Crucifix
Crucifix approahces the boarder warily. His nose to the ground. Yes Starscream was still alive it seems. He sent up a howl call the older wolf. HIs ears twitch when he gets aresponse but not from stars.
Tayzeka despite scratching at the collar constantly couldn't get it off. She pauses in her scratching at the call. She calls back and then looks to her mate.visitors?She said as she moved in the direction of the border.
Starscream & Others
The howl drew Starscream's immediate attention, recognizing that voice in a heartbeat. He'd heard Crucifix's voice in the distance lately, and knew the pack was beginning to grow once more. But Star never expected to hear it at his border again, and that prompted a deeply buried fear to sprout in the back of his mind. "Old neighbors." Was all he replied to his mate as he picked himself up with a grunt of effort, and followed her towards their boundary lines.
Krush remained silently at Crucifix's side, standing half a foot back with his head held up and his tail dangling low and neutral behind him. Though his hears swiveled, they caught no returning howl from the leaders of this pack, even though the borders were freshly marked. It was a quiet waiting game until the rustling of leaves announced the approach of Tayzeka and Starscream, and once they emerged from the nearby trees, Krush lowered his head respectfully.
Starscream, on the other paw, was already bristling with a sour look in his eyes and defensive venom in his voice, "Crucifix, it's been a while." The alpha's greeting was less than friendly as he approached his old ally and came to a stop a few feet from him, with a glance aside to make sure Tay was still at his side. Age had not done much to temper his attitude, and his sister was no longer there to take the edge off of it. "What brings you to our lands?"
------
Shrike and Trogon had been waiting for just the right time to make their move, and when they heard some stranger summoning the alphas, they knew it was just the right opportunity! Shrike was the one who approached the den site first, with Trogon trotting eagerly at his heels.
"Hey... psst!" Shrike's words were a sharp whisper, quickly catching the attention of Piper, who was busy stalking a lethargic wood frog along the creek. The youngster looked up, water dripping from his muzzle. "...Piper! Wanna go on an adventure with Trogon and I? To see some humans?" Shrike grinned widely, his tail swaying behind him with anticipation.
Piper's own eyes lit up like fireworks and he nodded eagerly, "Yeah, I-"
"Shhhh!" Trogon hissed as he stepped in beside his brother, "This is a secret mission, okay? Where's your brothers and sister?"
Piper flattened his ears and shrugged his shoulders, "Uhhh... I dunno?"
Crucifix
Tayzeka listened but allowed star to do the talking.
Blackout and Scorponock look up from further back in the den.They both come forward.Humans? are they back? Asks blackout.
Raven and eagle were roughhousing a little ways away from the den their siblings were peering into.
Starscream & Others
Starscream gave a grunt and faint nod in reply to Crucifix's greeting, then waited with perked ears to hear the rest of his spiel. And while initially there was a flash of interest when a renewed alliance was mentioned, anger swiftly took hold once the Haunters were brought up. Amber-brown eyes locked onto the other alpha, temporarily ignoring Krush's presence, having already confirmed by scent that this blue-eyed male was a member of the Parnassian wolves, and not the Haunters. "You've allied yourself to them?" The leader's spit these words out as if they were venom in his mouth, "You do remember what happened to us, after Cavan decided we were no longer an 'ally' to the Haunters?" A snarl now played in his throat, though his bared fangs were not intended for Crucifix so much as they were for the enemies in discussion. "The Aspen Grove was decimated! I never met my father because of them, and you want to be friends?"
A little cowed by Starscream's fury, Krush nevertheless found his voice and offered a quiet, hopeful remark, "It's an alliance out of practicality. If Crucifix and Taiya had declined, it could have meant disaster for our pack."
----
Shrike's tail was wagging furiously behind him when he realized more of the pups were here. With Piper hooked, he bounded towards the den and bowed down onto his elbows to peer in, "Nope, they're not here... we're gonna go find them! Sounds fun, huh?"
Trogon took a moment to look around, knowing that Darling was usually not far off from the den, especially if the parents were away. Not seeing the babysitter yet, he turned his focus on Raven and Eagle once he noticed the pair nearby. His tail also dancing excitedly behind him, he addressed the two a loud whisper, "Eagle, sis! You wanna go an an epic adventure with Shrike and I? Piper's coming with!"
Crucifix
Crucifix was ready for his outburst and it did not phase him. AS krush has said its only out of practically, I have no intentions of remaining their ally but first I must get allies of my own and more pack members. Blackened song almost lost her life to them. We nearly lost a pup to them. I think their alliance with us is just temporary anyways, they don't want allies in the long runhe said calmly..
Tayzeka listened.Star love, perhaps its not a bad thing. I believe crucifix words after all if his pack is small the haunters could easily take them out, he just did what was necessary to protect his packShe said.
Blackout and scorponock looked at each other. Blackout shook his head.Its a bad ideaScorp though was all for it.lets go come oneHe said.
Eagle and raven paused in their playing .no its a bad ideaEagle said. Raven however: Yah lets go
Starscream & Others
Starscream was ready to spew more fire, and the look burning in his amber orbs had convinced Krush that this mission was already a failure. And if not for Tayzeka, it was likely that Crucifix would have been turned away without securing any sort of alliance with the Aspen Grove. But the alphess was able to reach him just as Cortinarri and Kaina had in the past, and though Starscream balked at her words, they did give him pause. His eyes narrowed a little more and the growl rose in his throat, but the alpha brute inevitably offered a small concession, "Well, I can understand the necessity of you making an alliance with them, if you had no other choice."
Quietly, Krush exhaled a breath that he'd been holding. Bright eyes danced from Starscream to Tayzeka, seeing the alpha female as being a little more level headed than her mate.
"I have no qualms with your pack." Starscream continued, his voice still surly and gruff, clearly not pleased with the Haunters being rehashed. "And as much as I despise the lot you've thrown yourself in with, I won't deny an alliance between our packs. But I want nothing to do with the Haunters, and when it comes time to face them down, you'd better hope you have more allies at your back, because I can't risk the lives of my children and family. Not again, not to them."
----
"Ahhh, don't be a weenie, Black!" Shrike exclaimed with a huff and a roll of his eyes.
"...I don't think mom and dad would be happy if we left." Stormrunner piped up from where he'd been curled up, napping at the back of the den. He scooted up next to his brother and peered up the tunnel at his older cousin.
"Suit yourselves." Shrike shrugged, "But Scorp and I are going to have fun, aren't we? C'mon, cuz!" The adolescent backed out of the den entrance and pranced towards his brother, where he was busy trying to recruit their other siblings.
"Why not, Eagle? It'll be fun-" Trogon was doing his best to convince his brother to join in when Shrike bumped into him.
"Forget him!" Shrike announced, "We have to go now, before Darling or the others get back!" His green eyes darted to Eagle and narrowed, "Don't tell the adults where we went, or else. Just tell them Megs and Arora took us practice hunting, okay?"
Crucifix
Crucifix knew that there was a chance star would not accept it. Then his mate spoke and he dipped his head to her. I understand starscream, Even if I tried asking for your help against them I would never expect a yesHe said. Though it would be weird having an alliance with them when tehy will be no healp but then again. I will take my leave then, ify ou need anything just give me a call i am in parnassian meadowsHe said.
Blackout shakes his head before culring up.
Scorp followed him out.Oh yah lets goHe said.
Eagle snorted.Its dangerousHe said then glared at Shrike.as soon as they get back i am tellingHe growled.It will save your assesHe said.
RAven smacked Eagle.Come on guys lets go fast!She said and took off.
Starscream & Others
If Starscream felt any guilt for refusing assistance with the Haunters, it was easily outweighed by his fear of losing any more packmates to that monstrous tribe at the Ruins. "Right, and you know where we are if you need help with anything else." His tone had eased up a little, carrying less of a growl as his nerves began to settle. With his tail still held at its lofty height, the alpha nodded to Crucifix and added, "Keep an eye on that spy you've got in your pack, Crucifix. Remember what happened with Nachi and her damned brother - they'll do the same thing to you."
---
Shrike narrows his eyes at his little cousin and tosses his tail high in the air, "You'll tell them that Megs and Arora took us practice hunting, or else." Not really having any idea of a threat to throw at little Eagle, he left it open and tried to use intimidation to seal the other's lips.
"Dude, lets go!" Trogon nudged his brother hard enough to almost knock him over. "We've got Raven, Scorpo, and Piper - that's good enough!" Now grinning again and not putting much concern towards the consequences they might face later, the adolescent bounced past Shrike to catch up with Raven. "Wait up, sis!"
Piper bounced after his older kin, excitement rising high. "Where are we going first?! Do we hunt them, like deer or something?"
crucifix
He paused.He will never not have someone watching himHe said calmly beforeleaivng.
Raven heard them but kept going.
Scorp took off.
Eagle growled at himWAtch meHe said watching them run off he was gonna tell.