Dead Empress Backwater I think this has worked

Oh, there was no way she was going to be able to remember all of these names. Over time, sure, she would, but as of right now, there was no way she'd be able to commit them to memory. Xulia watched the pups, turning her attention briefly to Viorel - how had he convinced these two women to reproduce with him? She wondered if they had some sort of relationship agreement between the three of them. Xulia didn't see herself as a relationship type of person, but she also doubted she'd want to share much if she were to commit to someone.

The Valle sighed through her nose, offering her brother a small smile. Apparently they were missing a pup - she was probably fine. Xulia didn't feel the need to speak, instead remaining quiet as she watched her family.

Even though Sharlee had been at the births for the three litters she hadn't realized the numbers. They now had five pups in the pack. That many pups would create quite a bit of work for the pack. However,  looking around at the members of their pack she was certain that they could raise these pups. She was glad that all of the Valles could be together and that the pups would ve raised among family. 

Her ears perked as her gaze fell on Clover when she spoke of on of the pups being right behind her. When her gaze left the healer she began searching for a sign the pup would pop out of a bush or something. She was a little worried but wasn't sure if they should send out some kind of search just yet.

Instead she awaited any instructions that might come from Viorel.

Even more wolves joined them, encircling the children more thickly than the forest itself. Eros leaned into Margo's flank as he sat back in awe of them all. Some were recognized, some just seemed familiar, and others he'd clearly never known existed before just now. While it overwhelmed his sisters (whatever that word meant, setting them apart from the recognizable term brother), the peach-eyed boy was thrilled.

And all eyes were on them. On him.

He grinned, bathing in the attention as his stubby tail sent his whole rump into motion. It was when, man which of those bajillion words had been her?, gave him a kiss that he was brought back to what was happening right next to him. He wasn't really sure what she'd said, but he yipped happily and wriggled around as if to say thanks. Then he noticed Oleander, and peered around at him owlishly from Margo's other side. He heard the adult above them speak again, and he latched onto one very familiar word.

"Hiii!" he danced on pudgy paws, eyes closed to make room for the widest of grins.

"Hi hi hi hiiii~!"

(This post was last modified: Jul 21, 2021, 09:37 PM by Eros.)

This is the final round! This thread will be archived on July 21st so please get your replies in by then!

Everything was quickly delving into chaos, and the father and leader had expected nothing less. Maybe less tears, but definitely expected chaos. He tried to watch every child at once absorb all the new information that had been dumped upon them in one heavy blow. He was obviously unsuccessful at seeing everything, but took sharp notice that Archer said nothing but his dark brow in some serious but unreadable expression. His brother apparently did not feel the same way, he was kissing people, peering around and putting on a show. Grinning at the pup's antics, he looked up back towards Clover who was trying to comfort the shyer of the bunch.

Her words caused the smile to drop off his face fairly quickly. Looking over the white woman’s shoulder his worries only increased when his daughter’s agouti pelt was nowhere to be seen. Standing up quickly he looked sharply towards Sharlee, gesturing with his muzzle he spoke quietly but firm, ”Let’s go find her.” He shot Clover and Vanadis an apologetic look for riling up the pups and then leaving them, then turned and disappeared into the trees. He had a daughter to find.

There was so much going on, and Archer just sat with his maa, quietly observing. Many of the adults seemed to be doing to same, so he felt better emulating them. Eros, on the other hand, was reveling in the attention. Archer's ears flicked as he watched his brother's antics.

But there was a problem. One of the others his age - his Daa said sister? - was missing. Archer huffed as his Daa nodded to one of the other adults and took off to look for her. He glanced up at his own Maa as if to say, "See? I'm so much better. I don't get lost."

No, Archer was right where he belonged and he would stay there.

[size=x-small]Archer is very haggard and thin; it is obvious he is not doing well.

Mama told the other boy that he was kind. The fur at the back of Oleander's head stood on end. It could have been wonder, excitement, or jealousy. Either way, the boy could not pull away from Clover's affectionate display. All he knew was that he was taken by how easily Mama seemed to welcome him into their little circle.

Oleander's attention shifted to his father when he uttered Violet's name. He looked around, realizing that she had probably evaded Mama's urgent nudging. Lucky. A part of him still wanted to finish his nap.

"She was right behind me," Clover answered, but then she shifted, urging her brood to socialize, "Go on, you can say hello."

The pale boy watched as his mother glanced again to the forest over her shoulder. Violet should have come over by now. His paw stamped into the dirt, frustrated. She was missing out and now this other pup was babbling out a string of 'hi's.' The introductions had clearly flown over Oleander's head, but he was not in the mood to play or mingle. His sister's decision to not show had stirred up the adults in a flurry of concern. The meeting that should have been light and happy felt thick with stress.

Oleander stood up to follow as Viorel made his leave. But, small puppy feet on short puppy legs, he knew, would not be enough to keep up. In a moment of defeat, he fell back on his rump with a couple of chirp-like yips shaking his chest. He wanted everyone to be here, and now all he wanted was to go back to his nap.

they say pray it away, i swear,
OLEANDER VALLE
that I'll never be a saint, no way

sorry I missed a round :(

Margo's plan was to continue on crying as her mother attempted to calm her, but all of that went out the window when an unfamiliar pup around her age had waddled up and also began to lick her.  Confused, the child found that the only thing she could do now was stare at the pup as she blinked away her tears. What the heck was he doing? She hardly even noticed the arrival of her brother Oleander.

Next came the words of her father. Margo already had siblings, what was he talking about? There were more? Why didn't they sleep in the same den then? Were Oleander, Violet, and herself the favorites, and so only they got to sleep in the den with mamma? Puzzled, the girl found herself still frozen stuck in some sort of daze, but momma seemed to want her to go play now so the pup would just have to do her best to shake herself out of it.

She looked at the one that her father had called.. sister? Hazenut? Yes. She looked nice enough, so she'd just have to do. Margo shook her head around, took a few deep breathes, then separated herself from her brother...s? completely oblivious to the stress surrounding her missing kin, and waddled the short distance to this.. Hazelnut. "Babblnu Sibber." Margo spoke, waiting patiently for the fae to ask her to play as her other siblings so often did.

(This post was last modified: Jul 13, 2021, 10:16 PM by Marguerite.)

what i really need now is a double shot of crown

Vayko looked upon his nieces and nephews alongside his newest cousin. He knew technically his cousin’s children would not be his nieces and nephews, but second cousins instead, but he still felt close enough to all of his cousins that calling their spawn his nieces and nephews seemed not only fitting, but acceptable as well. Margo. Oleander. Archer. Eros. Violet. Hazelnut. They were the newest generation of Valles and he would always be proud of that, even if their arrival posed some form of risk for the pack’s survival. Through trials and triumphs they would persevere and survive.

He watched how they all interacted, fondly looking upon them though he said nothing and didn’t approach them either. Then they were all riled up and a smile creeped slowly across his maw, his head tilting to the side. There was a pup missing, but while Sharlee and Viorel started their search, he simply remained calm, watching the pups that were there and keeping a constant eye on them. He was sure their mothers already were, but he would not hesitate to help where he could. This was family, and for family, he would lay down his life.

Clover met Viorel's eyes with a mirrored apologetic expression, but thankful nonetheless as he stood and gestured for Sharlee to follow him to search for where Violet had gotten to. She had hoped to be a bit more organised than this, but was content that the two of them would be able to find and console her daughter before too long. Her mood shifted as the young boy Eros loudly cried out a chorus of hi's in response, dancing excitedly next to her, and she could not help but grin down at him. Thankfully at least one of the pups was happy to be here.

However, Oleander did not seem content with things and made as if he was about to follow Viorel and Sharlee before quickly crumpling into a sit with a couple soft cries. She quickly pressed a few soft kisses to his forehead, assuming that he was wondering where Violet was, and softly spoke to him. "It's alright, dada's gonna bring Violet here so we can all be together, but for now would you like to keep Eros company? I'm sure he would like to play with you." If she could perhaps keep him distracted with something new until Violet was found then surely everything would be okay. She glanced between the two boys next to her before resting her gaze on Margo as she introduced herself to Hazelnut, a happy smile on her face that all the pups seemed to be getting along well.

Whatever changes were happening in the atmosphere more or less went over Eros' head. While he did not like the shifting of all their attention away from him, he moved on from it quickly and failed to grasp that someone was missing and others were hurrying to find her, just in case. After all, he didn't even know what unsafe was, blessed as he was with the care of parents, extended family and a strong pack.

Oleander making pitiful sounds, that was specific enough to pull him along after the other boy. Eros plopped down beside him and began to mimic the sounds, occasionally peeping out a word here or there, first "Da'" and then "pay" at Clover's suggestion.

They could totally play. Where was Archer? How much more fun was hide and seek with two hiders?