ooc:

Nature whispered its loving tones to her ears as she walked amongst its splendor in content. True it was not rare that she felt such elation for the daily wonders of the world, but none the less it felt such a treat to have her ears tickled by the distant call of birds coupled with the melodious trickle of the Miki'Aliqua nearby.

Upon four paws, she prowled the domain encompassed by the scent of the family therein. Her red crown adorned in the wild blossoms of the summer and collected down of her ever watchful companions were playfully teased by a passing breeze, threatening to again free a loose strand of her braided mane and have it again fall in her face. Were the overgrowth of bangs not enough to steal the amber from her eyes? She rounded her fur clad shoulder, the fox fur and adorning tails groomed to a perfection as always. It was a thought to none, but one she pondered on in mirth none the less. Something to busy her idle mind as she continued her leisurely patrol.

But so suddenly her idle thoughts were taken by a sound coursing the wind. A beckoning near the Expanse that called for her expediency. Forgoing her patrol she loped toward the echoing tones, setting both ears and nose one alert for what called her away from her peaceful stroll. A faint scent grew to a prominent aroma quickening her pace as then the image of two and a steed came into view. Her thunderous paws came to fall silently as she slowed her stride, breathing deeply the fragrant air accompanied by their collected scents as she intended to slow her heavily beating heart. It was not with a stern expression, but with a kind tilt of her head that she greeted them, offering as she did with all a soft smile of acknowledgement and a humble stance. "Goodday to you," she offered softly. "Are you alright, strangers?"

ooc: :c Im sorry for my tardiness. This will go a lot faster, I assure you And she is alright as an NPC

Wanderers were not rare, but a treat none the less for the helpful eye to behold. As one would assess what harm had befallen a victim, so did the female immediate begin her silent inquisition of the small group. Quietly she walked around them and their steed. Her nose quivered to the scent of the wild coupled with the gradually enveloping vulpine scent. But it was not stale with death, but alive as her eyes came to behold the tiny pair nestled within the female’s arms. The reason for this alone was intriguing, but not so much so as the mixed female set atop the horse.

Looking from male to female, there was little similarity due to such a pronounced exhibition of the coyote features that dominated her face. And yet… the male had called her ‘daughter’ earning a curious tilt of the head from the autumn wolf. A surrogate relationship perhaps? What constituted meaningful bonds to the creatures of this land were still lost on her to an extent, but not to the point she could not adapt. If this was his daughter in his mends, then who was she to argue with this logic?

As he renounced his bipedal form and joined her on the ground, she shared with Rain a look of surprise to his request. “A family?” her words echoed her thoughts simultaneously as again she looked from the male head of this small band to his daughter. Smoothly, she returned across the boundary line with the end of her inspection and sat upon folded haunches. “In truth, many wanderers do not request something of the like unless they have travelled far and for a great length of time.” Concern creased her brows. “Can this be said of you? …or do you wish a new path along this one you have taken…?”

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Her ears were patiently trained on the lead of the small family, absorbing his story with the intention of fabricating a mental image of the life and trials this young family endured. For a wolf, she was quite migratory, but then he had introduced himself as a merchant of sorts. From what she understood of that lot, it was not uncommon to move from place to place, like the Nomads but with the purpose of exchanging wares as opposed to shifting camping grounds during allotting seasons. She could only imagine the emotional strain it had caused on his family, parting only to return to a home lacking a mate. But her façade was not of pity, but of quiet assessment, listening and weighing above all else.

Anathema and Casa raised her brows with interest as it had been a while since she heard the familiar names of those packs. In her mind’s eye, she recalled Alaki and his mouthy companion and the company of birds that had accompanied them on their meeting. And in thinking of Casa, she thought of Jazper, the towering Knight her eyes had long since seen and whom a part of her heart missed dearly. He had been kind to allow her time within the stone walls of his domain, but it was a shame she could not return the favor at the time. Perhaps in due time the kindred spirits would be joined again in elatedly, to rekindle that excitement found in another that held similar soul. But it would be by the will of her ancestors, when they felt the time was opportune.

Her thoughts had strayed only a little ways, but managed to bring her back to the inquisition at hand. Eventually he confessed his purpose here was for the young female for a reason the Issor could only assume was to give the youth purpose. It was a kind intention, but not without its drawbacks. The history of coming and going lead the Alphess to believe that the male before her would do just the same. To travel with business was different but to leave with an ulterior purpose was an aspect this family did not stand for. However…

“Sangi’lak can be a home to the both of you… but not without abiding by the expectations of its members. We are a family, and intend to keep the dynamic as such. No one member is exempt from their responsibilities and must actively partake to ensure the family can prosper as a whole.” The woman raised her paw, then set it down hard in emphasis that these expectations were non-negotiable. “Regardless of your position in the family, you may be called to hunt not just for yourself, but for us all. You are asked to get to know your family members, to bond with them and train with them to better your natural skills so that you will be able to protect them as well as yourself. And above all…” Passively her gaze swept over the faces of the small family, even to the cubs nestled against the young female. “…you care for your family above all else. Sangi’lak is that family. Can you… and will you uphold these expectations?”