Guarding like guardians do

A silent, drawn out exhale escaped soon after the red and black pelted wolf took in the fresh spring air. It was early spring within the territory of the Lawa Ridge pack, the temperatures were beginning to rise as the days wore on and the surrounding vegetation was getting greener just the same, with the tender grass sprouting in the fields alongside the many wild flowers and the forest canopy blooming into its new foliage. It was a beautiful time of new life for many, but not so much for this grim brooder. To him, it only meant that it would soon be intolerably hot and young pups would be running all about. Pests.

Usually, Revan wouldn't have to worry about the young cubs, as he often wandered alone and far from the reaches of any such juveniles, but as of last winter he had joined a pack in attempts to escape one of his worst times of living; dead winter without any luck during hunts, and desperate to gain some distraction from his depressing thoughts. For once, he had not affiliated with a group of wolves to help them, but to instead help himself. And, even though he would hate to admit it to anybody else, having the security of a pack and goal in his life truly had helped.

As a Guardian withing the pack - the Lawa Ridge pack, that is - it was his task to protect the territory and wolves within it from any harm. A daring and noble rank it may sound, but for the most part the lithe male mostly found himself patrolling the territory borders to thwart off danger, escort in newcomers, and updating the territory markers, as he was doing now. He enjoyed these sorts of outings, when he could escape the bustle of the packs densite and be left to himself and his thoughts - even if those thoughts were made up of gloomy memories, brooding had become habit to him. As his dull white paws traversed across the soft ground silently, he thought of the past while keeping his sharp red eyes peeled for any signs of intruders, while occasionally giving a little mark here and there.

This time it wasn't sight that caught hint of a nearby presence for the dark male, but instead the sounds of something - or someone - moving through the forest to the right of his path. Revan paused his steady stride long enough to listen before changing his direction towards the origin of the sounds, yet to discover what had caught his attention due to the trees and underbrush blocking his view. But, even if it was something dangerous to behold, it was his duty to investigate anything suspicious in order to protect his pack. And he took the task seriously, prepared to face anything as he approached.

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The sounds of a moving creature had paused since he had began his approach, likely aware of his presence in some way. Honestly, that was just fine for him, as Revan had no fret for whatever lay ahead. In fact, the stealthy male even picked up his pace from the quiet walk and moved into a bouncy jog, eager to make an intimidating appearance if the creature ahead was intruding on the territory of Lawa Ridge. Perhaps he was a little too serious about protecting the borders, as the pack he now belonged to would likely welcome in more members than he chased away, but what could he say? The purpose of doing something daily was new to him, and he was a bit of a workaholic. However, as he gave a final leap over a thicket of shrubbery and came face to face with the source of the noise, he was mildly surprised to find that the creature was no intruder at all.

The earthen hued wolf before him was far from a threat, but instead a packmate with the title trusted enough to watch over and teach any juveniles or newcomers of the pack - a Mentor. "Oh, I was unaware it was you, Van...guard." The awkward hesitation was clear in Revan's gruff voice as he spoke, unused to the common presence he now experienced from the wolves of Lawa Ridge, his social skills lacking greatly from his previous life of a loner. The hesitation was particularly evident as he paused on the name, his terribly short term memory preventing him from remembering such small things. The silver eyed male may not be the most familiar to him, as most weren't within the pack yet, but Revan knew he was a fellow with admirable fortitude, telling by just his immense collection of scars and permanently damaged leg. Though he wasn't usually one for socializing, the red and black furred male figured he should get to know his packmates eventually, now was as good a time as any.

"Little far out for a Mentor, no?" Revan inquired, gesturing to the outer reaches of the territory. As he thought it, Mentors were supposed to stick close to the den and watch over pups and any new wolves to the pack, but then again he could be wrong, as he wasn't exactly used to all these ranks and meanings. As he awaited response Revan allowed his toned muscles to relax, spikey hackles lowering as the anticipation subsided. There was no danger here, for now anyway.

---

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Revan let out a noise somewhere between a thoughtful hum and a forced huff, acknowledging the correction of the males name. He wasn't surprised that he had gotten it wrong, as he often forgot names due to his damaged memory. Even if he was used to it, he still hated that he couldn't remember such small things, or anything before his head injury for that matter. Who had rammed his head against that rock, who his family was, who he was. . .it was all just another part of his brooding thoughts. However, the opposing males next question was enough to distract him.

"Who might you be? I never got a name, but I've seen ya around." Revan wasn't surprised at that, either. He didn't hang around the densite much, often preferring to stick to the outer territory and patrol the borders. Sometimes he would even sleep out here instead of reporting back to the Alpha or resting near the safety of the den. It was unsure if he would ever ease out of his loner ways, or if he even wanted to. He had grown used to the solitary life, and he did like it even if it was lonely and depressing sometimes. For once however, he was content with his current lifestyle - a decent amount of alone time but still with a purpose. "Revan, Revan Roseblood." The red eyed male responded shortly. Usually he wouldn't include his last name, as he felt ashamed that he didn't know anything about it nor where it came from, but he thought he should at least give this pack a chance to understand him just a little better. After all, maybe he could gain some answers if anyone knew about the name. "I am fairly new to the Lawa Ridge pack, I have yet to establish any sure-footed relationships within it." He admitted, his expression neutral. As neutral as a permanent scowl is, anyway. Even if the dark male wasn't in a bad mood (which was equally rare), he hardly ever smiled unless he was being arrogant. His expression remained unfaltered as he watched the injured wolf, Van...something, shift himself to a relaxed position.

"Currently no youngsters or newbies to train, might as well walk rather than waste me life away, right?" Revan had to admit, the mentor had a point. It was always better to take action rather than waste away to nothingness. It was admirable that his packmate still managed to be so active, even with his disability. However Revan decided not to mention it, figuring it best in case mentioning such a thing would be rude. Instead, he spoke, "Agreed, I could imagine the responsibility of of removing ones ignorance would be also cause the need of a refreshing venture." Despite his previous thoughts of not being rude, his wording to the teaching of others may have stated otherwise. He wasn't one for suger-coated opinions though, and would state what he thought without hesitation.