The Appalachian Alliance RP {DNP}

WIP thread for rp between myself and Zeeb

Little area for history of the alliance and some back and forth rp of certain events

Alliance History

To be completed

Saved Space 

Dioute

"Tanana!" Dioute greeted eagerly, his tail swaying lowly behind him in a friendly greeting. "I'm so glad you all decided to come."

Wapiti Run was teeming around them, giving its own welcome through the life that existed there. The creek, which flowed near the edge of camp, combined its bubbling song with that of the yips and barks of puppies as they splashed in the shallows. The trees were full of birdsong, the summer call of red-wing blackbirds and warblers overhead. Everything was emerald green, aside from the bright yellow of buttercups and dandelions. Several wolves hovered near the edge of camp, ready to make the excursion to the Run, which only ran a couple bounds through the undergrowth, where Fern Bed Creek merged with the Run. 

His mate, Appalachia, pressed against his side, her bright golden fur dappled by the sun breaking through the canopy. "Welcome Tanana," She was a little more refined than he was, but then, she always had been. She glanced towards the wolf next to the Shenandoah leader. "Ambrose."

Dioute was glad to see her being friendly. She was originally unsure about his visits to the Shenandoah pack, far south in the mountains. He knew they were strange; they were a large Pack, and nonetheless, allied with prey animals. It certainly was strange, he would admit. But Tanana had embraced them and their ways and agreed to their Alliance. What was better, their pack members had become connected. Conoco, his own son and Tikaani, had growing pups of their own in each Pack. Two others, Aqissiaq and Sissewa had their own pup. Ties were strong and this little invitation would hopefully make it even stronger. "The wolves are excited to meet you, we've told them all about you. The Run is a little jaunt down the path there. I hope the journey wasn't too taxing?"

Conoco

Cocono sat atop one of the boulders at Antler Ridge, peaking down into the Hollow where Tanana and her wolves were arriving. He watched with curious hope, wondering if Tikaani would be along. A soft huff at his side drew his attention and he turned to look at Susquehanna, who was stretched out with his bronze paws hanging over the side. The roll of his son's eyes gave him a little bite of annoyance in his heart. "You're bad as a doe-eyed yearling," Susquehanna snorted. 

Conoco tilted his head back to where his own father, the Alpha, was greeting the Shenandoah leader. "You act as if you're not a yearling yourself. Don't play coy, I've seen how you look at Mesho."

The young wolf sat up a little straighter, a proud protest gleaming in his eyes. "Yeah, well, at least I'm not the one acting so ridiculous-"

"Mind your father," Conoco snapped. "It's none of your business anyway."

Susquehanna stood, his familiar disdain for his father clear on his face. "Yeah, sure, it's not like you're my dad and mom anyway."

He hopped down the rock ledges to where Mesho and a few other young wolves were gathering. He didn't even look back at him. Conoco sighed heavily, rising to his paws. It wasn't as if he could even claim his son was wrong. He did love Tanana, but that hadn't come first. He only recently realized it and he didn't know what to do about it. Surely, she did not feel the same way. They loved spending time together, with their pups, but that was different. Besides, there was a distinct sense of guilt in him, even if he'd never promised himself to her. He'd spent a night with Sinnema, a young wolf in the Pack. Now, she had a mate and a pup, but he didn't feel any less guilty about letting his vulnerabilities get to him. Hopefully, he could still enjoy his time with Tikaani here before she left once more. 

He climbed down the rocks and stood to the side, waiting for Dioute to finish up the welcomes. 

{Might be short, but pretty much just a starter for now, hope it's okay!}

Tanana

As she padded through the forest, beneath the streaks of sunlight shooting through the canopy, Tanana couldn't help but admire the Wapiti Run territory. Even in summer, Shenandoah had a nip in the air, and what water the altitude did not nearly freeze was far too eager to make its way downhill. The babbling water here sounded far calmer and more welcoming than the rapids, or perhaps even the deep lake that sat behind Pineshade Hollow. The fresh smell of it filled her nostrils. She would have to tell Tikaani again how right she was about Wapiti Run and its wolves.

Soon enough, the Shenandoah wolves were within sight of the pack's camp, and the warm greeting offered by the land was outshone by that of the resident wolves. Tanana approached with a spring in her step and then halted a scant few yards away to greet Dioute. 

"Dioute, Appalachia! Thank you for having us," Tanana replied, her tail politely swaying behind her in kind. She looked to her right, where her mate stood with his ears flattened against his head. She could tell by the twitching of his golden eyes that he was scanning the area, trying to take in the lay of the land as well as the size of their hosts' pack. She nudged him with her nose and, utterly failing at subtlety, nodded toward the Alphas of the Wolves of Wapiti Run. Ambrose sighed and looked ahead at Dioute and Appalachia, offering a stiff nod.

"Appalachia. Dioute," he said. Tanana could feel him trying to release his muscles' tension beside her, but it was of little use. With his size and his perpetual scowl, he often cut an intimidating figure even when he wasn't uncomfortable. Instead, she opted to continue the conversation. She took a step forward, away from her much-taller mate, and offered a friendly yip.

"The trip went well, thank you! Traveling through such a beautiful territory has been a pleasure. In fact..." Her ears perked up as she listened for her younger packmates to catch up. Indeed, she could hear the familiar pawsteps of Tikaani and Tiriaq, together with those of Tumbleweed and young Cuckoo, as they carried the large carcass together. Tanana continued, "We brought you a mountain ram in thanks for your hospitality."

She stepped aside, followed by Ambrose. The younger Shenandoah wolves carried the ram with ease, with the scraggly adolescent, Cuckoo, only contributing a token effort by keeping one of the hind legs off of the ground. Tiriaq was the first to stop, and immediately spat the horn out of his mouth, causing the bighorn sheep's head to sag down onto the soft ground. Tikaani shot a glare at her brother and sat the foreleg she'd been holding down with much more care. The others followed suit, and all stepped back to allow Dioute and Appalachia -- as well as the other gathering wolves -- full view of the offering.

Tikaani

As she retreated behind the ram with the others, Tikaani turned her attention away from her younger brother's antics and scanned the familiar scenery before her. Her heart pounded in her chest, but not from exertion. No, she'd been scanning the treeline for signs of Conoco since they entered the outer borders of the territory. As a scout, he may well have been anywhere in the territory, or perhaps even out beyond the forest. And now that they were at the camp, she couldn't see him among the many faces that were gathered here.

Ever since Grizzly and Bluejay prodded her for information about her pups' father and her relationship with him, Tikaani had been reexamining her feelings for Conoco. She'd realized that as their pups grew, she'd been growing closer and closer to him. She missed simply being near him whenever they were apart; it wasn't just saying goodbye to Susquehanna that she dreaded each time their family parted ways. It was impossible to deny it. She'd fallen for him.

To make matters worse, the rabbit-brained bliss that Aqissiaq spouted every time he spoke of Sissewa made Tikaani's heart ache. Her little brother was happy and in love, and she... She'd already had the chance to have the same thing, and somehow, she'd missed it entirely. By leaving Wapiti Run and returning to Shenandoah, Tikaani had destroyed any chances she had at a life with Conoco. No other wolf had ever made her feel as happy and at ease as he did, but it wasn't as if he knew, or felt the same. In fact, Tikaani had all but convinced herself that he'd found a mate already, and just hadn't found any reason to mention it to her. But as quickly as she buried her naïve hopes, they always sprouted up again. She'd resolved to speak with him during this visit to confirm her fears, so that she could stop sighing happily at each unbidden thought of him that crossed her mind. She dreaded it, and the potential impact it might have on her friendship with him, or even the pups, but it had to be done.

Of course, she could only do that if he was here.

Tikaani's eyes caught the golden pelt of Susquehanna, and her pensive expression immediately melted into one of joyful recognition. She was tempted to jump past the ram and run to her son, who had somehow grown even bigger and more handsome since she last saw him. When she put one paw forward to do so, she heard a whine from beside her. Tumbleweed, the sharp-faced coywolf daughter of Shenandoah's healer, sat on her haunches and blinked at Tikaani. Remembering herself -- or more accurately, her mother Tanana's desire to offer a formal show of respect to Dioute -- Tikaani slowly sat down beside Tumbleweed.

{It's great! :D I'm a bit rusty when it comes to RP, so please forgive me while I get back into the swing of things.}

Dioute

Dioute glanced towards the small patrol as she explained what they brought along. He felt a swell of appreciation as he looked at the fat mountain ram. It was a meal he quite enjoyed when staying in the mountains and to bring it all the way here had to be taxing. "Thank you," he started, dipping his head to the group of wolves before him. "I'm sure a trip this far north with that feast couldn't have been easy." 

As he spoke, a few wolves gathered close, tails wagging and noses raised with interest. The patter of paws behind him had him rolling his eyes with exasperation. The pair of troublemakers, two pups called Eho and Alax, were on a beeline for the ram. Luckily, the older adolescent, Ilau, came running as well and used a large forepaw to scoop the two whelps back. "Sorry, Dioute. they got away from me. I told Mokin and Maxon I would watch them so they could get some rest."

Dioute gave Ilau a nod; he was a super responsible young wolf and he trusted him to take care of the two rowdy pups. Giving their parents a rest from the constant mischief would do them some good. After all, their first pup now grown, Mesho, was not nearly as wild as their two newest additions to their family.  They hardly knew what they were doing, so the Pack lended a paw where they could. He looked back at Tanana and her mate, tipping his chin towards the wolves chatting near the walk to the Run. "I had figured perhaps, if your wolves would like, we cool down in the Run around this time of day. Afterwards, we could have a feast, if that fancies your interest."

He didn't necessarily know that her wolves liked to swim at all. The life in the mountains seemed a hair colder, like the faint touch of rain drops on the tip of your nose. There was a light bite there. Here, summer months could be downright miserable without the presence of the river. Wapiti Run was a haven for them when prey was easy and moods were high and brotherly. He hoped he hadn't assumed anything too highly. He could try and find other ways to let them have a relaxed time at Wapiti Run. 

Movement caught his eyes and he noticed Conoco come down off of Antler Ridge and stand off to the side, a bit awkwardly if he did add. "Conoco," he greeted. "Why don't you help them carry that ram to our stock for feasting on later?"

Conoco

His ears perked when his father greeted him and gave him instructions. He'd not been focused, his attention drawn to Tikaani as she moved towards what he assumed was their son. He realized now that their other two weren't with her. That left him a little bit disappointed, but he would make it a point to see them again before winter came and travel became harder. But Tikaani's presence was like a balm to his earlier worries. He longed to run to her side and talk about everything that had occurred since he last saw her, seek her advice on Susquehanna's moody behavior, but the pleasantries were still taking place. He would feel like a downright fool to rush forward with the same reckless abandon as displayed earlier by Alax and Eho. 

Perhaps today would be a turning point. He needed it to be. He hoped she would participate in their fun. He desperately looked forward towards their time together while she stayed and already dreaded her leaving. Perhaps Susquehanna was correct. He was being ridiculous. Maybe today, he'd learn to change that. For the sake of his own heart. For the sake of driving his pups mad with his longing. And perhaps, for the sake of Tikaani, if she'd suffer his request. 

Instead, he nodded at Dioute and moved closer, allowing Tanana and Ambrose to finish their discussion with his father while he helped their patrol move the prey. The food was stocked in a cool part of camp beneath some twisted roots of a few white pines near the stream. They had prepared for the Shenandah wolves heartily and a few boar carcasses were torn and stowed beneath the cool roots. He nodded at the wolves, recognizing beyond Tikaani, her own brother, a wolf that Conoco himself didn't much care for. The other two he recognized, but did not know as well. "Let me help on that. It's been a long journey," he offered, nudging past Tiriaq and ever so slightly brushing against Tikaani's pelt. He hooked a foreleg in his jaw and nodded towards their target of the hollow under the white pine roots. He began to guide them that way, not unaware of his closeness to Tikaani. 

Nishiwe

The black and white wolf laid himself underneath some ferns on the edge of camp, watching the interactions between Dioute and the foreigners. He supposed he hadn't been as different from them once, serving his Pack by pretending niceties just to forge another useless Alliance. In his own opinion, if Packs weren't strong enough to simply get their own food and herbs, they had no business being a Pack at all. But saying as much would only get him into trouble. His maimed shoulder spoke for his own insolence in his last 'family'. He snorted to himself, rolling onto his side and laying his chin on the ground in a bored manner. 

He watched as Conoco, the Alpha's Son, helped lead the prey offer to the stock pile. Mountain ram, he'd not seen one since he left his northward home. Tough meat, lean. He huffed again. It was a straight shame that Dioute was practically hooved himself, the way he pranced about with the Elk like they were some sort of god. Elk were among his favorite of meals, a meal he missed greatly. When taking his walks, his jowls drooled when the scent of elk crossed his path. He'd scouted them out, nearly free to walk among them with the pass that Dioute secured between the two groups by growing up as a prey animal. He had half a mind to pick off a sick one. But even that was rare, with the exchange of herbs and remedies that kept both groups fairly healthy. 

What a right bore this was. But he had no other place to go. Anywhere north would know what his brand meant, what his name meant. Any further south would find him miserable, with constant hot weather and unbearable bugs. If he had to stay here, so be it. But, he wondered briefly as he watched the newcomers, did they know just how tightly wound around the horns of the Elk Dioute was? Perhaps a bit of trickery would surmount to something. His working mind was up for a bit of conniving to get the taste of elk in him again. Perhaps there was even a like mind here somewhere. His eyes fell on Susquehanna, the young grandson of Dioute. He was naive, always eager to listen to Nishiwe's stories of his own grandeur. Perhaps he could be of some service in his little quest for something a little more sustaining - and truthfully, tastier - than muscle-y ram meat. He got to his paws slowly, making his way over to the new wolves, reading to put out his feelers once Conoco was away. His head low between his shoulders, he watched with intelligent brown eyes. 

(it's also been a while since I rped, so no worries at all!)

Tanana

When the two troublemaking pups attempted to run up to the ram, Tanana let out a soft laugh. They were absolutely darling! She smiled fondly after them as their pupsitter ushered them away. How long had it been since Tiriaq and Aqissiaq were that small? It felt like ages... She missed those days. 

Dioute spoke again after the youngsters retreated, and Tanana could barely contain her excitement at the prospect of visiting the riverside.

"Oh, that sounds wonderful! It has been a long journey, and some of us suffered a bit more from the sunlight than others." She playfully nudged Ambrose's shoulder and then got to her feet. Her summer coat had come in nicely, and her fur held less fluff and more of a golden hue than it ever did in the winter. She was still used to the harsh sun of the shadeless tundra she grew up in, but Ambrose was always quick to grumble whenever the sun grew high and the shade all but disappeared. 

"I'm sure that all of us would enjoy some time at the river," she continued. She gave her coat a shake and approached Dioute and Appalachia as the ram was taken away. Ambrose rose and followed behind her, keeping a few paces back. "And I hope that some of your wolves who have never had bighorn will enjoy the taste!" She laughed and relaxed her jaw, briefly closing her eyes as she smiled. "How far is the Run from here?"

Tikaani

When Dioute called Conoco by name, Tikaani's ears shot up. Her orange eyes landed on him immediately, and she suddenly became more conscious of her heart rate and the warmth spreading over her body.

She traced the familiar shape of his face as he walked over, and she couldn't help but let her tail wag slowly behind her. His coat, the color of the antlers that decorated the leaders' perch, brushed against her, making some of her own fur stand on end. Her determination to crush her feelings for him melted away once again, and she mentally kicked herself for becoming a besotted mess within mere moments of seeing him.

"Thanks, Conoco," she said softly, picking up her share of the load. She followed his lead, glancing occasionally from her paws to the great white pine that they were headed toward. Being this close to him again put a spring in her step despite her nerves. 

Tiriaq

When Conoco nudged past and went for the carcass, Tiriaq's lip curled. He was quick to snatch up the ram's horn again, enjoying the scraping rumble in his skull as the ridged keratin clashed against his premolars. Biting down a bit as they began moving, he couldn't help but picture his teeth sinking into the scout. If he came that close to him again, he just might give in to the temptation. He didn't bear any particular ill will toward the wolf, really. But what else was he supposed to do for fun in a place like this?

When his mother approached him and told him about this little trip, Tiriaq had tried his best to get out of it. From what he'd heard, the pack in Wapiti Run spent their time cavorting with prey animals, of all things. Tiriaq, on the other hand, approached prey in the proper way. He'd just settled into his new role as a hunter at the beginning of the summer. He was the one who had scented and stalked the ram that they now carried, and he had directed Tumbleweed to chase it into the waiting jaws of his father and mother. He could remember the thrill of it. The screaming as hooves scrambled for purchase against the rocks, the rippling flank muscles struggling through tear and puncture to propel the condemned forward, the thick tang of blood and fear on the crisp mountain air... That was where he wanted to be! Not here in some stifling camp filled with pups and un-chewed antlers. 

Eyes half-lidded, he scanned their surroundings as he trotted along. There were wolves of many different stripes and ages here. One of them, a male with a mangled shoulder, stuck out to him. He somehow looked sharper than the other wolves that had gathered around. 

Cuckoo

Cuckoo was busy squinting curiously up at Antler Ridge when the ram was carted away. His thin neck craned from side to side as he tried to make out the shapes atop the ridge, his eyes having caught the spike of a massive bull antler sticking up from the earth. By the time he looked back down and blinked the sun out from his eyes, the other Shenandoah wolves were gone. Mouth parted, he glanced around, whipping his head in several different directions before settling on the correct path. Through the dappled light shining down through the leaves, he saw the tails of his patrol bouncing away. 

He very well could have dashed after them, or perhaps slunk over to the leaders, but instead his paws froze to the ground beneath him. His ears pressed against the back of his head as he settled down into the grass, away from the faces of these unfamiliar wolves. Tail wrapped around his hind leg, he sighed, waiting for the group to come around again so that he could just slip back into the ranks. 

He let out a shaky breath that concluded in a quiet, breathy whine. Of course he would do something this foolish immediately upon arriving at the allied pack's camp. It would have been crazy for him to expect anything else. The bouquet of wolf-smell, prey, and damp earth rushed into his nostrils, filling his head with splinters of information that he couldn't quite sort out amongst the tangle of his other thoughts. In a state like this, he had absolutely no hope of hearing Ambrose's sharp whisper of, "Cuckoo. Cuckoo!"