Cosmavicans

As pack leader, it's your job to look out for your pack. You're doing one of your border patrols when you notice a faint scent on the wind. You raise your muzzle and breathe deep... it's the scent of an unfamiliar wolf. You're on your borders so they're not in your territory, but the idea of wolves this close to your hunting ground is... troubling. After marking the borders you track the wolf's scent to the top of a rise and stop. Below is a camp of wolves lounging outside their dens, sharing prey, sleeping and chatting comfortably with one another... but you've never seen them before. You don't recognize any of them. But that's when you realize a wolf is walking as if they'd just gotten to the clearing. You lean as far as you dare and inhale, filling your nose with the scent and separating it from what seems to be their packmates. That was the wolf you were tracking! How did they get down there so fast?

"It's a long way down... do you want to jump?" Startled by the new voice, you turn and see another unfamiliar wolf behind you. He's grey and black and brown, his expression calm and not hostile. He stays a little ways away from you and crouches to show he means no harm, his pale fur slightly fluffed to keep him as dry as possible in the humidity. He speaks before you can. "Greetings, stranger. I am Forgotten Mittens, a scout from the Cosmavican pack. Call me Mittens, if you must call me anything at all. What brings you here? If you seek an alliance, I can take you to Kuffo." Mittens waits quietly and patiently, a calm air around him. You certainly don't want to join Kuffo's pack as you have your own wolves to attend... but maybe it would do good to know your neighbors.

Mittens looks down to the ground from the ridge and you wonder how you're supposed to get there. Maybe he could see that, because he said, "If you are worried about injury, don't be. This is the way to get to our camp." You can't help but notice how short and to the point his words are.

You don't want to seem weak in front of this wolf; you need to make a good impression on your neighbors. A strong ally or a fearless enemy; whatever your relationship will call for.

So you jump. It's actually quite fun - it's like flying! As you get nearer to the ground, you try to tuck your front paws and roll in one smooth movement. After a few moments, the scout rolls in beside you. Heads turn your way as you shake damp leaves and sand out of your fur; some friendly, some curious, some hostile.

Mittens walks with purpose and takes you straight through, nodding at a few select pack mates. "Jedo," he calls after a moment, looking at a dark brown wolf.

Jedo shoulders past you and then gives you a nasty look as if it was your fault. He lays his ears flat and growls, grunting irritably in response to Mittens. "What?"

You listen with half an ear as Mittens gives him advice for scouting, as if he's newer to the role. You survey the camp while you wait for them to finish. These wolves are so casual around you... it either means they're not worried about you as a potential enemy, or are just generally kind, friendly wolves. You're not quite sure which one yet... "...so report to Kuffo next time you scout, and keep that in mind."

Mittens then leads you to a blue-purple-green female who sits with yet another packmate, talking in a low voice to a younger she-wolf who smells like plants. The colorful one turns to you with interest as you approach.

She addresses her scout first. "Mittens, we can address your scout later. It's not like there's anything too urgent to discuss, right?"

"No," the grey and brown scout agrees. "Thank you. Regarding the essentials, I met this wolf on my way back who wanted to meet you." He sends you a nod, his face calm and neutral as always.

"Hmm." The herbalist glances at you, her pale eyes glittering curiously. She looks you up and down with kind yet calculating eyes, offering a friendly smile. She doesn't say anything and turns back to, presumably, Kuffo.

The leader seems to give her a sideways look before regarding you curiously. "Welcome," she greets, her tone not hostile. Nodding towards the blueish black striped wolf, she introduces you to her herbalist. "She seems to trust you," Kuffo muses. "Dustcloud is my herbalist. She's as strong as she is intelligent, mind you, so try to stay in her good graces."

Dustcloud's only response is a surprised look, as if she isn't used to praise like that from her sarcastic-seeming leader. "Anyway, accept an official welcome to the Cosmavican Pack from yours truly, Kuffo. I've gotten reports from my scouts of unfamiliar wolves settled close by... assuming that's you, If you don't like us this close, we won't stay long. We're a travelling pack, and this is just another stop of many. We won't give you a reason to attack us if you don't give us any. We are no threat to you."

It was curious how this Kuffo character isn't showing her strength to scare you like most leaders do, as if she really wants no trouble. Depending on what the future brings, maybe you could take advantage of that. But for now, they seem nice enough...