pack meeting

The sonorous call of the ebony male rolled, with a beckon in its lyric, across the rocky outcrops of the Mountain herself and caused a single pair of silver lashed ears to flutter forward with a muzzle reaching skyward with the surprise of it all. There had always been a suspicion on her part that Sinistra would call a meet soon – after all he had returned and that in itself was important enough – but she hadn’t guessed quite when. Couple that with the strange phenomena that had been sweeping over the valley’s inhabitants – Chena, Kimoto and herself showing various degrees of illness to name but a few – and the meeting would certainly have a serious undertone to it.

Urgency gathered in the fabric of Siaqi’s steps as for the second time in as many weeks she made her way toward the all-too familiar clearing on the peak’s belt, cantering through the trees that began to thin in their density. On breaking through the line that shadowed the meeting place, her motions ceased with a bouncing that brought her hind limbs underneath her, tail splaying across the air behind her to emphasise the haphazard behaviour of this stop. Her cadmium blues where nothing but surprised to see she was the first in attendance. Siaqi had expected Calliope to be here first (with Sin), but then again, Sinistra was her mate, not her keeper.

Her headpiece fluttered lower, splaying those ears out to the side, her tail lowering in obvious deference to Sinistra as the pallid female moved toward him. She flicked her salmon tongue out passed charcoal lips to lick his dark chin when the proximity allowed the display of action, before she hastened herself to sit politely to the side, but in front of him to wait for the arrival of the others.

This post has been edited by Siaqi on Jul. 19, 2006 - 3:52am

thanks to vero for my amazing avatar. :)
Jan WLC — 429

The golden male knew that things were changing in the Mountain. Things were going a little bit strange, with wolves starting to act in odd fashions. He worried, a lot, about what was going to happen. For he remembered too well his own bout with a strange disease, although it was instigated by something very different. He had lost his memory because he was crushed under a dead coyote body and knocked out for a long time. Would this be more permenant? Was it even the same? What was going on that was causing all of them to act in such strange ways? He was seeking an answer, yet none seemed to come.

His tail flicked back and forth, idly. Then the summons came and the beta turned toward the sound. Without even thinking, so absolute was his loyalty, the golden male moved toward it as fast as he possibly could. Not dangerously fast, but quickly enough that he was soon there. Calliope and Siaqi had still beat him, not that he cared. He moved close to his lover, settling down at her side. His eyes flicked to Sinistra, a nod of respect to both the leader and his mate, before waiting. More would come. There was no need for expressive submission, seeing as it was merely known that he gave his all to Sinistra. So Tobin assumed. If his leader worried about it, that was Sin's business, but he was rather sure there was an understanding of respect between the two.

Table by Chelsie
January WLC start: 445

Nymphe was just searching for different area's for water when she heard a howl breaking through, destroying any previous tasks that she had given towards herself. The Eta promptly and with haste made sure that she would reach the meeting in time, knowing that there was something important going on. The sickness, the thing that first started out with rumours had now turned into something more threatening than anybody could foresee. For herself it all started when a dead rabbit was found, alongside Jubilee who had first pressumed it was her kill. Unknowingly, the dead creature had just been the start of all the trouble.

Her heart leapt in fear, knowing that something beyond comprehension could be going on. If only wolves hadn't died yet, because then everybody was in peril and any pack the members could drop like flies. Even she had not escaped it, only the disease that invaded her body had only caused some dizzyness and a headache at worst. Days had went by, so things would not start getting worse for her unless she somehow got in touch with the contaminated liquid. In thoughts, Nymphe had soon covered the distance in between. Soon her eyes fell upon the two happy couples, the Alpha and his mate, and the Beta's. Unfortunately even today, on a dreary hot summer day - love was the least they could think of, having so much dangers ahead that it turned out into a pack, and perhaps even valley thing.

Bowing her head to all in the centre of the meeting, she concluded that she was the first. Then, she settled somewhere underneath the shadow of a large tree, unnoticable but still there. Always there and watchful.

Jubilee blinked a few times as stared rather blankly at the colorful sky. Yes, it was beautiful, but not unusual here. There was so much beauty in the Salvaje Valley, wasn't there? However, a confused look slowly made it's way onto her features. That voice - that call. Sinistra? The Zeta bent her head low to the ground, charcoal nose twitching as it worked. Yes, his scent was much stronger than it had been when he left. Strange, she didn't even realize that he had returned! Perhaps there was just a lot on her mind these days.

Without another thought on the matter, the youth moved quickly toward the source of the call. She dodged various trees and thankfully she had the mind to avoid rocks on this particular trip. It had only been few days ago when she had taken a particularly nasty fall which tore up her leg quite nicely. Jubilee had spent a considerable amount of time cleaning her wound. Fortunately it no longer hurt for her to move - she only hoped that no one would cast a questioning glance her way. Not only would it be completely embarassing to have to explain the story of her idiotic fall, but she didn't want the attention.

The tawny female slowed and came to a stop as she reached the traditional spot for pack meetings and such. She pinned her ears against her skull and lowered her head and tail on instinct. A friendly and extremely happy smile was stuck on her face as she sank back on her haunches a respectable distance away. Gray eyes roved about the group - Sinistra, Siaqi, Calliope, Tobin, and Nymphe. Jubilee idly wondered what the meeting was about - probably something do to with the return of Nova's Alpha. Though maybe he knew something about that strange rabbit she and Nymphe had found a few days ago...?

Amy had nothing much to do this particular day. Having no where she really wanted to go, in fear she might get lost, so she deicded to take a break and stay in Nova Mountain. That is until she heard a howl pierce her sensative ears. She knew this howl, it was the Alpha that had sent it, obviously wanting to call a meeting; Amy had never been to an official pack meeting before, so she had no idea where it was. So with her lack of sight, how would she get there? Sheer luck she assumed.

So with that she headed off. Off to the meeting, to finally meet the alpha and other leaders, and to find out what he they wanted to say. She had heard about the sickness going around, and hd witnessed it a few times; And even herself had felt a little sick from it, but she had gotten over it quick quickly, thank god. So maybe this meeting was about that.

Without even knowing it, she guess, she was there. She had caught scent of a few wolves already threre, obviously the leaders had arrived first. Amy walked on through, not sure where she was going, or if she was going to step on any sitting or lying wolves. So she just ploped herself down where ever she thought she should. She could have been feet away or even miles away. Though she was sure where was there; And there she waited to hear what the meeting was about.

signature/Woovis | avatar/Woovis | table/

January WLC: Ambition 337 Riddle 44

The sun had begun to sink down behind the Salvaje's vast horizon. Vivid colors intermingled on the sky's palette to create a rather picturesque scene. Surely the forest creatures would linger momentarily to rest their greedy eyes on the sight of beauty, and normally the tawny grey wolf would find himself a part of the sunset watching crowd. Tonight was different though; there would be no tarrying for the Iota, however enticing the colorful display was. The sunset would not be a hindrance, for a summoning call had sliced coolly through the air, its note filled with an importance that lured the male towards the source of the howl.

Large paws sounded quietly through the evening as the canine carried himself over the lengthy grasses and various bramble. Each step's soft 'thud' mimicked the male's heart beat which grew ever more erratic. He knew the sound of the call, the significance of the beckoning - there was to be a meeting! Any puppy like nerves that still resided in his adult body flared almost uncontrollably at the thought of a gathering. He had yet to meet many of his pack's members, and with the opportunity fresh ahead, Jake couldn't help but become pleasingly antsy with anticipation.

So suddenly it seemed the chestnut grey wolf had come to his destination. Emerging from the fading shadows set by the scattered pines, Jake walked with a tucked tail and flattened ears towards the others. Seven canines had assembled already, six of which the Timber wolf had never met. With a dipped head he seated himself slowly and even warily, careful to keep a respectable posture and distance from the higher ranked wolves. He had taken a seat close to the Mexican wolf Jubilee, one which he had met before. Happy to see a familiar and friendly face, Jake gave a subtle smile towards the female and a gentle nudge of his long snout. The tip of his tail quivered as he held back any tension or excitement that seeped through him. This meeting obviously meant business, and the male knew to keep quiet and settle his question filled mind. What the gathering was about exactly would come later.

This post has been edited by Jake on Jul. 12, 2006 - 7:53pm

Surprise av. from Ambition!
Beautiful table by Rainy Designs!
WLC start: 35
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Absent July 28- Aug 5. Sorry!

It had been a rather uneventful day, for her. The sun's glaring rays had subsided, with it being near twilight, and she had no plans to rest, just yet. She had decided to keep to herself earlier in the afternoon, instead of setting out to explore even newer places for her. Smiling wryly, her paws brushed the ground as she padded on, grass slightly crushed and dented beneath her pads. She flicked her tail in silent contentment, without realising that once, this tranquil silence might have irked her. With her brother's leave, silence had become one of her greater companions, as had solitude; but as she entered a new phase in her 'life', she realised that those things were slipping away. And she hadn't even really dived into it, not yet.

She scowled inwardly at the remembrance of her brother. Stupid liar, she thought to herself, recalling one of his serious promises to her, and she shoved it to the back of her mind once more. And then, a note rang out to her ears, and they pricked up, listening well.

The member, who was still fairly new to Nova Mountain, paused as she heard her alpha's call. Steeling herself, she headed towards the sound, and his voice, to find other wolves clustered around. By clustered, she meant fairly spaced out. Her topaz eyes softened, but were still guarded as she approached. The ivory female saw few familiar faces (if only one); this showed that she really needed to meet more members. She dipped her head (a gesture directed to everyone), bowing her frame, golden eyes closing for a milisecond, before opening and tracing the little cracks in the ground and her head bobbed up.

avatar by ARSENIO/ALEX. <33
(to-be used avatar) set by GREEN/WOOVIS. <33

His head throbbed, his eyes ached, and yet he was happy.

Sure enough, a smile sat comfortably on Poet's creamy maw as he stretched the drowsiness of his recent nap away. His head had been pounding for several days now, never ceasing. The pain pulsed dully, slowly, softly - and most of all, maddeningly. It felt as though someone was tapping the skull right above his left eye with a hammer, and boy, that someone just wouldn't freaking quit. He had experienced headaches before, of course, from things like rolling down a hill and eating too much snow at once. But those headaches had faded in time, eased their attack and then surrendered altogether. This one, it seemed, was eternal. The whole 'eye aching' thing had just started the day before, however. A mild pain rippled behind both eyeballs, causing him to blink quite frequently, as though he had some sort of nervous tic. Every now and then his vision would burn, and the pain would burst in a white flash. Thankfully, those bursts happened few and far between.

Despite all of this, the young timber wolf was delighted. Elated. Happy. In love. From the sparkle in his chocolate eyes to the perpetual spring in his step, it was obvious. He was head over heels, and the world saw it all. Ever since he had [finally] professed his love to Jubilee at the lake, he had had trouble concentrating on much else.

- Which was why it was a miracle that he heard the call at all.

Luckily, though, Poet's batty ears swung forward in time to hear the baritone note slice the air. Surprised, he looked up, as though he might actually see the howl painted in the sky. What he did see, though, was the dying sun, its vibrant blood splashed all over the sky in the form of a sunset. It was time to get moving. Sinsitra had summoned them, and he had better go. Wait.. Sinistra?! Even though the lanky wolf had already started loping towards the howl's source, he fumbled in his steps, his mind's balk tripping his very feet. Sinistra's back?? So the rumors were true! His mind swimming with questions, he broke into a sprint, his paws fueled by curiosity.

It didn't take him long to arrive, although many had made it before him. The first one he noticed was, of course, Sinistra. Wide brown eyes beheld the dark, impressive sight of the ex - or was it current? - alpha, like a silent and strong wraith against the backdrop of blushing sky. At once Poet strode up to the dark male, paws tentative. Gingerly he nosed the underside of Sinistra's maw, bumping his maw against the black fur before withdrawing and backing away. Finally he was able to leash his curiosity and focus on everyone else - for the moment. With a youthful smile on his face, he dipped a bow toward Tobin and Siaqi - two wolves he both respected and also really liked. With that done, he back-pedaled to remove himself from their personal bubbles, eyes sweeping the gathering to find familiar faces. Well, there was Calliope, the first Novian he had met (besides Tobin) and the wolf who had first welcomed him to the Mountain. Nostalgia glimmering in his eyes, he supplied her with a warm bob of his head and a tail-swish. There was also Nymphe, the little blackbird he had met by the lake, and Lorcan, the ebony wolf with whom his relationship was still iffy. He offered a wag of his tail to both. The rest of the wolves he did not know. There was a tawny female with rather blank-looking golden eyes, a mottled and friendly-looking male with blue eyes, and a slender ivory female. As cheery as he was to silently greet each of them, none could light the flames in his gaze as one certain wolfess did - and that, of course, was Jubilee, his mate.

His heartbeat becoming more of a heartflutter, he hurried to the petite Mexi's side, wondering how he had not seen her first out of the whole furry bunch. A huge grin shone on the skinny boy's face as he seated himself next to her; he was smitten and didn't care who knew it. "Hey," he whispered into her black-rimmed ear, placing a sloppy but loving kiss on her cheek. For a moment he forgot that he was at an official, formal pack meeting during which important information would probably be imparted. But then he remembered, and managed to straighten his posture and rip his gaze from Jubilee. His tail, however, thumped the ground in time with the pulse in his head. He was happy, curious, confused, and pained (darn that headache!) What a mix of things to be feeling at a pack meeting!

I might be a bit slow as I move back to college and get settled once again. :)

Kratina heard the note hanging in the air and cocked her head only momentarily to catch the rest of it before heading towards the source. It was an automatic movement, even for one who had taken a bit of hiatus. If one could call a prolonged panic attack a hiatus.

But wait. There was something wrong here. Not being the brightest of wolves, it took the grey female a few moments to sort through obedient reaction and ponder on the queer feeling she had in her body. Sinistra. It came as a bump in her mind, a sort of how could you not realize? thought, as if it was anyone's fault but her brain's. Although her body was now urging her to move on the double, something made her linger for just a few moments. Was this trouble? Kratina certainly hated trouble.

A remorseful sigh escaped past her lips, audible to only her and the small creatures around her. She was mentally reminded that Sinistra had purposefully sought her out when she was in a bit of trouble - and one who had yet to be a productive member to the pack. Another part of her, which she unconciously denied, was her unhealthy sense of curiousity - one that often led her to the trouble that she so despised.

And so the legs that were itching to run straight towards the call were allowed to act on their impulses, as the brain attached could no longer hold them. The trees were flying out of nowhere now, the dizziness that chased her off from the pack and appeared now only in the mornings teasing her with the already dizzy surroundings. Brush had to be last-minute averted, and the slender grey got a few shallow cuts on her legs as she ran. Kratina had to continually remind herself that it was only panic attack residue, that now was the time to ignore it and it would soon go away.

The dizziness came into full effect when she reached close enough to smell Nova Mountain pack members scent nearby, her body halting automatically far away from everyone else. She was ashamed, for her desertion and for whatever it was that was plaguing her. Tense lungs pushed breath in and out of her open mouth in too quick a pace, and anxious wide yellow eyes stared straight at the ground. To move now would be a mistake, an ungraceful entrance that she didn't need.

Hello, she said on her low voice, waiting for the punishment. She would deserve it, and surely it had to soon come.

At first, it was just a nagging on the back of his conciousness. The sleeping puppy simply disregarded it, assuming it'd go away at one time. But, when he started to actually think about what the sound was, he jolted awake. A howl! That ment news! Oh boy! A quick smile spreading across his tawny features, the eldest Phase child slid to his feet, leaping off the warm sunning rock that he had dozed off on and skidding along the gravel and other such land on the Mountainside. He knew where to go -- the Meeting Spot on the center of the higher Novian peak. He'd been there quite a few times.

Arsenio, who had spent nearly his entire life upon the Mountains, wove his way through found shortcuts and such until he arrived. A bit disappointed that he wasn't first or second or such, he immidiately located his parents' gold and white forms in the crowd. Moving toward them, he sat in their general area. Gazing around the noticed the others that were there. He knew a good many of them, but a few he failed to recognize. Aside from his parents, he saw Calliope (of whom he had met quite recently), Nymphe, Jubilee, Ambition, Italia, Poet (of whom had sat quite close to Jubilee, which sent Arsenio's mind reeling with possibilities), Kratina (she'd returned?!), and, finally, Sinistra. Blinking, Arsenio remembered not on the rumors going about, but his parents' murmerings about said things. But he didn't believe it until now. His first Alpha was back, and he guessed he was happy for it. Still, he wasn't the true Prince of the Mountain again. Hmmn.

Respectively inclining his head to the dark form of the Alpha Male, Arsenio twitched his tail, itching to wag it welcomingly. But this seemed too formal of an event -- he couldn't risk his repuation (not to mention his family's!) for the sake of such a naive gesture. So, sitting stock still, he waited, his golden eyes (the reflection of his father's) flickering from wolf to wolf.

amazing avatar & table are by akumu! ♥

__________Bronx’s fiery eyes opened with colour like a sudden bright flare, and the clash of his appearance against the dark green ground made it even more noticeable that the aforementioned eyes matched the early sunset on which they were set. Great streaks of orange, bronze and red lay across an ever-jagged horizon, dodging into a pale blue before hinting at a deep night’s sky. As a howl moved swiftly through the air, Bronx’s ears flickered briefly and he turned quietly before standing and moving solemnly towards the known meeting area.
__________There was a tragic reason why suddenly everyone had one thing more in common with Bronx. The reason was the recent outbreak of mystery illness. The thing in common was lack of admiration for that sunset, for Bronx had a thing about feeling nothing for things that could be taken for granted (or even must be taken for granted). As he walked, he was in one of those states that could be called “thinking of nothing”, but that wasn’t necessarily true. He was thinking of Allure. For she had fallen ill.
__________As the tell-tail scattered landmarks loomed into view under the pale orange sunlight, Bronx’s tall body moved into a low bow as he first submitted to Sinistra, then briefly to Tobin (who he was meeting for the first time, but whose features he knew from Arsenio’s) and to his friend Siaqi. As he took his place, Bronx glanced at the others he had met – Calliope, Nymphe, Ambition, Jake, Lorcan and young Arsenio. On a normal day he would have smiled at them, but he was solemn. And inside, he was angry.

Then came the waiting game.

It was Siaqi who arrived first, their newly appointed Beta taking her seat close nearby — the first three were almost predictable, and she was among them. Calliope next, Tobin last… he greated them each similarly, with a nod and a half-smile (the situation was, afterall, rather grave) though Calli received a return nuzzle of affection as she took her seat. Their time together had lessened considerably since the return to Nova Mountain, but he did know two things: first, that she wasn’t feeling well, but thankfully had only be affected mildly by whatever was possessing others in the Valley. Second, that once all the fanfare of returning and the drama of dreadful disease had passed, that their situation would hopefully change for the better.

Nymphe was next to arrive after the three he suspected would quickest answer the beckoning. She was proving to be a useful creature and had ascended the ranks quickly. Then Jubilee, a long-standing member; she had also ascended the ranks quickly, after turning an adult. Two whom Sinistra was unfamiliar with followed, Lorcan thereafter, and another he did not know before Poet arrived and plopped himself down next to Jubilee after offering a greeting. If it didn’t seem entirely unbecoming for a fully grown male Alpha wolf to giggle in the midst of a formal pack meeting, he might have done so.

Thankfully, this childish, girlish impulse was prevented by the arrival of another familiar face: Kratina. Sinistra’s posture perked notably as she entered the clearing and whispered hello — his tail wagged softly in response. He wondered where she had been, but also wondered if it was any of his business… she was, afterall, an adult now. Consequently, the rest of the arrivals went relatively unnoticed as the black leader found himself lost in thought. A quick scan of their newly gathered group said that nearly everyone was there. Noticeably missing, however, was Allure. That was decidedly uncomfortable, and yet not nearly as uncomfortable as it would have been if she had shown up.

There’s something wrong with the water, Sin began frankly, setting aside all personal issues for now in favor of getting right to the point. In the lake, in the cascades. Most of you have noticed by now. It’s causing an illness that makes creatures go crazy, at its worst. It was always nice to have good news to report. Or he imagined it would be — their pack meetings were never good news. I would suggest that anyone here who doesn’t wish to get sick or turn into a raging psychopath ought to stay away from the center of the Valley. Eat here, drink here. Don’t talk to strangers, and don’t take wooden nickels…

Some of us, although the black female was mostly shrouded in the shadow of at tree, Sinistra still looked briefly at Nymphe as he spoke, Have been trying to figure out exactly what is causing this, and more importantly what can fix it. We’re gathering information — so if you have any, about anyone who is sick or anything strange you have seen, Stranger than usual, at any rate, the Alpha thought to himself as he paused for a fraction of a second before continuing, Speak up. Say your name, too, for the benefit of anyone here who doesn’t know you yet.

And I want to know who from our pack is sick, and how badly, he added, glancing around at the gathered faces of the Nova group. Taking in several unfamiliar ones, to end his impromptu speach was added — I’m Sinistra, for anyone here who I haven’t met yet.

Kratina sent a small, hopeful grin to those who had known her prior to her departure; the dizziness and panic was wearing off, although her heartrate was still much above normal. A tail wagged in response to her alpha - he had always been her alpha in her mind, even through the Tobin incident, and his own disappearing act was forgotten and forgiven quite quickly. So he had forgiven her. Forgiven her, it seemed, to the extent that he would not bring it up in public. The small grey made a mental note to extend this meeting to a private encounter with the black.

Something wrong with the water. Kratina's ears at least catched that, and listened to everything else that followed intently. Illness led to death, and thoughts of death led to increased anxiety. Mortality was not a fun thought, if not for her than for the sake of others. It was important to know who was sick and how to help it -- Kratina followed the black leader's gaze to the female who was helping out and made yet another mental note for yet another meeting. This one she might have to actually introduce herself in.

Did panic attacks count as sickness? The dizziness, the much increased anxiety - all these thoughts flashed across Kratina's mind. I've been.. There's been.. she started, and then shamefully stopped herself. Surely not, she reassured herself, but it kept teasing. Maybe it wasn't her fault - maybe, just maybe, mother was wrong. Mother was never wrong! There was no questioning that. There's nothing wrong with me.

And my name's Kratina Kiryana, she went on quickly. And I've been gone far too long, she continued the thought in a mournful and embarassed mind.

Only two others trickled in after Arsenio had arrived himself, making him feel as though he was a bit late. The first was the firey-eyed male Bronx of which he had met only a short while ago. A fluttering smile of greeting fleeted across the young Phase boy's features to him, but, through those reddish eyes, Arsenio could tell that he wasn't in the mood. Immidiately putting on a straight face, he turned his attention to Sinistra, hardly paying much attention to the last unknown member that filed in.

The Alpha Male's to-the-point words smacked Arsenio in the face. He had been investigating this sickness with a few friends, but he hadn't thought of the cause. The water? Arsenio didn't spend too much time around the Lake and the Cascades, so that probably explained why he wasn't getting the full blunt of the sickness. Listening on, he silently agreed to the ebony Alpha's words, his golden eyes, the reflection of his father's, were dull with the solumn mood of the meeting.

Kratina stuttered into an affirmation to her well-being, making Arsenio slightly happy. He was joyful to have her back in the pack. He still remembered, when he was only a few months old, that he was one of the smaller puppies and Kratina was his Alpha. In Pup standards, that was. Another of whom Arsenio did not recognize spoke up to decline his own sickness. It seemed that there weren't too many that terribly sick...

Seeing as though no one was talking, Arsenio took the liberty of speaking. "I feel fin'." he said as normal, curtailing and slurring his words slightly. And, with a sheepish smile, which stood out in the flat mood of the conversation, he added, "Arsenio." That he pronunciated perfectly.

amazing avatar & table are by akumu! ♥

Oh, so many things were happening! Jubilee could hardly keep her eyes occupied with one wolf arriving or one greeting being exchanged without another random thing stealing her attention away. First came Jake, who seated himself right next to her. The tawny female exchanged friendly smiles with her friend before her attention was turned to Lorcan, who she also offered a welcoming grin. She was still a bit wary about him, mostly because of the idiotic drama with Poet, but the yearling found that she was slowly getting over it. Growing up did that to her.

The arrival that made her smile the brighest, however, was that of her mate. Cinnamon tail thumped happily against the ground as he sat at her side. Jubilee's ear flicked as he whispered a short greeting to her. When he started giving her kisses, the Zeta found that she was a bit embarassed by the display. This was a meeting! An official pack meeting and Sinistra probably had some important stuff to say! Well, aside from the fact that he had returned, anyway. Still, Jubes found that she couldn't stay mad at Poet. But she did let out a quiet huff just for effect. After all, she wouldn't be herself if she didn't at least pretend that he was being an annoying jerk from time to time.

A soft "hello" brought the love-stricken female's gaze away from her mate to that of the other wolf who was extremely dear to her, Kratina. Jubilee knew that her friend would have a difficult time with this meeting (it was inevitable, anyway). The Zeta smiled warmly at her best friend, hoping that she wouldn't be too hard on herself. The reasons for Kratina's absence were hers and hers alone. They grey had been an important part of Nova Mountain, and no doubt would continue to be as such in the future.

Slate eyes scanned lightly over the ever-growing group of wolves. Some she recognized, some she did not. The peacekeeper had always been puzzled by this most curious happening at pack meetings. The ranks were always changing, wolves were always coming and going. It was strange, but Jubilee supposed that such was life. Her musings were disrupted by Sinistra, who had begun to speak. Disease, stay away from water, strange things, name. She noticed that Sinistra had briefly looked in Nymphe's direction as he spoke, so it would probably be useless to tell him about the rabbit that she had found. Perhaps she ought to mention the random coyote that had made its way so far into the pack's territory..? Hadn't it been sick, too?

"I'm feeling fine," Jubilee said in a sort of carefree and upbeat way. "I did have an encounter with a coyote a few days back - kind of far into the territory, really. She was acting strangely, I'm almost positive she was feeling sick," she offered, her gaze lifting up a bit to look at Sinistra's chin. The Zeta wasn't sure if such information would be helpful or even useful at all, but it was her duty to report what she had seen. Uninvited guests were a sore subject in Nova Mountain, anyway. "I'm Jubilee, by the way," she added in a hurried manner.

The annoyed huff he received from Jubilee in reply to the kiss was not more or less than Poet had expected - it was precisely what he'd anticipated, and it was just right. He grinned to himself, the thump of his tail matching that of his headache. Their relationship was one that incorporated both affection and annoyance, often both at the same time. The more she huffed and scowled, the more he loved her.

He could have gone on thinking such thoughts all day, but this was a pack meeting, after all. Taking a quick swig of summer air, he turned his attention to the new arrivals. They wafted in like leaves on the breeze; first was Kratina, the then-gone but now-here girl that had been one of the original members of Poet's generation. The 'gang,' if you will. The male aimed a warm smile her way and swished his tail, thinking that maybe support might help ease any anxiety she might be feeling. Aided by peripheral vision, he could see his mate do the same, which was only natural since Kratina was, after all, her best friend. Next to arrive was Gunny, a strange yet likeable male Poet had met a month or so ago. He offered a bob of his head and a lopsided smile to the wolf, biting back a grin at the memory of their first meeting. He particularly remembered the look on Gunny's face when he had seen Illira, a visiting female from the Mount, as though she was the first female he'd ever seen in his life. Poet enjoyed a moment of private amusement for a moment and then returned to reality just as Arsenio arrived.

A brotherly grin was what he offered Tobin's son, almost like a silent secret between friends. There was no actual secret between them, really, but that didn't matter too much. Vaguely he wondered where 'Senio's siblings were, but kept quiet. No need to go spouting off random, pointless questions in such a formal setting. The next two arrivals were wolves he did not know, one a dark and rather severe-looking male, the other a tawny, large female. After nodding toward both, he fixed his brown gaze on Sinistra, feeling instantly and inexplicably secure at just the sight of the black wolf. The alpha commanded attention without saying a word, although he eventually did. ..Say a word, I mean.

Thirty seconds later, Poet found himself considerably enlightened about the valley-wide sickness situation. The water! Why didn't I think of that? Unwilling to face the obvious answer to that question, the Epsilon thought instead of an equally shaming thing - the many times he'd guzzled water from White Rose Lake in the past few weeks. And, boy, he hadn't just lapped at the lake, either. He'd practically vacuumed it, for godsakes. No wonder he had this unending headache! If lupine anatomy had allowed for smacking oneself on the forehead, he would have done it right there and then.

Then the Novians began to speak up, as requested, and all of them indicated they felt fine. He was particularly glad, of course, to learn that his own mate was feeling fine. He expressed this silently in a soft flick of his tail against hers. And then there was a brief pause, an opportunity to speak, and Poet filled his lungs before becoming the first Novian to not say "I feel fine."

"Well, I'm not incredibly sick, or anything," he began, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. "It's just I have this bad headache... And, uh, I've had it for a week or two now..." he trailed off, feeling quite the whiney baby for saying such a thing. "Wah wah, I have a wittle headache and I can't handle it!" Grimacing, he picked up where he left off. "I did drink from White Rose Lake... A lot, actually." Wow, talk about lame-o. Eager to move on to a topic that didn't make him sound like such a twit, he shared his other sickness-related story. "Oh, and a few days ago," he began, his voice eager, his eyes flicking occasionally to Sinistra's face, measuring for reaction. "I was over at Strawberry Fields, and, well, there was this wolf there... She was from Mount Shadow, and she was really sick. She started hallucinating, and stuff. She thought this guy Indris was another guy named Element, and she thought I-" Wait a second. Hold on mister. Weren't you aiming for something un-lame? His mouth ajar, Poet knew he couldn't leave the tale unfinished, even though he cringed to finish it. "And.. uh, well, she thought I was a girl." Hotly embarrassed, he pasted his gaze to his paws and hoped someone else would have a story more humiliating than his. Lifting his head suddenly, he hastily added: "It was because she was sick, though." Just to make that perfectly clear, of course. Oh, and: "I'm Poet, by the way." Sheesh.

I might be a bit slow as I move back to college and get settled once again. :)

The uncanny resemblance that was Calliope was next to break onto the scene, offering a nod (which was returned in kind) before taking seat besides her mate, with a nuzzling of greeting. For the moments that spanned between Calliope’s arrival and Tobin’s, the lone female couldn’t help but feel the nestling of awkwardness in her gut that somehow she was intruding on the pair, despite the calling to be here.

It was with this in mind that she was ever-more grateful for the mocha spangled male that came next and as he took seat beside her, the bridge of her snowy nose butted gently beneath his chin in an affectionate welcome. Next was a dark coloured wolfess whom she had yet to meet, followed by Jubilee – recognised from the last time they were here. Then came three more new faces followed thankfully by the arrival of Italia, a pale coated wolfess whom she was recently acquainted.

Next came the ever-loveable Poet and a warm smile was extended to him, as well as a nod of her own and she noted with avid interest how close Jubilee and him now sat and the sign of affection he gave her. Pondering on this slice of information was not something Siaqi was afforded, for an all too familiar and much missed face appeared from that belt of trees: Kratina. Not knowing she’d returned, it was a pleasant surprise and the wolfess wagged her tail avidly to express her silent joy of her being here. However, the now-grown she-wolf didn’t cast a glance in her direction so the action was redundant at best.

Another four wolves appeared not long after: two of which she knew – Bronx and one of her son’s – and another pair of new faces to add to the list. Casting a wary glance around the gathered pack, Siaqi noticed the absence of a couple – namely Allure, and wondered briefly if that had anything to do with Calliope’s presence? Her attention nevertheless commanded itself to the rich voice of Sinistra now as it rang pointedly across the clearing and she was relieved to know that the address of this meet was in fact the illness occurring throughout the valley: and namely the cause of it.

She waited till the air was thick with silence before adding her piece. "I’m Siaqi." The female began, "For a couple of days I experienced nausea and dizziness, but I seem to mostly over it now. But like Poet, I drank from White Rose Lake a lot." So that would explain it. "Kimoto of Silver Creek was displaying signs of illness when I met him in Whisper Forest not so long ago. As was Deception from the Fields. Only more so."

A mournful tone succumbed her normally weightless voice, becoming thick with a worry only parents would feel for their child and guilt that somehow she hadn’t surmised Sin’s conclusions to help prevent this (quite selfishly) to her own. "And Chena," Her eyes shifted toward the dark face of their leader, sweeping across his features as if something there might indicate a comfort despite him not really knowing the extension of the Phases. "She’s really sick." And thus the reason why she was currently absent.

thanks to vero for my amazing avatar. :)
Jan WLC — 429

Nymphe knew some of the members, other provided new faces and as such, new opportunities to meet them as the days would pass. But overly so, as wolves swamped to the gathering, she was happy to stay hidden among the members. It was never her intention to hit the spotlights, and as such, into the shadows is where she felt more comfortable. Unnoticed between the members, any other way would arouse and evoke her shyness even more. Being solo or with a few all was alright but with a pack meeting she was best alone, and still there.

As her ears were picked atop of her head, nothing dared to escape her attention as most of the pack members had gathered with the leaders. Fortunately most of the Nova Mountain members seemed fairly happy and doing okay, besides a few occurances. Wholeheartly she could find identification in the group that had some minor illness such as dizzyness and a headache, but beyond that, nothing bad happened. So far and partly thanks to the mountain, the sickness would surpass here. Silver Creek on the other hand ...

There was only so much she could worry about, but a smile spred across her face after the coyote story. It reminded her of the incident with herself, Italia and a whackahooley bear who simply lost it and went coo-coo in her quest to defend a poor tree. But that was it, the bear was slightly crazy but harmless and everything had ended up fairly okay for as far as her opinion had counted. And the boy-thinking-he-is-a-girl was enough to make a small grin, ah, if she had been there! The idea alone was enough to make her smile, though.

In silence and broken Nymphe was once more as soon as Siaqi spoke of one of her puppies being ill. It was at this determination which made her want to search for a cure right there and then, certainly the 'weak' were either puppies and elderly wolves. At least they should be more cautious around the water, and only replenish themselves at Nova Mountain and nowhere else. Perhaps even forbid them to go, even though with a bunchful of six month olds, not being able to explore the world was as close to the worst punishment ever.

"I've got nothing worse than what already said. With Jubilee I came across a suspicious dead rabbit and with Italia ..we faced a bear that went coo-coo." Nymphe said, then turned to Siaqi."She'll be okay. She will be okay.."

__________Bronx’s dark ears perked as he faced Sinistra’s general direction. There’s something wrong with the water. the Alpha began, soon following wishes, commands, suggestions and explanations. He glanced vaguely at the young female titled Kratina, wondering at the back of his mind what she had meant so say before the hesitation. Perhaps she just wasn’t very good at public speaking. Next was a female who ignored Sinistra’s instruction to introduce herself, then young Arsenio, followed by a stranger called Jubilee and her mate, who mentioned several familiar names and places. He did not like to hear that his friend Siaqi had been unwell, but apparently it had passed, similarly with Nymphe, who suddenly comforted the former with great enthusiasm.
__________The Guardian himself really had no need to sympathise with anyone. Just as he was not the type to indulge in self-pity, he was unlikely to offer condolences so automatically. What was more, deep inside, Bronx felt that he was the worse off. But it was something no one could understand. There was something strange that linked Forrest and Allure. He didn’t like it.
__________Bronx. He introduced himself briefly as a few others failed to do so. My sister fell badly ill, He informed Sinistra (and whoever else) tonelessly; Allure therefore couldn’t attend this meeting. And that was it, really. He didn’t need to update them on his state of health – it was obvious. There were other things that could be said, of course, such as a wondering as to whether the illness was contagious and so on, but his low voice felt ironically ready to run out.

Yeah, Amy had no idea who most of these wolves were. Though she couldn't see them, she could smell their unfamiliar scent; And it scared her. She knew, at least, of a few wolves that had shown up. Bronx being one, and well that was about it really. How odd, she didn't know most of the members of the pack; Maybe the ones she had met were sick.

Ambition. Amy if you'd like. She address quietly; Though you cold hear if you wanted to. I have not seen anything happen, since I am blind, but I have meet a few wolves who are rather sick. She tried her best to explain and speak up; She didn't want anyone to think her as an unreliable type. I fell slightly ill for a day, but got over it. She stopped a minute to chock back most of her emotion; They didn't need a river. This disease is cruel. It had me believe for a second that I was not blind anymore. I feel terribly sorry for any wolf that comes to it's horrible path. They must be slightly, deep down inside, scared.

The brown wolf sat for a moment to listen to everyone's breathing and movements; She wanted to try and get an idea of what they were doing, or about to do. She spoke up again, not wanting to wait any longer. We need to help these poor wolves. We need to find a cure. I am sorry I can't prove to help much, but possibly a kind heart ready to listen to those who are feeling sick. I am there. She wanted to help more than ever. Just my thoughts. She finshed and stepped from her soapbox.

signature/Woovis | avatar/Woovis | table/

January WLC: Ambition 337 Riddle 44

Her eyes flicked toward the pack leader when he spoke; and her head dipped as she listened to the other wolves' words. Finally, she spoke up. "I am Italia - and other than the ill bear, I have seen nothing more than what you have said." She then grinned at Nymphe. Her topaz eyes scanned the crowd briefly, marking out a few unknown faces and the names she lodged in her mind. She intended to get to know these wolves; they were, after all, part of her life from then on. And were, starting, a while ago. Her topaz eyes softened as she looked them over, before turning her eyes once more to Sinistra, whose words made her frown. This was no such good news; this was, in fact, bad. Who was to say that they hadn't drunken from White Rose Lake at some point? Luckily for her, she was extremely paranoid about her drinking places, and had decided to forego White Rose Lake.

"I will, if you would, take care of the wolves whose sickness is - bad." Her brief shuffle for a word appropriate to use was - as stated earlier - brief. That was the only way she could be useful, armed only with her basic, minor knowledge in herbs. Her gaze then shifted to the wolf who told others she was blind; she smiled. This wolf must be nice, she thought to herself; to have such vigilance and such courage. She was so different from the inwardly frail Italia. She looked at the crowd again; she smiled and dipped her head in Siaqi's direction, of whom she had encounted fairly ill: at present, however, she looked distinctly better.

avatar by ARSENIO/ALEX. <33
(to-be used avatar) set by GREEN/WOOVIS. <33

The soft thumping of his heart beat became almost spasmodic as more wolves quietly made their arrival. Every mental muscle was strained as Jake desisted from emitting a chorus of anxious yet equally pleased barks. Knowing that the immature, desired actions would be uncouth and most definitely out of line, the chestnut-grey boy reluctantly accepted the simpler, much subtler choice of gentle tail wagging.

The pleasant anticipation of participating in his first official pack meeting had been joined now by a slightly familiar emotion. Sitting in the meeting area, the mecca for the Novians, the important gathering spot which had filled so rapidly with submissive and tensed canines, had succeeded in bringing a sense of unimportance and insignificance upon the mottled male. He felt so small among the crowd of wolves, leaders and the others. Even though the sensation had worked its way into the wolf, its seething, condescending talons were not able to worm their way into the tender heart of the boy; he wasn't going to let anything pull him down. A steady decision of remaining optimistic and helpful throughout the meeting and afterwards, no matter how terrible the news the intimidating raven male would announce, had been set firmly by the wolf before the gathering had even started.

Pale eyes brought their eager gaze towards his alpha's paws as the wolf began. Sinistra's bluntly direct words echoed harshly in his addled mind, their solemn meaning reverberating mentally, almost unnervingly. So it was true - there was something 'strange around here', as his previous acquaintance Lorcan had worded. An illness that came from one of the most unfortunate sources: water. Jake caught himself quickly before he could let out a pained sigh. Instead a faint, very soft rush of air escaped from his maw as he realized that he had held his breath during Sinistra's whole dismaying spiel. Worried vision shifted subconsciously towards Lorcan, the only example of an infected victim he had met so far. The Nova Mountain alpha continued on with simple instructions for each present canine to follow.

With perked and attentive points, the grey and brown flecked wolf silently watched each member introduce themselves and input their own information regarding the sickness. Taking the opportunity to end the brief silence that had settled after Italia's words, Jake began somewhat timidly, feeling inwardly awkward to hear his own soft voice grace the air meekly. Err, besides my meeting with Lorcan, I haven't seen anything else. Blue eyes flew swiftly towards his own large paws before continuation. Why he was so apprehensive to speak was unknown to him. Maybe it was because he did not have what he thought of as useful information to contribute since Lorcan had already spoken. Possibly, it was because of the palpable, even tangible tension that had settled over the gathering. Or he was just concerned and worried about the illness. Whatever the reason, the tawny canine found a steadier voice and attempted a polite yet pleasant introduction that feigned a more confident wolf. I'm Jake, he announced. With that the russet-grey male shut his maw and waited.

Surprise av. from Ambition!
Beautiful table by Rainy Designs!
WLC start: 35
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Absent July 28- Aug 5. Sorry!

For a second, it sounded like Kratina wanted to say something and thought better of it — finishing instead with a very odd “there’s nothing wrong with me.” This brought to Sinistra’s face the strangest of expressions, halfway between amused and concerned, because he wasn’t sure whether there really was something wrong and she didn’t wish to say it publically, or if she was just generally flustered. In a voice that mimicked the presence of these dueling emotions, he said very pointedly and specifically to her: Non lo credo… All of it very kindly masked by the speech being given by an unfamiliar male who apparently had no name.

Having said that under the cover of the [relative] newcomer’s words, Sin politely gave the nameless creature the utmost attention, only to find he had mostly finished. Nodding in agreement (secretly hoping he wasn’t agreeing to something he actually didn’t want to agree to…), attention then began to shift in turn to each who spoke. Arsenio was fine, Jubilee had met a coyote — that was notably interesting, and the Alpha placed that in his follow-up list for when everyone had spoken. A coyote in the Salvajes? These words caused him to instinctively turn towards Tobin for his reaction, though for the moment, neither said a thing.

Poet was next. The Epsilon’s story was slow starting but well worth listening to: the moment the words, “she thought I was a girl,” reached Sinistra’s ears, a big, amused grin spread across his maw. And he nodded appreciatively at the humor, because it was pretty damn funny, all gravity of the situation aside. Right, the Novan leader said, clearly joking.

Then came Siaqi, who had news from elsewhere to share and then news that Chena had fallen seriously ill — glancing from one Beta to the other, the black wolf wondered who was with her: Nymphe, however, spoke up before he had a chance to say anything. When the Eta had finished, Sinistra piped up to say to either of his two fellow leaders: You don’t have to stay. In other words, if they would rather have been with their daughter, he would have rathered the same himself.

Next… Bronx. It was almost all too much information to take in and keep up with. Allure was sick — Sinistra already knew the two were siblings — without waiting to see who would pop up with sudden comfort this time, he repeated his previous statement: You don’t have to stay either.

Once Calliope, Lorcan, Ambition, Italia and Jake (whose words the Alpha for some reason found highly amusing — the only strange thing had been his meeting with Lorcan? What, exactly, was he trying to say? — insert girlish giggle here) had added to the mix and no one else took the court to speak, Sin considered this indication it was, once more, his turn. Alright, he began in attempt to gather his own thoughts, Nymphe is going to speak with the other pack leaders, gaze lighted upon the newly crowned Advisor with these words, Do you have someone to go with you? If not, who would you like to take? That took care of one venue of attack against this disease. Since all of our ill have their own caretakers, those of you who are hoping to help should check with the other packs as well, to see if they need assistance. I’m going to look for a cure, for a moment he trailed off, looking sullenly around at each pack member. Lots of caretakers. Not a single medic among them. If you have any medical knowledge, any ideas, or if you’re going to look yourself, let’s hear it now.