Nomads Pass Highway Star

Pack meeting/pup greeting/moving into a new den! The only person with an excuse not to be here is @Crowe (as he is still down at Poison Path gathering nightshade). No posting order, first round will be arrival, second round will be the moving further up the pass to the new big cave and then I will wrap it up. First round replies by 15th please!

@Mapplethorpe, @Rais, @Datura, @Sagacity, @Asta, @Nebet, @Taima, @Nova, @Mercy & @Aponi

This place belonged to her

• NAIRA AQUILA •

and she belonged to it

The sun had been in the sky for a good few hours already and Naira had managed a pass of the borders and a quick trip to the cache, surprised to find a fat fresh salmon stowed away. Feeling slightly guilty and hoping nobody had been saving it for later (although a faint trace of Mapplethorpe’s scent told her otherwise), she made short work of the scaly feast and wandered back to the den where she gave birth only weeks prior. She had made the decision several days ago, and now it was time to put her plan into action.

There was barely room for one adult in the birthing den, and there were two adults with cubs. It made it difficult for those taking a turn at pup sitting to get comfortable and on days when it rained (as it so often did in the spring) it left everyone damp and uncomfortable, so she had made the decision to move them all to a much larger network of caves, a little higher up the Pass, elevated out of the way of rising water. There were smaller tunnels that shot off from the rear of the main chamber, for those who wished for a little more privacy and it wasn’t overly far from @Mapplethorpe’s tree either. While she wasn’t sure how the rest of the pack would take the move, she knew that it was necessary.

The girls hazy vision had cleared and they were more than ready to leave the den. Although they would need to be carried to the den, she wanted them to take their first steps into the big wide world on their own. And she wanted her pack here to see it. Poking her head into the den to give each dark bundle a small nudge of encouragement, she stepped back, allowing them room to take the steps on their own. Tilting her muzzle to the sky she called to her pack. This was something she expected them all to see.

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Aponi Aquila Cold. It was always colder when mother was gone. Sometimes one of the skinnier ones would come in to keep them warm but it wasn’t the same. They didn’t smell right, their fur wasn’t as thick, and the milk they produced wasn’t as rich as what their real mother provided for them. Ever since she first opened her eyes it seemed like after every nap she could see a little more. Things gained more definition and now, she knew her mothers face, once just a voice then a blur. She knew her big sister even better than she knew her mother, and she could tell the difference between the skinny ones that came to stay with them when mother had to go, although she did not know their names. There was a name she did know though. "No-va. @Nova!" She muttered as she tried to pull herself upright and fell back against her sister’s side. A frown furrowed her brow, she had been startled by a large shape moving past the entrance of their den. The wolf moved to poke at them both and a giggle left her chest. "MA!" she declared loudly, pulling herself upright again, but as quickly as she had come she was gone again. The smile was replaced with a look of determination as she heard her mother sing and took determined steps after her. Pausing momentarily at the entrance and hoping her sister was close behind, Aponi Aquila took her first steps into the light before racing to collide with her mother’s flank. A proud bark issued forth from her mouth as her tail thumped awkwardly against the ground. Tongue lolling from her mouth as her eyes squinted to adjust to the world around her. So this was outside?

Naira's song pierced the air and her Advisor, being only a mere three minutes away from her due to impeccable timing, was quick to bring himself to her side. The sudden shout of "MA!" snagged his eardrums and he couldn't help but smile. The girls might not have been his, but he actually loved them all the same; never mind that Rhysis had left the Pass and missed out on Aponi and Nova's very first milestones, at least the Advisor had been present to keep them safe at a distance. With his tail held high and his head carried as proudly as he could manage, he drew close to Naira, confidently striding forward to lean in to give her his conventional greeting. A touch of his muzzle to her chin, grazing the leathery tip of his nose against the side of her lower jaw and bringing his head upward just slightly as to tenderly nip at the base of her ear.

Minding Aponi, the dark blotch he had initially noticed at Naira's flank when he approached, the grizzled Advisor took a seat off to one side, reclining forward and making himself comfortable while he waited for the rest of the pack to arrive. Before he could fully settle down, he was back into a sitting posture with his hind leg extended upward to try to scratch at one of his russet ears. The fly that buzzed about in the air above him hovered momentarily until realizing Mapplethorpe was not about ready to stop itching and fidgeting. Exhaling briefly once he was able to soothe his itch, he lowered his hind limb again and sprawled out on his side, falling absolutely quiet and at ease once more.

pro nunc meum et tuum

TEMPLATE © NDA OF RCR & RPG-D

Daylight poured down upon the surrounding area, illuminating the pass like that of a brillant beauty and light. Each rock glistening in their own unique color above the ivory white femme, the smells entagonizing to the nose of the she-wolf that stalked the lower areas of the pass. She had recently spotted a herd of deer lurking and moving their way right through the pass and it would make for an easy picking for the three year old. She could smell the weak amongst them and the young barely old enough to walk that were sick. Oh, she was opportunistic her years of learning at her former pack seemed to hold firm within her mind. In many respects it was the only thing a femme got to do at that forsaken pack in the arctics. Ears perked intently as she listened carefully to her surroundings, she could smell it. The scent was that of a young deer, maybe just about a year if it was lucky to be that....a little more probing would reveal the herd had left it, and the sound of beckoning bellows would issue forth from its mouth in an attempt to gain it's parents attention.

Little did the creature know it had caught the attention of someone alright, however it wasn't it's mother. Stalking silently forward she kept the wind to her advantage strong muscles pulled the woman forward, ears pinned down against her hair and buried within the confines of the crystaline white fur that graced her head, yellow eyes dancing like their own suns; alive within the skull of the charismatic beast. It wasn't until she analyzed the situation and had circled the creature a few times( realizing there was for sure no others that would come to it's rescue) as the wind changed that she realized this would be an easy kill. The beast was hurt, it's left front leg broken and it's back leg done in the same manner so it was unable to run and a hefty sized buck fawn at that. Obviously this creature hadn't missed a meal, so with a sudden viciousness not even she knew she had she sprung from the closed in covering of the woods and into the clearing. Teeth bared and fur standing on end as she lunged for the animal that bellowed loudly and began to flail in a half hearted attempt to escape.

Sleek body built for speed and aerodynamics easily manuevered itself to dodge the healthy hoofs that tried to kick the air. Spotting her chance she came in quick, using the full force of her weight as she opened her mouth and wrapped those teeth around the creatures neck and drug it onto it's back as it kept fighting, her body managing with a few hard hits and scraps to pin it do the ground as the blood rushed over her maw and chest. literally suffocating the creature to death as she shook her head slightly before letting go after a good twenty minutes. Satisfied that it was completely dead as she backed away slowly to clean herself up before she was to present this lovely meal to her new alpha whom so graciously took her in. It was just as she was finishing up that she heard the call issue forth, her head lifting as she smiled brightly. her tail wagging a bit as she looked to the fawn and with a hefty huff she grabbed it by the hoof and began to drag it behind her.

Of course she had to stop a few times to rest, but she eventually made her way up the pass to the den site. Panting and out of breath, her eyes would suddenly dart to the male who was sprawled on the ground, her posture suddenly becoming like that of a frightened mouse even with the baby deer she had dragged along behind her as she suddenly dropped her body to the ground her ears flattening as she whimpered a bit tucking her tail and refusing to look at the male. It was her training to say the least that had kicked in, she had this drilled into her head so much growing up that she didn't even realize she had done it before whispering lightly""I...I am sorry Ma'am.....I did not mean to disturb...." her mind completely forgetting what she had done for a moment before she backed up and nudged the beast forward to the femme before speaking once more "I brought this for you..."

text. "speech"

Thanks to the awesome becuffin for the table!

A big thanks to Maksim for the IC topic avatar!

taima lyall

i only want to be loyal

What Taima had been expecting when she answered her Leader's call with her presence was nothing like the exact image that greeted her in the heart of the Pass. Upon first glance, her solemn gold eyes sought the faces gathered around Naira, looking for the pair of goldenrod eyes that belonged to her prince. A second sweep of her gaze confirmed that Datura was not yet there and while she was still nervous around Mapplethorpe, the man who had sworn to serve her, she gingerly touched her nose to his chin then tiptoed past him and around the ivory woman that was Nebet to pay her respect to the Queen of Nomads Pass. In one clean and gentle motion, she grazed her nose along Naira's ashen chin then moved back to find a place next to Mapplethorpe. Sure, the masked man still intimidated her but, in a way, his presence provided the comfort she needed when he was the only familiar soul present.

She lowered herself down onto her haunches, careful to curl her tail around her left flank as to keep it from being trampled over or stepped on. Datura will be here soon enough, she told herself in her head. Soon enough... and everything will be better. With her lips in a tight black line, she managed to procure a slight smile, lifting her head just enough to outwardly show that she was indeed proud to be among the individuals who made the heights of the Mountain of Dire their home and safe haven. Not daring to make eye contact with Mapplethorpe, Naira, the other woman who was without a doubt her superior, or the pup she knew she had heard on her way towards the meeting place, she shifted her blank stare towards a distant tree trunk, avidly awaiting for the rest of her new family and, namely, Datura...

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Asta's day hadn't been anything beyond the usual; she'd passed by the borders, returned to the heart and even managed to get a small nap in. Now she was resting on her side only a few minutes run from the den, her head resting lazily against the ground. It took one sound to make her day switch from ordinary to interesting: a cry imploring the wolves of the Pass present themselves. Asta's head shot up, her ears perking up to listen to the note. Before it was done echoing over the pass the hunter was on her paws, galloping over grass and stone with the eagerness that seemed so typical of the young woman.

She slowed to an easy lope and, by the time she arrived, was panting softly. She trotted forward, glancing about at some wolves whose scents she had only observed in passing and presented herself first and foremost to her leaders. Her trot became a walk as the hunter's head lowered. Her ears and tail followed suit, though a pleasant wag seemed to remain ever-present. She was here; whatever the Lady had called them here for, Asta was ready to listen. She suspected the reason already however: the dark shape close to Naira's side prompted a smile from the yellow-eyed woman. The girls were growing so much!

"Ma'am. Sir," she greeted Naira and Mapplethorpe in turn. When she was sure it was quite all right to do so, Asta seated herself a little way off and found herself somewhat closer to one of the unfamiliar women. The girl was younger than Asta. A brief nod was offered to Taima, another glance at the girl with deer, and then she settled in to wait.

♥ Allie

Nova was never sure what to do when her mom disappeared from her little bubble for any length of time. She was at least glad Aponi was always there to keep things interesting. Her sister stirred beside her, bringing a smile to Nova's coal black face as she heard her name. "'Poni!" Nova yapped back. She liked when Aponi said her name, nearly as much when her mamma said it. Nova watched as her sister shuffled about beside her, trying to stand steady on all four paws. Nova made a small grunt as Aponi toppled back down, her big floppy-tongued smile momentarily disappearing.

The familiar silhouette of their mother loomed in close to her short field of vision, and she met her mamma's nudge with a playful grumble. Was it time for a game? Nova hoped so, and after getting unsteadily to her chubby limbs she toddled after her sister, hesitating for a moment before stepping fully into the sunlight.

It took a moment to get her bearings, blinking baby blue eyes against the glare of the sun, making out the shapes of several others. She could distinguish an odd, metallic scent although there was nothing yet for her to compare it to. Wide-eyed and unsure, Nova moved closer to Aponi so that she could sit right against her sister. Nova watched with the curious, unabashed stare of a child as one of the tawny figures made some odd motion with his legs. That had to mean something, right? Nova shifted on her haunches, almost lifting a single one of her hind legs in imitation before wobbling enough that it made her reevaluate her plan. Aponi didn't seem to be trying to do the leg flailing thing, so maybe she shouldn't either.

Taking care of a child on her own- albeit with the help of Asta- was difficult. The more Mercy grew, the more he needed from her. Not only could she no longer trust that he'd stay exactly where she needed him to stay when she left, but he needed to eat more, play more, be bathed more. Everything was more more more, and while she loved the child, she couldn't help but wish perhaps that she'd had a mate to help her out. She felt worn and tired, but kept her head held high. This was her son- perhaps she was the only one who knew this, besides Chetan, but she loved him all the same. The effort it took to be a single mom was worth the moments where he smiled or made adorable cooing sounds or invited her into play.

She was aware that a few new members had joined the pack- females, she'd heard. She'd been in relatively close contact with Naira as the two had offered help to each other with the children. Sagacity hid the knowledge that Naira's girls and her son were actually half-siblings without any problems, and as her boy grew, he began to lose his father's dark, silver-speckled coat and take on that of his mother. Given that her own pelt colouration wasn't too rare, she felt relieved knowing that Mercy's coat colour wouldn't raise any suspicion. And aside from that, the boy was still leaps and bounds darker than she was.

When the meeting was called, she brought Mercy along with her, and settled the boy at her feet. Naira and Mapplethorpe were each given a low rumble of respect and a deep tilt of her head. To soothe her boy, lest he be overwhelmed by the crowd, she kept him between her forelegs and lovingly licked the child's head between his ears to settle him into the situation.

Avatars by Arla!

The Crowchild

He'd heard the sound. The howl! What a noise that was, reverberating through the Pass! And Ma had heard it too. Apparently, it was a very interesting noise, for in a moment his paws were off the ground and he was going somewhere else. Mercy knew better than to squirm in his mother's jaws. Where were they going?

Mercy's blue eyes were wide as he was set down. He recognized some of the wolves. Mostly Naira, and Asta - the little wolf that was with him sometimes instead of Mum. But there were a lot of others he didn't know yet. An overwhelming number of colors and faces, of smells and sounds... voices, though soft. Mercy pressed in close to his mother's forelimbs, leaning close to one so he could hide part of his face behind it. Who were all these wolves? What was going on? This was new. This was strange. The boy-child's fears seemed short-lived however, as he peeked a little further away from the guarding forelimb and he sat on his rump.

He noticed his peers as well, and a more curious gleam filled his bright eyes.

Kydnt is on absence so @Rais is excused (or can catch us up on the way), @Datura can jump in whenever, I think Sarah is on absence as well? Second round replies by 22nd please. @Mapplethorpe first but after that no posting order. I hate when these things drag out. Also - just a note that Ghost now plays @Aponi! Yay! Lets knock this over!

This place belonged to her

• NAIRA AQUILA •

and she belonged to it

Aponi was quick to emerge from the den, planting herself firmly at her mothers side. She smiled down approvingly and gave the girl a nudge to her dark little crown. She leaned into Mapplethorpe’s greeting, her tail thumping steadily against the ground as she kept half an eye on the entrance of the den and waited for Nova to emerge. It took Nebet a little longer to arrive, but she came with a gift in tow. Her style approach was slightly confusing but Naira put it down to the girl seemingly keeping to herself until now and offered a reassuring chuff to the subordinate. “No intrusion, after all, everyone was summoned.” she answered approvingly before her attention was drawn away with the arrivals of Taima and Asta.

As the crowd continued to gather, Nova finally made her appearance, drawing close to her smaller sister and Naira lowered her head to give the girl a reassuring lick as Sagacity finally joined them with Mercy in tow. Confident smile plastered to her face she considered what a different crowd was gathered now in comparison to their last meeting and hunt. The once male dominated pack had clearly been over-run by ladies. Something she and Mapplethorpe would need to remedy at some point, if only for the sanity of the existing megre spread of male members.

After giving the gathered a chance to settle, get eyes and noses on those they may not know and allow another moment for Rais and Datura to show (if they weren’t off hunting together - an excusable venture with so many mouths to feed), she decided it was time to get on with it. “I have called you all here, as I think it is time for a change.” She began, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “I have stumbled across a system of caves, large enough to make a common den. You are still welcome to keep to your own dens, but for the sake of accommodating the children, I thought it best we move somewhere slightly more communal.” She allowed her words to settle in.

Momentarily she allowed her eyes to drift to Mapplethorpe, to see if he would have anything that he wished to add while the majority of the pack was present and once he was finished she would stand, gathering Nova in her jaws and beginning the trek up the pass, trusting that Mapplethorpe or Asta would pick up Aponi and follow. It was not a long walk, in fact the girls could probably have done with the walk if she had wanted them to take half the day, but finally the cave opening came into sight and she set her daughter down, stepping back to allow other pack members to explore the large cave, with its crack in the ceiling that let daylight stream into the main cavern and the darker tunnels that ran off the back of it in all different directions. There would be plenty of adventures for the young cubs to have here, and a lot more room for those who were stuck with pup-sitting duty.

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