Mountain of Dire no pain for my gain

Claiming thread for Clearwater Tarn! For the sake of keeping this brisk and light, please try to get posts in by March 25th. || March 20th, Early Morning, Light Snow, 24°F (-4°C)
@Lorcan @Lenae @Cyril @Cheedo @Odin @Kip

She had awoken sometime early the morning, the snow fell in a light dusting upon her lean frame as she moved away from the sheltered den. It was not ideal weather but it stirred a thought within her mind.

They had waited long enough through the season. It became obvious that this was the place they would settle. Not the forest below and not the peaks higher above. The tarn was the perfect middle ground. Trees still grew here and the mountain walls protected them. There would be dangers too but there was danger everywhere. Piety had picked to focus on the positives of this place and it was about time it paid off.

She moved towards the surface of the water, admiring the view and taking in deep breaths. With all the scents around it was fairly clear that some kind of group was settled in this place. It was just time to make things more official. She tipped her head back and called out to her friends and family, asking them to her side. Her tones were warm and joyous, a giveaway that this would be a good event for those present.

Those who wished to stay or join the group (if there was anyone lurking nearby) would be welcomed by the Santoro. Anyone not intent on staying or joining the group of wolves would be shown out swiftly.

# C W T

He was still bitter.

Bitter that his mother had moved on so quickly after his father’s death.

Bitter that he couldn’t talk to anyone about it, as his closest friend was days away from the mountain.

Bitter that he was about to have younger siblings to tend to.

Just bitter.

He knew, eventually, he would get over it. Accept the changes in his life because he knew it would make his mother happy. That maybe this Lorcán was good for her, as it would prevent her from living in the past. A past that with filled with the broken body of her mate and the blood-soaked lowlands. A past that Cyril was still trying to move forward from—for himself, his mother and his father. The dream still relayed vividly in the back of his mind, reminding the sullen boy to let go. To stop blaming himself. It was hard, and he was trying, but it didn’t help when it seemed that those around him had forgotten about the ebony Kael.

A familiar call sounded from the tarn, beckoning the small group forward. He couldn’t help but hesitate, a grimace tugging at his dark features. But he couldn’t retreat; he couldn’t do that to his mother. Not when they worked so hard at starting over. She was excelling, and Cyril wanted to show her that he was too, even if he was confused at her current situation. With a heavy sigh he pushed himself through the trees.

He approached the tarn with cautious, hesitant steps. His yellow gaze was fixated on his mother as he maintained his distance, his expression softening as he saw the joy that radiated from her. Eventually he’d get over what happen and return to his happy, functioning self. Today wasn’t that day. Tomorrow wouldn’t be either. But he’d try. That’s all he could do.

Tossing his chin to the sky Cyril joined her chorus. At least they had found a home. That was the first step to recovery.

The morning started with a light snowfall that covered her pelt as she slept under one of the trees around the Tarn. Things had changed and she wasn't sure how she felt about it any more. The last days had been hard she blamed it all on her heat so chose to stay away from the others for the remainder of it. Which was why she had slept under the tree for the past few nights. She hoped that once it was over all the things that had crept up in the past few days would be forgotten and she could go back to her life the way it was.

There was one thing that bothered her though and she knew it shouldn't months had passed since they had lost their alpha. It bothered her that Piety had moved on so quickly or maybe it was Lorcans fault for preying in her when she was vulnerable. Were wolves supposed to get over their mates so quickly? Mittani wasn't dead but she still wasn't completely over him, maybe it was just how she was. Cheedo didn't know and she I'm didn't understand and until she didn't know how to react to it.

When the pale woman's voice called to the small group that now lived in the Tarn Cheedo rose to her feet and shook the snow off. She then made her way to the edge of the water where she found Cyril and Piety already. She approached tail tucked between her legs hoping to keep her scent under some kind if control. She held her head low as her gaze went from one to the other. She only rose it to add her voice to their chorus as they claimed the Tarn as theirs.

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

In all honesty, Lenae wasn't sure what they were waiting for. They had been at the Tarn for quite some time and whilst it didn't feel like home home the little Selwyn was content to stay. She wanted to try again, to close the book and start afresh but thinking about life like that was so hopeful, so innocent. It was hard to be cheerful when she knew there was no doubt more strife on the way, that it would hound her and bite at her heels, because that's what misery liked to do.

At the very least she had a nice little den to hide away in, Lorcan and the other's had been so kind to dig it out for her, and they'd done such a wonderful job. It was just the right size, snug and cosy with more than enough leg room for the little wolf. She liked the location too, hidden amongst tangled roots, it reminded her of her stay in the Ghastly Woods but was less...scary, intimidating. As she laid inside, her chin resting on one of her forelegs, her ears tipped forward at the sound of Piety's call. It sounded important and Lenae couldn't help but get the feeling that something was afoot. Pushing to her feet she dropped down into a stretch before heading out into the early morning light. Her den was situated in the treeline, so it took a few moments or so to gallop down to the Tarn's shore. By the time she arrived a crowd had started to form, all familiar faces- so far.

Lenae slowed to a walk and went to stand beside Cyril, knowing that Lorcan would want to claim the coveted position by Piety's side. She bumped into him, gently, and allowed herself to take comfort in his presence. He'd grown up so much, she was endlessly proud of him, knew that despite all he'd been through he'd be a wonderful man. Just as his Father had been. Tilting up her head, Lenae added her pretty little voice to their song. She was here and she wanted to do her part in building something worthwhile, even if her presence would be a burden on them, in time.

Lorcan loped through the snow, his black-tipped tail waving enthusiastically behind him as he snaked his way through the gathering of pine trees. He hadn't been able to sleep well the previous night, having been far too excited to relax after Piety had mentioned her desire to claim the tarn officially as their own. So, rather than disturb her rest, he had decided to do one final exploration of the territory. 

Russet ears remained perked upwards in anticipation of her howl. When her call finally did reach his ears, Lorcan immediately broke away from his trail and moved directly towards its source. Muddy paws carried him towards the large body of water situated within the territory, though before he could even spot her pale figure against the shimmering backdrop of the tarn, other voices joined in with her howl. Picking up his pace, the male finally spotted the familiar gathering of wolves. Silently he weaved himself around them, his tail high and his posture proud as he slipped himself alongside Piety. 

Greeting Piety with a gentle bump to her shoulder, he took a moment to glance around at all the others, listening as their chorus echoed through the mountain peaks, before he tilted his own head back to join in with their song. 

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

had a one way ticket to the place where all the demons go

Odin Archer

Odin had been busy, busy busy busy. He was trying to make sure he left a little gift by Lenae's den whenever he could, whether it was food or grass or a scrap of something he'd found that he thought might amuse a child when they eventually came - a pinecone, a smooth red rock, a chewing stick. He wasn't sure if the gifts were well received, probably more likely to be seen as junk rather than something useful at this early stage, but he was trying at least. In between his little forays for food and trinkets he made sure that the borders were well enforced, that the caches were filled, or topped up if needed, and if he found anything that might be of use for Lorcan he made sure to add it to their little cache of medicinal herbs. He wasn't going to be seen as the fuck up if he could help it.

He had been on his way back to the den, a marmot hanging from his jaws when Piety called. He tried to move faster, but by nature he was slow, finally reaching the den to drop to his stomach at Lenae's side, a grin thrown to Cyril around the marmot as he dropped the catch and joined their song. It was finally time.

Why was she even here...? Why did she feel some sort of loyalty to a wolf who clearly wanted nothing more to do with her? Why did she feel love for a wolf who clearly wanted nothing more to do with her? Had her self-worth gotten so low that she couldn’t even leave him when the fact that she wasn’t wanted or needed anymore?

Apparently so...

The small wolf made her way slowly up toward the others, knowing she was among the last to arrive. She chose not to look over at Odin or the girl he had decided was more important to him than she was, and made no move to sit and get comfortable. Did she even have to howl? The enthusiasm everyone else was experiencing was completely lost on Kip, and she knew her voice must have wavered as she bit the bullet and let out a short howl of her own.

Was that it? She hoped it was. The tiny wolf stepped backward, itching to turn and leave the way she had come.

A lynx has left behind the remains of a deer. +5 Health

@Lorcan @Cyril @Cheedo @Lenae @Odin @Kip second round ends March 29th

Everyone had gathered and despite their varying levels of enthusiasm and energy, they had stayed. That was what mattered at that moment. She would make sure things would be smoothed over once everything was properly set up. The dove would not accept tension to build in an unspoken manner.

"I'm so glad you're all here. We've waited long enough, it's time to claim this section as our own." She said with a warm smile while looking around the group. "Once things are set up here I'd like to send a scout or two out to any neighboring packs." The pale female explained, letting her gaze specifically slide over Cheedo who had proved herself a worthy scout back in the lowlands.

"Now is a great time for questions if anyone has them. Her good ear stood tall and erect, ready to hear anything that might be said.

# C W T

His shoulders sagged in relief at @Lenae’s familiar tawny frame as she sidled up next to him, her shoulder bumping against his. He might be angry and confused at the world, but never at her. She had always been a source of comfort for him; a ray of light in the dark. The sullen boy was pleased she had decided to join them; he had worried endlessly about her after their encounter in the mountain. But she seemed to be doing better—slowly but surely. Just like him.

Another familiar face had joined the pair—@Odin. Another wolf that had narrowly avoided his teenage angst.

Cyril was quick to end his song after the last wolf—@Kip, a face he barely recognized due to her limited time on the monadnock—joined them. His mother addressed the group once she dropped her muzzle, her voice warm and dripping with excitement. It made Cyril want to vomit. Or stomp off. Both, maybe? She said something about claiming the land and sending scouts out, something that he would not oppose to doing. If his mother would let him, of course. His yellow gaze fell onto her pale figure, a small frown creasing his dark lips as she asked the group if they had any questions. Plenty of them, he thought bitterly to himself as his gaze flitted over to the tawny male at her side. But they didn’t need to be brought up now. Cyril wasn’t interested in making a scene. 

(This post was last modified: Mar 24, 2018, 03:20 PM by Cyril.)