Swift River learning how to dance the rain

Listless, Aiyana had been drifting through the constricting Grove, dark paws touching soft, familiar moss and her golden eyes staring at the horizons, wondering, waiting, but not sure for what. Things had settled into a rhythm, the dangers removed, but nothing would bring Rissa back and Aiyana was consumed by some kind of restless frustration, and a desire to be left alone. She met her family on a daily basis, touching noses to cheeks and saying that she was fine, but more and more she came to believe that she needed something to change, to get away or something.

The call was a welcome distraction, even if she generally preferred to be on her own. Giving her dark tail a flick she set off through the forest, her body barely distinguishable from the rest; she'd grown into her slender frame, and only intimate knowledge would reveal her as a soon-to-be yearling. The rest of the pack came in sight; Ice and Corinna seated together, Jessie a ways off, Fenru lying by Ice's flank and Kisla sitting beside him. Aiyana's dark head lowered as she padded up to her mother, licking the corner of her mouth gently before nudging the side of Ice's muzzle. Once her greetings were done she backed off a bit, and sunk down in a sit, head low but eyes alert.

c'mon @Cali and @Tali! :D And @Belun!

(This post was last modified: May 12, 2013, 10:07 AM by Ice.)

Close to the boarders, Tali was seeking out food for her new pack mates. Though she hadn't lived with them for long, she knew that she would protect any of them with her life. Being around these other wolves had her mind working much better, no longer clouded by the silence. She loved living here, as the silence was few and far between. The benefits of living with a pack were already showing themselves in not only her head, but in her middle too. Bones were no longer protruding, and jutting out in every which direction. Even her coat had become more well taken care of.

The call came as a surprise, and she flicked her ears to pinpoint the location, thankful for the second howl. This was the first time she'd ever been called to a pack meeting, and she couldn't deny her excitement. Tali set off at a jogging pace toward her leader's voice, hoping she wasn't the last one there. It wouldn't look well for her to be slacking before she had a chance to prove herself. It wasn't long before her tiny paws carried her close enough to see the shock of Ice's white pelt next to Corinna's darker one. Her eyes strayed to the company around her, noting how small the pack really was.

Looking back to the alpha pair she dipped her head in greeting, making sure to hold herself lower than they were. Her backside touched the ground, and her tail swung across the soil beneath it. She wondered why they were all being called here, and hoped that nothing had gone terribly wrong.

Gone Tomorrow

The group that answered their call was not the same group of River wolves that Corinna remembered. The names and faces of her family had changed. All the more reason for them to abandon their claim to this area and find a new place to go - a new place to call home and start over. They would rise from their ashes again, just as they had done before. It was just knowing who would accompany them that set the female leader on edge.

Returning each greeting as it was offered, a small smile spread across her lips as she watched the group slowly assemble. Special attention was given to each of her children, the kisses to their cheeks and foreheads lasting just a little longer than those given to other pack mates. It was their reactions that she was most concerned with, because they had truly known no other home besides Swift River territory.

Glancing over at Ice, she sought his gaze before dipping her muzzle. It was time. Perhaps not all had assembled, but the anxiety was growing in her stomach. They needed to know what it was Ice and she had been discussing in private for what seemed far too long. "Thank you all for answering quickly," she spoke up, her voice kind but firm, calling the group's attention to herself. "Ice and I have been talking about this decision for a long time now, but....we've finally made the decision." Taking a deep breath, her green gaze darted downwards, seeking reassurance from her paws before looking up, glancing at each of those gathered in turn. "We think....we think that it is time to leave Swift River and start over, somewhere else. After....everything....we want a fresh start, for the whole pack."

One piece of news out, she fell silent, trying to gauge the reaction of the group. Better to get it all out there now. "We would need to leave quickly, for another reason. We will need to construct a new den before summer....before the next generation of our pack is born." Leaning into Ice's side, she let her eyes fall onto Kisla, Fenru, and Aiyana. Their reactions were the ones that she valued the most, and while as their mother she did not need their permission to make such a decision, there was no denying that she would want their approval and support.

Next round ends on May 18th. If you haven't already posted, @Belun and @Cali, then feel free to jump in. No posting order!

(This post was last modified: May 13, 2013, 03:18 PM by Corinna.)

The kiss of her mother woke conflicted feelings in her; part of her wanted to pull back, the other part to stay there, forever. But as with all things it didn't last, and it felt better once she'd backed off a bit, able to breathe, to sort through her jumbled thoughts and straighten them out. By the time she felt more like herself again, the newest member, Tali, had come too, but two where still missing; Cali, and that Belun. Aiyana's golden eyes flitted from one face to another, before finally settling on Corinna again, one black ear flipping forward to listen to her words. She sounded unsure, hesitant, and Aiy's golden gaze dropped again. If her mother was uncertain, then what was going on? "We think....we think that it is time to leave Swift River and start over, somewhere else." Leave the Grove? In many ways it was everything she'd wanted, but she couldn't picture herself in this new future; she was a shadow, a dark ghost in their veins, and if they were to leave the familiarity of these old trees anyway... But she said nothing.

She went on, and it took a moment before the meaning of the words registered in Aiyana's brain. The new generation. But of course; it was easier for her to grasp, perhaps, than it had been for her siblings last year. Aiyana had grown up with three older siblings, and that there'd be younger ones... It stabbed her heart in a way she hadn't expected, part jealousy and part anger that her mother dared create more things to tempt her into loving and losing. Wasn't it enough with Belun and Tali, two newcomers who would try and worm their ways into her black heart? Couldn't they just disperse and fall apart bit by bit and let her find the peace of solitude, a healing balm on a hermit's wounded heart?

But her face remained impassive, showed little, only a thoughtfulness that seemed beyond her years as her golden, mellow gaze rested upon Corinna's sides.

(Unbelievably sorry for the delay!)

Time. Time had not healed her. Her mind and heart were broken. This was the reason that she had avoided her sister and the rest of the pack since she, Fenru, Corinna and Ice had returned from the west. Her actions there had been horrendous to her gentle heart. She had ripped and torn at the body of the baby killer, even as he was dying. She had finally let her anger and despair over the loss of Rissa and the loss of her own pups so long ago loose and her bloody revenge had shaken her. She could still smell and taste the blood tainted with evil, could almost still see the crimson upon her pristine coat. The white fae had become a mere shell of her former self.

The call came and she lifted dull eyes, knowing that she must heed the call and dreading facing any of them. She had kept up her duties, hunting and guarding the borders, but she had neglected to care for herself. The end result was that the second was now a thinner version of her old self, her once lustrous fur dull and lifeless. She rarely remembered to eat and even more rarely slept, fearing the nightmares that always found her. Images of the lifeless forms of her stillborn pups grasped in the bloody jaws of the pup murderer and the young form of Rissa joyfully running towards him, somehow unaware of the danger...Cali helpless to stop her. Then it would always flash forward to his entrails covering the ground and he'd lift his lifeless head and laugh manically at her with dead eyes, grinning evilly as he whispered, "They are still mine!"

So, when the call came exhaustion pulled at her and she found travel harder. Thus, it appeared that she was the last to arrived, coming upon the group just as Corinna began to speak. Not wanting to interrupt her alpha by walking in tardy, Cali hung back in the shadows, listening and avoiding meeting the eyes of those present. When the move was mentioned, Cali lifted her head, torn. She could see the logic in it, but she loved the River, despite the memories. But surely there were far more tainted memories for Cori and Ice and the children. They had been here long before her. Then Cori mentioned the next generation and her dulled emerald eyes flew between Corinna and Ice and a small spark of hope flickered to life in her tortured heart. Hope and fear for what fate would bring to the next generation.

But where would they go? Where would the pups be safe? In a voice that cracked from exhaustion and disuse she asked, "Where? Where will the pups be born?" Almost as soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted speaking up, for surely they would see her now and know of her weakness. She bobbed her head apologetically at Corinna even as she seemed to shrink back into the shadows.

(This post was last modified: May 14, 2013, 06:05 PM by Cali.)

Never Underestimate a Heart of Fire...

Tali listened in silences as Corinna spoke. Her eyes flipped through the wolves at the gathering, trying to gauge their reactions to the news. In her mind, and she was likely right, her opinion didn't matter much. When the time came, she could go or stay and nobody would be the wiser. She had yet to make any lasting bonds here, but she was determined to change that. One day she would look upon these wolves as her family, and she hoped they would do the same. She would start getting to know her pack mates as soon as the meeting was over. Things were going to change, for the better. At least she hoped.

Her ears flicked at the mention of 'everything'. The way it left her alpha's lips made Tali feel uncomfortable. Something very terrible had happened to this pack. They had secrets. Ones she may never know, and she wasn't sure if she wanted to. This would be a fresh start for them, and maybe that was better. Maybe their fresh start could be hers as well. The talk of new life filled her with delight, and her eyes moved to Corinna's sides. They would soon have little fluff-balls wreaking havoc upon the pack, and she would be the proud mother of another litter. The pups would soon spend their days pushing the limits and testing their boundaries. Her heart filled with promise. Their pack would have a new generation to nurture, and even she was excited.

(This post was last modified: May 15, 2013, 05:56 PM by Tali.)

there's so many things we're not

but with what we have

i promise you that we're marchin' on

Kisla's arrival brought Fenru's eyes to her, his tail wagging about even while she settled beside him, pressing herself into his larger frame. He pushed himself up and away from Ice's flank with an elbow as he felt his sister's nose come in contact with the back of his neck. Though he meant to return the greeting immediately his eyes turned away as their younger sister, Aiyana arrived. His heart dropped like a stone into the river just as it had done in the past, but he knew that he should not have expected anything less. His amber gaze followed the dark girl as she became the silhouette of a shadowed tower, a silent and well-guarded temple where not even her brother was seemingly worthy of her grace.

He sniffed quietly, tearing his gaze from her to finally look at his age-mate. Kisla, too, looked worn. He shifted slightly to curl towards her, nudging his nose gently and affectionately to the rim of her ear. In a playful gesture, he reached up to playful graze his teeth along the soft cartilage but did nothing else as he settled back down. A trace of a smile showed on his face even though it did not linger for long. His mother's voice called attention to all and he was immediately attentive, turning away from his sibling to take in what was being said without distraction.

The decision had been made, and though he had known about what was being proposed, he took it in all the same. Everywhere within him a fire stirred and his heart and head went to war, but externally he was rendered emotionless and unfeeling... conflicted. Upon the news of hearing that there were more younger siblings to be had, his eyes went to Ice then to Kisla and Corinna after noticing the slight shift of expression in Aiyana's face. His auburn ears lowered and slicked back; he was more than glad he had not gone too far at Corinna's request. If he had wanted to see more of Relic Lore, apparently his parents were willing to grant him the opportunity. All he had needed to do was wait.

"Where? Where will the pups be born?" an seemingly unfamiliar voice reached out to him, to the pack and he focused on Cali's weathered figure. She shrank back as soon as she fell quiet again and Fenru immediately withdrew his stare, choosing to gaze worriedly back at Kisla instead. We can get through this, right? he wordlessly asked her, simply studying the expression on her face. He bit back a whine. Of course they would survive... Surviving, or acquiring the means for survival, could possibly be the only feeling Fenru had ever known since the day he was born.

FENRU TAINN

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Taekwondo (M, W, F) | Rapid-Response Day (Tu) | WoW Nights (F, Sat, Sun)

Happy to see that Fenru was the next to arrive, she visibly relaxed. Glad to see that the yearling was here to attend their small meeting. The man was probably one of the few pack mates that she would easily put her trust in. With a nod towards him, she let her jade eyes Kisla, the other Tainn sibling. The Swiftpaw never saw much of Fenru’s sister but respected her none the less…she was part of the pack. When Aiyana arrived soon after, her frown deepened with lines of concern. The pup was another of which she had barely seen any of. Occasionally the woman would feel bad for Corinna’s pup, knowing that she had never really had any time with another of her own litter before each one of them had been picked off by some disaster. The poor girl had experienced much pain, from what Jessie had gathered, but she also knew that pity would not get Aiyana anywhere.

The next to arrive was one of Swift River’s newest additions, Tali, and the gray woman made sure to assert her dominance over the female. It was not long before Corinna started to speak, her voice ringing over the silence that she was greeted with. Her words brought sources of dread spiking through her, confusion causing her brows to furrow. Had she been missing something? How had she not known that this was happening within the pack? And if so, she was unsure if the others somehow knew something that she did not. In her mind, she told herself that this was not true, for it just proved how much more she had been secluded from the pack than she wanted her to be. Swallowing her jumbled thoughts in her mind and snapped her head towards the questions coming out of her sister’s mouth.

She too was curious as to where the pack was going to go to, as well as who was taking them. For all she knew, the pack had been perfectly stable where they were at for the past few months. Feeling slightly behind, she patiently waited for an explanation, if any was to be given, as to what was truly going on and the reasons for it. Pretty much since she had entered Relic Lore all she had known was the lands of Swift River. These lands were her home…and now her lady was asking them to move. Of course, Jessie would always follow Ice and Corinna, until the day they ordered her not to…she just wanted to know why.

you do not know who is your friend or who is your enemy until the ICE breaks. One by one their little consortium came to be, assembled, guided by the sound of Ice's stalwart voice. Jessie was first to pad into sight, followed by the children; Fenru first, flopping down beside Ice, and then Kisla, followed by the dark shadow that was Aiyana. Responding to Fenru's low whine with a rumbling huff Ice leaned down to give the yearling's - he'd soon be a full adult, he should stop calling Fenru that - ears a soothing lick. There was nothing to worry about.. hopefully their dark days were over now. Hopefully the future would grow brighter and livelier, with joy and love in their hearts again. Tali came in, obviously uncertain of her place among those who knew one another so well, who had endured so much together; Jessie straightened up at the girl's arrival, and Ice felt a small grin tug at his lips. Some things never changed, eh? Smelling Cali on the way, but nothing of Belun, Ice let his attention return to Corinna, leaning into her momentarily to offer her comfort and strength as she began to speak. Relocating, and pups, might be a touchy thing, and while they commanded the pack's loyalty, he knew that he at least would want the others to want to move, too, not simply do it because ordered. Corinna's wavering voice led him to believe she probably felt the same, and his eyes strayed the gathering as she spoke. Aiyana, so sealed off and thoughtful, Tali, looking both a bit cautious and excited, Cali (ironic, that she now seemed the way Jessie had after Indru's departure) stating a question... Fenru and Kisla remained silent, and Ice frowned for a moment. Belun still hadn't shown up. Had he been one of those who blew in on the wind, only to blow out again the next time it blew harder? "On the other side of the mountains," he said, his voice clear and smooth despite the way his heart beat, longing for their approval. "Marsh and Triell went a few weeks ago to scout out a suitable location." It would also explain why neither the loyal copper male nor Triell was there - perhaps soothe some worries that they had been abandoned. Briefly Ice looked down, shuffling his large paws over the familiar soil. It would've been easier if someone had said something else, like yes let's go! or why?, even I don't want to. They all just sat there, quiet, staring at him and Corinna in a way that made him want to squirm and dig himself into the ground where they couldn't see. He drew a deep breath, trying to steady himself, and let his head tilt sideways. "What say you?" he asked softly, wanting to provoke some kind of reaction from them. Positive would be the best, but even a negative would be better than silence - and once they knew the pack's doubts and concerns, they could set about to solving the problems. .ice aesir

Next round ends May 22nd - if no concerns are raised this is probably the last round of the meeting! :o

(This post was last modified: May 18, 2013, 03:43 PM by Aiyana.)

let the stars above shine in your soul

Her eyes scanned those that came after her, but they riveted themselves upon the entrance of her darker sister, Aiyana. The girl was silent in her thoughts, as she always seemed to be, and the morose emotions that seemed to emanate from her caused Kisla’s heart to clench with ache. Fenru’s stable presence beside her kept her in check, and the she-wolf found herself unconsciously leaning to hr brother’s embrace, seeking out his strength.

The gathering remained quiet – the peridot gaze of the Yearling only had time to take in the sight of a new female she had yet to formally meet before Corinna’s voice brought her attention solely back upon the pack’s matriarch. Whatever she had expected from this sudden meeting, it was certainly not this. The revelation of shedding Swift River as nothing more than a past in her heritage and holding a fresh start both thrilled and unnerved her, and her own eyes sought out Fenru’s. he had made such demand to Ice not long ago, but never had she expected it to come to fruition.

What truly shook hr world, however, was the announcement of her mother’s pregnancy. Kisla’s green eyes fell sharply upon the silver beauty, instantly moving to the lady’s sides in hopes of determining how far along the pregnancy was. There was no doubt in her mind who the father was, and as quickly as her heart shuddered in response to the sole male who toiled her emotions being taken, the logical side of instinct placed root as she attempted to numb herself from the surprising pain she felt with this knowledge.

She spoke nothing – truly at a loss for words, and instead she attempted to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat. The disappearance of Marsh and Triell explained – news that relieved her greatly, for they would be reunited once more was what she clung to for that moment.. for nothing else made sense now. Yet Ice's soft prompting took hold, and as silence stretched across the group, the pale tawny she-wolf dipped her muzzle slightly in humble response -- Corinna could never know of her daughter's feelings for the now lead male. "A new beginning for a new generation," she murmured, her tone compliant with the unspoken agreement she gave them.

sparking up my heart