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, watching over tireless pups... 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. Jet fur is unnatural; purple and quite similar to that of the big cats you see in the rainforest. She stands out starkly against the snow-topped grass, her tone friendly and expression kind. She stays a little ways away from you and crouches lowl to show she means no harm, but she looks like she's seen a fight or two. She's as dangerous as any wolf. She speaks before you can. "Greeting from my pack. My name is Jefu; I'm a scout from the Cosmavican pack. What brings you here? If you seek an alliance, I'll take you to Kuffo. Or if something ails you or your pack, I'd personally escort you to Kuffo." 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.

The scout looks down to the ground from the ridge and you wonder how you're supposed to get there. Maybe he could see that, because she said,, "Don't worry; this is the way to get to our camp. Even a pup could do it."

You don't want to seem weak in front of this kind-seeming 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 leaves and dirt out of your fur; some friendly, some curious, some hostile.

Jefu walks with purpose and takes you straight through, tail swishing in a relaxed manner, nodding at a few select pack mates as she calmly leads you to a blue-purple-green female who sits with yet another packmate, a much younger he-wolf who smells like plants. The colorful one turns to you with interest as you approach.

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

"…not that I can think of," the purplish wolf agrees, tail twitching somewhat irritably. "Nothing other than meeting this wolf on my way back who wanted to meet you." With a friendly smile and wink, the very helpful wolf slips away.

"Hmm." The herbalist glances at you, his pale eyes glittering curiously despite his mildly intimidating serious expression. He looks you up and down with kind yet calculating eyes, offering a friendly smile. He doesn't say anything and turns back to, presumably, Kuffo.

The leader seems to give him a sideways look before regarding you curiously. "Welcome," she greets, her tone not hostile. Nodding towards the brown, scruffy wolf, she introduces you to her herbalist. "He seems to like you," Kuffo muses. "Hedgehog is my herbalist. He's as strong as he is intelligent, mind you, so try to stay in his good graces."

Hedgehog's only response is a surprised look, as if he isn't used to praise like that from his 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...