Dead Empress Backwater season of change

pack meeting! This will be short to try not to keep characters in limbo. Please let me know if any of the pp are not okay and I will change them. This will only be 2 rounds: 1 for showing up and voting, and 1 for the results/reactions. This round will end one week from today, May 26th please have your replies in by then!

This was not a happy meeting to be calling, and Viorel was well aware of that. He also knew that Vayko was not entirely sold on the vote, but the salt and pepper man thought it was the most fair option. It had been his own actions that counted for two of the three litters, shouldn’t everyone else get a say at this point? They were all going to be the ones working their asses off to compensate, he couldn’t ask that without hearing their voices first. Sure, it was a little too council like for his enjoyment, but it also felt more diplomatic than that.

He knew the answers of Vanadis and Clover, he had sent Sharlee to ask them this morning - he didn’t want his presence to sway their opinion, but would keep their answers silent until he knew everyone else’s. Lifting his muzzle to the sky and calling for everyone, as soon as his song ended a crack of lightning ripped through the darkened sky, and thunder boomed in his bones. It reminded him of the night with Vanadis, the origin of this complicated life he had formed.

Once the member of the Backwater had gathered - or as many as he could wait for before his anticipation got the better of them - Viorel cleared his throat. Looking to Vayko for a moment before nodding, he launched right in. ”Thank you all for coming. First and foremost I am elated to announce the arrival of five healthy children of mine, three sons and two daughters. I’m sure in time their presence will be commonplace, but for now they are safe in their dens with Clover and Vanadis.” That was the good news, if only that was the only news.

Pausing for a moment to allow anyone who spoke who wanted to, he continued, ”I’m sure you're also aware that my mother has been offered a safe haven within our borders while she gave birth and whelped. At this point we have three mothers and six cubs, which is why we have called you all here today.” Now was for the unorthodox part, ”Vayko and I would like to open up a vote amongst our members, given the strain that this will cause on everyone we had not opened a permanent spot to Sita, or her two companions. So, in your honest opinions, do you believe that we are strong enough to support this many litters? And, should we offer permanent ranks to the three adults?” That was it, those were the questions.

Looking to Vayko now, he waited to see if the tawny man had anything to add, or if they would vote right away.

She came to the meeting curiously, wondering if it were to be about the pups as well as his mother's arrival. Likely so. Modesto had not been there for either of their births, not particularly close knit with either yet had been there for her sisters. Five pups he had between the two women which eased out a sigh of relief. They could have birthed plenty more so at least they were not dealing with eight, nine...

It was no shock to Modesto that Sita had laid with another man. The gossip throughout the years suggested she was a rather loving woman and proved as such now. Had they been in these new lands but months and already she had pups with another? Modesto scoffed, shaking her greyed muzzle as she sat pretty among the gathering.

I think we should let them stay. It is only one other pup, For it was Viorel's litters which were the majority of the strain, but at least it was only six puppies as opposed to each of his females popping out four or five. But three more working adults. Having three mothers with six pups watching over the children is better odds then two mothers with five. And then we will have two more capable men within our ranks to hunt and/or guard our borders from dangers. So long as they do their job. There will be no room for laziness.

Besides, She would then add, Sita's daughter is also your little sister. As a family we will be stronger together as long as we can remain united.

(This post was last modified: May 21, 2021, 06:21 PM by Modesto.)

So much had happened in such a short period of time. Not only did he have three nephews and two nieces, but also had a younger sister? His mother had found her way to them, after months of separation, but had not arrived alone. Everything had changed… nothing made sense anymore, and he began to doubt if he would ever make his way back to the Estuary. Was there anything left for them along the coast? If his mother had also been placed here maybe there was more of their pack lost within Relic Lore… or elsewhere.

Andrey still wasn’t happy here, but he didn’t know if there was a reason for him to leave anymore. He still wanted to return to the Estuary, even just to see the ocean again, but he did not know when it would happen.

Especially not with his mother and newborn sister’s arrival.

I agree, he responded quietly, his slender frame leaning against a tree as he stood slightly apart from the group. He was not pleased about his mother whelping a cub from another man — and was still concerned as to where his father was — but he refused to cast his mother and little sister away. Three mothers are more than capable to take care of all the puppies, he echoed, his muddy gaze turning to Modesto briefly before returning to his brother, and we can give the males a chance to prove their worth. Two more able-bodied wolves would only strengthen their pack — as long as they were willing to pull their weight. I have no problem chasing them from our borders if they have a problem contributing. Once the puppies were weened off their mothers milk the pack would need to ensure their caches were full and that there was fresh meat to feed both them and the adult members of the pack; it would be an asset to keep the two males within their ranks. As long as they did their part.

Xulia had not been particularly socially active within the pack as of late. This did not mean that she wasn't providing in her own way, patrolling borders and catching small game for their caches. She just hadn't felt much like talking - which was not out of the ordinary for her, to say the least. It wasn't uncommon for the girl to go off on her own back home, either, but she would always pull her weight.

She approached the small group that had gathered, waiting to hear why Viorel had called the meeting. Of course, she was delighted to hear that his children had been born - it was a little weird, if she was being honest, but... this whole situation was weird.

Honestly, she hadn't even considered it to be a question as to whether or not their mother would stay. Family was among her highest priorities, and her brows drew together when her brother mentioned the possibility of not having enough room. She didn't want to argue, but she couldn't help but be confused. Then make room, was her first thought - loyalty to her family, her mother especially, was crucial to Xulia. The two males, she didn't care about, but her mother and their new sibling were important.

"They're family," she voiced, as though that was all that they needed. Surely Viorel understood that, as well. "The males can stay or go, but if it were my decision, I feel it would only be right to take our mother and sibling." And that was all she had to say on the matter, voice calm and monotonous as usual.

what i really need now is a double shot of crown

Vayko had made his way as swiftly as he could. He hummed softly as he listened to his cousin speak… it was only fair. Now that Vayko knew the numbers… it was tight, but he believed that Sita could stay. It was as he had expressed before with his sister and cousin, he did not wish to turn his Aunt away, only stating that he would if the litters all came in massive because he needed to think of the pack first. He hummed as he listened to his aunt first, and then his cousins speaking after that. He nodded. “I agree. Knowing the numbers now, I think that with three mothers and six pups, we can manage. It will be tight, but we’re Valles.” They would survive. That was his offering on the matter.

This is Viorel's exit. This thread will be archived on June 2nd please have your replies in by then.

Viorel listened quietly to each point, giving every member his full attention as they spoke and kept his expression unreadable. The only time he offered any kind of reaction was the reminder that his mother’s child was actually his little sister. To this reminder his ears flicked back for a moment in annoyance. Of course he knew this was his mother and sister they were talking about, he just wasn’t sure he was ready to accept this fact yet. He was sure he would, in time, but he was not ready to forgive her yet, not fully.

After Vayko spoke his piece Viorel nodded seriously, taking a moment of silence before he spoke and addressed all that had gathered. ”It would seem that we are all in agreement then. Sharlee spoke with Clover and Vanadis this morning and they both agreed that Sita and her friends, and my sister,” this word left a weird taste on his tongue, one that he didn’t like. ”They both think that they should all be offered a place among us. As long as there are no further objections I will find them privately and offer them ranks within Dead Empress Backwater.” At least the last few words were said with pride. He had actual children now, but the pack was also like a child to him in some sense.

Without any further ado, if no one else had anything to add, Viorel turned and disappeared amongst the empress trees. He had some mulling over to do before he found his mother and her companions.

All agreed on the newly arrived group to stay. First Modesto herself, as typical fashion and enjoying being heard, then her nieces and nephews to come- Andrey, who said the 3 mothers should be more then capable and that they should. If pups were lost by them then Modesto was certain they only had themselves to blame. Then of the men and Modesto nodded sharply to this when it came to running out the two men if they did not pull their own weight and more. Two other family members followed suit and the reminder of this new pup being blood seemed to strike a nerve in the newfound Leader. Modesto held back the snort. When Viorel was finished addressing the pack and the verdict was made clear, the consul got up and went on her merry way.

It soothed Xulia's anxiety that they all seemed to be in agreement, even though Viorel's response to the mention of their new sibling made the large girl frown. But she quickly banished the worry - surely her brother would come around to the idea of a new sister.

Xulia stood up and nodded her head, turning to leave without another word. Sita and their sister would be welcome and protected here, but Xules could personally not care less about the men. If they failed to take care of the pack and pull their weight, she would chase them out herself.

The two males that had accompanied their mother were expendable, but the more numbers the better for the rapidly growing pack. Three mothers would help tend to the puppies while they were young, but as they grew and were to be weened off their mothers' milk, they would need more able-bodied hunters to help feed them (before they were able to contribute themselves). If they proved to be worthless additions to the pack Andrey would have no problem banishing them himself. The ebony Valle would not tolerate someone taking advantage of his family's kindness, whether his mother was taken with them or not.

He gave a curt nod at his brother's conclusion and uncoiled his legs from the cool ground to resume his border patrol. He had not seen his mother yet since her arrival, and was not sure he was ready yet. While he was pleased she had found her way to Backwater Andrey did not know how to feel about his younger sister... especially since they did not share the same father.

Before the meeting Sharlee had gone to speak with both Clover and Vanadis about Sita's status. She was relieved when they both expressed that they believed the Valle woman should be offered a place in the pack. She felt relief at this since she felt the exact same way. Dutifully she'd reported her findings to Viorel so that he would have the information before he started the meeting.

As she sat in the meeting listening to the voices of the other in the pack she was pleased with the outcome. Everyone was in agreement about Sita staying. Sharlee was happy to have another Valle with them and she was happy for Viorel cause he had his mom back. 

There were times that she thought about her own parents and where they might be. Mostly she tried to not think about it since she only saw it as something else she had to leave behind. It made her sad to think about what or who might be back at the Estuary.