind busy today. Pirqua had already alerted Aidan of Lyckos' departure and the death of Kane and Taros. He was now waiting for the reports from Black Feather and Mesa, to see if the Silver Glades still stood by their side, and what the Ancient Guardians were doing after being silent for so long. The big brute, with his dark, brindle coat and wolfish looks, had the build of an alpha, and the street smarts to lead his pack in a human-dominated area like this. But he lacked simple control over his own emotions, and because many in the pack were fearful that he would lead them prematurely into a war that they could not win, they sought to coach the young ruler.

Skeil was one of the so called coaches, and walked beside her tall friend as they padded down a narrow alley. The white pitbull was a long time member of the Lurkers, and the sheer amount of scars on her old hide stood in testament to the rigors of street life, and the hardships that the aging dog had gone through to defend her home and family. If anyone had wisdom to offer to the Lurkers, it was Skeil, who'd been a part of the pack longer than any of the others. Whether Argolis would take her stories and advice to heart... well, that was to be seen.

The third creature making up the group was Alanaque, the young son of Pirqua and Black Feather, and Argolis's chosen right-hand helper. The small falcon was riding astride the hybrid's back, tucking his talons down against the thick, wolfish fur without cutting into the skin below. He didn't have much advice to offer, being that he was relatively young, but his superior eyes were invaluable, and his ability to fly meant that he could be sent up into the sky to search for trouble or food, and help keep Argolis from being ambushed by their enemies.

It was as the three were turning around the corner of the alley that they came across Dixie and the other three canines. Argolis immediately bristled, and even Skeil stood a little tensely, until it became clear that this was a group of two malnourished females and a pair of youngsters - they weren't a major threat. "Who are you?" Argolis asked with a slight edge to his voice, taking his new role as alpha very seriously. Before he saw anyone as a possible friend or even packmate, he had to be sure that they were not enemies, and that they did not have ill intentions towards his pack.

Dixie

Holly was the first to hear the two canines approaching. The ridge of ebony fur on her back immediately bristled as she turned immediately to face them. Since being on the streets she was a little jumpy, especially since the concentration of animals and humans were very strong in this area. A lot of them were not at all friendly either. So, Holly was always ready to fight if she even thought that the need might arise. Though, she did not attack unless the need was obvious. It was not yet, so she did not move, just remained tense.

Dixie turned to face the small group as well. As the male canine spoke asking who they were she was on edge as her vocals rang out. I am Dixie. This is Holly and the young ones are Guess, Asrai, and Dagda. Tones held a tense edge, though they were not hostile. She just could not tell yet whether this group was here to be friends or foes. She made sure to stand between the younger canines and these three new animals in case an attack would come.

The three young canines stayed back a little ways as the older canines spoke with the new animals.

Argolis, Skeil, & Alanaque

Things always seemed to be more tense when living around the human areas. Instead of what could have been a less anxious and intimidating chance meeting somewhere in the wilds, both groups instinctively bristled and silently regarded the other with mixed feelings right off the bat, wanting to look tough before they dared to show a friendly side. Of course, living on the streets, it was a necessity of life. "I am Argolis, king of the Shadow Lurkers." The large, brindle-colored male announced, with a touch of pride in his voice. His mother had always been known as the 'queen' of the lurkers, and before his father's departure, he had been the king... and now, Argolis had self-declared himself with this prestigious title. "My name is Skeil." When Argolis forgot to mention it, the pitbull offered her name next, firmly but without as much ego that her taller companion, "And this is Alanaque." She nodded her alabastor muzzle towards the tiny falcon riding on Argolis' shoulders. With the introductions over, the alpha wolfdog moved on to more important information, "What pack do you five belong to?"

Dixie

Holly allowed herself to relax just the slightest bit when she saw that these other canines decided to speak to them in introduction instead of trying to move to attack them. Though, she still remained a bit on edge with her fur bristled some. She was not as ready to lunge as she had been at first, but that could change at the drop of a hat if these others decided to turn hostile. It did not seem like they were going to right now, though she would be ready just in case. She was a very protective type of canine, she had been on her own for so long before joining up with Dixie and these young ones. Though, once she gets comfortable she can be quite a sweetheart, it just took a lot for her to let down her guard.

Dixie took in the words that were spoken from the canines who had approached them and nodded as they introduced themselves. She would remember their names for later use if she ever ran in to them again. She noted the arrogance in the large male's vocals and she almost snorted softly, though she resisted the urge. Her dark orbs had then looked to the pit bull and then to the falcon as they had been introduced as well. She nodded a greeting to each of them in greeting and then when the leader spoke to them, asking which pack they belonged to she replied. We belong to no pack... She just simply answered the question as simply as it had been asked.

All the while, the three young ones remained behind the two older canines, they had began play wrestling, though. They did not really realize how dangerous this could be, and they trusted that Holly and Dixie would keep them safe.

Iphito, Baldur and Sarison

Argolis caused concern among many pack members. It was not their loyalty that was in doubt, it was simply that they worried they would be shunted into battles they were not prepared for. Especially with the deaths of so many in the past years, the general feeling amongst the group was shaky, at best. Even more so, since their alpha through it all had left them, he himself crushed by the death of yet another of his close blood family.

Iphito had not tried to impress her ideas or thoughts onto her nephew, but had ghosted around, offering advice when she felt appropriate to aid her brother's son in his new role. Lyckos' departure had thrown them all into turmoil, and even though Argolis had been quick to take up the mantle of leadership, there was still an air of uncertainty lingering. Following the scent of her new alpha and Skiel, Iphito padded quietly through the alleys, and found the two groups at a kind of stand-off. Beneath the tall Dane mix, two youngsters followed their great aunt. With Camden busy with his litter with Ariella, the two pups had been left to look after themselves, so Iphito had taken them under her wing for now.

Sarison, the larger of the two pups, almost walked into the large female's slim front leg. The light brown pup with the white mask eyed the other group curiously; particularly the other pups who were play wrestling. A small tail wag signalled he wanted to join in, but Iphito ignored his pleading eyes, and instead watched, from slightly behind Argolis' other side to Skeil. She was calm, no hint of aggression or uncertainty, for she did not see this as a stand off. She was concerned for the pups, for although the two females would of course try and keep them safe, this valley was not a safe place for small groups, especially with youngsters. "If you and the pups are hungry, we have food to spare if you need it...?" A gentle touch of her muzzle to her nephews shoulder indicated she sought his approval of her offer. After all, he was now the alpha, and she respected his choice to take on the role.

Baldur, the black pup with his brindle white stripes, instead took a place beneath his uncle. He took up a similar posture to Argolis, mimicking him, but every now and again he would glance upwards to make sure he was copying his uncle correctly.

Dixie

Holly was not quite sure what to do in this situation, now. It seemed as if she had jumped too quickly to the conclusion that these two canines and their bird were out to attack them. It seemed that she had been very wrong. As the other canine approached them, offering them food she felt as if she had been very far from the truth. Maybe they were here to make friends rather than to attack them. The ridge on her back that had still been standing up was allowed to lower back down to blend in to the rest of her coat once again as she looked to Dixie to see her reaction.

Dixie looked to the other canine who approached, a large Great Dane mix, though, Dixie knew not her breed. This new canine approached calmly and without apprehension. Once she reached them, she did not introduce herself but instead she offered them food if they were hungry. By the looks of herself and Holly, it was obvious that they had not eaten in some time. So, she desperately wanted to take her up on her offer... And her stomach was growling a bit. So, she nodded her brindle spotted head as she spoke. That is a very kind offer. And I am sure that our young ones and my friend are very hungry. So, if it is ok with the rest of you, I think we will take you up on your offer. She was unsure about taking her up on her offer, but she knew that they needed the food to be able to survive.

The pups continued to play wrestle, Guess obviously having the disadvantage due to his missing hind leg, though he made the best of it. He had never been born with the leg, so he did not know what he was missing. Asrai paused as she saw the new puppies approach them. She saw that one paid them no mind, but the other seemed to want to join them. So, she bounced up to the other pup and wagged her tail, her little black frame into a play bow. Hi, I'm Asrai, do you want to play?!?!? Her tones were excited as she spoke.

Argolis, Skeil, & Alanaque

The feeling in the pack was not lost on Argolis, who in turn strove to put all the uncertainties to rest and further display his self-assured dominance in the pack, whether he was actually making good choices or not. Fortunately, he hadn't led an assault on the Nuova Alba... yet. This was either due to the fact that he was heeding the quiet advice from his aunt and Skeil, or because he had a bit more common sense than he'd led everyone to believe at first. "No pack?" Argolis replied in almost a thoughtful way, and before he could go on, Iphito and two of the pack's youngsters joined the group, where his aunt put forward the suggestion to offer the strangers some food.

The first thing that raced through the alpha's head was a sense of indignation, as he felt that he should be making all the decisions. And then, as he watched the youngsters play and noticed Baldur beside him trying his best to mimic him, Argolis let that feeling go and took a step in a different direction. "You might consider joining us. With winter approaching and no pack to support yourselves and your pups, survival will be difficult." Well, it wasn't the must tactful way of putting it, but it was an offer nonetheless, and in Argolis' mind, the more members they gained the better chance they had against their enemies.

Dixie

Dixie looked to the leader as he thoughtfully spoke about them having no pack. She hoped that this would not mean that they would be seen as easy targets. And when she saw that this group did not begin to look any more aggressive she was glad. She waited for the reply from this group on their decision about whether they would be welcome to a meal or not. The leader then looked down at the young ones who were wrestling and the one who stood beside him and he spoke once more. She listened to his words and she nodded before the spoke. I think that joining your pack will be a good idea, if we are welcome. She knew that they could make it on their own if they had needed to, but when they could join a pack where life might be just a little bit easier, then she thought they might join. That and she thought it would be good for the young ones to have more pups their own age to grow up with.

Iphito, Baldur and Sarison

When Asrai stopped her wrestling and bounded towards him, Sarison's ears flickered back briefly in uncertainty, but her play bow brought out a tail wag from him, and an uncontrolable yip of excitement. Gently, Iphito nudged the youngster forward with her paw, granting permission to play, and so Sarison immediately pounced, trying to knock Asrai over, and bite at her ears, growling playfully.

Iphito felt the spike of indignation from her nephew, but payed it no mind, as she knew he would know it was not a challenge to his leadership, but an offer to a group they would surely need in these troubled times. Calmly, she nodded once to agree with his words, her dark eyes flickering every now and again down to the young pups as they played. A gentle warmth overcame her features as they accepted the invitation of becoming part of the pack, but she waited for Argolis to lead the way back to the den. Meanwhile, though, she gently grabbed Baldur's scruff and removed him from in front of Argolis, so he would not get in his uncles way.