EXAMPLE JOINING: In Character

[Conor Soul]

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Joining Behavior

Even as the ranked member approaches, Chikkun remains clearly on the unclaimed territory, not stepping over the border. Once again, trespassing is considered offensive and disrespectful; acting in such a manner greatly reduces your chance of acceptance. However, if your character has committed a trespassing or other offense, you can still try to make up for it. Extreme submission (flattened ears, averted eyes, tail tucked between the legs, body lowered all the way to the ground or even rolling on the ground and showing the belly) can act as a form of apology. Even if your character is particularly hot-headed or has a temper problem, it is important to remain polite and respectful during the joining process. Such "angry" characters may do best as a loner first; if s/he is able to make friends within a pack, this can certainly facilitate the acceptance process. It certainly doesn't hurt to state outright that your character has intention of joining, though most leaders will simply assume a character on the borders is there to join.

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Chikkun waited at the edge of the pack's lands. He did not want to wait for a long time, but he knew that someone must have heard his howl. He had to be patient and remain where he was so that whoever was coming to meet him would know where he was. The gray lone wolf was lucky, because soon a pack wolf appeared. Chikkun felt very nervous now, because he knew that the pack wolf was much more powerful than he was, and he knew that it was important to remain polite and show the approaching pack wolf respect since these were his lands.

When the other male wolf came closer, the loner saw that he was displaying dominance. Chikkun huddled together and lowered his yellow eyes quickly. He knew that he should not look a dominant wolf directly into the eyes. His gray tail fell and clung against his light belly; another sign of respect for the older wolf. He said nothing while the pack wolf introduced himself and said that he was alpha of the Super Duper Awesomesaunce Pack. Wow, this was the alpha! Chikkun felt very nervous, but knew that he had to do this right. "Hello alpha of the Super Duper Awesomesauce Pack, I am Chikkun and I want to join your pack." The lone wolf's eyes continued to look at the green forest floor in respect.