Oak Tree Bend Oak Tree Bend Pack Thread

Sure thing c:

Sceral was absolutely flabbergasted. So many plants that you’d never, ever see them all. It sort of slotted into the pup’s perspective just how vast and big the world was. Part of him took it as a challenge however; he’d make sure to count as many as he could. He’d tell his mum all about all the plants he saw on his amazing journeys across the world, what they smelt like and looked like. Maybe she would like that.

His mother’s kisses were the nicest kisses. They were also the only kisses he had actually received but he was positive that, yes, they were the nicest of all. Her words were the nicest words, too. Lifting a paw to gently bop her on the nose, Sceral pulled a wolfish grin. One day he’d be a great leader and he’d treat all his pack with love with like his mum treated him. “I be strong! And nice!” Sceral danced on the stop, fidgeting from paw to paw. “I’mma looove my pack.” Scrambling to lick her on the nose, the little Aesir boy inwardly promised he’d love his pack just like he loved her (but he’d always love her more than them).

Corinna stretched out before asking the little boy if he wanted to find dad. Find dad! He nodded vigorously, tiny tail wagging. “Le’s go! I wanna know how to be a good leaduh, ma!” Prancing away clumsily, Sceral yapped over and over for his dad. The big white wolf was his father and also his absolute idol. He wanted to be just like him, wanted to be big and strong and, most of all, leader. He wanted to be the best leader ever.

10th August around noon, partly cloudy, slight breezes and 68° F/20° C.
@Serach and/or @Sceral maybe?

Head on paws, black nose filled with the scent of sunshine and grass, wolf and bones. Half-lidded eyes watching the world through the barring of soft lashes, sunlight filtering down through sparse crowns, but not here, not where he lay. Thick oak, old an ancient, his mind said, and now it had the company of life and youth again, center of their world. Its thick branches were heavy with leaves, keeping the noon sunlight at bay as he lay in its shadow, resting his body, and trying to rest his mind - something that seemed infinitely hard these days. It seemed that for every good thing in their lives, something bad had to counter-balance it; they had two lovely, spirited sons to raise, but they had lost Marsh, and after a fashion, Aiyana. An eye for an eye?

Ice heaved a quiet sigh, and pulled his silver tail in a neat arc around his haunches, and slowly began to topple over to the right, until his spine lay against the old tree's rough bark. Marsh and Triell had picked this spot for them, rubbed their flanks and shoulders against its solid trunk and scratched the ground raw.. but the constant activity and the summer rains had washed away all traces of Marsh. If it wasn't for the memory of the heart, the copper wolf was gone. For a moment, Ice pressed his eyes shut, swallowing the ball of emotions. He couldn't let that bring him down, and slowly opened his eyes again, watching the sun-bright world. It was a beautiful day, but as always, his soul was heavy when no one was there to lighten it for him.

(This post was last modified: Aug 10, 2013, 10:52 AM by Ice.)

let the stars above shine in your soul

Couldn't just leave poor Ice all alone!

Sceral Aesir was a curious soul and with that came the desire to learn. What was this and what was that, who are you and who is that? He had so many questions, ones that he barely received the answers to. Of course, Corinna told him many of the things he knew but in time he would find out that she didn’t know everything. Fenru had told him that the weird thing with a pointy mouth and flappy arms was, in fact, a crow and that it didn’t want to play with the siblings. Maybe, in time, the other members of the pack would actually talk to Sceral other than just family. He knew they existed, he had seen them during his first time outside! There were lots of them! So … where were they? He had better find them. What if they were hurt?

The brave little Aesir boy exaggerated sniffing, his nose twitching and his ears flicking as if flies were assaulting him. With his nose developing almost daily now, Sceral picked out a scent that he loved very dearly: Ice. Like a sniffer dog, he lowered his nose to the floor and scooted along, tail clumsily wagging with each step. Muddy eyes glanced up and then back down at the dirt. The smell got stronger and the pup’s eyes darted up once more to see the white and grey figure of his father, resting upon the ground. Lowering himself to the ground, Sceral wiggled his butt. Mischievous little Sceral was up to tricks.

He tried his best to remain silent as he crept a few steps closer, little teeth showing in a mischievous grin. Suddenly, he raced forward and with a grand leap (though it was more like a hop), he was upon Ice’s tail. Nomf! With his mouth now full of tail, Sceral tried his best to beam at his father. “Dad!”

Late Afternoon - Sunny, 60 Degrees

Gone Tomorrow

Settled on her stomach, Corinna Donata stared out into the world. She was staring, her green eyes having glassed over a long time ago. From a distance, she would appear to be asleep, resting on the hill outside of the pack's den, her two cubs nearby. But despite her vacant expression, she was alert and alive to the world. She was ready to hone in on any moving object as it approached, though she would be lying if she wasn't hoping for three specific figures to appear. @Ice, @Merlin, and @Cali had been gone for a while, she'd lost count of the days. But there had been no sign of them, despite her inner urging them a swift and safe return. Sceral and Serach had noticed as well, robbed not only of their father but their playmate as well. Jessie had been deprived her sister and companion, and Triell had stepped up to accept the responsibilities of pack leadership. It was all a mess, and not quite right - but they would survive.

With a sigh, Corinna finally blinked, letting her eyes close for a few moments in relief. Grunting, she pushed up on the hard ground, her front half rising to a sitting position. Wearily, she looked around, taking one last look at the woods to search for her missing companions. Fruitless in her search, the leader growled softly, shaking her head to clear it from her mind. There were other tasks that needed to be done. They could not sit idly by and wait for them to return, no matter how much they wanted to. Perhaps a hunt would brighten their spirits, and it was high time that Serach and Sceral were properly taught. Back legs following the lead of the front ones, the leader pushed off, trotting towards the woods in the general direction she had last seen the resident deer herd.

She stood so very close by, her eyes gazing upon the figure of her mother. Green eyes grazed over silver fur, the intricate details of Corinna’s coat pattern. The beauty within her gentle features was not lost, despite the sadness that would forever emanate from her mother. Corinna and Fenru were truly the only two who had been by her side for her entire life – Corinna would always be the solid rock in which she leaned upon, and Fenru would be the one she sought when she desired comforting. These final two links in this world for her.. should she lose them, she was certain her sanity would follow.

Kisla stiffened as she watched her mother rise. Her presence was not noted yet, but Corinna was downwind from her. Watching her mother begin to move, the she-wolf was pacing quickly behind her, emerging from the brush of their new home and moving to sidle up to the side of the regal leader. The cool autumn breeze brushed her fur in a tousled mess, and with a forced but small smile, she nudged the cheek of the pack’s matriarch, her own tail sweeping behind her as it lowered in submission to her mother.

She did not question the Donata woman, nor did she make a voiced greeting. Instead, her pace matched that of her companion’s, allowing Corinna to lead as she would follow dutifully, aiding in whatever it might have been.. whether it was the silence of her company her mother would need, she was unsure. Ice’s departure had left a gaping wound in more than just her heart; it affected the entire pack as a whole.. and once more, her mother was alone in raising her cubs.

sparking up my heart

Gone Tomorrow

Corinna's green eyes were narrowed in a squint, peering into the distance. No longer vacant, but actively looking for something. The tell-tale signs of prey: a broken twig, a bark missing from a tree, tracks in the dirt, or a pile of poop. Unfortunately, the leader saw none of these things, though she had doubted it greatly. She was still far too close to the pack's den, visible if she chose to turn around and look. But there were no deer there; even a zoned out wolf would have been aware if there had been.

What she had not been aware of was Kisla watching her. Only as Kisla drew closer did the sound of her steps alert Corinna that she was there. Turning her head, her lips parted to bare her teeth in a grin. In her throat, the mother made a sound that was more croon than growl and she returned Kisla's nudge with one of her own. Her daughter didn't say anything, but that didn't diminish the leader's pleasure at having her company. It had been some time since they had a moment to share, just the two of them.

Tossing her head in the general direction she had been headed, Corinna pushed forward once again, Kisla following alongside her. Nostrils flaring, Cori loped along, stopping every so often to lower her nose to the ground to investigate a scent. But her search was fruitless; if there was anything to be sought out, it was effectively evading her.

One patch of grass held Corinna's attention longer than the others. There was something, but it was just slipping past her. So subtle that it was barely registering. Cricking her tail in agitation, Cori lifted her head and looked up at Kisla. "I think I'm growing old. I can't smell anything."

Her presence was warmly welcomed by her mother – not that the tawny girl expected any less. Of course, autumn was now here, and soon winter would approach.. courting season would come in to play, and now, at the tender age of two, Kisla was uncertain how her mother would react – her submission to the pack’s matriarch would play a key role to these events – Corinna had struck fear in the pack’s she-wolves before but had never needed to with her daughter yet, as only now was she mature enough to breed. Fondly, the pale girl leant forward to place her nose against her mother’s cheek, albeit awkwardly during their walk, for never would the girl attempt to take her mother’s rightful place.

They continued, though Kisla could scent nothing. Her silver companion seemed more intent than herself, and as the Leader continued her search, Kisla dutifully followed, her tail waving behind her like a banner. They paused every so often in pace, though none so long as now, with Corinna’s eyes glaring heavily upon a patch of grass.

Bracing herself, the tawny girl followed suit, prowling close to her mother as her nose drifted toward possibilities – yet the wind would either steal it away, or there was simply none to find. Corinna’s voice finally broke the quiet, and amusement stirred a small scoff from her daughter. “Then I’m old too,” she teased lightly, her gaze glancing up to regard her mother softly. Corinna was but in her prime still – even after bearing three litters.

sparking up my heart

Gone Tomorrow

Kisla had followed along dutifully, not questioning or inquiring as to what it was they were doing. Corinna's occupation with the patch of grass became Kisla's as well, and both mother and daughter sniffed at it. But Kisla's laugh admitted that there was nothing to be found, and with a chuckle and a wave of her tail, Corinna continued on. This time, though, the pack's matriarch walked easily, close to her daughter, brushing up against Kisla's tawny furred shoulder frequently.

"You're not old," Corinna chided good-naturedly. "You're an adult, but just barely. There's still so much for you and Fenru to experience. But it's hard to believe that two years have come and gone since you wrestled with your brothers in my belly." Had it really been so long ago? It seemed like a whole lifetime had transpired between now and then; and looking around them, at the thick trees beginning to sport their autumn leaves was only evidence that a whole life had passed. These were not the same trees that Corinna had hunted beneath when she had been pregnant with Kisla, Fenru, and Rihael and nor were these the trees that had provided protection to them during the cold winter months. It truly was a lifetime ago.

The leader's inner musings were interrupted by a rustle of leaves. Coming to a stop, one paw still in the air mid-step, she craned her neck upwards. But there was nothing of interest that she could see; it was probably just a squirrel or a bird. Not prey easily caught, and certainly not big enough for the whole pack. "I was hoping to rally the pack together to hunt soon. Serach and Sceral need to learn, but it'll be harder with Ice, Cali, and Merlin gone." Glancing over at her daughter, Corinna did her best to keep a straight face, though she was certain that worry came through anyway. At least this time, the pack knew why their loved ones had gone (mostly), but that didn't make their absence felt any less.

Kisla had sought solace from her mother on many occasions – Corinna had been a rock through the darkest times, even when the she-wolf had likely been hurting far more than her daughter. Perhaps in ignoring this and never truly coming to face with it, Kisla was the more selfish of Corinna’s children. Fenru was and always would be the golden boy of the pack – and while she watched her brother quietly from the sidelines, knowing he too sought his place in the world, there was a nagging certainty that one day he would lead the pack, and she would be left to serve him. Did this bother her? No. She would be as dutiful to her littermate as she was her mother – yet she could not help but feel there was something more to this life than standing upon the sidelines and watching others succeed while she fell further into darkness.As Corinna’s shoulder brushed hers, a cooing rumble pressed past Kisla’s lips, her muzzle bending lower to press her muzzle to the matriarch’s nape, leaving the pressure there momentarily before pulling away, her pace quickening to a lope. The silence was broken by the silver she-wolf’s words, and Kisla cast the green eyes she inherited from her mother to the horizon. A small smile played to her lips then – she could recall the days of puphood. Her and Fenru’s constant games of tag.. Rihael’s insistant nature. She missed him desperately, despite her anger at her eldest brother.. but it mattered little. At least she still had Fenru. “What experiences do you mean?” Her tone held a teasing lilt to it – what was it Corinna wanted her children to know of the world?

A rustle caused both she-wolves to pause it seemed, and while Kisla tensed, her mother seemed to relax after a moments pause. Unwilling to let the creature go inwardly, she instead turned her attention to her mother, knowing there would be other small prey to feast on. Soon it would be time for Serach and Sceral to learn the arts of hunt upon such game – Aiyana was not here to teach them as a Yearling would I the pack, and so that left Kisla and Fenru to once more pick up the empty place their siblings left behind.

The topic of a hunt was of interest though, and the tawny dove gave a gentle nod of understanding. “We could find a smaller doe. Rallying the pack might help spirits – and as for the hunt.. I have been wanting to become more involved and have considered seeking a specialized role within the pack. I would like to help in any way I can.” She left the topic of their missing comrades subside slightly.. he thought of discussing Ice seemed almost unbearable.

sparking up my heart

Gone Tomorrow

There had been a time when Corinna and Kisla had not been close, and hurt emotions and their own stubbornness had darkened all of their interactions. Kisla had not been thrilled to learn that she would have younger siblings. That particular conversation between mother and daughter had not been accompanied by light touches and loving caresses. As her daughter pulled away from her now, Corinna was thankful that they had been able to move past that. Now that Kisla was an adult, it seemed that the angst of youth had been left behind. Or at least, it seemed to be that way.

But that did not mean the questions had stopped. Kisla's question was teasing, but it was a serious question, and not one that Corinna had spent much of her time contemplating. So the pack's matriarch did not answer immediately, but pondered her answer as they walked. It took a few minutes, but eventually Cori broke the silence. "You've never really seen the world. Until we left Sacred Grove, you'd never really left home - at least not that I'm aware of," she began, shooting Kisla a pointed looked and a tilt of her head. If Kisla had ventured farther, Corinna didn't want to know. "There's a lot out there to explore. I wouldn't have met your father if I hadn't left home. I imagine you'll want your own cubs one day, and you saw Fenru challenge Triell. I've yet to meet a Tainn who was content with watching the world go by without them." Turning her head to the side, Corinna did her best to look at Kisla as they walked forward. Kisla's inner fire might not have burned as brightly as Fenru's, but it was there, smoldering beneath the surface. It was only a matter of time.

The rustle in the trees broke the serious atmosphere, and talk of the world and growing up was put aside in favor of more practical matters. A hunt to fill the bellies of the Oak Tree Bend wolves, that is what they needed. Kisla was of like mind, and surprisingly, allowed that inner spark to shine through. Corinna fixed her full attention upon her daughter, meeting the identical green eyes and gauging their sincerity. But there was no reason to doubt her daughter, and the leader nodded. "What did you have in mind? Perhaps you'd like to scout out the herd ahead of the pack, gauge their weaknesses and strengths?" She was all leader now, the pleasant facade of mother abandoned for the time being. Now she had to focus on what was good for the pack as a whole, and hopefully Kisla would be ready to rise to the challenge.