Somewhere to end my wanderings? (Alphas please)

[Karolek]

Karolek listened to Grebo's explanation without interrupting, one large ear cocked slightly forward, like a puppy listening as his mother instructed him on how to do some task that he'd once thought to be impossible. He, however, was not a puppy, and that much was made evident by his reaction at the close of Grebo's speech. He may not have been a puppy, but the wolf wasn't exactly an aged, tactical warlord, either.

"Hmm..."[/color] The Alpha had liked the newcomer's answer; he'd met far too many wolves who boasted that they were too good for any other pack, and that only Arnlan was strong enough for them. Those were usually the wolves that got ran out of Sallin for insolence, and, unfortunately for them, Karolek did not accept Sallin dropouts. "Interesting answer. Apparently there are some brains in your head; your only talent isn't fighting."[/color] The dark wolf turned to look at Nightblood, twitching an ear, as if asking for her opinion on the matter. He said nothing, though, which made it obvious that she wasn't required to answer. Hell, with Karolek, you never knew if you were supposed to answer or not, and one could never quite repress the feeling that, perhaps, the Alpha enjoyed causing such confusion.

But that was...nonsense, right?

Right?

Anyway, Karolek spoke again, regardless of whether or not Nightblood actually answered his silent question. "Unless either of you have any questions, then you may go explore your new home, Grebo."[/color] Even though the matter was settled, Karolek couldn't bring himself to just say 'accepted'; no, he always had to find some way to babble in half-riddles and vague statements.

[nightblood]

"Apparently there are some brains in your head; your only talent isn't fighting."

NightBlood lowered her head and flipped her ears back when Karolek looked at her. She interpreted the gesture as an accusation of her inteligence, as many might. From her current position, she glanced up at Karolek as a pup would look up to her father. 'Oh- Well, that was a cheap shot,' she thought at him. After a few seconds, she desided to take it as a joke and grinned at the Alpha. She stood up at his concluding statement, expecting to start patrolling the border.

[grebo]

Grebo watched (with the use of respoectful glances) as Karolek chewed over what he had just said. He wished he could explain that he hated talking, and that he was sorry it was a lot to think about. Karolek probably thought he was just nervous. Or a babbling imbecile. Grebo tried in vain to interpret the alpha's expression.

Apparently, though, he was mistaken - Karolek thought his speech was good, or at least satisfactory. The alpha indicated that he thought Grebo was quite intelligent. That had never been implied to him before. He was a little proud of himself. But what on earth had he done right? It was so hard to interpret...he flicked his ears back and bowed his head modestly, a little embarrassed. This wasn't his game.

There followed a silent interplay between the two wolves who had accepted him. He couldn't even begin to interpret what it meant. He hoped they weren't gossiping about him. Nightblood grinned at him, and Grebo felt a little insecure - had he walked into a trap? But he stayed put. He was probably being stupid, and they were just saying hello to each other or something.

When Karolek spoke again, it put Grebo's mind at rest. Time to explore! No further tests: he was a pack wolf now. It was a big moment for him after three years as a loner: he was behind a mass, and a mass was behind him. At last. "I have just one question, sir," he said after pausing to see if Nightblood wanted to say anything. "If you please, I have little knowledge of the Arnlan ranks. Will I start as an omega?" He felt a little hesitant at his phrasing. He wasn't asking for a higher rank, just wanted to know what the lowest rank was called and what it's duties were. Whilst most packs' lowest rank was omega, the entry level rank at some was border guard or hunter.

[Karolek]

Karolek seemed to be oblivious to Nightblood's offense at his statement...He hadn't meant it as an insult, and after saying it, he'd focused his attention on Grebo. Therefore, Nightblood's glance was missed, as Karolek was now focusing on Grebo's question.

"I have just one question, sir, if you please, I have little knowledge of the Arnlan ranks. Will I start as an omega?"

"No, you will start as a Subordinate. Hopefully you'll never see the Omega rank...That's for the wolves that have made more than a few serious mistakes in judgment."[/color] It was an odd way to phrase the fact that Omegas were the wolves that screwed up enough times to get the Alphas angry, but it sounded more 'official' this way, and Karolek liked it. The dark wolf was visibly pleased with Grebo's entry into the pack, although it was difficult to actually tell what he was so happy about, since he appeared to just be smiling in general.

[nightblood]

At that, NightBlood trotted slowly away from the two blacker wolves. She entered the tree line, preferring to patroll the border at a distance and remaining invisible to potential new members. Karolek sertainly had proved odd. Stranger than his sister, deffinatly. And yet, they both shared a similar wisdom. She liked them both.

[grebo]

Grebo studied Karolek for a moment with his bright yellow eyes, his face serious. He had never been demoted before - he had only risen in status. This was his promise that Karolek would not regret letting him into the pack.

Finally, he bowed, pulling back his ears and closing his eyes, before taking to his feet and disappearing to explore his new territory.