It was all different up here, the winds even tasted better than in the deep south. The wildlife seemed careless to venture out into the open, where as his home prey was scarce to find if it wasn't in the water. The brute had a natural fear for water only because of the creatures that dwell withing. It was never about the temperature or the current, not even the fish, but the predator and him being the prey. The trees were far taller here and the ground was hard upon his pads, the long adventure for the male had proven his strength and abilities. Although he was sore, he never let up on the endless days in the sun. Despite bleeding paws or a dirty pelt, he found to heal and time to heal others along the way. Never once giving up on finding his sanctuary.

The eggshell colored male had slowed his pace and found the mixture of many scents, some coming and some leaving, and the dominant scent of urine making a border of land. Nose low to the ground, Jackle studied the earth for a few days. Lingering around the border before making his decision. Upon the rise of the next day's sun, he tilted his head to the air and let open his muzzle, and a cry called out to the pack. That if anyone was to hear, it would be a relaxing sound, and rich in tamber. Jackle then found a comfortable spot, his body folding in half to sit back upon his rear. Here he would wait for someone to come, someone to answer his prayers. Scanning the land before him, he payed close attention to a worn out section of the brush where it seemed there was heavy traffic. It was something he was prideful of, knowing the land. It not only helped with healing, but the tracking was a natural instinct and helped when he was on hunts. Shifting his shoulders he kept watch on the other side and he waited.

The days had been cruel and the nights so sweet. Each day grew continually hotter as the thick air threatened to suffocate her. Whilst the nights were cool, the air so sweet and soothing as it caressed her fur. It was truly beautiful. It became so that she was almost nocturnal now, sleeping in the cool confines of her den by day, running patrols by night. Often she hunted, knowing that with so many pups about it was necessary to keep the kill pile fresh. No wolf really liked the taste of old and rotting flesh, no matter how silently they could stomach it.

Since her promotion to the rank of Delta, things seemed to have calmed in the lands. There appeared no imminent threat from their neighbours of Erenyx, though no complacency would overcome her. There was no serious famine nor drought. She had had one or two interesting adventures, one of which she had finally healed from. Her lungs no longer ached as they did and her paws were strong and calloused as before. Early one morning she had chosen to run another border patrol in the hopes she might stumble upon a loner whom she might offer redemption to. The thought made her jig with delight. The idea that she could provide to someone the chance that was provided her was exhilarating.

A sweet howl pierced her ears, coming from the same old grove of maple trees where she had first arrived. It was fitting in a sense that her first border acceptance would be where she herself was first accepted. The female would slide to a halt and release her own howl in response, a treat she had not indulged in for some time. It felt good to hear the raw and primal sound weave its way from her maw and into the air. Once more she set off, knowing the way perfectly. She passed the old gnarled couple that made her think of Drogo. Still her friend and nothing more, he had disappeared for some time. But she shook such depressing thoughts from her mind. He was far more injured than she that day.

She approached an area where the maples grew taller than she had seen and caught the fresh scent of alone male. This must be the one. She tracked her way through the scrub, using what appeared to be a heavily trafficked path. She slowed to a walk, shaking out her fur before stepping deliberately through the shrub to view a male of roughly the same height, although a fair sight longer and considerably heavier than she was. In all honesty he was an attractive male and she was certain he would have no issues in finding himself a suitable mate. So far she was rather impressed, but of course she had yet to hear his tale and know of his skillset. "Hello there. How might I assist you this morning?" Her voice was kind and welcoming. She wanted to make a good impression on him. He probably didn't even realise she could be just as nervous as he. But she refused to let it show.

As she drew from the fir, Jackle was surprised at two things, one she was a female, and two she was strikingly beautiful. Yet there on her brow, he could tell that she was indeed nervous about the meeting but that she was trying to keep it under wraps. The brute wouldn't let on, instead he just spoke, "Bonjur. My name in Jackle. I have traveled a long way from Bayou in hopes of finding sanctuary." The accent was thick compared to hers, naturally deep, with the general accent of the south and the french. Together it was a strange combination, but he made it seductive in a way. Jackle looked at her still stunned by her beauty, but he was not looking for love at this time. Always one to take work seriously he waited for a response from her. Not wanting to divulge anything until he was spoken too. It was always a sign of respect to the opposing person. Somewhere along the road, she was once standing where he stood. Knowing all too well of that place, he stayed quiet, letting her have the special moment. To him, he was just seeking out another job, not knowing what would lie on the other side.

Jackle began to speak as he thought, his words graceful to her as he explained his life briefly, "Everything up here is far different from creole speaking nation that I am from. Although speaking french is far easier for me, I have no problems with my English, as choppy as it can be or as illiterate as I can sound at times. I hail from the everglades of Louisiana and have traveled in search of my job, trying to find out as many healing remedies as I could. Born with a sizable feature and strength, I never took to fighting or hunting unless it was for survival. Since my journey began, I have began a knowledgeable list of herbs and spices, plants and such along the way to help heal an injured or sick wolf. I could sit here for hours and tell you of my journey, Mademoiselle, but I fear that would be a waste of our time. I leave it to you, I have said all I could say." The accent was beautiful as he spoke, his English getting better along the adventure, but still slow in speaking. Honestly, he couldn't figure out if it was because he needed to speak slower to accentuate his words or because he naturally spoke slow. Jackle smiled at the female and his white ears perked forward listening intently to what she might say.

She took in his initial reply, noting his name and courtesies. Jackal, and odd names he found. Though perhaps no more odd than her own. The Delta would marvel at his accent, it was not something she had often come across, even on her own travels as a loner. She could not have journeyed far enough south to experience such sweet tenors. She hoped to portray the open and welcoming nature Beta Marrok had shown her. As such, she lowered herself to her haunches to sit before him, her tail sweeping the ground to clear it of any harmful debris. He's just another wolf, and friend you are meeting for the first time Three covert breathes helped to steady her as she repeated the mantra.

The male continued to speak his thoughts aloud,not only noting the beauty of the place but also making her aware that the common tongue was not his first language. She rather preferred honesty over fearful deceit, it did not make for a well functioning pack and so would commend him for his truth. He also proceeded to tell her where his area of expertise lay, saving her some time. "I am glad you saw fit to tell me of your language capabilities. It is better that you allow others to understand than to make judgements. But you won't find many of the like to make wrongful judgements here." She would pause to look around as the light grew ever brighter around them before continuing. "So you have trained as a healer? Excellent, we are always in need of individuals with your particular talents, but only time will tell just how talented and knowledgeable you really are. Jackal, you must swear your life and loyalty to my Alpha Azul, his Alphess Lucy and all whom they rule over in these lands. If you are able to do so then I will grant you sanctuary and the rank of Healer. What say you?" her ears flickered, taking in the sound if twittering birds overhead before eagerly awaiting his reply.

"Merci." The word was simple but how it rolled off his tongue could make anyone shiver. The brute smiled at the female, his humble face widened with the stretching of his cheeks, and his eyes gazed at her. "Mademoiselle, may I please have your name? It would be far easier to pledge allegiance to my future home if I knew the name of the one giving me such ultimatums." A slight chuckle erupted from his throat and he continued speaking after clearing the laughter from his vocal chords. "And, I swear to you, or shall my life be taken from me." Eyebrows rose at this expression and his mind wandered, death was the only thing he could not change, could not fix. It hung around like the vultures after a kill, waiting for the right moment to stop you in your tracks and steal the soul right from within you, leaving the host to rot upon earth's floor. Still Jackle stood there awaiting the female to speak.

Not knowing a name or a rank, Jackle was a bit hesitate standing there at the borders. Yet, on her word and on his, he would become a healer in their pack, maybe something more. The warmth of the sun had begun to burn at his back, despite where they stood there was no shade in the hot summer sun. "It is beautiful, no?" Tilting his head towards the sun with eyes closed, his listened to the woods around him. How each sound blended together, this would be his home... he hoped. Large off white ears turned towards her as he drew his face back to her, listening for a name. Anything for him to address her properly, for a wolf as striking as she deserved a name as unique as her personality and face.

She smiled kindly at him. He was indeed so sweet and gentle. Few enough she had met within these borders. Perhaps there was something the members of this pack could learn from this male. He tipped his muzzle just slightly skyward, marvelling at the sun. Her azure gaze followed his amber orbs to stare at the golden orb floating in the summers sky. It was indeed beautiful. And mysterious, that such a strange object could help create such life. "It is," she mumbled, before stuttering and sputtering apologies. "I'm-I'm so sorry, where are my manners? I am Delta Nnlya of these lands of Helidos. I serve under the rule of Azul and Lucy. If it please you." Her eyes shone with a kind smile as she watched him intrigue the sun. Of course it made sense that he should know her name, she should have made it clear far sooner. Stupid, stupid. Absolutely foolish. You've don a wonderful job at your first border acceptance. She berated herself. It wasn't like her to think this way, more often than not she was a cheerful soul with little to say unfavourably about anyone. Only one time in her past had she sunk so low, but she pulled herself from a pit that time. This was nothing so severe, this was trivial in comparison. Still her exterior shone with her inner light.

"Delta Nnyla, pleasure to meet your acquaintance. I am humbled to serve beside you and beneath Alpha Azul and his fair Alphess Lucy." Jackle then lowered his head to bow to the Delta for her service here today and he swelled with pride that he was soon on his way to making things so much better in his life and in others. "If it pleases you, may I now join along side you for further conversation and answers to question I have about the lands and others who I will serve. Specifically, other healers so that I may begin to study so that I wont let you down." The male lifted his head as he spoke and was anxious to stand on the other side of the spectrum. 'Believe.' He hushed his mind as he looked at Nnyla, awaiting the final dictation. The brute shifted his shoulder, prepping himself for a journey into the unknown.

Before all this began, before he even decided to join, he had scoured neutral lands and the borders for a few days. Steering clear of any others before making a decision, but most of all learning the lands for all it's riches. Trying to get a leg up on the plants and animals here, comparing notes from prior stays in camps of others, and on the road since home. Jackle smiled as he braced for his future, ever beat of his heart longed to be in Helidos and to learn from others and to teach them in return. Once more he looked to the sky and behind him. 'Your past makes you who you are, be strong, keep smiling.' The reassurance of his mind told him he was ready, ear listened for Nnyla to speak. There he stood regal and brave.

She would have turned scarlet as he bowed to her with respect. No one had bowed like that to her as of yet. It was indeed an empowering feeling. "Jackle it is an honour to name you a Healer of Helidos. Your direct superior shall be Lead Healer Creek, a good friend of mine." She paused. Should she walk with him? Of course. It was her duty to ensure he found his way to the pack clearing. Besides, she thought it's he might enjoy the brutes company for a while. "I would be delighted to escort you, wherever it is we may travel and answer your questions. She took a step back and turned on her side, no longer barring the entrance to the pack lands. She waited for him to enter his new home before setting off herself. "This is your home now. The forests, plains, mountains and rivers are at your disposal. Treat them well and they will reward you. And don't hesitate to ask any questions of anyone, I'm sure you'll make fast friends here."

(Ooc - Jackle is now a Healer, you may change his names and post in Helidos lands. Welcome friend!)