Argolis & Others

Argolis chose this warm summer day to bring his family down to the beach, to enjoy the weather and the relative peace they'd been enjoying the last several months. It was also a great place to help Scape work on his navigational skills. So far, the blind yearling was doing well as trekked across the rough, uneven terrain, though he moved slowly and stumbled now and then when a paw hit a rock, or stepped further than than he expected.

Gwen was delighted by the gentle surf that rocked along the coast, and the abundance of shore birds that there were to chase. As soon as Freefall coasted overhead though, the birds scattered for good. The brindle wolfdog might be a nuisance, but a peregrine falcon was a serious threat that none of them were going to risk a tangle with.

While the yearlings played and explored along the coast, Argolis settled down on a spot higher up the shore, where he had a good vantage point of the land around. Bullet and Lerna strolled down along the water to search for washed up edibles, and out closer to one of the docks, Pistol, Honthale, and Black Arrow scavenged for any trash the humans might have left behind.

Muffin & Kong

Muffin was 5 years old going on 6. She was pure black with red eyes and a white tuft on her chest. Her left red eye was glazed over and it was clear that her left side was much weaker then her left side. Then again you couldn't blame her, it was her parents that had problems Schizo and Klavida. Muffin walked with her bad eye to her brothers side trusting him as they walked along the shore and came to a halt when Muffin ears twitched and watched the group. It was clear she hadn't eatten in weeks nor her brother. Though her brother had a mouse here and there.

Kong was deaf in his right ear and the hearing in his left was only as good as a humans. The mostly black wolf watched the group growling slightly. They weren't young but they had never really socilized with anyone but themselves.

Argolis & Others

High above them all, Freefall gave a single, piercing cry. It was hardly an unusual thing to hear; falcons were common in these lands, and could often be found circling the skies or perched along branches. But to the Lurkers, this particular cry held a meaning, and every single adult in the group stopped what they were doing and became very attentive. This cry meant that Freefall had spotted a potential danger.

Argolis rose to his feet and gave his darkly brindled coat a good shake. The alpha male of the Shadow Lurkers would accept no hint of danger to his pack, especially when his offspring were out playing, and one of them was vulnerable with his blindness. It didn't take long for the male's dark eyes to land on Muffin and her brother, and without a moment's hesitation, his tail went up and he began to sprint towards them. "Hold it right there." The wolfdog's voice was deep and commanding, "Who are you?"

Honthale, Pistol, and Arrow had spotted the pair just after Argolis did, but the three held back at first to let Argolis handle the interlopers. They watched the interaction carefully from where they stood near the dock, ready to leap into the fray the second they spotted trouble.

Muffin & Kong

Kong had not heard the falcon being mostly deaf but his sister did look up and so his eyes followed hers and he sneezed and then when her body changed and she made to position her good eye on something approaching them he turned to being protective of his half blind and weaker sibling. This is no ones turf so watch itHe was really no threat but he was protective of Muffin. You'll have to speak up I can't hear you wellHe growled.

Muffin on the other hand heard him just fine and she tilted her good eye toward him.Muffin and Kong and honestly you have no say who wanders these landsShe said trying to show bravery but she was no match for him at all.

Argolis & Others

Some of his mother's flare ran strongly in his blood. The hybrid's hackles rose, giving his already powerful build an even more impressive look, "My family and kids are enjoying this section of beach, and while they are out here, it is my turf. I won't tolerate any threat to them." Just as Kong was protective of his sister, Argolis was fiercely protective of his family, and particularly watchful over his blind son, Scape. His harsh gaze snapped to Muffin next, "Muffin, is it? You must not have heard of the Shadow Lurkers. I am their alpha, Argolis; and I take any threat to my pack very seriously."

Muffin

Kong snorted and shook himself not at all afriad but he remained silent when his sister nipped him.

Muffin snorted as well and nipped her brother and she turned her bad eye to argolis. as well as moving a little away so her weak side could be seen.Do I look much like a threat?She growled. and my brother is nearly fully deaf. We have aright to wander where we want to without being questioned. WE did not approach aggressively so there no call for you to be so hostile toward usShe growled.

Argolis & Others

Argolis did not relent in his aggressive stance, and went so far as to bare his teeth, "I have a right to do whatever I deem necessary to protect my family from strangers. And I will use my teeth to enforce those rights if you try to challenge them." The alpha male narrowed his eyes and tensed his muscles, looking as though he were about to attack. Instead of launching at them however, he was stalled by a gentle voice from behind. One of his tall ears flicked back, instantly recognizing the voice of his sister.

Only slightly smaller than her brother, Lerna was a chocolate throughout, and her build a throwback to the lab and shepherd, rather than the wolf or great dane that dominated their bloodline. Her rich yellow eyes were much kindlier than Argolis, and her voice far more calming, "Argolis, look how thin these two are. They are no threat to the children."

"They lack manners, and look riddled with disease-" He countered with a snarl at his sibling, but Lerna was among the few that could calm the alpha's hot temper without getting lashed at.

"Please excuse my brother, but you must understand that we take no chances with the safety of our family." What she didn't mention was how her brother's mate had been brutally attacked by strangers not too long ago, and that as a result, Argolis had been particularly vigilant - and highly aggressive - with all strangers since then. "Why don't you two join me down by the dock? I can show you the best places to find some food."

Muffin

Muffin was starting to loose her own cool which caused her brother to really start to growl back at argolis.Then perhaps you should stick to lands your allowed to place claim as I know for a fact that many travel through here and none have claimed it as theirs. You have a right ot protect your family, but you have no right keeping others from wandering hereShe said and then hear ear flicked to the female who showed up. Then to argolis and she snorted.Manners? We are not the ones who came charging toward someone all aggressive! I think your the one lacking mannersShe spat back.

But the female was right, neither of them really had much muscle left, they were starving but they were not stupid. Perhaps if it had just been one adult canine they may of been so starving as to attack but there wasn't just one. She nodded.SureSHe said and nudged her brother who was glaring at ARgolis. Kong snorted but turned to follow the female.

Argolis & Others

"Perhaps you should keep that tongue of yours inside your mouth, before it gets you killed." Argolis challenged, and if it had not been for his sister intervening and trying to calm the situation down, there was a good chance that he would have attacked Kong and Muffin at this point, and ordered the rest of the pack to join him. "You aren't the first stray mongrel to cross my path wrong and pay for it with blood-"

"Alright, I've got this, Argolis." Lerna interjected, with a softened look to her brother. His returning gaze was nothing short of acidic, but he did not protest or try to stop her. "We'll go look for food." The chocolate-coated hybrid turned her eyes on the siblings before her and nodded towards the distant dock, hoping to encourage them to start that way before either of them spoke another word to piss off her brother more than he already was. "Follow me, it's not far off."

Muffin

Muffin growled at him.and we have done nothing wrong, your the one who thinks he has the right to stop others from going about their business on unclaimed landShe growled back. She snorted but moved to follow the female with her brother slowly following.

Lerna & Others

Lerna put her ears back a little, a subtle warning to Muffin and her lashing temper. When the wolfdog spoke though, her stern words were offset by the gentleness of her voice, "Use caution, friend. Our pack has seen a lot of turmoil, and my brother won't hesitate to kill anyone he views a threat." It was a reminder for the starving wolf to mind her pride before it got her killed, because even Lerna would not step between Argolis and these two wolves if he was intent on punishing them. Fortunately Argolis had already turned away and was loping down the beach to meet up with Bullet and his children, leaving his sister to guide the newcomers towards the dock.

"I'm Lerna, by the way." Hoping to chance the subject to more positive things, and uncover the siblings' personalities, Lerna properly introduced herself. "Have either of you ever had fish before?"

Muffin

Muffin sighed but said nothing to it. Her tail flicked as she followed the older female to the docks.Muffin he's kong and no the most we've had is rabbit but mostly miceShe said quietly. I can't hunt im too weak to do itShe said.

Kong was silent as they followed her.

Lerna & Others

"I'm guessing the two of you have no pack?" Lerna questioned while they moved. Of course, she wasn't about to try and invite them into the Shadow Lurkers, not when she knew so little about the pair, and especially not after the spat between them and her brother. But the thought lingered in her mind as an option, and one she mind ponder later, depending on how things went. "I can show you a few places around town to scavenge food. It's not much usually, but in lean times, it can be a life saver."

As they reached the docks, three canines stood waiting and watching. The eldest of the group, a mixed-mongrel with a pair of floppy ears and a short, dense coat, came forward and raised his head. Chocolate eyes looked over the strangers before turning questioningly to Lerna. The wolfdog signaled for Kong and Muffin to stop, "Pistol, this is Muffin and Kong." She introduced, then directed her muzzle to a slightly larger brute, and a silver-coated female next to him, "Honthale, and Black Arrow."

Muffin

Muffin followed close to the female.Not really, our father is Schizo and our mother Klavadia. SHe said as she came to halt and she nodded to the other two.I suppose that would be niceSHe said.

Kong knew they needed to find a pack, they'd die on just scraps.

Lerna & Others

Lerna shook her head, "Those aren't familiar names to me." The wolfdog paused and looked critically over Muffin and her brother agaub, once more mulling the possibility of inviting them to the Shadow Lurkers. After a moment she spoke at length, knowing she could promise them nothing if Argolis didn't agree. "If you're interested in joining a pack, I can speak to my brother on your behalf."

"Didn't look like Argolis was too excited about them earlier." Pistol pointed out coolly. He'd been too far off to hear the conversation, but he'd seen his cousin's bristling posture, and body language often spoke louder than words.

Lerna nodded, "There was a dispute, but no harm done and no threats made. They're starving; anyone would be irritable with an empty stomach." The chocolate female looked back to the siblings, "We can discuss it later anyway. Lets find you some food first." She padded down along towards the lapping waters, traveling over the ridged concrete ramp that humans used to lower their boats into the bay. The scent of fish was strong, and their bloated carcasses often washed up along the dock, offering any easy meal for desperate scavengers.

Muffin

Muffin followed her and her ears twitched.a pack would be nice. Not that we'd particularly me be any help in hunts or fightsSHe said softly. Kong if fed properly could hunt and could fight. She sighed and then followed but kept well away from the water. She'd never been in the water for obvious reason's.

Kong was silent but followed.

Lerna & Others

"I'll still need to speak with my brother about it." Lerna cautioned, not wanting to get their hopes up in the event that Argolis refused them entrance into the Shadow Lurkers. "But if he does permit it, we need more than just hunters. Sitters to look after the pups, guards to patrol our Den and territory, and scouts to locate fresh sources of human food." In the back streets where the Lurkers lived, pack dynamics were a little different than in the wild, and hunting big game was balanced with foraging for scraps. "Of course, there's also the humans themselves; we don't permit any aggression towards them."

Muffin

Muffin nodded and listened. I think I'd mostly only be possibly good for pup sitting, I can only see out of my right eye.She said softly. We were born with humans, as they had taken our mother in right before we were bornShe said softly. Kong and her left because they had gotten the gist that the humans were moving.

Lerna & Others

'Ahhh, so she is blind.' Too polite and far more socially tactful than her brother, the wolfdog hadn't said anything about the glossy eye of Muffin's, but she had been wondering about it. "Pup sitters are just as vital as our hunters and scouts. Some of our packmates are getting older, and it would be good to have someone to keep them company in the den too." She thought primarily of Ninaki and Skeil, but her uncle Bullet was also starting to show his age, and spent more time indoors than he did out foraging or patrolling.

As they walked along, Lerna finally came across what she'd been hoping they'd find - a dead fish. It wasn't the best of meals, but it was free meat, and better than nothing on an empty stomach. "Here, you two." Stepping into the brisk water, Lerna leaned forward to grab the tail of the bloated, bobbing fish and drag it ashore. Some sort of sea bass, the fish was large enough for the siblings to have a small meal; not enough to fill their bellies, but enough to take the edge off their hunger.

Muffin

Muffin nodded as she watched the older female go into the water and pull out a fish. She sniffed at it and despite the fishy smell her stomach won out and she and her brother tore into the fish leaving nothing but the fish bones.thank youIt did in fact take the edge off their hunger but they were still hungry.