Krush

The Woodland Farm wasn't exactly out in the country, but in the dark hours of the night, and under Krush' expert knowledge of the outskirts of town, he was able to lead the pack safely across empty roads and a vacant lot or two until they entered the patch of forest that backed the fabled home. The scent of other animals grew stronger as they approached, but Krush showed no ounce of hesitation or concern as he pushed through the last bit of forest and towards the backyard that sprawled before the simple brick house, where a variety of bird feeders were scattered about a wildly landscaped area. Here he paused, bright eyes examining their surroundings, "This is it. Now, humans typical aren't nocturnal animals, so we can either wait until daylight or we can make some noise. I've found that knocking over trashcans usually makes enough noise to wake humans."

Crucifix

He supported his sister as they walked here. His ears were back and tail was above his back and stiff. wake them uphe said. He was not waiting till day break especially not on human property. He looked to the pups.you two stay with Blue and white outhe said.

Black walked her head low as her body was in pain and blood still dripped from the right side where the claw marks were. Her jaw was either fractured or broken.

Taiya & Others

As a pup, Taiya could never wrap her mind around the fact that there were good humans out there. The two-legged creatures had been tales told to insight fear and to get bratty pups to cooperate. But the older the she-wolf got, the more she learned about the not-so-malicious ways of some humans. Even if the inhabitants of this home were friendly, Taiya couldn't shake the pit of dismay deep within her gut. The ebony coywolf stands at the edge of the treeline before the property's lawn, brown eyes squinting to survey the night-shadowed yard. She glances at Crucifix, then the injured Black, gaining sight of the metal trashcans Krush spoke of. Without a second thought, Taiya bounds forward, rearing up before a trashcan and thrusting her paws into its side. The object wobbles, but the contents within keep its center of gravity secured. The coywolf gives a frustrated growl, striking again, this time with more vigor. The item finally bows over, clattering to the ground with a metallic clang. Taiya winces, shying away from the object and the contents that now spill out onto the ground. She bounds several steps back in the direction of her back, tail standing rigidly over her back. Please let this work, Taiya prays to herself.

Blue sweeps the pups close to her frame back in the safety of the forestry, blue eyes gazing out as the rest of the pack gather within close proximity of the human dwelling. She flinches at the sound of the trash can clattering to the ground, the she-wolf buckling low to shelter the pups. "Be very quiet," Blue wards Rephaim and Naiche. While the other wolves spoke of the friendliness of the humans, Blue couldn't help but worry that they would be harmful and something could happen to the pups. The attack from the wild cats still seared a painful memory in Blue's mind, and she would do anything now to protect Reph and Naiche.

Krush, Naiche, & Star Gazer

Krush scampers forward across the yard, tailing Taiya as she boldly overcomes her fear of the two-leggers and takes a cue from his own suggestions. "That's it!" The hybrid whispers encouragement, keeping his voice low despite the necessity for noise in this moment. Ears perked and engaged, Krush watches the trashcan weeble-wobble with the first impact of Taiya's paws. It ultimately settles back in a standing position, defiant of their efforts. A frustrated growl hits the air, and the coyowolf tries again, this time with more vigor behind her strike. Krush's tail waves in silent encouragement, then dips down along with his ears when the can crashes with a horrid noise to the ground, causing even the human-savy canine to scramble back several feet in anticipation of some human reaction.

A steely-gray beast is the first to react to the cacophony, emerging from around the opposite side of the house. Standing at forty-one inches and weighing a whopping one-hundred and eighty pounds, the yellow-eyed wolfdog was the product of two of the most infamous wolves to roam the Valley. But her demeanor was not one of immediate hostility or threat, and the bright neon collar about her thick neck instantly gave her away as a pet, rather than some stray or wild cousin here to cause trouble. There was annoyance as she side-glanced at the trashcan and the contents that now littered the ground, but her words were even as she directed them to Taiya and Krush - having not noticed the others in the treeline yet. "If you're hungry, there are better ways of getting food than bothering my humans. Try the dump, you'll have better luck there."

Crucifix

Crucifix did not want to do this at all. Humans were not good and even if they fixed Black he still would never trust them. He winced at the sound of the trash can before helping his sister go closer. One ear back on the other two and the pups while the other was on the animals in front. He came upon the group.It is not filthy human food we seekhe growled.

Black eyed th eother canine warily she didn't trust any thing that trusted humans. Her jaw was still swollen and the wound on her face still bleeding.

Taiya & Others

Standing close to Krush, Taiya's ears twitch as Star Gazer emerges from her household and approaches the small pack of canines. She flashes a nervous glance to Krush, her nose scrunching as she takes a gander at the trash and snorts at Star Gazer's comment. "No..." she breathes, her reply overriden by Crucifix's confident growl. A wash of relief comes over the ebony coywolf as her mate approaches. While Star Gazer doesn't seem aggressive or territorial, the she-wolf can't help but be intimidated by the massive canine. Besides, Taiya isn't even half of her weight. She nods softly, pointing her nose in the direction of Black. "We apologize for the ruckus," Taiya hastily states, though genuinely apologetic, "But we're in desperate need of help. Word is your humans can provide assistance..." Her mahogany eyes show a glimmer of hope, trying to convey the magnitude of the matter to Star Gazer.

Krush, Star Gazer, & Others

The growl and unpleasantries from Crucifix might have ruffled the feathers of most, but Star Gazer had heard and seen a lot in her station here, and held herself without any bristled fur or so much as a bared fang. Even when she finally caught sight of the additional canines lingering back in the trees, the steely gray hybrid retained her calm and heard the alphas out. "I see." And she did; eyes now on Blackened Song, she realized the reason for the pack's approach as Taiya began to explain the situation to her. She understood Crucifix's hostility and the anxiety in his mate, and could tell that these wild cousins would not have traveled here if they had absolutely any other choice in the matter. "She can, but you'll have to retreat to the treeline. You-" An ear flicked back as noise from the house indicated that at least two of the three humans inside were up and moving around. A light flooded through one of the windows. "-you'll have to keep your distance and trust her and her mate. Don't give them any trouble, and they'll heal your friend."

Krush didn't share the angry tension or the apprehension of his leaders, though he found his tail nearly between his legs at Star Gazer's approach. He stood strong himself otherwise, confident that he'd brought his pack to a safe place, and secure in the belief that they could help Song where nature itself couldn't properly heal her wounds. Keeping his voice low, he whispered to Crucifix and Taiya, "It's okay, you can trust them."

Crucifix

He hated this with all his heart but e knew that Black would not survive without it.Even when Krush spoke .i will never trust the two leggers never, they are all vile in their own waysHe growled. If it hadn't been fo those two leggers Blackened Song wouldn't of had pups for others to steal.

black's ears were back as she leaned against her brother. She too did not trust even if these humans healed her up she would not trust them.

Rephaim stayed in the tree lines.

Taiya

Listening to Star Gazer, the black coywolf's ears flick back as she considers the proposition. Her little heart hammers against her ribs as she hears the gentle stir of the humans within their den. Taiya glances back at Crucifix, then to Blackened Song. She takes two paces towards her mate and his sister, eyes soft. "I...I don't like this either," She admits wistfully, flashing a glance at Star Gazer before gulping a breath of air. "But we need to trust them, if only for the while. Black needs help; help that time nor nature will provide." She reaches forward to touch her nose against Crucifix's, releasing an edgy breath. "Please," she pleads once more to her mate, eyes unmoving from the glistening scarlet along Black's jaw. She couldn't speak her detest, but Taiya could sense the wavering emotions from the injured she-wolf. Taiya retracts herself from Crucifix to gaze levelly at Black, a grim, sympathetic smile fleeting itself across her face. "We won't stray far. If something happens, we'll be nearby," Taiya whispers softly. "We won't let anybody hurt you again."

Krush, Star Gazer, & Others

"Believe in them what you may." Star Gazer answered back to Crucifix's deeply held views, declining to argue against the wolf who so vehemently despised the two-leggers, "But do not harm them. They will help your friend here without question, but I will protect them if I need to." The wolfdog made no move towards or away from the group, but she was watching the alphas very critically, especially the male. To help ease a decision that she could see was weighing heavily on him, Star offered more quietly, "Your and your companions made a brave choice coming here, and your friend will survive because of it. You only need now to have patience, and give the humans space to do their work. I will be here the entire time to ensure that no one, Black included, is hurt."

More noises could be heard from within the house, and the a face soon peaked out from the nearest window, illuminated by the light glowing in the room. It was a feminine face with brown hair and soft eyes that blinked and squinted at the dark scene of the back yard. Even in the dead of night, the forms of the wolves were obvious on the lawn, and she spoke in a quiet murmur that perked Star's ears. A second human face, this one male with slightly lighter brown hair, popped into view.

At this point, Krush began to recede towards the treeline, joining Blue and Whiteout with the pups.

Crucifix

Crucifix didn't like this but he knew there was no choice. If her jaw was broken there was nothing they could do in time.If They hurt her at all I will kill them and you won't stop meHe nuzzled black before receeding to the treeline.He hated leaving his sister side. If she did not come out alive in a few hours time he would find a way in.

Blackened didnt' like this she almost rather die but her pups needed her and crucifix needed. She watched him leave as she barely stood there now. Her ears were back her jaw was open but she couldn't really move it. It was not fully broken but badly fractured.

Taiya

The black alphess's shoulders droop with relief as Crucifix relents, flashing a glance of relief towards Star Gazer. A fleeting, sympathetic smile steals across her face as she dips her head towards Star Gazer. "Thank you," she murmurs softly, her voice kind. Despite her wavering anxiety, a feeling within the she-wolf told her she could trust the massive wolfdog. She's moments behind Crucifix as the brute turns to retreat, flashing a timid glance at the emerging human. She paces towards Black, taking a fleeting moment to nuzzle the mother behind the ear. "We'll remain nearby," Taiya promises, "Be strong. They're good humans."

She bounds across the dew-sprinkled grass back to the safety of the trees, immediately making a bee-line for Reph and Naiche. She lowers her head to the pups, nuzzling both of them. "Your mother is getting help," Taiya explains to the rattled pups, "But she'll be back soon enough."

Krush, Star Gazer, & Others

Star Gazer released her own quiet sigh of relief when Crucifix finally conceded to the humans' help and joined his pack within the safety of the nearby trees. It wasn't with the attitude that Star had hoped for, but she couldn't fault him for his anger and lack of trust, for she had seen and heard what some humans could do to her kind. To Taiya, the steady-eyed wolfdog returned a softened smile and a faint nod of her head, her expression utterly calm and composed now that the situation had been resolved. "Your friend will be safe." Was her last note of reassurance to the darkly colored alphess before she turned to Blackened Song herself. "It may be scary and confusing, but my humans will help you. Just keep as calm as you can."

The couple had disappeared from the window by this point, and another source of light flooded the yard as the porch light went on. The backdoor creaked open, and out stepped Kate and Greg, blinking into the darkness as Star Gazer approached their side with a softly waving tail. She got a few head pats for her efforts before Kate moved forward and then knelt on one knee a few yards from Blackened Song. "Poor baby, what's happened to you?" It was hard to tell in the dim light, but she could at least see something was amiss with the wolf's jaws.

While Kate was working to gauge the wolf's behavior, Greg was ready with a small blowgun dart, preferring the tiny, hand-held device as it looked nothing like a gun and was virtually silent. At Kate's command, or if Song became aggressive, he'd fire one of the sedatives at her flank.

In the treeline, while Krush watched the humans converge on the wounded mother, Naiche was whimpering again, "Why cant we help her? What are those creatures?"

Crucifix

He would never trust the humans never not even if they healed his sister and let her go right away which is what he expected.Because your mothers jaw is fractured The humans are the only ones who can heal it, but by no means are they trust worthy as they will stab you in the backhe said.

Rephaim listened.

Black growled but she could not bite if she had wanted to. Her fur was raised and it was clear she was not happy.

Taiya & Others

Brown eyes gaze out from the foliage into the yard, still fixated on the silhouettes of Star Gazer and Black, and the entrance of the two-legs. Taiya shares a bit of Crucifix's concern at the core of it, because she'd seen the true destruction of the human-kind. She'd lost family to them and knew their malicious tendencies. But she was more willing to relent and freely import her trust into the healing hands of them, even just for a while. She sinks back to lay next to Blue, resting her head on her paws as a little ripple of anxiety stirs in her chest. There's nothing more for them to do but wait.

Blue eyes the little pups at her paws, the she-wolf nuzzles Naiche. "The humans are an exquisite species," she explains softly to Naiche, ears twitching a bit at Crucifix's vehement, though honest, words. "Whether they use their immense wisdom and power is up to them, and there are good humans out there. But it's mostly advised to be wary of them."

Krush, Star Gazer, & Others

"It's okay, girl." Kate murmured. She read Blackened Song's body language loud and clear, and would respect the wolf's boundaries and not go any closer to her. At least, not until she'd been properly sedated past the point of caring whether she was handled or not. "She's going to need treatment, hun. That jaw isn't set right - might be dislocated, or fractured. She's definitely not letting me get close. You got her?" Kate scooted back a few paces, keeping herself low to the ground as she continued to murmur softly to the wolf, doing her best to convey friendliness and avoid an attack.

Closer to the house, Greg readied a small, lightweight dart into the tube and began to move in a wide arc. Once he had a clear shot, the man sucked in a deep breath, put the blowdart to his mouth, and exhaled with force. The tiny projectile sailed almost soundlessly through the air and embedded itself in Song's upper thigh. It was softer than a tranquilizer gun, with almost no noise to spook the wolves, and only a faint sting from where the needle pierced flesh. "Got her. Give her a few minutes before she's out, she looks pretty riled up." The curly-haired fellow was quickly backpeddling towards the house again, just in case his actions had provoked an attack from the wolves gathered at the edge of the woods.

Baring the same caution in mind, Star Gazer planted herself squarely beside Kate, where she could provide interference should tensions rise. To help ease the frazzled minds of the gathered pack though, the hybrid spoke out to them all, "You were just given medicine to make you sleepy. I would advise lying down as soon as you start to feel the sleepiness set in; it'll keep you from falling over and injuring yourself worse." She'd seen this scenario play out too many times to count, unfortunately. "They might bring you inside their den to treat your injuries, and if the injuries aren't too bad, they'll bring you back outside to wake up. If you need more healing than that, they may place you in one of the pens out here, until you're well enough to be set free again."

Naiche looked wide-eyed up at her uncle as fear seeped into her little being. She thought river water was bad - humans sounded so much worse! She flicked her attention to Blue then, her brows furrowing with concern and confusion. "I hope these humans are the good ones." Even using the word 'good' sounded foul on Naiche's tongue, as she took her uncle's views to heart. Still, if the pack were trusting these two-leggers, Naiche could do little but trust in them and hope that she would see her mother again.

Crucifix

He paced not liking this one bit. there are no good humans Naiche none.he said. He believe even the humans who did treat their kind did it for their own gain one way or another.

Black felt the dart and she would of yelped if she could she glanced at the hybrid. When she said pen she really growled. There would be problem if she ended up confinded since that is what happened the last time humans had her but she fell to the side out.

Rephaim closed his eye whineing.

Krush, Star Gazer, & Others

Naiche flattened her ears back against her head and whined quietly. Her impressionable mind soaked up all that her uncle had told her, and it was with great distrust and fear that she watched the humans close in on her mother.

Once Blackened Song went down, Kate moved quickly, with Greg stepping in at her side to assist. The wolf was hauled into a tarp, and between the couple, they managed to carry her back inside the house. Star Gazer remained outside during this entire process, a quiet force standing between her masters and the anxious pack of wolves that were watching one of their members being carted away to places unknown. "You have my word, she will be returned to you." The hybrid spoke out once more, giving them a final word of assurance, for what it was worth. "The humans' work takes time, and you may wait here if you wish. My only request is that you do not harass any creatures within my territory. This is a safe haven for you as much as it is for everyone else."

Blackened song

It was a few hours later and she slowly began to wake, thankfully not in a cage. Crucifix was by her side in no time as she did so. He didn't and would not thank the humans as he still did not trust them. Black could feel her jaw could move it was definietly operated on to put pieces back together. The swelling had gone down but as of right now due to pain meds she couldn't feel the pain.

Krush, Star Gazer, & Others

Krush had lingered in the timberline with the pups, letting Crucifix be the one to be at his sister's side when she woke up. All that anxiety that had rested like rocks in his gut began to lighten and dissolve when the wolfess stirred and showed signs of life. He breathed out a heavy sigh, as if expelling some of that worry, and looked down to the youngsters and the rest of the pack, "I think she's going to be okay." His tail beat against the ground.

For Naiche, the last few hours had felt like weeks dragging by. Her uncle's words continued to echo through her head, and she began to wonder if these humans had dragged her mother inside to eat her? Eventually, the pup had somehow fallen asleep, only to snap awake with Krush's words. "Huh? M-Momma!" Before Krush could even think to stop her, the youngster was bolting across the strangely shortened grass and running straight for her mother.

Star Gazer was resting near the back porch, head across her forepaws, and ears perked at the ready. Both of her humans had left for the day, while a third one remained inside, still sleeping.

Crucifix

He made to help his sister when she woke She had some kinda contraption on her mouth but it seemed to allow to open and close her mouth. Lets go homeHe said the less time by these humans the better.

Black woke and yawned. Realized she had no pain when she opened her mouth. She nodded as she got up. She had stitches in her face as well. She made to slowly nuzzle Naichi.

Rephaim watched not wanting to get closer to the humans.

Krush & Naiche

"Momma!" Naiche's whimper this time was one of joy when her mother finally came back to her. Her ears were pasted back in concern still, and she didn't like the smells that clung to Black's fur, but none of that stopped the pup from nuzzling her dam and licking her cheek.

The very end of Krush's tail swayed, showing his happiness for the shewolf's return. "Crucifix has the right idea. Lets get back home." While it didn't bother the bright-eyed hybrid to be here, the discomfort the alpha felt was nearly palpable. The sooner they got back to their packlands, the better.