Turtleback Lake but the beating of our hearts

@Lachesis - Puppytalk?

i believe in nothing but our hearts

Lilya’s heart felt like it might beat out of her chest, a soft smile playing on her maw as she learned the ins and outs of their new home. She couldn’t help but wonder what it would bring for them. It had taken a weight off her chest; a weight she hadn’t even known existed to begin with. Her eyes closed softly as she breathing in the air, the lake nearby serving to remind her of everything she had gained since she first set foot in the River. A pack that would forever remain in her hearts just as she knew it would Lachesis and the others who had followed them to found the Surge.

Despite the fierce wind that bellowed around them, Lilya knew they were going to be okay. She was seeking out Lachesis, as she often did solely for his presence… but there was more to it this time. They had a topic to talk about, one they didn’t really talk about last year… and they needed to figure it out before the time came around for others to act on impulses. Lilya had become content with her place amongst the pack, and she was certain that what had happened last year, the tragedy of losing their son… it had been the cause of the attack by the Monadnock wolf, Mittani.

How’re ya likin’ th’new home? She murmured softly as she crept up beside him, her normally gentle nature flowing through her words… gentle unless provoked… which she would be this year if anyone but hers scent changed to mark life growing inside. She didn’t know what Lachesis thought of the situation, but she figured she could predict… both of them knew that they could not support three litters as they had this past year. Even two would be pushing it... which left one.

He had not spent much time in Driftwood since the claiming, for he was busy running errands and tending to the borders. To ensure all passing loners knew that a pack now roamed through the towering evergreens and that trespassers would not be welcomed. Now the ghost was just a hop, skip and a jump away from Lake Worry, the body of water he often frequented and dumped his problems into. Which only secured the idea that moving the pack had been the right idea. The cedars in the north was home to only ghosts now—and Inna, if she had decided to remain in her birthplace. A frown tugged at his lips as she entered his thoughts but he quickly dismissed it with a sharp flick of his tail. There was no going back on his word. What kind of alpha would he be if he allowed Inna to rejoin their ranks? After the laws she had broken… the drama she’d created… there was no place for her in Driftwood. Her daughter could choose to follow; Lachesis would not stop the little crow from seeking her mother out. As long as she wanted to stay (and benefited the pack) XIX would uphold his promise to the raven, but he could not make exceptions for her either.

How’re ya likin’ th’new home? His mate’s drawl tore him away from his thoughts, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he turned to her. Instinctively he brushed his nose along her cheek, drinking in the familiar scent he adored so much. It’s perfect, he murmured as he pulled away, his tail wagging gently behind him as the words dove off the dip of his tongue. And you? Are you happy here?

stick with those who stick with you

Leadership Demonstration 1/3 - discussing pack, future events, and rule establishment with colead

'cause darling you're nothing but brave

His touch and soft words always seemed to settle of the war vet’s heart. It allowed her to settle into the peace that she felt. The question that fell from his maw, for once, was a simple one to answer. It was one that did not take much thought because she knew these changes and these feelings in her. Ah am… m’calmer than Ah’ve ever been… more held tagether… n’Ah’m surrounded by wolves Ah love. One wolf in particular, she’d added that last bit to herself – it went without saying at this point. She very much believed her family was looking down on her from the stars, smiling that she had finally managed to find some semblance of peace in her life.

While he’d been out reporting to other packs, she had kept herself within the Driftwood territory, learning it’s ins and outs while also scouting out areas that might be ideal once spring rolled around. Ah think we ‘ave some business ta talk about. For once, it was not business that would weigh down on their hearts. It was happy, cheerful, and couple even be the future lifeblood of the pack. Spring’s approachin’ again… Ah just wanted ta see where yer head was at with that. She liked to think she knew where his heart was at… even with the loss of Laddeus last spring, she longed for more children to raise and call their own... it was just a matter if he wanted the same. She had the assumption that she did, but she wanted to make sure. After all, last year had been what they would have called 'an accident'.

(This post was last modified: Mar 05, 2018, 09:36 PM by Lilya.)

leader dem 1/3 - discussing pack, future events, and rule establishment with co-lead

 

It pleased him to hear that his mate was doing better now that they had moved into the Surge. He just hoped that the others felt the same, for he was curious as to how his packmates were dealing with the absence of Inna. That, of course, would have to be addressed in a future pack meeting once the dust had settled. There were some, like André, that had been close to the raven Baranski prior to the pack’s move and others, like Aytigin, who wanted nothing to do with her. He knew his mate wanted him to forgive her and allow her to rejoin the pack once she bettered herself, and turned a new leaf, but the ghost did not know if he could do that. Not after everything that happened. He didn’t want to have the others view him as an incompetent leader for allowing someone who had broken pack law to re-join their pack.

Good, he hummed, his tail wagging gently behind him. It feels like home… more than the Kingswood ever did. This was where he was supposed to be. Hearthwood had just been another stepping stone, but he hoped this was the last move. Otherwise Lachesis did not know where he would go.

His head tipped to the side as she spoke, his brows pinching together. Business? Had something happened in his absence? Already?! His shoulders sagged in relief as she spoke of spring, despite it being something he had not put much thought into. Especially with the move and dealing with Inna. Honestly, he started, a small laugh accompanying his words, I’d kind of forgotten about spring. But now it was all he could think about. I don’t want what happened last year to happen again. We’ve got the numbers, but we can’t handle three litters a second year in a row. He'd been surprised they had managed not to lose any over the year, especially with most of them being plagued by itchy-paws. What have you been thinking? He asked coyly, a single brow arched into his creamy forehead as he met his wife’s sapphire pools.

(This post was last modified: Mar 05, 2018, 10:10 PM by Lachesis.)

stick with those who stick with you

Leadership Demonstration 2/3 - discussing pack, future events, and rule establishment with colead

'cause darling you're nothing but brave

She noted the way he tensed, the way he worried when she brought up pack business and she couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle. Yes, there was that worried expression for the worried king. They both were known to constantly fret over this or that… Ah almost ‘ad too… ‘til Ah was watchin’ Lil n’Lav this mornin’… Their two current children, who could no doubt be older sisters this time next year… or even in just a few months’ time. It was then her time to worry when he mentioned not wanting what happened last year to happen again… it wasn’t until he explained the number of litters that she calmed her nerves with a smile, mischief floating around those icy orbs.

M’thinkin’ we go into this a little more prepared than last time. She teased softly… how times had changed. And to think, they had Ayti to thank for it all. N’ah pack meetin’ ta stress that there will only be one litter. She continued as she leaned in against his fur, finding everything about the man comforting. It was funny, she never thought she’d turn into the type that was fiercely protective of what was theirs… perhaps it was because she was no longer a queen ruling anothers pack… the Surge was theirs and in this pack, it was their legacy that would live on. N’let everyone know if they wind up with a litter of their own Ah’ll personally chase their asses out. It was because she agreed… the Surge could only support one litter this coming Spring… and that was theirs.

(This post was last modified: Mar 05, 2018, 09:37 PM by Lilya.)

leader dem 2/3 - discussing pack, future events, and rule establishment with co-lead

 

His chin cocked toward her as she spoke, his pear-coloured gaze softening as he listened patiently to what she had to say. To say the river wolves were unprepared for the previous spring was an understatement. As always, they had managed, even with the death of Kisla. All five cubs were still members of Hearthwood (now Driftwood) despite their itchy paws. Even with their dwindling numbers the wolves of the river had kept the wandering pups in check, ensuring they were all taught what they needed to be and doted on equally.

A sharp nod came as a response as he leaned into her tawny fur. One litter. That he could handle. It was the best way to solidify that Driftwood was their pack. The first litter among the mountainous conifers would belong to them; next year they could discuss allowing others to breed. Maybe. I second that, he hummed in agreement. And I’ll make sure they don’t come back. He didn’t want to repeat last year. Both he and Kisla had not talked about exclusive rights to breeding and, by accident, they both ended up with their litters. But then Inna had also bred out of rank, which added on further stress to the pack.

He couldn’t do that again.

(This post was last modified: Mar 05, 2018, 10:11 PM by Lachesis.)

stick with those who stick with you

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

Leadership Demonstration 3/3 - discussing pack, future events, and rule establishment with colead

'cause darling you're nothing but brave

His nod affirmed he thought the same, and that was only confirmed by the words that followed. Why did it feel so awkward to talk about this with him? Was it just, for her, talking about it in general? N’pack roles too… prolly should talk ‘bout those… She pondered aloud, trying to think of more reasons to call a meeting, so perhaps it wouldn’t be so awkward when it was actually called. Could you imagine? ’Hey, so we called a meeting basically to tell you to leave the funny business this spring to us… okay bai!’ Talk about extreme awkwardness.

Ayti would laugh, the pups would be confused, and everyone else would… well, she didn’t really know most of them as well as she knew Ayti and Lach and the children… it was something she would remedy in time. She just wanted to be a good leader, that was all. She recalled a time about a year ago when she was pleading Lach for help because she did not know where to start when it came to leading, when the role had very much been thrust upon her… and now this was her pack, in every way. Ah think we could also talk ‘bout maybe doing scuffles n’stuff… my mum n’dad used ta do it… like group fight trainin’ but no one ever got ‘urt… She wasn’t sure, but it was better safe than sorry, particularly with the risk of other wolves and other predators.

(This post was last modified: Mar 05, 2018, 09:37 PM by Lilya.)

leader dem 3/3 - discussing pack, future events, and rule establishment with co-lead

 

Pack roles, yes. Make it a little less about them and more about their subordinates. We’re gonna do the hanky panky and yah’ll are gonna work toward roles, okay? Okay. That would go over well—especially with Aytigin. He’d certainly get a kick out of that. He grinned at the thought, his chartreuse gaze soft as he studied his tawny mate. Her next comment intrigued him, for it was something that Lachesis had never really experienced. Scuffles. The only time he had participated in one when was when he’d encountered the dark she-wolf upon arriving in the lands of Lore, as she had quickly put the naive boy in his place. As a war veteran Lilya had the most experience, which made her an ideal teacher. Lachesis? Not so much. I think that’s a good idea, he hummed in agreement. He hoped they never had to use the skills they learned in scuffles beyond the pack borders but it was important for the Driftwood wolves to be trained just in case. Would you be interested in arranging those? He asked, his chin tipped to the side. I don’t have much experience in that department, he added with a soft laugh. There was no point in lying or sugar-coating it; Lilya would have seen past it regardless.

(This post was last modified: Mar 05, 2018, 10:11 PM by Lachesis.)

stick with those who stick with you

'cause darling you're nothing but brave

While Lilya thought these skills would be beneficial for everybody to have, she hoped they would never need them. War, in her experience, wasn’t fun, it wasn’t even heroic or brave – it was merely doing what was right over and over until the losing side finally caved. Even then it was a matter of belief in what one considered to be right or wrong. Ah can… m’a little rusty, but Ah can still walk y’all through th’basics. It was like muscle memory, remembering the exact lessons that her mother and father had taught her when she was younger than her own children currently were.

Besides, it’ll ‘elp in other ways too… siblings n’I once fought off a big cat who showed up ta our hunt. That was, of course, before the war changed everything. It was before they had become privy to just what their parents had been up to just outside the borders… before her older sister had died. I don’t have much experience in that department… She smirked at him. Well then ya best be th’first one there. She sassed at him… it was strange, to willingly put herself in this position, to willingly teach others an art she wished she had never been taught herself.

She supposed, she was starting to see things like a parent who just wanted their kids to be able to protect themselves for when she couldn’t protect them…