Sanguine Cove at last i see the light

Introducing Eclypse to the pack!

Aquene had worked through some of the exhaustion that had come with being a mother. She was already growing so fast, and Aquene had doted upon her every step of the way. It had gotten her thinking as well. She was not certain how long she would be leading for, but she knew there were things she wanted to do before she stepped down. There were roads to mend, and she was going to be sure they started that path, not just for her daughter, but for the wolves of the Backwater as well.

She would offer a gentle nose to her daughter with a smile, quietly ushering her outside of the den, allowing her to wander freely or stick close, so long as she remained within eyesight. Her maw would tip, and she would call for the entire pack. She expected their attendance, as this was not just about meeting the next generation, but about the pack as a whole.

It was a season of rebirth and renewal, and she would see that both happened. Her gaze would linger on her daughter until others arrived, admiring, and keeping a watchful eye. She was a second change that Aquene didn’t realize that she needed.

Aquene Slayer

It was a slow road, but Nash was regaining his strength. He'd been afraid when he'd fallen ill that it was an omen, that perhaps Chan had been right and they were cursed. Al had been sick for the birth of his first litters... Nash did not want to follow in his friend's footsteps. He wasn't ready to leave his pack just yet.

He did as Aquene instructed him... Partially because he didn't have the energy to disobey, and partially because he wanted to get better as fast as possible, to return to serving his pack. He laid watch outside the den his youngest daughter lived in, only parting for water or food when he knew she and her mother were safe. He was determined that nothing bad should happen to them; already one daughter had departed for her own paths. He could only hope she would be safe.

The day was drawing near, he knew, but it still seemed to soon when Aquene nudged their precious Eclypse from the den and into the sun. Nash lifted his head and watched as she took in the world for the first time.

i am noble too, oh Lord of Wolves

STARLIGHT WAS MY MOTHER.
AND MY FATHER WAS THE DARK.

The world was wide and wonderful, she had quickly learned. Even more so when it seemed she got each and every thing she wanted or needed. How quickly her world had expanded in one fell swoop. Enough that puppy paws slapped the earth with a rambunctious energy each time she witnessed a family member come near.

Eclypse was far from a colicky baby. She fed with great ease, she napped freely and cozily, she played until she repeated the first two things. Her parents might find little protest with their newest child.

And oh how she adored being included in things!

When her mother raised her great voice into the mountain air, Eclypse was quick to follow. Stubby snout raised with whiny howls quick to follow. Hardly as loud or powerful, but certainly done with all the same spirit. She knew not why her mother rallied or what for. Perhaps it was time to play more?

She bounded in circles and alternated her moves. Paws slapped near her parents, before she turned and dove after her own tail. Rambunctious with her life in all ways.

Swarthy muzzle removed itself from the feathered carcass that had come to serve as his snack while patrolling the borders as the sound of Aquene's beckoning call rang loud and true across the mountainous air, piquing the young Vuesain's interest enough to earn a partial flick of a dark tinged ear. Whatever could she be calling them all for? There was little time to dwell on such minuscule thoughts, though, as the notes that floated on the air held some expectancy to them.

Not wanting to be late and with a small huff at having to bring snack time to an end, Galen took a moment to bury the remnants of his kill to return to at a later point in time. His tongue slid out from behind inky lips to clean off his muzzle and make himself more presentable before slender limbs trudged onward toward the location of the call. A low chuff in greeting echoed in his chest as Galen approached, tail swinging low at his rump in good spirits while his golden gaze was robbed by the most curious sight, rump planting itself onto the ground.

A swarthy brow quirked at the ball of black fuzz that was zipping about near the entrance of the couple's den, his head tilting off to the side before shifting his attention toward Nash and Aquene. Curiosity shining bright in his young, molten gold gaze.

Tawny ears twitched alert, a twinge briefly gripping his heart as he recognized the voice and where it was coming from. But Aquene’s voice held no alarm, only the command to which she was entitled, and Leo Vuesain did not hesitate to answer. Rising from the spot at the lakeshore where he had been taking a brief rest between patrols, the guardian-in-training quickly trotted towards the center of the territory to meet his leader. He arrived to find his younger brother already on the scene, earning an approving nod from the older Vuesain heir. Nash too was alongside his wife, not surprising, looking better than he had in a long time. And at the center of it all, a single, dark bit of fuzz, whirling around in the sun, seemingly oblivious to all the attention on her. A touch of smile lit the serious youth’s face as he offered both his current and former alpha a light bow, professing softly: “She’s beautiful.” Thoughts ”Speech”

Lakela @DA

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

Time seemed as if it was flying by. It seem like it was just a few moons ago that the triplets were taking their first steps in the world and now? It was her seventh grandchild who now was emerging for the very firs time. The frail grandmother sat in the sun, allowing its rays to warm her shaggy pelt when the call rang through the cove followed by a shriller yet quieter call – sure to have come from the cove’s newest addition. She was never far from her children and granddaughter, making her journey to the opening brief. Foggy mercury orbs looked upon the ebony trio with so much love. She loved her family with every fiber of her being. Though she was filled with love a twinge of sadness coursed through her…oh how she wish she could share these moments with Tagg. He would have been the absolute best grandfather. Two agouti figures also were present – the young Vuesain boys, who may not be blood but were family nonetheless.

Letting out a quiet woof, Moonshadow gave Galen and Leo a warm smile and licks to their chins before moving to greet her son and daughter-in-law with chin bumps. Her silver dusted tail swayed easily behind her. “How are y’all holdin’ up?” She asked the inky pair. She knew Nash was improving and Aquene was still leading them in his and Oksana’s absences. She remembered how it was to be a new mother, watching over whelps and continuing to be there for and take care of the pack. It wasn’t an easy job. She was so proud of them, for all they do and have accomplished.

Her youngest granddaughter ran about in circles, slapping towards them before chasing her tiny tail. A lighthearted chuckle was emitted from the salt and pepper Eastfall woman as she found a suitable spot in the sun to lay down. She was content to watch the girl bound about as they waited for the rest of the pack to arrive. 

Word Count: 336

His mother’s voice rang out through their secluded home calling for everyone. Large fluffy audits flicked as his dual gaze continued to track the hare he was hunting. He debated on whether he should abandon his hunt immediately and return to his parent’s den or continue and make his way there after. A small snort was released from his coal nose as he chose the former over the latter. Matos hadn’t ever been a disobedient child per say but he had stretched/bent the rules a few times. This he didn’t end up feeling was a time he could get away with it. His lanky limbs snaked through trees and over boulders not in a particularly quick manner but also not very slow. Quick enough to not be reprimanded for not coming but if other arrived sooner then, oh well.

One would think he’d be excited to meet his newest sister. To be a model big brother. For reasons unbeknownst to even himself he wasn’t. Nervous was a more accurate emotion. As he neared the clearing to the birthing den he had to stop and take a deep breath. Why was he so nervous?? Emerald and amber gaze took in the sight of his ebony family – mother, father, grandmother and little sister as well as his two pseudo brothers Galen and Leo. He watched for a moment as young Eclypse ran in circles chasing her tail in the sunlight. A small laugh escaped his maw. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. His dark lanky form entered the clearing moving to greet his grandmother first followed by his mother then father all with nudges and lick to their cheeks. Then he moved on to Vuesain boys with shoulder bumps to each. Once the greetings were finished he settled next to his tawny agemate to wait for his mother’s meeting. His dual colored gaze also watched his younger sibling with equal curiosity. Had he really been that small once?

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Magg had been on one of her patrols, now a yearling in every right and feeling like she'd just entered adulthood, as teens often do. She abandoned the trail she'd been walking at her mother's call, pleased already that the tone had not spoken of an emergency. Too often the group was called because something had gone wrong. This, she had to guess, was about her baby sister.

She spotted her tumbling amongst the grass, disappearing here and there as the bodies congregating blocked Eclypse occasionally from her view. Magg's feelings were rather neutral about the girl's existence, her only reservation being; what if E turned out like Mona, and hated her for seemingly no reason?

She gave her hellos to everyone as she moved through the group to sit at her bestie's side, dropping her haunches down directly next to Galen and flopping her head over onto his dark shoulder while her tail thumped against the ground.

(This post was last modified: Jun 17, 2023, 08:17 PM by Magg.)

She'd slip in behind, not for lack of wanting to be there, but simply not used to them all after her time away. Having only returned earlier that day, it was a surprise to Stella to hear Aquene's call, though she roused herself and tried to hasten her steps nonetheless. She really ought to have checked in sooner, but well, her head wasn't in the right place.

Still wasn't, at least until she arrived and saw what the call was about. An introduction.
A smile curved on her muzzle, as she stood and her tail swayed, a warmth coming along with the reminder that there was always light, never far behind the darkness. She was especially happy to see Leo there, greeting the girl warmly. As mcuh weight as Stella might try to carry, she worried for Leo who seemed to carry even more.

Today was a blessing for their pack, their family, and she was glad to be back home to celebrate it with them.

Star, Oksana, and Diantha. As the wolves filtered in, she made note of who was missing and hoped that their arrival would be briefly followed. Still, as the time passed and others filtered in, she felt it appropriate to begin without them. She would need to seek them out later, inform them of the meeting and find out why they were absent. A smile gently captivated her features as she looked between them all, encouraging Eclypse toward to stand in front of her so that she might introduce their latest member to the rest of the pack.

“Thank you all for gathering so quickly.” She stated as she glanced between them all. “I’ve called you all together to speak about a few important pack matters… but to start with, some good news.” Her maw would run along Eclypse’s back for a moment. “This is Eclypse. She’s getting older and will be appearing more outside of the den. As with the past, I would appreciate it if everyone could help me and Nash keep an eye on her.”

She would let the announcement hang in the air for the moment. Magg, Matos, and Mona had been just as explorative at their young ages as she expected Eclypse would likely be… and memories of when Kateri had disappeared still lingered fresh in her mind. "Beyond that, I am planning two envoys. One to Dead Empress Backwater to begin to heal the bonds that have been strained, and another to Paradise Falls." She paused for a moment, looking to Magg and Leo. "Magg, Leo... I would like to ask you both if you will represent the pack and visit Paradise Falls on our behalf." And then she paused. "Either Nash or I will go to the Backwater, due to the sensitive nature of our current relations." She looked to Nash to see if he had anything to add.

Aquene Slayer