Grizzly Hollow My Kingdom Come

tell me something good, put my mind at ease, and whisper sweet dreams for me.

The flow of newcomers had been very overwhelming to the youngest Lyall pup. She couldn't choose if it was whether it was because most were males, or just the growing of the pack which had only been family and friends. So her nerves were against her when her mother had announced a meeting she all, but wanted to go. She much rather hide in the den, and listen without numerous eyes upon her. It wasn't like Lettie didn't trust her mother, but she didn't care for the new company. In her eyes it was bad to have so many strangers she did not know around. Surely something bad was bound to happen once more. She'd done her best not to fuss. It wasn't like her to voice her own problems. Lately with the new members she had for the most part stuck with trailing Hocus, and Trisden. For one reason their disappearance had scared her, and if they were going to leave she would be very insistent to go with. They were not leaving her alone again. Secondly, it was much better knowing they were with her, and she wouldn't encounter any of the new faces alone. Sometimes she might seek out Jayse herself, or follow short on her father's trail. She did what she did best --remaining unheard, and unseen.

Dragging her feet it was with a pinch of fear she hung close to her siblings, and put herself close to Raigo without being to far from Trisden's side. She was aware of many who came, but her bright yellow eyes were glued to her mother, the steady rock in all this chaos. She listened, trying to keep up with the announcement, and what it meant not only for her, but everyone. What was the most interesting to her was Kade would lead beside her mother. Not her father. The girl looked to steal a glimpse at him wondering how he too this. Arlette was sure her heart dropped, or maybe it had jumped in her throat. The girl had to use all her will power from stopping to turn around to see her father's face. Part of her believed they would work out the rift between them, and everything would be as it was. The other part of her felt it was alright. She was aware her mother needed someone, and Arlette had come to trust the dark cloaked wolf after all this time. He hadn't left, and he had chased the black demon with Raigo. All the same her stomach was tight, uncertain about what this specifically meant for them. It didn't quite seem right he had her father's place, now was not the time for questions. Luckily the mention of a hunt cleared all thoughts aside, and she titled her head taking a chance to look at Hocus, and Trisden's expression. Were they ready for a hunt? The butterflies swirled in her stomach, and she tried to picture them catching something larger than themselves. She quivered if a little, before she flattened her ears, mad at herself. She was almost a yearling, she couldn't be a scared little rabbit. She straightened up if only to make herself feel better when her mother was finished, leaving the air for everyone to introduce themselves.

Everyone took turns speaking, and she tried to pay attention who was who. It was only Elettra and Raigo she really looked upon. In return she smiled sheepishly to the dark brown fellow, feeling her heartbeat steady by his calm expression. She felt a bit foolish for her worries. Why would anyone let anything happen to them? There were many on her side, and she tried to hold to that to keep her peace.

In the meantime, the seconds drew on her mind was working on what she would say. Her mother had introduced the idea of a job, and she wanted to pick one before she spoke. Each role appealed to her, and for a moment she thought it would be nice to work with Elettra. However, the mention of the latest female having interest, and already another she soon decided against it. No way would she want to be in the middle of that, and perhaps in the future she could pick up on some of the herbal remedies. Kiche actually was the next to really catch her eye, and she spotted Borden by his side. She beamed at both of them, wondering what more Kiche would teach them if he was in the role of Teacher. He had spoken to them on some terms, which Trisden and Hocus seemed much more familiar with. It did would not detour her. She was allured by the idea of finding out more to this creator, and about demons.

A jump of joy instilled in her, hearing her father's voice break among the crowd. This time she turned to see him speak. Then she caught her breath. What would he say? What fear she had died in an instant. He did not mention as if anything was wrong, he volunteered for Keeper. It was than Arlette knew what she wanted to do. Could she really speak up? She lifted her muzzle back toward her mother, if she would guide her to this task. She did not give herself to much time tos peak, as she did not want to lose her nerve."I'm Arlette, and mom, I..I want to learn to be a Keeper."

(This post was last modified: Mar 01, 2012, 02:04 AM by Arlette.)

Sorry for being beyond the deadline. Hocus will hopefully be posted tomorrow, whether the next round has started or not <3

<blockquote>With a smile, she nudged Arlette's shoulder, silently reassuring the sister who had stuck so close in the last few weeks. Their disappearance had affected their white sibling more than Trisden had thought, but she knew now that had been selfish; Lettie had always needed guidance, and Trisden had always been so happy to oblige. But nothing was quite the same. Still, with the pack gathered, it was comforting to feel needed, and she happily placed herself next to her sister and brother, where she should always belong.

The pack gathered, and there was faces she did not know, but it did not bother Trisden. She knew that she had let herself drift. Her Mother was there, Kade was there, Hocus and Lettie were there. All of her familiar comforts were present. Evil could not step into the hollow with her pale parent at the helm, so she did not fret over the presence of strangers. They were not total strangers, anyway; she had watched them, smelt them, trailed them. This was her home too. She knew its pathways better than any tagalongs.

With everybody gathered, her mother began to speak. Conflict was mentioned, and that brought a brief blankness to Trisden's expression - a self-defense mechanism more than anything - but Jaysyek had it all under control, she was sure. The quarrels of flesh and bone were not those that had been plaguing Trisden for so long now. Silently she listened, the tasks absorbed, and with a hint of sadness she heard the word Guardian float over her head, just out of reach. She knew herself well enough to understand that such a role was what she should strive for. But how could she ever deserve the title, with her crimes and facings as they were? she was fit to protect nobody. But her woes lifted for a moment as those beautiful mismatched eyes turned to her and her siblings, even as her mother spoke those simple words which broke her heart - apprentice Guardian, oh how marvellous such a thing would be - and she smiled, for what else could she do?

When Lettie looked at her, it took Trisden a second to realise why, and to catch up with what her mother had just said. Kade was their new leader. The news did not stir anything in the girl, who merely watched, placid, content with the choice. Borden Lyall had failed them, and he did not deserve his place, even as he tried to claw his way back. Kade had been a constant presence ever since he had first been introduced, and Trisden trusted him. She could remember her mother's misery after Borden's disappearance. Htough far from the tough child she had once been, her mother's suffering was something that Trisden would not abide, not in this life or any other.

Just in case her mother sought opinion, Trisden would give it - nodding once, a hint of a genuine smile on her face, approving even though Jaysyek did not need approval.

Then everybody began to speak, and Trisden grew disinterested despite herself, despite politeness. Still she listened, if half-heatedly, and it was only Kiche's words which truly drew her from her melancholy.

A coldness gripped her heart and did not let go. So much torment she had endured, and all could be traced back to his teachings. It was not his fault, but she was older now, with hindsight, able to begin to comprehend her past failings. She would never stop believing, but she was beginning to wonder if believing was the reason why she was cursed.

Again, she nodded, a familiar emptiness well inside her. The walls threatened to grow.

Softly, her sister spoke out beside her, and surprise jolted Trisden from her swelling numbness, though it was irrational. Arlette a Keeper. Briefly, cold eyes swept to the man who was supposed to be her father, recalling his aggressive words, wondering if he would have claimed the role for himself had he known of Lettie's intentions.

<b>"Trisden,"</b> she said simply, and then hesitated - and the hesitation grew into silence. Her ears pulled back, and her gaze dropped. She was not ready to be more than that, not yet.</blockquote>

<blockquote>
Hocus paced near his sisters, a little restless, with his eyes darting about rapidly, but with a hint of tiredness. He listened as the roles were explained to him, nodding every now and again. There was a time when he would have wanted nothing more than to apprenticed under Elettra in the ways of healing, even a few weeks ago he would have snapped up the chance to have the power to help his family but now? He had slipped into deep melancholy, probably brought about by tiredness. His nightly and sometimes week-long romps around the countryside had taken their toll on him. His fur was bedraggled, knotted and torn in places. Old cuts criss-crossing his paws, some self-inflicted but most because of his stupid encounter with a cliff-face. He wasn’t just physically unwell either, he could feel the walls of his mind under siege, constantly barraged by the forces of sleep, spirit and sanity, no doubt working in unison to bring his puny bastion of hope crashing down.

Trying to blink away this weight, he focused on this mother. What did he want to do? Did he just want to wander for now? Did he have to take a role? Did he have it took to be a Guardian? He certainly felt like one at times, although at other moments he could barely guard his own thoughts. Maybe taking the roles of Guardian would put an end to his wanderlust? Abandon his childish notions of a grand deception and just focus on temporal matters. Arlette clearly needed some stability, and her erstwhile brother hadn’t been there for her as much as he should have been. She stuck close to her siblings and Hocus gave the smaller wolf a fond smile. He truly was a terrible brother. Maybe staying around would be good for the pack, his sisters certainly needed him. Not that he’d give it to Trisden. Not until she said ‘thank you‘.

The other packmates, however, gave him significant pause. There were a lot of new faces, some of which weren’t as wholesome as he would have liked. He knew now that black fur was no way to judge the malevolence of a wolf, Rhysis had shown him that, but there was still something not quite right about this. Elettra seemed confident enough, and he knew she would have to fall before anyone hurt his mother. Calming his nerves, he observed the new additions. The timber wolf, Valkyrja, seemed perfectly submissive, and she wanted to just take on Elettra’s role. Her deference rung true with Hocus and he barely paid her any mind. The large wolf called Valiant was quiet, unsettlingly so, and Hocus identified quite a bit of his distrust focusing on that wolf. He tore his gaze from the wolf and looked at Raigo, a familiar face, and then let his eyes slide to a new wolf, a large black beast. He looked fearsome, partially blinded as he was, but there was something about him that Hocus found reassuring. He had seen the world and found his place. A Guardian? Excellent.

How did Hocus feel about Kiche? Kiche had obviously tutored them, albeit briefly, in the way of the Creator, although Hocus had taken his teachings in a different, more malevolent direction. Perhaps philosophical discussion with him would set him at ease? Kiche certainly seemed more settled than when Hocus had last seen him, so maybe he would know how to solve Hocus’ intense curiosity? Hocus nodded at Kiche as he suggested himself for the role of their teacher. He would definitely appreciate the spiritual company.

Silver was studying with Elettra as well? That settled it, Hocus didn’t think Elettra needed to overburden herself with another hopeful, he would definitely be a Guardian. His sisters and his pack needed him too much, and with Kiche’s help maybe he could stop his wandering? He may not appreciate some of the new members, but there was some true greats here that he knew he must protect.

Kade. Hocus knew he was no demon, although he wasn’t his father either. As a Guardian, he would have to bow to Kade’s authority. Could he do that? His mother trusted him, but Hocus couldn’t say that he did. He made Jayse happy, that much was true, but was he being false? Was she just happy because he was strong and authoritative enough to defend her pups? Was she really happy? Hocus did not know, but he knew that bowing to Kade would not be easy.

What of Borden? He wasn’t his father either, not really, not anymore. He could see in Borden’s gaze a certain desperation, of position and time lost, but Hocus just couldn’t find sympathy for him. He’d abandoned them when he was needed most, when they were assailed by fate and malevolence. He still had a lot of work to do to prove himself. At least Hocus could trust that he was no malignant mirage come to whisk away the remaining Lyall children. He wanted to be Keeper? That seemed fair, given his ability, although Hocus wasn’t sure if Jayse would allow him the position, all things considered. At least he could keep Arlette company.

Trisden spoke. Hocus gave her a surprised look, although it quickly dimmed when he saw that that was all she was going to say. Well at least it was a start. No doubt she wanted to be a Guardian, Hocus knew his sister well, but he doubted she truly knew that she wanted that herself.

So where did he sit? Guardian, was it? Protecting his sisters and his pack had been something he’d been doing since he’d learnt of what lay beyond and behind the den. He knew what it involved and responsibilities. Was he ready, though? Could he put his distrust, wanderlust and discontent aside for this? Could he bow to Kade? Would he be willing to risk his life for other pack members, even ones he distrusted? How could he stand on the borders, knowing what insidious forces were at work within? And what of Rhysis and Kiche? They both had much to teach him and the world had much to show him. The world would make him a stronger person, a better Guardian. Arlette had taken a position, though, surely he was obligated to as well? He didn’t want to be a moocher. He glanced briefly at Kiche, letting himself focus on the Ideal.

<b>”I want to become a Teacher,”</b> Hocus said boldly <b>“like Kiche.”</b> He was absurdly young to be considered a Teacher, but he could see himself in those wise paws. Such folly.
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<i>Thanks everybody for replying <3 Next deadline is <b>March 11th</b>. For earning your pack roles you must complete at least 2 threads IC demonstrating their ability/ or them accomplishing their duty. Since Tara/Suri are busy everyone can say they at least know their character's name perhaps?</i>

we'll bury the castle.

There was a great deal to take in, each action, and reaction to what she had just said. The most important to her were her children's. She winked at them, and only them happy to have her daughter's approval. She had not been certain of what their reactions may be to Kade taking the place at the pack's head. Hocus and Lettie were harder to read, but she saw no protest. To Kade himself she gave a very unnoticeable dip of her nose. When she dared look at Borden she saw no hair out of place, and wasn't so sure if there truly was no havoc within. She wouldn't let her eyes hold him long, she too cantered her head to Raigo, and Elettra seeing they were not about to protest her wishes. It seemed they approved in silence. What worry over Ragio seemed to diminish. He was not very happy with Borden either. It had been Raiog, Elettra, and her children she wanted to appease. The rest had yet to prove their loyalty, and worthy. She remained serious, not letting herself smile at any of them.

Though she was aware of everyone's names she listened with respect for those who did speak up. This was the first start for everyone of "bonding" everyone needed to see the faces that also called the Hollow home. With her chin lifted she swiftly yet efficiently divided her attention. First to Valkyrja who surprised the pale lady by speaking up first, interested in El's gift. She solemnly watched as one to one things were said, and answered. She hadn't said it was required to take on a pack role, and briefly thought that might count for Valiant's silence. It didn't bother her if he remained so, and her eyes and ears were upon Thantos next. "Very well Thanatos," she responded feeling he would do a decent job of it. She was back to Raigo, and could not quite hide the smile. He was an adult now, though he had seem to become before his time, and he looked quite proud of his role. She was aware there were many older males she would never take the rank from him. He had earned it, just like Elettra had. That's what Grizzly Hollow was about.

Kiche of all wolves, she had been most curious about his reactions to the large gathering. He had pulled it off fairly well, and she noted his rather closeness to Borden. A single brow raised, but she had yet to suspect anything dark behind it. She payed the ginger brute mind, as he inquired about the role of teacher. The pups did not seem to mind, and she had remembered Borden wanting them to have spiritual knowledge, and Kiche had taught them some. "That is fine Kiche," she replied aware this might again put strain on the way things were not only for Elettra, but Raigo as well. Kiche would never harm her children, and he could earn both trust, and his role in time. Silver was next, and Jayse was glad to see her assert herself more boldly then the time they had met. It was good to hear she had already sought out her Second for knowledge.

Once more her eyes drifted to Kade wishing to read his thoughts, but he did not speak this time, and it was Borden who took the floor. The correction he made between our and the didn't fall on deaf ears. Her visage was only thoughtful as he spoke his piece. She had no problem with his choice. "I'm sure you'll do well, and you can in turn help Arlette." She had the tiniest smile reflecting back on her lips, it was directed more to Lettie. Trisden so docile melted her heart in turn. She had thought she would have volunteered for Guardian as well. Hocus wasn't the only protector of the family. She barely managed to offer her name. Jayse wouldn't push, she only craved to speak to her with some one on one time. Maybe if she convinced her she could work more closely with herself, it might help things, and break the walls down. She smiled proudly to them all. A cock of her head her eyes drifted from Kiche to Hocus. "Okay Hocus," she offered feeling he would probably stick to Kiche like glue. They had plenty of time to try what they wanted, and learn what they needed. There was another issue.

"If any of you change your mind, that's fine just let me know. The only thing I wanted to add before we dismiss is...I want a pack hunt. The caribou are starting to head back to their spring ranges, passing through the meadow, and marsh. With our growing numbers I want to have two teams in hopes of getting more than one. Kade will lead one, and I the other. We need to split everyone accordingly. You can speak up for which, but we want them fairly even." They could ask for one or the other, but ultimately it would be up to her and Kade. It was then she looked at the man, the new leader of the Hollow, "Kade," she spoke, welcoming him to speak up, or even come stand beside her.

<blockquote>Astutely taking in the reactions of the Hollow wolves and the words they'd offered - mostly of their desires to undertake the roles Jayse had spoken of - the dark figure was pleased that many of the positions were now filled, justified by the leadess' acceptance. Though he'd initially wondered whose interests would lie with each job, his curiosities were eased.

Thanatos would now stand beside him as a Guardian. Kiche - in his abstraction - would certainly thrive as the pack's Teacher, and he was relieved to know that the pups would be in ready hands, respectively. In addition, it would appear as though Elettra would have her hands full, as several members designated their wishes to apprentice beneath her. Healing was a respected gift, and having more than one practitioner in Grizzly Hollow would be nothing but beneficial to every family member. Borden had now assumed a position as Keeper, something he had no objection to. Certainly, the dark featured male knew the territory and its resources well, and there was no doubt that he was able.

As the children spoke up, the brute's leaden eyes would shift accomodatingly. He was quite interested in each of their aspirations, and noted that Trisden was rather quiet on the subject. Arlette would learn under the guidance of her father, and Hocus would study beside Kiche. For a moment he would wait for Trisden's assertion concerning her position, but it was clear that, at least for now, she was undecided.

His weight would shift as Jaysyek finalized each request, and once more his gaze would scour the crowd. The ashen figure would continue, adding her assertions concerning the upcoming hunt. <i>Kade</i>, she spoke, and with no hesitation the man would rise to his feet, promptly stepping foward through the assemblage to stand at her side.

<b>"Firstly, it is an honor to be gathered in the presence of each of you, tonight,"</b> a glint of certainty shone in his pale glare as he spoke. It was clear in his mind that several of the pack members did not share his sentiment, a notion he'd accepted. Holding no objection to the delegation of pack roles, he continued where Jaysyek had left off. <b>"Concerning the upcoming hunt, I will be obliged to accept each and every able-bodied wolf who wishes to work beside me. Tomorrow, at dawn, we will gather here before traveling to our destinations; Jaysyek will be leading the hunt in the Meadow, and I will lead the pursuit in Whisper Marsh."</b>

The man's eyes would fall upon the children, to whom he offered the softest of grins, before lifting to face the gazes of his packmates.</blockquote>

(This post was last modified: Mar 05, 2012, 01:00 AM by Kade.)

Her attention on the gathered wolves are absolute, having pinned her gaze upon Kiche and Borden at the mentioning of Kade's rise, certain that they would have a problem with it. They said nothing, though Borden's deepened glare into Kade's direction, then Raigo, before fleeting to his paws once more did not go unnoticed. The peace, for the moment, would be kept even if tensions were high and although Borden sat back and said nothing like a good little pup, Elettra had secretly wished for him to snap- any reason to sink her teeth into him once more. After all, his rise in placement and power had not go unnoticed, but certainly expected against a bunch of other men whom were no more then strangers to the pack, being but new members and new wolves of the lands as a whole...
Whilst some had not bothered to speak if only but a mumbling of their name, Elettra's attention would turn to each wolf as they spoke up in turn one after another. A black man, with what seemed a blinded eye spoke up firstly, his hard exterior matching his wishes for a guardian to the pack. Thanatos- this was the name her alphena had said when she responded to the wolf and Elettra would store it away for safe keeping. At her very side, the young timber wolf, her long-standing second would speak, offering his name and placement proudly and little more. When Kiche spoke, it was not without the tension of her body, a twitch even as she would lean more towards Raigo, as though to 'hold her back', her furs brushing along her partner's side. Though the children were not her own, she was just as much protective of them as she was their mother. It had been she, along with Jaysyek and Raigo whom had raised them through their youth, the hardest trials of their lives and along with Borden, it had been Kiche whom had left them during this age.
Her silver gaze fleetingly went to her leadess, whom allowed him to be their Teacher, something Elettra did not quite agree with herself, but otherwise kept her mouth shut. To simmer her worries, would be Silver's speech. she spoke her rank and full name boldly; proudly. Elettra could not help but smirk to this, happy with the larger silvery coated woman thus far. She had displayed herself well. Kade was silent, though offered his small agreements by a nod or so, less then Elettra would hope for during this meeting but nothing less then the Kade she knew; silent, observer, a guardian of the pack but not one to hold the political reigns as Jaysyek did. Though Jays had a man now at her side, it was without a doubt she was still the one mainly in charge, just as Elettra enjoyed and just as one day Elettra would expect for herself should she ever rise to power.
Finally, Borden spoke, keeping his cool throughout this, though Elettra still watched with a weary eye. Surely he would not allow his old love be lost so easily? Elettra expected nothing less then a fight, but did not yet expect a plot. Arlette spoke then, willing to try out the same sport as her father and Hocus, a Teacher, as Kiche. Elettra grew more worried, knowing that they would be around the crazed religious man. Though she was weary of Borden, she would not be weary of Borden around the children. Though he had neglected them immensely, surely he would not place direct harm to his own children. Trisden spoke little, only offering her name, which caused Elettra to look to her fully. The young girl had always been filled with confidence, pride, which all Elettra had enjoyed, but her foolishness and arrogance had gotten the best of her. It was obvious that after Theo's death and Elettra's harsh words there after, the girl had a brush with reality which she had yet to recover from.
Lastly now, was a hunt, which her leader spoke up of. As of recently, Elettra had been pushing herself hard when it came to hunting, both with wolves she had been training in the art of healing, though none the less, did not object to yet another. Food went quick in a pack that was so larger and, Elettra's services would be offered as per usual. She would wait for Kade to finish what he had to say, before her head would arch at her shoulder towards Jaysyek. "Kade's had me at his side not long ago...so I think it's our time, now." After all, though she had more recently hunted with Kade, Valtyr, Silver and two members of the Creek pack, it had been far much longer since she had hunted with Jaysyek.

Thanatos listened quietly as each member said all that needed to be said. When the pups spoke, he turned his attention to them and smiled at the three young wolves. He had such a soft spot for young wolves, always had. He looked back at the others as a red male spoke. He sat next to Borden and requested to be a teacher for the pups.

Borden, the fallen leader, had volunteered to be the keeper. Thanatos knew it should be Borden at Jaysyek's side and not Kade. Thanatos felt uncomfortable having a leader that was younger than him. It irritated him even more knowing that Borden was Jaysyek's mate and she was allowing this other male to take his place by her side. Thanatos believed that you mated for life. The only reason he had begun to grow close to Silver was because his former mate was deceased. Jaysyek had the choice to allow her mate back into his rightful position. True, Thanatos didn't know the whole story, only the little bit that Jayse had told him before he was accepted but he still felt it should be Borden beside her.

Thanatos smiled and nodded to Jaysyek when she agreed to let him be a Guardian. He would be alongside Kade, able to keep an eye on him and perhaps find a way to help Borden replace Kade once more.

When Jaysyek spoke of a pack hunt and being divided he immediately wanted to hunt beside his white leader again. <b>"Jaysyek I would like to be a member of your hunting group. It would be nice to hunt with you again if you will have me."</b>

<blockquote>
There were small flutters of fear and joy that attacked his heart in spasms. <i>Hocus wants to be a teacher,</i> he realized, <i>like me.</i> The sentiment was equal parts touching and galling, since it meant that Kiche was, in a way, responsible about <i>teaching</i> him how to teach, which in and of itself was confusingly paradoxical. On one hand, Hocus' desire to become a teacher meant that he still valued Kiche in some capacity, could still possibly feel the same way he had for his teacher so many months ago when they were young. Most of all, the agnostic priest was afraid that he had lost the children's respect and good opinion forever, that they could never love and trust and confide in him again. Yet Arlettte's smile and Hocus' goal were deeply reassuring. Except that it meant he would have to decide where he stood on God, how he felt about his faith, which he had been putting off and ignoring for so long. That worried him. But perhaps... perhaps it would be good, <i>healthy</i>, to revisit God's teachings and the basics with the children, maybe... maybe he could rediscover himself in the folds of the old stories.

Although Kiche was nervous and conflicted, the idea that he would soon have a role, a real <i>duty</i> to the pack, that he was at least <i>wanted</i> by Arlette and Hocus, colored his mood, painting a happier look on what had previously been a face straining to feign careless apathy. The moment his beautiful pagan angel declared a hunt, however, Kiche balked —visibly. Once more, he stopped listening to whoever was speaking —Kade— and became lost in tumultuous sea of thoughts. He didn't know how to hunt, not <i>truly</i>. Killing... killing was <i>vile</i>, killing was <i>evil.</i> The slaver in his mouth at the sight of a warmblooded creature was something he struggled to come to terms with, <i>could</i> not come to terms with. He given hunting a try... once or twice to no real avail... But... This hunt was not a mere option, it was a <i>demand</i>. His participation was compulsory. Immediately, his heart sank and his bad mood returned.

When Elettra volunteered to hunt with Jayse's team, however, Kiche's ears perked. He recalled the promise he had made to his liege lord to keep an eye on the two women. There was no question who he would follow into the meadow. If he could perhaps stir up some trouble, then maybe it would be <i>Elettra</i> who would need to be punished this time. Gradually, the dark Hollow priest's stomach began to calm and his frustration and anxiety were eased, replaced by this dark ambition and cunning that he nursed quietly beside his Lord. At the moment, someone else was speaking, that other black heathen whose name Kiche hadn't paid attention to, so the red man held his tongue. "<b>Jayse, II think I would like to be in your party. I'm afraid I would be too much of a hindrance in the Marsh.</b>" That much was true regardless.
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like my art? comission me!

Silver listened intently to the others as the spoke. Her fur pricked at Thanatos voice and she watched him from her seat. She lifted her head, and only turned her ears to each sound. She consintrated on the brown brute and the others by him. The males there didn't seem nice at all. To Silver they where all big brutes able to kill at will. She did not show it and she would hopefully keep her distance from them. She peaked back at Thanatos before listening to Jaysyek speak again.

She listened to each wolf still not moving, not even a muscle. She spoke than not wanting to be apart from Thanatos at all.<b>"I'll go with you Jaysyek, if you'll have me,"</b> Silver said her head up and with pride. The silver female haf become more protective and outgoing. She wasn't the scared, misunderstood, pithetic, loner she-wolf she was once before. SIlver listened to the others as the spoke, but kept an eye on the other apprentice, Elettra, and Thanatos.

"If I had to chose between you and me, well it depends on my reason."
-Silver
Grizzly Hollow

And so it went, seemingly down the line. Each spoke their piece, and each took their turn. Some wanted nothing more than to introduce themselves, while others proposed to take on tasks and duties that would help to benefit the pack. His golden eyes followed the wolves as each spoke, around the circle of those gathered. There were so many new faces - it was a far cry from the last gathering that Raigo had partaken in, where there had been all but 5 or 6 of them. When had Relic Lore exploded so? Though he supposed that this was what Jaysyek had been talking about when she had told him that new blood was entering the region. She had done a fine job in securing wolves for Grizzly Hollow, but he couldn't help but wonder how many would stay. Landing on Borden and Kiche, he brooded on the question. How many would stay?

But the next task at hand was deciding who would hunt where. Head tilting to the side in a bemused manner, Raigo wondered to himself why they were splitting the pack in two. They were stronger together, that was his belief. But he would not argue what his leaders had decided. Staying quite, he watched where the other wolves aligned themselves. Elettra spoke up first, choosing to go with the white lady. One by one, the others also aligned themselves with Jayse. Feeling moved to show support to his new leader, the young adult spoke up. "I'd be happy to hunt with either one of you, but I'll go with Kade in the morning." No pompousness about it. He was an easy going creature, and not in the mood to contribute to any escalating tension that there might be amongst the various pack members. His loyalty was to Grizzly Hollow and its survival. He would not play petty games based on favorites. That just wasn't going to fly.

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