but it's not like christmas at all

Backdated to 12/7, immediately after @Moonshadow finds her way back to the Cove after having been missing from pack territory since the 3rd.

This is an official Pack Meeting being called by Chan. While he is hoping that everyone will be able to attend, there will be no IC repercussions for not joining. If your wolf is not present, however, please note that Chan will make it a priority to seek out your character and update them with the same information shared at this meeting; I would appreciate you contacting me if there is a reason your wolf cannot be on the same page, or if you would like to create a thread for this/discuss further.

As requested, we will be utilizing rounds for this meeting. I will be posting the next round on 12/19, then hopefully weekly thereafter until we are concluded. Wolves may come and go at any time as their writers see fit and/or have time; Chan will be remaining until everyone's questions & concerns are addressed.

For everyone's reference, I will maintain a list of details surrounding what is to be covered/ends up being covered. They are as follows:

Kip, mother of the triplets Leo, Lynx and Stella, and Nori, part of the Eastfall family, have not been seen within Cove territory since approximately 11/3, when according to their writer Van they became lost in bad weather. They were officially deemed missing on 11/6, and Chan would have encouraged the other adults to aid him in searching for them both. Chan has been regularly checking places he knows to be treacherous, hoping to find sign of them. They are no longer in the Lore, and no further information can or will be found about them without their writer's input.
Daesamar, a recent recruit, has also been missing as of 11/15 - it is very possible he willingly moved on, but of course should also be kept in mind when seeking those lost.
DEB pack member Xulia has also gone missing in bad weather on the mountain, brought to the Cove's attention when Clover came to deliver a gift of medicinal plants on 11/1. It is asked that the pack keep an eye out for her as well when searching for our own lost members.
A cougar has denned within Cove territory as of 10/16, and has yet to be dealt with. This means caches will continue to be raided, and the children are at an immense amount of risk given their growing autonomy and the difficulty of finding other prey on the mountain in the Winter.
Due to the growing dangers, Chan will be asking pack members to take specific precautions. These are not mandatory; it's your life you're gambling, after all. Wolves should travel in pairs, at minimum, at all times and children, even when in groups, should be chaperoned. Always communicate when breaking into smaller groups; tell others where you're going and how long you plan to be gone.
Nash is the pack's Guardian and can be entrusted with all security concerns. Kajika is the pack's Advisor, and was the alpha of the Cove's predecessor, Fallen Tree Cove - please use his experience and wisdom to your advantage. Aquene has extensive medical knowledge and a well-stocked infirmary - seek her out if your health is in question. Chan is an alternative if needed - he knows enough to keep you alive in most situations until Aquene is found. Jethro has worked on preserving furs - they are free to use.
Finally, we've been given another Pack RE; there is a deer herd currently in Cove territory, and Chan would like to hunt as a pack.

But I put it out of my mind Long enough to call it courage To live without a lifeline

Aquene had been mixing a poultice because she had caught a bit of a cold when she heard the call, her head snapping up. Moon was back? She started to rush towards the scene, not thinking to grab anything because it did not occur to her that the other woman might be in ill form. When she arrived, she could practically feel the cold radiating off of her and concern lit her eyes. “Stay pressed against her, I have an herb that can help.” She explained before quickly taking back off. Luckily, the herbal den was not too far from the pack den, which made the trip quick.

She quickly grabbed hellbore, aconite, and chaga mushrooms, quickly heading back carefully as she began to mix. “These will help with her blood circulation which should help warm her up faster, it’ll also slow her heart to protect her body while she warms up.” She explained to them out of habit. This was their mother, and she wanted to keep them informed about what she was doing in order to put them at ease with what she was giving their mother to eat. She would likely keep Moonshadow on the mushrooms at the very least for a few days to come because it would help boost her immune system and cognitive function after what was clearly a harsh set of circumstances. Too many from the pack had been falling on bad times lately.

The snow had been interesting for a while, anything new that helped take his mind of off things was welcomed like a gift by the inquisitive boy. But like all the things before, it soon lost its allure, and instead became very tedious. Leo had decided that he was not a fan of snow, just like he was not a fan of caribou or mountain lions, or anything else that kept him trapped within the territory. Sick parent, lost parent, absent brother, all in all, there was a lot weighing on the teenager’s gangly shoulders, and all he craved was a chance to get away from it all, just for a short breath, and lose himself in something new and exciting. But instead, he was forced to wallow in it all, as a call rang out across the lake, summoning its wolves.

At least it wasn’t all bad news, though, as he came upon the scene, Leo didn’t feel at all comforted by the sight of the elderly woman, seemingly only staying on her legs thanks to her sons’ support. “Aunty Moon?” He asked hesitantly, worry and fear mixing in his voice. He kept his distance though, seeing Aquene move in to provide a healer’s care – he didn’t want to add to the crowd. So he stood awkwardly, looking among the adults and wondering whether there was more to be said or he should shuffle off, leaving Moonshadow’s care to them.

Thoughts ”Speech”

Lakela @DA

Like most of the pack’s adults, she’d been searching, going further than normal on her hunting trips, looking for any sign of the lost wolves. And like everyone else, she’d found nothing, no trail and not a single wolf who’d seen any of them. Now, with the weather growing harsher, travelling around the mountain had become even more treacherous.

So, Flair was duly surprised when the howl sounded throughout the Cove, announcing that the wolf she had worried most was lost forever, had found their way back to the territory. When she arrived on the scene though, she wasn’t so sure she’d been wrong. Looking at Moonshadow, barely keeping up thanks to the help of her sons, a heavy lump formed in the fiery girl’s throat. She didn’t know what to do, couldn’t do anything really, and it all felt all too familiar.

”Speech" Thoughts

dawnthieves.de, FairieGoodMother @DA & Lakela @DA

With the weather growing colder by the day, the amount of stress seemed to continue to pile upon the Vuesain male. After mostly recovering from his illness that bared him to his den this summer, the small pebble that fell from the mountain peak toppled south to try smother the Cove in an avalanche this winter. But the former leader kept trying to do his best in helping his family in every way that he could. Aleister had been feeling more himself leading into the winter months and thought largely on talking with Chan about reclaiming his leadership. However, it seemed his world stopped spinning on its axis when Kip turned up missing. Their relationship wasn't black and white, but no matter who they were to each other, he truly cared for her. She gave him three beautiful children and he vowed to protect her with every part of his being, but it seemed he was always deemed to fail.

As he was returning back to the den from a border patrol and look out for the Cove's missing members, Chan's call rang out. Moon was home. Thanking the heavens upong, Aleister picked up the pace. He quickly arrived at the meeting place after a few others, seeing the Eastfall brothers pressed against their mother in hopes to quickly warm her up while Aquene dutifully provided herbs and advice. Spotting Leo a few paces away looking worried, he instantly went to his side pressing himself against his son's side. "Aunty Moon will be okay. She has Chan, Nash and Aquene taking care of her," he reassured softly next to his tawny ear. Flickering his mismatched gaze from his son over to Moonshadow, he tried to decipher how bad of shape she was in.

The wayward son was out kicking the snow trying not to wallow too deep into his thoughts. He couldn't go too far away from the center of the territory with everything that was happening. Missing mother, missing family all with a cougar stealing their food. He was couped up and he hated it. His frustration was building, and Lynx didn't know how to control it. So, kicking snow was the easiest outlet.

Chan's call summoned him to the den, but the young pup stayed along the edges reluctant to leave the shadows until his father arrived. Quickly, the young Vuesain crossed the clearing and pressed himself along the vacant side of his agouti coat for comfort while his seafoam eyes looked upon the scene silently. His father told Leo Aunty Moon was going to be alright, so she should be. He couldn't be wrong about this.