Oak Tree Bend ouch, it burns

The pups are coming out! This is a pack activity, so we'd encourage any and all OTB members to participate. =) Please allow @Ice and @Sceral to post first after Serach and Cori, and then feel free to post in any order. The next round will start on June 17th.

Goat, Goat, Goat

It was cold, was Serach's first thought as he entered the world. He had no conception of hot or cold, of course, but he knew that this new place was not as warm as where he had come from. And where was his brother? A frightened mew broke the nighttime silence, but immediately the warmth returned as his mother's tongue descended upon him, her large nose urging him towards her breast to nurse. The cold and his brother forgotten, Serach Aesir had nursed happily.

Now Serach had to push his brother out of the way to get to the best spot - the one right beside his mother. And push he did, as much as a two week old wolf cub could push anything. They had grown since then, and where there had only been darkness before now there were murky, ill-defined shapes. The big one was his mother, who he loved most of all. The murky shape who slept and nursed beside him was his brother; truth be told, Serach was glad he'd shown up, otherwise he'd been lonely. And occasionally there was another form, one that plunged everything into darkness. His smell was familiar though and there was something comforting about it. He had decided early on that he liked that murky form, but every time he had stumbled forth on wobbly legs, the sharp nose of his mother had pushed him backwards. Confused mews and high pitched whines always filled the den after that, but she never relented and the murky form remained a mystery back-lit by the sun.

And then one day, his mother hadn't pushed him back. Serach had been practicing his walking, lifting his oversized paws one by one to carry him from his mother to the far wall. It was not a very long distance, but it frustrated him how often he fell. And it hurt. His nose was tender, and every time he face-planted into the dirt, he would lay there and cry out his woes to anyone who would listen before picking himself back up again. So by the time he decided to alter his course and head towards the brightness, he was more practiced on his feet. And when he tripped over his front paw and went toppling to the ground, he only whimpered once before getting back up again. But when he finally reached the bright wall, he found that it was not solid like the other wall had been, and his nose slipped right out.

His puppy tail wagging in excitement, Serach Aesir plunged nose-first into the world - and promptly began to cry. "ROOOO!!!" Recoiling, he fell back on his rump, pushing his muzzle into the ground. It burned. Oh golly did it burn.

Gone Tomorrow

They had grown, just as Corinna had known they would. But for over two weeks she had kept them contained in their safe haven, pushing them back whenever they strayed too close to the entrance to the den. They played alongside her, wrestling and grappling with one another. Serach had taken to pacing, flopping onto his face near every step he took as he struggled to get used to his tiny legs. But just like the two newborns beside her, the she-wolf was growing anxious. It had been so long since she had been able to stretch her legs properly, and her tongue was covered in puppy hair and dying of thirst. So when Ice had visited her, she told him that it was time - tomorrow she would both introduce her cubs to the pack and reclaim her freedom.

Or maybe they wouldn't. Gray ears perked atop Cori's head as Serach stumbled towards the entrance. She had not stopped him this time, willing him to go into the world so she could follow right behind. But his angry and hurtful cries filled the den, and he recoiled from the light. A frown of concern fell upon her face, and she crawled forward to him, licking the back of his head to comfort him. But she did not draw him backwards, and instead nosed him forward. It was his eyes, she was sure - the sudden shock to his visual sense had startled his puppy brain, which had yet to recognize the son and its light.

But this was no time for fear. Twisting her head around she reached back, muzzle searching for Sceral, to push him towards his brother. "It's time to see the world, little ones," she cooed at them, hoping that the sound of her voice would ease their anxiety, even if the words themselves did not. Stepping over the blinded cub, Corinna pushed into the world, her own eyes momentarily useless as they too adjusted to the light. But they did much quicker than her sons', and in no time at all, she was stepping away from them, out onto the sward of hillside where their den had been dug. Tail wagging eagerly as she breathed in her first breath of air, her howl erupted on the exhale - short and direct. It was time, she sang, it is time to meet them.

Sceral often watched his brother pacing back and forth in the den, watched him flop and cry before he stumbled the little distance and tumbled into the ground, too. Perhaps Sceral was different to Serach in the fact he somewhat liked to fall over unless his little nose hit the floor too. Then it’d be whines all around. Today, however, Serach went in a different direction. Sceral peered at his brother, watched him with wide yet untrained eyes. Big Place must’ve been out there, right? That’s where Big Wolf came from and Sceral yipped with excitement. He wanted to go to! His brother’s wail went straight over the boy’s head and his tail—well, rather his entire rump—began to move side to side in a puppyish wag. But wait, what if it was dangerous outside?

With his butt wag cut short, he almost decided against it. He’d been in this den all his life, which had been very long in his baby opinion, and knew it was safe. Luckily, his mother gently directed him towards where Serach was now trying to burrow his face into to floor. If mum thought it was okay then surely it was safe? With his adventurer’s spirit reignited, the pup wasted no time in getting out into the big world. Perhaps, if he had paid more attention to his brother’s reaction, Sceral wouldn’t also have been startled but the sudden burst of light. Ouch! Eye Burn! He cried out (much similar to his brother), paws flying up comically as if to block the light, and fell into the ground, far too weak to even attempt standing on his hind legs. At least it was dark under his feetsies.

Then mummy made a noise that he hadn’t heard her make before. What was that?! Lifting a paw and blinking furiously into the Eye Burn, bright light started to fade somewhat, things started to take shape. His young brain’s cogs were turning like crazy as he attempted to understand what was almost materialising in front of his very nose. Big World was Huge! Still blinking as he stomped forwards, very much ungracefully and with a strong desire to show his mum that he wasn't scared or in pain, Sceral pulled his paw back at the strange feeling under his foot. What was this? It was pokey and wiggled. He shoved his nose into the Floor Fur and inhaled deeply before pulling away with a childish giggle; it tickled! Squinted eyes and butt wagging continuing, he toppled towards Serach and yipped over and over as his tiny mouth opened to grab onto his brother’s ear. Come see, come see! Pokey Stuff, Seeeerach! Come see! Suddenly looking like a Big Wolf didn't matter. Sceral wanted to play.

Someone really needs to slap me more often.

you do not know who is your friend or who is your enemy until the ICE breaks. He knew they were growing, but some part of him had never known how tiny they'd started out. He still remembered the wet, helpless bundles Corinna had licked almost dry, their helpless cheeping as they contended for the best spot to nurse, though some wolf instinct in him said they needn't worry - with only two of them, there would be more than enough milk to go around as long as they brought Corinna ample amount of food. And feed her they had, courtesy of Jessie's relentless pursuit of game, and Fenru's strong sense of duty to his mother, and Cali's stubborn desire to be a good Second (and the stubborn desire made her a good second).. and Tali, new and eager, and Kisla, loyal as ever and already showing Tali who was boss. And Ice himself, trying to be everywhere at once while his thoughts were scattered and his paws clumsy. In a sense, they'd had to feed him, too, at least in the days both before and immediately after the birth of his sons. Once he'd gotten over the shock, he'd kind of started to feed himself again. Marsh still hadn't returned, nor had Triell. The worry had lodged itself like a stone in his heart, one he could not shake away, and in the end he'd simply come to accept it, for worrying about it actively only made it worse. Still, it had him miserable in a way he couldn't quite define, and Corinna's howl was a welcome distraction. The large, pale wolf jumped into the air, spun to face home (as sure as a compass needle these days) and sprinted off, white paws thundering across the summer's ground. Corinna had let him into the den, but she'd not let them near him quite yet; it seemed it was going to happen now, to everyone, but he would be there. He'd be the first, and he'd make sure no one got too close, and no pup too far away. With his tail high he burst onto the scene, nearly faceplanting himself as he slowed much too quickly from a lope to a walk. An excited growl-like sound rumbled in his throat as he meandered over, ears pricked, but three yards out both tail and ears fell and he hunched lower, approaching Corinna with a whine in his throat. She was still their mother, and until she said it was okay, he wasn't going to drown his sons in licks; for now, he simply licked Corinna's lower jaw, peering down at the two bundles by the den opening, the one he'd learned to identify as Sceral - so much paler in the daylight - trying to chew Serach's ear off. It warmed his heart to see. .ice aesir

let the stars above shine in your soul

She was constantly doing something for the past few weeks. Whether it be running the borders or going through the territory to learn the new twists and turns, she still found herself hunting most of the time, wanting to support and help Corinna and her pups as much as possible. For the first few days she had also had to help Ice along the way, but it seemed he had come to his senses and was starting to take care of himself once again. She was still hunting now, knowing that their alpha might want a meal soon and she was sure that the woman would not mind. Her small trip was interrupted by the sharp call that rang through the thickets. Tilting her head, she turned towards where the call had sounded, excitement coursed through her. The call that rang to them all meant only one thing: it was time…time to meet the new generation of Oak Tree Bend.

Changing her path from her hunting expedition, she started towards where the den area was, her gray paws carrying her quickly over the ground beneath her. Nervously, she entered the area where Corinna, Ice, Serach, and Sceral. Instantly she shrank down on her stomach and ears flattened on her head as she crept towards Corinna, giving her a polite to her chin, before crawling over back towards Ice and got up to give him a lick on the chin before trotting back a little while away, not wanting to make her alphas uncomfortable with her being too close to their children. Her curiosity got the best of her though and she soon found herself peering around, trying to get a good glimpse at the small tiny fur balls. For once the woman was not the smallest in the pack.

Every once and awhile she thought she saw a glimpse of light fur and she would immediately feel her lips twitch into a small smile. And finally, she saw them. Excitement gleamed in her green eyes, but she did not dare get close in fears that she would get snapped at, Opening her mouth to speak, she spoke softly, as to not hurt the young ears, "They are beautiful…" Jessie could not take her eyes off of the young beneath Corinna and she simply stared at them, knowing that these were the new lives that Jess would die protecting if so needed. What had happened to Rissa would not happen to them, not again. She was sure the pack would do their job and Jess would do hers, but she knew most of all, she would keep her jade eyes on the new kids as much as she needed to.

And I don't mind falling to pieces. Home. Triell wasn't sure where that was at this exact moment, but he knew those who would make any place feel that way. He missed them very much. It was time to head south, back to the woods to see if they had settled. He had a feeling he would see them among the growing trees, and that they were anxiously waiting his and Marsh's return. The thought of the red beast made his heart burn in a way it had not since the fire. Death did not leave survivors.While he had numbed himself over his weeks of travels by seeing his sister again, but this wound was soon to reopen. Ice would surely know by his lack of company something had gone wrong, and the rest of the pack would not be blind. When he heard Corinna's voice singing for them to meet the children, he could feel his heart pick itself up enough to get his paws moving faster. So close! Nostrils quivered, and his tail began bending behind his hocks. Yes! He could smell Ice, Corinna, and Fenru! Despite his shoulder he still favored, he was eager to meet these new ones, to let his pack know he had not abandoned them. The red hills disappeared through short gaps of trees for a bit, and he could feel panic creep in his throat not sure where they were. The Tainn slowed to a more purposeful walk, trying to pick up a trail again when he caught Ice's stretched steps. Okay, this way, he thought, making himself walk more steadily. At a walk, the healing wound was less bothersome. Slowly the dark wolf made his way, the forest starting to open, the rise of the Sierra Hills in his fiery eyes. Then he could see the outline of Jessie, the top of his leader's backs. Triell wanted to bark for joy, but he did not want to disturb them. No, it seemed wrong to call attention. Quietly, he approached, shuffling through the tall grass, till he was in view of the new den. Briefly his eyes shifted to view Cori, lingering longer on Ice. Would they convey what they had lost? Triell hoped not, he hoped they spoke of his happiness to be back and they would have to talk soon. For now that could wait, and his gaze fell to the boys already establishing their pecking order. The dark wolf grinned, his head low head, and his tail wagging fast.

are you with me through it all?

fenru tainn

blood of my blood

When his mother's song broke through the woodlands, Fenru Tainn was quick to heed her summoning. He had been waiting for this day for what seemed like ages... and, he had dutifully made sure time and time again that the borders he kept were unsullied by rogue wolves or other predators. To his mother he had sworn fealty, as well as Ice... and, in turn, the three women under his mother's reign. For them he promised to keep his younger siblings safe and as a long-standing guard along the perimeters of Oak Tree Bend, he was often the first line of defense in protecting the most valuable pack assets in the heart of the territory.

He tore away from the landmark he had just finished marking and sprinted through the gnarled trees, his mottled gray, ivory, and russet coat rendered into a shifting patchwork of colors as he made his way towards the den. He made his own path until his trail merged with Ice's, then he slowed to a leisurely stroll. While he had expected Ice, and perhaps even Jessie, to beat him there, what he hadn't expected was another familiar scent among them. It might have been misplaced for the past few months but in Fenru's mind it had not even struck him as out of place at all until he abruptly laid eyes on a large, black brute standing in the tall grass before the denning grounds. Triell... Uncle Triell.

The cub within him might have jumped for joy but the young man he had become readily strode forward with his tail and head held high and positioned himself between Triell and his family whom he had protected in Triell's absence. Only until he heard @Ice to tell him to stand down would he withdraw his dominant and authoritative display of clenched teeth and forward-pointed ears. The various scents carried on his uncle's coat told much about his ventures and travels but nothing told Fenru that Triell had officially been marked as a pack wolf. A small and short growl was offered, not in a threatening manner but only just, and what Fenru merely asked without words was for his superiors' approval and/or additional acceptance of Fenru as his uncle's superior and presently standing protector of the wolves of Oak Tree Bend.

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And I don't mind falling to pieces. It never occurred to Triell to hold back, wait for someone to come to him. That he would be a trespasser among them. He had already been gone since Spring and had thought the sooner he found them the better. When Cori had called how could he have stood at an invisible line waiting to be told it was okay come home? How could he wait for Ice to come, question where his fellow guardian was? He couldn't. That's why he was there, carefully at the edge of the thicket exhausted in both body and mind. When Fenru came upon the scene, questioning his appearance, placing himself between the rest and the dark Tainn as if he could hurt them Triell wondered if he should have returned. Maybe, he wasn't welcome after all. Had he left them too long again? When his full grown nephew boldly stood ready to tear at him for a wrong move it was hard not to feel like an outcast. Yet, it wasn't hard to be proud how far the boy had come. Suddenly it struck Triell their numbers had dwindled again. Fenru was the only guardian... Right now he was trying to claim the position Triell might have had in different circumstances. Triell had to ask himself what did he want? Would he feel out of place to bend his ears, tuck his tail and accept his new place beneath Fen? Or did he want his rightful spot now. The one just below Ice that had belonged to Marsh. The answer lied in the question, in the thought of the place he should have. The mellow, weary appearance of the dark wolf changed at that small, short growl. No, he was not yet ready for Fenru to have that place. If the lad wanted it, he would have to keep it from Tri. Swiftly cranium rose, shoulders going rigid even against the brief pain, and he stood tall and stiff. With a narrowed gaze his fiery eyes met the similar pair of the young man's, his black lip twitching briefly, showing a long, white tooth. A deep note began creeping in his vocals that was just the beginnings of his own growl for Fenru to back down or be prepared for Triell to make him.

(This post was last modified: Jun 17, 2013, 10:29 PM by Triell.)

are you with me through it all?

Kisla had been keeping track of the den since the scent of the birth had come to her. Corinna and Ice had not called the pack yet, and having witnessed her mother through such a thing before and recalling the low growls that would filter from the den should she come too close, the tawny girl instead remained a respectful distance this time, her green eyes straying to the den entrance time after time in hopes of catching sight of one of her new siblings.

Despite her eagerness to tend to Corinna and her new siblings, the moment the cry came out for the pack to meet them she felt her heart flutter in her chest. Would they look like Ice? Could her heart handle it, knowing her new family was born from the male who held her attentions so hauntingly? Had he taken her mother as his mate yet? These questions flooded her as she moved forward now, and with an air of stubbornness that might have been mistaken for a tone of snobbery, the she-wolf came to the small clearing, her eyes befalling those that had gathered already.

Jessie had already come, as well as Fenru. Her eyes regarded the scene before her, her heart lifting at the sight of Triell. Puppy flight itched at her paws, but she withheld her yip and greeting of joy to the dark male, holding herself back as he attempted to assert himself over her littermate. The tension within the air had risen, and unwilling to disturb it, the she-wolf skirted around the pair, her eyes drifting from them only to steal a glance at the pale fur of her baby brothers. They were beautiful, of course, yet uncertain as to how close she could get to them, the girl instead came alongside Jessie, her shoulder brushing the older female’s in silent greeting as her eyes once more strayed to the challenge of dominance.

sparking up my heart

OTB-family-people, 'specially Shadow and Fenrir, sorry for hijacking the Aesir boys' presentation thread. XC Fenru is just... I dunno. Older half-brother REPRESENT?! Or... A WILD TAINN HAS APPEARED! Something like that... Will totally try to get this taken care of 'cause Fenru totally wants to have a chance to see his new lil' bro's. >_> Setting the stage and opening up some action/reaction points according to this; @Triell, let me know if I accidentally assumed or stepped over anything! The muzzle grab is nothing 'too pressing' physically, Triell could/should easily pull/shrug/wrench himself away and out from it without hurting anything. <3

fenru tainn

blood of my blood

Had Triell been any other man, Fenru might have hastily moved to protect Kisla as well, but through his peripheral vision, he watched briefly as his sister edged around him. He let out half of a snort, something curt that purveyed the satisfaction that Kisla had done nothing to interrupt the dominance match that had begun. At the sound of his growl Triell had straightened up, morphing into something like the sight of a dark tower that seemed to dwarf the grass at their elbows. The younger Tainn lowered his head defensively; it might have looked like a submissive display, but another growl made sure that his motives were not to be overlooked or mistaken. His muzzle wrinkled upward even further to show off the fullness of his clenched teeth along his jaw, both upper and lower sets pressing together in sharp, jagged lines.

He squared his broad shoulders, allowing his hackles to rise up and make the fur bristle all along the ridge of his neck and spine. Triell returned his nephew's growl with one of his own, and Fenru, in turn, clicked his teeth and snarled as if to also audibly signal that he was ready to initiate the duel that was unfolding. Tail puffed up and pointed stiffly skyward, he prowled forward, barking twice as some form of intimidation. As he was now just about the size of his dark uncle, it had occurred to the youth that it would take more than just a glare and a couple of barks. No, he would have to use... force.

As quickly as his large frame would allow, Fenru's muscles coiled before he sprung up on his hind legs, charging at Triell. It might not have been the best tactic with draping his right forelimb over Triell's shoulders and back, but the masked brute successfully managed to draw close enough to shove his opponent just slightly off to one side - a suggestion that he was ready to do whatever he was able in order to defend his rank beneath his step-father... even if it came to throwing his weight around. Through the narrow slits of his eyes, he stared, his tongue flicking out once before withdrawing back behind his teeth. He huffed sharply, the air filtering through the cracks between his molars, and he quickly - and rather foolishly craned his neck over to one side so that the inside his mouth could just lightly touch around Triell's crinkled muzzle with his eye teeth, exposing his throat and keeping him within striking range. He lightly closed his jaws so that his uncle could feel the pressure in the muzzle grab but did nothing else, merely anticipating the older Tainn's reaction.

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