Thicket of Secrets And All The Pretty Lights

Casual pack hunt for those who are interested! Special tag for: @Enia @Cinaed (Flair) as the pups are old enough to come along and watch. And the rest - @Miccah @Belladonna @Rayne @Rose @Bane :D

Aideen Athesila Snowflakes filtered down through the thinning canopy, mingling with freshly fallen leaves on the thicket floor. Here in the dense Woodlands, the snow quickly melted, but it looked to be enough for a nice layer of powder out in the open. The queen smiled to herself as she lowered her eyes from the tree tops, the smell of frost reminded her of her childhood, and it made her giddy. Looking around the clearing of the pack den, she wondered if her pack mates might feel the same way; I know three who will for sure! The mother turned her head and cooed towards the den, calling out her children, excited for their reaction to this strange and new. But looking upon the flakes would not be enough to settle the building energy in her stomach, and she doubted it would be for the pups either. It took only a moments consideration before Aideen decided, nodding to herself; It's high time! Once they were past their first enchantment with the snow, she would smile at her brood, waving them with her into the thicket and towards the border. Her tail wagged high and swift, promising fun ahead, and as they neared the border she would raise her head, calling together the pack in a voice full of excitement; Come play with us! And with a little luck, the game would end in a lesson for the pups, and full bellies for everyone. Word count: 241 Thoughts ”Speech”

Dawnthieves.de

 

Aideen's howl easily caught his attention, the large male lifting his head and perking his ears at the sound. She was asking for anyone willing to join in a hunt. A hunt? That sounded like a good idea, especially since winter had finally made its presence known. Rayne angled himself towards where Aideen's excited howl sounded off, making his way through the thickets with ease. 


Once arriving at his destination, 
at the borders of the pack lands, he greeted Aideen with a warm smile and a bowed head. Powdery snow settled on his back, shoulders and head as he eased into a sitting position, happy to patiently wait for any others to arrive. And besides, if no one else turned up, who's to say they could not have some fun and just play in the newly fallen snow? 

"It's a lovely day isn't it?" He rumbled softly, glancing up towards the sky, where the snow was slowly falling from. "I just hope there's no terrible storms brewing soon." The line was meant as a joke as he chuckled, as he glanced over to Aideen. The male looked relaxed and happy as they waited, watching as the snow fell around them.  

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

Miccah was stationed at his usual post at the borders when his ears perked attentively at his wife's call. He had just finished a border patrol and was about to begin another...but something about the tone of her voice.  She was not in any sort of danger, but she was in the mood for fun. A playful light warmed his blue gaze. How long had it been since the pack had gathered together for fun? Too long. The man knew he needed this too and it would give him a chance to reconnect with those of his pack. So he followed his wife's call that was conveniently along the borders so it didnt take him long to reach her and the children. Rayne was there joking with his wife and the king nodded slightly at the man in greeting before heading towards his wife. Rayne had not up and left, which had been a surprise to the king but at least a pleasant one. Aideen thought of him dearly and Miccah...well Miccah was open to the idea of communication. He didnt have too many males he considered friends, really only Duckweed and Ash, so maybe it would be nice to add to the list. The dark king greeted his wife with a brief kiss to the top of her crown, giving her a brief smile before turning towards his children and nuzzling his little girls before tugging at his son's ear playfully. Already his wife's playful mood was rubbing off on the usually stoic man.  "speech"

Burtn @DA, Colourize-Stock @DA, Momotte2stocks @DA, Celem @DA & Dawnthieves.de

The young pup was growing more and more curious in more complex topics as time went on, and so his mother’s call had his ears perked up, a stoical expression on his face as he bolted towards it, wondering what it was she had planned for them today – she was, after all, calling for the entire family, and not just him and his siblings… how curious! He’d been studying the strange flakes that fell from the sky when the call had rung through the air, and while he did not forget about them, his concentration had drifted elsewhere. Perhaps it was another pack meeting, like the one where they had met the rest of the family to begin with.

He arrived with a skid, feeling the white flakes that had already touched the ground and stuck melting against his pelt, to which he gave it a good shake, a grin catching his face. “What’re we doing, mama?” He asked innocently, always a question with him and this time was no different… “WHAT’RE THOSE.” This time it was a little bit louder as he looked up and motioned with his snout to the flakes that had fallen from the sky with determination in his eyes – determination to find out just what those were. He knew they were cold and that when they touched his coat, they made it wet, but he didn't know what they were or what they did... and he wanted to find out.

   

If there was one thing Flair disliked, it was not knowing something! That and sitting still. And her brother's annoying, knowing expression. Really there were a lot of things that she disliked,  and this cold, wet stuff was quickly making the list. She'd gotten tired of it almost immediately, the mystery of its existence lost its novelty when you felt the sogginess seep through your paw-fur and trickle down your back. So she retreated to the den, watching the white flakes continue to fall with a deep frown. Now two of her least favorite things were actively in effect, in with the word such aspiring against her, it probably wouldn't be long till the third joined in. So when her mom showed up, seeming even more cheery than usual, it seemed like adding insult to injury. Flair couldn't keep from rolling her eyes, wondering – not for the first time – if there was nothing that could bother her mother; Other than her and her siblings fighting that is. Grunting, the russet pup slowly got to her feet, less than excited about getting back out into that frigid mess. But there was no two way about it, if there was one thing she and her mother had in common it was stubbornness. So she would make her way back out of the den, but slowly. So slow that Cináed showed up before she did, piping his incessant questions. Yes she was curious too, but she didn't go around asking all the time, really! Amber eyes glared at her brother from the shade of the den opening, ears flattened back at his screeching. There was only one way to shut him up. So, rejuvenated from this chance for mischief, Flair sprang from the den, steering straight for her brother. With a triumphant yip, she jumped at his back, paws stretch to knock him down and plant his face smack down in the cold slush at their feet. Already the taunt was on her lips: "Ha-ha, sucker!" Of course the act earned a stern look from their mother, but it made Flair feel a lot better about the dumb weather, and she obediently tucked tail, ready to follow as Aideen led the way. At least it appeared they were doing something special, it had their mom all giddy, and as they were joined by first Rayne and then their dad, it was clear that something fun was definitely under way. Despite her lukewarm mood, Flair allowed her tail to wag lightly at her father's touch, tongue slipping along his jaw before he moved on to the others. Then she sat herself down in the slush, yawning, while she waited for something more to happen. Word count: 451 ”Speech”

Tambako the Jaguar @flickr