Lost Lake one thing right

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

It was not long before others started to join them. She offered a shy and reserved smile when the first arrival introduced himself. Nash. She recalled from her conversation with Aleister that he had been born on the mountain. “It’s nice to meet you. I am Aquene.” She introduced with a dip of her head, a friendliness in her tone and in her posture. She was quieter, but she was kind. She prided herself on being kind to others, especially others that she was about to live with.

Another arrived, and though she offered no name, she offered a greeting, and so Aquene dipped her head to her as well. “Hello, it’s nice to meet you.” The others to arrive were not as vocal, but that was okay as she was not a very vocal person herself. She was much more of a ‘speak when spoken to’ kind of girl. She turned her attention to Al when he started to speak, a soft smile as she admired his words. It just hit home with her. She had failed in the past, but this life, this pack, this home she had been offered by a complete stranger… it was her chance to leave it behind.

It was her time to rise from the ashes. Sanguine Cove. The name was perfect. She lifted her head to the sky and released a song to join in with his. Everything was going to be okay. She would rise. She would do better than she had before and she would not fail family again. These wolves, even though she did not know them well, and even though she had no blood relation to them… they were family, and she would protect and care for them as if they were her flesh and blood.

It didn't take long for the entire pack to gather, and as he watched everyone, family of blood other otherwise, pride swelled in Nash's chest. No matter what happened, they would be okay. If Aleister had managed to convince others to join them before, then he could do it again if the time every came where it was necessary. They would not only survive, they would thrive. His tail wagged as Aleister spoke. Nothing could dampen Nash's mood in this moment. Maybe later he would brood, but now was a time to be happy.

He smiled at his mother, at Aquene, as she introduced herself, and with a surge of joy he threw his head back and howled his claim with the rest of his pack.

Lila arrived after him, her greeting bark stealing his attention. She appeared happy, and his tail gave a few wags as he attempted briefly to catch her gaze. Chan wanted to say hello properly, but the moment was moving on without giving him the chance. Another stranger, one whose scent wasn't as familiar as the other's, Aquene she introduced herself as, slipped out from betwixt the trees and then Aleister began to speak.

Chan heard the howls rise around him, watched the faces they issued from. Written across some were pride, others reservation. It was the same as every other time he'd witnessed a gathering of wolves laying claim. Some would stay, even die here. Some would go, perhaps far sooner than later, life urging them elsewhere. It wasn't who stayed and who left that mattered, not to Chan; this valley was now once more a home, a respite. A safe and nurturing place for his mother and brother to be, regardless of the faces surrounding them.

They no longer needed him to remain, and therefor in a way, this moment should have been a release for the eldest Eastfall child. Chan felt it all from a distance, though, like an onlooker behind guardrails and plexiglass. Speakered in but not expected to participate, only observe. He almost forgot to tip back his own head and join in the song, and when it ended, he dismissed himself altogether.

Moon's smile pleased her, and guilted her all at the same time. Still she didn't falter to return it. She admired the woman regardless of what may come. Chan she could not look at long because she didn't trust herself. Besides a watcher at heart her attention went to small, pale wolf on the outskirts. Clearly hanging back.Another newcomer. Had Aleister been busy or had it been the Eastfalls? She didn't ponder over it long because Aleister seemed to know everyone was here and ready to speak.

So this was the moment. She was proud of Aleister, remembering their talks leading to this. Something had defiantly changed within him and she like to believe that was for the best. Especially, seeing how quickly his followers had grown. Like Chan she felt like an onlooker, as if she really shouldn't be paying witness to this. But again the Aquila played her part. Lifting her muzzle to the sky and letting her voice rise and fall with the others.

The time had come finally. He had imagined this moment quite differently long ago when he first reentered the Lore. Imagining his eldest sister at his side, leading along with him as they honored their parent's memory. But instead of him abandoning his family, Aleister was the one left behind after Neha decided to take her leave from the lands without a goodbye or reason. No matter his anger towards her, the Vuesain hoped she was finding what she was looking for. Aleister now found what he seemed to be missing in his life and now he could stop running. One by one each member lifted their muzzles to the sky and sang out along with him. His heart swelled with pride at the sound. 

FADE