Aakari
The white wolfess padded down one street to the next, cutting through alleyways and slinking past parked cars. The cacophony of sounds in the city had her ears swiveling this way and that, and her nose running a mile a minute trying to keep up with the plethora of strange odors that assailed it. The sights, too, were overwhelming for the alpha who'd never ventured into the human's territory before, with the strangely perfect angles and bizarre colors and shapes that dominated just about everything in this strange human jungle.
Aakari pressed onward though, knowing her pack could be in grave danger if she didn't secure the help that was needed. At one point she stopped, having picked up the scent of Lurker on the ground, but was unable to trace it back to its source. Unsure where exactly the pack lived, Aakari eventually uttered a short, low howl in an effort to gain their attention.
Pirqua & Darkwing
Aakari's trek through the cement jungle had been observed by a pair of old but impeccably sharp eyes. From high atop the city, Pirqua observed the alpha's movements, flying from rooftop to telephone pole to keep the canine in her sights. At first, she'd mistaken the white alphess for Sweetclover, so similar in build and coloration were the pair. But this wolf traveled with a sturdy stride unhindered by age, and her tail was as white as freshly fallen snow, not dimmed in gray as her grandmother's.
'This must be Aakari, then.'
Once it became clear that the wolf was moving deeper into the Alleys, Pirqua took flight and rendezvoused with her daughter near the Aegis Den. Alighting on an adjacent rooftop, the falcon gave a sharp cry, "Darkwing! Alert Gwen and Honz of a potential visitor. It may be the alphess of the Silver Glades." With a beat of slate-blue wings, Pirqua was off again, to mark Aakari's position by circling high in the sky.
"Visitor? Who..." Darkwing didn't get a chance to ask any further questions. Her mother was taking off as quickly as she'd landed, leaving Dark with little to go with. After taking a brief note of Pirqua's direction, Darkwing coasted for the Den.
Pirqua & Darkwing
Pirqua continued to circle about in the sky in between perching on various human platforms, slowly moving her way from one alley to the next as she followed Aakari's path. In this way, Darkwing could spot her and know where to lead the pack.
Minutes later, with the grace of flight on her side, Darkwing was making her way from the Aegis Den and back towards her mother. Her going was much slower though, to make sure Gwen and War Dance could keep up.
"Just a little further, down this next alleyway!" The young falcon rested briefly on a rubbish bin as she offered the latest update, "She's a white wolf, with a smudge of black on her side. Kinda big." She bobbed her head and stretched her wings, ready to take flight again once her packmates drew near.
Gwen & War Dance
"That sounds like Aakari." And sure enough, as they weaved their way down the various alleyways and continued to follow Darkwing, they were eventually brought face to face with the alphess of the Silver Glades.
Gwen's tail was raised high, along with his brindle dial, but her hackles were down and her expression was as calm as it was stern. "I didn't expect to see you out this way, Aakari. What brings you to our land?" She questioned, dipping her head once in a show of acknowledgement and respect to a fellow leader.
War Dance stood beside her mother, a near replica of her dam. Only, her head and tail were a little lower, signifying not only a lower rank, but a show of deference to Aakari.
Aakari
She'd scarcely noticed the falcons, and didn't even realize she was being surveyed until the pitched voice of Darkwing caught her attention just before Gwen and War Dance sprinted towards her. Aakari halted. Her head came up, but out of respect for her allies, she kept her plush tail lowered.
"My daughter was attacked." She began, wasting no time getting to the meat of the problem, "It was by a cat larger than any I've seen, and he carried a pack scent. I was hoping a Lurker or two would be able to stay with us while she recovers, and I'd like to investigate where this beast lives."
Gwen & War Dance
News of a big cat attack brought a grim expression to Gwen's brindled face, and beside her, she heard War exhale a harsh breath. "I'm sorry to hear that. We've faced a similar incident a few seasons ago." The alphess steeled herself as images of Skylit, Houndrik, and Equiss came to mind, and the harsh end all three had met at the fangs of several big cats outside of town. They'd not attacked since, but Aakari's story certainly brought a worrying connection between the two incidents. "War, gather Cael and Cloud. Pirqua, I need you to stay with Aakari and her family for the time being; Darkwing, see if you can find any big cats that might fit what we're looking for."
War Dance gave her mother a nod before turning and dashing away, back towards the Aegis Den.
Aakari
Gwen & *Others*
Gwen was nodding, "That's a good idea. We don't have many allies unfortunately, though we have reached out in the past to the Parnassian Meadows. I don't know where we stand with them, but they may be a worthwhile pack to look into." She offered her best advice, "I will see what help I can find in and around the city, and I can send a diplomat if you'd like help securing any alliances."
War Dance was soon sprinting back to the pair, and stopped beside her mother, panting lightly. "Cloud and Cael are on their way."
Cloud
He followed war to the gathering his ears forward
Aakari
"If it's not too much trouble, would you be willing to join me in seeking out the Parnassian wolves?" When Gwen mentioned a potential connection, Aakari was quick to jump at the opportunity.
Her haunting gaze swept towards Cloud and Cael when the two brothers arrived, and she nodded vaguely at the pair. "Cloud and Cael, I take it? I'm thankful for your help. I can lead us there now, if you're ready?
Gwen & War Dance
"That would kill two birds with one bite." Gwen agreed with a hint of a smile. "War, let your father know that I'll be gone for a few hours. Have Coyota and the others keep sentry until I return." The brindle alphess stepped forward, "I'm ready to follow."
War Dance wasted no time sprinting away, returning to the Aegis Den for the second time to let Honz know of the situation.
Cloud
Cloud nodded. he waasn't much of a talker.
Aakari
Things were moving along quickly, and to keep up with that momentum, Aakari didn't waste a second turning on her alabaster paws and sprinting back the way she came, leading the small group to the Silver Glades territory.