Oak Tree Bend Burn The Ashes

While she remained silent during the exchange between Drestig in the pack, she was attentive, her silver ears flicking forward with every word of disdain that fell from their pack mates. Jessie should have expected this, none of them understood. It wasn’t very long ago that Serach had been the one questioning his place in the pack and while she understood Sahalie’s reluctance, the widowed Tainn’s emerald gaze narrowed in on the young lad, a familiar anger bubbling in her stomach. There had only been one another time she had challenged another member of the pack during a meeting and it had been back at Swift River before the move. She had been out of line and had grown to respect the woman greatly. Now, by saying these words, her own son was dishonoring her, as well as insulting her own charge, her former pupil. It was then that the silent woman stepped out from the shadows her voice calm, but loud enough to be heard in the fray. ”You dishonor your mother by saying such words, Serach! We moved from Swift River because there was so much pain there, it was unhealthy for most of the members to continue and we moved from that place because it was miserable for them. Your mother suffered there and so we moved! It’s not just Silver that we lost. We lost Ice, Marsh, Cali, Corinna, Hotei, and so many more.” And then she was addressing the rest of the pack, her voice much more harsh, ”I bet most of you don’t even know who those wolves are.” By the end of her rant, her breath was uneven and she was once again grateful for the distance that she had put between herself and her pack mates. She had not been expecting her voice to make an appearance at this gathering, but now with her words out there and her anger diminished, she waited to see if her words would have any benefit. Jessie Tainn

feainne-stock & Dawnthieves.de

Thou shalt honour no authority above thyself

Having finally extracted the truth from Triell about his prior meeting with Drestig and the ultimatum he had been presented with, to say she thought less of the male leader was an understatement. Blackmail was not becoming and that Drestig would think to use such leverage over Triell on his return, when he had only been filling in to start with? She lacked the self control to not to openly snort at his request. Leadership was earned, never given, and he had done little to endear himself in her eyes (but then, her loyalty would always be first and foremost to herself). 

Eyes fell on Sahalie and Serach in turn her head subtly tilting to better hear their words, head nodding in agreement as he spoke his mind on the matter calling Drestig out as the coward he was. When Spieden finally said her piece she listened respectfully, a fire building in her belly as the pieces fell into place. If anyone truly deserved to be called leader it was her, and it was clear from the look on her face that she had not been consulted. She had to believe Triell was likewise uninformed. Then a shadow emerged from the trees, throwing verbal barbs (another click as she realised Serach was Corinna's son).

It was true that the oak tree had begun to stink of bitter memories of lesser wolves since such underhanded dealings had come to light. To effectively stifle competition with guilt was to invite your own extinction, why pose such an ultimatum if he had no intention of staying? Unless he didn't have the numbers otherwise...

When Jessie was done with her tirade, Naira's head rose in open defiance, an apologetic glance thrown to @Spieden as she set her shoulders stubbornly. She had long since learned there was no plant nearly as powerful as pure adrenalin and it was doing its job fine right now. She stood with far more ease that she had been seated, to better defend herself, and stepped away from Triell lest he get in the way should this come to blows. There was a challenge in the curl of her tail and forward pointing ears. "I did know Corinna." her smile was a hard one, without an ounce of regret. Perhaps if things were different they could have been friends - but Naira had respected her (from afar). It was that respect that kept her away from places where they might cross paths for so long.

"She would be proud of you. Ice and Marsh too." She didn't dare to take her eyes off the silver female, but her comment was clearly directed at Serach (clueless to the identity of his father) and held a promise that if he ever wanted to hear what tales she could tell then she would make the time for him. "Do you really think the hurt didn't follow her here? That it didn't come with Triell?" she spat back. "After all this time, I am here too." She wasn't a ghost, but she had hurt them just the same - and she was equally surprised Corinna's ghost hadn't risen from the grave to chew on her ass and chase her out.

With or without Spieden's endorsement her mind was made. "You want to go, then go." it was aimed at both Jessie and Drestig. "Get moving. After a statement like that I'll happily show you out myself." after all, it wasn't like she didn't already have plenty of practice.

(This post was last modified: Mar 06, 2016, 12:01 AM by Naira.)

From the moment Drestig fell silent, the tension began to brew. He wanted to go to Sahalie, to comfort her and tell her he would stay with her, that everything would be alright. After all, she was the one that came looking for him, and kept looking.mhe wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for her. His move was cut short however, when Serach declared that he wasn't going anywhere. A thump of his tail in agreement, a bump against the older males side. Yeah! he yelled internally. They weren't going anywhere! The thought that Drestig might leave without them hadn't even crossed his mind until the word left the older wolfs mouth. His mouth popped open and then closed again like a floundering fish before finally stopping closed. There were still a lot of others that needed to have their say.

Eyes fell to Spieden, his resolve set. If she was staying, then surely Sahalie would stay too, and if he stayed, then surely dad would stay. Just when he thought the matter was settled, the rude one from the other meeting came out and started rattling off a list of unfamiliar names. The brown one that spent far too much time with his father came next, the way she stepped forward with her tail curled over her back making the young wolf entirely too uncomfortable to stay where he was. A quick nudge was given to Serach, a silent get out of the way! conveyed though eyes more white than brown, he gathered his feet and slunk with belly on the ground to hide behind Spieden, peeking around a dark flank anxiously. 

Behind his dark barricade his tail began to nervously wag, a whine bordering somewhere between excited and anxious building in his throat. "S'halie!" he whispered, tilting his head to tell her to get back here with him. Spieden would keep them safe. She always did.

Whatever the youth had expected of the meeting, the chaotic fallout was certainly not it. It seemed that in one moment, everyone had become incredibly tense. The alpha that had accepted her and her mother when they’d come to the borders of Oak Tree Bend had announced he was looking to leave. The fear clutched her as well, glanced from Sahalie and her tearful plea back to her mother.

Aponi was…asking her?

The information was enough to make her reel, falling into silence for several moments. Everyone was so angry, even as they hissed and spat, demanding Drestig leave for his words. Her heart began to thunder against her chest, the argument that had driven them out of Silent Moon Plateau flashing before her eyes. This was how Phineas died – this killed her father! She didn’t want to watch someone else die, not over something so foolish.

Leaning into her mother’s side, the girl withdrew further into herself. “I want to stay,” she whispered quietly, glancing down to stare at her paws. Her friend was here, and while they were still relatively new to the area, the pack still seemed very nice. Who knew what would happen if they left? If they’d even have a pack at all? Wasn’t that the point of seeking this place out to begin with? “…please. I want to stay.”

A wild dissertation appears!

Awkward extra post for Aponi this round just to clarify what her and Kyna are doing

The mother felt her daughter cower into her side as the voices rang out around them, accusations flying left and right. Pressing her body into the pup as a silent assurance that she wouldn't let anything bad happen the blue eyes flickered away to watch the scene unfolding. Wolves she had hardly spoken to called Drestig out on his choices until one female, similar in pelt to her own but much smaller stepped in to defend him prattling off a list of names.  It all seemed rather irrelevant that they did not know who they were, as time passed the pack evolved and the majority of the pack now had not met these people. This was the new Oak Tree Bend and this woman was delusional to sit so squarely in the past.

It was her own mother's theatrics that caused Aponi to roll her eyes, not even the alpha of the pack she had to act as if she was. As always Naira had to push everyone around. Glancing back towards Kyna who was practically fused into the silver fur now she couldn't help the disappointment that flashed across her maw. Nodding though she pressed her lips to the girl's ear, "Then we will stay, on one condition. You must promise me you'll never go near that woman Naira. She's the reason my father is dead." It wasn't the truth fully but it was what Aponi believed, somehow Naira had let her pack fall apart and her father die in the process.

Raising her cranium she did her best to lock Drestig's attention, "Kyna and I will be staying as well." It was said with confidence but not outright defiance, not wanting to burn bridges with someone who might come in handy someday.

It was quite the shock to hear that Drestig wanted to leave the packs lands and he wanted everyone to follow. She was also very confused about what she should do in this case but since she was so new to the pack and didn’t know everyone well she thought it best not to say anything just yet. Her gaze drifted to those that she had made friends with in the past few months thinking that it might be best to stay with them especially since they had been so nice.

However, as she listened further to what the rest of her pack mates were saying it seemed that she might not have to make a decision aside from staying with her pack. She didn’t want to leave really, not after she had learned the lands of her pack and started to learn to live in this place and make it her home. Leaving would meant that she would have to make another place her home and she wasn’t sure that she was ready for that. “I would like to stay,” she said finally speaking up.

(This post was last modified: Mar 11, 2016, 03:24 AM by Leotie.)

Please see Kajika's OOC profile for OOC preferences, thank you

 

After Kino came a whopping five other wolves, and Kino was left astounded by how many there were in this pack. Round Stone Crest was dwarfed compared to the eleven other wolves that surrounded him, so much that he had to blink a few times to assure himself that it was real. How could these lands house so many others yet he hadn’t met over half of them? As he was wondering, things started getting set into place. Drestig began speaking, and right out the starting blocks there was no cutting to the chase. He expressed that he felt like there were too many bad memories in these lands for him, too many ghosts that cut too deep and though Kino couldn’t relate to his exact problems he understood the feeling all too well. He listened quietly even though the others around him began to stir with unrest, his posture composed and relaxed as his topaz gaze flickered from one member to the other.

First to speak up, it seemed to be, was Hal and his attention zeroed in on her, auds turning toward her to catch her words. Whatever she decided he knew he would go along with without question. He had no real attachment to anyone else in these lands but her, his anchor to keep him from floating away into the abyss. Her words were fiery, a fury and passion he had yet to see from her falling from her jaws and his brows rising in surprise as she blamed him for his own problems yet still Kino said nothing. Next, a pale man spoke agreeing with his friend’s words, thought there seemed to be more venom there than there had been in the dark girl’s opinion. Speiden spoke much more calmly than he would have guessed her to about the situation, simply stating that, even if he was her co-leader, it was his choice to leave or stay and that she wouldn’t do anything about it. It seemed to simple when she said it, and to Kino it almost did seem that simple. Of course, his lack of connection may have also been a factor in the equation. If he wanted to leave, then why didn’t he just leave? Hal’s dad could have stepped up again, and things would go back to functioning the way they had been. Hadn’t that been what had happened at the Crest?

Suddenly, bitter words erupted from the back from the silver woman who had been hiding in the shadows. Her cobra fangs hissed at the pale male, rising up headily to match his poison word for word. Kino’s head ducked, wincing as she threw cold insults at the male which, ironically, hit a bit too close to home for the former prince. Hadn’t he heard much the same words before himself? He was beginning to be torn on whose side he should be on, but then it occurred to him that it didn’t matter. If Hal was staying so was he, and if Drestig left then life would keep moving in one way or another. The older female spoke up, and like many others her words were not comforting or kind in the slightest. A pale boy who looked to be his friend’s age moved toward her, and it clicked in his mind that it must have been the famous missing brother. He looked at him curiously, head tilting to the side trying to connect the image he had created in his mind to this not-so-verbally talented boy but it didn’t quite fit so well. Kyna, a girl he had met when he’d seen Hal graceful-slipping, said gently that she wanted to stay and her mother spoke for them both that they would be doing so. Finally, a yearling with intense blue eyes spoke out that she would be doing that same and it dawned on him that he was the only one yet to answer. A small shrug pushed his shoulders up and down and he looked at the male, “I’ll stay,” he stated, indifference rather clear in his voice.

There is a moose carcass that has been scavenged by coyotes nearby. +15 Health

I'll be the bright, and black, that's making you run

The Tainn made no assumptions, especially the look of approval with Drestig's final response. He had become wary of the Avalon's intentions even if he sounded more reasonable. Like their first meeting he had no idea how this would go. Only it would include everyone. At last maybe, things could move on one way or another.

One by one they came. Now he could look more clearly upon the new faces that had been added. Though the silver woman with bright blue eyes looked too familiar to him, and he tried not to contemplate over why that would be. Intently his focus was on his daughter and the way everyone seemed to tuck themselves about her. Despite how it made him wish to smile his dark mask remained expressionless, and he greeted each with only a brief look. Damn, he wished Naira hadn't sat beside him. He had mixed feelings about it as he always did. She was least likely to encourage him to be diplomatic, and that might not be for the best. So he asked himself was he still angry? No, he was not a hungry fire bent to destroy, but a small ember smoldering. Drestig seemed to be trying to set things right.

When everyone of the Bend was finally here, the attention on Drestig  he kept his mouth sealed shut. He would not utter a damn thing until he knew

1. what the hell was going on, and 2. how everyone else felt about it. What the silver flecked man proposed had his attention, and it proved he had thought more about his original idea. Really, it was not so far from the elder man's first intention; to leave the Bend. Now he was just seeing who was wiling to follow him. There was an array of emotions and questions that twisted inside. Triell had thought of moving before, missing the side of the mountain he knew best. But, one thing was for certain he was done following Drestig. But it was the pack that mattered, what they wanted not either of them necessarily.

So it began with Sahalie. His bright eyed child, with such spirit. An opinion that mattered most. There was a great pride in him as she didn't hold back the words of her heart. How similar they were. Despite her strong feelings, and pain she was left with he did not reach out to her. Spieden was the one beside her to give comfort, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Serach stand. This was another defining moment for Triell. It was his parents who had chosen this place. It was because of them, and their legacy the dark Tainn hadn't left. How harshly the pale man answered, reciting a few sentiments the Tainn had had. It reminded him of both his father and mother, and Triell was both proud and in awe to witness it. On the other hand Spieden kindly spoke her piece, despite seeming as uniformed as the rest.

Oh Jessie was another story, angered and stricken. Triell knew this because of her pain, her loss. How she had been almost in misery the whole time they had lived here. But would she have not spoken to Serach in that way if she wasn't attached to Drestig, and the idea of leaving herself? He wanted to interject, but stopped. If he got hot headed it wouldn't be good.. Oh shit, Naira was apparently struck by it all, rising. He had no intention of stopping her. If it came to violence among any of them he would, but really wanted to hear what she had to say. In her words he felt her support not only for him but for Serach, for the Bend. When Drift took place beside Spieden  that was all Tri needed to see to know his wants. Next it was confirmed that Sahalie's friend and mother would be staying as well. There was one adult he cared to hear from, Leotie, but she too had no intent on going. Kino, Sahalie's shadow, was last to speak his mind same as the rest. That was everyone.

The man stood, a rigid posture that was all business. "This meeting is about the future and everyone has in one way or another spoken their piece about what that means to them. Enough." A sharp gaze was thrown to those who may disagree this would be the end of fighting words. Couldn't they see they didn't need to fight and argue, he wouldn't have it. Especially if this was going to be a final goodbye between them. "My place has always been here," he stated without skipping a beat looking over each member. Gaze came to rest on Drestig, then Jessie before back again to everyone else. "But, so it is clear to everyone it is always your own choice to leave this pack for whatever reason. You may suffer repercussions as always in life, but no one should be solely condemned for looking for happiness else where." For now it was all how had to say.

Triell Tainn

are you with me through it all?

Sorry for the wait everyone. This will be the last round, Drestig is exiting, unless anyone tries to stop him.

His heart pounded loudly in his ears, eyes scanning the group, waiting for their reactions. Their expressions showed shock, that was expected, and seconds of silence stretched into eons as they processed his proposal. Sahalie was the first to give voice and fiery eyes fell on her, growing soft as she cried her protests. This wouldn't be an easy choice for anyone, especially the young ones who'd never known any other home, he'd predicted a reaction like this and didn't blame the girl, but he hoped she'd understand in the end. Next was Serach, his outrage completely drowning out Aponi's soft question to her daughter. Drestig looked at Corinna's son, the pain clear on his face as the boy spat his spite. Again, he wasn't surprised, he'd hoped Serach would keep civil, but his objection was not unexpected; Yet the words still stung. Movement registered out the corner of the dark man's eye, and he turned to see Spieden getting to her feet. To his solace, the female leader did not raise her voice. Her words were of understanding, even if her answer echoed the younger wolves'. That didn't shake him much, he understood that Spieden did not see the same ghosts here as him, and honestly he would not miss her much; Unlike the children, he had very little connection with the mottled woman. A nod was given in answer as their eyes connected. Then an unexpected voice sounded from the back of the group, and Drestig's gaze zoomed to Jessie, brows rising. He'd thought she would prefer to keep silent, but it seemed Serach's anger had sparked similar emotions in the grey scout. Her fury both pained and prided Drestig, the list of names making his face grow dark; Even before he had come to Oak Tree Bend, the losses had started to pile. Jessie's own bitterness was clear in her finishing challenge, and the dark man's tail flicked high behind him as he looked around to see how the others would react. He was shocked though, when the one to answer was Naira. Dark brows furrowed over blazing eyes as the tawny woman stepped forwards, carrying herself like she mattered. Her voice was full of ice, posture a clear challenge, and it made Drestig's teeth bare in a silent snarl; Who does she think she is?! He did not know how much truth there was to her claim of knowing the former matriarch of the Bend, though if it came down to her word against Jessie's, he knew full well who he'd rather believe. Who was this hag anyway? How long had she been with them? A blink of an eye! What made her think she had the right to speak up at all?! She and Triell might be close, but Drestig would not let her spit as she did on Jessie who had stood with the pack for so long. In fact, he would very much like to remind the old woman of her place, show her just how little influence she had on anything here. But he held back. He didn't want to instigate a fight if it could at all be helped. His eyes drifted to the pups, cowering wide eyed, no doubt fearing what might come next. For them he would keep civil, even if no one else planned to. Those who had yet to speak quickly gave their answers, brief and without much expression of emotion. After the initial uproar, Drestig was not surprised at their responses, though his heart sank; None..! He thought. None of them would come with him. Finally Triell spoke, no doubt having held back to hear everyone else's position first. There was a small relief in the older male's chest at the calmness of the Tainn's speech, however rigid his posture might be. Drestig nodded stiffly at the call to seize arguing, and again, more resignedly as Triell reaffirmed his own connection to the Bend. It was as it should be then, the Tainn would retake the throne, and Drestig would leave alone, in search of the happiness he still dreamed of achieving. So the graying wolf stood, looking around at them all. He had a few last things to say, and he started with Serach, eyes and voice both somber; "I'm not trying to forget her Serach. But here, all I can see is her end and that's not the part I want to remember." He did not dispute the accusation though, because he knew the boy was right, he was a coward. He couldn't remain in the place where his loved one had died – That Serach had chosen to only affirmed that the boy was stronger than Drestig could ever hope to be. "I am leaving." He continued, eyes drifting out over the group at large; "I explained my reasons and gave you an offer which you chose to decline, as is your right. I thought at least the adults among you would keep civil," This was clearly aimed at Naira, though he didn't even offer her a glance as he continued: "But the point was clear, there is no need for any more discussion." He looked to Triell, bowing his head; "I hope we can part, if not as friends, then at least not enemies?" He waited only a moment for any response the Tainn might give, then turned, trotting off towards the borders. He had only one stop to make before departing, and it lay outside the confines of Oak Tree Bend, the pack he was no longer a member of. Word count: 928 ”Speech” Thoughts

Dawnthieves.de