#bergen_county

"She would be a good Akela? " Testing look

"I think so. She's very smart, and very proud."

"Sometimes pride.. well, it can be bad. But other times, pride means they need to do their absolute best - yeah?"

"Yes, mother says hold you tail high even if you end up in the mud and you'll get back to the sky that much sooner" Nodding

"Good advice."

"It is. Though I apologize if I make you feel bad that you don't have a tail. Not everyone can, sadly"

"Well, I have horns. They offer some consolation."

"mm aren't you worried they mark you as prey?" She says curious

A.. there it is, a wolfish grin. "Only until they feel them in battle."

"Ha!" Waltz does wag "Yes, and of course, one must be careful of even some prey. Winged Buffalo are SO Tasty, but it can take a whole pack to eat one. Which is ashame, as they are so tastey... espcially their wings. I am told Buffalo wings did not always taste so good, but then over time, they became just delicious." longing "I would love to eat a buffalo wing"

"Oh, we could probably... I bet I could my friend to dream of them."

"Then, you could hunt them and enjoy. Though the wings are very small relative to the buffalo."

"Oh.. you know a Dreamer..." She's interested "I would not presume to tell you how to muse but if you ever decide... I would welcome"

"Well, I'll try."

A soft wag

"Tove makes a good mock-Buffalo wing, but they are very spicy."

"I see. "

"Well, I don't. I'm not sure what spicy means"

"It makes your tongue burn and your nose run and your eyes water."

"Gasp" She gasps "Why would one wish such a thing?"

"Mmm... it tastes good enough that it's worth it?"

"So, it is a not just food, but a ritual to prove power or skill?"

"A little bit."

"Ah, that is different. One must prove themselves"

"Well, one self" A cough "To show the pack they are no longer a cub but a full adult ready to join in hunt or battle if need be. "

"Right. How do wolves prove themselves?"

"By hunt, or warning, or challenge. Some of these are not as dangerous as others, but they are important. One of my brothers showed his power at howling, this may not seem dangerous, but remember we use it to spread news that may help the pact, so it is to be respected. I can get as loud as he almost, but he carries the howl so LONG.. he has this silly story about how he learned it from manwolves near a rail station"

"Manwolves" Hurumph

"Well... if you DID catch a winged buffalo, that would be a good boast."

"Or... if you raced a pegasus?"

"Oh yes, horses are fast on land, pegasi are quick in the sky... there would be a good boast indeed, a fine challenge."

"Your fae steeds do not like us, so we have consideredd making a challenge to harry them a touch, but father forbade it. He said that without the horses the giants, that's you and your pack' would be slow and not as good at hunting or travel so we must respect it for your akela is an ally to us"

"Well then. I shall challenge you to a race - pure competition, not hunting."

"On land and sky."

"I accept!" eager, then "You have a flying horse?"

"Star may sprout wings, from a treasure. She does not have them all the time."

"mm well, I accept anyway. It will be a great boast if I win. And if I lose, well, it is no shame to lose a race to a horse. They are quick. One usually has to out endure them"

"Star is VERY swift, yes."

"mmm May I bring others to compete her against her? I will tell them father's rules applies and we are not to eat of the horse so it is challenge not hunt. Family honor, you understaned. I wish to win but if I cannot , another of the sky wolves might. "

She nods. "Indeed."

"Then I go, thank you, Dagmar. You giants are a sensible people who show good manners"

"Well, thanks Waltz. I look forward to the race."

Judging by the sparkle in the she-wolves eyes.. so does she, "You are welcome"

And off she goes.

And Dagmar might feel her own excitement rising! She gets to race on Star!

A grin! The rest of the lawn is mowed in a happy haze as she ponders it!