She had it!! Oh how exciting but she had to stay calm for now or else she would make a wrong move and lose the opportunity. The little fluffy female continued to work on year poor hunting skills with the guidance from her mate Audas. While she was quite good at plants and herbs, even modestly proficient at fishing, hunting was ever her weak point in talents.
But now she had a small animal, a rabbit, right where she wanted it. Bright green eyes riveted on the grey brown creature as her white body was carried low to the ground. Fuzzy ears perked forward and tail brushing the ground as she crept forward. Then a snap was heard and spooked the prey animal which darted in response. A quiet groan from the little female right before she launched after it.
Chasing after her target as best she could amongst the zigging and zagging but her technique was lacking and soon lost track of it. Another hunt deemed a failure but she didn't really worry about it. There was always another chance to try again.
Panting lightly as she stared at the place she last saw the energetic bunny, Nymph shook out her coat and then proceeded to sit down. Musing over what she could do differently next, she became absorbed in her own little world. Someday she would be better at this. Maybe contribute even more to the pack, but for now she was perfectly content being a gatherer.
It had been a long day so far, hell, a long few days. With his father ill, he knew sooner or later he would have to step up and take care of the pack. Toiro was a good leader, he would never deny that, but right now he simply could not handle all of the pack and the work that came along with the title Alpha. He sighed heavily as he walked through the trees of their forest, though his mind really was not on the terrain in front of him. Though he had not yet seen every part of the forest since he had returned, he still could easily remember everything he had explored as a pup before he had run off and left his family behind. But he was home now, for good, and he had every intention of watching his father's pack grow strong once more. Although the skies were partially cloudy and threatened thunderstorms, he assumed that the trees overhead would provide enough protection to keep him dry if the rains did finally decide to fall.
Another soft sigh left his muzzle, ears twitching and paws carrying him forward slowly for several more minutes. He was lost in his thoughts, thinking of all of the responsibilities he would take on if he stepped up to take care of Airila while Toiro was sick. It would be a huge undertaking, but he also felt confident that he could handle it. He was about to turn back to go and see his father once more when the sound of someone crashing through the trees and underbrush caught his attention. He stopped in his tracks, lifting his head higher and perking his ears in the direction of the sound. Within a matter of seconds, a white form shot into view. Immediately his nose tried to catch the scent of the other wolf, though it was easy to tell that she was a part of Airila. Not only did she smell of the pack, but she smelled strongly of another male, one who's scent his father had also carried. "Hello there." He said, watching her much smaller form as he sat down slowly. He was unsure of whether or not she knew who he was, but if he sat down and spoke kindly to her, perhaps he could avoid frightening her.
She had seemed not to notice him at first, for as he sat down where he was, she herself sat down as if to think over her failure to catch the rabbit he had seen run through here right before she had appeared. Perhaps she was one of the pack's gatherers, a hunter would have had no trouble catching a rabbit like that. He had to admit that he was much more suited to be a warrior of their pack than a hunter, but he had lived long enough on his own to improve his own hunting skills. Maybe, just maybe, he was truly strong enough and put together enough to handle carrying his father's pack until he was well again. Not to mention he would also be caring for his father. He had not seen Toiro for so long, and now that they were finally together again, he refused to let anything harm him, even a sickness such as this.
She contemplated her failure seriously, she believed she did everything right but apparently she was mistaken. Inwardly she shrugged, practice would make her improve in time. It was a few moments before she realized she was not alone anymore. Surprised, she glanced around and smiled once she looked at the colored male seated nearby. "Hello there, sorry my mind was far away." She beamed, none would believe she was once rather shy.
"I'm Nymph, gatherer for Airila. I'm sorry we haven't met before, unless I'm mistaken." Her fluffy banner thumped on the ground as the smile never left her face. She was a bubbly girl and found that she liked everyone she has met so far in the pack.
"I guess you saw my little chase and failure, I've never been good at hunting. But my mate, Audas, is an excellent hunter and fighter. I was just trying to practice a few things he taught me. Not very well I suppose." She laughed quietly at herself as she spoke that last part. She was never one to avoid admitting her mistakes, it simply added to the adventure of life when one messed up.
"Have you been here long? I recognize Alpha Torio's scent on you and it's pretty strong so I'm assuming you've been part of the pack for quite some time. Do you like to hunt? How do you serve the pack? Do you have a family?" She stopped abruptly as she realized she was bombarding him with questions. "I'm sorry, I'm a very curious wolf and questions seem to always fill my head. Audas never minds but I forget that I may seem nosy to those I don't know very well." Her ears flattened a little in apology. "I never mean to intrude on ones privacy."
It all happened rather suddenly. Not only her appearance nearby, but also the words that spilled out of her mouth like she was physically incapable of stopping them. He sat there quietly, letting her talk and bombard him with questions as he smiled at her and waited patiently for her to finally finish. "I'm Nymph, gatherer for Airila. I'm sorry we haven't met before, unless I'm mistaken." His head tilted slightly, for her's was a name that he had not yet come across. "I guess you saw my little chase and failure, I've never been good at hunting. But my mate, Audas, is an excellent hunter and fighter. I was just trying to practice a few things he taught me. Not very well I suppose." Her mate, however, he had heard his father speak of. Audas. He had been trusted by Toiro, but unfortunately Arche could not count himself as someone to have met him quite yet. He made a mental note to ensure they were properly introduced in the future as she continued to spit words at him. "Have you been here long? I recognize Alpha Torio's scent on you and it's pretty strong so I'm assuming you've been part of the pack for quite some time. Do you like to hunt? How do you serve the pack? Do you have a family?"
Finally, it seemed like her words were slowing down, almost as if she were coming to an end in her babbling. However, ever polite and mature - at least he liked to believe so - Arche continued to wait until she was properly finished before answering any of her words. "I'm sorry, I'm a very curious wolf and questions seem to always fill my head. Audas never minds but I forget that I may seem nosy to those I don't know very well. I never mean to intrude on ones privacy." Well, she was not very good at that, now was she? He smiled at the thought, but leaned back slightly into his sitting position as she finally fell silent. "My name is Arche, son of Toiro. That is probably why you smell him on me. He has fallen terribly ill and I have been taking care of him." He said, tilting his head slightly as he studied her expression for her reaction to the news. He had not been in the pack as long as she assumed, for he had left and returned about a month before. "I hunt when I need to, though I cannot confess it is a task that I am particularly fond of." He said, answering her questions one by one. "I am currently a warrior of the pack, though with my father ill, I'm afraid we have all taken on more responsibility than we previously had to." He said, deciding that it was not quite time to alert the pack that he would be taking over as alpha during his father's sickness. That would come during the meeting, but it was not quite time yet.
"There is no need to worry or apologize, miss Nymph. I do not mind your questions. In fact, I am glad to have met you, and I hope to meet your mate, Audas, soon." He said, dipping his head with slight exaggeration in a bow of greeting and manners. He wanted to meet all of his father's pack before officially taking all of the responsibilities on. How could he lead a pack that did not know him, that he did not know in return? It simply was not possible, and he wanted to take care of Airila and make them strong, even with his father's physical difficulties. Toiro would recover, he would make sure of it, but he would also ensure that the pack did not suffer because his father had fallen ill. He had limited contact with his sire and the rest of the pack lately, hoping that if the illness was contagious, that no one else would contract it and fall ill. Unfortunately, he was not sure how long he could keep them all at bay. Toiro was a loved leader, surely others would want to visit and wish him well in the days to come.
She chided herself for rambling on while he stated he has to care for his father. Sadness came over her face, she was very fond of Toiro and the fact he was so ill made her worry over him. "I am sorry for your father. If I can help, please tell me. He met us with such kindness and even played with myself and another pack mate at one time." She spoke slower, trying to just speak what was proper instead of bubbling over like normal.
"Warrior is a very honorable duty. I would fail miserably at such a occupation but greatly admire those who can fend for themselves and others so well. Audas had protected me on more than one occasion." She said simply, not meaning to flatter her mate overmuch but she was incredibly proud of him and his abilities.
"I truly wish your father the best and a speedy recovery. With you caring for him, I'm sure it means a great deal in his health. The care of loved ones always seems to help the ailing more." A faint smile to her fellow pack mate was meant to encourage and perhaps give a boost of strength. She knew caring for another who was ill could be draining to even the most robust of attendants.
"That would be lovely for you to meet Audas, I'm sure it will happen soon. He always seems to find me when I go out alone." She smiled at the memory of their most recent time together. Audas actually proposed having a family some day. Such a beautiful thought to the bouncy Arctic girl and she was very excited by it. Imagining that time was simply lovely.
Coming back to reality, Nymph became serious once again. "Is there anything your father needs that I could help with?"
She continued to talk on, though it seemed like she was trying to control herself, which greatly amused the larger male. It was entertaining that her toned down version of talking was still much more than he usually spoke, but he knew that each wolf in their pack was unique. It was clear that she loved to talk, therefore he saw little point in robbing her of the opportunity. "I am sorry for your father. If I can help, please tell me. He met us with such kindness and even played with myself and another pack mate at one time." He nodded slowly at her words, grateful that his father was so well loved and cared about in the pack. He had yet to hear an unkind word about his sire, though he knew that there would be many struggles for all of them in the days to come. Although there were some that had stayed in the pack lands longer than him - for he had left after his mother's death - he would likely take over the pack during his father's sickness.
"Warrior is a very honorable duty. I would fail miserably at such a occupation but greatly admire those who can fend for themselves and others so well. Audas had protected me on more than one occasion." He smiled at her, though he shook his head slowly at her words. "Each of our ranks exist for a reason. Not all wolves are meant to be warriors, just as not all are meant to be Gatherers or Hunters." He said, nudging her gently with his nose and hoping that he was being at least somewhat friendly and supportive. He did not want any wolf in the pack to feel like they did not matter, for he knew that all of them truly did. Perhaps she had not meant to say it the way she did, but he hoped that he could at least give her some sense of worth with his words. "I truly wish your father the best and a speedy recovery. With you caring for him, I'm sure it means a great deal in his health. The care of loved ones always seems to help the ailing more." He appreciated the words, and he dipped his head in a grateful nod as she spoke them. "With any luck, his illness will not last too long. He is a fighter, and though he is tired most of the time, I know he will pull through in the end."
Her next words did not exactly warrant a response, therefore he gave her another nod to encourage a meeting in the future. He wanted to meet each member of the pack, and though he had been introduced to many of them so far, he was sure there was still a number of them that he did not know. Their pack had been growing recently, and though he was proud of the fact that they were getting stronger, he had to ensure that they still understood the meaning of their pack and that they were still a family. "Is there anything your father needs that I could help with?" His head tilted slightly as he listened to her, wondering if there truly was anything she could do for Toiro. "I think all that any of us can really do is keep the pack strong and keep morale high in his absence." He said, straightening up slightly and sighing softly. He knew that leading the pack would not be easy, but it was for his father, for his family, and he would do everything in his power to keep them strong and safe while his father recovered.
Words: 614 Tags: Nymph Muse: Low Notes: Think we could end this soon? I don't really know where else to go with it.
His kind words were greatly appreciated by the bubbly little female. She had to smile when she thought about Audas’ first experience with her healing knowledge after they were attacked by that huge wolf. The funny face he made while chewing the plants to ease his pain was now a fun memory instead of the struggle to recuperate and live on it was then.
She felt a little more proud of her station now as Arche pointed out that not all could do healing just as all couldn't fight. Being there for injured fighters and accidents had it's place as needed. Of course he made a fairly obvious point but she never thought of it that way. She smiled at him in thanks.
"I think I can help with morale staying up there." She smiled brightly. She was irrepressible and quite the type to stay on the bright side of things. She shared Arche's confidence in his fathers ability to come back to health. From what she knew of Toiro he was a strong male and the devotion of his pack had to be an emotion support of some kind.
"Give him our best wishes please? Audas and I are very fond of him and hopefully if he hears the pack anticipates his return to health it may help." She thumped her tail behind her and smiled, trying to buoy up the attentive sons spirits for she was certain he was feeling the strain that came with caring for a ill parent.
"You can count on us to do our best to keep things on the up and up." She hoped she wasn't coming across as speaking for her mate like he had no mind of his own but they were very close and came here to find happiness in their lives together. Audas was extremely loyal, there was no doubt in her mind he would strive to help the pack in its time of need to care for it's beloved alpha.
He was grateful for her kindness, and it surprised him that he was also grateful for her bubbly personality. It was a nice change of pace from the seriousness of leading the pack while his father was ill, and it was good to know that the wolves of Airila would stand behind him and help him take care of their pack in his father's absence. He smiled at her, nodding his head slowly as she spoke. He looked forward to meeting Audas, and with any luck they would get along just as well as he had so far with Nymph. "Unfortunately, I must continue on my way and get in at least one more patrol today. I am sure my father would be very glad to see you if you did decide to stop by and visit him. Be careful, though. I am unsure of how contagious he is at this time." He said, hoping that his father would not only see him and possibly his brothers during the entirety of his illness.
He was much loved by his pack, and with any luck, he would see their faces and it would give him the strength to push against the sickness and drag himself back into good health. For now, though, all Arche could do was keep the pack safe and strong in his absence. With a small stretch, the male nodded to Nymph once more. "Both my father and I are very grateful for your loyalty, and that of your mate as well. Please give him my best regards next time you see him." He said, smiling at her and then turning towards the border. With any luck he could get in a quick and thorough patrol and hopefully pick up some food for Toiro on his way back to the den.
Words: 303 Tags: Nymph Muse: Low Notes: Sorry it's so short. Trying to tie some things up in a few different threads so that I can post a pack meeting with Arche.
Smiling came very easy to her and sharing it with the alphas son hopefully buoyed up his spirits in this hard time.
Bowing her head respectfully she answered, "Yes I dont wish to keep you from your duties. I will certainly visit, perhaps tomorrow mid morning if that's alright so he hopefully won't be so tired from the days progression. Don't worry about contagions, I will eat a few plants that will help thwart off new infection. Plus you have spent a considerable amount of time with him and have yet to contract his illness. Very thankful for that. I shall still do as you please and take care, and I will do my best not to tire him out by being to boisterous."
She smiled again, noting she was still being to wordy in her speech. Hopefully she will do better tomorrow and be quieter as promised. She was confident that the healer inside of her would take over and become nurturing more than aggravating. She was good at her duty and the alpha was of the highest priority to get back on his feet.
Standing as well with a few wags of her tail, Nymph nodded and smiled again. "I will certainly convey your regards to Audas. He will be very pleased to hear your commendation. Enjoy your patrol and I hope all goes smoothly."
Once he turned away, she gave her attention back to hunting some small critter. Searching in the opposite direction so she hopefully would not thwart his patrol later on due to some mistake of hers. Eyes attentive and ears pricked, she happily bounded along much like the rabbit she chased earlier.