CAMEO

Flapping his long wings, the Japanese Crane flew into the marsh. His long spindly black legs stroked out as he came nearer to the ground, beady eyes searching the marsh. This was more like it, a marsh. The closest thing around here to his original home.
Gliding down and easily landing in the water, he began to wade through it, limbs allowing him to ease right through. Once he came to shore, he lowered his head down to the damp soil and started to peck and tear at the ground with his long pointed bill, ripping and digging to find some food. Soon he came across some hidden plants and began to snap them up. He'de start exploring later. He hadn't eaten since being boarded on that giant human contraption and being shipped here.

Calvin/Lily

Lily walked along the edge of the marsh, looking for allies. She and her brother had agreed that they would get all the allies before the Haunters could, thanks to some advice from their new tiger friend. She walked straight up to the crane and looked at him. "Hello, bird. My name is Lily, and the other is Calvin." She said. Cameo looked like a perfect addition to the Ancient Guardians. A perfect one to aid in the saving of the Valley.

Calvin watched, swishing his tail. The bird's feathers were so...pure and white.

CAMEO

The crane had finally come across some dying wet plant roots beneath the soil, and quickly plucked them up and began to pull them out of the dirt. After just a few quick skyward strokes of his head and neck, he managed to pull the long system right out of the ground with the plant along with it. Nibbling that in and finishing it, he went to put his head back down. That's when he heard the voice, and the sound of hooves. At this, his small head lifted and his dark eyes came to rest on the creature's form. He was a bit startled by the sudden appearance, but quickly regained confidence and brought his white and black wings into his sides tightly.
"Hello," he began, tilting his elegant head, not knowing what to call this unusual animal, "My name is Cameo." He was slowly easing his wings looser against his body now, though still stood a bit wobbled-looking. Luckily he wouldn't fall over.
"What do you want?" he then asked, not in a rude way, just in an inquisitive manner. He wanted to know what they wanted so he could go on his way, if he would. These were a couple of new-looking 'deer' to him, so he might figure to stick around a bit.

Calvin/Lily

Lily shook her head and swished her tail at the flies that had come to feast on her blood. "Good to meet you, Cameo." She said politely. She tilted her head at his question. She figured she had to get to the point. "Have you ever heard of the Shadow Haunters? They try to take the Valley for one wolf alone, and kill anyone who gets in their way." She began. "And that's where we come in. We are members of a group called the Ancient Guardians. We push the Haunters back as far as we can, and then we take back what is rightfully ours. With such great strength and intelligence, you would be a perfect member." She kept her distance, so as not to intimidate him.

Calvin nodded in agreement, though he had nothing to say.

CAMEO

words would be nothing without the voice

The ivory crane watched the creature, listening intently as she spoke. While half of his attention was on her words, it was equally divided to include the scenery beyond her. This place was so different from his original home, yet so similar. He was split between places, not finding this one as desirable as the last land.
Suddenly, when Lily was finished talking, he snapped out of his trance. Ruffling his white feathers a bit, he gave his head a slight sideways tilt. "That sounds bad," he simply stated in reply firstly, and then thought. "I am interested in joining these 'Ancient Guardians'." he then added, giving a quick nod of his elegant dial. Such danger should be stopped.

Calvin/Lily

Lily smiled as Cameo took interest in the Ancient Guardians. "We live up in the Croal Mountains, but there are many allies that reside elsewhere, if you prefer the lower elevations." She said happily. "Our allies include Vestige and his pack of the Aspen Grove and Jack and his pack of the Azul Canyon. But our most disliked enemy is Risen and her pack of the Ruins. She leads the Shadow Haunters." She stepped closer, but kept a friendly, submissive posture. "Our alpha is named Baphomet. Is there anything else you would like to know?"

Calvin raised an eyebrow. "Jack has a pack now?" He asked, confused.

CAMEO

Cameo was listening after that, finding this whole ordeal quite interesting. While it could also provide him with some entertainment, it'de be aiding what appeared to be a god cause. Helping to defeat the evil. Cameo hated evil.
"Mountains? Oh, I'll go there." he stated, though was a bit hesitant. He, like others of his kind, preferred the marshes and rivers. That stuff with water. He didn't know whether or not mountains would have water, although he had seen them many times in the distance at his past home. "Do these mountains have water?" he then asked, curious of the topic. He liked water more than anything, and he would go wherever it was. Especially if it was a marsh or some kind of wetland. But other than that, he was sure he could be of some help. He could fly, and sneak effectively during winter, when his pure white feathers blended in with the snow. Perhaps this would also help him become used to the valley and get a better idea of it and the residents. He liked that.

Calvin/Lily

Lily shifted her weight. It would be great to have another bird. They could always use more birds. "I am not sure if there are water sources up there, but if you are unhappy with the place, you could always reside with some allies. If you want, you could even be a loner and live here, yet still be an ally." She said, trying to remember if she had seen water in the mountains. Looking at Cameo, she thought of Penny. She looked much like him, only she had the features of an eagle combined with the features of a crane. "If it feels better to live with other birds, there are some that live with us. They are secretary birds. I know of at least two, though they may be moving to a lower pack with another ally. Their names are Penny and Tuari. Would you like to meet the pack?" She was still trying to decide where she would like to live. She loved the mountains, but they were so cold.

Calvin nodded in agreement. Though he still didn't know how his adopted sister knew so much about the pack. So much more than him.

CAMEO

Cameo stood there on those tall spindly black legs, watching her intently. Those dark eyes never once left her face, though he didn't want to put any pressure or such things on the whole matter.
By the time she was finished, he was sure of his decision. But then he didn't think he'de exactly enjoy the mountains much, so maybe a smaller pack? But then again, maybe that wouldn't even be for him. He had only ever been around other cranes before, and knew nothing of other creatures.
"I'll meet the pack, sure," he stated then, figuring the lower lands would be better for his lifestyle. Maybe they'de be wetter, and not as cold. He had always heard that mountains, with their massive height, could become quite chilly and freezing at times of the year.
He gave an occasional glance to Calvin, though didn't know who he was. Yet then, he was wanting to find out where this pack was, and if that's where they would be headed. "But I was wondering if I'de still be able to come back here," he then asked, raising an invisible brow. Living in a 'pack' sounded strange to him, though he guessed it probably wasn't much different from the big flocks of cranes that resided at the large lakes he had lived at before. Those were just like him, though. He'de give it a try regardless.

Calvin/Lily

Lily smiled. She was not used to the marsh and all it's water. She preferred the dryer lands, like the Canyon or Prairie. Of course, she didn't much like the cold temperature up in the mountains. But they didn't have flies there. But she had no time to decide which place was better. "Okay. Follow me." She said politely, turning to walk to the Mountains.

Calvin listened as the conversation went on. "Oh, sure. You can always come back here. Whenever you want. There is nobody to tell you that you even have to join the Ancient Guardians. So, if you're unhappy with the pack, you can come back to the marsh." He informed, walking to the mountains. "It's a long walk there. Be prepared."