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Pack meeting! It's been forever since one of these, and it's gonna be a BIG one. Join as soon as you can, guys! ^^
It was a tempest of moods for Jefferson. Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, typhoons--any other natural disaster that could possibly be used as a metaphor for anger and frustration could very easily be used and applied to the spinning thoughts in his head and sickness in his stomach. One moment, he was stomping angry, about ready to claw eyes out and shred the nearest thing to shreds. The next minute, he withdrew to the deepest, darkest corner he could find and stared into infinity. The only mood he couldn't find was happiness. Joy. No, there was no joy for Jefferson. Not right now... not anytime soon.
He'd stumbled his way out of the cabin that morning, three-legged and gimping. There was no energy, no drive to shift that day. The Patriarch knew what had happened. He knew it had been the reason for his recent illness, for the feeling of dread that had possessed his stomach and his being for days on end. Jefferson had been happy, glad to see the pack growing and a change in faces. Deuce and Lucifer were gone, out of his hair for good. He didn't have to kill himself working with DaVinci in rank beneath him. The new members had been getting along. The Patriarch had even managed to almost adopt Addison, although he hadn't really wanted or expected to, and had grown a soft spot for her. He'd been happy as the pack's leader for the first time.
That had been torn down and shredded apart in seconds. The world was falling down. Iskata was dead.
He stood outside the cabin, leaving little Addison inside where it was warm. She didn't need to see him when he was a monster. She didn't need to see him angry, frustrated, lost. Hurt. Standing in the cold, mid-February wind, Jefferson hardly felt the nip of the breeze. There was a light flurry of snow, just enough to distract a meandering soul but not enough to force creatures into hiding from the cold. Jowls were turned to the sky, inhaled deeply, and released a horrific, demanding howl into the heavens. It had the worst reverberation; its deepest ring was angry and pained. An eerie sound over a once peaceful land. We have things to talk about, it echoed. Get your sorry asses moving. His single green eye watched the puff of breath he'd released rise and dissipate into the wind. His bad arm hung limply at his side--he still hadn't managed to find or create a new sling for it--while his other hand remained tense and fisted on the opposite side. That meeting needed to happen, and it needed to happen now.
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DaVinci had been sitting in the old cabin that his mother had claimed for herself so long ago. The scent of his children and Zana seemed to be fading too fast for the Savant, he sighed softly as he threw another log on the fire and stared into the flames as they licked at the wood, eating happily at the bark. The sub-leader hadn't spoken with Jefferson, hadn't talked to him about the run-in he'd had with Gabriel on the border or even how he'd tried to get Zana back. He knew Jefferson probably didn't want to hear about his stupid actions but DaVinci knew that their family needed to remain together.. and it hurt him to have lost another one of his girls to Inferni. He poked at the log, creating sparks in the fireplace and watching them fluttering up the chimney as the eerie call of the Patriarch settled over the lands.
The hair on the back of his neck began to rise as he pinned his ears back, wondering what in the hell had happened to where the normally quiet and moody leader would demand them out into the cold. He frowned to himself, wondering if his mother would be able to find the meeting since she'd obviously decided to head out on her own again. He rooted himself up from the warm seat and turned and walked to the door, his hand on the handle as he paused. Iskata hasn't been home for a while he realized, though she often went out lately by herself DaVinci hadn't known his mother to stay gone so long.
He felt a twinge of guilt for the argument he'd had with her about Zana days before. He'd called her things that he had never dreamed he would and had tried everything he knew to get the woman to care about the child she'd abandoned and in the end she hadn't budged. He'd left her sitting before the same fire he'd just left and that had been the last time he'd seen her. He scowled to himself and shook his head, she was probably just off hiding and sulking from her own guilt and the lecture she'd received. He knew she was a proud woman and he'd meant to be a thorn in her side thatday to try and get her to rememeber that pride. He wasn't sure if it had worked but he hoped he'd see her at the meeting atleast, then he'd know if she really was that pissed at him.
He trudged through the snow and before long he'd made his way to where Jefferson stood. He could tell by the tension in the leader that something was really wrong and DaVinci tried to meet his gaze, wondering if his stupid bantering had finally got to the other. He leaned back against the wall, "Jefferson?.." he asked cautiously, not knowing if he was about to lose his head.
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Whinnie couldn't stop smiling. Not many would know why she had this grin plastered on her face. Her meeting with him had changed her mood completly. Ever since he had come up and she had walked on him. Her ears heated at the images it brought to mind, the things that she had done with her pack mate. It had been beyond anything she had ever done before. Though the strawberry blonde women couldn't say he was a stranger after what they had done. Of course she wanted to see him again, but she refused to chase after some male like a love struck idiot. The french women rolled her blue and half green eyes thinking to herself. It had sure as hell been pleasurable. A devious grin came to her lips as she walked in the light snow.
The sound of Monsieur Jefferson howl rose in the grey skies. Whinifred's ears perked the the sound of the males call. "What makes your howl so sad monsieur?" Whinifred whispered to herself. Shrugging she picked up a fast paced lope moving with grace her short legs carrying her far with her speed on her side, instead of a long stride. So many things were in her mind at the moment, the thought of a pack meeting made her stomach roll. If he ignored her around other wolves the french women wouldn't be surprised. Her last mate had done that to her, but luckily she had killed him with the rest of her pack, he had deserved it the most.
Slowing her pace when she came onto the cabin where Monsieur Jefferson and DaVinci stood. Whinifred smirked. Both were of the same mold, even if the couldn't see it themselves. Walking forwards her small frame nothing compared to the two males, not that the french women cared. She was strong and she knew it, even though she was tall. Letting her eyes move to Jefferson. Her grin dropped from her face and a serious look came over her young and beautiful features. "Bonjour Monsieur Jefferson and DaVinci." She said looking between the two. The female only hoped they didn't mention the smell on her coat of him.
OOC:: Him= Lysander  ]]
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Another day was passing slowly through the Phoenix Valley and Elain was wandering aimlessly, wishing for flowers. Day after day had been passing, her body and soul improving and growing stronger. She loved the feeling of belonging, even though she was still rather unknown to most of the pack. Eh, soon enough I'll meet them all. She had been meeting them by and by as time crawled forward.
A howl rent the air. Full of sadness, she heard Jefferson's voice. While she didn't know him well, he had shown her loads of confidence and niceness at a time when she hadn't been fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of these emotions. Her small connection to him amplified to the fact she had met him first and longed to meet the others of her pack spurred her in the direction of his voice.
In her halfling form she ran, sprinting towards the pain in his voice she heard so clearly. What was so horrific to make him sound this way? Entering the area where those already there were assembled, she noticed two males and a female. The males she recognized as Jefferson adn DaVinci, but she didn't know the female. Quietly, she took a place near the others, not wanting to interrupt their conversations.
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Lazily the male hoisted himself up from the floor of the cabin he had decided to stay in, at least for the previous night. Unlike many of the other cabins it was devoid of any furniture, having been emptied before the humans had been wiped out and never refurnished, but that was part of what gave it charm. The steel colored husky liked being the only object in the enclosed room, it gave him lots of room to think. As he thought he imagined the ideas running from his head, leaking into the air, filling up the room. And Lysander thought a lot, pretended a lot too, there really wasn’t any room for furniture in the cabin. If permitted, he might just keep it for the rest of his time in Phoenix Valley, which he hoped would be a long time.
The call startled him, and with a roll of his eyes he stood, two legged, and shook himself out. The hollow did not sound as if it belonged to DaVinci, and the male was excited to see who besides the hybrid ran this pack. It did not take long between exiting the cabin and finding the small group of wolves, two male and two female, two familiar faces and two strangers. With a look of concern and worried eyes, Lysander gave the most respectful bows to the two males, knowing DaVinci was one leader and deducing that the unknown male was the other. Despite his appearance, Lysander was calm on the inside, if not a little giddy.
Settling himself cross legged a bit apart from the females, but not aligning himself with the males he prepared to wait for any other members to show. In no way did he acknowledge Whinifred, but he let his eyes linger a little too long on the other female, his expression was merely that of curiosity, but Whinifred probably knew better. She knew what he was capable of, but Ly didn’t care. He could be anyone or anything he wanted, and he could get others to play along. Life was all just one long game after all.
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A loud howl that seemed of Jefferson in origin interrupted Pendzez in his around the paddock work. Moving hay was pretty tiring, but work was work. Jefferson was very demanding with his howl. He wanted everyone to come to his home because there was some talking to be done. A pack meeting. Haven't had one in a while. Wonder what this one could about. He knew that Lucifer left, but what about Noah and Iskata. Pendzez hasn't seen any of them lately. What happened to them?
Dropping what he was doing, Pendzez walked out of the barn, closing the door behind him. Making his way onto the path, the white wolf made his way to the meeting point. Mabye the hybrid Patriarch could shed some light on things about Noah and Iskata. Pendzez wondered if Allegro would be there too. He hoped that she would. Mabye the new recruits would be there too. Well, they would have to be.
The sight of the Patriarch, the Savant, and the new guys came into the white wolf's view. Looking at the hybrid, Pendzez could see that there was something on is mind. What was it, Pendzez didn't know. Mabye that's what he's going to say to the pack. Mabye it even has something to do about Iskata and Noah. "You called?" Pendzez said calmly.
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Post order will go as seen so far. Any other members who haven't posted can join in anytime, and post order will be rearranged as such.
One by one, they came. DaVinci was first, unsurprisingly, and although the one-eyed Patriarch said nothing when he arrived, it was obvious that the silver-furred subleader had already sensed something was amiss. Elain, Whinifred. Shortly thereafter the husky-looking stranger he hadn't yet had the displeasure to meet. Jefferson gave DaVinci a questionable look when Lysander arrived and was met with a similar look of acknowledgment, thus the hybrid was put at ease. Pendzez was last, casual and unsuspecting as always. While internally pleased to see even the newer members of the pack arrive when called, the stormclouds in his mind had yet to disperse. Faces were still missing, but there was no time to wait for the irresponsible. He might've expected more out of Allegro, out of Pepe. Perhaps they would still show their faces, perhaps not. They'd miss what they'd miss.
He was gruff, stolid. The Patriarch's voice was low and grim, going through the necessary introductions only because they were expected of him. "Thanks for getting here promptly," he said darkly, single green eye slowly overlooking them all, one by one. "There are new faces here and a couple missing. Introductions can come later. We have more important things to discuss beforehand." He eyed Whinifred and Lysander, already suspecting something unsaid between them simply by the looks they gave each other.
Jefferson straightened his back and wore an air of stiff authority, presence completely devoid of any joy or leisure. He began to list off topics in the most uncaring and neutral way possible, as if just to simply get through them and over with. "In case you don't already know, Deuce Rhiannon has left. She will not be joining us again. DaVinci is my second in command, so what we say goes." A pause. "Wanderers at the borders should be stopped and questioned. You'll summon myself or DaVinci if they want to stay here. Simple enough. There is a pup under my care named Addison D'Angelo; she is inside resting at the moment. If any of you hear of a wolf named Deidre, you will report to me immediately." Not much further needed to go into that.
A long, dreaded pause ensued thereafter. He swallowed the lump in his throat, clenched his good fist, and kept his eye looking straight ahead. "Iskata Sadira is dead," was the last thing on the list.
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Pepe scrambled from the barn when he heard a howl pierce the air. He had been trying to wake himself up for a long while, but the cold made him think twice. The loft of the barn was warm and the straw was soft. He had been exhausted, up the night before wandering around. He had familiarized himself with the new packland at great lengths. He had not seen his mother for some while, but honestly had been avoiding seeing her for a while.
He couldn't get the image of Zana in the fireplace out of his head. And now Zana was gone. No matter how frantically he tried to find, he had had no luck. No one had, as far as he knew. And Iskata had been inconsolable. There was nothing anyone could say or do to change her mind. Everyday she was more and more withdrawn. He found it painful. It was like looking at a black and white version of a rainbow. He remembered her as technicolor and vibrant. Now she was little more than white noise in the background.
The white wolf arrived late to the meeting. He ducked his head when he saw Jefferson on the porch. He stood a little behind everyone else, sheepish to be found late. He arrived just as Jefferson was going over the list of news items. He recalled Deuce and how he had met her at the barn, and her little girl Willow. Why would she leave?
The last bit of information left him speechless. His mouth dropped opened. He just stood and stared, blue eye affixed to the one-eyed wolf. He had to be lying. It had only been a few days...he had seen her. He had planned to see her later today. How in the world had this happened?
DaVinci had been watching the packmembers showing up and a frown had crossed his maw as he realized that a few were missing before Jefferson had begun to speak. He hoped that they were just caught somewhere a distance away and would be running late, but it still didn't look good for them none the less. His stormy orbs looked over each and every one of the faces as Jefferson spoke once more of the departure of Deuce, which had bristled both males and yet life had moved on. He had taken her departure with a sour note but in the edge he didn't care, she'd just shown her true colors and had stripped herself of the mask she'd worn for so long.
His ears flicked back and forth as he listened with half a heart at the everyday things that Jefferson had begun to go over, his mind still wondering why the male was so tense over common everyday news that rumor would have sent around in the end. His eyes turned back to the male as he frowned, and yet it seemed before the hybrid was about to figure out what was next the PAtriarch let lose with a shot straight to his heart. DaVinci couldn't help as the fur along his neck and spine bristled as he growled softly to Jefferson. "What happened..." He wasn't going to waste tears and his own heartache before the pack once more. Jefferson was the only one left who had seen the Savant lose everything the first time they'd thought they were going to lose the Matriarch.
The words barely left his lips as he caught sight of the younger white male that Iskata had adopted approaching the packmeeting. His ears pinned back as he saw the distraught across Pepe's face. DaVinci didn't know what to say or even how to remain strong. His mother could not be dead. She'd lived beyond death time and time again... His eyes broke free from Pepe's as he asked bitterly. "Jefferson, are you sure.." His eyes seemed to beg the male to lie to them but in his heart and by the sight of the form of the Patriarch before him he knew there was no mistaking. Iskata was Iskata and there was not another who resembled the woman. He swallowed hard as his head hung low, not wanting to accept what was making his heart bleed a weep once more.
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Whinifred watched as people arrived. The female that came was quite and simple looking. It made Whinifred feel more at ease to be with a female among the group. Not because she felt akward around the males, but more because she wanted to blend in and listen, observe as closely as she could. While others showed so did Lysander. Whinnie hadn't expected much from him. He would have to stop playing his game, and for some reason Fred had a feeling he liked his game. It was fine by her. All it meant was she knew how to irritate him if he got on her nerves to much. Her eyes followed to where his was looking, seeing his eye were on the other female.
It didn't bother her in the least. She knew where she stood with the male, and as she saw it he had given her something. Whinifred was sure he would be happy to get some again. It was far from her mind. When Jefferson spoke it was a common news, though it seemed terse and like it was heading towards something bad. When the bad did finally come it didn't pertain to Whinifred. She hadn't know this Iskata, though she wished she could have meet the women before her death. The sadness that passed over the wolves around her was stomach turning. So much sorrow from these wolves, it made Whinifred wish she could releave them of their pain.
"I'm sorry to those who have lost someone close to them today." Whinifred said gently. She didn't know how to adress the problem. In her own pack they would have a giant night celebration for the dead, telling tales of when they were with the person or remembering things about them. Then the singer of the pack would sing their soul to the heavens. They probably wouldn't appreciate talking about it or taking in a new tradition, but if one didn't speak one wouldn't know. "Monsieur Jefferson. I know of a tradition that may ease the pain if all is interested?" Her voice was not timid as she asked.
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All was silent, except for the faint sound of pawsteps padding quickly across the ground. Allegro Aston was running from the place where she had been scouting to the location where the pack meeting was taking place. She was obviously quite a bit late and wanted to hurry. It was her first official pack meeting and didn't want to blow it by taking her sweet time getting there.
Allegro could now see the wolves in the distance. The young wolf quickened her pace, only to find herself falling on her face. She tumbled over her front legs, rocketing herself a few good feet. She landed with a grand thud, dirt and grass covering her face. She was now over a good seven minutes late and didn't bother to clean herself. Allegro ran on. Only a little bit of the junk covering her face fell off.
Once Allegro reached the place where the rest of Phoenix Valley were, she heaved a sigh of relief. "I'm s-sorry I'm so l-late." Allegro managed between breaths. She sat down, finally resting after running for a few minutes.
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Only one more joined them before the male, who didn’t introduce himself but made it clear he was the one in charge, began his speech. The names he said, Deuce Rhiannon and Iskata Sadira, meant nothing to him and though the talk throughly bored the male he kept a respectful face on. Deidre was a wolf to keep his eyes peeled for, and for some reason he hoped he’d be the first to cross her path. It would be like a treasure hunt, all of Phoenix Valley on the look out and he’d be the winner when he turned her into the one eyed gimp. Of course, he doubted he’d get a prize, but the fun he could have in the mean time would throughly make up for that. The speech was finished and Ly said nothing, he had nothing of importance to add.
Yet this was the fun part, watching the other’s reactions. Unfortunately they were repeatedly interrupted by late arriving members. First the younger wolf, who caught the speech or at least enough of it and Lysander watched as his face fell. Still he kept a reserved face that hinted at none of the mental games he was playing with all of them. DaVinci too took the news badly, and verbally as he was the first to question the news. Lysander wanted to snicker at the reactions of the others, he knew that they did not wish to believe the news, but he doubted the one eyed leader was playing any sort of joke on them, he too seemed upset.
Whinifred, like himself, was unaffected and for the first time during the meeting he allowed his eye to meet hers as she spoke. The female was so much more tactful than he and he had to commend her for saying the words he couldn’t be bothered. Of course, she probably meant them, if he had said them, they would just be another silly game. More lines for a out of work actor. His attention snapped from the female to the last late arriving member, and Lysander smiled at the girl who seemed to have arrived so late she was out of the loop.
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Pendzez heard about what Jeffers had to say. Deuce had left. He knew about that. Then there was something about a pup in Jeffers care. Wow, a pup. Went Pendzez talked to DaVinci about the future, Pendzez was kidding around about Jefferson having a pup or pups. However, look at him now. He is looking after pup named Addison. Pendzez didn't give any expression of a laugh matter, but in his mind, he was laughing.
He looked around and saw that Allegro came by. Goodie. Pendzez was expecting that the female would turn up at this pack meeting. Well, it was a 'pack' meeting. The whole pack would have to be here. With swift eyes, he kept moving his eye sight from Allegro to Jeffers then back and forth between the hybrid and the female.
There was silence from everyone at the words of Iskata is dead. The white wolf seemed to be paralyzed by the words. His heart was filling with sorrow, so much that it could bleed. His soul was full of sadness. Why did't he see this coming. He saw Iskata a few times, though he didn't really talk to her. She always seemed a bit under the weather, but not this far. Pendzez covered his face with his hands for a few seconds, then ran the through hair to the top of his head.
Also, who was this Deidre wolf that Jeffers was speaking about? Was s/he dangerous in anyway? Was s/he a trouble maker? "Is this Deidre dangerous?" he said softly, but wth sorrow. His heart was completely filled with sorrow because of Iskata's passing.
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ooc
She had been sleeping inside the house for most of the day, and hadn't stirred at all since she'd put her head down on the cushion. Addison had been pretty sick, having trouble keeping food and water down. She didn't know if it was the change in diet or some other outside source that was making her feel sick. It had started a few days ago, and so far she wasn't feeling any better.
The sound of voices brought her out of her sleep, and she shook her head a few times to clear away the feeling of tiredness as she rose up from the cushion. She stretched her body out, her front paws sliding out in front of her, then jumped down onto the floor. Her stomach felt a little queasy, but she hadn't eaten anything yet and she didn't feel like she was going to throw up. She nosed at the front door when she reached it, trying to get out to where the voices were. After a few moments of scratching it opened, and she came out onto the porch.
The sight of all of the wolves there was unexpected; she had heard the voices, but hadn't connected it to the idea that there would be others there. Others who she didn't know. The girl gave a small squeak, her head turning quickly from side to side, searching for Jefferson. He was near and she went to stand behind him, burying her nose deep into whatever fur she could find and closing her eyes.
She peeked out from behind him, looking at the other wolves and then hiding her face again. Once she got to know everyone it would be different...but right now she was still a little tired, sick, and just wanted to be comforted."Mama...isch no dangerous" She said quietly.
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If your characters want to depart at this point, you have my and Jefferson's permission. XD
In a way, despite the news and mood that he had brought upon them, it was still somewhat... nice to see them all together. His single green eye glanced silently among them, drinking up each and every emotion and reaction that they'd thrown back at him. Pepe's timing couldn't have been have worse; the boy could have been thrown off his feet from such a blow, had it been materialized. Jefferson watched him carefully, despite still knowing very little about the boy, and noted his reaction as he compared it to DaVinci's. The subleader managed to keep his temper and emotions in line, one way or another, but the silver-furred Savant was bristling at all ends. The Patriarch found no immediate words of response; he hadn't seen her body, he hadn't heard any rumors, he just... knew. When she'd suddenly disappeared, he'd known. All it took was a couple days' absence of the former Matriarch to cue him such knowledge--the woman had been so dedicated to her lands that she could not bear it on her own soul to be gone for so long. That, and nor had she found her way to meet with them, even at Jefferson's calling. The sound of his howl would have sent her running, blind or not, and she would have somehow beaten them all there. That was just how the woman had worked.
Whinifred mumbled something, but the Patriarch hardly had the interest in whatever it was she'd said. "Later, when everyone's calmed down." The one-eyed brute replied, a slight gentleness within his stern voice due only to the sheer emotions that flooded through them all. His eye then turned to DaVinci, shaking his head. "She never came home," he said simply. Surely, the subleader would know everything behind that statement... every reason as to why it was the complete truth. It was then that the fur at his legs was somehow ruffled, drawing his attention away as Pendzez posed the next question. The Patriarch bent down on a knee and scooped up the girl in his arm, again balancing her fragile little frame there without the use of his other arm, still caught in its sling over his chest and stomach.
"I don't believe so," he said grimly, straightening back up and turning his green-eyed gaze to the white-furred male. "I doubt she's related to Iskata's incident at all. She's this one's mother... I don't know where she is." He glanced down at Addison briefly, frowning and shaking his head a little in a silent scolding for wandering outdoors despite her illness. A sigh and a second later, he turned to his packmates again and nodded his head in a gentle dismissal. They were all handling tragedy--there was no reason to keep them there. "That's the news... If you need to go, go."
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