Bring Your Wonder [Pack Meeting]

[Gyllbane]

Spring had sprung.

Though the valley was far yet from the days of warmth and easy living that the later days of the season provided, the first signs of new life had already begun to crop up, even amongst the heathlands where the Honovi made their home. Patches of snowmelt left new sprouts coming up from the once ice-hardened soil, the first indicators of the change in season. Creatures had also begun to emerge from hibernation, their winter sleep stirred by the promise of warmer winds.

Treason had noticed it as much as any, and she was glad for it. The snow's passing meant a chance to truly reinforce her borders, as well as a much easier time doing what she had intended for a long time coming. She had not, in truth, held a pack meeting in some time - in far too long, as far as she was concerned, and she was determined to make right of it.

The rocky outcrop had been the center of pack meetings before, as it seemed the most logical choice - it had elevation, a clear vantage point over those who would inevitably gather. Yet something drew the russet female away from it, her paws carrying her to the constructed oasis, its frozen-over surface slowly beginning to thaw with the day's surprising warmth. The wind still nipped, but the sun seemed a gentle caress instead of the faraway whisper it had been the past few weeks.

Now was as good a time as any. Treason raised her gaze to the sky, giving the call she had not done since that well-averted clash with Demetrios. "Wolves of the Honovi! Your alpha calls you to gather, that we may share words as one united group. Come, one and all, to the oasis."

6dewdrops Cascade @shiver @kiowa @jill @dandyandy Stormy May

[Stormy May]

Mest found his way to the oasis upon hearing his alphess' call. He took a moment to take in the area around him. It was calming— especially with his sister's words still heavy on him.

"My lady," he said dark eyes setting on his alphess, bowing his head in greeting. He sat at a respectful distance, plunging into his own thoughts as he waited for other members to arrive. He'd chosen his pack over his sister, so that was where he would put his loyalty and faith, even if it meant following Demetrios' orders. That was the subordinate's curse, he supposed, but his goal was to become someone respectable and honorable, not just someone who butted heads with his superior.

———

Arcane's blood fur was not so outstanding in the spring around her, when the blooming flowers were every color of the rainbow, including the harshest red. She awaited the arrival of those flowers eagerly.

Her golden eyes set on those of Treason, and she gave a brief nod in greeting before inspecting her surroundings. It was an interesting place; lush and green breaking through white like it had never succumbed to a winter, but instead allowed its presence. It was absolutely beautiful.

"Has winter done you well, alphess?" she asked, finding herself a place before Treason to stand. The maroon wolf's eyes seemed to be filled with something resembling confidence or conviction, and it was a relief to see. She had plans, that much was obvious.

[Cascade]

Peril, to the surprise of no one, was the first to arrive to her alphess' call. She had the advantage of having been very nearby when the call rang out, but still she patted herself on the back inwardly for her superior reaction time. "Good day, Treason." She greeted, taking great pains not to show her smugness in her tone in front of the alphess. She would save her gloating for later. Peril was keeping her spirits up pretty well ever since her selfish, deadbeat, scumbag, good-for-nothing mate had up and left her and their pups without so much an explanation. She was over it, really. It was totally cool. Peril batted a fallen tree branch between her paws and imagined where she would shove it if Secunda ever had the nerve to show his face around her again. She had a couple ideas. Fortunately or unfortunately, she was almost certain that Ashling would not be attending this meeting. Her only daughter had a serious case of stir-craziness as of late, and had been taking long sojourns outside of the territory, looking for...something. Peril didn't know what, and she suspected that Ashling didn't know herself, but she had not been able to find it, whatever "it" was. Peril, on the other hand, was a wolf who could appreciate the simple pleasures. Her only grand quest in life was to be the absolute best at everything imaginable—and since she was achieving that every day, she was not a difficult wolf to keep happy.

---

The trek to the bluffs, long overdue, was complete. It had taken much longer than it used to, owing to the extra weight and the clumsy changes to her body. Perjury's endeavor with Vanitas had been a rousing success—the next generation was on its way. Treason's call rang out as she closed in on the location of the oasis, a symbol of the relationship between their two packs, and soon enough she laid eyes on Treason herself. Another wolf was there, one of the Honovi subordinates, so Perjury did not let herself fall into informality like she did when it was just the two of them alone. "Hello, Treason," she said stiffly, although she couldn't completely hide her warm regards. Her conspicuous pregnancy would surely be a topic of conversation before her departure back to the redwoods—her round belly stuck out like a sore thumb on her petite frame, giving the alphess what she personally thought was an unflattering silhouette. If she was unluckier in her coloration, she would have looked like a blueberry. But she knew that Treason would be happy for her, no matter how she appeared. And she only hoped that the Honovi would grow as well.

[Deleted]

Avalanche responded to the howl quickly, as was her duty as a subordinate. Nevertheless the small sojourn took her quite a long moment. Her quick footed steps led her through the heathland, alive with green. The dead brambles of winter were adorned with tiny, bright leaves, a few pale buds beginning to break forth from their icy slumber. Grasses flung their joyous tails into the crisp heathland wind. Wildflowers smiled up, soaking in the mild sun, spreading their vivid pigment. Avalanche blended in well, her frame slight and her turquoise, russet, and white pelt making a non-assuming figure on the horizon.

The careful shewolf thought about her entrance before she arrived at the oasis. She must be prepared to face her pack mates and Alphess graciously and respectfully. Surely this was a formal matter and not some spring festival? No, her Alphess' howl did not entitle such a celebration. Clucking her posture into place, the shewolf inserted herself into their midst.

Those in attendance were as follows:
Treason, of course. The commanding shewolf conducting the meeting. Avalanche already knew how to act around her.
Peril, Avalanche knew who she was though, admittedly, they hadn't spoken as of yet. Ava was curious to get to know her.
Perjury, She was shocked to see the Frigid Plague Alphess. She had never met the woman in person, yet she automatically knew who she was. Avalanche was a very smart, resourceful, and well informed shewolf, she knew most wolves in the valley one way or another. Well at least the major players.
Mest, he was an interesting character, not to mention good looking. But that was beside the point.
Arcane, Avalanche rather liked the shewolf, she seemed like a good ally to have.

The shewolf was surprised that the Beta, Demetrios was no where to be seen. Unfortunately her brother, Torrent, was missing as well. But he had reason. Demetrios.....she didnt quite know....

"Greetings Alphess Treason, Alphess Perjury." Avalanche stiffly bowed her self low to each Alphess respectively. She straightened and and turned away to take a seat between Arcane and Mest. Her head was high, tail relaxed, and ears pushed towards her Alphess, awaiting her word with an attentive manner. If Avalanche was to gain a higher rank, she would need to be respectful, loyal, and stand out from the rest. And as per usual, she had a plan on how to do just that.

[Gyllbane]

Her call did not go unanswered for long; Treason beamed inwardly as the first few began to trickle in, pride warming her chest. There were truly no other wolves in the Valley she'd rather weather the seasons with, and she took time to greet them each in turn.

As Peril approached, Treason gave a gentle smile and a nod of her head. "And good day to you, Peril. Punctual as ever." She knew of the wolf's competitive nature, and was happy to foster it where it was appropriate. Mest's somber arrival met with a similar greeting, and a pleased flick of her tail; she was glad they all seemed to be arriving rather quickly. She supposed she had the good weather to thank for that, too.

It was all she could not do to cast Perjury a glowing smile as the slight Alphess of their allied pack made her presence known at the oasis. It was obvious that the plans she'd laid out had come to fruition, and she made a mental note to ask her about it when they had the time. For now, formality was required, and she dipped her head respectfully to the other wolf. "Alphess Perjury. I thank you for your visit." There was an almost amused glint in her eye as she met her gaze that only Perjury might notice before it was gone, and she was moving on to the next arrivals.

She nodded to Arcane, another gentle smile gracing her lips. "As well as it can do anyone, and I hope it has been the same for you. I have you all to thank for my wellbeing."

Avalanche's addressal of Perjury by name brought her ears forward, briefly; she had not expected her packmates to be so familiar with the other Alphess, which was precisely the reason for her attendance. It would not do to let the ties weaken between the two packs, so Perjury's presence was necessary to reaffirm that bond. "And greetings to you, as well." Treason nodded respectfully, watching the young wolf as she went to take her seat.

"We will wait a while yet, so make yourselves comfortable; though I know outstanding circumstances may affect attendance, I'd like as many of the Honovi as I can gather here before I begin."

[Cascade]

Peril raised an eyebrow curiously at the she-wolf who appeared, Avalanche...she thought that was her name, at least. Peril was not antisocial, but being a mother—and an unexpectedly single one at that—had taken up most of her time that she otherwise could have spent socializing. Now that the pups were old enough that she could take her eyes off of them for five seconds without having to fear that they would fall into a ravine, she wondered if it was time to start making friends her own age.

"You're a real go-getter, huh?" she said in an aside to the she-wolf as she sat down next to her. Like nearly everything Peril said to a wolf on technically equal standing to herself, there was a tone of slight derision to it. She wasn't a mean wolf, really, just very caught up in her own hyper-competitive nature. From the perspective of, say, her alphess, Peril would probably fail to stand out as far as actual usefulness was concerned. Nevertheless, in her own opinion, she knew that she was the best. Peril was not overly interested in status—a title didn't do much for her; she preferred the freedom to explore her own talents. But she could tell that this Avalanche had visions of grandeur. "I'm Peril, Tiber and Ashling's mother." she said in a friendlier tone. "I don't think we've ever officially met."

---

Perjury was keeping an eye out for this beta that she had heard so much about, and made a mental note that he wasn't among the first to appear. A male did approach, but Perjury could tell that he was not the wolf her cousin had spoken of. The rest of the wolves who answered the call immediately were female. She cast an aside glance towards her fellow alphess; her thoughts not too difficult to suss out. But who knew? Maybe the boy was loyal as hell and was crawling his way to the bluffs on two broken legs. It wouldn't be the first time, she thought with an amused smile.

The rest of the Honovi looked well enough, but it was clear that this was not the cohesive unit it had been in its heyday. She wasn't being too judgmental, thinking about her own ragtag troupe. They could use some real structure—they all could. A tiny kick in her belly reminded her not to turn this into an extended stay. She would love to spend a few weeks with Treason and the Honovi now that the weather had taken a drastic turn for the better, but the time was drawing near, and she wanted her pups to be born on their own home soil. Not only that, but she wanted them to be born into a more united pack than she had now. A meeting of her own was in order.