Beside a Snowy Sea (Joining Thread)

[seadragoness]

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[bg=000000][atrb=background,http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff153/Lumarinam/kastiel-background.png] Kastiel, having given his howl, sat against the earth, head high in an almost formal manner as he waited for his Alpha. Tail tucked about his side, he didn’t look superior he would never even try to. His aim was to look sharp, cautious, and obedient for his Alpha; he would always do his best by this pack. Spirit’s words about her own appearance rang through and he grinned sheepishly at her, seeing as similar thoughts had run course in his own head – hence the stance. When Toiro made his appearance and murmured greeting to Kastiel, the Beta’s face lit up in an open grin as he nodded his head in response. He held Toiro in high regard – he was a good hearted wolf, trustworthy and open with even a hint of puppy-play in his nature. Kastiel would die for his Alpha, a thought he would never doubt and definitely never regret. Kastiel had noticed the excitement that flitted through Spirit, and understood that this was very important to her. Well Kastiel had made it clear he wanted her to join – his say was not final. He did not speak for Spirit, whom he had judged would be eager to speak and not want to sit there and wait well the Beta made introductions. Instead the moment the Alpha’s attention was upon and his words complete she let out her name and her desire in one breath. She asked to join the pack, wanted to have a place here and know her duties, Kastiel, still silent, offered a comforting smile to her as his gaze moved inevitably back to his Alpha – it was Toiro’s turn to speak now.

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[Toiro]

Toiro’s tail beat lightly against the sand as the young she wolf, Spirit, said that she was interested in joining the pack. He glanced over at his beta. Kastiel seemed to have approved of the newcomer, and from what Toiro had seen of her so far, she seemed like a kind and enthusiastic wolf; just the type he was looking for.
“It is my honour to welcome you into the pack of Airila”
He smiled warmly at the newest member, trying to make her feel at home. “I’m sure that Kastiel will show you around the territory soon, but first there is the matter of your rank”

Toiro had been thinking. Ranks were something he had always been in support of. He didn’t like the idea of an alpha ruling over a bunch of subordinates, which was the style his pack was starting to lean towards. No, he didn’t like that idea at all, and he’d have to make sure that Airila didn’t fall into that category.
Toiro believed that each wolf should have a certain job through which was focused the best of their abilities, and have a rank to be proud of.
The alpha and beta would have the job of looking after the pack and making sure everything was running smoothly, the warriors would be in charge of guarding the borders and making sure that rival predators were chased away before they became a threat. Hunters would provide food for the pack and shamans would have the job of healing the sick and injured.

Toiro shook himself thoroughly, clearing his mind from the daydream of a perfectly organised pack. He turned his attention back to Spirit.
“Do you have any particular skills? Hunting perhaps? Fighting? Or maybe you are skilled in healing?” He let his head tilt to one side as he waited for a reply. “Since we’re a new pack, we have many positions available, but if you don’t feel ready for one at the moment that is understandable too”


.

[Deleted]

Spirit was overjoyed to receive such a warm welcome from the alpha of the pack. In all honestly, the female had expected him to scrutinize and question her to see if she was worthy to even be in the pack, so this was not at all what she had expected. She remembered clearly in her old pack how each member that wanted to join had to be questioned and then had to fight against the strongest fighter in the pack, which at one point was her. She didn't at all like the way that pack rank, but had to live with it, for she knew she'd be the one to run it when her father died. She left before that could happen, and she was glad she did. She gave a nod, "I'm glad to be here, believe me." She felt herself glance at Kastiel at the mention of the showing of territory. She was glad these wolves were nice, she was beginning to like her packmates more and more.

She listened intently at Torio's questions of what she could do, then listened to the statement of basically taking a subordinate rank until she decided what she wanted to do. She was against that, of course, and wanted to be able to do something useful with herself. She thought for a moment. She could hunt, but it wasn't her specialty, and she could heal, but she only knew basic things about wounds and herbs. There was one thing, though, that she knew she could to, and that was fight. "I'm not the greatest hunter and I only know basic healing skills, but if there's anything I can do well, it would be fighting. My mother raised me that way and taught me everything she had learned until I was..." She trailed off, suddenly not wanting to finish the sentence and bring up her past. She dropped it and moved on.

"I don't want to be a burden as a subordinate and take my time thinking of which rank I want, so I'll make up my mind now." She paused, making sure she was all right with her decision. She nodded to herself, completely content. "I'd like to fight for the pack, it's what I'm best at." Spirit waited for an answer, hoping she would get the rank she wanted. If there was anything she could do for this pack, it would be to fight for it. There was nothing she loved more than protecting those close to her.

[seadragoness]

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[bg=000000][atrb=background,http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff153/Lumarinam/kastiel-background.png] Kastiel broke out into a grin with Toiro’s warm words of acceptance to Spirit. He knew his friend would not turn away this newcomer, and even through he was still getting to know there leader, he knew him well enough to want to follow him to the end of the earth, or wherever Toiro wanted to go. The younger, light-natured wolf was trustworthy, and Kastiel knew he had made the right decision in joining his pack. He listened intently as Toiro continued to speak – talking about Kastiel showing her around the pack land. The Beta knew he would be more then happy to do just that. As for rank – that was the very question they had wanted the Alpha to answer. He gave the possibilities to Spirit, more then happy to let the other choice by what her best abilities where. Kastiel realised this was the best approach to take – know one knew what Spirit could best, except Spirit herself. The Beta filed that away for future use, if he was ever needed to accept a wolf again, without Toiro’s aid next time. Or at least, if that was what his Alpha wanted him to do. It was Spirit’s turn to speak now, and her words came out with confidence, clear that she knew what she wanted and willing to take on the roll. So she was a fighter, was she? She stumbled only once, beginning to say something about herself, then breaking off before she did. Kastiel knew better then to pry, and gave her a gentle smile of encouragement instead. Not that she needed it, she was jumping back into speech a moment later. She was clearly a thoughtful wolf, taking a moment and settling things into place. But Kastiel could see she had already made up her mind about what she wanted, and she grasped that now, stating clear as day that she wanted to be a fighter within the pack. Still Kastiel did not speak – there was no input he could add that Toiro could not grasp himself, and Spirit had already introduced herself and what she wanted to there leader. She was a part of the pack now and it seemed that in a moment she would have her rank. Kastiel stood instead as her one-wolf audience to the rank she was about to be awarded.

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[Toiro]

Toiro listened carefully as Spirit explained her skills. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly when she began talking about her history and then trailed off as if she didn’t want to reawaken the memories.
So this wolf had a troubled past too? He was curious, but knew that he wouldn’t want an almost-stranger prying into his life. He was sure she’d tell the story in her own time, when she wasn’t being pressured about it.

Besides, that wasn’t important at the moment – what was important was her future rank.
Toiro smiled when she announced her decision “Then fighter you shall be. Spirit, from this moment onwards, you are a warrior of Airila” He stepped close to her, and lowered his head to lick hers, finally welcoming her fully into the pack.

He was glad that she had decided on a rank now. Although she wouldn’t have been a burden as such, it would have been much more time-consuming when it came to organising the pack into different patrols. If Airila had a clearly defined hunter/warrior/healer system, it would be easy to have separate duties for each rank – instead of having to share the duties amongst subordinates who may not be very good at some of the jobs given to them.

Toiro looked at the two wolves that stood before him. They were the future of Airila, the future of Keyara’s pack. A soft sigh escaped from his muzzle. For as long as he lived, she would never be forgotten. But what had happened was in the past; he had to move on and focus on the present. With a quick shake of his head, the thoughts were dispelled.

“What would you like to do now?” The question was more directed at Spirit, since she was the newest member of the pack and there was a lot for her to learn about her new home, but if Kastiel had a suggestion Toiro would happily listen to him too.

[Deleted]

Spirit was aware of the expressions that gave away their bit of curiosity when she had trailed off, but she attempted to ignore it as she continued to speak. It was not something she was willing to bring up just yet. Perhaps, when she trusted them more than she did, then she would be willing to tell them about what had happened to her. For now, the memory would remain locked away in the recesses of her mind, just as it had for a long time. Her mind was a safe haven for her secrets and she intended on it remaining that way. She sighed to relieve herself of thinking of such things and returned her attention to the wolves before her again.

A grin broke out on her face when she was given the rank she desired. She knew she would do well as a fighter, for it was all she seemed to live for. It was something she felt she could be of use in doing. Patrolling, defending. She was better at nothing else, except perhaps making friends. "I will do my best and I will not fail you. I promise." Whenever she made a promise, even Spirit knew she would always keep it, especially when it came to protecting those she cared for, those that could not defend themselves, and those who she could simply be of use to when it came to a fight they could not win themselves.

Then the question came as to what it was that she wished to do next, and it certainly caught her off guard, by surprise. She honestly wasn't sure what it was that she wanted to do next, she assumed the question would much easier to answer when it came. Her fur bristled, tingling with an urge to run around. "Well..." She murmured, then laughed. "I'm not sure. I suppose getting to know the land would be a good idea, but I am open to other ideas." With that statement, she glanced to Torio, then to Kastiel, wondering if there would be any other ideas proposed.