Rituals and Recognition (tagged and open)

[Deleted]

Fjord perched atop his fallen log among the decaying mottled trees. He stared out over the hunched over, broken landscape with a bloody gaze. Fjord, a murderer, much to many a wolf's surprise enjoyed beauty. And frankly, the Barren Wastes was not much to look at. That's why the clever male had a lovely plan laid out before him. But that was all for a later date. Tonight they would not be discussing battle plans and enrichments. No, tonight they would recognize some very important wolves. Raising his great square head, Fjord let out a low, echoing howl. Not a loud howl per say, but a howl that would sufficiently summon his pack. Tonight they would recognize new members and new adults, give them their marks and names. Hopefully the pack would find it in their time frame to show up. Fjord glowered at the thought. His pack had been increasingly absent, which was one of the reasons why so many new traditions were being implemented. For, it was better to be feared then loved. Fjord didn't mind love, but clearly he wasn't the most live able type. Even his new Alphess didn't see him in a romantic light. Which, Fjord supposed, was okay. He lowered his head ending his summoning call. Now all he could do was wait.....

Rykett
@pittypat
@vanadium
@nadia
@dandyandy
Obscure
Strange
Fierfly
theragingstorm

[Rykett]

Skia:

A howl called Skia. It thrummed through the sky and brought her galloping with little thought towards the pup that was following her around. He’d come at his own pace. Fjord was calling. Skia adored her new position in Midnight Silence. It was joy have so much power though Skia had yet to exercise it. She was first to arrive before Fjord. Skia held her fellow alpha in high regard. He had no mercy. He’d killed and wasn’t afraid to kill again. His strength seemed to radiate off him like a bioluminescent goo. Skia took her place beside the male proudly. ”I believe you called.” Skia’s spoke smoothly as she smiled at Fjord, ”Now, this is to be a pack meeting, correct?”

Power meant nothing if it wasn’t used. As much as Skia enjoyed her power, she longed to try it out on members of the pack. They should be coming soon. If they didn’t come at their alpha’s call, they didn’t deserve to be called part of this pack. Rather they deserved to be ripped limb from limb for their fake loyalty! Skia absently picked up a pebble with her power as she waiting for the appearance of the other members. It hover above a lifted pawpads then dropped into the paw to be squished as though it were clay. Then, it hovered again and repeating the actions.

[Fierfly]

Allegro:

A low, summoning howl brought the little flecked head around purely out of curiosity. The voice sounded a little like Killer's, but why would he be howling? Snake's ears also perked with interest and she took off after the call without hesitation. ...Okay then. His long, stockinged legs spun into action and he fell into an easy tripping lope just behind her.

They arrived at a scraggly outcropping of weak little trees where Killer sat perched on a log waiting for an audience. Why had he called? No one was here. Snake took her place beside him and inquired after his purpose - a pack meeting. Allegro surveyed the empty area. "Some pack," he concluded. He took a seat just beyond the end of the precious log that the mighty alphas had claimed for themselves and settled in for a long wait. He lost interest in waiting in about ten seconds and instead started watching a fat old grasshopper crawling along in front of him with a keen interest only a hunter would show.

---

Venus:

A low, almost gentle howl had called for the pack to gather. Now the light, pretty she-wolf leisurely made her way to the source of the howl. The alpha and a she-wolf had taken the seats of honor on the highest perch, a pup nearby was stalking an insect, and some reeking one-eyed brute somewhere around her age broke the reverent silence as wolves gathered and she studied him. He was gaining size (as was she, hardly a year old she was still growing), but somehow she still thought him tiny and young. His voice was pleading and respectful towards the alpha, but also lined with doubt. He was arrogant, dangerous, pushy; she'd have to watch that one.

Another male joined them, he was older, but also one eyed and was missing a leg and half his tail. Both seemed to have seen blood and death, certainly evil enough for the pack. The pup was young and not even paying attention to the gathering wolves, but his eyes were keen and ruthless. What had her attention was the she-wolf beside her alpha. Where Venus was light and willowy this she-wolf had a heavier build. She was bigger, taller, stronger, there was superiority and power in those chocolate brown eyes and unmistakable pride as she patiently waited for the pack to congregate. Venus's smokey blue eyes followed the gaze to a pebble the she-wolf was playing with, it was moving, bending, shifting in shape. This she-wolf had the power of stone. A powered wolf with such strength, quite possibly the beta if Fjord cared for her power or energy at all.

The yearling carefully took a seat, wrapping her full, voluminous tail about her haunches. Her face was passive as she looked up at her alphas and waited.

[Deleted]

Odin:
The young male approached camouflaged. Being the color of shadows was something he did a lot, but the white pelt he had tied around his neck and draped over his back ruined it. He stepped out of the shadows, his pelt reeking of the death from the skinned pelt. Odin bowed his head, one eye closed respectfully. He didn't see Allegro, for he was to Odin's blind side. The pup's breathing, however, attracted the wolf's attention. He glared at the pup, his single blue eye glaring at the pup. "Well, Alpha Fjord. I assume this beautiful," he put emphasis on the complement, "She-wolf is the new Alphess. But who, if it is not above me to ask, is the pup?" Odin cocked his head. He then sat himself down, watching the alphas.

[theragingstorm]

Travesty flicked an ear as a summoning howl aroused him from a pleasant nap. He snorted in displeasure, but quickly hopped to his feet. The wolves around him all went closer to the alpha, so the male followed them. He stepped closer to the alpha, and sat among the 'crowd' of wolves.

He sighed lazily. Honestly, Travesty was here for the food, shelter, and sleep. This silly meeting was taking away his time to do anything useful. As he heard a small voice, he turned to see a one-eyed wolf talking it up with the alpha. He smiled in amusement. What did the one-eyed pup bring to the pack anyways? The small wolf seemed to talk like he owned the pack. Strangely, he had a white pelt draped over his back. Travesty shifted so he could hear the on-going conversation better.

@shiver
@pittypat
Rykett
Fierfly

[Deleted]

Sytytin:
The orange, white, and charcoal male growled at the female across from him. He hated everything about her. From the cheery coral flower on her back to the dainty white claws on those tiny paws. He ripped a shred of meat off of the hare he had killed and licked it up, gaze never wavering from hers. "Go get your own." However the moment was cut short when a low howl loomed over the territory. Alpha Fjord was calling them. With a huff he tossed the carcass to her before loping away.

Lydia:
The lithe shewolf practically hissed as this male attempted to assert his dominance over her. She was the Gammess! He was going to be punished soundly after this meeting Fjord had called. Grinding her teeth in annoyance she turned and followed Sytytin Into the copse.

Fjord:
Fjord watched as wolves trickled into the sickly mottled clearing. Skia came first. She was prompt, her gleaming red form a sight for sore eyes. Such a beautiful wolf deserved a beautiful territory. And she would get one. She grinned and gracefully leaped onto the trunk to sit beside him. "Yes." He spoke the affirmative and watched the angry little trophy tumble in behind his mistress. In time he would become a great asset. But today he was still hunting grasshoppers. Odin followed suit, flaunting his ragged white cape, a symbol of his victory. Next hobbled in his healer Travesty. The patchwork of limbs and scars arrived quietly, observing the wolves with his one eye. After him glided the quiet unscarred yearling Venus. She was quite beautiful, perhaps someday the evil wolfess would bring in a litter of malicious pups with Odin...Fjord turned gaze towards the next two wolves that entered the clearing. The new members Sytytin and Lydia came in together, shooting glares at the other. Standing upon his perch he barked once to draw a silence upon the clearing.

"Today is a day indeed. Our future will begin at this moment. But destiny aside, today is a day for rituals and recognition." Fjord swung his tail towards Skia, bending his neck in a slight bow. "Behold your Alphess! She holds the same power as I and should receive the same respect, if not more." He snarled down at the insignificant congregation. After they accepted Skia, he began to speak again. "Next we have a few wolves to recognize. Odin," He flicked an ear at the grey male to stand. "Has graduated from pup good and will now be recognized as your brother in blood. And Lydia here is your new Gammess, fear her as such."

((At this moment I require permission to place an upside-down crescent moon upon the shoulder of each wolf here. If you do not want your wolf marked up...I'm afraid Fjord may get pissy))

Fierfly
@rykett
@pittypat
theragingstorm

[Rykett]

(I don't mind! Skia would be happy to get a cool scar.)

Skia:

The new alphess studied the members as they approached. Allegro hadn't been that far behind Skia. At least he could do one thing right; follow. They're training sessions had yet to begin, but Skia was sure the little pup wouldn't be very proficient at fight. At least, the scrap had been following her around as she'd explored the territory that was now her kingdom. At least he knew that'd he'd probably be ripped apart by the other wolves due to his lingering loner scent without Skia to protect him. Protection was a new thing to the she-wolf. Usually, it was other wolves who needed protection to guard against Skia. Skia supposed she'd be protecting more now that she was head of a pack.

Following Allegro was a one-eyed yearling with a wolf pelt cape. His single eyes surveyed the meeting before addressing Fjord. Though the words were directed towards Fjord, Skia felt the need to put the wolf in his place, "Flattery will not get you anywhere, runt!" She snarled at the male. The wolf wasn't small in any sense of the word, but in Skia's domineering eyes all wolves that failed to prove themselves to her were weak ergo runts. "Fjord will explain everything during the meeting!" Wolves continued to enter the area designated at the meeting place and Skia studied each one. An older wolf with many scars seemed worthy of some respect. You couldn't gain scars without fighting. Although, it could be argued that so many scars might've been a result of not fighting well. Skia huffed, decided to reserve judgement for a bit. A dainty she-wolf arrived and Skia narrowed her eyes. The yearling didn't seem particularly muscular, but her blue eyes darted about, calculating. Surely such a she-wolf would be crushed in a heat of battle. Skia immediately dismissed her as another weakling. A final two wolves approached glaring at each other, and Fjord began addressing the pack.

Skia straightened to her full height to look as powerful as possible. Her cruel chocolate eyes fixed on individual wolves as Fjord singled them out. Odin, the one-eyed runt, had apparently just become a full member. Lydia, one of the last wolves to approach, had been promoted to Gammess. Skia wondered if Fjord had any Betas. She supposed he'd tell her soon enough if he did.

[Fierfly]

((Al and Venus are good to be Ice-tattooed))

Allegro:

That grasshopper. It was huge! A fat, old granddaddy grasshopper. The dullish-gray exo-skeleton was bleak and eerie beneath the insect's bulging black eyes. Six long legs slowly crawled forward and it watched the pup for a moment before going on its way. Too bad it would never make it to its destination. Allegro crouched down, eyeing the buggy little victim, looking for the right moment to pounce. ...Why wait? He lunged, swatting his front paws down on the plated back hard. The legs spasmodically began moving, searching for an escape from the dangerous, pressing grasp now trapping them, but the cub insisted and pressed his claws down into the armor until he heard the satisfying crunch of a broken creature. The bulging eyes stared unseeing up at the killer and he swatted the hopper away, no longer interested now that the chase and hunt was over. He looked around at the gathering wolves. Killer and Snake were all comfy on their log, two older males joined the party and one older female and then a pair of yearlings which almost caught his interest. Too bad they were so much older, it might have been fun to roughouse with the half-blind one, get him on his weak-side. The one-eyed one actually asked about him, but something about the tone and the superiority Allegro didn't like. Snake promptly put him in his place and he sat back smugly and showed his teeth. No growling, Snake hated it when he did that, but he wanted the punk to know he understood him and wasn't impressed with what he'd seen.

---

Venus:

Another older male and a female trickled in. They must have just had a disagreement from the way they were glaring at each other. She made a note to keep out of their ways until things calmed down or Fjord solved the issue.

Speaking of the alpha, he called the meeting to order. The future started today. Future? Did that mean plans for the pack? Hopefully, she liked seeing wolves with a game-plan; as long as it was the right sort of plan. He introduced the blood-red femme beside him as his fellow alpha - the alphess of Midnight Silence. Her eyes widened in some surprise. An alpha sharing his throne. Something she'd never seen before. The pride and power in the dark chocolate gaze was certainly understandable if she'd gotten Fjord to share the almighty station of alpha, new respect for the figure beside the white king came into her mind and she inclined her head for a brief moment to acknowledge her subordinate position to the pair before looking up again to better follow the announcements.

The yearling - Odin, was acknowledged as an adult. - Wait a minute, no way was that arrogant pushover older than her! No way! She was not exactly a puppy like the little whelp who disdained his killed grasshopper, but she wasn't quite an adult's size yet and couldn't quite pass for one just yet. "Brother in blood" Fjord had called him, there must have been a ritual of some kind to gain adult-hood in this pack. Sign her up.

The older female in the crowd was Lydia, a gammess. Respect for that she-wolf too settled in her mind. She would hate to be the male that had entered with her, it was not smart to have bad-blood with the gammess. Especially not the gammess, not when your alpha just told you to respect and fear her. This was going to be interesting. She looked back up to Fjord waiting expectantly for the real purpose of the call.

[Deleted]

(All good in the Tear Camp)
Odin:
Odin glared down at the pup. His long white teeth bared at him, and he whispered, "Know what I did just a little older then you to earn my power and place in this pack? I clawed my own eye out." Then he looked back up at the Alphas. He had been correct, the she-wolf was his Alphess. Odin inclined his head to her, his ears pressed against his skull. Then he stood proudly, flaunting the white pelt of the she-wolf he had killed. His single blue eye glinted at Venus, as she was too young. He was an adult and she was still a pup. He felt his ruff rise proudly. He then looked over at the older female. He inclined his head, respect for her rising. To be Gammess was a good position, she must be fierce. Odin then glared at three wolves near the back.

Tri-Color:
Tri had arrived with her friend Yaling, just on time. Her blue eyes found the two clear Alphas, and she inclined her head in respect. She was miles below them, though the female scared her. She then noted that two wolves in the clearing were announced. A one-eyed young male with a white pelt draped over his back, and a she-wolf named Lydia, the Gammess. Tri inclined her head respectfully.

Yaling Mei Fan:
It seemed that the male Devon had followed her from the mountain, and now they were next to one another. Frankly, she didn't care. The male could do what he wished, as long as it did not include her. She watched her Alphas, and new Gammess. Yaling bowed, to the two females and her Alpha. This was something amazing for her, Females holding power. She hoped she could one day hold power as well.

Devon:
Devon hadn't followed Yaling, they had simply been going to the same place and had chosen the fastest route. Devon had his own plans, but first there was the wolves being recognized. His Alphess (She was very pretty), his Gammess, and a young male by the name of Odin, who had a white pelt over his back. He looked back at the Alphas, waiting.

[theragingstorm]

(travesty is chill with more scars xD)

Travesty watched the wolves around him with solemn interest. He didn't want to become close friends with anyone, yet. None of them had earned his trust, and he wasn't quite sure if any of them deserved it. He barley paid heed to his alpha's words, but he did notice the tall she-wolf standing on the rock with Fjord who was announced Alphess. Well, good for her. he mused. Not everyone could be the Alphess, and he could guarantee it wasn't the weak-hearted who got the position.

He caught the name of the snobby one-eyed wolf. Odin. He would have to remember that. Travesty drew himself up, and walked closer to a light pretty she-wolf you looked to be a bit younger then Odin. Hadn't he heard her name somewhere? Wasn't it Vert or Vase or something? He studied her carefully. Perhaps when this meeting was over, they could become friends. It was obvious they both shared a distaste for this Odin wolf.

Then Odin brought up something about him clawing his own eye out. Travesty snorted. He called that an accomplishment? What about losing one limb, cracking your jaw, losing half your tail, and still being able to be welcomed into a pack with a high rank? That was quite the accomplishment in Travesty's eyes. "You young ones still have a lot to learn. Scars aren't the only way to earn high power," he said calmly. Perhaps he could teach Odin and Vener, or whatever her name was, what it meant to hold power.

@pittypat
Fierfly
Rykett
@shiver

[Deleted]

Fjord narrowed his eyes as he pinpointed a few spots of tension within the congregation. He knew his pack would never trust eachother with their lives or live eachother like family, but they didn't need to be torn apart. "Silence," he hissed a puff of ice onto Odin and those surrounding him. It seemed that the haughty wolf was causing a division in the pack, a minor one. But small things can grow quickly. With a lash of his white tail he began speaking again. "We have also received a Healer into our midst, Travesty." He nodded to the scarred male before stepping off of his pedestal. "All adult wolves, form a circle." He barked, a smile making its way into his lips. The ritual was ready to preform. Once the circle was made he would begin the official branding and naming. After finishing he would make his final announcement. The announcement that would set into motion the claiming of a new era of evil.

Fjord had big plans for his pack, and indeed that all happened today.


Rykett
Fierfly
@pittypat
@pittypat
theragingstorm

[Rykett]

Skia:

Skia watched the pack's interactions with narrowed eyes. Allegro was distracted squishing useless bugs. At least he could hurt flies. Maybe Skia could eventually get him to hurt other things as well. Odin flaunted his "achievements" to the others, obviously dying for the spotlight. A few other wolves arrived to the meeting as Fjord was speaking. A little late. Skia fixed her cold gaze on each in turn to show that their tardiness had not gone unnoticed. Fjord seemed displeased by his members bickering. Skia was about to roar at them to be quiet, but her fellow alpha beat her to it. He said the word with a hiss and not nearly as loudly as Skia would've done it. But, his command was emphasized with a small display of his power.

As his order settle on the wolves, Fjord moved onto other matters. He recognized one last promotion before leaping from his perch. Skia followed him, stepping down from the log with powerful strides. She waited beside Fjord for the wolves to form a rough circle. Her eyes rested on the male beside her. His crimson eyes were calculating as he considered the members. He was planning something, something big. Skia couldn't wait to see what it was.

[Fierfly]

Allegro:

Odin lifted his lip ever so slightly in return and bragged about visiting Geist to receive a power and enter the pack, and to claw out his eye. Allegro smirked back and roughly whispered in reply: "Too bad you were too weak to join before getting a power," he sneered. If this suck-up wanted to suck-up to Snake then he was welcome to, but she frowned on weakness and he was going to be sure to tell his new alphess that the yearling with the stupid face was weak and Lady Geist had to tax him for his weakness. She'd love hearing that, and maybe it would give her someone else to pick on.

The other one lacking an eyeball, Travesty the healer, also warned Odin that scars meant nothing and Killer flat-out barked for him to shut up, an ice-cloud puffing out on Odin's face for a comical look. Allegro sat back quietly and smirked, sticking a fat, pink tongue out at his new enemy. "Take that Tough Guy," he mentally challenged. The alpha had just called him out, and Snake looked about two seconds from repeating the order in her loud, listen-you-scrap-or-I'll-break-your-neck sort of way. If this guy really wanted to be in good favor with his alphas then he had a lot of sucking-up to do. Killer called for all the adults to form a circle and stepped down from his almighty perch. This caught the little bloodred-tinted pup's attention. He got to his paws and wagged his tail in interest, watching as the adults made a rough circle before their alphas as commanded.

---

Venus:

Odin may have had the rank of adult but the little scrap acted like a pup as didn't know when to shut his trap. He noted her curiosity and distaste for his superiority over her and his ruff raised proudly. Keeping her face passive she looked away and decided she was going to ignore him unless ordered to do otherwise. He did not impress her and his attitude made him useless. She'd have nothing to do with him if interaction could be avoided.

The elder male wandered slightly closer to her and quietly warned Odin of...something, she didn't quite catch it and she kept her eyes on the alpha to make sure she was reading his lips properly. Two lessons she understood very well. 1. You paid attention to your alpha like your life depended on it, because you never knew when it would. And 2. You do not cause distraction or division in the ranks, especially not in front of the alphas. If Odin had any brains in his head he would soon learn lesson 2 with Fjord's chilly breath to remind him of his place. During a pack meeting, unless called upon, it was in your best interest to keep quiet, her one visible wound - a scar across the bridge of her nose to attested to that. Fjord wrapped up the formalities of recognition and leaped down, his alphess at his side and addressed all adult members to form a circle. Adulthood in this pack was earned with a ritual of some kind right? Or was it age? She didn't know, but the scrap of flecked black, white and raspberry stood to alert at the command so she felt safe in doing so as well, if invited she could join the circle and if not she got to sit back and watch and observe.

[Deleted]

Odin:
Odin was quiet, and joined the circle of wolves. His shoulder exposed, he waited for his turn with patience. Whail he waited he tried his power out a bit more. He turned snowy white, then midnight black. Then he turned a cool grey, like river rocks. Then he was back to his normal color. He would work with his power until he advanced, but it might take a bit. He waited, thinking and still waiting.

Tri-Color:
Tri looked down, embarrassed for being late under the Alphess' cold glare. Her blue eyes watched the annoying wolf with the white pelt. She wanted to growl at him, but she didn't. Others had just been scolded for doing that, she saw no need to anger him. He had a power, she didn't. Simple as that. She joined the circle next to Yaling. She smiled to herself, proud. She was going to be a full member!

Yaling Mei Fan:
Yaling bowed her head deep to the Alphess. She knew she had been late and had no business being so. She knew the importance of this, even if she didn't know the details. Excitement was in the air. Her jade green eyes examined her Alpha, cold and trying to work out what his plan was.

Devon:
Devon bowed his head grudgingly, but only slightly. He joined the circle as far away from anyone he knew, like the two females. He wanted to be far away from them, but he was more concentrated on what was going on. He cocked his head, gold eyes watching his alpha.

theragingstorm theragingstorm

[theragingstorm]

Travesty was satisfied with this pack. They all seemed smart and strong. Except maybe that Odin wolf. He lacked the intelligence of a two moon old puppy. The scarred wolf grunted at the thought, hoping it wasn't true. When would this Odin pup get the message? Power wasn't everything. Although the pup seemed to think the opposite.

Travesty hated self-absorbed wolves. The took the fun out of everything. Then again, they added plenty of drama. He bowed his head to the alpha, and started into the circle. Whatever ritual took place, it sure wouldn't make Travesty any less scarred. That much he knew.

He nodded his head to the wolves next to him, barely acknowledging their presence. Travesty wondered what the Alpha had in store for them.