Riddle Heights heads are gonna roll

Summiter
look what you made me do

The brute was aware blood was still dripping from the side of his neck. He'd broke the wound again, and it continued to mar his charcoal coat. From the mountain he had seen the river, and was taking his sweet, damn time getting to it. Wasn't like he was going to bleed out, or a bloodsucker was gonna find him. This entire thing wasn't his fault. If Hawkeye had been kind he would have marked him in a reachable spot. A snort of disdain shot from his mouth. His father was the sweetest man in the world compared to that son of bitch.

One paw after another he hopped from one piece of stony mountain to the next. He thought he'd caught wind of some pack trails, but wanting to make a good impression he needed a "bath".  Though he had half a mind to just play the victim. Bloodied and bruised. Far from home. Blah, blah, blah. But, if they weren't the right sort he'd merely collect another 'badge of honor'.

Sighing, he kept his steady hopping down slope, ready for a good drink too. He was a little too eager, and made a larger lunge. Dust, and small stones made way for his paws. So again he leapt, making better time. Upon the third time, the impact caused a good patch of rocks to roll. Nothing to cause alarm, until he looked back to see a bear sized boulder had shifted as well. It just wasn't his day. The mountain wolf flung himself sideways, trying to get himself out of the path of damage. His haste paid off, but he could not help but notice there was another long tailed further below. "HEAD'S UP!" He bellowed, hastily following the stone in hot pursuit.

(This post was last modified: Nov 03, 2017, 02:14 AM by Summiter.)

The impending arrival of winter worried the dark shadow, causing him to patrol more frequently and seek out prey to bring back to the caches. There was still an abundance of available food in the mountain until the cooler temperatures settled in and scared them away. Which meant it was the perfect time for Greer to hunt. He did not mind company on hunting trips, for it meant he was able to bring down larger prey, but he was more than capable of hunting on his own. It just required a little more technique and a quicker method of attack—something the long-legged shadow excelled in.

He had been patrolling the lower part of Riddle Heights when he heard a commotion above him. The mountain was full of loose rocks; therefore, tumbling chunks of rock were not uncommon. However, the shadow had not been expecting to see a bear-sized boulder rolling down the mountain side towards him. A voice sounded from above, warning him of the rolling stone, but Greer had already launched himself out of harms way.

And not a second too late.

The boulder rolled over top of the ledge that Greer had previously been standing on and carried on down toward the trees below. He hoped nobody was directly beneath them or, if they were, they were able to hear the falling rock before it collided with them. The shadow still had some family left in the willows… he took a step forward, wondering if he should chase after it… warn any wolves that might be lurking at the mountain’s base… No. The Archer’s were a smart bunch. They would not fall victim to the boulder. Greer was sure of it.

His silver gaze turned to the dark shape running down the mountain, his brows narrowed darkly. Had this wolf been the cause of the tumbling rock? His upper lip curled, a frown cut deep into his lips.

Summiter
look what you made me do

The dark cloaked stranger wasn't daft, and easily maneuvered long before being in any harm's way. The black and silver man moved past him, halting only after a couple yards. His attention was still upon the boulder wanting to see the path of destruction.  It didn't make it very far. With a forceful crash, two large trees impended its movement where it would probably remain for ages to come.  A loud sigh of relief brushed his lips, and he turned around, taking just a few stretched steps closer to the stranger. Unaware the look he'd been given.

"Sorry about that, if I'd known it was gonna move I wouldn't have gone near it," he stated, offering a twisted frown while his ears flattened, sheepishly to his skull. He may not have beat himself up about smashing someone, but he still would have felt bad to a point.

"Are rock slides common here?" He looked like he would know. There was something about him that made him think he traversed these slopes plenty of times. That he knew where to get a meal, and places to avoid. The stranger was out of reach for any more information, but Summit planned to keep his distance for the time being. He didn't trust anybody, and it was safer to keep a buffer zone.

(This post was last modified: Oct 18, 2017, 04:37 PM by Summiter.)

His eyes trailed to the tumbling rock as it crashed into two trees, the sounding causing his ears to drop. It remained, suspended, unable to cause harm to any wolves below. His shoulders sagged in relief but that did not cause his features to smooth as he returned his mercury pools to the dark stranger. A frown was cut deep into his dark lips as the loner spoke, an apology dripping from his tongue. Greer did not know if he believed it, but the apology was still (sort of) appreciated. At least he had been nimble enough to evade the falling rock and it had met its demise at the hands trunks of two trees. So, he shrugged, to show that he accepted the sheepish apology. Nobody had gotten hurt—that was all that mattered.

Wrinkling his nose at the dark male’s question the Archer answered with a quick shrug, his steel gaze hardened. “Sometime.” Another shrug. Not often, but often enough for it to be an issue. “New?” He asked, his insides curdled at the idea of making small talk, but Aurora’s numbers remained small. Which meant Greer had to be civil with loners. Make the pack seem inviting. Kyna couldn't do all the work, otherwise his subordinates would not respect him. Nor would his daughter, or mate.

Summiter
look what you made me do

If he was going to chew his ass the guy had missed his opportunity. But, he didn't look old enough to be the kind to give it. Besides the loner didn't need his forgiveness. But hey, he'd take what he could get. If he was gonna let it go all the better.

It was by the second shrug, he had to hold his tongue in his teeth not to say something he'd regret. Instead he only raised his brows as if stumped by the hard look he was given. He didn't think trouble was marked on his face, but he had inadvertently put him in harm ways.

Finally, a single word was said. He was not disappointed. Despite the stranger's leashed tongue he could be of use. He just had to figure out the how and what. "Yeah new," he replied, trying to remain upbeat with a double wag of his tail. If he was enjoying this awkward exchange of talk and body langue. "I'm hoping to find a black, stone river. And possibly a pack." He was just throwing it out there. He'd traveled this far with little contact, and knew damn well he couldn't continue on his own. Maybe, this guy could point him in the direction of one or both of his wants. Summit wasn't necessarily picky.

(This post was last modified: Oct 27, 2017, 04:27 AM by Summiter.)

Black, stone river? His gaze narrowed at the description, his head falling to the side. During his time on the mountain he had not come across such a river, although there were many mountain streams that trickled through the stone. Perhaps it was north, closer to the lake Kajika and his pack inhabited?

A pack, however, was something Greer could help the loner with. He had one of those, not far from where they were standing, and they were in need of more members. Even if they did hurl rocks down the mountain…

“River, not sure. Not heard of.” The greyscale loner had captured his attention, as he was curious as to where this river was located and why he had not come across it before. “Why river?” He asked, allowing his youthful curiosity to come forth and speak for him.

His tongue lay still for a moment; hesitating. Conversation was certainly not his forté, and neither was recruiting. But he couldn’t leave all the hard work to his mate. “Pack here,” he offered after a pregnant pause, motioning over his shoulder to the towering heights behind them. “Greer pack,” he added, indicating with a flick of his tail that it was his pack. “Others north. Some east. One below, in trees.”

Summiter
look what you made me do

So it didn't look like he was about to find a stone river any time soon. He wasn't worried. There had been miles of country between the last, and he imagined he just hadn't been far enough.

His facade crinkled, and smoothed as he raised his chin. (His thoughtful expression.) "Where I come from a stone river is solid enough to be walked upon. Our enemies wouldn't touch it, and often we could find prey upon it. Already dead and ready to eat. I just figured maybe there ought to be one around here." His dark ears twisted back, as he took a heady breath. If he was greatly disappointed, but overcoming in the simple gesture. His Uncle's pack hadn't a stone river either, unfortunately. There were plenty of reasons he hadn't wanted to remain there.

Sudden silence remained between them, but he was good at waiting. Least today. While the man's communication may be peculiar, he wasn't bothered. Summit could easily be friends with a man who didn't waste his breath. For a second he thought he meant it was where he lived, but realized the little difference. It was his, not just one he was a part of. The charcoal brute straightened, clearly impressed. Especially, how he would mention others, not just his own.

"Well Greer, I rather stay on the mountain. My mother didn't name me Summiter for nothing. But, I do need a patch job." He pointed his muzzle up, stretching just enough to reveal the decent sized puncture wound. With his light silver hair, it was clear to see the dark red of his dried blood, and whatever else kept draining from it. His Uncle had made sure it was right of his throat, under his jawline.

He leveled his head, his teeth tight. "I received it for being too eager to take down a cow elk. My uncle didn't like being upstaged. Least that's all I remember him screaming."

His ears twitched as the greyscale male spoke of the stone river, his brows pinched together with heightened curiosity. It was possible there was one nearby, for Greer had not explored the entire mountain range yet, but he had not come across it. He had seen rivers and streams freeze over, but that was different than what the wolf before him was describing. If it was food the wolf was looking for Greer could point him in the right direction, or he could offer him something from one of Aurora’s caches. Just because the silver wolf announced he was possibly looking for a pack it did not mean he wanted one now. 

Summiter. A small smile cracked his stoic features as the charcoal loner announced he would prefer to stay on the mountains. Greer had not been much of a mountain wolf prior to claiming the land with his scarlet mate, but life on the monadnock had prepared him for he move. Now he couldn’t imagine living anywhere else—especially in the willow trees below. Patch job. His silver eyes narrowed once more as Summiter exposed the wound, his upper lip curling slightly. It was not bad, but it certainly was not good. If it went untreated it would surely get infected and the silver wolf would be as good as dead.

He dismissed the loner’s explanation with a sharp wag of his tail before motioning for the male to follow him. “Greer not healer,” he started with an apologetic look, his silver gaze level before he continued: “Pack know. Patch Summiter up.” 

A lynx has left behind the remains of a deer. +5 Health

Summiter
look what you made me do

There was no more mention of the stone river. But, maybe he wouldn't be the only one looking for one. He was rather unsure if that would benefit him. He may not be reading the situation as well as he thought.

Doubt didn't hang long. He did notice what looked like a a smile on the once still, dark facade. Humored he liked the mountain too? He could only guess. Though he hadn't felt like Greer was laughing at him. Wait...would it have been obvious if he was?

There was however a sudden rise of a lip. It might be a sign to worry, but he only interpreted as disgust by the wound itself. Instantly, the mountain leader beckoned him with friendly beat of his tail. Already the loner felt like he had a friend of sorts. So he did as he was told, moving toward him to follow him to his claimed land. Though he gave a shrug. "Sokay man, can't be a savoir on all levels." There was a faint grin. He was grateful he wasn't being driven away, let alone taken in. Now, he would have to fear less about infection, and all that entailed. Though Greer was no healer he would still make sure someone saw to him. He actually didn't know what to say. No one, but his mother had really cared for him. Even if he was a new member he hadn't expected instant care.

"Thanks," he finally managed, the word usually not sincere on his tongue. As, he kept pace he wondered what everyone else was like. If it was usual for the shadow man to bring others into his home or it was a rare occurrence.

(This post was last modified: Nov 10, 2017, 05:34 PM by Summiter.)