Informant

[Bandersnatch]

Light paws stalked across the slurry of mud and snow, the body they held up slunk low to the ground, quivering gently in agitation. Eyes were narrowed sharply, ears pulled back and a scowl tugged at lips. For the moment, all the mute femme could think of was informing her alphas of what had just happened. How exactly she was going to explain what had occurred was not fully thought about yet.

Crow paused, straightening herself out. Her ears sat back up on her head and strained for noises – clues which may help her find which direction her brethren might be in. The scuttling of panicked rabbit feet thumping about deep within their warrens just below the ground could not distract her. She blocked these out, and strained her ears ever harder. Her nostrils flared in assistance, trying to pick up scents other than prey and general smells of the Arnlan environment.

Crow glanced about uncertainly, eyeing off the shadows cast by each eerie, reaching tree and the spaces in between. It was far from an easy task finding either Sofika or Karolek even on a good day – in fact it was near impossible unless they wished to be found. They were mysterious creatures, even to she that had known them near all her life. If she was lucky, one of them would be close by – maybe, alerted by that howl that had come, even seen or heard the event that had made the dusty femme so huffy.

Still, the tawny one continued on. The bitter wind continued to blow past the tree trunks, whistling in her ears. She paid the blasts little mind, even as they whipped her fur about, thrashing about the large tuft of fur that sprouted from between her ears. Again she glanced all about her with searching eyes...

[Sofika]

The winds that were brewing throughout the lands seemed calm, but slowly they were picking up speed, and the sky was forever darkening, and the ground seemed to only regain the low temperatures that it had lost throughout the course of the day. As the winds began to holler throughout Arnlan, the land seemed to have been left disturbed by the unwanted presence of that white wolf whom had been rejected from joining only earlier on. The trees rustled, the critters stirred, the shadows were looming more than normal...

... As Crow made her way though the lands that she should have been all to familiar with, she was being watched. The presence of Sofika was with her, and some may believe that the growing speed of the wind was symbolic of her being there. With a rustle in the trees she appeared before the subordinate, her head held high, and her tail erect but not bristled. How much she had grown amazed the Alpha greatly. Crow had coped very well with her disability of not being able to speak. She was a strong wolf and knew her place in Arnlan.

" Crow. " she said briskly, appearing before her in her mysterious, unexpected way. Her fur blew about her, but slowly began to settle as the winds seemed to do. However the veil of fur before her eyes did not appear to stir, and remained there, shielding her eyes from all. The luminous neon spots upon her maw seemed to glimmer in the darkness, as the shadows stirred behind her. Sofika had heard the call of the wolf wishing acceptance, but had ignored it, knowing that she would not be able to venture far in the lands without becoming lost in their territory. With a smirk, she rocked onto her haunches and eyed Crow curiously.

[Bandersnatch]

Had it been any other wolf, Crow would have been ashamed that she had been so late in picking up the presence. The Arnlan alpha, however, was an exception. How she could just stride forth, a shadow become something solid, living, was always an amazement. It seemed the midnight wolf was part of the very landscape itself, and as such it seemed her presence was always there, with the looming foliage and pristine snow.

The thoughts of bitterness were instantly flushed from the winged one’s mind as her superior approached. Her head dipped down and she peered through welcoming eyes to Sofika. That grin only canid lips could produce tugged gently and her tail twitched gently to and fro as it hung limply between her ankles.
Though the two stood in full at the same height (though currently Crow bowed before her mistress), there was something about Sofika that made her slight frame much larger, even more than the largest of wolves in this land. Crow held a great respect for her Alphas, just as she always had.
Crow’s admiration for her rulers was not just a result of their leadership qualities. She knew full well that it was because of them that she still lived, and for that they held her greatest gratitude. Why exactly the pair had decided to take her in was unknown. Perhaps, deep down past apathetic faces laid a kindness. The pair, after all, were not always as harsh as she sometimes seemed. They looked out for theirs.
Crow looked fondly into her mistress’s face. It seemed that she never aged – never was there a grey hair. The great mass of fur that constantly covered her eyes, her fine features and look of wise youth were the same as they had always been.

But the younger femme hadn’t sought out Sofika to bask in her darkly glow. Quickly reminding herself of why she had, her pale blue orbs narrowed and fur bristled. Her eyes quick dashed back in the direction of the border, and back to her queen, an upset, angry look reflected in her eyes.

[Sofika]

Sofika nodded her head to Crow, as she did bow to her, and she rose from her seated position that she had only just taken. The slurry snow from the ground did not appear to cling to her rear end, as she lifted herself up. She was clean and had no reason to shake her fur now due to the calming winds. Licking her lips, she snaked forward, watching carefully. The Alpha understood Crow perfectly. Every slight movement, every twitch, told something. It annoyed the Alphess to no end, those who were ignorant to the she wolf's lacking of verbal communication. Any harassment to wards her always came with the consequence of the Alphess' fury for the one that dared a snap at it.

When Crow averted her pupils in the direction of the border, and returned back to her with the expression that she had, The Alpha nodded. She was content that the wolf had been successfully removed the territory, no matter in what fashion it was done it. Whether it be by force, or just plain out of respect for the pack, she was unsure of, but it did not seem relevant at this moment. Circling Crow, she checked that she had not been hurt by the other, and observing that she had not, she stopped in front of the subordinate and smirked. " Why do you appear distressed? You have done well Crow. " she spoke in reassurance.

Indeed she had. No doubt, any other member would not have known about the closed borders, and that no other was to be accepted. Crow, who had been in the pack for so long, was expected to know the most recent of news, and pack updates. Those fairly new were still adjusting to the Arnlan ways, and some were taking much longer than others to do so. Sighing, Sofika looked into the upset eyes of Crow, and appeared to be looking back at her. Slender legs then suddenly moved forth, taking the lithe form of Sofika with them, and she leaped over Crow, and upon a rock that was by her side. Upon it she stood, and stared to the shadows momentarily, before turning her attention back to the other.

[Bandersnatch]

Pale eyes again flickered to the border before returning to Sofika. She gently pouted, giving a sulky snort. It wasn’t that big a deal, really. Over the years many wanting to gain access to the dark land’s secrets had been turned away from Arnlan’s borders. It was just… this female had gotten under her skin. She had been so quick to turn rude - had made it obvious, in Crow’s mind atleast, that she did not belong in these lands. The sepia femme just wanted to warn the Alpha of her, should the ghostly one attempt to gain access to the lands again, as happened occassionally by those rejected, whether the borders be open or closed. A frustrated sigh slipped from her maw.
It was good, really, that the whole thing had not turned hostile – despite Crow’s speed, agility and home-ground advantage, the much larger other, whose scars whispered of a history wrought with many battles, could have easily inflicted a great deal of damage upon her currently unscathed pelt.
The murky wolf shook out her coat, shedding out the negative energy. The unpleasantries were over now, and no more thought was needed to be given to them for the moment.

Sofika’s approving words warmed her though. Praise was something that the shadowy she-wolf awarded only to those she thought deserving. Her tail waggled gleefully about. There were few creatures that didn’t enjoy others' approval, after all.
The stranger’s misunderstandings of gestures had helped remind Crow of how much she enjoyed communicating with her Alphas. Her mistress’s unseen eyes could look right through her. Communication was as laid back as it could be between subordinate and Alpha, and it made her feel so comfortable.

Smile quickly returning to its place, her line of vision eagerly followed the leaping form, full of both grace and power, her inquisitive eyes questioning if the Alpha had need for her elsewhere. All tasks given to her by the Alpha pair were greeted with enthusiasm. Crow owed her very life to the pair, and was happy to grant them and their underlings her loyal servitude in return, for whatever purpose they saw fit.
A thought of monotone fur slipped into her mind, and just as quickly slipped away. No doubt that the Alphas were already aware of both Dante’s entrance into the land in days past, as well as of ArchAngel’s injury. She turned her body about so as to be completely facing her leader, head cocked curiously.

[Sofika]

Crow's company was always welcome to Sofika. She was not like the newest recruit of wolves who, every time they saw their Alphess, rolled over in submission and kissed the ground on which she trotted. They were weak, pathetic little creatures, retaining fear for their lives, clinging on to hope that they wont get a boot out of the pack. No, Crow was the most relaxed member ( with the exception of Karolek of course ) around her. Those wolves irritated her to know end. But, Crow, yes, she was a great little wolf, doing things that were not required of her, going seemingly unnoticed by the Alphas. It would seem that her efforts were under appreciated, but, they were not.

Sofika was well aware, that the wolf would no doubt return to change themselves. They always did, hoping that those in the territory would live and forget their meeting. It simply did not work that way. And if that white one did come back, she would be waiting, watching her every move like a hawk eying its prey. That white one was not to be granted permission ever. She had brought that upon herself with her sudden change in temper. Yes- Sofika had been watching from the shadows, as Crow attended to her. She had heard everything that was said, and was not pleased. When the white one turned and left, Sofika followed Crow, until she had appeared before her.

After watching over the four year old for the majority of the young ones life, she had come to understand that she was no ordinary member. Her being in the pack was greatly appreciated, for Sofika had seen her care for those younger and not as inexperienced as her, assist in feeding those with injuries, accepting new wolves into the land. Her efforts were appreciated, and Sofika knew that she had slacked slightly in making sure Crow knew of how greatly appreciated her efforts were. Cocking a brow, she stared momentarily at the she wolf. She was watching her, trying to conclude something for her to do. It would be apparent on her features, despite her eyes being hidden, that she was deep in concentration.

" Thank you, for all of your efforts in this pack Crow. "

[Bandersnatch]

The younger female sat, striped tail gently wrapping around her legs, onto a patch of snowy ground where the muck had not yet mixed in. Crow nodded her head graciously, a cordial smile upon her maw, gladly accepting her Alpha’s words. Sofika’s thoughts were so often privy to her and her brother alone. Rarely did she seem to feel need to share them – perhaps if she did she would lose part of what made her so mysterious. When she did speak her mind it was appreciated, at least by the one who now watched her attentively.

The silence was a comfortable one - the type where either participant knew the other well enough not to feel the need to make small talk. The dark figure that perched herself upon a humbly selected rock had practically raised her after all – though not related by blood, Crow thought of her as family, and if one could not share such comfort about those who had nurtured them, then they wouldn’t be able to around any other.
Crow’s eyes lowered, unfocusing as she drifted into her own thoughts.
Their numbers the pack previously had had dwindled off, which may have been one of the primary reasons the Arnlan borders had become open once more.
The mute she-wolf had yet to come across many of the newcomers. The two that she had come across seemed agreeable enough. She glanced toward Sofika, wondering if she had come across Dante, or merely observed the great hybrid stalk the lands. Crow had found him to be quite pleasant to deal with, despite the… issue of their lack of ability to communicate.

Still, she found her curiosity traveling to the others. She had smelt the scents of more upon the gentle breezes, but had always either found herself too busy to greet them or arriving too late to find them.

She reclined, sphinx-like, upon her chest, gaze once more meeting her queen’s. Perhaps Sofika had some little bit of insight she wished to share? Perhaps some other would stumble upon them? Crow gave the slightest of yawns, the glint of teeth only just noticeable in the low light.

(Bleh)

[Sofika]

Sofika was aware that the numbers in the pack were decreasing, but that did not necessarily meant that they were weak. Despite the lack of ranked wolf among st the pack, everything ran smoothly under the word of the Twins, as it had done so far the many years in which they had reigned over. Nothing had gone wrong in those times, and even when Nightshade had decided to breech their borders and try to soil their lands, but she had been efficiently been taken care of. She was almost immediately removed, and no individual has dared since try to overtake the territory.

Some may be intimidated by the appearance of Sofika or Karolek before them. Simply because their appearance was something unexpected maybe? They all had their reasons, and the Alpha was aware of them, but did not pressure the subordinates to let go of their apparent fears and get on with life. They would do that in their own time. Some of them though, had yet to come across either of the Twins. Dante, the one in which Crow had been thinking about, she had never met him, nor some of the others. Akisame's brother ArchAngel was another example.

That did not mean though, that she was unaware of them living in her lands. She knew of every single inhabitant, simply because she had observed from her shadows. Many wolves did not know she was there, in the darkness, watching over them, making sure that all was well. Sofika worked hard to keep them safe, and most did not realise this. Crow may have, because she was an older member of the pack, and had been exposed to the mysterious one since a very young age. A serious look then came upon Sofika's face, and she turned to Crow, who had turned into a great member of the pack, of which she was proud.

" You should be rewarded for your efforts Crow. And that reward will be, the rank of Sentry, if you will accept it? " she said in a very serious tone.

Before hand, Sofika had carefully thought out her idea. All wolves ( with the exception of that white one ) were able to read body language and should not need to have to be told flat out was expected of them when being met on the borders. There was that fear for Crow however, because she could not speak, she could not howl for help of she required it. If in danger, no one would know she was in such, unless another happened to be near. But of course, Sofika and Karolek would no doubt be nearby. The territory was not particularly massive, such as that of Sallin, and so there would indeed be someone close by all the time, she concluded. Nodding her head, she watched Crow, awaiting to know whether or not she would accept the Alphas offer.

[Bandersnatch]

With quite some speed the sepia femme was again on her feet, tail swaying speedily. Quickly she stopped herself wriggling and instead bowed her head in thanks, humbled by Sofika’s offering of rank. Crow simply did what she did due to a strong sense of duty to her pack, not for praise or position. Sofika’s words and now awarding of rank were not necessary, but still she was honored that her beloved Alpha believed her worthy.
She flashed a grin, resembling that a puppy would wear when given something new to play with. She would gladly accept the rank, if her Lady believed she would be useful in such a role. Crow gave the dark one an enthusiastic nod.

Thoughts on communication troubled flashed through her mind only for a moment. Wolves as a whole were used to paying attention to things subtle in their environment, and in each other’s body language. Surely there would be those who would not understand, such was with the one earlier, but for the most part there should not have been too much of a problem. The thought that she could potentially put herself in danger without any way of crying for help did not even enter her mind.

Crow planted her hind quarters back on the ground, calming herself down. For now, of course, her role would be to simply chase others from the lands. But if the Arnlan borders were to open again soon, a role of Sentry would help her to acquaint herself quickly with the newcomers, get to know the new pack. She gave a playful grin. She should really meet with her new packmates soon.

[Sofika]

If one looked closely, they may have seen a smile flash across her dark features, but as quickly as it may have appeared it was gone, and the expressionless look that the Alpha held upon herself was back, as she watched the newly appointed sentry leap to her feet. Sofika was sure that Crow would do well in her new position, even if it was such not expected to have been offered. Nodding her maw ever so slightly, she watched whilst remaining firmly seated upon the rock. It was not the nod that had told Sofika that she would accept, but more so the way in which she had sprung to her feet in excitement and wagged her tail. Such a difference in reaction to her offerings; Ecclesiastes did not seem as enthusiastic as Crow did, simply because he rather as expressionless as the alphas themselves. But it was interesting, that difference.

The dark pelted one knew that Crow would be alright. She was young, fit, smart and would be able to defend herself if she was confronted with a vicious outsider. The only cry that would emit in such a situation would be that of the trespasser, once fang of Crow had sunk firmly into their flesh. She believed she could manage well in her position, and if she somehow could not, she would be offered another rank if it came to the point of that. She would also make an excellent hunter, for she had speed and accurate aim when launching herself for the final scoop of a game. Sofika knew all of these things. The wind was no longer blowing hefty through the land, but rather, light gusts now and then sprung about, twirling the leaves on the earth into the air in spirals. Sofika took no notice however, but was aware of it.

She felt that she did not have to explain to Crow what was required of her. She had witnessed past sentries doing their duty in her years of living here. There did not seem to be any questions arising from her either, so Sofika justified, that she would not require any additional information. Crow would have to become acquainted with the other members of the pack, so that they knew were they stood with her. If any insulted her, remarking on why she was chosen when she had a disability, then, punishment would follow that wolf. Sofika saw and heard everything that went on in the lands, and would not allow such insolence pass unnoticed. Of course, Crow would not be looked down upon for punishing the offender. She had every right to retaliate.

" You may leave now if you wish, become acquainted with more of the pack. I will see you around I am sure. " noted the alpha, and she sprung to her feet and dived into the shadows behind where she stood. It was there that she made her exit on the scene, off to attend to other arising matters in the land.