03-07-2008, 05:42 PM
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Open to any and all of Phoenix’s children. Just a few months ago, the pack had assembled together inside a cave, united by near-tragedy. That night Phoenix declared that cave the pack den and instructed them to share it through the winter, at least until the danger of future avalanches seemed to pass. One by one they inevitably drifted away and returned to their own dens, until Phoenix felt like the only one there, along with his children who slept with him because they were still too young for dens of their own. But the other night Phoenix had developed an odd sense of homesickness for his own den and decided to abandon the proverbial sinking ship, though that cave would continue to be considered the “pack den” for meetings and new members who didn’t have anyplace else to sleep. Gathering up as many blankets that seemed worth keeping, Phoenix began the trek towards his original home. The river was swollen from the surplus melting snow left over from the winter, and the alpha of the lands respectfully kept his distance. Fortunately his den was just far enough from its raging boundaries to be safe. Once just a small hole in the ground, he’d expanded it over the years into a rather sizeable subterranean “Y”, with a tunnel joining his and Moon’s den. It was starting to get too small for his large brood, but Phoenix wasn’t sure if he wanted to bother expanding it yet again. Already Glider seemed to have vanished as quickly as he’d come, and soon the three remaining would be moving out to find their own homes. Despite the lack of stability or perfection, Phoenix remained optimistic. Once again change was in the air, and this time it seemed for the better. Soon he would become a grandfather—a prospect that both excited and frightened him. Old people were supposed to be grandparents. And yet his oldest daughter was pregnant. While Phoenix would welcome the newest members of his family with nothing but enthusiasm, he wasn’t sure if the pack could support any more puppies right now. They had lost half their hunting grounds in the avalanche, and right now there were barely enough adults capable of fending for themselves as it was. Once he had the blankets laid out once again in the sleeping area of his den, Phoenix crawled out and stood by the entrance, placing his hands on his hips and surveying his home. He wasn’t sure what the future held—he never did—but he remained hopeful. |