Oak Tree Bend the dark is taking over

Spieden didn't notice Jessie's narrowed glare, which was probably for the best. Tail swaying high with emotion, it was all she could do to stay put and hear out the rest of the meeting. Her limbs were tense with energy, her weight on the tips of her toes as if she might thunder off at any moment. Planning wasn't her forte, Spieden was a woman of action and sitting here made her feel helpless. Funnily enough, she found herself siding with the kids on this, agreeing with Serach and Zia's growling voices. The more reasoned voices, Drestig, Hotei, and last but not least Triell among them called for more patrols, scouts, caution, planning, waiting. Like sitting ducks waiting to be picked off.

Spieden's ears perked forward, her intent stare turning towards Nayeli as she began to speak. She listened carefully to their names and descriptions, trying to commit them to memory. There were four of them, versus the ten or so of the pack. More than ever it made no sense to Spieden why they should sit and wait.

This time Spieden caught Phyrrus' soft voice speaking up in a few short words. Spieden's brows knitted in obvious confusion as she watched Phyrrus skitter off into the woods. She somewhat liked the female, so it was both odd and concerning for her to run suddenly off like that. Spieden had to wonder how she would know anything about these mysterious wolves. Suspicions crept up from the back of her mind, her gaze slipping back towards Triell with black lips in a tight line of worried confusion. Again she glanced back towards the patch of forest Phyrrus disappeared into. She debated for a few moments, but it didn't take her long to come do a decision. Quietly and rather soft-footed for the bear-like woman, but with purpose, Spieden loped after Phyrrus's trail.

(Spieden Exit)

(This post was last modified: Apr 19, 2015, 02:50 AM by Spieden.)

 

For the remainder of the meeting, Zia was silent. She let Triell and Nayeli speak, as well as the others. She simply felt she had nothing more to say. She listened to Triell's opinion concerning what sort of action needed to be taken. He apparently, was all for confronting these lone wolves, who viewed his mate as nothing more than their personal slave. Showing them the wrath they deserved for their vile actions was the only acceptable choice. But with feeling so detached recently, Zia felt as if her part in this barely existed at all. She hardly knew Nayeli, and so her demons of the past were nothing she should concern herself with, personally. The least she could do was to keep an eye on all of the others, making sure they didn't get into trouble, or possibly present herself as a distraction for these outsiders. Attentively, she took in the information about these wolves. Their names and their descriptions. In her minds eye, she had formed a somewhat distinct picture of each of them, and from now on, would be on the look out for any wolf who matched such a description. Inhaling, she noted the faded yet vile and unfamiliar scents lingering in Nayeli's fur. Just like everyone else, she would remember them well. Silently she debated on what sort of role she should take in all this. Spy? Scout? Guardian perhaps? She didn't know...only that she felt overlooked, almost useless. While it angered her that Nayeli and now the rest of the pack through such struggles, she had her own issues to worry about. And whether or not she was going to be around when Oak Tree Bend raged war on these individuals, she couldn't be certain. But as always, she would contribute what she could until that time came.

Table by Pann, Image by Jolee

As the others breathed in her scent, Nayeli took theirs in as well, her spirits buoyed upward a little more. Her tail swept back and forth with a rhythm of its own at  the moment of brief togetherness. Disquiet still seemed to rumble in some, and she wondered if they might not get what they wished for after all. Garmr and his kin could cut their losses any time they liked, and while she doubted they'd quit easily, they simply had little at stake in this... didn't they? She wondered again what the sum whole of their plan really was, but thinking about it too much was like staring into an abyss that might or might not be staring hungrily back.

Shaking off the dark thoughts, her gaze swept back over the faces around her, dark ears flicking back and forth as the conversation flowed on. She was glad to hear Darrah actually pipe up, speaking more sensibly than Zera - though she wondered if there had been a deliberate sting in the way he referred to her by her name.  Probably so, though he seemed to be making an effort to be polite in a way. All in all, though, his idea wasn't a bad one. She cast a glance at Drestig, wondering if the scout was indeed keen or not on the task Darrah had just effectively volunteered him for. If Zera was so eager to leap into the fray, she should at least have someone to teach her what that meant and how to handle herself, too,  Nayeli mused... though taking them both on as pupils might be quite the task. She wasn't really in shape to be sparring with them, as much as she might have liked to... perhaps there were others in the pack who'd be able to help, too. It was hard not to glance at Jessie next, for her presence was a hair's breadth from Drestig's own, but it wandered onward, to other faces in the crowd thoughtfully....

It was Phyrrus whose words that again broke in quiet and clear and had her attention at once riveted. "Ainashi." She repeated. It... sounded right. Like something she'd heard and then forgotten? How could she know? The silvery girl had affixed Nayeli's attention to herself with a word, and Nayeli stepped forward even as she suddenly withdrew. "Wait- " she began to call out, but just as quickly the girl had departed  into the dense foliage and was gone. Several more steps followed of their own accord before Nayeli paused to look back at Triell and the others. She was frustrated by this unexpected, tantalizing clue, and to see it go into the shadows as quickly as it had been revealed was too much. She needed to know what Phyrrus knew, and she needed to know how she'd come to know such a thing in the first place. The Coho woman was on her feet too, and with her swift departure on Phyrrus' trail, Nayeli decided to excuse herself as well. She might not exactly be able to keep up right now, but she'd be damned if she'd miss this. Time seemed to be of the essence. "I'd like to speak with Phyrrus as well, if you don't mind." Her gaze hung on Triell's  for another moment, flickering. She hoped that everyone would not decide to follow.

/exit/

stock

(This post was last modified: May 01, 2015, 03:08 AM by Nayeli.)

 

>.< Hits self. Thank you all for your participation! This turned out well! I think we shall wrap it up so last round. I'll archive it around the 10th if anyone would like to add anything.Pup you can start a new thread for sparring instead of replying here if you want. :)

I will not fall

Evident there was something more to Phyrrus' quivering he was glad Spieden went to follow. She spent more time with the lady, there was a bit of guilt he had not, he didn't feel helpful. He had an inkling another female would be best. Dark man agave a swift nod to Nayeli in turn. They could figure it out, though it seemed she must know the same creatures after his mate. Could this help them all?

For the first time Darrah appeared to be coming of age with his wise input. "Yes, I'm sure Drestig,Hotei,Zia, Serach or I could help you and Zera with that. You will be yearlings, and should worse come to worse I do want you able to protect yourselves and do what you can. " He attempted to gauge his daughter's attention, aware how brightly her own spirit must have yearned. How could it not? She was a Tainn and it least been in his blood to protect and defend. In time, he wished to tell her. In some way he already felt he was losing them to adulthood too soon.

There was the nagging feeling they should be doing much more, but he was eager to get things right. He could easily act rash and go on a rampage, but would that actually solve anything? Far as he saw it the most important thing was, not have them all separated.  Surely that would work better in their enemies favor if they were split up. He felt no need to even odds or turn them around. Though, an idea tugged at him. Something to pull the captors in. For now he neither shared it nor let it tangle him further.

 Clearing his throat, he looked about. "Alright, lets get this straight. We will remain near the Bend, around it, and keep a watch. If they are foolish enough to come here, and try to cause harm they will pay for it. I am not willing to be drawn out of our woods until we know more. Drestig and Jessie as reluctant as I am, it is probably for the best if you two can figure where they may be lurking in the mean time. If there may be more. If they don't come to us, we will go to them." The rest would be decided if and when the time came. Feeling more settled than he began, he looked to Drestig, letting him give his own answer of sparring.

(This post was last modified: May 07, 2015, 01:35 AM by Triell.)

are you with me through it all?

Just a short one here and I'll get to work on the sparring thread right away c: -Hope you don't mind the small pp

The meeting was starting to dissolve, every head now full of thoughts to work out, each wolf to themselves. Darrah spoke up, proving himself beyond his years, not just by overcoming his reluctance towards the returned Nayeli, but calling for training and preparation, rather than a simple thirst for blood like his sister; The Avalon understood Zera's wishes, but he also knew how dangerous it could be to rush in unprepared. With an approving nod, the dark scout pressed his chest against the boy in front of him, giving his silent support. Triell spoke his agreement, extending the offer of training to Zera as well, and Drestig nodded along lightly, he would be more than happy to help with that. Then their ebony leader expanded the gathering with a few ending words of advice, looking to the scouts to survey the area like had been suggested. Drestig met his gaze shortly, giving one firm nod of understanding, then he turned his head too seek out @Hotei, skillfully ignoring the grey woman between them. Their eyes met briefly in silent understanding, then the smaller male stood, shaking out his fur; "Alright runts!" He barked in a loud, commanding voice; "If you wanna learn to fight, we best get started right away!" Then he turned to walk away from the gathering, towards a corner of the meadow that surrounded the lone oak, expecting Hotei and the yearlings to follow. He passed @Silver on his way through the rear most line of wolves, and gave her a quick nip at the chin in affection before continuing; he had a task to do now, and he wass already completely focused on it. Word count: 278 Thoughts ”Speech”

AustriaAngloAlliance @DA & Dawnthieves.de

Short one. Serach exit.

The youth waited, sincerely hoping that somebody, anybody, would address his concern. But the rest of the wolves had clearly forgotten him, too wrapped up in their own reactions for how the pack would best respond to the threat. Darrah and Zera were determined to prove themselves, and as Triell spoke, the youth heard his name offered up as a potential partner for teaching his cousins how to spar. Glancing over at the two juveniles, he remained quiet. Drestig had responded quickly enough to the challenge of teaching Darrah and Zera how to fight - he doubted very much that he would be needed in that endeavor either. So the boy said nothing, and as his pack mates began to slink off, he decided to take his own leave as well. Hoisting himself off his haunches, Serach slipped away into the surrounding woods, once again relegated to being the silent ghost lurking in the forest.

The man observed all the reactions around him, taking them all in with a narrowed yellow gaze and nothing more. He barely aknowledged Serach's  obvious disagreement with his plan, for the youth's cold gaze didn't ruffle Hotei at all. He knew he had laid out a solid idea to think about. Bloodshed of the pack would not be a factor in this war, the Tainn would make sure of it. He had too much to lose now, and there was no way in hell he would let a couple shit for brains wolves mess up the comfortable life he had found in Oak Tree Bend. His attention turned to Nayeli and Spieden, who followed a she wolf into the woods. It seemed like the meeting was slowly coming to an end. His attention turned to his brother as he himself wrapped up the meeting, informing the upcoming yearlings that the burnt man among others could aid them in learning the art of war. Hotei silently agreed with this, for it was bound time they knew how to defend themselves.

Drestig looked at him, and Hotei gazed back as an understanding was silently made. It seemed they would be working together, and since Drestig was one of the few pack mates Hotei acknowledged, the Tainn held no problem with this. As Drestig and the pups made their leave, his eyes flickered to @Jessie. His silver vixen had seemed squeamish at his closeness so he made no move to brush against her in silent goodbye. He had already been enough of an ass to her already. Instead, Hotei gazed down at her green gaze intensely. The message would be clear to her. They needed to talk, and he would very much like it to be soon. Hopefully she didn't just ignore him like usual. Dipping his head, the large man turned to follow Drestig and the pups. He needed to get back to buisness.

Hotei exit

 

Triell's wishes were clear. He wanted none of his wolves to venture far beyond the safety of their own territory. Out past the borders, these hostile strangers lurked, perhaps waiting to ambush one of the Bend wolves, should they be caught alone. Although without a role here in this pack, Zia would still put her skills to use. She would maintain a steady watch over the fringes of the forest, retreating only at dusk to the safety of the den. If anyone was willing, she would even swap shifts with them, one keeping watch during the night, the other during the day. With a sigh, she shook her head at all of this new information. To her it seemed so complicated, perhaps a bit much to take in all at once. As the other wolves began to leave, be it to patrol or train, she too, would do the same. Without so much as a glance behind her, or back at any of the others, she slipped away into peace of the forest. She would train, but in her own way. In order to try and clear her head, she would do what she loved by combining her two favorite activities. Running, to stretch out her legs and keep her body fit, and patrol every square inch of her home while at it. She would be on the lookout for any signs of trouble. And if those flea bitten scoundrels dared to show their ugly mugs, may the gods have mercy upon them. Because she sure would not.-Zia Exit-

 

Table by Pann, Image by Jolee

Jessie did not like the way that this meeting was turning out to be. It made her uncomfortable to know the various different opinions on this situation. Surely, no one wanting to be sitting ducks but they needed a plan and they needed one soon. She remained still, listening, only moving when Triell called to her and Drestig. Dipping her head in respect to his wishes, she gave a quick murmur to Drestig, ”We will speak of this later,” before turning her attention back onto the rest of the happenings. It seemed that something suspicious was going on with another member whom she did not know the name of. Had Spieden not gone after her, Jessie would have, and the Tainn was sure that her interrogation would go less smoothly than whatever they were doing. Nayeli also seemed to want to go, following in their footsteps. Her former alpha had always been kind to everyone, so she was sure that everything was going to be fine.

It seemed that Drestig was also being recruiting for sparring and helping the younger ones defend themselves. While she was not overtly fond of the children, she did believe that their lives were important and that they should be able to defend themselves…especially say…if they should get kidnapped. So with this, Jessie growled softly in approval of Drestig’s choice, remembering the horror of what had happened when a child had not been all the wiser. The woman noticed that many were beginning to leave and the lady was thankful that Hotei left her alone. She was not in the mood for his presence. Jessie was quick to leave the scene, her legs taking her towards the stream so that she would be able to think about what lie ahead.