The day was concluded with a show of teeth and claws raking seamlessly through tender flesh with ample blood as the reward for the diligent hunters. The taste of the killing blow only partially soothed the growing lust for vengeance and an exacted strike upon one that had done harm to an innocent of the Ichikan lands. But it was not at all the same as actually sinking razor teeth into a lupine hide and rending it free of its putrid soul. But it would do for now…it would do.

Patiently, the wolves of Ichika no Ho-en had waited for this day to come even since they prepared for it through minor hunts to make their forms ready for the counting task. They would not be denied this engagement because of events that transpired beyond their control. In the mind of the Kozan, she felt it was best to continue on, to hunt with the wounded in spirit and make them a part of the festivities as best as they were able. Truly it was not the same, and even her mind once captivated by the ideals of the hunt was distracted by the startling event that happened not but a day ago. It was still fresh… fresh as the blood that lined her lupus lips and stained her brilliant fangs red. But in time, it too would fade, but the taste… the memory would remain permanently engraved in her mind.

But she digressed, returning to the present with a leg of an elk within her powerful jaws, dragging the carcass alongside her mate who had a portion to carry himself. The two had been successful in their hunt, providing a sizable meal for the gathering to come. Despite what weighed upon her mind and a pressing growing distraction, the hunt had been enjoyable as a small flame of nostalgia was rekindled of how the two first met; entranced by each other’s skill in the hunt as well as the pull that often overcame male and female so rightly made for each other. It had been a swift kill, but certainly not effortless. Mentally it had been a partial struggle for the golden she-wolf who had yet to get her mind wrapped around their game. Her thoughts still strayed to Kiara and the horror she had endured, as well as the anxious state of her own body. It was not until the chase of their quarry began that she was again in tune with her instincts and matters that could not be controlled became quieted by her mind. The hunting couple’s timing had been seamless from then on, their execution beautifully refined and were rewarded with a fine prize of which they now carried together deeper into the snow covered valley.

And what better place for the pack to gather than there; the open field beneath a starlit sky with all of Nature playing witness to their homage to the old ways before the civil mind overtook their kind. It would be a grand stage of white stained with the blood of success and pride, displayed by their various kills. The silence of Nature would be stirred with the glorious sounds of their feeding, their howls of success and songs to their ancestors who carried the bodies they would be adorned in with pride countless generations before they found their strength upon two legs. They would dance upon the limbs they were brought into this world with and remember what it was like to take the form of those that came before them.

The anticipation was nearly more than the Nomad could bare and before the carcass was brought to a suitable spot, she relinquished her hold of the meat and threw her muzzle into the air, sounding a call for the Ichikan’s to heed. Their time to gather had come, to again become part of a whole and pay their respects in both form and spirit. And most importantly, to come together as family. As her song faded, she turned her gaze from the night to her mate and smiled endearingly, her tail waving excitedly for the events of the celebration to unfold, and simply rejoicing in having him near. She padded to his side brushing her unclad shoulder into his flank as she waited alongside his impressive stature for the others of this growing family to show.

Words could not hope to encapsulate her excitement for the coming eve. The peak of the event drawing nigh, signaled by the growing elation in her chest, the woman was hardly able to contain herself. Umber boots pranced merrily in the snow tossing loosened flakes in her wake as she quickened her speed. She trotted over to the mate laying contently by their catch and gave his ear a playful tug meant to rise him from the ground and have his joy in her mirthful parade. But even if he would not, there would be others she was sure that would dance with her and feast to their heart’s content.

Jace and her lovely brood would be the first to arrive eliciting a joyful howl from the she-wolf as she darted over to greet then, yet nearly tripped over her own paws to stop when her favored pup Honrin opened his mouth to speak. The child could talk already? It was a wonderful achievement well rewarded by a boisterous howl from the eager woman. “Good evening to you my friends,” she sang, circling the family with a closing berth before stopping still beside the impressive pale orange brute. Her ears perked with interest as her nostrils quivered, inhaling his scent as she drew closer to his unfamiliar form. “I don’t believe I’d had the pleasure,” she spoke softly with a hint of disappointment for her lack of knowledge of him. Clearly he was of the pack for his coat was drenched in the fragrance of Ichika… but how she had not come across him all this time was beyond her. None the less, she was pleased for his presence and adorned his muzzle with a friendly kiss. “But we are glad to have you none the less.”

Then from the family’s arrival came her fellow Envoy Rendall with her own catch in tow. She noted with amusement the mess of red that stained her blue but was kind enough not to let her sights linger for long. “Rendall!” The woman spared no distance between them and came to prod the woman light in the shoulder before gracing her chin with a lick of greeting. “Good evening to you.” And it was not a moment more before the lithe form of Sage glided into their midst, her maw humorously stuffed with feathers from her quarry. She did not escape the Kozan’s greeting upon her situation in the gathering and was too endowed with a wet tongue across her cheek. Rather than repeat her worded welcome, she let the action speak for itself, waving her tail in friendly gesture.

It was not as intense a gathering as she had anticipated but it was one that brought her further joy none the less. Promptly whirling on the tips of her paws, the lead Envoy surveyed the offerings of each wolf and hybrid, taking it upon herself to coral the meats together in a pile of flesh and bone. There would be leftovers certainly perhaps enough to feed them for the days to come. But tonight was a time to engorged themselves and be merry. Restraint would be all but a fallacy not meant for their primal hearts.

Before the raised her lips to announce the beginning of their feast, she spied the shy form of Pripyat coming toward the group with no catch to display. This lowered the ears of the elated she-wolf as his absence of offering would force her to keep him from the frenzy until they were full. But it did not bring her as much sadness as the news that greeted her ears. She should have guessed the lady would want to maintain her privacy given her delicate situation and the sickness was just another aid to keep her at bay. X’yrin nodded in understanding, grateful for the young wolf’s report but none the less placed herself in front of him, brandishing her shoulder in a dismissive gesture. “I am sorry, my friend,” she lowered her voice so as not to draw unnecessary attention, though there was only so much to be hidden when it was clear to them all what he lacked. “You may join us in our feast perhaps later… but for now, please do us the honor and keep us company. We are happy to have you.” She gently nosed his cheek before turning away and resuming her central post near the meat.

X’yrin looked to each face with a nearly adorned smile, her tail again high and wagging hoping the others would receive her emanating joy and follow into merriment. “We are gathered to pay homage to our ancestors… and have donned their forms so that they may look upon as and smile with pride, knowing that we have not distanced ourselves from our origins. My friends let us sing to them with the voices they have blessed us with and call to them to be with us now. Let us again be part of that life of old and reclaim our ancestry.” The woman lifted her head without hesitation releasing a call to the Shepards of the past and bid they listen to the praises of their kin.

Her song was long and loud and flowed with ease from her delicately parted maw, but even such beauty and praise to her wandering gods was not meant to last eternally. When all her breath was expelled from her lungs she lowered her head to the gathered feast before them all. Then with a wordless command, bid that they all take part and feast. Adapting to her rank as a lead female, she plunged her muzzle into the stomach of the still intact dear provided by Jace and her family, searching the moist confines of its innards for the tender meat of its organs. Her jaws snapped around the delectable liver then wrenched it free of its chasm stringing gore across the fresh snow. With organ in maw, she left the carcass for others to feed then padded over to stand beside her equally ranked companion and friend and set the liver graciously at her paws. No words need to spoken to convey her respect trusting the act alone would suffice before returning to her mate’s side, giving others a chance to fend for themselves.