but it's not like christmas at all

Oksana's eyes closed for a brief moment when Aleister touch his nose to her cheek. Moments like Moonshadows reappearance in such a condition where a little scary. She was glad to be at the agouti males side. What made it a little scarier was the announcement that Chan made. It took her back to the days before she'd left with her mother. When things had become dangerous in the lore because of the coyotes. She remembered Lachesis giving a similar speech to Chan's and the large dark man with him. It sent a shiver down Oksana's spine to even think about the past.

She knew she'd take heed of their words because she didn't want to end up away from every one. She could only imagine how scary it must have been for Moonshadow. To be away from her family and not know if anyone was looking for her. That thought only reminded her of when she'd broken her leg.

Thankfully the whine from one of the pups and Aleister's voice speaking to him brought her out of those thoughts. Oksana did her beat not to spend too much time thinking about the past but this situation was making it very hard for the Crow.

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Siyet was the next one he noted approaching, making her way towards him it seemed, perhaps having the same idea to not add to the crowd. She posed a couple of questions, to which he could only shrug and shake his head in response. He wasn’t quite sure what was going on yet, but observation revealed that still others were making their way closer, some faces more familiar than others. It was perhaps the most of their pack he’d seen in one place for some time, and also the first instance for quite a while, where Jet felt just a little out of place.

But Chan did elaborate, speaking on the need to exercise caution, before listing off several recommendations, but notably - not mandates. The ideas were common sense though, and it was only reasonable that they should be followed to the best of one’s ability. The ideas were seconded by some older guy that’d apparently lived here a while, too, although Jethro couldn’t recall being aware of his presence until much more recently.

From what he’d seen so far though, it all seemed to be true enough. So, exercising caution going forth did seem like the best idea.

It looks like Jethro was also unsure as to what was going on. Siyet could only sit and observe while she waited for more information from the group. She had sincerely hoped that Moonshadow was okay.

this can be the last round! i'm happy to stick around for a few more if anyone wants to talk to chan further, but otherwise feel free to disperse~

When his mismatched sights passed over his mother's features, he felt an acute pang of guilt at her clear embarrassment. It wasn't the intention, but also something he couldn't really help; these things needed to be said, especially before the children. His ears tilted back apologetically, but otherwise Chan attempted to remain focused on the pack as a whole, left for now to only hope dearly that she recovered quickly from the emotion.

Kajika leant verbal support and credence to the impromptu leader's words, and Chan thanked the older wolf with a brief, small smile and nod of his muzzle. The children were clearly concerned about Moon, which he certainly couldn't fault any of them for. Aleister tended to them, Flair softly scoffed, Aquene attended to his mother and some kind of look passed between Jet and Siyet but no one raised a word of opposition. He supposed then that if they didn't agree, they would simply not oblige and while he did not want to lose another wolf, Chan would continue to respect their right to make their own choices regardless of what it might cost them.

The cougar?

Chan nodded, and moved on to the next bout. It would be the last of what he had to say, unless a discussion was started. The tawny leader was happy to talk things through with his pack mates, but he also was just as anxious to see Moonshadow back to health as the rest of them.

"Remember too that we have a cougar denning somewhere far too close in the valley. It can kill any one of us if it wants to, especially if we give it ample chance. So again, please, don't. We'll be doubling down on efforts to track and deal with it - speak to Nash if you want to help. He's taken on the role of Guardian, meaning you can come to him with any and all security concerns. Kajika, here, for those of you who don't know, lead Fallen Tree Cove beside my mother for years. Without them, Sanguine Cove would not exist. He has stepped up as Advisor, and is here to support each and every pack member in this capacity. Even if you just need to talk through all this shit we're all going through. I am too."

This was a lot, especially for the youngest of them. Chan hoped every wolf before him understood that if they needed to be listened to, there were many sets of willing ears right at home.

"As another reminder, if it isn't obvious," he swung his muzzle toward the midnight-cloaked healer, "Aquene is an incredible medic, and she's kept us a wonderful infirmary - if something goes wrong, your best bet is to come home. If you're out of range and can't find her, keep calling - I'll be alternating between cat-chasing and scouting out the range for those who are still missing. Hopefully I'll find ya and be able to keep you alive. Take a pelt with ya if y'know you're going far, it's better than nothing and Jethro's done a fine job keeping us stocked up."

That was all, everything he could think of to help the wolves in front of him stay alive. Chan took one more look over them before turning, intent on heading back to his mother's side.

"Oh," he remembered one more thing, and looked over his shoulder, "see me tomorrow evening if you're interested in taking on a herd - we've got stores to refill."

Nash was oblivious to his mother's embarrassment, more focused on listening to Chan, watching their pack members, and keeping an eye on what Aquene was doing to help his mother. The pups seemed uncertain, looking to their father for reassurance. Flair seemed to have some sort of opinion, given the noise she'd made, but Nash didn't know the fiery woman well enough to read into it. He let his gaze linger on her for a moment before turning back to their healer.

As soon as Aquene gave him her request he nodded. He placed an affectionate kiss on the top of his mother's head and stepped back before scanning the rest of the adults. "Anyone willing to come with me? Buddy system, and we can carry more." Without waiting for an answer, he turned and jogged towards the nearest cache, where he knew good food waited. Anyone who wanted to follow him would be able to catch up. He could hear Chan move on to talking about the cougar, but his voice quickly faded as the younger Eastfall rushed to do what he could to help his mom.

They were a somber bunch, though that was only to be expected, given the subject of their gathering. Other than the old man – a friend of Moonshadows whom Flair didn’t really know – no one spoke up, though the pups appeared to stir a little and Al spoke to them softly. The attention generally seemed split between attending to the Eastfall matriarch and Chan’s cautioning, but the fiery woman would rather like to get away from both.   Her skin was prickling all over, making it feel like her fur was standing on end. Perhaps it was just the close gathering of so many wolves; Since when did the pack get so big anyway? But she found herself gritting her teeth, shifting her weight from one paw to the other as they itched to move. So when Nash called for support, having apparently been sent off for supplies by the medic, Flair was eager to volunteer.   She offered only a brief glance back at Chan, as he started his warning about the cougar, and then swiftly trotted after his younger brother. As she caught up to Nash, falling in step beside him, she rumbled: “I’ll help.” And, with their current leader’s words fading in her flattened-back ears, she added: “’nd then let’s take out that cat!” ”Speech" Thoughts

dawnthieves.de, FairieGoodMother @DA & Lakela @DA

Dual-colored eyes met their origins as Aleister’s assent reached his son. Leo gave a small wag of his tail in reply and then quickly trotted over to press against Moonshadow’s bared flank, burying his muzzle in the thick fur over her shoulder.   Most of the activity around them passed unnoticed after that, though his ears did perk up as Chan began to speak again, his warning of the cougar taking easily to heart – though it wasn’t anything that the pups hadn’t heard before. The rest was about roles and division of tasks, adult stuff. Had the situation been different, Leo would have listened with great interest, eager to learn even the most mundane intricacies of running a pack. But right now, all his focus was on Moon, his lanky body curled as tight to her side as possible offering all the comfort he possibly could. Thoughts ”Speech”

Lakela @DA

Chan wasn't done with his warnings. Not by long shot. Only this warning about the cougar caught the crow off guard. So much so she didn't even realize that she'd started to press her side into Aleister's. She didn't hear anything else because all that shebcould think about was what had happened to her grandma. How her loss had affected her mother and the rest of the pack. Oksana had only been a pup when it had happened and hadn't understood at the time but she understood now.

If there was nothing else she feared it was cougars and the damage that they could do to a wolf and those that loved it.

It took the Baranski a moment to regain herself but she finally heard talk if buddy systems and hunting. That was what she had to focus on, the good stuff.

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Both Chan and Aleister seemed to agree with him and maybe even appreciate that he'd offered his warning. Perhaps those who hadn't lived on the mountain would take the warnings from he and Chan seriously and it would save their lives. He didn't want them to end up like Moon or worse. Kajika hated seeing his best friend in the state that she was. He remembered her to be stubborn and determined and it saddened him that she looked so defeated just then.

His amber gaze was brought away from her as Chan spoke once more about a cougar in the area. It wouldn't be Kajika's first cougar and probably not his last. However, he wasn't sure he had it in him to fight the big cat. Still he took the words of his godson at face value. He would certainly be careful as he made his rounds of the territory.

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This is Aquene's effective fade from the thread unless someone else needs her -- she stays with Moon to monitor her and make sure she gets what she needs

But I put it out of my mind Long enough to call it courage To live without a lifeline

Aquene quickly settled in next to the matriarch as her son went to find her food. Flair went with him and she knew that they would be back in no time. For now, her focus was her patient. At the mention of her name, her gaze snapped up to Chan, garnering her attention for only a moment before she realized he was addressing the others about taking their injuries to her in a timely manner. With that, she turned her attention back to Moon. For now, there was little more she could do than warming her up and putting food in her. A good night wrapped in pelts in a den sheltered from the wind would do her good, and Aquene would faithfully be by her side, just as she imagined the Eastfall siblings would be as well. She would stay by the woman’s side the entire night to monitor her progress.