It's Come to This
#1
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ooc: This is a mandatory pack thread to get everyone on the same page with what is going on with Ichika. The date is set for the 20th. If any members are absent during this time because of travelling or festival reasons, please oocly assume that when they return X'y will meet with them personally and explain what has happened/will happen. The first round will end Feb. 27th. No posting order.

Date: Feb. 20th/ Sunset
Form: Optime



Selfishly, she had put off this arrangement for far too long. Now looking back on the time that had passed, she would have done better to speak to the whole of Ichika initially instead of letting the situation linger in the hopes that it would resolve itself. She was foolish in that regard, to trust that how she was known among her packmates would dictate what was to follow for her. They had known she was made the subleader of their home, entrusted to watch them in the stead of their Ryu. But with their absence the right had fallen to her and even with the bequeathed responsibility, she did not feel she was any more or any less that what she had been.

But this was not the case. Circumstances had changed, her outlooks now held merit and she stood in the place of where Ichika’s founding members once resided. But such a change had not been taken smoothly by all and it hurt her to see whom it affected.

Her relationship with Ichika as a whole was still new and budding, yet not as novel as her relationship of the young Saul Stormbringer and his son. It was a tentative bond still in its forging stage prematurely set and incomplete before anything could come from it. For the sake of her mate and attempting to form that bond of family, she had tried to better understand his views and in her own clumsy way, attempted to fill the role of friend. But in essence they were different people and though she was not pleased with his decision to leave, she could understand his reason for it. She looked to him not as a son nor friend, but as a wolf who had yet to achieve what he desired out of his life and felt the need to search for it. His offer to continue to communicate was taken kindly and with assurance the do the same, but in her heart she did not feel the pain of his leaving…merely a discomfort that kept her eyes away from him until he embraced her then was gone. She could not imagine the pain endured by her mate, whom had regarded the young male as his son and he his father.

And what was more were the two others that chose to pursue a purpose that Ichika could not fulfill. Though she did not know them well, the Nomad knew the pair to be an essential part of the history of the packs, a reminder of the past shared by the combining families of Dahlia and Phoenix. She was troubled to see them leave, but not upset. It would have been selfish to feel that the cause of this was her own doing. And yet, she could not escape the feeling. And it was this that pulled her from the recess of her den, from her craft and her silent wallowing to take strike toward the residences to the northern most of the territory where both her training ground and stage waited to be set and filled with the presence of their remaining Ichikan audience.

She walked down the subtle slopes of the area to take her place at its center. Her form was held tall, adorned with the wares that proved her right as a warrior to her own people and to those of this loss stricken family. Though the precedence of this moment was great, she did not call for her companion to comfort her and let him ride the radiant hues of the eve as the sun nearly slipped below the horizon. But his presence was there to be implied. His feathers were worn through her woven mane of a single, long braid with several accenting the furred shoulder on her right and within the many tails that hung from it. Her wild bangs remained as they were, obscuring her eyes from view and shrouding the world in a comforting red veil… the color that reminded her of her Shepard- her father, from whom she drew great strength especially in this moment. What would he say, if he say her now, she wondered. Would he smile that she now sat upon a height that mirrored his own, or would he be disappointed that this height was achieved without first walking down the Shepard’s road?

She waited upon her stage with the air still silent save for the gentle breath of the winds. She needed a moment of composure… of calm… of reclaimed conviction before she tilted her muzzle to the air and called for her brethren to gather and heed her words.


774 words.

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#2
Fatin had actually spent a lot of time in the mountains mediating, at times with Asad but usually alone. It allowed her to clear her head and it was starting to show her where things were going with her trusted guard. She had started to realize that she had some strong feelings towards him, but not quite love. And time on the mountain had shown her that she loved him. She was not yet ready to tell him that she loved him. She still wanted to enjoy freedom even if she knew that that was not possible.

This was one time when she had accepted his offer to come with her to mediate on the mountain. Asad was able to settle in right away but Fatin on the other hand was finding it very difficult to concentrate on anything besides the man beside her. She wanted to reach over and kiss him and maybe do more, all while telling him how she truly felt towards him. He seemed to sense that she was having trouble because he kept glancing over at her with concern in his eyes.

But she was saved from discussing anything or from suffering more by the call of X’yrin. She had heard that the woman had been made a subleader but she didn’t think that meant she could call for a pack meeting. Fatin looked at Asad to see if he had any idea what was going on but he simply shrugged and headed down the mountain. She followed and the two of them arrived at the meeting area, the first to arrive. They both gave respectful nods towards the subleader and then waited for others to arrive so they could learn what was going on.
#3
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WC: 340 OOC: Depressed Eclipse is depressed.... and dude i did this in like five minutes I AM AMAZED!!!


If Xy’rin had been struck hard by the leaving of Saul it was nothing compared to what had happened to Eclipse when he told her he was leaving. She refused to say a word for she knew she would cry out and beg him to stay. He had been a father to her when hers was absent and had brought her here. He was all that she connected to these lands now that she could not seek council with Naryu, Jace was far too busy with her pups and she knew little of those that now lived in Ichika. It did not feel as much a home as she had once let it feel. Especially now when she felt the empty void of her cousin now gone, to find whatever it was he wanted to find. Sighing at the call she would find her way to her new leader and give her the normal gestures that were required of the young girl, putting her hands together and saying “Nameste” to Xy’rin. It seemed that only one other had joined in, so she had neither been late nor early.

That was all she said however for she was feelign down, and knew that with more words she would probably end up screaming at someone. Her rage that yet another family member had deserted her. Her father, then her mother, now Saul. Who else would abandon her to the cruel world she was beginning to see with more open eyes? She did not look her leader, nor anyone in the eyes and waited for what the woman had to say. She didn’t have any idea what it was about but could think that it might have something to do with her cousin leaving, or brought upon by it. In any case she would try her best to keep her tears dry and not sob like a little puppy that missed her mom. She was far too old and far too experienced with this situation, though it made it no easier.
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#4
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WC:309+ - Scary Jace is scary XD


Despite the red that stained her coat, despite the jagged wounds upon her sides, despite the teeth marks upon her muzzle and long clawing lines that interrupted the snowy hue of her neck, despite the front left paw that was held high from the ground and the painful breaths taken every time she hopped forwards upon her good leg; in spite of all this she came. Drips of crimson dotted the slushy snow as they were shaken from her body by its movement and Jace endured. Her head was held high even with her wounds prominently displayed and she dared any with her fiery eyes to try to challenge her for her rank at this time. Injury did not equate to weakness.


She bore her suffering and pain with pride for she had saved two lives in the process of receiving them, two innocent souls spared from agony and a fatal encounter. The secui formed woman came forwards at a slow limping gait and was surprised that she was only the third to attend. It had taken her long enough to cross the valley and reach this point. Neither a whimper nor a yelp of discomfort passed her blood splattered maw. If any enemy of hers were to look into her eyes at that moment they would see their own deaths waiting for them at her hands. The blood that matted her fur was dried and tacky but the red that ran in this rovers from her ribs and her nose were wet infusing the air with its coppery scent.


At that moment she felt nothing, no flicker of emotion, she was as a true warrior should be. The woman, for all her small size was imposing and intimidating with her form splashed vivid sunset and the wild gleam to her eyes, scarred and wily like any seasoned fighter would be.


Image courtesy of Hermés@Flickr; Table by the Mentors!

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#5
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WC:770

Pain was something flowed through him like wild fire, his right arm laid in a sling, having a broken collar bone to go along with the stiches and swelling associated with it. It was an enduring pain, making the most trivial matters of walking, sitting up, turning, breathing absolutely painful. His soul needed healing as badly as his body, but it wasn’t the only thing that had pained him in as many such days. For the second time he felt an awful pang of loss and he wasn’t taking it well. The Dahlian male had known Nayru and Saul since they were but mere puppies much like Jace’s young ones. He supposed it was only natural for Saul to leave and try to find his own path; at least he had come to him, had inspected those wounds this day and treated him before he left.


It was the first time the proud man had seen firsthand how skilled he had become with his healing talents. And pride had swelled in him just as the hurtful pang of his leaving started to swell within him. There wasn’t much the tall giant of a man could have done, if without injury he would have been able to grab, hold and keep him physically from leaving, but that would have only driven him away from him in a most harming way. No he had let him go, unable to really vocalize just how he wished him to remain. His thoughts had turned to his mate, and as much as he wanted to blame it on Saul not thinking her a great leader he knew it wasn’t the case. Just that the identity of Ichika had left with Razakiel and Nayru, and now it seemed they were at a cross roads. X’yrin could have used Saul around, his presence a much brighter bastion of light and giving than his own, and a better man. Which is what made the loss that much more unbearable to him.


She had left the den sometime before he had heard her call, she hadn’t told him what she was going to do, and today she had been distant to him after Saul. And he paused a moment, pain and the hurt of the soul sought to keep the man from attending. But pity wasn’t something he wanted, to be pitied because he couldn’t attend the Alpha’s call from injuries he had sustained, or pitied because of the loss he had sustained earlier in the day. No the warrior was determined to go, even if he showed up later than most to his mates call. It seemed he wouldn’t go alone, the little owl that X’y had given him had showed up and flown around his head a few times before choosing to thankfully land on his good shoulder. It chirped and demanding a bit of attention but he could only turn his head and let out a soft click of his teeth, no claw could be brought up from his right side to stroke his beak.


Saluce sat out, his feet carrying him along the mountains and valleys, it took a while. His injuries prevented him from rushing downward to meet her. But he knew she would understand his late arrival. Upon the ground he finally arrived, his blues studying the wolves that had already arrived. Saluce decided to stay near the back. His gaze fell on his mate, finding her fiery mane a glow against her subtle earthly hues. Blues then fell on the woman named Jace. Apparently she had had some run in with someone lately, her form was pelted with injuries and gore, either her own or from someone else's. But he kept his thoughts as to her alarming state to himself, wearing the gore of a fight wasn't something he cared to see but this was his mates meeting and so his eyes turned from Jace back to X'y as he waited for her to speak..


Image courtesy of Frau Böb@Flickr; table by the Mentors!

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#6
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OOC Laughs

Dalgina and Keldava had been wrestling in the house when the call came. Well, it was more like Keldava was pouncing on Dalgina and Dalgina was doing her best to get her tingla back by chewing on her ear, nose, and whatever part of Keldava happened to be closest to her mouth. With both of them rolling around the sound had startled the pups. Keldava had sat up, prompt with excitement. Dalgina was more slow on the uptake, wondering what the fuss was about. It didn't sound like it had when Saluce had called for them to help him, and it was X'yrin calling this time.

Keldava immediately sprung for the door. It's a pack meeting! Dubious Dalgina stared after her before the words sunk in. Tail wagging in a frenzy she darted after her sister. Both had hit a growth spurt, leaving Dalgina rather uncomfortable on her legs, though Keldava seemed to manage them just fine-despite the various spills, trips, and collisions she had. They arrived at the meeting to the terrifying sight of Mahn, covered in blood. Cowering down behind Keldava Dalgina whimpered, looking around for someone to explain what had happened to make Mahn so hurt. Keldava let out a little growl, unhappy anyone had touched her talnala.

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000+

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#7
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Damn you and your ninja posting Bria! XD

A red furred ear twitched as the smooth sound of a distant echo met it, the rest of Neela's body remaining stock still and focussed on its task. The howl also had the effect of startling the rabbit that Neela was currently staring down, causing both rabbit and dog to spring forwards in a flurry of motion that left Neela panting, but with her now dead lunch clutched firmly in her mouth.


Hunting done Neela let herself puzzle out the howl that she had just heard. The howl was of the kind typically used to gather the pack for meetings but strangely it had been X'yrin, not Nayru or Razekiel. Despite this being rather unusual X'yrin was still high enough in the rankings to make such a call legitimately so Neela dutifully started off towards the sound, thick Secui form legs propelling her quickly through the undergrowth as twigs and leaves bounced off the wiry growth of fur that accompanied this form.


As Neela began to approach the source of the howl her confusion grew. While there were several scents bunching together those of Ichika's two leaders were conspicuously absent. Still rather confused Neela made her way out of the trees towards the gathering, slowing to a trot and slipping down into her slimmer Lupus form as she walked into view, the change just finishing as she crossed the open ground between the trees and the assembled canines.


The mood was rather grim at the gathering, with none of the assembled canines talking. Neela scanned over the over the few people assembled and noticed that many of them appeared upset for some reason, especially a young brown female that she had never seen before. Just as Neela was about to move forward she caught sight of somebody that she hadn't seen before and her heart skipped a beat in shock.


Jace was an absolute mess, cuts and blood littered her fur and one leg was held off the ground, obviously injured. What worried Neela more was Jace's expression, a cold, distant look that likely had something to do with her appearance.


Worried Neela quickly threaded her way through the assembled wolves, coming to rest by Jace's side, dropping her rabbit between the two in a silent offer to share as she sat down beside the three toned woman. Two of the woman's pups were crouched nearby, Dalgina crouched behind a tan and brown puppy that Neela was less familiar with but recognised as Keldava. Neela flicked her tail towards the pups as she sat, the appendage skimming their ears gently in a comforting gesture.


Tilting an ear to make sure that nothing had started yet Neela sent a quiet, multi-toned whine towards Jace, expressing both her sadness and curiosity at her friends condition. Neela didn't speak; it seemed wrong somehow with the general quietness of the gathering. Keeping one ear slightly tilted in-case Jace answered her Neela directed her attention towards X'yrin, wondering what the golden woman had called them here for.

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#8
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b'aaawwww, slightly drunk-post written last night...lol. <3

Since she'd heard of her father's parting, Sage had not been well. She had holed herself up imside of her ranch house on that first night, sobbing herself to sleep. The Ma-tzu had come here for him, after all (among other things), and his abandonment had hit her hard. Maybe she should have expected it after his disappearance when she was a child, but she jsut did not understand. Nayru was gone now, too, leaving the pack to Xy'rin, a woman that Sage had great respect for, but nevertheless one she knew little of. She couldn't imagine ichika without her father and his bi-colored friend. Nothing would be the same, but she had nowhere else to go.


Sage thought of Barrett then, and his commune of friends outside of Halifax. She could join them, she supposed, but really she wanted nothing more than to enjoy the life she had left Inferni for. She had pledged herself to Ichika, and despite it's semi-troubled state, it was a pack with morals in line with her own. Although Xy'rin and Saouce were more hardened than she, it was not something she held against them. Sage understood that violence could sometimes be unavoidable, although she would avoid it as best she could. She was the Ma-tazu for a reason; fighting was not her forte, as her brief training with Ezekiel proved. Even those thoughts saddened her. She was in an odd state that could not be avoided, despite her attempts. The coyote had almost left to follow her father, but she knew she would not find him. Whether he purposefully left his tracks hidden, or whether she was just an awful sleuth, Sage couldn't tell, but she knew that it would be a near impossible feat, so she wouldn't bother. The last time she had tried, after all, she'd broken her arm. An unsuccessful venture, despite the presence of her sisters.


She had yet to visit Clover in Salsola, but Sirius had promised her safety, so she tried not to worry with so much elseon her mind. China, though, she had not seen in months. For her, she worried truly.


Sage refused to allow her concerns to become visible to her packmates, though; they were grieving as well, she knew. When Xy'rin issued the call, Sage had left immediately, finding her stallion waiting for her outside, as if he knew.


Her expression was somber as she rode up, but she greeted her packmates with the most honest smile she could muster through her despair. Dismounting, she gathered beside the Yakuso Jace, nodding a friendly greeting to the doggish woman. Quickly her expression turned to concern, though, as she noticed fresh dripping wounds covering the woman's body. What has happened? her face read, but she dared not ask yet. Xy'rin stood at the front, and Sage turned glazed ambers towards her, waiting for her words, any words, ready to cling to whatever knowledge of her father, of Nayru, and of Ichika that the woman would share. Palms together, Sage offered a brief bow of greeting their newly appointed Tenryu, but she said nothing, choosing to wait in silence.


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#9
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ooc: The real point of the meeting hasn't started yet. This round is still going til the 27th. No posting order.

Her call was heeded as the pack began to gather, slowly trickling together until they made a resemblance of a whole. A handful were still absent so she held her tongue for them, but for those that had arrived, she greeted them each with a subtle dip of her head while letting her gaze pass over their anticipant faces. However her eyes did linger on the battle scarred…especially the one who still wore the garb of gore.

Never had her eyes touched anyone with disgust, but before this she had never a reason to regard anyone that way. Her knowledge of the conducts of both the Yakuso and Konrei was enough to test her temper and shake her calm, especially seeing the Yakuso still awash in blood. She had been soft… she had been lenient, looking at the incident as one that could not be helped given the circumstances. But this with the Yakuso… and the way Jace paraded the proof of her involvement… she had to wonder how her packmates would expect her to respond. How would her Shepard have reacted to seeing her like this? Or rather… what had he done when he had?

Her lips quivered disdainfully as her eyes cut away from her friend and down to the curious pups Dalgina and her sister Keldava. Even for the sake of her children, she couldn’t have cleaned herself up? How terrifying she must have looked to her pups, but the woman didn’t seem to care or notice the affects her appearance had on any of the pack. Another reason the Nomad could not bear to look at the hybrid female and moved from her pedestal to the common ground.

“Good evening my friends… my family,” she began quietly, repressing her apparent disdain in lieu of a kinder projection to the faces unmarred by injury or gore. “I apologize for calling you from your personal doings to join me this evening… but I fear this arrangement was long overdue.” Calmly she strolled around the gathering, feeling herself grow calmer and more relaxed with each step upon the cool ground. “I feared that prolonging this further would cause stagnation within our family, allowing something unfavorable to fester. I hope you all understand that I do not do this for the sake of garnering your attention, but so we all have the same understanding and nothing is left to mystery.”

Her quieted steps finally stilled beside her mate. She looked to his arm hung by a sling and touched it gently…sadly before the let the digits of her umber gloves fall away from him. And then her eyes turned to Jace once more, the repulsion was gone from her eyes replaced by a somber glimmer. “Perhaps now in its grave circumstance is as good of a time as any to diffuse what mystery now hangs over us. Saluce… my ombre… Jace… my cherished friend. Why do the two of you look this way?” Her glowing gaze lingered on the still wet rivulets of the female’s coat.


508 words.

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#10
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Adding Honrin in with this post Big Grin | 1005


More people came and she stood still with silence as her companion. No voice to her thoughts only a nodded hello to anyone that spoke to her. Her children were terrified of her and so they should be, sometimes their safety was more important than keeping everything good and stain free in their world. They needed to know that life wasn't always fun and games, sometimes it was painful and sometimes it killed. This was the ugly side of Jace, the side that had spent hours being trained until the skin on her pads cracked and bled, until she had dropped from complete exhaustion, the side that contained the sheer will to stay alive by whatever means necessary. The side that the Beserker was more friendly with.


She was fire and ice at the same time, an unmoving statue of cold that contained roaring flames, they licked inside of her soul hungry to consume what they could. The woman turned her head the merest of fractions as sailor of the seas Neela came to sit beside her with a consumable offering to share. A soft huff was her thanks and then in response to the questioning, concerned whine a low growl was given. Drawn out long by her throat the quiet sound still managed to be menacing, a lip twitched upwards to reveal ivory fang and her meaning was clear. A battle had been fought by the dog hybrid, one that she had triumphed in. The chesty rumble ended with a short and Jace turned for a second to rest her head against Neela's in a wordless thanks before returning to her former position.


Her eyes found those of the once second in command now leader and she was unsurprised by the Tenryu's disdainful stare. She would take her punishment for her actions but they would not lessen her triumph, nothing could dampen out the feeling of fighting for the innocent. Just remembering the grateful teary gaze of the young mother was enough to carry her forwards. Her eyes and the Tenryu's were only connected for the shortest of seconds before Jace pulled her own stare away deliberately to focus upon the arrival of Sage. Like the others before her Sage also showed concern for her appearance, she lent the woman a small tilt of the head before it whipped back to face X'yrin who had begun to speak. As she did her son Honrin finally made his appearance, trotting up to her as he did.


The strange Wolfe boy stared at her hard as he took in her bloodied form but he did not shrink from her visage like his sisters and turned his golden gaze onto them in a fleeting almost harsh glace, they should know that their Mahn would never bring hurt to them. In a show of solid support for Jace he sat down at her side saying nothing and watched the Exultare woman as she circled closer. He could feel his mother tensing as the leader came closer until her muscles almost sung with their tension. He would have warned X'rin with a small growl had they been alone but in front of all these pack members he could not do so less he make his Mahn look weak and unable to look after herself.


For all the painful tightening of her muscles Jace's face did not lose its almost expressionless setting. Her head simply followed X'yrin as she took her winding path throughout the pack members though their eyes did not meet again until she was nearby. The fresh blood was beginning to dry now too, she could feel the stiffness of her fur upon her back and stomach from its gluey texture. The question she had been waiting for came finally and the woman breathed a almost silent sigh as she gathered up her thoughts to answer the upset leader, the many curious faces of her pack mates pressed in on her and she fought against the claustrophobia within her mind,


"Yesterday.." Her voice was like gravel it was so rough, scratchy and raspy, she attempted and failed at clearing it and so continued on in the same hoarse tone Yesterday evening. I was patrolling the borders as usual. When I came upon the scent of fear on the wind. I followed it back to its source and found two adult men harassing a young coyote with a tiny child in her arms. I listened to their conversation and they revealed they intended to kill her child and use her as.. as a toy for their own fun. The last word was snarled and the rumble deep within her chest came back to life adding a harsher undercurrent to her words. Afterwards they were going to take her and make her sell her body in exchange for goods. I could not allow this to happen so I intervened. Her memory of the fight was still vivid and the scene replayed within her mind, They did not take the warning I offered so I took the threat they posed to that woman, to Ichika, and I disposed of it. Her breath huffed out of her nose, They paid for their actions with their lives.


Now her voice flowed from angry to merely declarative Punish me if you will for what I have done but if asked the question of if I would do this again then my answer would be yes and will remain yes for as long as I breathe. No outsider's life is worth more than Ichika's safety. She turned her head hoping to catch Temo's face amongst the crowd but didn't linger for more than a second But before you condemn me, here what I say. I do not take pleasure in what I did, I do not pride myself on murder. I pride myself on saving two innocent lives from a cruel and monstrous fate and possibly many more from within our borders as well. Finished with what she had to say she lapsed again into a thoughtful silence.


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#11
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Kiara Amarok

WC:445+ / This is a Raze Table. Sorry for being late.


Finally, her appetite had returned. Kiara had spent the last few weeks with practically no appetite, and when she did eat most of it was regurgitated. The snow wolf had lost wieght, although her mass had remained relatively constant due to her training. After her initial training session with Saluce, Kiara had worked hard to do all of the drills and run across the highway every day. Granted, there were one or two days were she had skipped part or all of her daily regimen. It was hard work after all. However, her overall performance had drastically improved and the decent amount of muscle she had gained was well worth the her struggles. Once again, Kiara looked like an arctic wolf should, bulky and full of life.


Just the other day, Kaira had woken with a terrible case of the munchies and had managed to catch a sickly old buck. Unfortunately, her newfound appetite was rather veracious almost half of the deer had already been devoured. The arctic wolf had once again been chowing down on the deer when X'yrin's call came out. Kiara took a minute to clean herself in the stream near her den before she rushed to the pack meeting.


By the time Kiara arrived, there was already a decent crowd. Kiara happily strode up to the meeting, her tail wagging and her spirits high. The alabaster female was about to greet her friends before the scent of blood stopped her in her tracks. Kaira's head whipped around as she searched for the source of the smell while her ears flicked back in surprise. Kiara's wagging tail froze in horror as she saw the wounds on Jace and Saluce. Sitting next to Jace where three of her puppies, one of which Kiara was unfamiliar with. The Ikusei purposefully strode over to Jace's puppies and wordlessly sat down next to them. After the arctic wolf gave Dalgina a comforting lick, she eyed them all, trying to offer them her strength and guidance without disturbing the meeting.


The snow wolf only half payed attention to X'yrin's words, her focus more on the distraught puppies and the state of their mother. Jace was someone Kiara had always looked up to and it was unsettling to see her in such a state. Kiara wanted more than anything to run over to Jace and lick her wounds, however she was afraid that of the puppies saw her so worried then they too would worry. The only thing worse than Jace's appearance were her words. Kiara didn't know what to think, so she said nothing and set her focus to keeping the puppies calm by appearing calm herself.



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#12
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WC:725-Baaawwwwhhhhhh sappy saluce shows up

Saluce could only watch his mate, his blues disregarding most everyone else for the time being. It wasn’t out of disrespect but rather something more personal. The mountain had known X’y as a capable leader, true he knew her better than most everyone here, and he also knew that underneath that gentle exterior lied a dominant woman who wouldn’t take a lot of shit either. While they had had their spats between the two of them, especially when it came to both of their jealous natures pertaining to what they perceived was a threat to their bond, it never boiled down to who wore the pants in the family in other words. While he rightly assumed everyone here would have thought he was involved in whatever Jace had been recently involved in, he would have to dispel it hopefully soon. The Konrei had his own sins to attest to and the damage that had done to him to realize he was still more than capable of taking a life.


He gave his mate a soft smile as she approached, one just for her and no one else. The man nodded as she moved on to Jace and then turned to confront the whole crowd of Ichika. His own bout of insanity had taken place about a week ago, and since then he had gone on a somewhat self-imposed exile. Removing himself from most if not all Ichikan’s and wrestling with the moral dilemmas his actions brought about. The man was caught in thought as Jace began to speak, everyone seemed to hover around her and yet when she spoke he could only shake his head. Saluce let her continue her tail all the while his eyes looked around her catching Kiara’s arrival. If there was anything that could light his face was her presence along with his mates, and her patient and strong willed determination wasn’t lost on him. A warm smile and a nod would come to Kiara if she chose to look his way; otherwise he stayed quiet until the woman was done.


“Well for once I didn’t sustain this Injury in a brawl, was more of my own doing I guess. Misjudging the distance between two rocky outcrops and I fell.” While the man was honest mostly to a fault, he left out his own feelings pertaining to Jace’s story or any sarcasm he really had in him. “But Jace isn’t the only one who has committed a treacherous act, and I do understand her decision, but I have been wrestling with my own sins. Specifically a soul I laid to rest a week ago.” He purposefully kept his voice calm, and void of emotion for the time being. There was no need to break down and ask for a pity party or to gloat in his actions.


“Since then if most of you have noticed, I have removed myself from interacting with you, while I wrestle with the weight and moral dilemma it has caused me. I acted instinctively, and for those of you who know me, I cherish you all and all the friends I’ve made along my journey, to the point of feeling an obligation to protect those whom I hold dear to me. But even though this person was attacking a friend of mine and belonged to a pack we have reasonably good relations with, I acted without regard or without truly thinking it through. The man could have been a member of another pack but I didn’t stop to check, I could have brought endless amounts of pain on the family I hold dear to me.” He stopped a moment pausing as he stretched his neck almost nervously, there was shame creeping up on his face, something he didn’t often experience.

“It’s taken me a week to wrestle with my actions and I ask all of you for your forgiveness. As I’ve asked the great maker many times in the past week, I am sorry; my actions could have brought on a lot of complications to us.” He stood as if feeling alone for what seemed like ages, in the spotlight, there had been too much going on lately for him to deal with. Saul’s departure still stung him, still ate at the proud father he was, and this only added to his torn soul.


Image courtesy of Frau Böb@Flickr; table by the Mentors!

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#13
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OOC Laughs

Neela arrived, brushing the tops of their ears comfortingly. Keldava wanted to find whoever had beaten up Mahn and chew on them for being so mean. Dalgina was just scared that what she'd thought was a safe world had just been proven so horribly, horribly frightening. The golden wolf stepped down from where she'd stood, slowly approaching their talnala. The cold somber look cast on Mahn had Keldava moving forwards a little, trying to act like she wasn't scared. Her tingla's presence gone had Dalgina whining.

The arrival of Honrin should have reassured her, knowing that her ronkyha was strong. Instead the glare had Dalgina shrinking even further into herself. She didn't understand what was happening, just that everything was wrong, worse than when Honrin had hurt Kiara. Soft licks covered Dalgina's head as Keldava returned to her side, trying to support her tingla. Dalgina was lacking the courage the other pups seemed to have, much more vulnerable to such things despite having a warrior mother. The words of Saluce had Dalgina watching him. Was the world really so frightening? She didn't want any of this. She wanted to return to her dreams of running through the tochina and finding treasure.

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000+

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#14
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OOC text here

Word Count :: +303




Most of the time, Temo kept to himself as he went about his business and plied his craft and helped Jace raise their four pups. On occasion someone would come by and ask for his assistance with repair of a building or other wood structure or item. Some of the more dilapidated houses in the neighborhood that Jace and he lived were showing signs of his pillaging for good lumber to do those repairs.

Between the various projects that he had and helping Jace raise their four children, Temo had kept himself out of pack dealings for most of the time. He had relied on Jace to keep him informed of the various goings ons in the pack and so he was not surprised to hear the call for a pack meeting. He spent a few minutes getting cleaned up and the dirt and dust out of his fur before he headed off in the direction the call had come.

Temo was not surprised to see that he had arrived a bit late from his getting cleaned up first as it seems that the meeting was getting started. He could hear Jace tell her tale to the group as he made his way around and to the back of the group. He hung back a couple of moments as he scanned the group to find Jace and listen to Saluce gave his tale with what sounded like a heavy heart. There was a quiet moment as the group absorbed the tales that were told and Temo quietly made his way to sit with Jace and his family, dismayed at her condition. He could tell she was in pain but did not voice his concerns of her injuries out loud but they would be seen in his eyes as he nodded his greeting to her.



Template by Alex, Image courtesy of drdavis586@flickr

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#15
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ooc: Thank you all that responded promptly. If you haven't replied yet, just know that you would have 'missed out' on having a say in the ruling but are still able to come in during the announcement. Round 2 ends March 3rd. During this time, a new roster will be put up in the Pack Portal. See Pack News for details. No Posting Order.

Even as more of the pack began to arrive, her eyes were set only on the pair injured pair, wavering solemnly between the two as she heeded their sides of the story. The Nomad held no true anger, but disappointment in her eyes especially when they rested on the Yakuso and her bloodied state. “You claim you take no pleasure in your actions…and yet you come to this meeting still covered in blood,” she replied coldly, her disdain for the woman’s appearance clearly showing through. “Your appearance is contradictory to your words, and I was raised to believe that one’s actions spoke more soundly than their words. It is a lesson I hope to share with you all and see utilized in the future.”

She forced her gaze away to acknowledge her mate and his heartfelt confession. Sorrowful as he may have been and true as she knew his words to be, she could not leave him untouched by the lash of her tongue despite how it pained her heart. Yet her face was hard when she looked to him, to the guilt in his eyes and his sunken form, but her eyes were not without mercy. “I understand your reason for keeping yourself at a distance from your packmates…your family, but your wrong should have been brought before us all. I blame myself for letting this sit. Never the less, because of your crimes-“ She again turned to Jace. “I regret that your punishment is thus; despite your reasoning you both have taken a life and it is an act not tolerated within Ichika. It is with a heart heavy that I demote the both of you to our lowest rank until you seek redemption for your wrongs. You are no longer permitted to fulfill your prior tasks. You are to reflect upon your crime, understand how your actions would have affected your family and find a means to subdue… not kill an assailant, should a crime of the magnitude you both endured should ever happen again.”

The verdict had been announced calmly and sound, but it was a shade to cover the ill rising to her gullet. She had forced her gaze to hold, even as her stomach churned and guilt threatened to ravage her towering frame in relentless tremors. But she held fast to her resolve, reciting to herself that it was not out of smite, but at of care for the pack that she would make an example out of them. So that none would be mistaken that such crimes would be taken lightly. And yet her inner nature suggested that this was a far lesser punishment than what the pair of them deserved for taking a life… “Does anyone of this pack object to this?” She announced finally, stifling her second-thoughts as she maintained her present course and awaited the rebuttal of her pack and family.

(Taking a moment to hear reactions before proceeding with the meeting.)

But this was not the reason why she had called the pack together. An unfortunate turn, yes and a necessary one at that, but the purpose was more profound than this. She could only hope that they would all understand. Purposefully, she returned to the head of the gathering to leave no one out of sight as she began again;

“My family. The reason I have called us together was to make us all aware of what has transpired in this pack and what will happen from henceforth. I will begin with what you may not know. Jaden and his student Verloren have long since gone from the lands. Some of you may have known him as an Envoy, and his student brimming with potential could not yet achieve a rank. Before he exiled himself, he confessed to me the reason for his leaving was that he had taken a life at our borders and could not live with the shame he had brought upon himself and to Ichika. And before him, Noah sought to leave Ichika without a word to anyone, not even his mate Rendall who has left our lands as well. Those of you that are not aware, he recently trespassed onto our lands and was punished by his pack in a manner of my request to set an example to both packs that trespassing is not an act taken lightly…regardless of who you were, or who you are now.

“We have suffered the loss of Saul Stormbringer as well who had only just been welcomed back into his home. He is a male of great potential and it is our hope that he will not turn his back on Ichika for long. As one who left her family in pursuit of something more, I can understand his reason for leaving and do not look to him as abandoning his family, but am waiting for him to return home, as I hope the rest of you will view this as well. And with him departed Melee and Range as well. Though I did not know them as well as I should have, they are a part of this family none the less, and I hope you all anticipate their return as I do.” X’yrin paused for a moment to allow her voice to rest as well as let this information be received by the listening ears of the pack. She had purposefully left the heavier news for this moment, to give the dust stirred by her words a moment to settle before she began again.

“And in their hope for return, we must acknowledge the absence of both Razekiel and Nayru, the Ryus many of you have followed and chose to place your alliance and faith to. While Razekiel’s reason for leaving is still unknown, I know well the reason for Nayru’s leave of Ichika. After her birth, she was weak and still healing and a scavenger took advantage of this when she was away and stole her child. She was grief stricken, wanting only to find her daughter and make her family whole again. Pripyat has gone with her… and we hope for their return with the family made whole again…

“And because of this,” the woman inhaled a shaky breath. “The role of lead has fallen onto me. It has perhaps been implied, but I must say this so there is not uncertainty to cross your minds; I am your Tenryu X’yrin, an Exultare to my Nomadic people and warrior for Ichika no Ho-en. If you chose to or not to acknowledge this, then please speak freely now so that I know where you stand before I say another word…”


1096 words.

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#16
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edited it

He seethed, as she spoke, he had come here, and proclaimed his story without being asked too, he had known what X’y had been doing initially but it wasn’t in him to be subversive or to lie. If X’y had had such a problem with his actions then she should have stated so earlier, but yet she had to wait to reveal her strength to the whole clan. He smirked at her as she said it, feeling as though he had been betrayed.


Saluce didn’t wait for her to continue her speech.


“Take off that collar,” his voice spoke, the venom in his voice dripping. “Demoting two wolves to omega after acting in protection of the pack, and it’s friends from Casa Di Cavalari. Who admitted their faults and did so in front of the pack is severe and unjust at best. If you feel this is the appropriate punishment from your time with your family then fine. But I will not or never accept this is appropriate or right to alienate your warriors or those whom care to the point of jeopardizing their rights to this pack then so be it. That was not the she wolf I mated, that wasn’t the kind soul I fell in love with.” The remark came from him like some hidden power, and as the words left his mouth he started his long journey to the outskirts of Ichika.



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#17
-Exit Jace-
341

The narrowing of her eyes was all that gave away her displeasure. Was this the thanks she received for staining her soul in the name of this pack. To keep it safe from harm. Yes it was. Shock rolled from Saluce as their punishments were dealt out from the playing cards but none from herself for this was the reaction she had expected. Demoted to the lowest rank of them all from one of the highest. The respect her rank garnered meant little to her, she required nobody to fawn at her feet but it was the trust that came from it, the trust of the lower ranks to seek out help from someone higher, to know their problems could be shared and maybe divided and bared equally. Her right to protect her family and defend her home. The loss of that was what caused the edges of her lips to curl inwards in a frightening grimace that was all burning anger and nothing to do with humor.

Ivory fangs revealed in a cruel smile, nothing of the friendship they had shared or the tales they had told present. Jace cut herself off from X'yrin emotionally and any kind of empathy for the weight she bore or pride of her ascension drained from her like the blood had done from those two rapists she had sliced open. She stood, barely even aware that Temo had come to her side, and her injured leg held tight against her body. Her head was pulled high and her voice was as cold as X'yrin's had been, callous and sharp,

"I spent the entire night patrolling the borders to make sure no more rapists made their way into this pack. Excuse me if I'm less that presentable to your standards." Her words ended on a snarl. With that she turned away from X'yrin and the rest of the pack, vaguely hearing Saluce's angry words as well. The female kept going with her limping gait until she could neither hear or smell the pack anymore.
#18
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OOC Laughs

The words X'yrin declared were harsh, falling like ice out of the sky. Dalgina shivered, feeling that something had been severed that shouldn't have. She didn't know what it was, just that there was a lot of trouble. She didn't understand most of the words, but Mahn was in trouble, because she'd gotten hurt. Dalgina had gotten in trouble after getting injured before, mostly because she'd been doing something she'd been told not to do. It was hard to picture her mahn as having done something wrong though.

Angry Saluce stormed away. Dalgina watched in awe as the grey wolf disappeared, a towering giant that seemed capable of destruction at the moment. He wasn't the friendly guy she'd played with the horses with. Mahn stood up in a rage, one that Dalgina recognized very well. Well, the rage Dalgina had faced had never been as ferocious, as hot and cold as this one was. She left, and Keldava stood up. Her tingla took after their mahn, and after a moment Dalgina stood up and followed as well, not wanting to be separated from her talnala.

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000+

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#19
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man, sage is sad.

Sage didn't know what to think. Her head was swimming, and with each fresh story of bloodshed and abandonment, she became more and more weary of this meeting. In such a short time, the place she had put her trust and love into had undergone so many changes. She couldn't comprehend losing her father again, and she could voice no words to express her grief. Dull ambers sat staring sadly ahead, past the new Tenryu and everyone else besides. This wasn't what she'd wanted. She'd wanted father.


The Ma-Tzu could feel the heat of her cheeks as she tried to hold back her choked cries, eyes brimming with wetness. Her tail was low, her ears back. Already there had been killing here. Here, where she'd thought it would be safe. After their stories, though, Sage couldn't say that they were truly at fault; defending the pack was essential, since some (herself included) were hardly able to defend themselves. It was all too much for her to even consider, and when the Tenryu sentenced them both to demotion, she did little more than stand there, her gaze going between the former Yakuso and Konrei in turn. Her sympathy may have been more palpable on any other day, but she could offer little comfort to them while she dealt with her own sudden depression. At least they were alive, and still here.


The displays of aggression only made her feel more uncomfortable. As Jace and Saluce both left in a huff, her eyes trailed off after them, until she found herself staring at the ground. Of course she wouldn't object to Xy'rin's rulings-- they were only temporary demotions, besides-- but Sage couldn't help but feel awkward. Her stomach was already in knots, and she fiddled with a tangled strand of dark brown hair as she stood, wondering whether or not she too should leave. Nothing was left for her to say; her entire world had come crashing down once again, and she was lost. Father was gone again, with no word, and nothing could help her cope with this second abandonment.


The few minues were long, and punctuated with quiet murmurs that she didn't bother to hear. Her head was buzzing, and she wanted nothing more than to collapse into her bed and sob herself to sleep. Somber and silent, she turned, letting her gaze pass, motherly, over Dalgina and her sister, smiling a sad, small smile at the pair before mounting up and riding off quietly towards the ranch. Was this really the beginning of another nightmare? He promised to be here, but here I am, alone again.




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ooc:

All the world had fallen silent to her ears, except for the rhythmic rampant beat of her heart. The spoken words of her mate chilled her to her heart with a terrible icy grip that made the frigid slush beneath her feet seem warm. She was rendered immobile, eyes wide and maw tightly clasped in silent shock as she was face with not his front, but his back. And the weight of his words truly sank in, she felt the heavy flesh of her ears fall against her head as the whole of her towering stature soon followed suit. He couldn’t have meant that, desperately she tried to reason. He wouldn’t let this temporary punishment forsake what plans they had made together and dash their anticipations of the future. Had they meant nothing? Were they but words that he would let this obstacle stop him from moving forward? Would his ego keep him blind to what she had intended to do? Beyond a sliver of a doubt she wished to bring clarity to him, to make him see as she did and realize her ruling was no different than that which she asked of the Dawn Alpha for this trespass of his subordinate; punishment for a crime.

But no words came to her aid even as his back thread further away from him and she was left feeling more cold and alienated than when she had left her family in her own ambitious pursuits. Her froze lips dared to part with a call of the tip of her tongue, but was silenced of her own volition. No. Her lips closed as she turned from his retreating form and looked to the unfeeling face of her friend- the title, she felt now lost its applicability. She would not beg either of them to consider her side. Their choices were of their own…regardless of their standing to her.

She neither said anything to the wounded woman as she as well took her leave of the meeting, dismissing whatever else the Tenryu might have had to say to tend to her own musings. And when the steps of the pair receded and there was only the still air and the quiet of the falling night, the Nomad habitually reached down and grabbed the tail end of her braid and brought its bothered end to her lips. For a moment, she said nothing more and simply let the words of her announcements replay in her head as well as let the magnitude sink into the listening ears of Ichika. She feathered her muzzle lightly taking a strange comfort to such a simple ministration as she breathed in her own unique scent still mingled with that of her mate. As she became calmer and felt her heart beat comfortably again, rejuvenated by the warm blood coursing through her body, she brought herself to stand as straight as she had before and brought her head to rest with purpose upon her shoulders. She glanced from the bothered braid to the remaining faces of Ichika’s whole, lingering upon each one, even the pups before lifting her gaze to look beyond them to the lands that resided behind them.

“A word from anyone else?”


536 words.

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