Where innocences burn in flames

@Aerwyn first and then someone that can accept them into Shiro, plz!

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He wasn't far from her, the sunny girl he'd run into on the tundra. Somehow, the two of them had ended up sticking together, and oh, what a pair they made. His gruff, broody self, and her happy-go-lucky, bright-and-shiny disposition. Somehow, it worked though, and Callan didn't question it. Didn't care to, really.

He was tracking something now, the scent of a wounded prey animal. Dinner. The sharp, iron-tang of its blood hung in the air, laced with the smell of what might have been an infection; the bluesteel male couldn't be very certain. With a flick of his docked tail, he followed after it as @Aerwyn trailed after him, stopping when a mountain rose before him and the scent of a pack laced the air.

His nose wrinkled before he looked back to the strawberry blonde. “We shouldn' follow it in there. Pack won' like that.”

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She was beyond thankful that the moody brute allowed her to accompany him, despite clearly getting on his nerves. Upbringing and light conversation were met with huffs and low grumbles, all of which slowly caused her idle conversation to die down. Not that he was really souring the mood, but as they continued their journey, she took the time to sightsee. To admire the different domains and biomes they wandered. Occasionally, she'd pipe up and ask what he thought about something. Like a peculiar tree, an animal, or different types of flowers that she had never seen. It didn't matter if he responded, she was just glad to be a part of the journey.

However, her cheery disposition simmered down into awkward silence as she remained close to his dorsal as he tracked the wounded animal. This was her wheelhouse - hunting. Part of her thought if she could show off and demonstrate she could be useful, he would ask her to stay with him. To remain his bubbly companion to fill in the infinite void. Yet, the stench of potential infection mingling with the iron-tang odor of blood made her reconsider. They shouldn't consume an animal that is sick. It just wasn't worth the risk. But, when he signaled to follow with the flick of his small tail, the strawberry blonde merely followed orders. 

All movement came to a sudden halt as the two stood at the base of a mountain. Eyes of viridian roamed over the rocky surface, noticing that the peaks plunged into the clouds. So. They were tall. Talk about an uphill battle if they were to take them on. Thankfully, Callan noticed the faint scents of others on the wind. A pack, he mentioned. Every nerve in her body agreed with him. Chasing after a potentially ill animal into pack territory could be a death sentence. Even more so since they both appeared to be relatively new to this world. Embarking on some wild goose chase after mediocre food could cause trouble. Yet... it almost felt like a sign. Towering mountains that sailed the skies could prove to be helpful. Joining a pack would ensure their safety in numbers, more food, medicine, and more. The two wouldn't have to rely on one another, and Aerwyn wouldn't have to fear Callan leaving her behind. 

"Maybe... Maybe we should stay," the woman meekly stated. Her ears flicked back until they laid flat atop her skull, her eyes welling up slightly. "Just because... you know. If we or... me or you join, that's constant protection. It's like a sign. How long have we been walking before stumbling across this place?" The woman noticed her tone turn a bit frantic as she tried to accurately convey her thoughts and emotions. Sure - maybe she shouldn't try to join the first pack they come across. Who knows if she, or he, would make a good fit? But surely they should try, right?
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He had followed the sick thing with purpose, hoping it would lead them back to the herd, to where there were animals that lacked that sickeningly sweet, cloying smell of disease. But with their 'prey' disappearing into pack lands...

Callan huffed, short tail twitching in his irritation. They weren't close, certainly not on their doorstep, but close enough that the soldier chose not to move farther; he didn't want trouble, didn't want to endanger either of them. She was a social thing, not a fighter; the bright and shiny girl was too pure, too soft for any of that. He didn't fault her for it, finding resilience in her demeanor against the odds and the solitude.

He almost turned away then; he actually had started to move when she spoke, pausing to listen and let her finish. What she said wasn't a bad idea, but Callan couldn't say he was all for it. “If y' wanna join 'em, 'll wait here 'til they show.” There was no solid intention to join their ranks, but just as he wasn't completely for it, he wasn't completely against it, either. The soldier needed more information before he made that decision. “Call 'em, doll.”

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Bile surged up her throat as she watched the blue-steel brute begin to walk away. Out of pure instinct, she had taken a few steps after him. If he was going to leave, so would she. He was her best shot at survival, and Aerwyn was pretty positive he was aware of it. Talk about a burden to bear. Expelling a sigh, the strawberry babe nodded as he spoke. It wasn't exactly the best answer, and certainly not one she had hoped for. But at least he was willing to stay. Who knows? Maybe he'd join with her. 

Doll. That word again. He used it so loosely, as if it has no meaning. To her it did. Or maybe it didn't. She wasn't too sure. It was a cute pet name she enjoyed. Almost like he used the word specifically for her. The way it rolled off his tongue made her feel oddly special when she was fully aware he wasn't thrilled with her presence. 

For the time being, she would be 'delulu'. 

"Call them?" The woman questioned with a confused gaze. "Do I just howl?" Suppose there's really no better way to go about it. It would be loud, quick, and efficient. 

Without waiting for a response, the woman craned her skull back and allowed a loud, slightly high-pitched howl to erupt from her lips. It rattled the trees nearby and bounced off the walls of the looming mountains. Well... no going back now. Hopefully, they were nice!
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This year's litter was already two months old now. No longer did they need their mother as they used to. A time that she cherished so and a time that was often, no, always too short. It was Quicksilver's time to bond with them and for Reiko to stretch her legs and not let what little muscle she had waste away. Still, she yearned to return to the den and watch them play. Be a part of their little discoveries that reminded their mother of a simpler time where everything seemed so magical.

Relief washed over her as a call summoned one of the leaders to the borders. A distraction to keep her from "accidentally" "stumbling" into the denning area to check on the children and their father.

With a bounce in her step she was off. Not wanting to make their guests wait longer than necessary. She wasn't as fast as she once was. Able to race across their lands in a sprint were behind her. There was still some youth for a little while longer, but she knew the inevitable was near.

After a little travel she arrived. Eyes scanning the strangers first as she approached, assessing the two and stopped a little ways away from them more so than what she would give a single, lone, stranger. “Greetings!” Still close enough however to speak at a comfortable tune. “I am Reiko aén Fidháil, Empress of Shiroshika. How may I help you?” The male didn't seem as friendly as the woman... but that could be chalked up to many things, and so she would mainly focus on the peach-y woman and only occasionally glance to the darker male to ensure he was welcome into the conversation at any time.

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He had slipped away from his father's line of sight, huffing heavily as he followed his mother through the territory. His chubby body would need to pause at times so that he could catch his breath, dark fur messy and unkempt with all the wind and brush he ran through. It wasn't until mother began to slow, approaching the borders, that Arathorn felt his last little spurts of energy build so that he could race towards her and the strangers only to tumble onto the scene.

He crashed into his mother's legs rather unceremoniously, only to clamber to his legs and bark at the strangers, making sure that they didn't mess with Mama. “Who you!”

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Eyes of seafoam green awkwardly rolled over the mountains, as if waiting for a sign that someone had heard her. Perhaps she wasn't loud enough? Didn't reach the pack? Anxiety began to build within her chest, her tail flickering every so often to release the tension. "Do you think they heard me?" Aerwyn asked quietly to the man she had considered a companion. Only then, did the rustling of paws and a beautiful accent flood the air.

Immediately, her eyes shot up to gaze upon a gorgeous white wolf with scars running along the bridge of her nose. Eyes that resembled ice bore into her, but she gave off a friendly vibe. Which in turn, allowed Aerwyn to relax a bit before turning her attention to the woman. Empress. Sounds like a high rank! Grinning, the strawberry woman allowed her length apendage to sway behind her in a kind greeting. "Hello! Pleasure to meet you Ms. Empress Reiko." Interally she cringed at her comment, feeling it wasn' very... correct. But nonetheless, she continued, "I'm ... or well.. maybe my friend and I are looking to join your pack? We recently woke up and would like to perhaps settle down." Again, not the best choice of words, given the two weren't really together, and 'settle down' came off as more... together-y. Which, they were not.

About to speak again, a bumbling ball of joy slammed into the woman's paws and barked out 'who you!' Immediately Aerwyn's eyes lit up and she took a playful position. Her upper body went low to the ground, while her rear end remained high in the air. In no way did her posture give off malice or foul intentions. No, she just really liked pups. "I see you have a stow away," Aerwyn cooed with a grand smile. "What's your name?"
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He only nodded at her question; she was louder than she thought. Not in a negative way, just... she was. It was a simple fact. He did not pick up on her anxiety then, only watching the lands for a sign of movement. It happened quickly, the appearance of a tiny and petite woman who held an air of importance about her. A leader then. And... a child. Callan's eyes roved downward to watch the greyscale child, ears flickering backwards in disinterest before they rotated to the woman before them.

Empress. Callan wondered at that. Wondered if she was some kind of totalitarian dictator. He'd come across them before, demure and polite. Unassuming, until they closed their fists, hands, paws?? on their subjects. It was what he had been programmed to fight against, what he had been trained to dismantle. This, of course, made him immediately suspicious of her and the Empire she ruled over.

Rather than ruin this chance for Aerwyn to find a home, he remained silent and still, watching and listening as he always did.

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Suddenly, at her side a little voice chimed in. Familiar, and it made her pale face flush for a moment while quickly glancing down and around to spot the little dark prince who had followed her all the way out here! “Arathorn!” Surprised, she couldn't help but call out and bring herself closer to him. Both protectively from the strangers, as well as to keep him from causing them any discomfort or trouble.

She'd have to talk to him about this later and not in front of the duo to cause a scene. For now, cerulean eyes tore away from her son and back to the pair. An apologetic curve of her brow and and soft frown finding its place on her pale face. “My apologies, he should be with his father.” There was no anger in her tone, just sorry if this was awkward for them. At least the woman seemed delighted to see him, responding to his rude introduction with a soft greeting of her own. The Empress simply sighed, thankful and pleased that it was all alright in the end - at least for now.

Clearing her throat, she'd focus back on business. Bringing Arathorn closer with a little nudge of her paw to stand closer to his mother so she could keep tabs on the child without looking away from the prospects. “An unfortunately familiar story. Before we proceed, may I ask a little more about you both? Do you remember anything before waking up here?” The man was quiet, reserved... judging the pale woman without speaking. It made her nervous but she did her best to ignore the feeling - something that got easier over time. Surely they would understand the questions now that they knew there were puppies involved. The apprehension of strangers in their home when they had vulnerable young.

“Also... what you may be looking for in us other than shelter?”

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The lady stranger asked his name and Arathorn returned her greeting by baring his tiny teeth. Her smile (and his mother’s admonishment) went ignored. So did the man in the back, for now. He would protect his mother whether she liked it or not. Of course, he was smaller than all of them, but in time…

In time, he would be Shiroshika’s fiercest protector.
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Aerwyn noted the slight shift in the atmosphere. The Empress'a light aura shifted to a more dominant one. One of protection and caution. Not that she could blame her. The young pup seemed to have ventured off on his own, and Aerwyn's howl was directed for anyone. Suppose that also included curious puppies.

Offering the woman a reassuring smile that reached well beyond her eyes, the strawberry blonde regained her composure. Pulling her upper body from the floor, she settled into a comfortable sitting position. Her long and busy tail coiled around her frame, settling atop her front paws in a methodical manner. She was cozy. Comfortable. Based off the alabaster babe, she didnt scream danger. Weariness, sure. But that was it.

The comment of learning more about the two pried a quick head nod from the female. "Ask away!" She chirrped while slowly cocking her head to the side, curious. Funny how this seemed to be a regular occurrence in this world. Wolves waking up, joining packs, and being interrogated. Well, at least it made for quick conversation! Easy ice breakers.

"Ummm," she pondered. The woman had only recently woken up, and whenever she tried to remember her past, a fog would cloud her memories. As if she was an outsider looking in. "No," she finally admitted. "It's all pretty hazy," the woman drawled while peering into the leader's eyes. "I wish i did. Maybe it would explain how I ended up here."

The others comment caught her off guard. What did she want besides shelter? Well... she didnt really know. Safety was her number one priority. Heavens above only know what lurk in the dark here. Plus, wolves were pack animals. She just wanted to find a pack. Safety in numbers. "I guess... a family. Not biological, of course," she rambled, clearly nervous. "But one that comes with a pack. Food, would be nice too.... ya know?" Aerwyn offered the others an awkward grin as she tried to mull over a better answer. "Umm... protection? Truthfully, Im unsure. I... didnt think id get this far."
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A simple question. Did he remember anything? His mouth turned down a touch, frowning as broken memories flashed across his mind. He'd stopped trying to recall them, stopped trying to pull them from the depths; everyone was safer that way, especially the Sunshine girl. Dark eyes slid to her, listening, watching as she responded. He could see her nerves strung along her body, watched the way her weight shifted, heard the way her voice trembled the slightest bit.

He chimed in, if only to help her find a place. “A home.” It was everything Strawberry was trying to say, just in more words than were necessary. His eyes returned to the Empress (he still found the title odd, and was wary because of it). “She's good at keeping spirits up. Positive. Helps even when others may not ask for it. She'd make a good pupsitter.” His nose indicated the boy; Aerwyn would connect with them so easily, in his opinion. And a bright, shiny creature taking care of babies? How would that not work out.

Callan did not speak of himself.

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