A leaf on the wind [Acceptance]

[Electus]

I am a leaf on the wind.

Otame slunk stealthily towards the Arnlanian border, his paws making no sound as he moved like a shadow towards the foreboding land ahead. Here and there a flash of ultramarine could be seen, but then he would blend into black once again.

Watch how I soar.

It had been several months since his pack had dissolved. Several months of aimless wandering had led Otame here, to Arnlan. He would seek his fortune here, in this land of shadow. The black wolf was determined to find another pack to replace the one he had lost, and Arnlan was the best he could find, given the circumstances.

The scout slowly moved closer to the border. He could smell the scent of sentries, several hours old, on the dusty ground. Stopping to sit, Otame raised his head and emitted a bell-tone howl, announcing his presence.

[Squeeji]

The very earth insulted her presence, she took out her anger with every step, letting the soil tear quietly through her claws as she made her way through her pack lands.

Pollux was in surprisingly high humors for the time of year, but still her amusement was black as pitch, and she had a devious smirk on her whitened muzzle.

It was the call of some strange youth that only served to make her chuckle, but she wouldn't leave the pup wanting, the Gamma of Arnlan moved quickly to the sound of the howl, finding a slick dark male, no doubt a cocky young thing...most his age were. But she wouldn't place her judgment just yet.

Slinking out of the foliage with that toothy grin she bristled her fur some for effect and spoke in a dangerous grumble, she loved to meet the new potential recruits...they were so much fun to play with!

"You are trespassing upon Arnlan pack land boy, what do you want?" sure she lacked the threatening physique of some of the Officers, or even that damnable Beta, but she didn't want to kill the kid, just ruffle his coat some. "State your business here. Or die."

[Electus]

"State your business here. Or die."

So it was going to be one of those days. Otame shrugged inwardly. He didn't blame the pack for being cautious. Or overly hostile. Whichever one it was. The black wolf inclined his head respectfully.

"My name is Otame. As for my business, I am searching for a pack that I might offer my services to."

He shook himself absently before matching the wolfess' toothy grin with his golden eyes. "Forgive my abruptness, but what is your name?"

The agile wolf slowly circled in place, for lack of movement. He seemed to unconsciously ensure that his steps were silent, and that part of him always mixed into the shadow, so that all who laid eyes upon him would only see his blue markings and golden eyes.
He shifted warily and on the edges of his paws, in case the sentry should deign to attack him.

[Squeeji]

If only Otame knew that Pollux's words were only a parody of her pack mates', but he'd figure that out later. She couldn't help but to continue smiling, her mismatched eyes looking the male up and down. A unique pelt, but that didn't mean much.

"I am the Gamma, Pollux." she decided to indulge the young male, tilting her head some as she carried herself more upright per her station, as if she hadn't looked intense enough before coming out of the darkness. "And you, are Otame...who has come here to offer your services with Arnlan."

This time he gained a more scrutinizing look from the weathered old shewolf, who squinted as though she were weighing his very soul. "What skills do you offer?" though she smiled, her tone and demeanor was hardly patronizing, she almost seemed like a pesky aunt, poking around for answers. She had always been a nosy sort.

Pollux cocked a brow at Otame and chuckled some as he fidgeted around, "Oh relax pup...I'm not going to eat you. I was feeding you a line about the whole killing you...Its sort of Arnlan policy." she shook her head clucking her tongue. However, if he were to change his mind, he wouldn't stand long...but there was no real need to tell him that.

[Electus]

"Oh relax pup...I'm not going to eat you. I was feeding you a line about the whole killing you...Its sort of Arnlan policy."

Otame relaxed somewhat after hearing that. "That's...an interesting policy," he said somewhat lightly. He looked at Pollux curiously. "Although, now that I'm not fearing for my life...you do have more of a scout-ish body than a warrior's."

"What skills do you offer?"

Otame tilted his head. "I was a scout for my old pack, although they disintegrated some time ago. I'm a good hunter as well, but as for fighting...I'm more of a hit-and-run kind of wolf, you know? Hamstring them or something, and then get the hell out."

The black wolf shrugged. "That's my abilities in a nutshell. If you really want a demonstration I can oblige, Gamma."

[Squeeji]

"You'd be a fool to think I couldn't do damage to the likes of you." Pollux smiled, but the look in her eye was anything but amused. This Otame wasn't the smartest pup on the block if he thought insulting the wolf that was the deciding point on his acceptance was a good idea.

The Gamma's tail flicked in annoyance as she looked over the dark wolf with the odd colors. He would fit in with the other pompous pups, that was for sure and it just served to boil her blood.

"Well, you'd do no good in assassin work, too bright." she shook her head, clucking her tongue. "Besides, we're full up on warriors." Pollux's face brightened a bit, a slight amusement in thinking of this male being used as Umbra's punching bag.

She stood, and began to circle, "Now, a scout. How interesting. How did you feel about that rank Otame?" there was a dangerous purr to her voice, the question was weighted, a test perhaps. And maybe after a test, a demonstration would be required...who knew? It was Winter, and Pollux was a fickle beast at the time.

[Electus]

"You'd be a fool to think I couldn't do damage to the likes of you."

Otame looked almost offended. "Did I say you couldn't? Just because you aren't a warrior doesn't mean you can't fight. The very idea is uncouth and unbecoming."

"Well, you'd do no good in assassin work, too bright." she shook her head, clucking her tongue. "Besides, we're full up on warriors."

"Never would want to be a warrior anyways," he muttered softly to himself, "Not enough job enjoyment." He looked closely at Pollux. Clearly something the black wolf had said irritated her. For the life of him he didn't know what. Did he come over as arrogant? Bah. He certainly hoped not. But on the other hand, he didn't want to seem under-confident either.

"Now, a scout. How interesting. How did you feel about that rank Otame?"

Otame half-smiled. "Interesting indeed. If you'll pardon me saying so, I was trained and raised for the rank. If you think that I'm eligible then I'm all for it."

[Squeeji]

Pollux smirked slightly as the young male redeemed himself with his words, these were testing times for the old Gamma, and her patience had run woefully short these days. Her expression melted some a bit more kindness in her weathered features.

"I see."

She admired the youth's spunk, however there was a point in which enough was enough. "Well Otame, I see no reason why you can't be part of Arnlan." But she gave him a slightly warning look "However, I cannot guarantee you the rank of Scout." The she-wolf nodded sagely and swiped her tail from side to side as she explained herself.

"The rank you see...is one very dear to my old heart. And I would like you to stay here as a subordinate, until I can gauge your former pack's training prowess." it was apparent in her voice that she was hardly impressed that he had been groomed for the rank. Given that Otame admitted that the pack had fallen into ruin. Besides, as a Scout, Pollux had been a bit of a snob...as who could be a better shadow than a natural born and trained Arnalian wolf?
"However, I can say that its a very likely possibility Otame. We could use more intrigue in these lands..."

[Squeeji]

[Electus]

"The rank you see...is one very dear to my old heart. And I would like you to stay here as a subordinate, until I can gauge your former pack's training prowess."

Otame shrugged. "I have no problem with that. After all, fortune favors the prepared."

He smiled inwardly. It was true that his pack had dissolved, but he worried not about his skills. What he lacked, he would improve upon. What he had, he would increase. It was simple as that. Only time would tell what this arrangement would bring.

"However, I can say that its a very likely possibility Otame. We could use more intrigue in these lands..."

Otame furrowed his brow. "It is lacking? Arnlan has been quiet upon the border as of late. May I ask the cause?"

[Squeeji]

"It is lacking? Arnlan has been quiet upon the border as of late. May I ask the cause?"

Pollux nodded.

"You're a member of this pack, you have right to know." Her ears flicked slightly, as her attention went to the border if by instinct. "Its war I'm afraid. You can feel it bubbling upon the horizon, preparation has taken more of a forefront than investigation. Something I do not agree with."

The gamma shook her head and smirked, however it was obvious that she was just trying to still her own anger, not trying to calm down the young wolf.