PotA: I Think You're Confused

Second PotA for HayleyWolf of Ryker 28750~

bonuses: canon location (The Frost Dragons), dom companion (best wingman bear), story

Prompt 9: Your tokota crosses paths with an infant or child (animal or human) that is too young to remember where it came from or who it's parents are. Your tokota must choose to either take mercy and care for and protect it until the parents can be located, or abandon it to nature.

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Ryker hadn’t even noticed the sudden absence of the crows as he skidded to a halt. Beside him, one of the frost dragons spewed fresh steam with a loud hiss.

The bear – still a bit discombobulated from his near frost dragon collision – bumped into the halfmane dire before coming to a stop himself. The two had pushed themselves as hard as they could to reach what they had thought to be a spirit. Turns out it wasn’t that at all.

Before the two stood another dire. She had a full mane and deep grey coat. Her cheeks and legs were touched by a soft golden color and a lacing pattern seemed to crown her forehead. The she dire seemed less than thrilled to have visitors.

“Well I see Aippaq has guided me to you to help you find your way.” Ryker stepped forward, a familiar look on his face.

“Excuse me?” The strange dire frowned at Ryker’s statement. “I’m not lost.”

The halfmane dire shrugged. “Aippaq seems to disagree. No need to be embarrassed about it.” Ryker seemed to be turning his charm up as he looked one way and then the other before turning to the she dire again and winking. “I won’t tell anyone.”

Like a good wingman, the bear gestured widely with his paws at Ryker. Just a glimpse of the she dire sent his paws back down to the ground. Their usual tactics weren’t going to work quite so well but leave it to Ryker to try anyway.

The fur on her nape bristled with offense. “You are a bold one – strutting into a territory that isn’t yours and marking it as though you’re the first to try claiming some land in that way.” Her teeth clicked together loudly as if to punctuate her point. “And let me guess, you’re on your alpha journey.” Her bright golden eyes slid to look at the bear. He seemed to shrivel a bit under her gaze. “Last I heard, Aippaq guided their chosen few to help lost children or pups to safety.”

The insult of her words seemed to soar right over Ryker. He smiled seductively at her. “We could make the pup.”

She frowned even deeper at that.

“Aren’t we all pups in Aippaq’s guiding light?” The halfmane dire twisted it – or took a different look at the task depending on who one asked – to meet his needs. “Children of Aippaq, anyway.” Ryker smirked.

“And how do you know I’m not just a member of the pack who’s land you’re desecrating?” The dire spat back.  “It’s a well known offense, even among human owned Tokotas, that doing such an act can result in your death.” Her words were biting but she remained standing where she was.

Ryker’s confidence faltered. How frustrating this one was. His usual flirtatious advances weren’t disarming her in the least. She hadn’t taken the slightest interested in him.

He and the bear shared a look for a brief moment. Before either could open their mouths their concern became their reality.

A heavy set of pawsteps was rapidly approaching the three. She hadn’t been alone.  

(520 words)

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Also my Amaruq 13970 is in this one!