Hearthwood River long live the pioneers

Sorry for the wait -- I wanted to give everyone a chance to post since so many of us were MIA over the holidays. next round ends on the 21st.

While she had expected some upset and questions initially, she was taken by surprise as her daughter made her exclamation. She withheld releasing a sigh, more so to not upset her daughter further, should she take it as frustration, rather than fatigue. Maksim would respond in turn, and grateful to her mate, she tipped her muzzle to cast a glance at him, offering a gentle nod in silent agreement. Kova was not their concern -- the boy seemed respectable enough, but he was also at an age where he could make his own decisions. They were not needed to push out some form of a 'rescue mission.'

Lachesis also spoke, and Kisla cast him a gentle glance. She shifted her weight then, about to chime in  once more, as Naia, Kjors, Orren and Davin remained silent. Instead, Karpos put forward his own thoughts -- thoughts that stirred a light frown to cross her features, as he spoke about Gent looking out for the well-being of his own pack. Offering a slow nod, her eyes studying the ebony Leader, Kisla felt a prickle of unease. Was Karpos familiar with this Gent?

"Karina, dear heart," she began, her eyes drifting back to her upset daughter. "Kova is an adult and fully capable of making his own decisions. I very much doubt Gent is a monster that keeps him there against his will -- they probably regard one another as family, just as each Hearthwood River wolf regards one another as such, too." It might have been a stretch of the truth, given the current tensions within their own pack, but Kisla had no reason to believe Minka's son was in any danger. "If he wants to leave, our doors will be open as a home for him here. But that is only a decision he can make."

She paused then, her eyes drifting back to her co-lead, offering him a small nod. "And Lachesis and Karpos are right -- we are on neutral grounds, and I would like to keep it that way. So let's stay away from the Crest wolves -- especially being close to their lands. I can only hope they give us the same courtesy." With a pause, she glance around, feeling the fatigue from her travels weigh upon her. "Does anyone have anything else to say?" If not, she would conclude the meeting.

(This post was last modified: Jan 14, 2016, 08:51 PM by Kisla.)

sparking up my heart

The moment the words left her mouth, the impulsive princess knew she was in for it. Her ears flattened as her father addressed her first, with a tone quite unlike anything she had ever heard from him before. Perhaps her words had struck a nerve with the Baranski king, and it was his guilt that caused him to speak to his daughter so. ”Enough,” he ordered her, and the girl could not help but feel as if he was speaking to more than just her present protests. He’d had enough of her drama and her ineptitude, and certainly enough of her opinions. He’d had enough of his daughter and her constant failure.

Karina’s head dropped as her packmates jumped to correct her, bandwagoning onto the leader’s opinion as always. Of course it was never enough for just her father to chastise her, everyone had to have a go at Hearthwood River’s favorite punching bag. The child tuned them out completely; she only had ears for one opinion, and she met Kjors’s gaze with pleading eyes. Her mentor remained silent, and though Karina knew he did this as a service to her—he would have had to back Maksim’s opinion too of course—the irrational parts of her felt betrayed that he did at least try to speak to her credit.

Of course no yearling enjoys rebuke, but perhaps the worst insult to a teenager’s delicate pride is a public reproval. Kisla’s tone was kinder as she addressed her daughter, and that was the only reason Karina didn’t flee from the meeting on the spot. The River queen directed the discussion away from Round Stone Crest and Karina, another act for which the girl was grateful. As the pack turned their attention back to their leader, Karina mumbled so only Davin could hear, ”If Kova is old enough to make his own decisions, so am I!” The message had been completely conflicting; she wasn’t to go near Round Stone Crest for any reason, so how would Kova ever know that he had a home here with Hearthwood River, should he want it? He couldn’t very well make his choice if he didn’t even know his options! Rebellious thoughts churned in Karina’s mind as her mother wrapped up the meeting.

   

    
 

Seated by her sister Inna’s gaze remained on her mother as she spoke of Round Stone Crest and the end of their alliance. Only periodically would she allow it to drift across the faces of her pack mates. For her the alliance didn’t mean anything since she didn’t know any of the wolves and her main concern was her pack and what was best for them and if her parents thought that ending the alliance was best she would support them.

Inna felt Lekalta brush against her should her and Inna pressed her muzzle against her sisters cheek hoping it would convey that she too had noticed the worry of her pack mates and felt the same unease as her sister. She didn’t think that her pack mates would be uneasy unless there was a good reason and so it had to be worth being upset about and that sent her mind whirring with thoughts about what it might be.

Her head shot in the direction of Karina just as she was speaking about one of the wolves in Rounds stone crest. Inna watched wide eyed, surprised by her sisters outburst and the way that she was speaking to their parents. Her gaze flitted between each wolf that tried to settle Karina and reassure her that should Kova come looking for a home that he would have one. Then finally it seemed that Kisla was trying to move the meeting forward asking if anyone else had something to say and she let her gaze once more drift across her pack mates faces.

(This post was last modified: Jan 18, 2016, 11:12 PM by Inna.)

Please see Kajika's OOC profile for OOC preferences, thank you.

 

Kjors remained stoically silent, and Davin was forced to look elsewhere for the answers he sought. Just as Kisla began to speak, her words drawing the boy's eyes magnetically to gaze upon her moving jaws, Karina appeared at his side, warmly greeting him. A sincere smile of acknowledgement and agreement was sent her way as his ghostly eyes took hold of her face momentarily before returning to their previous target.

The initial hefty volley of information received little reflection from Davin. The details hardly mattered to the youth; if Kjors didn't trust this Gent, then neither would he. Whatever decisions were made, if they had been done so by the dragon, they must have been right. The rest of it was equally inconsequential to him, having had no experience with this alliance nor the wolves to whom it had tied them.

Then Karina reacted.

His ears and eyes swiveled quickly round to catch her words and expressions, watching the turmoil that whelmed within her soft blue eyes. He didn't know who Kova was, but that was quickly explained, and he felt a drop of empathy as he began to clearly understand what was upsetting the priestess so. When he turned back to the others gathered to witness their response, he was appalled by the severity with which they were met.

Her brother, her father, her mentor; they all answered her grief harshly, from Orren's initial, biting glare to the others scolding her with thin patience. Perhaps the possibilities she was suggesting were not practical politically, but she had only spoken out of true concern for a friend. She had only shown her heart. Suddenly, the need to protect swelled within him, and Davin found himself taking a subtle step forward, ever so slightly placing himself first as if to shield her. His gaze burned against the ground as he kept his head down, refusing to look at any wolf in particular out of fear that they might take the intensity within his marked eyes as a challenge.

Kisla's words were softer than the rest, but still held the same message. Would they not allow Karina to meet with her friend, did they truly suspect that such a thing would bring about consequences for the whole of the pack? He wanted desperately to know what Kjors thought of it all, but the dragon remained unusually silent and distant.

Karina's words whispered within his words as the meeting returned to its track, the heat the spotlight leaving her at last. He didn't have to consider what all she might mean before making up his own mind. He leaned his flank against her, a silent show of solitude. Wherever she went, whatever she wanted done, he would be there each step of the way to make sure her desires were realized.

Although he stood by his words, Lachesis felt guilty for jumping down Karina’s throat. She was young and naive, with a heart too big for her small frame. (It didn’t help that the dragon clouded her judgement as well.) The healer was thankful for Kisla’s kind(ish) words to follow after he and his nephew had spoken out. The queen had made a valid point—this Kova was an adult; therefore, he was fully capable of making his own decisions. If he wanted to leave his home in Round Stone to join the river wolves, they would welcome him with open paws. But only if it was his choice. It would only cause the packs more tension if the river wolves sought out the young wolf and recruited him to their pack.

He nodded softly in acknowledgement to Kisla’s words, his pale eyes focused on the agouti queen as she spoke. She had chosen a good time to bring the meeting to a close; it seemed as though tension was not only high between packs, but between members. With lips drawn tight over his canines, XIX remained quiet as he observed his pack mates, waiting to see if anyone else had something to chime in before they went their separate ways. Lachesis would disappear into the trees and pursue the comfort that the bubbling river offered. Allow time for the dust to settle…

stick with those who stick with you

Let me know if I need to change the pp, @Kisla -- I hate to do pp's but I also would hate to draw the meeting out another round just for Naia to ask permission to speak.

Now that she had stopped moving, the ache in her paws was traveling up into her limbs making it a chore for the exhausted scout to even remain upright.  As Kisla delivered the news from their scouting mission, Naia’s attention began to drift. Her thoughts were never far from her lover, but hope for a life together had memories of Inali flooding her mind and stirring her emotions. Though Naia knew that she had hardly the energy to make it to the Hearthwood River den, she felt the all-too familiar pull on her heart and whisper in her mind’s ear, urging her to close the distance between her and Inali.

The energy of the meeting shifted, alerting the scout and bringing her back to the present moment. A small voice challenged the Baranskis in a tone that only their own child would dare use with the royals, and Naia’s gaze flicked to Karina at the back of the gathering. She heaved a deep mental sigh for the child, whose heart consistently triumphed over her head. Naia thought it would be best to say something firm yet comforting, but the drained scout couldn’t force her brain to come up with the right thing to say. Luckily her more rested family members took care of the situation, and Naia had only to nod her agreement.

As Kisla turned the meeting over to the River members, Naia caught her queen’s attention and stepped forward. “I’d like to share what I’ve learned about the Waterfall wolves,”  she requested, knowing Kisla would recall the conversation they’d had about Iopah and Broken Timber Pines and agree it was important news to impart. Once she obtained Kisla’s permission, Naia continued, “Following our River southward, there is a pack that lives beside a great waterfall and calls themselves Broken Timber Pines. Right now it would be best for us to avoid their territories, and if you come across a Pines wolf treat him or her as you would a neutral pack wolf.” As she finished, Naia’s honey gaze turned curiously to her family, ready to answer questions should they arise. 

A jolt went through the boy at the sound of his father's strict voice. He had heard that tone before, countless times it seemed, but never directed at Karina. Orren looked between his parents and sister, seeing the devastation on her face as the words hit. He couldn't fault them for chiding her, she had been brash and disrespectful in her outburst. The irony of the situation hit him like a thrust in the gut, had it been only a year earlier, that their situations had been reversed? When he had stood up at a gathering much like this one, challenging the decision of his parents. Back then, she had been the first to speak back at his childishness, stood at the very forefront, while the rest of the pack berated him; Have we changed this much?! But he knew what she must feel, how heartbreaking it was to be in that position. Perhaps that was what had stayed his tongue, and he certainly didn't want to join the others in telling her off. In fact, he felt a certain need to defend her, protect his fragile sister as he had tried and failed to do for this past year; Even if he agreed with the others about Round Stone Crest and Kova's ability to save himself. The prince felt a stirring at his side and looked down to see his sisters pressing close together, seeking solace in each other. His need to protect shifted as he saw the girls, clearly upset by the discord around them. The brother stepped a little closer to the two, lowering his muzzle to place a quick kiss on each of their heads; What must be going through them..? How much did they even understand of the discussion, beyond the fact that there was one? When Orren looked back up, he saw that the shadowy yearling had stepped in front of Karina, in much the same way he stood before the young princesses, and a small sigh left him; She has her own protection… There was no need for his brotherly support anymore. Kisla was the last to address her oldest daughter, and though her voice was much softer, the damage had already been done. There was nothing Orren could do about it though, he remained in agreement with the adults, and felt certain his help would not be welcomed anyway. Karina would seek out support with her dragon and ghost, as she always did; And I'll stay here. He glanced down at Inna and Lekalta, they needed him more. On the meeting went, and Naia stepped up to offer information gathered in her scouting. The copper boy's ears perked, a faint flash of recognition running through him; South, Pines?! It was nothing but a hunch though, and as the scout preached caution, he committed the information to mind, feeling no need to voice his ponderings. Again the lad found himself empty of words, he had nothing to say that might lighten the mood, and now wish to drag out the meeting further. In fact he longed to have it over with, diffuse this gathered tension and leave everyone to recover on their own; Get back to the caches… A good hunt would no doubt help clear his mind. Word count: 545 ”Speech" Thoughts

FurLined @DA

PLOT WITH ME!

Lekalta regarded the adults quietly -- there was a bit of tension in the air, but she didn't truly understand the reason for it. It was rare for their father to use such a tone upon any of them, and she all but shirked away from him as he did so with Karina. Her eldest sister looked upset, and before she could even cast a glance to her brother, Orren planted a kiss upon her forehead, and she felt herself instantly relax. She did not dwell too much of what had transpired before her -- Karina was upset at the loss of their contact with the Crest wolves, but Lekalta had never had anything to do with them. Given her young nature, if something did not directly affect her, she had a harder time contemplating why it could affect another.

Gingerly, she planted a nudge to Inna's cheek, reassuring her sister she was still here as well. One ear would flicker at Naia's words regarding another pack nearby, and she wondered what that truly meant. Were they a threat? Was it a good thing? The Scout's words of them did little to inspire Lekalta to believe it a good thing, so she cast a quizzical glance upward to Orren, her shoulders lifting in a gentle shrug. Maybe afterward he would take the girls to go do something fun? The discussion seemed to be winding down, and shifting her weight, Lekalta felt herself grow more restless with each passing moment.

are you deranged like me? are you strange like me?
lighting matches just to swallow up the flame like me?
do you call yourself a fucking hurricane like me?

End of meeting -- feel free to wrap up with your chars response to Naia and exit. I'm going to archive this opn the 14th-ish.

To further drift the meeting from the rising tensions and rebuke of one of their yearlings, Naia piped up regarding some news. Kisla's eyes drifted over to the weary scout, listening to her words and giving a light nod. The River Queen refrained from mentioning she would almost like to meet this other leader -- she assumed this was the pack that had torn in to both Kjors and Naia after Kjors had rallied a fight at their borders, but as quickly as the thought came, it fled her mind. She needed a rest from her travels for now -- and it would likely do no good if the other pack desired no one at their borders.. a sentiment Kisla could relate to.

"Thank you, Naia," she murmured, giving a nod to show her agreement with the Second. "I would like our members to keep away from any pack borders, if I'm honest. Oak Tree Bend, south of us, is the only pack we would consider an ally and friend. They are my family, and while nothing is established officially, we will work towards doing so." With a small pause, the she-wolf rose to her weary paws then, giving a light shake of her pelt. "I think it is safe to dismiss for now," she offered, offering a small smile to her pack mates.

While the woman had every intention of seeking out Karina to see how she was doing, her first course of action was to have a meal and refuel her energy.. and it would only later become apparent to the mother that her eldest daughter did not want to be found for now, and she would seek out the warmth of her den at her mate's side, her heart stinging.

sparking up my heart

As Naia spoke Lachesis truly realized how lucky they were to have such an attentive scout, who took their job very seriously and did it extremely well. Not only did she deserve the role, but she deserved the position of second alongside him. She was one of the few remaining members of Pitch Pine Trail—and one of the only ones who hadn’t abandoned him or disappeared. The healer made a mental note about the waterfall wolves while he struggled to swallow the burning curiosity that reared it's ugly head. Remaining neutral was important—they had already moved twice and were not willing to move a third time. This place was their home and would remain their home for many years to come. Staying on good terms with the neighbours was important; they couldn’t afford any hostility.

The children were indifferent to the news. Perhaps they were more focused on their sister’s outburst and departure from the meeting. Nineteen’s heart went out to the river princess, but he didn’t know what to say; what to do. She had strayed from her path has his apprentice and was now following some dragon around, who was warping her views and blinding her with his smokey words. His nostrils flared at the thought.

The queen’s voice spoke up once more, disrupting his thoughts and focusing his chartreuse gaze on her sparrow-coloured form. Oak Tree Bend, he thought to himself, making another mental note. He would have to familiarize himself with the tree wolves; it would be good to have allies. He nodded in agreement, the corners of his lips turning into a smile as she then dismissed the wolves. As much as he wanted to seek out Karina the healer knew it wasn’t his place, especially when he had been one of the wolves to unintentionally jump down her throat. He would allow things to mull over before seeking out the princess. XIX did not want to cause any more damage. “If anyone is feeling under the weather don’t hesitate to see me—winter is cold season and we can’t afford to have any members out of commission.” His words were paired with a soft smile as he glanced around the circle before giving his pelt a quick shake. Without another word the pale healer bowed his head before Kisla before pushing his thin body into a stand and taking his leave from the meeting. As much as he wanted to return to his den and curl up in its warmth XIX needed a walk to clear his had from what had occurred during the meeting. He was worried about Karina… but, he knew her mother would handle it. Or one of her siblings. Just anyone aside from Kjors.

stick with those who stick with you