Tithe

Two sets of eyes followed the Alpha’s approach, and the two of them could not have been more different. The chocolate gaze of the rust stained girl danced with merriment and the free spirit that could never be tied to the world. Dark steely eyes stared out from the male’s face, lacking the blatant warmth of his companion, but still held cool respect and a calm kindness that was bone deep. Their greeting to Eden was just as different. First, Tithe stepped forward and bowed his grey head low, giving the respect and courtesies due to the leader of a pack that was not his own. He knew he was in a land that was not his home, he was also a wolf whose allegiance was clearly to another wolf, a different pack, and very possibly unwelcome. Taika, however, got back to her feet, her tail wagging in a cheerful greeting and she barked her ‘hello’. Though she too nodded in respect to Eden’s rank, her’s was nowhere near as defensive as her companions. She was a free wolf, a wanderer, and a gypsy. No one commanded her but herself.

Eden’s relaxed posture was a comfort to Tithe, who also calmed his body and his muscles. Tension eased from him and he laid down, his paws out before him, putting him into a position lower than the alpha, and in a spot where he could easily defend, but clearly not attack. He was here to talk, and be pleasant on behalf of his home.

Restless as ever, Taika walked back and forth, between, and around the two males. Her nose was to the ground, her tail wagging behind her. She showed her harmlessness in a completely different way. The utter uncaring of tension, rank, or danger to anything around her. Everything about her screamed innocent intentions. However, she too was careful not to cross Eden and his obvious placement of himself between them and the path into the shoreline packland.

“My name is Tithe.” The black and grey male started, his voice deep and strong. “I am a wolf of Spirane. From my understanding, your land and my own have not had many opportunities to get to know each other.” He lifted his nose into the air and inhaled, taking in the scent of the pack he was visiting. “Spirane is a large pack, we have many youth who have been born, have grown, and who are soon to seek their lives both in the pack lands and possibly outside its borders. I do not know the size of your pack,but perhaps they might turn their sights here. I propose an opportunity for your youth and the mountain’s to gather and get to know each other.” He smiled kindly. “Friendships are forged at a young age and alliances of blood, bone, and bond are far stronger than those of words and promises. I was curious if Glorall would like to host this gathering to see if any of our older youth found the sandy beaches to their liking.”

Tithe’s proposal complete, Taika’s attention shifted back to the conversation. She had been preoccupied by a strange plant that she had bent to investigate, poking at it with her paw, and her bannered tail swaying behind her. The girl’s carefree presence was a stark contrast to Tithe’s formality and when she turned to address Eden her tongue was rolling out of her mouth in the sheer pleasure of being somewhere new.

“I’m Taika!” She introduced with a sweeping play bow and a nod of her head. “I run with the gypsies of Moladion. I wanted to ask, if you were open to the gathering of the younglings, if you would want a neutral party there to help watch. Make sure no harm comes to any. Create an opportunity for you to get to know us, and possibly for the wandering souls to find a home, or at least friends, here as well.” Her gaze looked straight at him. Her actions proved her young nature and desire to play with the world around her instead of take it seriously. But the look in her eyes spoke volumes of the intelligence that that burned just as strong within her.