Cosmavicans

As a leader, it's your job to look out for your pack. You're doing one of your border patrols when you notice a faint scent on the wind. You raise your muzzle and breathe deep... it's the scent of an unfamiliar wolf. You're on your borders so they're not in your territory, but the idea of wolves this close to your hunting ground is... troubling. After marking the borders you track the wolf's scent to the top of a rise and stop. Below is a camp of wolves lounging outside their dens, sharing prey, sleeping and chatting comfortably with one another, watching over tireless pups... but you've never seen them before. You don't recognize any of them. But that's when you realize a wolf is walking as if they'd just gotten to the clearing. You lean as far as you dare and inhale, filling your nose with the scent and separating it from what seems to be their packmates. That was the wolf you were tracking! How did they get down there so fast?

"It's a long way down... do you want to jump?" Startled by the new voice, you turn and see another unfamiliar wolf behind you. A wolf with a coat of flame stares at you curiously, his eyes shining and tail swishing in a lazy, friendly way. You notice a young adolescent with him, her eyes glittering in hostility. He stays a little ways away from you and crouches low to show he means no harm, nudging his apprentice so that she does the same. Despite his position, he looks like he's seen a fight or two. He's as dangerous as any wolf, and his apprentice surely isn't far behind. He speaks before you can. "Greetings from my pack. My name is Pyrepelt and this is Dingo, but you can just call me Pyre; I'm a scout from the Cosmavican pack, and this is my scout in training. I didn't always live there, y'know, I was a lost wolf once and Kuffo took me in. She's gone now, though... Anyway, what brings you here? If you seek an alliance, I'll take you to him - the new leader. Or do you need something? Are you alone, or do you have a pack?" You take a moment to collect your thoughts. You certainly don't want to join the late Kuffo's pack as you have your own wolves to attend... but maybe it would do good to know your neighbors.

The scout looks down to the ground from the ridge and you wonder how you're supposed to get there. Maybe he could see that, because he said, "Don't worry; this is the way to get to our camp. Even a pup could do it. In fact, the pups HAVE done it; I've seen it myself." Dingo nodded, not blinking.

You don't want to seem weak in front of this chatterbox wolf and his unfriendly accomplice; you need to make a good impression on your neighbors. A strong ally or a fearless enemy; whatever your relationship will call for.

So you jump. It's actually quite fun - it's like flying! As you get nearer to the ground, you try to tuck your front paws and roll in one smooth movement. After a few moments, the scouts roll in beside you. Heads turn your way as you shake leaves and dirt out of your fur; some friendly, some curious, some hostile.

Pyrepelt walks with purpose and takes you straight through, tail swishing in a relaxed manner, nodding at a few select pack mates as he bouncily leads you to a gray and black male who sits with yet another packmate: a slightly younger, green-yellow-white she-wolf who smells like herbs. The black one turns to you with a kind yet interested expression as you approach.

He addresses his scout first, seeming a bit anxious. "Pyre, you wouldn't mind addressing your scout later, would you? I just think our guest is the first priority at the moment." He turns to Dingo. "He'll have to teach you how to do your own reports, too."

"You're good," the flame-colored wolf agrees with a grin. "This wolf was the only thing I'd needed to discuss anyway. Well, of actual practical importance." He swallows visibly and audibly, clearly trying to keep himself from chattering on about something the way he seems to. Soon enough, the scatterbrained wolf slips away, his apprentice glancing at you before slinking off as well.

"Hello," the plant-wolf greets kindly, glancing at you. Her red eyes glitter curiously. She looks you up and down with kind yet calculating eyes, offering a friendly smile. She doesn't say anything else and turns back to, presumably, the pack leader.

The young male seems to give her a sideways look before regarding you curiously. "Welcome," he greets, his tone soft and kind. Nodding towards the unnatural, scruffy wolf, he introduces you to his herbalist. "This is Kehrust, my current herbalist. Her and Hedgehog, my retired herbalist, are still helping me figure this all out - leading, that is... I'm not sure I'll ever get the hang of it."

Kehrust's only response is a solemn nod. "Anyway, accept an official welcome to the Cosmavican Pack. Oh, and I'm sorry for not introducing myself earlier - I'm Marbled Onyx, though just Onyx will do just fine. I've gotten reports from my scouts of unfamiliar wolves settled close by... assuming that's you, I'd also like to offer a formal apology if you don't like us this close. We won't stay long, surely - we're a travelling pack, and this is just another stop of many. Hopefully we can get along for our brief time together. We won't give you a reason to attack us if you don't give us any; I can promise we're no threat to you."

It was curious how this Onyx character isn't showing his strength to scare you like most leaders do, as if he really wants no trouble. In fact, he seems rather humble. Depending on what the future brings, maybe you could take advantage of that. But for now, they all seem nice enough...