Taiya

The black she-wolf nods to Sunburst to his query. Her tail shuffles a bit as she dips her head towards Velvet and Tyrant, passing a wayward glance at her mate. She remains beside Sunburst as they turn to head back into the heart of the territory. Back at the densite, her four pups had gone long enough without her mother. Her paws carry her across the flower-dappled grass, a lightness to her step despite the unfolding situation with the Shadow Haunters. "I know this is altogether a...strange thing," Taiya converses softly with Sunburst, her brown eyes slipping to gaze over at the wolfdog. "Some might be a bit wary of your presence. But they're all good wolves...just, a lot has happened to our family recently. And in the past." Her black ears twitch a bit downward as she considers her own history, but mostly mauls over Crucifix and his family. He'd perhaps taken most of the Valley's past personally. Moving on wasn't easy. While perhaps Taiya was a bit more forgiving and fluid with changes, she understood Crucifix's disdain and aggression. "We're just trying to protect each other, at the end of the day," she muses outloud, stealing a glance at Sunburst. Perhaps, too, that was what Velvet and her group wanted? She couldn't tell if the old Haunter pride, where power was the leading factor or if their ways had shifted since the former ruling years ago.

Sunburst, Krush, & Naiche

Sunburst walked deftly beside Taiya, but a few steps back so as not to put into question his rank here among the Parnassian wolves. Behind him, the little hybrid's tail bounced loosely with each soft step, holding no rigidity nor any uncertainty. It strode the line somewhere between easy and content, but sufficiently low enough to avoid challenging anyone's rank. With considerable ease, it seemed, the diminutive canine had accepting his new home for the next few days, and listened attentively as the alphess spoke.

"Strange is a good way to put it." He looked back up at her, vivid orange eyes brimming with interest and curiosity. "I think it might be nice to experience a traditional pack for a bit. And don't worry, I've got a thick hide - cross gazes wont harm me any, and I can understand where they're coming from, what with all that's happened." His nose began to twitch, picking up scents of the pack as they drew nearer to the den site. Sunburst used this time to learn what he could of the group, trying to distinguish one individual from the other, even if he already had a rough idea of the canines that comprised of this pack. Without once losing track of Taiya's words, he was nodded a moment later to her latter comments, "That's right. To be honest, our pack saw some rough days, especially in this past year. It's good to have allies again."

Blackened Song, Neferyt, Turok, Rephaim

Blackened laid there now happy and content, letting her pups nurse for a little, given they were mostly weaned but having Neferyt back she couldn't help it. However; when Taiya came back with an unfamiliar wolf she growled a little.

Neferyt pulled away from her mother at the growl and looked over at the Taiya and Sun.Its alright momma, he's okayShe said quietly but was alittle unsure why he was here.

Rehaim moved to stand protectively in front of his sisters growling.

Taiya and Others

Taiya stood mutely as she observed the reception of her pack, the black she-wolf flicks her gaze over to the defensiveness of Black, already knowing that of all the pack members, it would be Black who raised her hackles first. And the alphess didn't blame her. "There is an ongoing conversation with the Shadow Haunters," Taiya explains vaguely, not entirely sure of the extreme details in which Crucifix had talked over with Velvet and the others. Her brown eyes cast themselves on Sunburst, a little smile dancing on her lips to comfort him. "We currently welcome Sunburst with us..." she pauses for a moment, glancing back over to her pack, "I don't expect you to understand. Crucifix will be able to explain with time as to where exactly this will go." Her words felt a bit sour in her mouth as she speaks, still left in the billowing haze of what the future would bring for her family. She harbors caution, not to Sunburst's fault, but because of the war she's lived through and the part her blood once played in this Valley. She was, after all, partially descended from the Shadow Haunters themselves. Despite the waver in her confidence, she manages a little smile at Sunburst once more and nods her head, beckoning him to introduce himself. She wordlessly dismisses herself, eager to return to her pups that she had abandoned for far too long.

The two siblings, Whiteout and Blue, both sit close to Black. Blue keeps her back to the mouth of the den, eyes squinting as she studies the wolfdog. While neither of them quite understand the situation, and neither wolf too concerned with the mention of the former Valley powerhouse, there's still an air of caution amongst them. Despite this, it is Whiteout to rises to his paws and takes a few steps towards the wolfdog. He dips his head in a greeting nod. "Whiteout," the ivory-coated brute introduces, "If you need anything or need a hunting partner, look for me."

Sunburst, Naiche, & Krush

Naiche had cheerfully welcomed her sister back to the pack, beyond happy to have Neferyt returned after she'd thought her sister to be dead. The growing youngster eventually settled down beside Nef, taking it upon herself to groom her littermate and remove the unknown scents that clung to her fur. She stopped only when the shuffle of paws alerted her to Taiya's return, and with her, an unknown brute. Blackened's growl drew a similar rumble from Naiche, and she flattened her ears, but didn't say anything.

Krush rose to his paws when his alpha reappeared with a canine he didn't recognize, but which carried the scent of the enemies. His tail stiffened, but he took Taiya's calm body language to heart, and waited for her to speak before he passed any crucial judgement. Blue eyes studied the slightly smaller brute for a moment before he relaxed his own posture and followed Whiteout forward. "Same here. I'm Krush."

Sunburst flashes a smile back at Taiya, and seems to shrug off the less than friendly reactions his presence elicits from some of the others. Despite being smaller than everyone save for the pups, the little Haunter manages a wagging tail and a firm, unshaken voice to answers the duo that approached him, "Thanks, Whiteout, Krush. I won't be here long I don't think, erm, maybe - but either way, I'll take you up on that offer later. And, whether I end up staying here or not, you're always welcome to call on me for help - I know quiet a few good hunting spots." Looking past the two, Sunburst gave Neferyt a kind smile and another wag of the tail.

Seeing this, Naiche frowned and bared her teeth at the stranger.

Neferyt

She sighed and understood her families reactions. but sun had been nothing but kind to her even when she made it clear on her position to his leader he didn't rebuke her like lupe had. I swear he's fine he was nothing but nice to me even when I was rude and disrespectful he means no harmShe whined at her mother and siblings. She wiggled away from them and moved to greet Sun.

Black still growled even when her daughter ran over to the male.

Rephaim didn't know what to think.

Whiteout & Blue

The white male wags his tail softly as he listens to Sunburst, nodding for a moment before considering. Taiya didn't seem to have many explicit details regarding Sunburst's stay, but the brute accepts that as is. "Well, we never know," Whiteout agrees, his shoulders shrugging. With a warm voice, he adds "Either way, it'll be nice to know, moving forward, to have a friend in either pack."

Blue continues to scowl from her perch at the mouth of the den. As Taiya vanishes to her own pups, the she-wolf rises to her paws and takes several steps over towards Whiteout, Krush and the newcomer. Azure eyes study the wolfdog as she tries to size up the threat he poses. Convinced by both Krush and Whiteout's friendliness towards the stranger, Blue softens a bit, though her guard still remains poised. "I'm Blue," she greets from behind Whiteout, stepping alongside her brother. "If you aren't a problem, we won't have a problem," her voice honestly rings. Instantly, her blunt words rouse a scoffing growl from Whiteout, the brute snapping his teeth at his sister's face.

"Hush, Blue," Whiteout wards. He shifts his yellow gaze back to Sunburst apologetically. "I'm sorry, she's not necessarily a delight to meet at first."

Sunburst, Naiche, & Krush ,P> The show of support from little Neferyt melted the male's heart. In the face of so much suspicion and wariness, entirely warranted as it may be, having her support made the transition to the Parnassian pack that much easier. He leaned his storm-gray muzzle down and gave her a gentle lick on the top of the head. "It's okay Neffy, it'll take a bit of time for them to trust me." When his eyes rose to the other pups, he found Naiche still scowling something fierce at him, though at least her fangs were no longer bared.

An ear swiveled to Whiteout then, finding a liking for this friendly fellow and the blue-eyed hybrid that stood next to him. "Right! That's one reason I enjoy it with the Haunters. There's always a friend or five to talk to. Though, you guys seems to be growing just as well." He wagged his tail merrily, his gaze flicking from Blackened Song to the den where Taiya had disappeared into. They soon darted to the snow-white fae padding in his direction, and he gets an immediate inkling for her personality by the way she sizes him up upon her approach. Appropriately, Sunburst drops his head lower, though his eyes never stray far from hers. As he's nodding a clear understanding to her warning, Sunburst gets to witness the sharp rebuke from Whiteout, and an awkward side-shuffle from Krush as the hybrid minces away from the brief squabble between the siblings.

Through it all, Sunburst maintains a slow wag of his tail as his attention flicks back to Whiteout, "It's alright, really. She's right to be cautious, and I'm more than use to such things."

Blackened Song

Black didn't like this one bit. Her jaw nearly finishedh ealing and thanks to the contraption on her mouth she had been able to eat normally. But now it was just becoming annoying. She also had atracking collar on her which she had tried to get off to no degree. what is the meaning of this crucifix?She said standing up. The scratch marks on her face from Katara more visible now that she is facing them.

Crucifix soon returned to the den and sighed at his sister.We're not in the position right now to be fighting Black. Im tired of fighting. There is no need for fighting. Velvet claims it was an accident, not that I believe her one bit. I made a deal with her, he stays with this pack till she provides us another pack member who will leave the haunters rank for good and join us. I won't let them harm you or any of your pups again. he said sitting down and eyeing Sunburst.ill kill any of them if they even so much as raise a paw the wrong wayhe said meaningfully looking at Sunburst.

Neferyt listened to him. She growled a little at her uncle.Sunburst isn't like them he differentShe growled.

Rephaim snorted.You only say that because he's a canine and not the feline who took youhe said.

Whiteout & Blue

Blue snorts, her eyes rolling as she gives her brother a dubious look. When Sunburst speaks up in favor of her actions, supporting her hostility, the she-wolf smirks a bit. "Oh please," Blue growls at her brother, vexed by his politeness. Shaking her head, Blue retracts herself from them and plops down. It's at this moment that Crucifix and Black begin to squabble, the she-wolf's ears twitching with interest as the alpha gives further insight on the situation at hand. It's all odd and confusing, but Blue trusts her alphas as much to know it's within their capabilities to handle this new alliance without costing their family.

Whiteout scrunches his nose at Blue, golden eyes squinting. Her remains standing beside Sunburst, his tail wagging a bit as Neferyt closes the proximity upon her "friend." Rephaim is right in his judgment of Neferyt, Whiteout quietly muses to himself. Had it been a cat to arrive first and foremost, the pack would be in disarray over the issue.

Sunburst, Naiche, & Krush

Crucifix manages to elicit a brief flattening of Sun's ears when he turns a pointed threat in his direction while explaining the situation to his sister and the rest of the pack. Through it all, the little hybrid's tail continues to wag, albeit in a subdued manner and held fairly low, mixing his clear flags of submission with an unflinchingly chipper attitude. "No need to worry about me. In fact..." He turned his orange eyes about the gathered pack, from the irked Blue to the outright hostile Blackened Song, and briefly to the only pup who supported him, "...I suppose, I wouldn't mind staying here permanently, if that's okay with you all?"

Naiche let a growl build louder in her throat, never once breaking eye contact with Sunburst. "I bet he's just here to spy on us." The youngster side glanced to her brother, then darted her venomous gaze back to the little hybrid. "If he is going to stay here, he should be the omega!"

Krush decided to keep his peace on this one, at least for the moment. He hadn't been part of the pack for that long, and didn't feel his views weight as heavily as those of Blackened and the others.

Neferyt

Neferyt growled at both her brother and sister her little tail now up. She would make a good alpha and it was showing already in her disposition.Cut it out he is no threat to us She growled. She then heard Sun words and her tail wagged. She ran up to her uncle.Can he uncle? I like him please please can he ?She barked.

Crucifix listened to them all and growled a little.enoughHe saidthen looked at Sunburst. He was not expecting that. He glanced down at his niece. Your willing to commit to me and Taiya? You would no longer tell Velvet anything or follow her ways or laws or answer to her? Your willing to leave the shadow haunters?He said calmly. Oh yes he knew very well Sunburst could be a spy, however; He doubted it because what he had asked as retribution had to of been a suprise to them there was no time for them to of planned it. Now if they had taken another as permanent then that one could of been a spy. If you are willing to leave them entirely then yes you may stay on permanently. I will send my bird of prey to notify her if that is your final decisionHe said.

Rephaim snorted but went quiet at his uncles growl.

Blackened snorted and got up and headed to the river to drink.

Taiya

The constant bickering above ground elicited the fae back from the depths of the den, the she-wolf's hackles slightly raised as she cues in on the haughty arguing between Black and Crucifix. Golden eyes dance from the pouting form of Blue, over to the duo of Krush and Whiteout near the newcomer. An empty sigh escapes her mouth as she studies her back, shaking her head a bit. "Are you sure Velvet will take nicely to this?" Taiya mentions to Crucifix, her ears flattening a bit. As much as she'd love to accept Sunburst, especially with Neferyt's attachment to the wolfdog, a little bit of the alphess worried.

Sunburst & Others

Naiche raised the fur along her back, but quieted her growl when Neferyt defied them to support Sunburst. She shuffled closer to Rephaim and muttered her discontent to him, "I still think he should be the omega - I'm not going to show a Haunter respect." The youngster hardly understood the history of the pack or just how deep the roots of violence and turmoil went, but as far as she was concerned, the Haunters were scum for what they did to her mother and sister.

Still keen on keeping his opinion to himself, Krush turned a few curious glances around, trying to silently gather the opinion of his fellow pack mates. In the center of it, Sunburst's attention was flicking from one wolf to the other, following the various reactions to his declaration of joining the pack on a more permanent basis. The moment Crucifix fixed his gaze on him, Sunburst's tail stopped wagging and went low, as did the hybrid's head. He was well use to displaying fealty to Velvet, and offered it without second thought to the alpha wolf, "You have my loyalty. You and Taiya, and the rest of the pack." He bowed his head lower, "I will no longer follow Velvet's commands... that is, as long as I'm accepted."

Crucifix

His tail flicked.She will have to accept it. Honestly I wouldn't trust another she would send as she has enough time to plot against us. But with him their was no time to plot. She was no expecting me to demand a permanent memberHe said. He gazed to the red tail hawk sitting in the tree and the hawk took off for the ruins with out question.If Neferyt trusts him he will be the one we accept into the packHe said calmly. You do also realize their may come a time when we no longer ally with them? In the far futureHe said.

Rephaim nodded.

Neferyt jumped around at his feet excited.

Taiya

The swift pace of these events unfolding causes the alphess to shift uneasily. A cool breeze kisses against her frame, the she-wolf leaning into it with her eyelids flickering closed. She cautiously worries in silence, her mind flitting back to her childhood in the peak of the Shadow Haunters' reign. Back to the times when Crucifix's father led the regime against Risen and her treacherous family. She shovels those thoughts away, opening her eyes to gaze at her pack. Maybe this wouldn't mean the birth of newfound chaos in the valley, but the she-wolf keeps the expectation in the back recesses of her brain. "Regardless of all of this," Taiya speaks directly to Sunburst, dipping her head, "You're now family, Sunburst." Her words are sincere, the alphess hoping that the rest of her pack, including the pups, would follow her courteous extension to the newfound member.

Whiteout wags his tail a bit, shifting awkwardly to turn his golden gaze at Sunburst. "Yes, welcome...for good this time!" Whiteout chuckles. Across the gathering site, Blue gives a little huff, eyeing Sunburst with uncertainty still. He'd prove himself in time, but Blue wasn't going to argue Crucifix's and Taiya's trust. Her alphess even seemed to like Sunburst, and Blue trusted Taiya's intuition enough.

Sunburst & Others

Taiya's acceptance did help to ease what anxiety the little hybrid might have lurking beneath his calm, chipper exterior. "Thanks." His muzzle dipped downward in a bow of gratitude, before sweeping back towards Crucifix and what the alpha brute had to say. A slight furrow struck his dark brows, and carefully, he questioned his new leader, "Pardon me for asking, but... you don't expect the alliance to remain?" Sunburst chalked the comment up to the long-held animosity and distrust Crucifix and his kin had against the Haunters, rather than a subplot on the alpha's part to later turn against the Ruins dwelling pack. Either way, his tail continued swaying to its own tune, and a cheerful smile was shot in Whiteout's direction, "Thanks!"

Krush let his banner swish in friendly motion, happy to have another comrade in the pack, and to no longer be the newbie of the group. And while he was still leery of voicing his opinion, Naiche did not hesitate to let her views be known. She did not welcome Sunburst, but pointed stared at him with flattened ears.

Crucifix

he sat down.I expect at some point it to fail yes. I find it hard to believe that the haunters have changed their wayshe said calmly.

Black remained by the water.

Neferyt was excited.

Sunburst & Others

Sunburst went quiet after Crucifix's prediction, not wanting to address how unwilling he'd be to attack his former Family if it came down to it. Of course, he honestly didn't know what Velvet had planned; the lioness was exceptionally tricky to pin down, and it wouldn't surprise him if she were planning something devious against the Parnassian wolves. With Senka and Tersek slated to come back though... Sun mentally shook the thoughts out of his head, figuring it best not to dwell on the 'what-ifs'. Instead, he looked to a more pertinent issue that involved himself, "So uh... what other allies do you have? Any of the packs around you?" The little hybrid tilted his head innocently, then shrugged," Like... I dunno, the Aspen Grove pack?"

At this question, Krush took interest and looked to the rest of the pack. He wasn't familiar with any potential allies they had, and personally didn't know much of the now shy Aspen Grove wolves, who tended to keep to themselves of late.

Crucifix

He listened and tilted his head.I was gonna head to the aspen grove pack before you showed upHe said calmly.Perhaps you would like to come?He asked.

Sunburst & Others

If the others were watching closely, they might notice a slight widening of Sunburst's eyes. "...no." He blinked and shook his head, "Erm, what I mean is, maybe we should look into other allies first? The Aspen Grove... I've heard rumors of rabies over there. Might be best to wait a while before we head that way?" A bold lie for sure, but the wolfdog was not keen on meeting up with Crow again, or admitting to his new pack what he'd done.

Crucifix

He watched him and his eyes narrowed.I have been allied with them before. You do not need to come but they are the strongest pack near us and I wish to know who is leading them if they still exist. If they have rabies then they will be deadHe said calmly.

Sunburst & Others

"They are pretty strong." Sunburst conceded in a tone that tried to be neutral and interested, but came across just a touch awkward. He debated for a moment in his head before deciding that, in the long run, Crucifix and Taiya would find out what had happened, and rather than lie to them now, the little hybrid swallowed his fears and admitted his past. With his ears pressed back, Sunburst sighed and spoke, "...actually, I made the rabies thing up. I mean, I hope they don't have it." Sun cleared his throat, sniffed, and forced himself to continue, "...I hesitate because I... I had a bad run-in with them earlier this winter. A few packmembers and myself, we ambushed them." He looked to Crucifix, then stole glances at the others, "...the Aspen Grove survived, but I... was the only one in my group to make it out alive."

To this news, Naiche stood up, huffing loudly, "You see! He shouldn't be trusted, if he's going to be going around trying to kill our allies and stuff. He's dangerous!"

Krush wasn't well aware of the history between the Haunters and Aspen Grove, or how the Parnassian wolves mixed into it. But to his ears, Sunburst was regretful of the event, and even more anxious over what his new pack would think of it. Finally, the blue-eyed hybrid felt compelled to bring his voice into the mix, "This is the start of a fresh beginning, right? I think if we go to the Aspen Grove and explain things, they'll understand. Especially if you killed none of their members."

Taiya

The black alphess exchanges looks between Sunburst and Crucifix, her ears twitching a bit as the wolfdog suddenly admits to his lie. There's a bit in her stomach she she glances over to Crucifix, worried by his reaction. But the alphess knows her mate is typically cool-headed in these situations. Instead of directing her attention to Sunburst, the she-wolf strides over and nudges the boisterous Naiche. "Hush, Naiche," Taiya murmurs with a little growl of warning, "This is for the adults to discuss."

Crucifix

He listened and sighed at him.Do not lie to me again. Your starting fresh by joining us but if you continue to lie it may be a different storyhe said. I will go myself to the pack and see about an allianceHe said.

Sunburst & Others

Sunburst sat back on his haunches and lowered his head until his nose nearly brushed the ground, his posture the epitome of regret and embarasment . "It wont happen again, you have my word on that, sir." He didn't so much as let his flattened hears twitch in Naiche's direction, not about to get into a quarrel with a young pup, or try to reason with the feisty youngster. It would take time, he knew, to truly win over the trust of everyone here, and this was not the best of starts.

For her part, Naiche found her own ears slipping back against her skull and her head inching downward instinctively when she was rebuked by the alpha. Light as the growl was, it struck like a tooth and she didn't dare try to defy Taiya. There was just enough stuborness in the pup to cast a glare at Sunburst though, bound determined to make sure he knew how much she did not like his presence here.

"I can go with, if you need?" Krush piped up, wanting to do something to break the awkward tension in the air. "Or if you need a pup sitter, I wouldn't mind entertaining the young if you and your sister want to get away for a while."

Taiya

The she-wolf blinks at the submissive pup, flicking a glance at the slumped over figure of Sunburst before maneuvering herself close to Crucifix. She touches her nose to his cheek, tail wagging softly. "Are you sure you don't want someone to go with you?" Taiya questions softly, honey-colored eyes blinking. "I know you don't want to pose as threatening but I want you to be safe." Even though Crucifix had history with Aspen Grove, the she-wolf still felt uncertain. After the events of the previous few weeks, Taiya couldn't subdue all of her worry over the rapid changes in the Valley. While she tried earnestly to remain stoic and strong as the alphess, Taiya was still mortal. Her eyes track themselves to the four rambunctious pups, the sight of them causing her to lean closer to Crucifix. She knows he'll rebuke her idea, but she still presses out of concern. He's independent and fierce about business, and Taiya knows she'll never rope that in.

Crucifix

He studied Krush. If you don't know the aspen grove then yes I suppose you can comeAfter all he didn't want anyone that they might actually recognize as a threat.

Sunburst, Naiche, & Krush

Krush's rust-tinged ears perked to Taiya's comment to her mate. Glancing in the direction of their den, he pushed his ears back a bit and amended his earlier offer to join Crucifix to the Aspen Grove, "Erm, actually, if Taiya wants to go, I wouldn't mind staying back to help Blackened Song and the others keep an eye on the youngsters?" He also wouldn't mind going with them either, if the alpha pair thought there were enough adults around, but he suspected Sunburts' presence would warrant more eyes around the pups for a little while.

Still cowed by Taiya's gentle reprimand, Naiche flopped down on her belly to silently stew in her pity. Doing her best to pretend like she wasn't paying attention to what the adults were saying now, she'd roll her eyes briefly to her uncle, Taiya, and Krush, curious about who was going where.

Sunburst figured it was best not to offer to help watch the pups, even if he frequently had that job back with the Haunters.

Taiya

The she-wolf turns her brown gaze over to Krush, cocking her head a bit. "Two males might be more intimidating. Perhaps you and I would be a less-threatening duo," Taiya reasons with Crucifix, shrugging her shoulders. She was prepared to be shouldered off to staying with her pups, and didn't absolutely mind that idea. But her defensive worry for Crucifix and the desire to also act as an alpha for her pack still ached in the back of her mind. Eyes blink back at Crucifix, waiting for what he thought.

Crucifix

He listened to each.As much as that sounds good we have no beta and therefore an alpha must stay behind. I can either take Krush with me or I can take Blackened song, though black is not ready if a fight were to break outHe said calmly.

Sunburst & Others

"If that's what you wish." Krush answered back, while making a quick sweep of the pack, just now realizing that there was no beta. In his mind at least, Blue had been the 'beta', if only because she intimidated him the most and seemed least likely to take any slack from others. Blackened Song was a close second, but the blue-eyed canine wasn't about to open his trap and offer his thoughts.

Sunburst hadn't made any such assumptions yet, and was just happy that he wasn't going to be heading to the Aspen Grove with Crucifix. He'd let his new alpha deal with that mess, and could only hope that an alliance was still possible while he was with the Parnassian wolves.

Taiya

Touching her nose to Crucifix once more, the alphess silently resigns to his decision. Her brown eyes gaze at her mate, a quiet bidding of safety extending towards the black brute. Krush was a fine choice. While the wolfdog could definitely fight if given the opportunity, he exuded a peaceful, content air about him. "We'll hold things down while you're away," Taiya vows, giving Crucifix one last nuzzle. Under her paws, a rambunctious Hatti suddenly stumbles from underneath her mother. The mostly-black pup trips over her own paws, landing on top of one of her father's paws, belly up and staring up at her father. Taiya chuckles softly, leaning down to scoot the pup off of her father. "Though...don't take your time. These pups won't hesitate to exhaust me to my death," Taiya jests, her tail wagging softly. Now that these pups were mobile and full of curiosity, the she-wolf had her work cut out for her.

Away from the alphas, the fawn-colored Orsino quietly traipses around the adults. After trying to wrestle Hatti, and aptly losing that fight, he had taken up exploring the little clearing outside the den. He wanders to behind Sunburst, his little nose burning with the scent of the different wolfdog. Sunburst was them, but he also was different -- time would eventually engulf Sunburst in the scent of the other Parnassian wolves, but for now, Orsino only knew that there was something different about this adult. The male flops onto his belly, scooting forward steathily near Sunburst's tail. Without further thought, he grasps Sunburst's tail in his tiny puppy teeth, chewing down lightly.

Crucifix

Crucifix nudges her back and then nudges Hatti and then turns to head to aspen grove with krush.

Blackened soon returned and just laid down.

Neferyt went to curl up next to her mother.

Izzabella and Sebastian were wrestling.

Rephaim was stalking a buttefly

Sunburst & Others

Despite his best efforts to subdue it, Krush's tail couldn't help but get a few excited wags in upon seeing the newest pups creep out of the den. Part of him wanted to drop right into a play bow and instigate some fun with the little ones, but alas, duty called. With a deep gulp of air and a firm shake of his head, the blue-eyed hybrid set his mind on the task at hand, and loped after his alpha at a steady pace.

Naiche watched the duo depart before pulling herself up from the ground. She contemplated intercepting Orsino, but after giving a furtive glance in Taiya's direction, the youngster thought better of it and stalked towards her brother instead. "I bet I can catch it before you can." She made her bold announcement as she pounced in front of Rephaim, trying to snap the butterfly up between her jaws.

Sunburst was very aware of the youngster padding up behind him, but resisted the impulse to look back at little Orsino. Instead, he played the part of an unsuspecting adult and held back a grin when he heard the tell-tale sound of a little form scooting belly-first across the grass. Sun even feigned a startled gasp when little teeth clamped down on his dark tail, and flopped dramatically down on his side, "Iiike!" The 'yelp' was a quiet one, and to the ears of the adults, one made in play. "You got me!" The little male flicks his tail then, a mild attempt to break it out of the pup's grip and make the game more engaging.

Taiya & Orsino ,P> Taiya watches her mate and Krush depart, the she-wolf holding back a bit of a worried whine in her throat. Her chocolate eyes scan back to her lounging pack, her heart warm as she watched both Black and her pups playing. She nuzzles little Hatti, still laying docilely in the dirt where Crucifix had once stood.

Orsino thought he had truly surprised Sunburst, the little pup's jaws almost immediately loosening with a little grin. Unfortunately, his glee was what threw him off mostly, paired with the swift movement of Sun's tail. The little brute goes tumbling in the dirt, landing on his shoulder. "Oof!" The wind is knocked out of his chest, but Orsino doesn't allow that to thwart his plans. True as Sun at intended, Orsino scrambles back to his paws with an indignant grunt, bounding after the male with a determined growl. "Come back!" His little voice demands, the pup scrambling for Sun's tail once more.

Rephiam, Neferyt, Sebastian and Izabella

Black fell asleep with her daughter.

Rephaim growled at his sister andi instead of trying to pounce on the butterfly he waited as she pounced and then made to pounce on her.

Sebastian and izzy still rough housed.

Sunburst & Naiche

Naiche was a little too quick, for her snapping jaws and hurried leap brought with it a small rush of air that swirled the butterfly out of her reach. Her teeth snapped together with an impressive 'clink!' and her pale yellow eyes immediately soured into a frown. The frown was short lived of course, as suddenly another body was slamming into her and driving her to the ground. Grunting in surprise, a shrill growl escaped the little female, who now tried to wiggle around and grab a hold of her brother's ear, while kicking at him with her back legs.

The fight a few yards away was decidedly less even, or at least it would have been if Sunburst didn't have the docility of a lamb when playing with youngsters. Rolling now onto his back so that his dark belly was exposed to all, the lithe little male wordlessly displayed to the rest of the pack that he was merely playing with Orsino and that no harm was meant, despite his now exposed fangs and quiet growls. Looking upside down at the pup who was pouncing for his tail, Sunburst whipped it upwards at the last second, then patted it down against Orsino's head, making the youngster fight for his prize.

Orsino

The tan-colored brute huffs with determination as he scuffles through the dirt in dire pursuit of Sunburst. While Sunburst's tail is no major foe, the small brute is thrown off by the sudden plummet upon his head. His little legs give out underneath him, Orsino sinking into the dirt with another breathless thud. The second offense now elicits a louder growl from the pup, his little teeth flying upward in hopes to grab ahold of Sunburst's tail again.

Rephaim

Rephaim nipped at Naiche.Submit!he growled half playfully half actually meaning it.

Naiche & Sunburst

Though it would have been easy to swish his tail up again, or sweep it low and catch the youngster's leg, Sunburst held it just low enough for Orsino to grab it. He then winced as all those tiny little teeth found their way through his dark gray fur, but the minor discomfort was a walk in the park compared to the old training regiment he'd gone through back in his younger days. "There you go!" He gave a light woof of encouragement, "Now can you keep your grip?" And with a brief warning, Sunburst swung his tail again, this time out to the side to drag Orsino across the ground, if he could hold on tightly enough.

Naiche's game was decidedly more intense. Her blood was still up after the commotion earlier, and that gave her enough drive to refuse her brother's orders, "Never, you filthy Haunter scum!" Putting her imagination to use, she pictured Rephaim as one of the big cats; at least, what she imagined they looked like, since she'd not actually seen any of them. A growl rolled through her small body and she kicked at him with all her might and bit his paws...

Orsino & Hatti

There's a squeak of delight from Orsino as he grabs onto Sunburst's tail successfully. Little teeth clutch on tightly, unaware of how the little needle-teeth affected the older wolfdog. But Sunburst's daunting warning made the little pup growl, jaws seizing as the wolfdog drags his tail away. There's a moment in which Orsino remains attached to Sunburst, but as his belly drags across the dirt, Orsino loses his grip again. He thumps to the ground, laying docilely for a moment before thrusting himself up to his paws. "Come back!" he yips.

Hearing the commotion occurring between Sunburst and Orsino, little Hatti decides that she, too, deserves to play. But rather than pursuing Sunburst's tail, she takes advantage of her brother's lack of awareness. "I'll save you, Sunburst," Hatti valiantly declares. The ebony colored pup leaps up onto her brother's back, forcing him back onto his belly. While she's much smaller than her brother, Hatti has leverage and presses her paws into his shoulders to hold him down.

Rephaim

Rephaim ears went back at that. He backed off and shakes his head. He didn't care if it was play.He felt a bit insulted from it. He moved to pounce on Sunburst himself playfully aiming for a hind paw.

Naiche & Sunburst

He swung his tail in a high arch over Orsino, chuckling to himself as he enjoyed his relaxing game of play with the pups. "Alright, lets try again... how long can you hold on this time?" Sun patted the long appendage against the ground enticingly, then paused when a fluffy, dark blur bolted past him. Looking through upside-down eyes, a hearty laugh rolled through the hybrid as he gained his first ally in the pack, albeit in the form of a whelpling. "Ahh, thanks! He got me pretty good on that last one!"

It wasn't long before a much larger pup joined the fray. Sunburst was delightedly surprised to see Rephaim join in the fun, and his tail went swinging again, bumping into Orsino and Hatti in his merriment. Still mindful of being gentle, Sunburst uttered a quiet playgrowl and kicked lightly at Rephaim, trying to dislodge the pup from his foot and send him tumbling...

Meanwhile, Naiche had scrambled up with a triumphant "Ha!", ears up and tail up, and chest puffed proudly. That elation waivered when she saw the look her brother gave her, and her immediate impulse was to apologize and try to remedy her mistake. "Rephaim? Reph... hey, I..." But a smaller, more palpable emotion stopped her, and in her selfriteous pity, Naiche held back the 'sorry' she was about to utter, and instead frowned and turned abruptly. Determined to keep having fun, she sought out the nearest stick she could find and began to chew on it.

Orsino, Hatti & Blue

The male wriggles from underneath his sister's hold, a menacing, albeit squeaky, growl emitting from his mouth. With his larger size, Orsino easily shakes Hatti off and whirls around to nip at his sister. "Hatti! You're supposed to help me!" Orsino complains, eyes narrowing as he wheels back to look at Sunburst. Without waiting to see if his sister would convert sides, Orsino barrels back down upon Sunburst. He chooses the paw adjacent to Rephaim, little puppy teeth nipping down in hopes to capture Sunburst once more.

Hatti lands in the dirt, rolling back onto her paws with an indignant huff in her brother's direction. There's a brief amount of hesitation as the she-pup wags her little tail, considering her next ploy before charging after Orsino.

With three pups now assaulting the wolfdog, it's Blue who rises to her paws and pads over with lightning quick maneuvers, grabbing Hatti before the pup can assault Sunburst. The azure-eyed female subdues Hatti, tugging her a few inches across the dirt before lifting a large wolf-paw and pinning the squirming pup under it. Hatti yelps with surprise, though Blue's foothold is gentle, yet firm. Blue flicks an amused gaze over at Sunburst, a gentle chuckle arising from her chest. "Looks like you're the designated chew toy," Blue observes. Her cool demeanor she had displayed earlier had dissipated a bit, and her actions were perhaps a gesture of apology for her cold reception of the new pack member. "I'll consider it my promotion...they had a tendency to gnaw on my tail before you arrived."

Rephaim

He ignored his sister completely. As he chewed on sun paw even when he tried to lift it off theground. He then made to pounce on his tail

Naiche & Sunburst

Still laying on his back with his belly fur to the sky, Sunburst made a mock effort to pull his foot from Rephaim's grasp, "You're not going to take me so easily- Oh no!" The riled up Orsino pounced back into the fray after his short waylay by Hatti, and secured a decent hold on the other hind paw. Sunburst flopped his head back against the ground dramatically and wiggled his imprisoned paws as if he weren't strong enough to pry them from the jaws of his attackers, "You guys.. are too... strong! Hatti-" Sunburst picked up the name of the sister now, thanks to her sibling, "-you've gotta help me!"

But little Hatti was soon ambushed by another player in the fight. Sunburst's eyes widened a stitch in surprise, and up came his tall ears as lifted his to look upon Blue. Her hostility had cooled though, and her words brought a grin to the hybrid's lean muzzle, "Congratulations on that promotion." A not so feigned wince followed suit as Rephaim and Orsino worked their teeth into his paws, though his newly wagging tail silently assured that he was enjoying this romp with the youngsters. "Seems they've moved into paws and toes now?"

Orsino, Hatti & Blue

The excitement of realizing that Rephaiem and he were "overtaking" Sunburst jolted Orsino with happiness. So much so that his focus became lost and the young pup suddenly slackens his jaws around Sunburst's limb. The brute skitters across the dirt, coming to a halt with a surprised grunt. For a moment his head spins, before the determined pup trudges back onto his paws. Behind him, his little sister squirms under Blue's hold, and before him Rephaiem still latches onto Sunburst. He could save his, albeit traitorous, sister. Or he could return his assault upon Sunburst.

Meanwhile, Blue blinks at Hatti for a moment, allowing the pup to struggle for half a second more before releasing her. The she-wolf nearly purrs as Hatti scoots away, eyeing Blue as if unsure how to proceed. Instead, Hatti bounds a few strides away and plops down on her belly, deciding she's too exhausted to continue in the fray. This gives Blue a different direction, the she-wolf glancing over at the complacent Orsino with the flick of her tail and a playful growl. "Leave the poor wolfdog alone and we can have a fair fight," Blue challenges, leaning down. She scoops her muzzle underneath Orsino and knocks him off of his paws. To Sunburst she muses hopefully, "Perhaps we can still win this one."

Rephaim

The young pup was growling as he bit down on the paw. His mouth not really fitting over the whole paw yet as he was too small. So he moved to changed to pouncing on his tail

Sunburst & Naiche

He watches Hatti quickly concede to the overwhelming strength of Blue, and withdraw from the fight. 'There's one down.' The hybrid thinks to himself, before a particularly good chew from Orsino had his eyes watering and his attention jolting back to his battered hind paws. That's when Blue moved in for her next victim, scooping the youngster up wholly with a slick flick of her muzzle, "The odds are swinging in our favor!"

Emboldened by the presence and tolerance of Blue, Sunburst switches tactics, and goes from being a passive chew toy to something that was a bit more of a challenge. He flips over onto his paws, just as Rephaim himself is switching targets and pouncing for the wolfdog's tail. Sun whips around, his tail flicking just out of Reph's reach. A playful growl was emitted as he parts his jaws and delivers a mock bite to Rephaim, with his teeth clicking shut a few safe inches from the youngster...