[html] http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j40/k ... efinal.png);background-repeat: no-repeat; padding-bottom:140px; background-position: bottom center;">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. | [/html]
[html]  More people should definitely join :]
There was still snow on the ground, and some days even more of it fell from the sky. She didn't know how the sky could hold so much of it up in there...and why it ran out when spring came. The idea of a water cycle, of precipitation and condensation and evaporation, was too advanced for her to really grasp yet. She was trying to understand the weather more and more, slowly gaining knowledge from the books that she read.
Dierdre had started working on the blanket for the little ones--it was about the size of a towel right now. With some time, it would get bigger and bigger.
Her bow hung over one shoulder, swaying back and forth as she walked. It wasn't often that she went by Phoenix's old den, but she'd already been to the family den and hadn't found him there. She had a pretty good nose...she'd managed to follow him over to here. She had been wanting to run an idea past him, something she'd been thinking about ever since their talk in the city.
[/html]
[html]
The old den had always been a haven for young Ember when she was younger, and as she grew older with age this feeling only deepened. That ship Phoenix had declared the official pack den only brought on bad memories of the avalanche not too long ago... Anything was better than hanging around there, remembering the fear and pain she had experienced. It had an impact on her life in a dramatic way, maybe for the good, and she wasn't so quick to be as adventurous to play around with nature as she had before. Now an older, teenage nearing girl, she had set out to explore the Storm lands, taking in as much memory as she could hold. Curiosity was a child's main ingredient, and she was no different then any other. Plus, she wanted to show her father that she was useful for something, and what would be better than to discover some big secret no one knew about? So as she awoke that morning, the ebony ball of fur set off. She turned over every rock she could manage, and dug up plenty of worthless snow holes. Ember hadn't known what she was looking for.. But her impatient childlike mind tired of this quickly, and so she made her way back toward the den.
On the way home, she noticed her father, standing there by the den entrance. Was he mad that she had left earlier, or was there some sort of meeting coming about? Either way, Ember kicked into action and dashed toward the front, a smile plastered on her face. "Daddy!" Was all she needed to yell as she rose, her weight shifting to her hind legs. She attempted to wrap her front paws around her father's leg as in embrace, always excited to see her father again. Her head turned as she realized her other sister, Deirdre was also there. Her being the older sibling, Ember never really got the chance to hang out with her too much. It was candy for the young girl's eyes, and she wagged her tail in response to the sight of her. "Hiyas Dierdre! I weally missed ya."
[/html]
[html]
indent Icarus had shifted only a few times now, but already he was becoming more comfortable with the transition. Sure, it still took him quite some time, but he found the prospect of the whole thing intriguing. With this new ability came his new rank, and with his new rank came the knowledge that he was maturing. Despite his love of life and exploration, Icarus was now becoming more interested in growing up. He had been advised to cherish his youth, but it was hard to take that advice when he had yet to experience adult hood.
indent In the old city, the very place he shifted for the first time, Icarus had discovered old human clothes. A pair of blue jeans, a little snug for his body, hung around his hips. A small hole was ripped in one knee as well as on the adjacent thigh. Either way, Icarus found the clothing as another form of expression – something to complement the ear piercing he had received not too long ago.
indent He hadn’t really had the intentions of wandering home, but his daily exploration of Storm happened to take him by the river. Seeing both his sisters and his father outside of their old den, Icarus paused to take in the scene. With a broad smile, he advanced towards his family. Life had been good ever since his father had regained his strength. "Mornin’ everyone!" He called out, tucking one hand absentmindedly into a front pocket.
[/html]
|
