Secret Falls its madness keeping us afloat

@Iopah @Eirian
@Delia @Maeve
Erebos, Zane, Zeta, Delia and Maeve are all here asking to join. <3
Dated: Feb 14th, mid afternoon.
Random Event: Dark clouds overhead threaten an incoming snowstorm.

They had tried to remain on their own for a time. There was five of them, wasn't that enough to live by? To submit himself to someone else's dominance, or to shoulder the responsibility of a full pack once more, seemed unbearable ideas beyond Phineas' death and their swift departure from the ruins that were Silent Moon Plateau. So he and Delia made the effort to keep it all together, to keep the youth fed and fulfilled and together and safe.

Then they lost Wren.

Erebos had searched tirelessly for the boy, seeing more of the frigid winter drifts than his own family for an obsessive time. He had promised him he would keep him safe. Of all the times he had extended his word, it meant the most to him that he kept it now, to Wren. Yet fate would not allow him; perhaps he was destined to be a liar.

The discussion with Delia had been easy; Maeve needed age mates to help her recover. The twins needed structure. They all needed normalcy, a place to belong. So the man searched the surrounding areas, until he found something rather impressive; a stamp of land with the active trails of four children moving in and out. Surely, a pack that could sustain that number was stable, and the opportunity for Maeve to find someone to connect with was heightened. After convening with Delia once more about the situation, it was decided; they would ask for shelter with the pack beside the Secret Falls.

Now they were here, standing at the borders, the most misfit family there could be. A soft sigh fell from his lips as he looked over them all.

"Alright guys, this is it. We ready?" he asked them, attempting to exude confidence. He wanted this to work out. He supposed if it didn't, though... they would simply move on the next pack. Raising his muzzle, Erebos called out to the sky, requesting an audience with the lords of the land.

The D'astrous born woman still hadn't had the time to completely digest everything. Living quietly within Silent Moon Plateau with Zeta and Zane, keeping largely to herself, she tried to stay out of Erebos' way. With only a few months having passed since she followed after her children, Erebos came to her, his emotions completely array. His brother had passed suddenly and the pack was to be disbanded. Shock had filled her at the thought of Phineas' death then, but quickly she needed to focus on feeding and keeping everyone they had left together. The mother easily took on her role, bonding with the two pups while assuring her two children were also fulfilled. Life was difficult, but the little family was keeping it together. Until Wren disappeared.

Erebos was gone for days at a time, tirelessly searching for the little boy, leaving Delia alone with the other three children. At times where there were days that passed since she last saw the grayscaled man, she was worried her ex mate wouldn't return having been lost within the ruthless winter. When he finally returned for the last time, she had prayed to see Wren by his side, however, the boy was not found. Delia was thankful that Erebos had returned to them, knowing her children and Maeve would be devastated if he never returned to them. That night the two of them discussed their next move as they couldn't keep living like this. The small family needed a pack to give them what they needed. Maeve needed age mates to grow and heal with, and her children needed structure and protection. They just need a pack to accept them all.

Standing at the borders of the pack that Erebos found that might suit their needs, the five of them stood silently together. Nervousness filled her chest, but her muzzle bumping Zeta's gray chin and Maeve's crown in a loving manner hoping they weren't feeling the same feelings she was. Silver eyes looking to Erebos as he spoke, his words trying to give them some sort of confidence. "I can feel it guys, this is the place. This is going to be home," she followed, giving each the children a sweet smile before glancing back at Erebos their gazes locking as she took a deep breath in. This was it.

Shallow water has trapped several fish in a small pond. Hunt Opportunity

Zane had thoroughly hoped that with the death of his uncle and the fall of Silent Moon Plateau, this foolish adventure would be finished with and he and Zeta would return with Delia to Brittle Stone Basin. Of course, his sister refused to see the end of it, however. She wanted even more time with the stranger that was their father, and as much as he yearned to go home, he refused to part from her side. At least this time they had their mother with them. Maybe Delia would be able to get Zeta to see reason, if just given a little bit more time to work on her. Oh how he hoped so. As much as he loved his sister, he was growing wearisome of sacrificing so much for a notion so ridiculous as giving Erebos this hundredth chance to make things right.

The loss of Wren affected him to an extent, both pitying the boy for whatever fate might have befallen him (surely it would not be a kind one) and, more so, that @Maeve was now alone. As much as he hated to admit it, losing Erebos had affected him deeply. If he had been without Delia and Zeta, as well? He wasn't sure if he would have the strength to go on. He might have spoken this to the little girl, commending her for her survivorship, however despite their time together he knew that he did not have the connection with her to speak so intimately.

So he remained silent and brooding through the many days that took them from the middle of wintry nowhere to the borders of this unknown pack. When Delia attempted to lift their spirits, claiming that this new place would be home, it nearly broke his heart, but he would never wound his beloved mother by allowing her to know this. Instead, his silver masked muzzle lifted with a smile to affectionately bump her cheek as Erebos' song rang out.

For once in her life, Zeta was finding it difficult to remain upbeat. So much had happened, and all so swiftly, that it was difficult to wrap her head around it all. It wasn't the constant change of home that bothered her, but rather all the factors driving it. She hadn't known her uncle well at all, and Erebos had seemed mightily angry at the man. In fact, she wasn't sure that her father grieved his lost sibling at all. Yet still it was so sad that Phineas had died, especially so unexpectedly. All of his children would never again be able to see their father, and poor little @Kyna, it had happened right in front of her. Just the thought of it caused her uneven eyes to mist up with emotion as she could not imagine standing in any of their paw prints.

Then, on top of all of that, they had lost poor young Wren. As much as her mother and brother would let her, Zeta had been right there with the adults searching for the boy. When finally they had been forced to give up, she had felt like such a failure for not being able to bring him back to them. She still did. Often she would look upon @Maeve and feel a strong pang of both guilt and sympathy. If she had lost just Zane, let alone both of her parents... she couldn't imagine the emotional pain she would be in.

To make up for it, she tried her hardest to include the young girl in everything and anything that might help make her feel better. Zeta wanted to be something of a big sister to her, to try and make up for the family that was lost even as she knew that it would never be the same. Something was still better than nothing, wasn't it? She sure hoped so. And she really hoped that this new pack would help as well.

the rabbit

Adopt my twin!

@Eirian @Iopah your turn, I believe :)

Officially having lost anyone who had ever mattered left Maeve quite bitter. She didn't want to travel with the remains of Silent moon Plateau, she didn't want to join some foreign pack. 'I don't even wanna exist anymore...' the girl scoffed, examining he new surroundings thoroughly. 'Mom, dad, Celandine, Wren.. Ha, what a joke.' and the strangers who now sought to comfort her strictly out of some shameful form of pity? Even more laughable. The fae was sure that in the short span of a few months she'd be left alone again, and she simply couldn't wait.

"Erebos.. How does this work? Do you do all the talkin', or?" The orphan honestly hadn't considered the actual process, in fact, she never really thought she'd ever have to. "Because I'd rather not talk... I got nothin' to say." rolling her eyes, the pup wondered if this was even a sure thing. Couldn't the pack just deny them? That's what she'd do. Trusting such a large group of strangers, well, it seemed pretty idiotic to her.'How they gonna know we can even be trusted? Whu' if we decide to kill em all and take they're food or somethin'?' with a smirk, she waited for Erebos to elaberate on their situation a bit more.

Sorry for the wait!

Pungent urine belonging to your's truly splashed against the exposed bark of a stump when the beckoning howl of a wolf unknown rang clear across the sky, surprising the factotum patriarch. Russet tinged audits rotated like satellites upon the crest of his skull as they deciphered the masculine song, bulky limbs wasting no time to begin trekking toward the southern borders where the summons had been issued. Eirian had not been back long since his stormy rendezvous at the hidden grove with a peachy woman and the man definitely hadn't expected to return to find company of another at their secluded doorstep, nor could he have been prepared for just how many awaited his arrival.

The distance across the familiarized terrain despite the blanket of ivory below and threat of a continued storm above melted effortlessly beneath each powerful stride, a charcoal dusted tail waving high and proud above the curvature of his spine. Only a couple of weeks at most had come to pass since the pale coated queen adorned his brow with the kingly golden crown, but already the power that radiated from it felt right to the core of his Asurn bones and in all honesty he pondered if he would return such a jewel to their rightful owner should Koda return despite promising he would. If he returned, that is.

Tangerine optics surveyed the blur of timber and brush as he sprinted, coral painted tongue protruding from a slightly parted jaw to inhale the frigid winter air. God, he couldn't wait for this damn season to be over and Eirian couldn't fathom the idea of spending another day cleaning the gunky, cold snow from between his toes and that was when he wasn't dodging pelting bullets from the tree tops! Yet, his woes were cast aside immediately when his nostrils flared, inhaling the scent of not one, but five strangers deep into the depths of his lungs before his searching gaze spotted the dysfunctional group in the distance. No sign of Iopah's looming presence yet, but he knew she wouldn't be far behind. Well, what do we have here? The tawny brute mused as his limbs brought him closer to the gathering, tail flagging high above his spine now to portray his status among these claimed lands.

Silently the hefty Timber wolf emerged from the shadowy foliage, gaze bobbing between the band of wolves present at his borders. Four of those he noted held fur as bleak as a stormy sky, the silver and gray-scale pelts blending in effectively with the whitewashed backdrop. Three of these wolves were maidens; one with a pair of marbles as silver as the fur upon her cheek, the other owning a pair of eyes as green as the spring grass, albeit one seemed to be off a fraction in shade and the last whom couldn't be no younger than a year held a stare equal to the leafy canopy of summer. It was easily dismissed before his attention surveyed the remaining silver beast.

The last of the likened wolves was a more grizzled silver male whom could easily double the age of Eirian, a pair of fiery orange irises set off brightly as they lay nestled neatly upon the lighter complexion. The Asurn was still unimpressed. Finally, his own citrus irises roamed the last remaining creature to be evaluated; another male. One that was a living embodiment of the night with the same hued eyes as the grizzled man. But their appearances alone would not answer the question burning upon the tip of his tongue. Why were they here? The forest patriarch had kept them waiting long enough.

Cleared throat and body held rigid, the russet and tawny pelted man finally spoke to break the silence of the still afternoon air. Power that rivaled the brewing storm above resonating off each uttered word. "I expect there is  a good reason lying in wait to explain why such a large crowd has come to seek our borders, yes?" A creamy brow quirked skyward in mild curiosity. This had to be an interesting tale.

As they stood awaiting this alpha's response, Erebos couldn't help but feel especially thankful for @Delia's presence. No matter what had gone wrong, and the underlying tensions that persisted, this was still far better than being all alone again. If he didn't have this ragtag bunch of characters to take care of, this winter most likely would have been his last, as well.

Maeve's sullen voice pulled him from this grateful thoughts, ember eyes falling upon her. She had grown so much, more of an adult than a child now, yet still he felt this deep need to protect her. Perhaps it was the failure of his promise to Wren, maybe he was trying to make up for it by extending such desire onto the lost boy's sister. Maybe he saw himself in what she was becoming, and wanted to stop it before it was too late and she made her bitterness permanent. Whatever it was, it earned an extra measure of patience that many others would not have been gifted.

"Y'don't have ta do anything y'don't want to, Maeve. Y'know that," he answered her softly.

When at last the king of the land did arrive, Erebos was surprised to find that the lowering of his crown in mild deference felt unnatural. Had he truly gotten so used to holding his head high? The thought did not settle well within him for multiple reasons, but he kept his displeasures aside, eyes focusing upon the snowy ground as he took the chance to speak for his makeshift family.

"We're wha's left of a moun'ain pack to the south. It's dead an' gone now, so we're lookin' fer a new home," he concisely informed the man. "Delia here is a remarkable hunter, unlike anythin' you've seen. The twins're at the age to shoulder responsibility too. They're hard workin', don't complain; can handle anythin' you throw at 'em. Maeve's just learnin', but she's got the same mettle. Might grow to be a scout; she's a better adventurer than me already."

A bit flowery, but they needed this home, and he would not sell a single one of them short. All that was said was true. As for leaving himself last? There was a reason for that. Given the numbers they were approaching the pack in, it was very likely that even if some were taken in, not all of them would be. If any were to be left out in the cold, it should be him. He had the least amount of time left on this earth, and thus the least utility.

"My time as a guardian ain't quite up, you'll get plenty a' use outta me too. Bottom line is, we'll all pull our own weight and keep our heads down. Y'got nothin' but helpin' paws here, if yer needin' any."

He knew they were needing some, given the low amount of numbers that he deciphered from the scents, but it would do no good to point that out to this stranger. Best to let him maintain the position of benefactor; they were, after all, the ones begging, no matter the position this pack may or may not be in.

(This post was last modified: Mar 06, 2016, 12:06 AM by Erebos.)

Tucked in the shadows, she listened.

The Pines' queen was far from social these days; she slunk along the borders by night and softly growled away company by day. Everything seemed impossible - swiftly on the absence of her mate both daughters had disappeared. Her days were spent in a nightmare dream-like state, functioning and eating and breathing, but not really there. Erebos' call came from a direction she longed for and the woman's head had snapped up rapidly before the obvious difference were noted. Still, she approached, giving no warning of her presence with her present ire.

For several minutes Iopah lurked and listened, catching Eirian's questions and the stranger's reply. It piqued her interest, perhaps they would know what had happened to Koda, or had at least seen him? It was the plea that stroked her ire more.

Finally she pushed forward, letting her status speak with the brazen glance of her eyes on the new-comers. "And what will keep you from leaving once the weather turns?" The Broken Timber Pines pack was familiar enough with their own kind leaving, let along those with no vested interest. "We need loyal wolves more than we need capable ones."

Silently an agouti cloaked male was soon in front of them, his status within the pack was quite clear with his banner and crown held regally. Delia could almost feel his light burning gaze upon their bodies, picking them apart one by one, determining what to think all of them. Only once did let her silver gaze glance up at the alpha, her own eyes looking him over for a second before moving her gaze back down to the ground between them. His powerful voice finally broke the silence, though it was Erebos who answered him. Black blanketed ears perked forward slightly when her ex mate spoke of her skill in hunting and a small smile graced her lips as he went on to speak highly of their children. Erebos spoke highly of them all, giving them a good case for the alpha male, perhaps giving him a good reason to consider such a large group.

Before the alpha male could return any words, another joined them. Cream colored banner and crown held high, Delia knew this had to be the queen of the falls. Her firm voice questioning them once again, her black ears flatted against her skull at the thought of her question. There was only one thing that would keep her from leaving once the weather turned and that would be her daughter. Delia was only here because of Zeta and her urge to find a relationship with her father she never had a chance to know. Honesty ran true within her veins and she couldn't get herself to lie to this fellow mother. Though she knew she may make their chance of joining this pack much slimmer, she couldn't go against her morals. "Ma'am, my children are my world and why I'm here. As long as they are by my side, I will be of your service, but my ultimate loyalty will always remain with my children."