A New Wind [Treason]

[6dewdrops]

Pumpkin

    The white and orange pup was unfazed by the atmosphere around the Alphess. He raised his head and imagined a breeze ruffling his fur to intimidate the other wolves. His thoughts produced a slight gust of wind and he smiled in satisfaction. "Yes. My name is Pumpkin. I have come here because yesterday I decided to travel in the direction of the sun." Pumpkin looked at Gemsa. "I met this wolf and she told me that I had crossed the imaginary border of a pack consisting of beasts that ate pups." The pup looked back at Treason and let his purple eye and brown eye run over her. "Now that you have introduced yourself as the alpha of the said pack, I believe that she has deceived me. Would you please tell me the truth of the matter?" Pumpkin hoped his high use of vocabulary make them see him as an equal instead of an incompetent pup. 

[Gyllbane]

Treason's eyes flickered from the pup to the other newcomer for a moment; her brow furrowed at his explanation of Gemsa's rather needless storytelling. She nodded, looking back to the pup to answer his question. "The Honovi is a fair and noble pack; I can think of only one pack in the Valley that might stoop to such a... cruel level, and that is Dark Donoma. We do not commit such atrocities, and neither do our allies in the Frigid Plague." Her voice was stern, and she looked towards Gemsa. She knew of the tendency for pups to... exaggerate stories, but it would not do to have a packmate who was picking on pups, even if those pups were rather needlessly arrogant. She'd address that in a moment - for now, she turned toward the most recent addition to the Honovi.

"Gemsa, is what this pup says true?" She says - it's not accusatory, but there is a slight edge to it. Her tone is serious, not quite as warm as it had been moments prior; she had to protect her pack above all else.

[Deleted]

Gemsa

I looked over at Pumpkin curiously when he began his exchange with Treason. I must have zoned out somewhat because when I tuned back in to what was happening around me, the alphess was giving me a stern look. My pink ears twitched back in confusion when she asked me if what Pumpkin said was the truth. I struggled for a moment to recall what had just been said...something about the story I had told to the youngster and something else about atrocities and the like. I squinted my eyes trying to recall everything and realized the orange and white pup had told Treason that I'd woven a tale of pup eaters. I said "Oh!" when I fully understood.

I cocked my head slightly at Treason, not understanding her sudden tone change and difference in body language. She looked stern and judgmental but I still didn't fully grasp why. "What he says is true." I began. "I told him a pup's tale of how your pack eats small, disrespectful creatures such as himself. It is natural to tease ones as young as him and he doesn't seem like a gullible pup so I doubted he'd believe me." I took a moment to shoot a curious look at Pumpkin, wondering if he had actually believed me before turning back to the red wolf. "I was often told of how I would be taken away in the night by evil packs and made into a meal if I misbehaved or disrespected my elders when I, myself, was a pup. It helped me learn to behave appropriately around adults which-" I turned my head to Pumpkin once more. "-no offense-" I then looked back at Treason. "He doesn't seem to understand." I finished my statement and looked curiously at the alphess before me, wondering what she made of all this. Surely a wolf in a leadership position knew that disrespect and arrogance were unacceptable traits in a pup, especially one within a pack. These behaviors had to be nipped in the bud after all or the pup would become spoiled.

Pink Paws

[6dewdrops]

Pumpkin 

    The pup watched as Treason turned on Gemsa. He wanted to giggle, but knew he would not be joined in his joke. Pumpkin listened to Gemsa try to explain herself and fail terribly. What was the pink wolf thinking? Treason had pretty much said that teasing younger wolves was not welcome in her pack. Even Pumpkin knew that it was stupid to admit anything. Gemsa also said something about Pumpkin being disrespectful and whatnot. Pumpkin concealed his eye roll. He sent a slight breeze at Gemsa to give her a sign that of she said anything more it would not turn out well. Next, he waited to see Treason's reaction to Gemsa's attitude. 

[Deleted]

Gyllbane did you still want to continue this thread?

[Gyllbane]

Treason relaxed a bit at Gemsa's explanation - perhaps she'd been too hard on the wolf. She nodded. "I thank you for your honesty, Gemsa. I had... forgotten what it was like to be around pups with such vigor." She gave a soft smile to ease any fears Gemsa may have had. She was not angry with the wolf - only seeking answers.

She turned toward the pup again. "Gemsa may have spun an... interesting tale, but it seems she's correct in observing that you didn't believe a word. You seem smart, Pumpkin. You would find a welcome home in the Honovi if you were to wish for one here." She paused a moment, thinking.

"But we in the Honovi value honor, and respect for our elders. Whether knowingly or not, you have disrespected our border. I cannot turn away a pup without a home to return to, but I can tell you that such an attitude will not be received well by others. If you are to make a home for yourself, a bit of respect is due. And that includes leaving the high ground to the alphas." She gestured with her muzzle for him to come forward, off the rock.

[Deleted]

Gemsa

I smiled happily when Treason visibly relaxed, glad that she had understood what I was trying to say. "Its no trouble miss. I'm glad that you now know what my true intentions with Pumpkin were." I gave a small, but respectful, bow to the alphess and then she turned towards the orange and white puppy. I turned my orange and blue eyes towards Pumpkin as well, wondering what he would say in this given situation. Although I couldn't be totally sure, he seemed quite angry when I was giving my explanation to Treason so this would prove to be entertaining to watch. I knew that Treason was a fair and gentle leader since she had allowed me to explain my case which also meant nothing bad would happen to Pumpkin. I looked on at the little whelp curiously.

Pink Paws

[6dewdrops]

Pumpkin

    He listened with annoyance as Treason forgave Gemsa. Pumpkin rolled his eyes and looked away. These wolves were pretty accepting. The white and orange wolf let his ears rotate to the Alphess to hear what she had to say. Pumpkin nodded his head and gave his best puppy eyes, faking innocence to gain appeal. He let his eyes tear by blowing some air into his eyes. "I'm sorry......." He sniffles loudly to add to his pity case. "I didn't know this was a border. I tried to stay strong and pretend to be ignorant when Gemsa told me about puppy-eating wolves, but I was really scared. Please don't be mad at me! It was only pretend!" Pumpkin broke down. Tears and snot covered his face and fur. He curled up in a ball, but did not get down from the rock as Treason had instructed. Although his expression said he was truly sorry and scared, his heart and mind smiled cunningly. He would have these fools wrapped around his finger. 

[Deleted]

Gyllbane?

[Gyllbane]

Treason was a little taken aback when the pup broke into hysterics; as unused to pups as she was, it threw her through a bit of a loop. She managed to recover quickly, though, and she took a couple of steps toward the pup, expression softening.

"I am truly sorry if you were scared; such a big, strong pup like you should have nothing to fear now, though." She said the words endearingly, though the pup's behavior struck her as more than a little odd. She lifted her head to the other wolf briefly. "Gemsa, you may make your home anywhere within the Honovi grounds; I trust you will be able to tell where the borders are. Most prefer to make their dens at the rocky outcropping to the south-" She gestured with her muzzle in the direction of the stones. "And you would do well to introduce yourself to our beta, Cameo, as well." She dipped her head respectfully to the other wolf, offering a smile. She was unsure if the other wolf would want to stay near the pup - her presence did seem to have some sort of effect on the young one, though Treason could hardly reprimand her for it. "If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to come to me or any of the other packmembers for assistance."

She turned her attention back to the pup. "Please, little one, come here. There's no need to cry."