Round Stone Crest You are the sentinels

OOC: This is a MANDATORY pack activity! We're going to be doing one of these every activity check - if you only want to post here once that is perfectly fine. If you'd like to go the 3 rounds for points we can do that as well! Just sound off with some sort of brief update or status report if you will~ and have fun! Please post at least once by 10/30!  @Kova @Gent @Moraxia @Calanthe @Alphinaud @Ainashi @Cessair @Draven  (@Kino @Marianna - because it is unknown whether these two are still with the pack at this time, you two do not have to post.)


10/16/2015
Weather: 
42° F, 6° C
Cloudy
6:49 PM - The sun has already set and it is dark out.

How dark it had already become on their mountain home. The physical absence of light had crept up earlier day by day, though the darkness that was the loss of their leader had waned some in exchange. Though the sun had already departed the wolves of the Crest were largely not yet ready to succumb to sleep; there was plenty to be done and the darkness was not as much of a hindrance as it surely was to other animals. Raela was alone; seated on the flat expanse of the Crest's mesa. The grass had already stopped growing as the cold took control of the lands, and it brushed against the new matriarch's legs almost curiously. Why was this creature so melancholy? It was too cloudy to see the stars, but the chilled breeze was comforting enough as it swept by in this rare; treeless section of the timbers. 

With a sigh the woman glanced upwards. The absence of light from the sky was still disappointing to say the least; it had happened so slowly day by day, but now it felt like it had come on suddenly; as of one day the sun had fled from them and stolen the last hours of warmth with it, and in a way that's exactly what had happened. Leadership was still a confusing; threatening thing to her. The strength of the group weighed on the woman's mind all the time. She was feeling utterly alone; separated from her cohort – though that was a regular occurrence. Despite the comfort they brought each other, each had duties to attend to. And now even her relationship with Aeus had crumbled. That's what she got for even trying to find a mate... The Crest wolf stared back down at the grass; rendered blue and black by the night. Before she really gave any thought to what she was doing, the wolf's head slowly tipped back. She would check on things; reassure herself that all was well tonight and that the family was holding up.

Either that, or she would get bad news that only made her more troubled. A long, soft note drifted over the pines; seeking out her pack mates. Gently it wove beneath the foliage; asking for all that could hear.  "Everyone, where are you? Do you have anything to tell me?" she asked, her voice lifting. It was a soft inquiry, casual and brief. In another moment her muzzle dropped, ears rising fully to take up their role as radars as the Queen stared listlessly into the shadows. 

(This post was last modified: Oct 16, 2015, 11:14 PM by Raela.)

            

Calanthe was still winding her way through the undergrowth by the time night truly began to wrest the sky from the clutches of the sleepy twilight that had come before. Her jaws were clamped securely around the pheasant she had managed to bring down; the cock's vibrantly-feathered head swung limply about as she trotted towards a nearby cache, his eyes closed and his beak held shut more by gravity then by the stiffness brought on by death. This bird had been a cleaner kill than the last pheasant she had bagged, and for that she was grateful.

Her ears pricked at the sound of the new Crest Queen's howl. She had heard that the Alphas wanted to pack to begin regularly howling to each other as a means of maintaining close bonds with each other and of passing small tidbits of news back and forth across the territory. Smiling around her catch, Calanthe stopped near a small copse of trees and laid her bird down across the ground and her feet. His feathers were ruffled were her teeth had dug into the plumage, but beyond that no spots of blood or torn out feathers marked her kill. She had been able to pin him and break his neck quickly - a clean, swift kill.

The pale huntress lifted her head to the growing darkness above, her howl raising long and steady into the air before her head had even completed its skyward arch: "This is Calanthe checking in, Raela. I am in the south-eastern corner of our territory," she reported. "I was out this evening hunting, and am bringing a pheasant to the nearest cache before I come home." She paused and gave her surroundings a quick sniff, then stood still to watch and listen before lifting her head again and adding, "I see and smell nothing out of place here; this area of the territory seems secure."

The darkness threw a blanket around their home as the sun left them alone. For the Crest it hardly meant the end of the day. As Alphinaud, glowing white in the dark forest, walked towards the call of his Queen. Some may question her leadership, others her strength but the Artic was perfectly happy with Raela as his Queen. And so he entered the stage where his friend stood as he heard Calanthe’s howl ringing through the night sky. A smile graced his tired face as he dipped his head for the Queen. ‘I just finished patrolling the borders in the north, nothing out of the ordinary.’ He said casually as he dropped a little bird on the ground. A little souvenir when he went back to the Crest’s quarters. ‘Are you hungry?’ He gently shove the bird Raela’s way as he sat down. Guessing the woman might appreciate some company for the night until duty or the pack would demand otherwise. His amber eyes carefully looked at the new Queen. How was she doing lately? It saddened him he hadn’t talked as much as he wanted to. He would not excuse himself with silly reasons, as nobody could be busier than their own Royals. Alphinaud shook his slightly thicker white pelt as he scratched an bugging itch on his side, very graceful of course. Sighing in relief he looked at the cloudy sky. ‘Do you feel like a Queen already, Your Highness?’ A playful twinkle shone in his eyes as he looked back at her, away from the sky that soon would be filled with more voices of their own.

Draven had already returned to the den by the time @Raela made her call to the rest of the pack. Although @Alphinaud had answered Raela's call by approaching her directly, Draven thought the idea of the howl was more to communicate with the whole pack - Cal had told him it was a way for the pack to stay united while they continued recovering from... from everything that had happened. No matter how oneiric everything still felt, it had been very real, and the wounds it left everyone recovering from were equally as real. It was important, Calanthe reasoned, that everybody keep in touch. And Calanthe certainly was, because she was the first to answer Raela's call, even though her own voice drifted up from a far corner of their territory and she was on her way to a cache at the time. That made up the darkling boy's mind for him; if nothing else, he wanted to let Cal know where he was and what he was up to. He raised his head and sang out as loudly as he could, willing his voice to fly as far across the territory as Calanthe's had. "This is Draven. I'm checking in from the den; I've been exploring the territory all day and found nothing interesting to talk about." His howl trailed off awkwardly before he lifted his head again and added, "Sorry I can't say much more than that. Maybe next time I'll find something interesting." Well, at least the effort had been made. He supposed that was probably the important part, right?

(This post was last modified: Oct 18, 2015, 01:26 AM by Draven.)

OOC: Will update with table eventually.

---

The stars had just begun their ascent into the night sky when a howl rose into the air. Moraxia had been out patrolling the far reaches of the territory, determined to keep her family safe and sound from anything that might be lurking nearby. The howl wasn't an urgent cry for help or a sorrowful song such as the one Gent had sung the night of Minka's death. No, it was her dear friend and now named queen, Raela. Her howl spoke of curiosity for the pack's whereabouts and well being. The wolf's ears twisted to greet the howl that rose from deep inside her homeland that was soon followed by numerous other howls of confirmation. It was beautiful and Moraxia felt a sense of belonging within her pack she hadn't felt in some time as the noises cascaded about the various hills. Everyone was okay; a sigh of relief breathed itself into the crisp night air.


Instinct lit up inside her as the howls filled her ears and she threw her head back to join in the chorus of the Crest wolves. "I am here, Raela! This side of the border appears to be safe and sound, nothing out of place or unusual. Are you well?" She wanted to keep it short and sweet in case an urgent note resonated back. 

(This post was last modified: Oct 25, 2015, 12:48 PM by Moraxia.)

@Ainashi, you're up! :3

It was most likely these days to find the king on the fringe of the territory, ensuring the borders and the safety of those who resided within, and tonight was no exception. The tiresome circuit had been yards from completion when Raela's voice lifted into the air, drifting down the mountainside and into his vigilant ears. It did not occur to him to sound back; instead, he continued his work up to the finish and then began his ascent back to the den upon the mesa while drinking in everything that was relayed by his pack mates.

The first to respond was @Calanthe, her proximity no surprise to the monarch. A hum of amusement escaped him as she detailed her exploits this far from the heart of the Crest. It was known how diligently the woman had been working toward her goal of becoming a titled hunter for the pack, and Gent considered that soon he would need to discuss with Raela a final challenge to give to her so that she may finally receive the honor. A soft arooo was sent forth from his throat, a call that most likely would only be heard by the huntress in training, congratulating her.

Draven's call went up next, not quite tremulous but still awkward. It seemed that was the best word to define the boy on any day, and a sigh was expelled as he couldn't help but feel that he'd failed with all three children in some way or another. Unfortunately, the prideful beast, at this point in their relationship, with @Kino's words echoing in his head, could only portion the majority of the blame toward the fact that it was not his blood that thrummed through their veins.

There was a stretch of silence then, and as Gent began to crest the mountain he found himself counting off those who had not answered. Kova answered, the reason for his delay made clear with his sung words. Fishing, a pretty common thing to find the silvered yearling doing. @Moraxia too raised her voice, and again Gent was not surprised with her reported actions. Just as Calanthe worked for her chosen role, Moraxia was proving to be a wonderful up and coming guardian amongst their ranks.

It wasn't until both Alphinaud and Raela were within sight that Gent tilted back his head to relay his own sound off.

"Wonderful work, everyone," he sung to them heartily, genuity clear throughout his tones. "I'm calling it a night; I'll be at the clearing, if needed."

With that taken care of, he peeked his head into the den to find @Draven. Sadly, he had to pause a moment to reflect on just how large the boy had grown, almost at his adult dimensions. A smile was given to the child before he welcomed him, "Hey Drave, wanna come join us out here? Maybe the clouds'll clear and we can watch the stars."

(This post was last modified: Dec 19, 2015, 08:12 PM by Gent.)

This was the closest thing to a good day Cessair had had in a long while. To begin, she had watched the sun rise from her favorite hill with Gent beside her. The company was unusual at first, but Cessair was growing used to it, and even fond of it. How comforting it was to see the dawn of each new day, to face the challenges of being that each morning brought, with a friend quite literally by her side.

When the world was sufficiently lit, Cessair patrolled along the border. Then she did some hunting and managed to replenish a cache with a squirrel. It wasn't much, the wearied woman knew, but she saw how she was rising from the iron grasp of grief and she was satisfied with her steady progress back to normal function. She was satisfied enough, in fact, that this evening, she decided to be brave. As the sun ducked behind a cloud to finish in secret its descent behind the mountains, Cessair steeled away to visit an old friend.

Darkness had fallen first upon the bouquets of pink leaves, still staunchly clinging to their branches, then upon the quivering tortoiseshell fur of Cessair's back, and lastly upon the grave before her. She had shed her tears in the fading light and now sat, dry and quiet in the gloomy dark, thinking on nothing and everything. And then quietly, distantly, rang a solitary voice over the treetops. Though Cessair had no report to sing, she wanted to respond, to join in the song.  Just not here; she couldn't disturb Minka's slumber.

So stiff legs rose and carried Cessair out of the glen and back toward Crest territory. The haggard woman sighed as she listened to the distant calls rising one by one. These weren't songs of triumph or tragedy; none had any vital information to report. This was a song sung in many voices, a song of togetherness. And in amongst the voices of her packmates, Cessair could almost hear the chirping call of that brilliant bluebird, peace.

At last, Cessair found herself back within pack territory, and she wasted no more time in adding her voice to the song. "All is quiet out here, and I've nothing to report. It's so wonderful to hear all of your voices." This was her family, rallying together despite the odds, and Cessair was grateful for the calm this night had brought her.

 The silver male had followed a scent trail though what felt like most of the pack territory, it felt as if he had climbed every hill turned every rock. Only to find nothing, the scent trail he had followed had led him to a pile of bones. What should have been a juicy hear was nothing but a pile of clean bones.

He sighed as he sat down with a huff stupid hare going off this fare only to be killed by someone ells. He looked at the trail of the killer coming and leaving , he shook his head properly just a fox or something he where quite close to the border.

He  pulled himself up from the ground allowing his legs to carry him towards the border to ensure that whatever it had been had left. It had, the bordered stood strong against the disgusting smell of the killer and he huffed once more. Ignorant animal walking crossed the bordered, it was begging to be killed stealing their lovely hare.  He sighed before turning around walking back towards the den, shortly after his departure from the bordered the queens howl sounded through out the territory. A status report? Apparently so, soon his pack mates called back. The lands of round stone crest singing with their voices as they made their reports.

His king and the female who had sat by him at the last meeting were the last to answer before he stopped allowing his oven voice to join the song "Zilas here, I'm heading back towards the den. I found a strange scent trail leading away from a dead hare but it seemed to have left our lands. It might have been a fox or something." he listened as his voice rang through the air before he with a satisfied huff set into an easy run heading towards the den.

   "speech"

ROUND STONE Crest

TEMPLATE © NDA OF RCR & RPG-D

(This post was last modified: Oct 26, 2015, 12:24 PM by Ainashi.)

please don't judge me for talking to my self, after all, you were the one who ruined me.

Keala is permitted to enter any thread Zilas is part of regardless of the tag unless otherwise stated 

OOC: Whoever wants to go the extra rounds now may do so but no further posts are required. This round ends 12/11.

First to enter the darkness was Calanthe, and the smooth sound of her call drew Raela's gaze upward with more enthusiasm than it had carried before. A successful hunt, and everything was secure; excellent. A soft sigh brushed past her lips at this initial relief. She was waiting to hear yet another call when the rustling of Alphinaud's approach caused her head to whip around. As soon as the matriarch realized it was her subordinate she smiled. "Good," she replied softly, glancing away. He offered her food and the woman's smile returned. "Oh, thank you," she added swiftly; knowing full well that she would have to wait to dine until the rest of them had answered her call. She wasn't quite feeling up to food at the moment anyway. 

His last question caught her off guard, as if the pensive woman's thoughts could be heard aloud. "I'm- I'm alright," she conceded; sounding much less like the confident leader she probably should have. Something about her candor made Raela feel safe in letting down that wall just a bit; just for a moment. Suddenly Draven's young call shook her back to attention. His disappointment tugged at her face in a wry smirk – if only the boy was not dealing with so much; then it would have been slightly amusing. Moraxia's voice broke the ensuing silence with a sense of comfort and reassurance that Raela deeply needed to hear. Her smile faded, then deepened as the mammoth female finished. Safe and sound. Perhaps things were not going so terribly after all. 

Gent's call was very close and had the woman turning to look for its source. She felt a rush of comfort at hearing his sincere approval and praise. Another sigh fled from her lungs while his powerful song drowned out all other noise. A voice much softer and sweeter than the King's came drifting in from afar. Cessair had returned, and with her compliment the Queen's tail was set into soft motion. The effect of all of their melodious calls was foudroyant to the anxious female. She should not have been so terribly worried. She wanted to answer them all right now, but there was still one more song to hear. Zilas. He had different news from the others but it held little significance. As soon as he was done Raela took a long, deep breath, and tipped her nose to the stars again. "Good... everyone..." she began, feeling pride in this little band of wolves. "I'm fine," she added for Moraxia especially to hear. "Be safe tonight; I'll be at the den soon too," she drifted off, letting her head fall slowly and her high notes fade. 

(This post was last modified: Dec 04, 2015, 02:52 AM by Raela.)