The Pack's Gathering Ground

[Kaziph]

S A R V A R N I

Bright eyes stared out from his dark gray and brown mask, surveying the land before him. He was standing in the middle of a clearing, waiting. He wasn't sure what he was waiting for, per se, but there he was… just standing. Broad, familiar ears flickered at noises off in the distance, but always they returned forward. He was certain there was something different about this place, but he couldn't place a paw upon it. It seemed haunted, almost, by memories. He'd already learned that the trees had stories, whispers of past occurrences. It was downright creepy at times, but then, it was also comforting. One day they would whisper of him, too.

The crack of a branch off to his right brought his head up in that direction, muzzle swinging about and pointing toward the sound. Was it him? Did he see a promise of a gray brown pelt, similar to his own, out there stalking the underbrush, waiting too? The sun was beating down upon his broad back and barrel chested frame, making him grow warm. His winter coat still had not completely shed out, and it hung in clumps about his shoulders and belly. He'd managed to scratch the rest of it off on tree trunks, boulders, and when all else failed, the ground. Yet parts of it persisted in remaining, making him cling the old way of life in the north where wolves didn't begin shedding until late spring, early summer.

Giving up on the sound and waiting - for the time being - the tall brute stepped forth. His long, muscular legs carried him easily over the earth and back into the shadow of the trees. Their boughs arched above his massive gray head as he padded beneath them, making for the place where he knew Larka's den lay. He'd visited it once already, bringing meat, but had hung awkwardly back. It had been too soon then for the cubs to come out to explore, and Larka would still have been anxious over them. Mothers were finicky about their cubs. He knew that from experience.

Sarvarni arrived at the burrow where the alpha pair's scent drenched the ground as the sun was beginning to sink into the western horizon. It touched the edge of the mountains in the late afternoon sky, and as the big brute approached his brown eyes were haunted still by thoughts of things he had not shared with his new family. Of Carrick. He looked like a specter in the shade of the trees nearest the den, keeping watch on the opening in case Larka emerged, brining the cubs with her. He would meet them, if she would allow it, and perhaps they would put his mind at ease for a time.

[Amanda]

Kira had shadowed Sarvarni, making sure the new wolf didn't disappear into the trees, to never return. As he approached the den, she made her presence more obvious, moving to pad alongside him, their strides meshing easily, as if they were old friends. Kira's sharp perceptions caused her to speak in low tones as she stood companionably by his side.

You know...it isn't wise to hide things from fellow pack members. You will go crazy chasing unseen things in this forest if you are constantly dwelling on things.

She smiled lightly, a teasing nip was given to one of his fluffy auds in the hope that he would not be offended by her words. she merely wished to know why he always looked as if a ghost were haunting his heels. Surely he hadn't been here long enough for the Forests to drive him mad with their Jabberings?

[Kaziph]

S A R V A R N I

He had known that something was out there, perhaps watching him. He didn't realize, however, that it was Kira, Larka's firstborn daughter, that was doing the watching. Stalking, he corrected himself, glancing sideways at her just before she spoke. Interesting that she'd follow me. He didn't mind though. When she spoke, his ears flickered about upon his head - first toward her, then back sideways.

Crazy? Strange word to use, for that's how he felt at times when he thought this particular tree or that certain bush was looking at him, through him. He grinned, then responded. Well, some things are best kept close to the heart, no? He dodged her remarks, and then changed the subject. He felt her teeth nip his ears, and the big brute shook his head.

When do you think Larka will come forth with the little ones? His dark brown orbs turned from the distant den to meet Kira's bright blue. The color in his own eyes shifted, lightening with the presence of a friend. But he wondered, vaguely, where Zena was too.

[Amanda]

Kira flicked her auds in agreement, letting him have his way for now.

She will probably try to guard these ones from everything. So few of her past litters have survived. So many are lost. she has had several litters but those that remain could have easily been born within one normal sized litter. It is sad really, but I know not what to do for her. I think Atka makes her happy...he matches what she needs rather well.

I do hope she lets us see them soon.

Her auds flicked sideways and her pretty cerulean colored orbs misted over just a shade, became a bit more downcast.

Will I ever have pups of my own flesh and blood? I am not getting any younger...but I have never even tried to seek a mate. Am I cursed by the forest like mother seems to be?

She shook her crania gently to rid herself of the troubling thoughts. she instead pictured fluffy white fur wrapped around tiny bundles of wolf puppyness.

She couldn't hide the grin that came to her muzzle at the mere thought of pups, even if they weren't her own. they were her half siblings, and she loved them automatically.

[Tay]

Zena had returned to the kill once she was sure Larka and Atka had their fill. She'd eaten what was left, mulling over the forest. She'd returned once more the carcass. Not much was left, spare the skeleton. Bones crunched between ivory daggers as she gnawed, half-minded, doing more so for stress relief then anything else.

She kept her golden orbs upon the trunks of the trees. She thought still of Carrick. Sarvarni only seemed to worsen her thoughts of the brute. Would Carrick be happy to learn of his son? Finally her teeth sank through and the taste of marrow hit her tongue. She sighed, using her paws to hold the bone vertical.

She could smell her distant fellows. Varni and Kira. She wondered what Varni would be thinking, having not seen his Father yet. She dropped the bone and rose, glancing around the clearing once more. She half hoped he would be watching her from behind a trunk. She shook herself and started off toward the others.

Perhaps Larka had brought the pups out. Zena walked up behind the two. They were near shoulder to shoulder and it made her brow arch. She walked to Varni's other side and nudged his shoulder, she gave a similar greeting to Kira, glancing about for small furballs.

No pups yet? Larka's not hording them for herself is she? Zena's orbs were bright and a smile graced her face. She was merely kidding, but even if Larka had been doing just that Zena could scarcely blame her. How have you two been since we last met? She glanced from brute to fem feeling slightly lazy and tired. She wasn't sure why but assumed it had something to do with the ample moose she'd been feasting upon.

[Kaziph]

S A R V A R N I

The big wolf lowered his head as Kira spoke, wondering what it must have been like for Larka to have lost so many cubs - whether from natural death or from leaving the forest to never look back. A twinge pinched him in the belly as he remembered his own mother, his own history. He'd never had a clan to set out from, a mother to leave. He didn't know how being gifted with such things might have changed his life.

Yet then he looked to Kira out of the side of his eye. He saw the downcast look she seemed to have for a moment before it switched into a smile, and his ears swiveled about as he thought, idly, She longs for cubs. Would he really have wanted his life any different than it had become? One little change in the past could have changed everything about the present, and such thoughts of time surprising scared him perhaps most of all.

Then Zena was there, and Varni seemed to more visibly relax. Hello, he rumbled softly, eyes flickering in her direction momentarily before once more looking at the den site. No pups yet, he laughed. His muzzle reached out and bumped her, a smile still on his face as he glanced back to Kira. I've been alright, and I think my stalker has been, too.

[Kaziph]

Ah the wind itself seemed to carry her through her home, the forest that had taken her in and welcomed her like a long lost daughter. She melted through the trees, in a mist, like the thing she was named for, changing shape with ever stride and covering the terrain like a ghostly thing, for she was fast.

Cloud raced ahead of the others who had been sent to check the borders long before. The days had passed and she'd wandered, following scent trails and seeking out the rest of the family - specifically Larka and the cubs. She simply couldn't wait to see the young ones! She dreamed of one day caring for her own children, but until that dream was realized she would cherish any little one within the borders of the Ravilin.

The pale she-wolf slowed her pace as she came upon the trio of gathered wolves - Sarvarni, Kira, and Zena. She knew and loved them all, and as the fem padded forward she issued a soft rumble of greeting to them. What's happening? she queried, peering past the large wolf Varni's shoulders and into the clearing where Larka's den lay. Have the cubs come out yet?

[Saosin]

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A T K A

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The sweltering heat of the season laid a vicious hand upon the earth, scorching rays seeking out and conquering all that was cool and moist within the terrain. And yet there was a subtle summer gale that managed to surpass the looming timbre, cast down from the higher elevations through canyons and over the mesas. Their world had changed pallets once again, shifting from the vibrant emeralds and pastel petals to siennas and saffrons. And though this new world was harsher and perhaps less appealing to the eye and the body, it held its own fierce beauty one could not deny.

As the days had waned into summer, Atka had spent his time hunting small game and diligently returning to his and Larka’s den, keeping them both sustained in these early days of their new life, complete with rolly polly tumbling white balls of fur. The pregnancy and labor both had taken a great deal out of Larka, and so she remained inside, regaining strength and mothering her sons and daughter with all her heart and soul. The season had come, raising the temperatures as it placed its vibrant ally high into the sky overhead, and with the pups excited and beaming with life, Atka had made the decision to bring them out into the light of their new world, to share them with their family and pack, for one day they would run alongside their pack brothers and sisters as one, should they not decide to seek homes elsewhere. Thought pained the pallid brute slightly, and yet he calmed his fears, knowing that even if they did not decide to remain in their homeland for the remainder of their life, they would always be welcomed here, in their home, and know the love of both their father and mother.

With a lengthy stretch and slight yawn, Atka scurried from the mouth of the den, blinking slightly at the vivid glow of midday as it stung his eyes as they adjusted. Shaking himself of loose debris and casting those silken sinews of summer pelage out, he looked about him, noting the close proximity of most of the pack. Only a few were not present and he was sure they too would trickle in with time. Twisting his head back behind him a small woof of encouragement is given, gaze seeking the now empty entrance as he waited for the pups to appear.





Place a name upon the night, one to set your heart alight
and to make the darkness bright
Paint the sky with stars

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[Saosin]

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There was really no encouragement needed when it came to finally being allowed outside. From a mere few days after first opening his brilliant cerulean eyes, Atarax had sought to break the confines of his prison, though comfortable it was. Still... it had caused a refrain in his natural need to explore and seek out new interesting things. And at his age, and though he could not know it yet, for the rest of his life, exploration and the conquering of the unknown was pinnacle in the young wolf’s mind. Atarax felt little hesitation at any time, and so with the softly uttered encouragement of his father as a “go”, the small white fluff ball was out of his enclosure and into the great wide open within seconds. His limbs were still short, causing him to stumble just a bit as he romped out into fresh air headlong into the wind. He came to a stop alongside Atka, a mirror image perhaps, and stood blinking into the bright blue sky.

[Saosin]

[bgcolor=#7f799e]

She had dreaded this day, loathed it entirely ever since her parents had whispered to her of the day she would go out and meet the rest of the pack and play under their watchful eyes. She did not seek to explore, she did not desire to traverse from the warmth of her mother’s side, her within the protection of the den. In here there was comfort and protection, her own personal bubble of comfort that she did not want popped. She had heard her father scuffling around near the entrance that morning and could see in his eyes that today would be the day. Longingly she clung to her mother’s side with a small whimper. And with her eyes tightly closed she could tell too that her siblings were scurrying around in anticipation, tugging at her and yelping impatiently. She knew her father had ventured outward, and knew too that Atarax had bumbled out right after him. A stern woof had followed the soft encouraging one asking them out, and she knew it had been issued for her. Begrudgingly she had slunk up near the mouth of the den and peered out warily, forever unsure of herself and perturbed by the vast amount of space and eyes that loomed outside.

[Kaziph]

Cloud's question seemed to die on her lips as she heard the movement at the mouth of the den. Her tail was instantly up and wavering happily, eyes scanning the entrance for signs of movement. Atka's large white self came up suddenly, issuing soft noises to draw his children out of the den. Cloud's head twisted to the side. Where's Larka? Her heart clenched with worry, for she had not seen their alpha fem since the day the white wolf had retreated into the forest to bare her children.

I hope something hasn't gone wrong, Cloud thought to herself as she stepped forward to meet the new ones.

She crossed the distance between the shaded trees where the pack had grouped toward the open clearing. Her frame lowered toward the ground and muzzle opened, letting her tongue loll forth. Rumbles of welcome and greeting were upon her lips as she dropped to the ground the last few meters between herself and the cubs, slowing her pace so that they could approach her if they chose.

[Amanda]

Finally, finally she emerged from the den, a plump and healthy ball of fluff between her clenched jaws. Her weary gaze told volumes about the struggle that she had gone through to save her child's life. Placing the young pup down gently, as if he might crumble to pieces were she to lose contact with him, Larka flagged her plume and crania high.

All of her children had survived.

An exhausted nuzzle is given to her mate, for without his doting care and fortune at finding food, their pack would have had one less member. A soft rumble of greeting is given to Cloud and the others, trying her best to alleviate their fears.

All is fine now. Three strong healthy mouths to feed.

Larka stretched long and slow, limbering her achingly stiff muscles. she had never had to deal with a weak pup before, but nova had been strong of spirit. He was now almost as large as his spunky brother, thanks to her selfless care of him. Her own body showed the wear- her ribs protruded slightly though she was not gaunt. Her fur was dull with the earth that had sheltered her brood.

All of this was superficial, though. none of it mattered. Only her Family mattered.

[Saosin]

[bgcolor=#71b5e6]

It was from behind the alabaster wolf that the sounds of dry earth beneath scraping claws vibrated from within the dark chamber that was their den. Atka’s entire bodice stilled his muscles rigid beneath his thinned summer pelage. Slowly his head turned, sterling eyes a sea of wary dismay as he longed to see those vibrant eyes of his mate, and yet was ever afraid of the truth that they may bare. Their first born son had been born weak, and yet he had all the strength of spirit anyone could hope for. There was no blame to direct for such things, for it was natures will and the fate bestowed upon them by the gods that these things happen, and it would be their will to deliver the outcome. And as his wary eyes met that of his mates, it was love and warmth they offered, and it was there his soul hung for moments before her words sunk in and he realized that all was indeed well.

Swiftly he Atka sidestepped towards her, wobbling and weaving so that he did not stumble over the rolling balls of white fur, and generously licked across her visage with affection and relief, and an abundance of gratitude. His muzzle found purchase within her nape and remained there for a trifle of passing seconds before reaching down to nip playfully at the revitalized pup. What pride he felt, in such bounding abundance, for his beautiful healthy children, and dotting mate.





Place a name upon the night, one to set your heart alight
and to make the darkness bright
Paint the sky with stars

[Amanda]

Larka released a weary sigh, but she was revitalized by her mate. That spark of happiness and love slowly grew as she gazed at him, and at their children until her orbs were the color of molten gold.

I couldn't have done it without you, Dear Heart...

A soft whine escapes her chest unbidden as she buries her own muzzle into his soft nape, immensely relieved that the ordeal had passed.



Lorkan had arrived trailing behind Cloud as always, though he had been a bit more sluggish as he tried to keep equidistant between her and Surulian. Finally giving up he had bounded after her, and when he finally caught up, he saw his half-siblings for the first time. Whimpers of delight escaped his chest as he automatically play bowed and crawled towards them, the joy upon his face unmasked. He brushed cloud with his plume affectionately before he rolled onto his side, content to be a playground for sharp puppy teeth.



Kira stared wistfully at her half siblings, and couldnt help but smile.

No matter what tears us apart, we all are bound together by one thing. Mother.

a sort of half smile graced her muzzle as she rose and brushed past Sarvarni, her eyes mischievous before she focused her attention upon her half siblings.

So much white...Funny how that happens...




Nova plopped onto the bright sun baked ground by his siblings. He yapped and tussled and nipped, just like any other pup. His fat round little body was testament to his parents devotion, for he had been born the runt of the litter. his clear blue eyes shone as he looked up at the tall adults around him. Somehow he knew they had fought for him, and he vowed to do the same. He would forever be a guardian of his Family.

[Mosh]

[bgcolor=020401]

Her question seemed to distress him in some minute fashion, she was sure he concealed the better part of it but still she could hear his breath change and there was some sort of essence that hung on the air like a low voltage connection. It connected through epidermis and beyond the realm of contact with touch. It was that sixth sense you have coming into effect in a different way just to have her feel a tension, nothing more. Her concern for this feeling was surly not concealed very well, but what would be the point to hide her responses from the right hemisphere of her brain, the emotions side of things. It’s only natural. Her eyes were already resting upon his masculine form embodying all that he has endured the worst, the bad, the good and the great. His shake was an unusual surprise, it seemed to be one of shaking things off, perhaps the past but those are for him to express, and otherwise they are simply trivial. He was surly not as limber as the young male Lorkan. He has come a long way from his past but it accentuates him only more in Haokah’s eyes, the hair that grows around his eyes to the way his attitude is, not arrogant or hyped up on testosterone ready to fight or impress someone. His sincerity was a dear quality that deserved the respect Haokah will give.

He spoke longer than she had anticipated and about more things but she enjoyed hearing his voice and all the jumps and dips his deep voice portrayed with all the inner feelings he possessed about this particular subject. She could picture a land like the one he spoke of inside her head and see horses roaming about with a single wolf pack for an entire land. It seemed so cold the memory of this distant land, this Reykjavik. She knew there had been some sort of leadership within him; some remains of it are still present as Haokah had already thought. This was quite a calming and relaxing walk without any surprises or any haste, a mellow walk through this soon to be home of Haokah’s, a home already to Surulian, and home to many more in the future months hopefully. That last thought was nothing for Haokah to concern herself with. Her eyes had wandered, she wasn’t ignoring him, simply being aware of her surroundings in this forest of old, the remains of trees fallen long ago, there was growth of some strange plant light capped things growing on dead wood and around tree bases. Their colors so varied from natural earth tones to bright reds.

Surulian’s words paused and Haokah brought her eyes the color of fresh spring growth, the season she enjoys most for it’s the season she feels most comfortable, its smell new and the world is changing so quickly but growing into beauty, the most beautiful season of all in Haokah’s eyes.

She looked at him, his eyes told of how far he seemed to be, not trapped or lost just simply recalling events. The next words were where the details of the events came forth with the pain, here was what hurts, not the land or the home but what happens within these places that truly affect a soul, effect a life. He told of his daring, treacherous experience which Haokah could only assume was the nearest to death he had ever been. The tale seemed touching in a familiar way for she too came here for as well, though her journey was much less painstakingly long or endearing on the body.

The trees had already begun to thin as Surulian spoke, this time hers eyes had remained on him but her nose was filling with the smells of the pack and a strong pack indeed, the different scents were staggering. Even though they all carried a hint of the pack leader, they were unique in themselves. There was also another strange smell Haokah could not quite name besides possible male or possibly female.

Her eyes trailed from her guide Surulian to the pack, the variety staggering but she was looking for those in change for if anyone was to assume her a threat and attack, the leaders would be the ones to do so. It seemed so strange everyone was here; it was as though they were gathering but why? Surly Haokah was nothing more important than a breezy day; she was unknown and alone with no family or friendly ties here whatsoever. These commotions couldn’t possibly be about her. There was a sound though; high in tone like a squeak with what sounded a midget growl, all Haokah could think was to back away slowly. This isn’t her home, her pack and she has never met the leaders before and just like they couldn’t before. Could they be ready for accepting someone in like Haokah when they had so many better things to do?

She had already become tense from the amount of wolves in the clearing but there being pups made her cautious to the point she wanted to run but instead she stopped in her tracks. These are not things she is comfortable with, she hasn’t been near pups since she left her own birth pack so many years ago. That was a distant time ago now. She had never been a mother herself either. Her eyes focused of what appeared a general center and could see flashes of white closest to the ground between paws of the pack. At least Haokah was orientated enough to know her surroundings but she did turn to Surulian and say in a low voice she hoped no one would hear.

“What should I do?”