but it's not like christmas at all

Oksana's attention immediately turned toward the sound if Chan's call when it reached her. She hadn't had the chance to meet the wolf known as moon but she'd noticed that she hadn't seen the older woman around. It hadn't worried her too much, Oksana wasn't a stranger to the ways of packs. She thought that maybe the woman had gone to visit someone or went on a scouting trip or something. It wasn't her place to wonder about such things.

However, the call that sounded was an urgent one and one that couldn't be ignored. She hurried toward where it had come from and when she arrived she found many of the pack wolves already gathered. Right away she noticed Moon was in a bad way but as it seemed someone the others thought Oksana didn't want to be in the way of the older woman getting the help that she needed. Looking around at the other wolves she spotted Aleister and moved toward him touching his shoulder with her nose to let him know she was there. She thought she'd heard him speaking to one of the pups so she didn't want to interrupt.

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

thanks so much for jumping in guys! anyone else is still welcome to join in at any point. please check the first post, a couple things were added to the info section. the next round will be posted after the 26th 2nd.

The pack gathered quickly, causing Chan's chest to swell with pride. He would forever be thankful for the wolves that chose to live with and care for his family; it was proven time and time again that the Eastfalls would not exist without their support. Moonshadow was flooded with wolves who wanted to help, and Chan forced himself to step back and away from his mother, entrusting her care to them. 

He needed to address the group.

"The Winter won't get easier," he spoke loudly, a necessity if one wanted to be heard over the wind, and he needed them all to catch his words.

"This is life on a mountain. The weather can turn without warning, and catch even the most experienced of us off guard. I don't do restrictions and quotas, but I'm asking, now, that we all take precautions."

His gaze wandered over those assembled, reading expression as best as he could.

"Don't travel alone, let others have your back. Cooperation has been and always will be a wolf's greatest asset. Keep the pack informed. Of where you intend to go, how long you plan on being gone, and anything else that can help us find you if something happens."

Weather, of course, wasn't their only threat. He paused here, however, allowing a moment for others to speak up as desired. Chan was not here to dictate - unless they were all of one mind on this, he expected his pack mates to advocate their thoughts.

(This post was last modified: Dec 30, 2021, 02:09 AM by Chan.)

I think I need help, cuz I'm drowning in myself

I am so sorry y'all about my lack of activity! I totally wrote this out and my computer deleted it :( but I should be back now! <3 My heart is so full for all the love for Moon! <3

She had never meant for this to happen. She was only supposed to go down to the valley for a day trip to see if she could find any signs of Kip or her granddaughter. She had made the trip off the mountain countless times; this should have been no different. Mother nature had other plans however as she sent a snowstorm tearing through the forest. Everything went white turning the ebony woman around, disorienting her. The cold winds tore through her protective coat freezing her to her core. The sun set before the large she wolf could find adequate shelter forcing her to take cover under a large oak. Sleep never came as the exhausted woman huddled for warmth through the night. Day finally came as the sun peaked through the clouds. Moonshadow unburied herself from beneath a thick layer of snow, slowly standing she shook the excess snow from her inky pelt. Silver orbs blinked a few times to focus on the environment around her. She didn't recognize where she was, so she set out to make her way back home. The cold had affected her joints thus her progress and movements were much slower than she would have liked. Night began to fall once again but this time she was able to find somewhere better (still not the best) to take shelter. Sleep only came in small increments, interrupted by the biting cold. Day came again so the Eastfall woman set out once more to find her way back home. That day proved to be more successful than the last as she finally recognized some landmarks. She was closer to the mountain but was in no condition to make it there and up back home in what light remained that day. Again, she found a make do shelter and tried to get some much-needed rest. Sleep had found her in the early morning causing her to wake much later than she would have liked. She needed all the day light she could get if she was going to make it home...At first he sounded far away, almost like a dream, but then he was next to her. Chan had found her, and she couldn't have been happier to have seen him.

The walk home had been painfully slow, not only in speed but as well as physically and emotionally. Her ageing had made her joints stiff on its own but that paired with the cold made it ten times worse. Emotionally she felt horribly for disappearing and worrying, what she was sure to be everyone in the pack. Embarrassment, shame, guilt all swirled within her. They finally made it back to the territory, then finally to the communal den. Once it came into sight her eldest child, and acting alpha called for the pack. Pride and a small sense of relief washed over her. She was so proud of who Chan had become and how he had taken care of them. The sense of relief came from being able to see her family and let them all know she was okay at once. Though she was about to rethink that relief.

Chan asked if she wanted any food and said she needed to get warm but before she could respond the dark form of her younger son appeared. He called out to her as he rushed to her side, his sudden warmth was very much welcomed. Moonshadow turned her head slowly to nuzzle him back, the cold still infiltrating her body. Kajika was next to arrive, moving to brush her cheek as voice his worry for her. A quiet whine came from her speckled maw as cool mercury orbs met the gaze of familiar warm amber counterparts. Aquene was next to arrive, instructing her boys to stayed pressed against her. Something she was not about to protest. As fast as she appeared the dark medic took off once more to retrieve some herbs. She came back with an assortment of plants that she placed in front of the speckled woman. Moon weakly looked upon the younger woman and followed her instructions like a good patient.

A tiny quiet voice reached silver dusted ears. The Eastfall woman looked up to see the small brown form of Leo standing not too far off. Her heart tugged at the sight of the boy. She didnt want to add more worry to his already full plate. "Im okay love." she said to him, though her voice wasnt more than a whisper. Moon hadn't seen Flair, Jethro or Siyet arrive nearby but she had heard some of their arrivals. Aleister soon appeared moving to comfort his son with little Lynx close behind. He told them both she would be okay and guilt flooded her again. She hadnt meant to worry them. One more unfamiliar face arrived stand out to the edge before her agouti child stepped away from her side. The sudden rush of cold air where warmth once was, caused her to physically shiver and another whine to escape her maw involuntarily.

He addressed the group, raising his voice to be heard over the wind. He asked them all to be careful, to allow others to help them, to inform others of where they were going as to make it easier to find them. The Eastfall matriarch felt like a scolded child - as she should in her opinioned. She shrunk closer to the ground as her ears fell back and her tailed tucked slightly between her legs. She felt shame for her actions and the worry she caused. Chan was right - it was dangerous for them to just go off on their own.

Word Count: 943

(This post was last modified: Dec 27, 2021, 04:28 AM by Moonshadow.)

Kajika was relieved that Moon was back, he felt badly that he hadn't been able to go amd look for her. Thankfully Chan had found her and brought her home. The dark man was anxious to hear if she woukd be okay or if what had put her in this condition would be detrimental. A wolf he hadn't met had come and immediately he recognized the actions of a healer. He was very glad there was one of those in their ranks of course he'd always believed that every pack needed a healer.

He smiled softly when the whine that left his friends throat reached his ears. He spoke to her once more in quiet tones, "Don't worry. We'll get you better," he assured her. He'd only just found her and he wasn't ready to lose her so soon.

His attention was momentarily taken from Moonshadow as others from the pack arrived. Then it was brought to Chan as he spoke and in that moment Kajika was quite proud of his godson. The leader that he'd become was something the older man was glad he could be witness to.

However, the Tallis man was aware of how unforgiving the mountain could be. "Chan is right. I have lived many years on this mountain, in this forest. The mountain is unforgiving and cares not of your experience. The Winters can be extremely harsh. Heed my Godson's words and take care of yourselves and each other." He hoped that Chan didn't see his words as stepping on his toes but he thought it pertinent that someone back up what he said for any if there were who might not wasn't to listen.

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It didn't take long for the majority of the pack to assemble, and Nash's heart swelled to see all of them together, coming to check on his mother and answer his brother's call. "Aquene," Nash said, voice filled with relief at the healer's prompt arrival, and her quick retrieval of herbs. He obeyed her directions and remained at his mother's side while Chan began to address the group.

Nash looked up and carefully watched the rest of the pack members' reactions. The pups were close to their father, who was murmuring what Nash assumed to be assurances to them. Things were about to get scarier for them.

The idea for a buddy system was brilliant, and filled Nash with a new kind of anxiety. His gaze darted back and forth between his mother and Aquene, who he'd grown incredibly fond of over the last few months. He was sure Chan could take care of himself and could easily find a buddy, and while he didn't doubt their healer's abilities either, Nash worried about her - and his mother. She was clearly sick and injured, but that meant she wouldn't be leaving the den or straying very far, right? But she'd make a prime target for the cougar...

Speaking of...

Nash leaned towards Chan. "The cougar?" he murmured. He knew Chan wouldn't forget about it, but he was curious what he might say.

Leo had never realized just how big the pack really was. As more wolves gathered, he looked around with big, round eyes, seeing how each of them reacted to Moonshadow’s return. Those who did not gather around the woman remained on the outskirts instead, alone or in small groups, watching intently. The boy felt oddly lonely in the midst of the group, until a familiar warmth appeared at his side, whispering words of comfort.     He looked up at his father, swallowing hard as mismatched eyes met their duplicates, some relief easing his mind. He nodded silently. Looking around Aleister, Leo saw his brother, similarly pressed against his other side and felt further comfort – though a nagging worry for his sister, who had still yet to show also followed. He did not hear Moon’s own words of reassurance amidst all the commotion, but he saw Aquene and the others tend to her and had to believe his father’s words were true.   Then Chan spoke up, addressing the pack and warning them of the danger of the recurrent snowstorms; a warning the boy did not need, but he listened all the same, nodding solemnly at the directives. Certainly, the boy had no plans to go anywhere, but he would be cautious all the same.   His eyes strayed again to Moonshadow, who appeared troubled by her son’s words, perhaps feeling targeted by the message though Leo was sure it had not been the intention. Golden ears flattening back, the boy took a step towards his ‘aunt’, seeking to comfort her but then stopped, uncertain. A whine escaped his throat as he looked back at his father questioningly. Again, he wanted to go to her side, but feared getting in the way of the healer. Thoughts ”Speech”

Lakela @DA

But I put it out of my mind Long enough to call it courage To live without a lifeline

Aquene’s sole focus in this moment was her patient. All patients were important and deserved the best care that she could give, but especially the woman in front of her. She had been so many things to her. She had been a guide, and in some ways, she had been a mother. She had been a rock when Aquene went through one of the hardest experiences of her life, and now it was Aquene’s turn to return the favor. Warmth, food, preventative herbs. The list ran through her head. She needed to ward off any winterborn infections that might settle in due to how hypothermia could weaken one’s immune system. She was too focused on Moonshadow to fully hear what Chan had said, and likely would need to ask him to repeat the information to her later to make sure that she retained it all.

The woman was an excellent patient, taking the herbs obediently as Aquene gave her something for the cold and something more to fight off any illnesses like coughs that she might develop. It would take time to build back strength and recover from this… time and warmth. “You need to eat something. Nash, can you go fetch her some food? I can take your spot while you’re gone… the fresher the better, and the more the better. She’ll need all of her strength.” She murmured to him. She trusted him the most. She trusted everyone, and she knew either Eastfall brother would happily go out to take care of their mom, but she trusted him the most and she needed to stay to keep an eye on Moon for any concerning symptoms that might arise.

She wanted to turn tail, run as fast and far as she could, leaving Moon to her – more than capable – caretakers. The fiery woman was no healer, nor a close friend of the Eastfall matriarch, though she respected her. There was no need for her help, nothing she could do other than watch and feel sick to her stomach for it.   The only thing that kept her was Chan, slowly separating himself from the crowd around his mother. He wouldn’t have called the whole pack unless he had something important to say, something more than the good news that one of their lost members had been found.   And so he did, promoting caution and asking pack members to travel in pairs, or at least tell the others when they left the territory. Flair snorted in quiet irritation, but nodded her head none the less. It made sense, lest they lose anyone else; It just means giving him a heads up… She could do that whenever she wanted to stop out for more than a day, no big deal. ”Speech" Thoughts

dawnthieves.de, FairieGoodMother @DA & Lakela @DA

Oksana's silent shadow was next to his side, her nose gracing his shoulder to let him know she was there. Reaching back to touch his nose to her cheek in comforting response, he turned his mismatched gaze back to the group. The Vuesain patriarch unknowingly shared the same thoughts of his lookalike son about his missing daughters, and he planned to go seek them out afterwards to make sure they were safe.

Chan took the moment to advise the pack to take care and be cautious. With those words he was right, every passing day it was dangerous to live as a mountain wolf and everyone needed to know that or else, they would quickly learn. Kajika was quick to second Chan's words, adding more wisdom to the subject. Nodding in agreeance, he didn't have anything else to add. At his son's whine, his mismatched gaze looked down upon his son as concern fell across his face at the look Leo wore. Seeing his step towards Moonshadow, Aleister understood then what the young Vuesain was conflicted with. "Go help keep her warm," he said with a toss of his muzzle in the direction of his Aunty Moon as his gaze looked to Lynx to see if he wanted to go too.

 

Lynx stayed glued to his father's agouti side as his seafoam gaze watched the group assembled before them. He barely noticed the form of Oksana coming up next to him, but he didn't mind as she shielded him from view. Chan spoke of precautions they should all take with the Winter on the mountain. His father only nodded along so he guessed that was something he should listen to. When his older brother took a step towards Aunty Moon then whine up at father, he was curious as he peered around his father's leg. Aleister took him he could go keep her warm if that was what he wanted before turning his mismatched gaze down upon him in question. Seafoam eyes widened slightly at the unspoken notion as his gaze moved to look around at everyone that had gathered. As much as he loved his Aunty Moon, he wasn't so sure about leaving his father's shadow just yet.