DotW RP: The Friendly Trespasser

Anhurs:

Trotting unknowingly into Kausen territory, Tristan had the usual pep in his step, his long legs carrying him over the unfamiliar terrain with ease. He was still on the lookout for his older brother, but also took his time when he was in a new place to admire the scenery. He had just come from the cold north where there was still snow at the tops of the mountains, so the slightly warmer climate was a nice change.

He was too busy focusing on the red colors of the rapidly changing leaves to notice that he had well passed over a border and was trespassing, oblivious to the fact that this was home to a pack. He tried to avoid packs and confrontation in general, but sometimes he ended up stumbling into trouble anyways. He could smell some wolves, but the scent was stale and he wasn't about to go following the smells. If he had, he'd probably end up smack dab in the middle of their den site, and wouldn't that just be his luck? He decided to move in the opposite direction that these wolves had gone, deciding that it would be much safer that way. If he happened to bump into anyone, well... He had always been a good runner.

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MatrixPotato:

Light paws stepped gingerly through the outer forests of Kausen, careful to not disrupt any leaves or bugs. Piper was alone. It seemed to happen frequently now-a-days. She didn't mind it; the scenery in Kausen was beautiful, especially this time of year. A smile traced her lips as her light green eyes gazed upward at the colorful trees. Usually, she would be in the main den, but she couldn't pass up the alone time to admire the beauty. Most wolves missed it because they were so busy, but Piper hadn't been able to find a task that suited her just yet.

As she silently rounded a tree, she caught movement in her peripheral. She stopped immediately, her tail lowering between her knees. She looked around and took a few sniffs. There was definitely someone here, someone she didn't know. But it could be someone that she just hadn't met yet. She opened her mouth to speak, but at first nothing came out. Come on, Piper. It's probably just some wolf doing a patrol of the border. She inwardly scolded herself. She swallowed and then finally, "Hello? Is someone there?" she called out. Her voice was light and almost got lost on the breeze.

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Anhurs:

Tristan ambled lazily through the woods a few more paces before he heard someone. Pausing, he debated whether or not to run, but part of him was undoubtedly lonely. Searching for his brother had taken a lot of time and energy, and he hadn't had much of a chance to socialize. Eventually he decided to approach, his loneliness and need for contact coming over his uneasiness. He emerged from the brush slowly, ears alert and head slightly lowered.

"Hello," he said, giving a wag of his tail to greet her. "Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." She looked uneasy, and Tristan briefly wondered why. He didn't mean her any harm, but she probably didn't know that for certain.

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MatrixPotato:

Light green eyes searched the brush frantically as Piper heard a being approach. Her eyes snapped to his slim, pale figure as he emerged out of the thicket, low and nonthreatening. Piper briefly panicked inwardly. This wasn't anyone she knew from Kausen; it was a stranger, a loner, a trespasser. She blinked rapidly to try and clear her mind before she ended up turning and running away like a coward.

"Uh- uhm." She stuttered, her mouth suddenly feeling dry. He didn't look scary, he didn't sound scary. Maybe he wasn't here to hurt her. "You're trespassing." She managed to croak out. "I mean..y-you're in Kausen." Piper tried to correct herself, to make it seem less like such an offense. Now she lowered her head, mimicking his body language. However, her tail stayed tucked between her knees. The way she was standing made it seem like she was in the wrong.

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Anhurs:

Tristan's ears perked. Trespassing? He hadn't noticed that he'd stepped over any borders. He hadn't smelled any markers... But maybe he wasn't paying attention. Either way, he was in the wrong now. The female, however, seemed rather uneasy. He could see that even her tail was tucked between her legs, and Tristan took a step back to try and make her more comfortable. She was young, younger than him at least, and he didn't mean her any harm.

"Pardon my intrusion, then," he apologized, giving her a friendly smile. "I seem to be lost... I didn't notice I had crossed any borders. I promise I didn't mean any harm."

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MatrixPotato:

Piper swallowed hard. She really wanted to believe what this alabaster wolf was saying. His posture and his tone were evident that he surely did mean no harm, but Piper was already relaying all the possible scenarios in her mind of how this situation could end. When he stepped back, Piper finally blinked and came back to reality. She didn't know what was going to happen. All she knew was that he was apologizing.

"Uhm.." She tried, raising her head just a tad to seem slightly more comfortable with his presence- which she was definitely not, in the least. She glanced away before she spoke again. "It's uh..It's okay. The markers are kind of...faint." She offered a brief smile. She would have to tell Gregor about the scent markers when she got back- if she got back. She swallowed again.

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Anhurs:

Tristan eyed her for another moment or so, tail swishing as he decided how to proceed. Going back was an option, he supposed, but it would take him awhile to backtrack and, of course, go around the entire territory. Plus, he could accidentally cross the borders again if he wasn't careful.

Finally, he settled on at least checking out other options. He lowered his head as Piper raised hers, trying to make himself smaller, which was difficult if you were a wolf of his size. "Um, well... Do you think it'd be much trouble if I just cut through? Back tracking and going around is gonna take awhile... and I'm looking for someone very important." It was worth a shot to ask, at least.

"I won't cause any trouble, really... I mean, you can even show me out if you want. To make sure I leave or whatever..."

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MatrixPotato:

Piper felt a little more comfortable when he lowered himself. He was rather large and it was hard to seem small at that size compared to someone of her stature. She was naturally very small, even Boone who was much younger than she now towered over her. Still, she did appreciate it. However, when he began to speak about cutting through the territory, she panicked again. Cut through? Was that against the rules? Should she go get Gregor? Should she go get a guard? What was she supposed to do? She had never been in this situation before and she was frozen, unable to answer.

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Anhurs:

Tristan had his gaze to the ground, tail going between his ankles to show his submission. He didn't notice her shift in body language, and instead kept speaking. "I won't be any trouble, really. I don't need any food or anything, I'll be out of here in no time. I'll do whatever you need me to, get a guard if you want... Just... "

There was another reason for his request, but he didn't speak up about that. The truth was, he could smell his brother around these parts. He had been here, Tristan was sure of it. He had been tracking his brother long enough to know that he had passed through here. He couldn't risk losing the trail now. He was so close.

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MatrixPotato:

The male continued to speak and all the while, Piper couldn't move. Her lips felt dry, as if they had been glued together, making it impossible to give him a reply. She wanted something or someone, anything, to come and take her out of this situation. She wasn't a guard, she wasn't even a scout. She'd never been drilled on what to do. The only thing she knew about loners was from her days in Blutwald. They weren't tolerated and made to fight to prove their worth. She couldn't do that.

Suddenly, another rustling from their right caught Piper's attention. She jumped and a small yelp escaped as another wolf appeared from the thicket. It was Dot, her aunt- who was oddly close in age to her. Piper swallowed and let the tip of her tail wag only slightly at the sight of a familiar face. It seems the universe had answered her prayers.

"I knew I could smell somebody over here!" Dot exclaimed, sauntering into the space like a bright light to a dark room. A smile spread across her jaw she was a beacon of joyfulness and extroversion, a complete contrast to Piper's shy and introverted nature.

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Anhurs:

Tristan heard the rustle and immediately jumped to attention, standing up straight and tall, front feet together and his tail slightly rose in surprise. Just from her body language, he could tell she was very friendly. He relaxed and smiled, lowering his ears a little as his tail wagged in greeting. "Hello," he said, smile never faltering. He didn't seem to even be slightly worried about being outnumbered. He had no real need to be, anyway. These two didn't look like the kind to attack him. "I'm Tristan... Who're you?"

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MatrixPotato:

Instinctively, Piper lowered herself and took a few steps back, placing herself now slightly behind Dot. She knew that the flamboyant female would take over the situation and she was more than happy to let her. Oblivious to Piper's obvious discomfort, Dot sauntered straight up to the ivory male and sniffed his face. She smiled and stepped away, giving him his personal space back.

"Hiya!" She chirped jovially. "My names Dot and this is my niece, Piper." Dot nodded her head back toward the tawny female who was looking between the two of them with an uncertain but thankful expression. Something about this wolf seemed familiar, but Dot was sure she had never met him. "So what's up? Did I miss a party or something?" Dot asked, a toothy grin spreading across her maw.

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Anhurs:

Tristan was a bit surprised to see her approach him so easily, getting up in his face without much worry. At first, he leaned away, raising one paw and looking at her with his ears perked. Once he got over his initial shock, however, his tail began to wag further and he bumped his nose to hers in greeting.

"Oh, well..." Tristan began, shifting his weight. He was a little embarrassed. "I didn't notice the border and I walked right in on accident... I was just asking Piper if it was okay for me to cut through, instead of finding my way back and going around, when you came in." He was still hopeful he would be allowed through. He was positive Niels had been here, it had reeked of his brother near the river. He had to stay on his trail

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MatrixPotato:

Dot gave a happy giggle as Tristan bumped his nose to hers. She let her tail wag easily, happy that she had found another friendly wolf. Piper on the other hand looked quite concerned, however she stayed silent. She would go with whatever Dot decided- but a small part of her hoped that Dot would turn him away, even though he seemed like a nice fellow.

At his reply, Dot gave out a laugh. It seems she was a magnet for loners these days! "Hey it's alright!" She reassured him. "Happens all the time! At least when I'm around." She let out another laugh. "I'd be happy to show you the way if you'd like- and Piper too!" Dot said, looking back at her niece with a grin. Piper swallowed and gave a tiny nod, a little surprised that Dot even remembered she was there.

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Anhurs:

Tristan's smile widened when she offered to show him the way, and he quickly nodded. "If it's not too much trouble..." he said, tail still wagging. He liked Dot, she seemed like a nice wolf. He glanced over at Piper as well and gave her another smile, hoping to reassure them both. Well, mostly Piper.

"Oh, and... Well, could I ask you a question?" He asked, turning to Dot this time. She would probably know, at least more than Piper would. Didn't seem like the small female got out much.

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MatrixPotato:

"Not at all!" Dot said. Truthfully, she saw the danger in the situation. She wasn't stupid- but she also saw sincerity. She may not know Tristan well, but she believed he truly did just want to cut through. On the other hand, Piper was still very unhappy about the whole thing. She really didn't want to accompany either of them on this trek through Kausen, but a part of her couldn't leave. This was her aunt after all. She couldn't just leave her alone with a stranger.

Suddenly, she was right there up next to Dot. Although she was still slightly cowering, she stared at Tristan with determination- and a little bit of nervousness. "I-it'll be our pleasure!" She blurted. She wanted to seem friendly, like her aunt. Dot smiled at Piper, happy to see her finally joining in on the good vibes. When Tristan asked his next question, Dot turned back to him, perking her ears forward curiously. "Sure, ask away!"

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Anhurs:

Feeling reassured, Tristan nodded at the both of them. He was glad to have met the two of them, to be honest. If he bumped into anyone else, he wasn't sure they'd be so friendly. Even Piper was trying, and he chuckled when she came right up and finally spoke to him again. His smile widened and he wagged his tail, nodding at the two of them. "Thank you very much."

Looking again at Dot, he laughed a bit sheepishly. "Um, well... I've been looking for my brother, see. And I haven't seen him in a pretty long time, but, I've been tracking him... And I followed him here." He tried to explain it, but slightly stumbled over his words, not sure how to put everything. And he didn't really want to get his hopes up with asking, but... "I was just wondering if... Maybe you've seen him? He's a lot smaller than me... Black and brown, with really gold eyes and um..." His brow furrowed. He hadn't seen his brother in a long time. How could he describe him if he hadn't laid eyes on him in years? "His name's Niels."

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MatrixPotato:

Both Dot and Piper listened carefully to Tristan as he explained his desire to cross through Kausen. After he was done, Piper felt quite ashamed that she thought the worst of him. He was just looking for his brother. She opened her mouth to say something, but Dot jumped in before she could make a peep.

"Niels?!?" Dot exclaimed, her already big eyes somehow growing bigger. Excitement lit up her face and she grinned from ear to ear, hopping in place for a second. "Yeah, yeah! I totally know Niels!" She said, nodding her head enthusiastically. How could she forget him? Piper raised her brows, staring at Dot. Finally her expression wasn't something that looked afraid of concerned. She blinked, becoming interested. Dot continued, her tail wagging faster. "He totally saved my butt from this angry moose-mom. I took him on a tour of Kausen; he said he was looking for a pack and I thought this place would be great for him!" Her expression suddenly dimmed. "But he didn't stay. He didn't say why."

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Anhurs:

Tristan's tail had gone down and stopped wagging as he spoke, and soon enough his ears were pinned back and his head lower as well. He wasn't hopeful, after all he'd been tracking him for months, without even a glimpse of him. It was getting harder and harder to keep going the more he realized how hard Niels had tried to cover his tracks.

But, when Dot piped up with plenty of enthusiasm, Tristan's body language changed completely. His heart was going a mile a minute, ears alert and eyes wider as he listened to Dot speak. She had seen Niels! He was alive! "You know my brother?!" He explained, almost afraid to believe it. His spirits were lifted immediately, and he felt like leaping for joy. "That sounds like him alright. That's my brother! Niels was here! Oh, yes, yes, yes!" He cried joyfully, turning on his heel and kicking out his back legs in a buck, not unlike a horse. He turned back around with a grin on his face, eyes brighter than they had been before. Oh, this was wonderful news!

"How was he? Did he look okay? Was he hurt at all?" A million questions popped into his head, but only a few managed to come out of his mouth as he spoke in an excited rush.

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MatrixPotato:

At Tristan's sudden outburst, Piper scooted back a little, ending up on her haunches. She looked between the two wolves, confused but intrigued. Dot couldn't help but catch his enthusiasm and hopped a little as well. Niels hadn't mentioned any family, but she was excited nonetheless.

"Yeah! I totally know him!" She nodded again. She was able to keep up with him; he seemed a little bit like Boone at the moment. Boone was always asking a lot of questions and Dot grinned. "He seemed fine to me. Didn't have any scars or anything that I could see, so I'm pretty sure he was a-okay!" She added a knowing nod and a wag of her tail. "He wasn't here that long ago, so his scent should still be around. I can take you to the spot where he left!"

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Anhurs:

"Really? Could you?" Tristan asked, tail wagging excitedly behind him. He was so excited and happy he felt like he was going to burst. He couldn't believe someone had seem him! He was still in shock. This was the closest to Niels he had ever gotten. He felt good about it, though, and Dot was even willing to take him to where he had last been, which raised his chances quite a bit.

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MatrixPotato:

Piper was beginning to catch the excited buzz as she watched the two jovial wolves in front of her. She let the tip of her tail wag and she stood again, looking up to Dot, who skipped a little bit toward the innards of Kausen. She nodded her head, gesturing for the other two to follow.

"Yeah! Come on, it's this way!" She chirped before she headed into the forest.