The Pack's Gathering Ground

[Kaziph]

The days passed and the air grew warmer in the shadow of the mountains where the Kameskai clan rested and feasted, feasted and rested. The hunts were good and the food was plentiful, and really there was nothing in the land but the darkness of each individual's own heart that cast its sorrow upon them as they gathered together to celebrate the passing of the time, the joy of new life, and the pleasure of being with kith and kin.

The old white wolf was laying on his side out in the sunlight, his winter coat already completely shed and laying in clumps around the den site. His eyes were closed, resting peacefully in slumber and finding no pain there. Now his back was a constant ache, no matter if he stood or lay or sat or just gave up trying to find comfort. His hide was stretched across the vertebrae that had been injured in his fall down the ridge side when trying to reach Luma. He'd told none of of it though, letting them assume what they would when he assigned others to lead hunts and border patrols. None would yet know of his weakness unless they guessed, and he certainly wasn't going to confirm it.

One of the few joys he found that year were his cubs and grand-cubs - all of them. Basile and Beryl, Aisha and her brood, Gabriel and Jerrico. He couldn't imagine a life without his family, and although the years had not always been good to him, he was thankful that his family had seen him through the long winters. They'd made it to another summer almost now, and thoughts seemed to abandon him there. He'd figure out the future when he got there.

For now he rested, waiting even in his sleep for his cubs to come to him. They'd all been hanging about the waterfall in the evenings, gathering to sleep together as one clan. He'd missed that during the long days of winter. Now though, he knew they would come. And then Luma would bring their family out, and Aisha too, and together they would love and be loved, euphoric in life and it's many blessings.

[Tay]

Artist: entaie.deviantart.com/



Luma stretched inside her den. Today was the day the clan would meet her and Cass's litter for the first time. She nudged the two little bundles, before walking on to the edge of the den. They'd yet to really the leave the den as of yet. Glimpses of the bigger world had come from them every now and then, but Mother and Father had promised that today they would get to walk outside and meet their kin. Luma smiled.

As she emerged. She too had been shedding her winter coat. She watched her mate, drowsing in the sunlight. She shook herself and stretched forward, bending her upper body down, almost in the play stance, and digging her claws in the dirt. It was then that one of the suddenly energetic bundles ran into her hind leg. She glanced behind her. Amber orbs met hers.

Jerrico

He was all stumbling paws and goofy grins. As Mother nudged him he remembered, yawning with a squeak, that today he would meet his other family. This excited the tiny pup and he lay a large paw on his brother's head as he rose. Get up. It's morning. We get to go outside. He then trot forward, or tried to and only managed a few steps before he tripped.

He stumbled into Mother's hind leg, and she looked back at him. He offered her a sheepish grin before quickly scuttling from behind her. He dashed clumsily past her, hoping she wouldn't nab him and take him back into the dark of the dirt hole. He caught sight of Father slumbering lazily and froze. He pant a moment, his large ears fixing on Cassiel.

Mother told him he'd fit his ears and paws one day. He wasn't sure if that was true. The large things seemed like they'd never fit him, not ever. He then charged his Father, running with his tongue lolling. He leapt upon the white male's shoulders, barking joyfully. Wake up, wake up, wake up! We're out! Dad, Dad, Dad! We're out! Get up and plaaaaaay! Jerrico grabbed his Father's ear between his puppy teeth and tugged.

This only caused his to lose what little balance he had and go tumbling off of Cassiel. He let go of the ear in his tumble and land beside his Father in a disgruntled heap. I hate my paws. He thought, pouting.

[Kaziph]

G A B R I E L

The pale little cub yawned sleepily when his brother nudged him. Bright puppy-blue eyes sprang open, though, when Jerrico mentioned going outside, and almost instantly he was up and shaking the den debris off his fluffy coat. Finally! he yipped excitedly, bounding after his mother and sibling.

He slowed a bit as he approached the opening, though, knowing instinctually that his eyes would have to adjust before he could spring out of the burrow. Then he saw it.

His first sight of the outside world was of the mountains, arching into the sky in the far distance, covered snow-capped peaks, like ivory fangs breaking through the void. It was a moment that took his breath away, and his frame stood still in the lapse between time and reveled in it. In that instant, his destiny was written into the book of life, and when he started forward he was more than just a cub in spirit. He'd taken upon himself the mantle of his sire.

Gabriel calmly wobbled forth, trailing behind his mother. His nose touched her hocks as he watched his brother tackle their slumbering father. I don't know why he had to do that, he murmured to Luma, looking at Cass still. He looked like he was sleeping peacefully. His orbs trailed upward, searching for his mother's to read her response there.

[Tay]

Artist: entaie.deviantart.com/


Luma's yellow orbs sparkled as Jerrico leapt upon Cassiel. Her ears flickered at a soft whoosh of air behind her. She glanced back to see Gabriel staring into this new world with a look of awe. She smiled softly, and felt him nudge her.

Luma chuckled and shrugged. He's just excited. I'm sure your Father would rather be awake at your first time out anyway. She looked down at him. Do you remember who you'll meet today? She leaned down and ran her tongue over his downy puppy fur. She was sure he did, she doubt that he would be able to forget but she thought she'd ask anyway.

Soon the pack would come--well, after Cassiel stopped being lazy and called them. When she finished with his fur she nudged him with her nose. There. Clean. She glanced back to Jerrico and Cassiel in time to see her little one loose balance and tumble to a heap. She bit back a laugh, grinning at her clumsy cub.

Are you alright, Jerrico? He looked like he was pouting and she sighed a bit. One day he'd grow into his paws and be as big as they promised. She just hoped he could deal with them until then.

[Kaziph]

Cassiel started with a jerk, head coming up off the ground instantly when the cub hit his shoulders. Then his ears recognized the voice of his young son, and he relaxed. Warm brown orbs turned with his head as he sought out his children. They'd finally come up out of their dark little world and into the light. His voice was kind when he spoke. Welcome, my pups, to Kameskai.

He rose stiffly and pressed his big nose into Jerrico's chest, rumbling, Easy there, you're fine. Alright, I'm up. He stood to his full height and arched his back upward, forelegs dipping to the ground in what was almost a play-bow as he stretched his muscles out. Then he returned to a standing position and shook the debris from his coat, dislodging a few more hairs in the process.

Dark pools glanced toward his mate, sparkling now with life that his children were around and begging to play. Hello, dear one.

[Tay]

Artist: entaie.deviantart.com/


Luma watched Cassiel rise and smiled. She dipped her head to him. Good morning, my love. She watched as he nuzzled Jerrico and the pup seemed to get back some of his excited nature. She walked toward Cassiel and groomed some fur on his aging shoulders.

She looked to his unsteady hips and felt a pang in her belly. She knew where he'd been injured. She wasn't sure if the rest of the pack had noticed his pain, the stiffness in his walk. It was very obvious to her. She still felt guilt over his fall. If she'd just stay with the pack...if she'd done this...if she'd not done that. She shook her head and nuzzle him.

She realized too that if that hadn't happened she might not have her pups about now. If at all. She thought of their night together, when their pups had been conceived and she sighed serenely. They had fulfilled her vision of inter-winding paw steps that night, and she wasn't sure she'd truly have wanted to change it.

Jerrico

Jerrico smiled as his Father put his nose to him. He scrambled up and noticed that Gabriel was now out of the den. His banner waved and he made a face at his brood sibling. When will the others come, Father? Mother? When? Soon? I really hope so. Are you sure they'll wanna play with us Momma? His mouth moved at an almost impossible speed that would have brought Aisha to mind.

His Mother looked over at him and he saw her chuckle. You aren't excited are you? He heard her say. He nodded vigorously. He was normally an eager pup...just never this excited. This was a special day though. His tongue lolled from his mouth as he smiled at his parents. Gabe, aren't you excited too? He spun and ran toward his brother. He acted like he was going to leap atop him much like he'd done Cassiel. His paws grew closer and he grinned mischievously as he readied himself to jump.

[Goanna]

Keeya travelled in wide circles, following the packscent until she came upon the clearing in which the alpha, his mate and pups were playing about. She paused for a while, content watching the happy family scene, then made her way over to the white male, dodging the little furballs at her feet. Good morning sir, I believe the others are on their way. She cast a look over her shoulder as though to confirm this, though neither of the ebony males were in sight. A squeaking of little voices nearby drew her attention to the newest little pack members, and she looked at them with a grin on her face. Their mother was nearby, encouraging them to take their first outside steps. Luma, they're gorgeous. You must be so proud. She turned to the young pups with a playful smile, Hello boys and welcome to life. What are your names?

[Tay]

Artist: entaie.deviantart.com/


Luma felt her hackles tingle at the sound of a wolf approaching. Keeya's familiar scent registered in her mind, however, and her banner began to wave from side to side. She felt pride swell in her chest as Keeya walked forward.

She couldn't help but grin at Keeya's words. She gazed lovingly at her boys. Thank you, Keeya. I am rather proud, despite how troublesome they are. She winked at the young fem, to show her joke. She leaned her weight into Cassiel, not leaning on him, she feared it might hurt his hips. She just made it so that their sides were touching.

Jerrico

Jerrico poked his brother with his nose when he didn't answer. He was rather impatient. Then another wolf came trotting forward. Jerrico started at first, gawking at the first wolf he'd seen other then his parents. She seemed to know Mother and Father, and Mother knew her. Jerrico watched as she turned her attention to him and his brother.

His banner waved and he started toward her. His large paws made him stumble a few times but he resisted the urge to pout. He didn't march all the way up to the fem, but did get close. He lowered his front end to the ground and wiggled his hind end. I'm Jerrico. Who are you?

He seemed to not have paid any attention to Luma's earlier mention of her name. His large ears swiveled on his head and he tried to appear as not-clumsy as possible. He didn't want to embarrass himself.

[Tay]

Once Basile knew his Father would let them meet the newest brood, Basile hurried toward them. The closer he grew, however, the slower his pace became. He wasn't worried about the pups, quite the contrary. He'd always loved his siblings. These two would be no different. They were his Father's children, as was he, and he would treat the no different then he had the others.

Still, the faded black brute lagged. He wasn't sure what to say to Luma, or even how to react to her. He'd always liked her. She'd been loyal to the clan, she'd helped to raise he and his siblings. Yet, she stood where his Mother should. Basile stopped walking. He stood in the woods leading to Luma's den. In the distance, the waterfall could be heard.

Mother should still be at Father's side, yes. He thought, his eyes clouded with thought. Mother should have been at Father's side all along, though. Mother should have been a leader and not an absent pack member. Familiar rage bubbled inside him and as much as he would hate to admit it, this rage had come from the venom his Mother had been able to hold in her orbs.

He bared his daggers at nothing and slashed the ground with his claws. He had come to this decision before, and he probably would come to it again multiple more times before it truly set it. He did not blame the silver fem. He would not rush to greet her but he wouldn't shun her or behave rudely. He continued on his way, his resolved fresh.

He came upon the scene to find Keeya smiling at a pup who had assumed the play-bow position. He smiled looking at the female. He suddenly wondered if she'd ever wanted her own pups. He figured she must have...but then again he couldn't know unless he asked. Another time...maybe. He thought, glancing at the two little ones.

He trot to his Father and Luma. He dipped his head to them both and raised his orbs to meet his Father's. More brothers, Father? He smiled. I'd wondered if I'd get a sister or not. He glanced at the two. Well...I suppose the world could only handle one Aisha and one Beryl each. He caught Luma's orbs and smiled a small grin at her. You've made my half-siblings handsome, Luma. Congratulations and thanks.

He turned and looked at the other pup who hadn't moved toward Keeya. Are you the quiet one then? He said without words, moving closer to the pup. I'm Basile. Welcome to the Kameskai, brother.

[Kaziph]

G A B R I E L

Gabriel just shook his head at his brother's antics, but he smiled and padded obediently after Luma toward Cassiel. A sweet smile was upon his puppyish white face as he glanced around, gaining knowledge even though he wasn't aware of it. He wouldn't remember these days well, but the sight of his mother nestled against his father, and his brother playing at their feet and pestering them with questions, would forever be burned into his mind.

Then Jerrico was speaking to him, and Gabe just shook his head instead of responding. He was finding that he didn't really like to talk very much, and especially not out in the open like this. He felt almost too exposed, and so the quieter, shier cub just remained quiet. A large - to him, at least - stranger was approaching them… but mother seemed alright with it and Cassiel was just sitting there beside Luma, gently nuzzling her in return, so surely this creature was a friend.

The pale cub didn't approach like his brother, though. He sat back, eyeing the newcomer who had been called Keeya. I wonder who she is? he thought. Keeya was just a word, a sound that identified her. It didn't tell who she was. Then a shadow appeared at the edge of the densite, and Gabriel flinched before he could help himself. His burning bright eyes turned upon the figure that melted from the shade, a wolf like himself but darker than the night with two pits of emeralds set into a deep mask. It greeted his father and mother, and then turned to him. Gabe's frame stiffened, but he didn't become defensive or aggressive, just cautious.

He called me brother. Two blue eyes blinked, staring into green. This brute wasn't Jerrico or a littermate, but somehow they were blooded. Brothers.

He opened his mouth, and then clamped it close again. He tried again but came up with the same result. Nothing would come out. Jerrico didn't seem to have any problem speaking, but for some reason the little white cub found his voice paralyzed as he stared into this brother's large, wicked looking orbs. Finally he managed a soft grunt, a puppy rumble, and then he simply stopped trying.

[Tay]

Basile watched the little pup struggle with his words. With dismay he realized the pup must be scared of him. His green orbs flashed concern and a slight frown lit on his facade. I won't hurt you. You don't have to worry. Calm yourself, there's no need to get worked up. He lowered himself to the ground, not willing to just walk away from the pup. He lay, head still raised, thinking and watching.

He'd had both good and bad reactions from his siblings. Happy from Aisha upon their first true meeting, and displeasure from Beryl. Never before had a pup seemed scared. This pup looked a copy of his Father. It seemed Cassiel got one almost every litter. He began to talk to the brute, hoping he could make him more comfortable.

I'm from our Father's first litter. He did not mention that they were half-siblings, though he was sure it would be said soon. I had two brothers and one sister. I'm the only one that's stayed here though. The litter after mine gave us three sisters and one brother. Only one of those four remain, Aisha.

She should be along soon enough. She'll have your nieces or nephew's with her. They were born about the time you were I would guess. His soft rumbling voice continued on as he glanced from the pup to his surroundings. He'd never had much of a brother, and being from the first litter made him the teacher.

He hoped he could help to instill more of family pride in this brute. He didn't want another of Cassiel's litter dwindling down. He realized though, there wasn't much to dwindle here. For Luma had bore only two pups. And you are the latest born, brother. You and your rambunctious litter mate. Basile smiled, glancing over at the pup talking and bowing before Keeya.

[Tay]

White auds flicked around fluidly as the fem trot along the stream. One aud stay facing to her rear. She kept her now slimming figure between a pup and the stream. She glanced to her daughter once more, who walked steadily beside her. The little one's orbs roamed the trees and the stream through her Mother's legs. She was being quiet for now. The other pup Aisha carried in her mouth. As she grew close to Luma's den site she could hear the sound of other squeaky voices.

Scents came to her. Luma, Cassiel, Basile, Keeya. She smiled as much she could with the scruff of Lucien between her teeth. She gestured to Rose to get behind her and entered the clearing. Her brown orbs shone bright with typical Aisha happiness. She took in the scene before her. Basile lay talking with a pup, while another bowed to Keeya. She had never seen a pup, aside from her own, since she herself had been a pup.

She pranced up to her Father and Luma and sat Lucien at her feet. She smiled and nuzzled her Father. I've missed you Father. I've missed you as well Luma. She gave the fem a smile. She dipped her head to him and Luma. My brothers are so cute! She said, turning to look at the two. Would you like to meet your grandchildren? She beamed and wagged her tail, happy at her own words.

She looked down to Lucien and gave him a lick. This is Lucien. My son. Your grandson. She smiled again and wagged her banner. She turned to look behind her. And this is....Rose! Come here!

Briar

Briar followed her Mother without a fuss. She kept glancing about, looking at this new world. From the tall trees to the stream her Mother separated her from. She didn't speak as they walked, merely looked around in wonder.

Mother had said they would meet her grandfather today. Briar wondered when she would meet her actual father. She knew his name was Jaden and that he was supposed to appear any minute. Or so Mother said.

Briar moved behind her Mother as she was told. She walked into the clearing and gazed about at everyone there. There was a large black wolf conversing with another pup and a gray female with another pup crouched before her. She glanced to where her Mother was headed and saw a silver female nuzzling a large white male.

She assumed this must be her Grandfather and Grandmother. Mother hadn't mention Grandmother, but Briar was smart enough to pair the two together. A cricket began to sing from a near-by bush, and Briar's ears rose. She turned and walked toward the sound, forgetting to follow her Mother. She was just about to pounce into the bush when Mother called her.

Her brow wrinkled and she turned around. I don't like that name, Mom. I like Briar. Can't you call me that? She began to walk toward her Mother and the couple that almost reeked of love. She felt no fear as she walked up to sit before the white male. He greatly resembled her Mother, she noticed. She considered this and realized it was probably supposed to be the other way around.

I'm Briar. You must be my Grandpa. You look like Mom. She glanced to the female. Are you my Grandma? You don't look like Mom...or smell like her? Why? Do I not have a Grandma? Or is she going to show up any minute....like my Father? Her puppy orbs held no cruelty in her words. Only matter of fact, and curious. The comment about her Father was followed by a glance to her Mother, who seemed to wilt a bit.

Brair leaned against her Mother's pillar, snuggling her in an attempt at being reassuring. She stared at Cassiel, as if he held all the answers in the world.

[Kaziph]

(I wrote part of this before I saw Aisha's post, so the timing is a bit off but I'm not going to rewrite everything here )

Cassiel merely grunted in response to Jerrico, letting Luma answer any of his questions that seemed to come out of his muzzle with every new thought that crossed his mind. The old brute shook his head. It was a wonder that anyone could speak so much… but then he remembered Aisha, and he smiled.

He hadn't seen the cubs from his daughter's litter, his grandcubs. He knew they had been born for Beryl had been wandering around with their scent draped upon her fur. Jaden had vanished, and Cass issued a soft grumble at the thought of the brute. Any wolf who could leave their children without a second thought deserved a thrashing, and if Cass ever saw the slick male again he would indeed sink his teeth into that handsome fur of his.

Members of the clan were approaching, though, and Cass's thoughts were brought back to the present as Keeya and Basile arrived and greeted the new Kameskains. He didn't respond to them, either, but just dipped his head in welcome. His jaws parted suddenly, then, in a yawn, and his eyes half lidded as he looked about. He wasn't sleepy, per se, but tired still. He knew his cubs would want him to play with them, though, so he fought off the tempting blackness of slumber and stood.

His jarring steps were better masked now that others were around, and he approached Basile and Gabriel.

---

G A B R I E L

The little cub continued to stare at Basile as words formed from the dark wolf's muzzle and caressed his ears, gently. There was nothing to fear, he knew. He wasn't scared at all. His blue eyes blinked and then half lidded in a very similar fashion to Cassiel's, for he had seen his father do the same thing and had liked the look it gave him. I'm not scared, silly, he seemed to say.

Still no words came forth though as his brother described how they were related and that there were, indeed, more brothers and sisters. It sounded, though, like many of them had left. He wondered why ever they would do such a thing as leave Luma and Cassiel.

For a moment he looked at Basile still in silence, and then the ivory form of his father was approaching. The cub stood and padded quickly to Cassiel's shadow, still casting glances back at his dark-formed brother, curiosity dancing in his bright eyes.

---

The alpha dropped his muzzle down and gently touched Gabriel's forehead with his dark nose. He glanced up then, and smiled at his eldest son. They are still very impressionable at this point, he rumbled. He'd seen how Gabe had not spoken to Basile. He looked upon the green-eyed one with pride, and a thought touched the back of his mind. He wondered if he'd ever see any of Basile's children before he passed on and went to live beyond the Golden Rivers.

Do you know where your sister has gotten to? he asked suddenly. Not Beryl, he knew that one would be off on her own as much as possible. He longed to see Aisha and the cubs, together with his and Luma's own litter.

But then he sighted her, his pale daughter, and Cassiel issued a soft rumble of welcome, to both her and the cubs. Grandfather, who would have thought? He stood beside Basile though and let them approach, eyeing the children with the fondness that only a true grandfather can exhibit. He lowered himself to the ground beside them all, then, smiling. Welcome, welcome little ones.

I am indeed your grandfather, he rumbled kindly. He didn't respond to the second question regarding Luma, letting Aisha and Luma instead figure that one out for themselves. Then the cub continued on - quite a talker, this one - and Cass blinked, not knowing how to answer her. He saw her face, her eyes resting upon him like he was a godsend, an all knowing creature. Even he hated to disappoint her, he simply had nothing to say.

---

Thaddeus had wandered around the den site like many of the rest of the clan, moving between kill sites to the place where Luma's children grew by the moment. Like the others, he too had noticed that Cass was growing slower, but it didn't bother the lanky black brute. He knew their leader was still a strong wolf, mentally more than physically perhaps, but if push came to shove he knew that Cass would fight for all that it was worth to protect them all.

He had gleamed a lot of respect for the old alpha of the mountains, and as he approached he felt a twinge of sadness when he saw Cassiel and Basile laying there, father and son. He missed his own father every time he saw them together, but Thad knew that Nuri was out there somewhere, living the life he had chosen - alone.

He wondered why he had wandered on his own for so many years before finally coming to a clan again. He had learned a lot while he was off in the loner lands, but there were some things that one needed to experience to fully appreciate. Cubs. They were one of those things.

He paced forward, not coming toward the alpha and his offspring, but moving instead toward Keeya and Luma. A pleasant smile was worn upon his scarred muzzle as he approached the leader's mate and touched her shoulder in a kindly fashion. Hello again, Luma. We thought you'd vanished into the darkness, you've been down there so long. Humor danced in his friendly khaki colored eyes as he jested with her, keeping the gathering full of pleasantries.

---

G A B R I E L

The pale cub now poked his head around his father's legs and looked directly at the little she-wolf, this one that the other while female had called Rose. She looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn't see why. After all, their pelts were not similar at all. Could this, though, be the one that Basile said was his... was it cousin? Or some other relative? He'd mentioned more cubs, and since this was the only other cub…

He stepped forward hesitantly, watching her in his silent way. The little one was standing at Cassiel's shoulder, looking like a tumor of sorts off of his father's white coat - for he blended into him so well. He didn't realize it yet, but when he grew up he would be the exact replica of their great leader, the founder of the Kames. Who are you?

[Goanna]

Keeya gave an open-mouthed, wolfish grin as one of the little pups stumbled towards her and assertively gave his name before demanding hers. His playful posture and boundless energy was in stark contrast to his little brother’s quiet trembling. Well then, Jerri, nice to meet you. My name is Keeya. She grinned down at the inquisitive little face, before looking up to see the other pack members joining the gathering in the clearing. Amidst the chattering and greetings, the grey female could not help thinking that life did not get any better than this. When Aisha arrived with her two little gems, the scene was that of a huge, extended family, with the older members reclining tiredly and young pups scrabbling around everyone’s feet. There were the elements of sadness, however, with the leader of the Kameskai looking weak despite the twinkle of fatherhood in his eye, and the missing father as well, Jaden. Keeya scowled as she thought of him. It seemed, with Aisha looking around anxiously, that he had not shown up for some time, and it was a sad sight to see the new mother without a father by her side. Altogether though, the merriness outweighed the sadness, making for a perfect day in which to welcome in the newest pack members.


(ooc: LOLwhat see what drivel i dish out with no muse?)

[Tay]

Basile watched his brother quickly hide in the shadow of their Father, His orbs were alight with amusement as he nodded to his Father's words. Yes. There's always a quiet one in every litter. Have you noticed? Always one or two that look like you as well. He smiled and rose. He watched Aisha approach and his ears went back against his head.

That cowardly-- He thought, noticing there was no scent of Jaden on Aisha's fur. From her manner she appeared to be expecting him. The little pup's words only increased his rage. Jaden would leave his daughter, son and mate to fend for themselves.

Well. Basile would have a few things to say if the brute came back. A few scars to give to teach him a powerful lesson on family. He noticed a similar look in his Father's orbs. Basile looked to Aisha and smiled. They are lovely, my sister. He watched Gabe sneak looks at Briar.

Ah. I see how it is. Only females can catch his interest then. He grinned and shook his head. Excuse me. He nodded to the group, backing out and heading toward Keeya and his unmet brother. Have you made a friend, Keeya? Nice to meet you brother. I'm Basile. He brushed shoulders with Keeya before sitting down beside her.

Jerrico

Jerrico wagged his banner at the fem. That's a nice name, Keeya. Jerrico jumped when a large black wolf headed their way. He quickly hid himself behind Keeya's legs. As the black wolf greet her, however, Jerrico came out from his hiding. I'm Jerrico. You're my brother? How old are you? He stared in awe at the large brute.

He glanced toward Keeya when Basile brushed shoulders with her. Do you two have pups? Where are they? You're mates, like Momma and Dad, aren't you?

Artist: entaie.deviantart.com/


Luma looked at Aisha's daughter when she asked her questions. Her manner of talking was kind of like Aisha, but with a hint more of attitude. The last question she asked made the silver female pause. Aisha and Cassiel seemed to have no answer and she glanced to her mate. Leaving it up to me, my dear? Her orbs held a smile for she was only teasing.

Hello Briar. No, I'm not technically your Grandma. Your Grandma left the area before you were born. I am your Grandpa's mate, though. You can call me Grandma if you wish to. That, or Luma.

Luma turned her attention to the second black brute. Thad had just arrived, and her auds flicked forward to catch his words. Luma smiled and chuckled. Hello Thad. It's nice to see you. I'd considered it. It's much easily to lay around and be lazy, you know. She smiled again, her yellow orbs watching as Gabe peeked out at Briar.

Have you enjoyed the spring here? The summer is truly lovely, well worth the wait. She glanced back to him, her yellow orbs curious for his answer.

Briar

Briar glanced to the silver fem as she gave an explanation. She shrugged her tiny shoulders. I'll probably call you both, if that's okay. It wasn't a question. Her orbs opened wide when the little brute stuck his head around Cassiel's shoulder. I just said. I'm Briar. Who are you?

She started forward, walking around Cassiel's shoulder. Hi. She'd not met any other pup, aside from her brother. She tilt her head at him, waiting for him to talk.



Aisha smiled as her daughter conversed with Gabe. She raised her brown orbs to meet her Father's. I haven't seen Jaden since the day Luma and Mother.... She trailed off, glancing to the silver fem. He never came to my den. Have you seen him, Daddy? Do you think he could have gotten lost somewhere in the mountains?

Her brown orbs were begging him, as if she already knew the answer. She nuzzled her Father, feeling lost and sad. She loved Jaden...and he loved her too. Right? She didn't know. She wouldn't allow herself to cry, for her pups were watching. The pain was clear in her orbs though.