Hearthwood River brave this storm together

@Lilya

The ghost blinked through the rain, his brows furrowed as he treaded quickly across the sodden ground, his jaws still clamped firmly around his daughter’s scruff. He, too, worried that their removal from the den would not be good for their health, but it was the only option. XIX did not know if the flooded river would reach their den but he was not willing to chance it. There was not much high ground in the Kingswood but he would find it—even if it meant escaping to the lowlands until the rain ceased. The thought earned a frown from the ghost but he remained silent, only looking over his shoulder once to ensure that the blue-eyed sparrow was not far behind.

Once they put distance between themselves and the overflowing river Lachesis stored his pale daughter in a hollowed out tree, his chartreuse gaze seeking the familiar pools of sapphire he often sought comfort from. His nose brushed her cheek as his ears flattened against the back of his crown, worry clearly etched across his forehead as he stepped past her. “Stay here,” he instructed as his tail arched over his back, “I’ll bring the other puppies here. I’ll be back soon—I promise.” He touched her cheek once more before tossing his nose to the sky to alert the rest of the river wolves of their location. Come! We have shelter for the children! He called out before tearing through the trees.

Fear bubbled in his chest as he sprinted for his co-lead’s den as he had not yet heard from her. Mud splashed against his stomach as he tore, clumsily, through the forest. Does anyone have Matheo or Risaela? He called out again, his tone much more frantic than it had been previously. Or Oksana?

Would Hearthwood ever be the same, or would the river wolves be chased from their home a third time? His throat grew tight as he neared Kisla’s den, his vision a blur as the rain continued from overhead, plummeting through the canopy of branches.

(This post was last modified: Jun 13, 2017, 04:33 AM by Lachesis. Edit Reason: added photo link :B )

stick with those who stick with you

Normally, she would have hated the feeling of being told to stay put as everyone else scrambled to find help… but not this time. This time she had two small and fragile bundles to worry about, both sheltered by the tree with Lilya at the mouth of the opening to keep them close as she did her best to shelter them from the only open access to the storm, soft murmurs that it was going to be alright… they were two new children… she was definitely trying to convince herself of that more than them. “Be careful.” She pleaded in return when he promised he’d be back with the rest of the pups.

She couldn’t lose him, something she couldn’t say out loud, but she knew to be true… more importantly, these two little girls could not lose their father after they had already lost a brother. The panic that had flooded through her felt overwhelming and tugged at her heart, making it feel like it was being squeezed between fingertips, and not to keep it being but to put stress on it so it felt like it was going to explode. He’ll be fine… the rest of the pack will be fine… all of the pups will be fine. Lachesis will keep everyone safe. She was trying to convince herself of that, but it was proving difficult when it felt like the heavens wanted to bury them under a tidal wave.

At first, Aytigin wasn't sure if Mace was going to respond to his urging, but all at once, he snapped out of it. But then the black wolf was off again, after Lorcan's call about Oksana, and Ayti was caught between rushing after him and going for Matheo and Risaela. Eventually, his worry for Inna and her child won out, and he took off at a sprint after the older wolf, falling once or twice on the way there in the mud. He had never been considered a graceful wolf, and the slick ground underfoot was not helping.

Once, when he fell, his shoulder twisted awkwardly to the side, and sent a spike of pain through his nervous system. Fortunately enough, the adrenaline coursing through his body was enough to numb it down enough for him to continue chasing after his friend.

He arrived on the scene of Inna and Oksana's den just in time to see Mace freaking out about Oksana not being there. Luckily enough, Ayti wasn't nearly as overcome by panic as Mace, and he had the presence of mind to nudge the man again. "Inna's not here, either!" he shouted over the storm, squinting through the rain pouring over them. "She probably took her somewhere safe. She wouldn't leave her in this." And then, straining his ears, he caught Lachesis' howl in the air.

"We need to go over to him," he urged, headbutting Mace's side to try and herd him in the direction the alpha's voice had come from. "Let's go!"

I'm REALLY sorry for the horrendous wait everyone!! @Inna @Lachesis @Aytigin @Lilya

Lorcan felt helpless as he watched Inna turn around and sprint away, leaving him stuck in the sticky mud. He feared for their daughter who was all alone in her den, completely unaware of the danger that she was in. He could only hope that Inna, being lighter and faster than he was, would be able to reach her before the rising waters did. 

Crinkling his muzzle, the father worked hard to free his paws from the swamp-like area beside the raging river, lean muscles tensing as he strained to lift each paw free one at and time and move them one step forward. The process was excruciatingly slow but he knew if was going to have any chance of catching up to Inna he would have to force himself to keep at it. 

It was as he was just managing to lift himself free of the mud and onto firm ground that a howl echoed through the tall sequoia trees towards him. Lachesis was calling for the whereabouts of the puppies, including his own daughter. Heart racing, Lorcan was finally able to begin running in the direction of Oksana’s den, muddied paws beating hard against the ground as he worked to pick up his pace.

Mace and Aytigin had already beaten him there by the time he reached his daughter’s den. Brushing up alongside the other two male, Lorcan shoved his head down into the entrance tunnel and was relieved to see Oksana gone. Convinced that Inna had taken the pup to safety, his thoughts then drifted to the other two pups which were still unaccounted for. 

Backing his way out of the den, he wasted no time in racing through the rain towards Kisla’s den. A familiar white figure already lingered outside by the time he arrived. Slowing down as he approached the male leader, Lorcan did not hesitate to offer his assistance. “I can take one, sir.” He stated, waiting for Lachesis to pass him one of the pups to carry to safety. 

(This post was last modified: Aug 19, 2017, 05:00 PM by Lorcan.)

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

The Raven felt bad for leaving Lorcan stuck in the mud and had she had more time she would have helped him get out. Their daughter was alone in the den, she was sure Lorcan would want her to get to Oksana and make sure she was safe. She ran through the forest as fast as she could the only thing on her mind was getting to Oksana and getting her to a place the flood waters couldn't reach her. The rain pelted her as her paws splashed through the water that was creeping closer to her den.

It felt like it was taking forever for her to reach the den, every second ticking by so slowly. Then finally she saw where it jutted out a little into the forest, relief flushing over her. As she made the small turn her legs slide in the mud right out from under her. Inna fell onto her hip hard, pain course through her leg but she didn't let it stop her. Getting up she dashed the last few feet baring her teeth against the shocks of pain as she put her hind leg down each time.

In the den the Raven didn't waste any time gathering her daughter up and leaving. Her thoughts had turned to the story that Lachesis had told her about Darkwater Rapids. With Oksana safely with her Inna left the den behind and ran as fast as she could with the pain in her hip through the trees. Her pelt was soaked through from the rain but she didn't stop. By the time Lachesis had called for the whereabouts of the pups Inna had neared the border. She stopped to look back before her fear the water would get her daughter pushed her onto somewhere she knew her daughter would be safe. She was worried about her packmates but her daughter needed her then.

~Table by Jacqueline

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

 

PP of Kisla because I don't think she would leave Ris & Theo in the middle of a storm
slight PP of @Lorcan -- let me know if not okay <3

He did not even notice that the tawny healer had followed him to Kisla’s den until his voice came from behind him. Rain distorted the healer’s voice, crashing down around him as he turned to give Lorcán a small nod before dipping his front half into Kisla’s den. The little Tainn’s were huddled together, seeking refuge from the water that had started to leak into their den. He met his co-lead’s frantic gaze and gave her a reassuring nod. It would be okay. He had survived a flood once before—he would not succumb to the rising water level. “We need to go—now,” he hissed, his voice dripping with urgency as he reached forward, plucking Risaela first and turning to hand her off to Lorcán. Once the healer retrieved the little Tainn from his mouth Lachesis went back for Mathéo. “Follow us,” he added before gripping Théo’s scruff, motioning for the Baranski to follow them outside into the rain.

Once both Tainn’s were collected, along with their mother, Lachesis retreated to where he had left Lilya and the twins, his heart thumping erratically in his chest. He wondered where Mace and Aytigin had gone so he called for them, struggling to get his voice out around Mathéo’s small body: Follow us! West! Kisla followed suit after, urging their packmates to find them as they headed for higher ground, fighting the rain as it beat down on them.

stick with those who stick with you

Lilya herself couldn’t help but wonder, as a mother, was the high ground Lachesis had helped her get to high enough? She wasn’t certain, or very confident, but even if it wasn’t she couldn’t move herself and two daughters on her own. She’d have to wait it out and pray for the best, as well as trusting Lach’s judgement in location. She’d always trust him – he was her alpha, after all, and her coparent – the father of her children. If she didn’t know any better, it’d almost sound romantic, but she knew better. It was more complicated than anything.

For the first time, in quite a long time, the woman found herself praying to the spirits that danced across the sky at night to watch over them all, to keep the children safe through the terrifying storm that surrounded them. Relief flooded the veteran when she saw Lachesis and the others with Kisla’s children, though she was worried that Inna seemed to be missing still. She’d only seen them because she tucked her head out, her eyes squinting against the storm to look and she could see the ghostly white fur she knew belonged to him.

Mild PP of Mace

This was chaos. Everything was loud and unbearable and dammit, he couldn't believe he'd been stupid enough to wrench his shoulder like he had. Lorcan approached the two darker men, and Ayti welcomed the brush of sodden fur against sodden fur. It was enough comfort for the moment, and then Lorcan was gone again, likely to help Lachesis with Kisla's pups. Ayti urged Mace on, and although they were quite a bit slower (both large, hulking males and one with a messed-up shoulder), they were only a few minutes after him in the end. Long enough for Lach to worry and howl for them to head west, but not excessively late.

Ayti moved behind Mace, urging the other (more afraid) man forward if his steps were to falter. This whole thing was exhausting, but they did finally get to higher ground and join the rest of their packmates. The mocha-colored man was pleased to see that everyone appeared to be safe and sound, and the water would not reach them up this high.

There was just one problem with this situation. Inna and Oksana weren't there. "Hey!" he barked, pushing through the downpour to reach Lachesis' side. "Should I go look for Inna and the pup?" Worry thrummed hard in his chest, but he wanted to know if Lachesis was privy to more information than him. If he knew that they were safe.

No sooner had he arrived at Kisla’s den behind Lachesis did the pale leader shove a small wriggling pup towards his face. Grasping the silvery girl gently between his jaws, Lorcan took hold of Risaela and stepped back, waiting for Lachesis to retrieve the other pup and for Kisla herself to step out from the den. 

The rain still beat down heavy against his water-logged pelt as they turned to leave and despite his own discomfort, Lorcan attempt to awkwardly angle his head downwards to shield Risaela from some of the rain as they raced for higher ground. He could feel his paws slipping against the mud as he ran which caused him to suddenly slow his pace every so often in order to avoid slipping up and squashing the helpless pup he was carrying into the mud beneath them.  

His nostril’s flared as they moved uphill as he caught scent of his other pack mates and his legs strained to keep a grip as he followed obediently behind Lachesis towards where they were now gathered. After returning Risaela to her mother, now that they were both safe, Lorcan finally had a moment to properly look around at the wolves which were gathered around him. His brows furrowed with concern as he began to realise Inna and his daughter weren’t present. Aytigin was quick to notice too and spoke up.

“Inna ran ahead of me to get her. They were both gone when I reached her den, she must have taken her.” He said out loud, trying to convince himself that the pair of them were safe more than anything else. With a worried look he turned to Aytigin and then to Lachesis, as he tried to think about what to do. Finally he lifted his muzzle towards the rain and howled. If @Inna and Oksana were safe she would howl back, he knew she would. 

(This post was last modified: Sep 12, 2017, 03:31 PM by Lorcan.)

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

Reaching the border with Oksana the pain in her hip was slowing her some but not enough to keep her from going on. She wanted to get her daughter as far away from any water as she possibly could before she couldn't. With so many adults she was sure the other children were taken care of. So after one last look at her home she crossed the border on the path that would lead her to the Ethos. She felt that her and Oksana would be safe until the water receded back into its banks.

The storm was loud around her as she made her way quickly through the trees. Her gait had slowed to a brisk walk as the pain started to become more noticeable. With each clap of thunder it flash of lightning Oksana would squirm in her mouth, whimpers and whines leaving her tiny body. Inna did what she could to calm her child and had put her down more than once to nuzzle her and tell her it was okay.

By the time Lorcan’s call rang through the territory Inna was too far away and the storm too loud for her to hear him. She finally reached the ethos where she found a place to take shelter from the rain. Curling around Oksana Inna settled down to wait the storm out until she could return to Hearthwood without worry for the safety of her daughter.

~Table by Jacqueline

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