Starbane & Blackmist

If Starbane thought his muscles were a little sore upon waking this morning, he found all new muscles quaking with fatigue by the time they'd made it down the steep mountain top, and knew tomorrow would have him moving a little stiffer. But all of that was belied by the bright look in his pale eyes, and the jaunty gait he swung his legs to. The big liger, his expression all smiles and cheer, led his newfound friend towards the moat with all the excitement of a young cub eager to show his best mate some awesome secret.

"How do you feel about water?" He questioned with a grin, finally slowing as they reached the quietly churning waters that stretched in a lazy, haphazard circle around the Temple of the Haunted. "You might actually be able to jump it, but it's quite a leap." Star turned and looked down at the expanded creek, dipping a paw a few inches into the bank. "You can swim it of course, if you want; there's... oh, hey Mist."

Across the moat stood a wolf, a misty-gray creature topped with black fur across her back, and deep yellow eyes that stuck hard to Likara. Her nose was twitching, and her tall auds were directed towards the stranger. "Is this why you didn't come back last night? Are we getting new cubs?"

Likara

Likara is less worse for the wear as the duo disembark from the rocky crags of the mountains and descend towards his home. The snow leopard bounds beside her companion, eyes flitting about as she studies the deep forest with gleaming eyes. As they close in on the Ruins, Likara can feel her skin tingle with a wave of dismay. She isn't the type to admit when fear plays in her bloodstream, but Likara can't help but feel intimidated by the aspect of the Shadow Haunters. "Maybe on less-tired paws," Likara opts, blue eyes scanning to meet Black Mist.

The she-cat dips her head respectfully, casting a glance at Starbane with a muted purr as the wolf pointedly criticizes the liger.

Starbane & Blackmist

The cool waters of the moat felt refreshing as they soaked past the liger's dense fur and wet his pads. He lets his other paw step against the edge of the dark pool, gauging whether or not to slip in quietly and swim, or leap and clear some of the distance through the air. A slight quake in his wearied forelimbs convinces Starbane to pick the former, despite his desire to show off to Likara, and he eases down into the waters. The tiger blood in his muddled heritage welcomes the decision, and he looks aside to Likara with an inviting nod, "A bit cold, but not too bad."

When Blackmist offers her less than friendly greeting, the liger's face shifts and he returns a scoff, "For the record, Likara here showed me a path to the top of the mountain, and we climbed so high up we had to spend the night up there." He was paddling across now, moving swiftly towards the opposite bank where the wolfdog stood. "And as for cubs.." The big cat frowned, as if the thought hadn't crossed his mind. And just as casually, Star looked back over his shoulder towards the snow leopard, offering a response as casual as could be, "I hadn't thought to ask?"

Blackmist backed up a few paces, making room for the two cats to climb out of the moat. She sighed internally at Starbane's utter lack of professionalism, but bit back any annoyance she might have felt. "You should speak with Senka or Tersek then, and explain yourself. How about Likara -" The she-wolf looked back to the snow leopard, shifting her attention and words to the smaller cat, "-are you staying with us?" She generally didn't play gatekeeper, but wanted to quell any potentially squabbles that might come about with Starbane's unannounced visitor.

Likara

The she-cat shifts a bit, having tried to ignore Blackmist's 'cubs' comment in an attempt to see it more as humor than a serious remark. She slides into the frigid moat and crosses alongside Starbane, biting her tongue as her companion brushes off the remark. There's a creep of heat that swarms against her flesh, Likara trying to quell a squeak of surprise. She wades to the other side of the moat, giving a little shake to her pelt as she scrambles back onto dry land.

Flicking her ears, Likara passes a bemused look at Blackmist's exasperation and purrs gently. "I...I was hoping..." she begins, pausing briefly. The she-cat knows that she isn't the determining factor on her acceptance here. "But the absolute answer to that doesn't fully rely on my hopes."

Tersek, Blackmist, Starbane

The lupine continues to watch the procession, still unimpressed by Starbane's answers. That attitude is soured a little further when the big cat attempts to shoulder bump her upon leaving the moat, despite the ample space she'd put between herself and the water. "Star, stop!" Blackmist grumbled, evading the shoulder but being caught by the tail as Star swung it her way, as cats of all sizes are wont to do to their companions. It left a streak of wetness and a smattering of duckweed in its way, and she glared with annoyance at him. That vexed glare was shot to Likara next, warning the leopard not to pull a similar stunt.

As they passed the wolf, Starbane plodded across the stone forum towards the Temple and uttered a low, chuffing roar to announce their presence. He then chose a wavering patch of sunlight and sat down next to it, offering that warm spot to Likara while they waited. "Senka or Tersek should be here soon, they're our leaders. And that was Blackmist; she's a Warrior, and she normally does patrols like me, or helps with hunting."

Not much time passed before their call was answered by Tersek. A staggeringly large canine, the grizzled wolfdog carried himself in a way that left no doubt as to his rank in this menagerie of creatures. Only the heavy graying of his muzzle seemed to detract from his power, and he made up for that with a voice that carried strength and the underlying threat of aggression, "Who are you?" Dual toned eyes, one an icy yellow and the other a dark amber, pierced Likara with their intensity. They shot next to Starbane, and the big cat who could have easily swiped aside this leader with a sweep of one paw, cowed back a bit. He knew he was in trouble, not for bringing Likara, but for failing to return home when he was assigned to.

Likara

The she-cat watches Starbane interact with Blackmist, bemusement seeping into her fur as she observes how close feline and canine could be. Curiosity, already piqued from the simple talk of his pack, begins to boil within her bloodstream. Likara quietly pads a pace behind Starbane as they bypass an exasperated Blackmist. "Is putting up with your antics part of her role, too?" Likara quizzes with a little, teasing purr. The spotted cat blinks as Tersek prowls towards them, the massive wolfdog cold and composed as he addresses Likara and Starbane.

For a brief moment, Likara feels her heart hammer against her ribcage. The she-cat's tail droops, and her ears immediately flicker back as she once again dips her head in greeting to Tersek. His authority was tangible, a sweeping presence amongst this tumult of creatures. "I am Likara," she replies with a level tone. She holds the anxiety at bay, drawing in a breath that helps steady her emotions. Weakness would not be welcomed amongst this group, and Likara was far from weak, but still mindful of her place amongst these strangers.

Tersek, Blackmist, Starbane

Starbane had given Likara a grin to her previous remark, and had one of several little quips to offer back, but they all died on his tongue the moment Tersek made his entrance. Time for jesting would have to wait until the old dog was out of sight again. He remained quiet, his head hung down slightly, as the Leader paced closer.

"Likara." Tersek repeated, trying the name on his tongue. "And are you seeking to join us? Or offering an alliance?" He stopped before her, boldly sizing up the snow leopard, who seemed more composed than her rueful companion with his slouched shoulders and downcast gaze. The hybrid's nose was working now, taking in what scents Likara had to offer, and a lot of it seemed to be of Starbane. The rest was of the mountains, with little to no hint of other creatures mingling on her own personal banner.

Starbane lifts his eyes at this point, emboldened by the lack of chastisement so far. Seeing no Senka or Tyrant - two that could give him a run for his money - the liger parts his misaligned jaws, "Leader Tersek, I was with Likara last night. A fierce wind caught us high on the mountain, and we decided it was best to seek shelter. That's what prevented me from returning on time..." His words trailed when he was caught by the wolf's fierce glare, and he fumbled to add on, "...but I-we did found an excellent lookout, up in the mountains?"

Likara

The she-cat flicks a glance in Starbane's direction as her companion flounders underneath the scrutiny of his leader. Her tail swishes, landing along Starbane's side in reassurance. Blue eyes rivet back to Tersek, the she-cat lifting her chin. "I have lived several seasons in this Valley alone," she explains to the canine. "I'd like to find a place to offer my loyalty to. Starbane spoke highly of his family here." She blinks, flashing another look in Starbane's direction as she releases a little exhale of pent up nerves. Even despite Starbane's lack of rank here, Likara felt more at-ease alongside her rambunctious friend. The animals here seemed more keen on chastising the pack member than scrutinizing Likara, exactly, though she couldn't shake the absolutely feeling that every move she made was being watched.

Tersek & Starbane

The grizzled wolf considered all that was told to him, his dual-toned eyes shifted from one cat to the other as they offered their responses. It was hard telling from his scarred, hardened facade what his thoughts might be, but at least when he spoke, the rumble in his voice had become a little more lenient. "If you're willing to offer that loyally to the Haunters, and by extension our allies when requested, you're welcome to join us Likara. My co-lead, Senka, will have to accept you as well, but I don't think she will have a problem with that."

Starbane flexes his whiskers and dares to sit up a little taller, excitement filling his chest. This was the first time he'd witnessed another creature being accepted into their ranks, and was honestly surprised at how easily Tersek had allowed it. Before the big cat could speak though, Tersek's rough voiced rolled out again, "I'll give you time to acclimate yourself to your new home. In a few days we'll decide what rank you're best suited to here. Starbane-" Eyes flashed to the liger, "You or one of the other big cats will be with her at all times until then."

Starbane dipped his giant head in understanding, his trepidation already quickly waning, "I understand, thank you Tersek."

Likara

The leopard dips her head with respect to Tersek. "Thank you," Likara graciously mews, blinking at the battle-hardened wolf. There's another terse moment after Tersek has addressed Starbane that the she-cat holds her breath before flashing her companion a wavering look, snorting gently. "You can hardly babysit your own paws," she hums sweetly to her companion, tail flicking with mischief that she quickly quells before she elicits an unfavorable response from Tersek's stoicism.

The she-cat scans the outside of the Ruins's stony architecture, finally given the moment to revel in the magnificent home the Shadow Haunters claimed as their. She could've never imagined living in a place such as grand as this. She'd lived curled on forest floors and hidden in mountainside caverns -- never in a den as grand as this. She flashes Starbane an exuberant gaze, smiling. "Do I get a grand tour?" she asks him. "Or will our sense of adventure get our ears flayed?"

Starbane & Tersek

Likara was favored with a slight nod for her expression of appreciation, and then the grizzled old wolf was turning away and heading back into the temple. Left to his own devices once more, and at least temporarily spared any punishment for his shortcomings last night, Starbane lifts himself from the ground. A toothy grin is given, "Good thing I'm not the pack's pup-sitter, huh? That's usually Momo's job - you'll meet her soon enough." He jested back, while also offering a bit of information on the pack.

The liger looked around, finding the outskirts of their main temple fairly quiet at this point in the morning. "I guess first things first, before we both get our ears removed - there's two deer that live with us, and they're off the menu. One's a black buck, named Nightshade, and the other is some tiny little deer with tusks. Quili is her name, and she kinda takes care of anyone who's sick or injured. Oh, and there's birds- uh, just don't kill any birds you find around here, I guess. Hmmm, well - do you wanna see Dima? He's a river monster."

Likara

Listening to Starbane acquaint her with the happenings of the Haunters, the she-cat tilts her head to the side with thought. The deer were definitely off limits -- though Likara had never hunted one on her lonesome. Her diet, luckily, consisted of small prey and she never toyed with the idea of pursuing anything larger with only one set of paws. "Noted," she hums as he brushes over Quili and Nightshade. Blue eyes suddenly lighten as he mentions the river monster, the she-cat purring with amusement. "The infamous river monster?" She laughs with a flick of her tail.

Likara bounds a few steps forward, very aware she has no idea which direction to take. Her elation guides her, eyes tracing back to Starbane. "Show me the river monster!" She laughs airily.

Starbane

Likara's mirth brings a spark of merriment to Starbane's eye, and a rolling purr from his proudly puffed-out chest. He was fairly certain that the monsters themselves wouldn't be nearly as thrilled about this meeting, but he'd talked them up enough now that he had to give Likara the tour of their infamous waterways. "Yeah, they're way cooler than the deer." He boasted, his pale chin tilting ever so slightly upwards as downplayed the arguably greater importance of the cervids. Like a kitten after a toy, the giant liger bounded forward, spurred on by Likara's own eagerness, and his ongoing desire to impress her. "The best monster isn't far from here - he's just down the path this way." So saying, Starbane headed past the Temple of the Haunted, and on towards Dima's Temple.