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ooc:
There is a break in the storm and now it's time to move! Feel free to reference Rain helping to herd the animals from the barn into the Storm Shelter while the rest help gather food, bedding and wood. If anyone wants to take credit for helping X'y out, tis first come first serve.  Once everyone has made their 'ready' post, we will head up the mountain to the Plateau. Feel free to reference the weather changing while all this is taking place.
Sept. 23rd | Secui | Weak
Not even a day had passed since her abrupt splash into the hurricane rains. And in that time, the weather could hardly be said to turn for the better. The wind was relentless, beating down upon a muzzle that strayed out into the darkness for a hint that the storm would pass in due time. But the rain was heavy still, pelting down like hail from the sky but with a sting that would linger long after the water seeped away.
Above the howling winds was hardly a voice. The den area was quiet as the heavens groaned and cried. All the while, the Issor rested failing miserably to stave off the shivers and chills that wrecked even her dry from. Her body ached with joints too pained to move at times, but she would move them none the less, shuffling from her bed of asserted feathers and furs to check on her family taking refuge. This was her idea of 'rest'; tending to those she fondly led even if it meant keeping her eyes open from precious sleep. What else would make her better than caring for her Family? A Shepard of the Nomad in heart and mind.
For the countless time that afternoon, instead of rest she crawled out of her keep looking to each and every face holed up in the communal area to ensure that they fared well with rations and rest. She could not readily say was compelled her to rise, but she would claim it was the eerie calm that had befallen the den. So used to emerging from the den to the sounds of hell outside, it was...strange to hear the calm outside. A short break in the violent battery against the earth. Her ears pulled toward inquisitively with nose scrunching with concern. The animal sense quietly uttered that something was off with this whole situation. It was...too quiet. Not even the birds taking refuge had bothered to speak. Perhaps they too sense something was wrong, as if something were lying in wait, yet to be seen.
Anxiously, the Issor looked to her brethren, then back to the entrance of the den before advancing bravely forward. One of the family had been kind enough to gather and knot her mane the day before, making her lengthy tresses less of a hazard as she walked awkwardly upon four thick legs. And as she stepped out into the muck lining the dens, she was glad for that token of care, even if it was only to appease her mild sense of vanity. The mud seeped between her digits as she stepped out to observe the damage thus far. Branches were scattered wildly across the once golden fields, now drenched with deep puddles marring the once flat lands. She turned her head toward the Suki and the barn and took comfort in hearing the lack of distress of the animals. But it would only last for time. No doubt this pause what not the end of the storm and truly the Nomad feared what more would come.
Already a fine sheet of rain began to sprinkle down. A little warning that the skies were not yet empty. But this pause was an advantage that needed to be taken. Turning back to the den, X'yrin stopped suddenly, her eyes captivated by a horrid sight just beyond the eastern line. Her proud tail lowered and ears fell back in naked fear for the darkness creeping toward them. Truly, the worse had yet to come...but it was nearly upon them now. Indeed, this moment needed to be taken. X'yrin charged back into the dens. "Family!" she called out to stir the idle minds awake to listen. "We must take this moment to move what we can. We do not have long. Look outside and see the darkness our Ancestors will cast upon us. We must take this moment of light to prepare ourselves against it." Anxiously, her claws grated soundly on the wet floor. "One..or two...please see to our stock. Bring them deep into the dens while the rest carry the rations above the Plateau." In mid command, the female was moving toward her own den to gather what rations she had for herself and Zeus as well as bedding and pelts to keep warm. "Please, someone assist me! Bring the rations!"
Knowing full well she was too ill to readily prepare on her own, she trusted her call would be met with able will and hands to wrap their food and ready themselves for the ascent to safety.
760 words.
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ooc: Form;Secui > Optime 20th Sept
X'ies had been up and preparing since dawns first light, he had saw the darkness that was coming towards them and knew that he could wait no longer for the call of the Alpha. His own dwelling on the mountain had been expanded slightly that he might be able to stay there even with the rest of the pack moving to higher ground. There was a formation of caves within the mountain itself which could be easily used for storage or temporary accommodation for the remaining members till the storm died out. As for what he was doing, his preparation of the previous days work was required if they were going to last through these days. He had prepared wood within his den for fires, but meat was kept at the bottom of the mountain and needed to be brought up.
When he finished piling the wood he would begin to head down the mountain and would heed X'yrin's call. The foolish Alphaess was pushing herself to work again, and with that thought he hastened his steps. He would seemingly be the first to arrive on scene, shooting X'yrin a baleful glare that warned her of his opinion concerning what had happened the other day, and indeed what she risked even now. " You should not be working, leave this to me and the others and make your own way up the mountain". He would move over towards the rations, shifting forms, moments later finishing his transformation into the hated form. He used his hands to pack the rations into several bags each a heavy weight unto themselves. But this would likely constitute his days training. If no one else bothered to make provisions for the days ahead then he would also be forced into herding the packs animals.It was all such a bother.
Word Count:305
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</style>  "Always something going on with this cursed place."
Shylome couldn't help but mutter to herself as she marched back "home". The "monsoon" caught her out as she attempted to familiarize herself with the land. Of utmost importance were landmarks and prey species in this pack's territory. Vital knowledge.
But her explorations had left her lost and stranded for some time, and only now had the sudden, black clouds stopped their tantrum long enough for her to figure out her way back.
The storm followed in her wake, however, and she moved her muddy legs a little bit faster, responsively seeking to outpace the growling clouds behind her.
Now she knew to follow her nose, and she knew the scent of the scruffly wolf that had first greeted her and the autumn-haired alpha who had welcomed her in, but she hadn't actually tarried in the pack home prior to her explorations. The smell of something strange and wonderful wafted into her nose and drew out a confused laugh.
A massive congregation of prey.
Perhaps the malice and merits of the land were separated as oil and water, concentrated in their own spheres, and perhaps she had come upon Canada's blessing. Herds of animals were not uncommon in Africa. There were valleys where ungulates grazed in crowds larger than the eyes could take in at once, but this buffet appeared strangely docile. Dull horns and slow movements.
Thus, she made her way cheerfully towards the herd animals in a quiet, lazy gallop. She would greet her wolf family, of course, but only after a brief snack. She hadn't managed to eat much on her excursion, and she didn't think she'd have much to eat for awhile once the storm rolled in. [/html]
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I'll drown out the shadows
by making some light
but I still can't forget
all those wrongs not made right.
The raid had lashed the landscape in angry torrents, driving anyone with a bit of sense toward shelter. It was not the worst to come, though, Valtiere knew. Hoping otherwise would have been foolish. Dark clouds crowded the sky until the horizon was almost black, unnatural at this hour. His humble den, which had proved more than sufficient in milder days, now boasted a muddy floor and did little to keep the Mareck warm and dry. He'd gathered all of the supplies of his trade into his bag, thankful he hadn't had the time to acquire a more vast array since arriving. Leaving them would have been hard.
He'd also filled anything he could find with water - he didn't know much about storms of this magnitude, but he had experienced floods before, and knew all too well the way the waters turned brown and angry, clogged with flotsam and debris as the overtook the landscape - not good to drink. Already the rivers in the territory were running high, escaping their banks.
Valtiere remained in his rather inadequate shelter as the rains grew quieter. If the storm was truly resting, no doubt the leaders would summon forth the Family to some sort of action. Valtiere waited.
The Shepherd's call came at last, and the slender male rose from his cross-legged position in one smooth motion, taking a moment to cast about his den and gather up what little was left. There wasn't much. Drawing up the hood of his cloak, he stepped outside.
As he drew near the meeting place, rain continued to pelt against the oiled cloak, and find places where it could sneak through to soak him. Luckily the rains did seem to have lessened a bit, at least for the moment. X'yrin appeared weak, and he looked worriedly at her for a moment, but X'ies seemed to have things down. The Mareck set off for the area where their animals were kept instead, figuring it was the best way to be of use.
Word Count: 337
Form: Optime
Walk "Talk!" Think
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Word Count :: 460
OOC :: --
Something was coming.
It was not what one might have thought. The dense elephant-gray clouds that crowded the horizon were a most obvious, looming threat to those that could point their muzzle that way and fit the pieces together. No, that much was clearly processed.
It was this horrible headache.
It pulsed behind evergreen eyes relentlessly, even to the point of nausea. Graceful movements were burdened by jerky steps and unstable strides. It was almost blinding. Black dots with strange auras clouded her usually-sharp vision, liquefying the treetops into sickening shapes.
And all the hustle and ruckus wasn't helping either. The storm was just an annoyance, something that was only agitating the ruffled canine further. She wished it would simply dissolve into a lovely shower so that she could lay right there in that fleshy grass and take a nap. She wished for nothing more. Her head felt like it was going to explode, and her paws kept picking up a strange itchiness that she couldn't seem to shoo away no mater how much she nipped at them. What was wrong with her? Quiet and sly Lyris Stryder clumsy and crabby? Goodness no, this was not a good situation. Not at all.
Yet the soggy rabbit she held never slipped from her aching jaws, nor her heavy eyelids fall over dark irises. She continued to run, despite her extreme pain. The headache would fade, right? It had too. Lyris needed to help prepare.
So at the Alphesse's desperate call, Lyris only pushed further. At last she pulled up to the storage caving. Just a brief rest. That is all. She had to stop and pull herself together for a moment before she participated, in fear of faint. So the scarred female dropped her meager rabbit and sat, finally closing her eyes in relief and dipping her head.
It was odd, Lyris was not the one for headaches. She rarely got them, and when she did, it was in a time of illness- of which was also scarce in her pass. She had always had a strong immune- the pesky viruses had never penetrated her tough self. But something seemed to have gotten to her. No matter. The throbbing had faded to a dull tapping- it was all the recovery she could allow. Raising to petite paws, the powder-white she tipped her muzzle to the fields and galloped off to assist in herding the animals. She felt like it was the easiest task for her at the moment, and she didn't even give Valtiere a second glance- she was focusing on trying not to fall face-first in the muddy ground. Please, just leave me! Like begging a headache would persuade it. Well, it was worth a try, no?
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Sorry this is so incredibly late everyone! 
Jaden knew little about this horrid storm but it still seemed more than most. Such things had hit his Alaskan birth place and inspired stories about his first family’s false god. It was said to be the god’s wrath descending upon the wicked. With winds said to be strong enough to tip over a full grown wolf and up root the very trees from their grasp on the land, believing it to be the work of a god was easy enough. Jaden knew that to be false now but it changed little about the danger it posed Sangi’lak and her occupants. So much was left undone and so many were unprepared. They would need rations for the duration of the storm. But even direr was the condition of the pack’s animals. No doubt they were in grave danger from flooding caused by the torrential downpour. Something needed to be done to ensure their safety for they were too valuable to sacrifice.
The only problem was that any who ventured out risked being hurt in the dangerous storm. The pack’s safety came before that of their animals. So they would have to survive until the storm let up. All the Alaskan stories he knew said it would only get worse before it got better but that even the heavens sometimes grew tired and had to rest. The unoccupied Issum had little to do until then though. His mind had been occupied as of recently too so he hadn’t been truly social. X’yrin seemed to be doing a well enough job of that anyways. He was planning and weighing and figuring out important notions and actions for the future. Life changing stuff which clouded his gaze for long periods while he thought and seemed to have his eyes trained on the very air itself. Little was given from where he sat in the den’s main chamber and watched his family.
While waiting his mind slipped away as it often did to memories of the past this time. Something he often tried to avoid. He was distracted enough by a storm of emotion that the awaited quieting of the true storm went completely unnoticed. Only when X’yrin called for them all did he jostle into the present and jump to his paws. She spoke of rations and needing assistance. This was good. So she would spearhead the gathering of rations. Jaden trotted forward to the muddied entrance of the den area and did his best to clear his mind. Rain, who had been tending to the animals recently, met him there. The male had just finished directing his young charge Lux to help X’yrin. Jaden shared a brief glance with the approaching male before giving a reasonably cordial nod in greeting. Rain returned it respectfully. They both knew what needed to be done and how quickly. There was no time for more. As quickly as their secui paws would carry them, both males bolted for the barn with white wolf following closely to black.
There were other members out and about as well. Jaden noticed Valtiere, the nomad he had greeted at the border not but a few weeks before but didn’t stop in his long strides to acknowledge him. He was upon two legs which would no doubt be of use. Many of the animals had crude bits and harnesses made from wood and rope. Those that were too small for such things had crates which had originally brought them to Sangi’lak staked in the back of the barn. Dexterous hands would be needed to get all of the animals rigged for travel.
The Issum and animal herder made the barn in good time and took a few minutes to shift themselves into optime form outside the entrance. A now sopping wet Jaden did his stood at his first opportunity and lurched for the heavy door which kept the barn free of wind. "No wait!" The voice was of his companion Rain. Jaden stopped in place and sharply turned to face the man with a look of confusion on his face. "They will be spooked if we open them to the wind. It would be best to wait until we have enough paws to handle all of them quickly, Issum." Jaden nodded to this explanation and accepted it. No doubt the man who handled these animals would know best. He stepped away from the door and gave a short howl to call any of his approaching pack mates to converge on the door.
Sangi'lak. Pack. Table. LIKE ME? PM Jaden and ask about one!
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ooc:
The Family was in motion, inviting that the Issor hurry along and do the same. With care, she assembled her own necessary wares and rations, and little Zeus as well now captured and fastened against her chest in an elk-hide sling. With a few helpful hands off to secure the animals, she allowed herself to feel some relief while taking care of the rations.
The calm, however, was short-lived for the Family as a whole; the pause after the deep inhale before the inevitable exhale blew across the land. Her hackles were anxiously peaked as she waited for the sound of the storm. But distant rumbles and stark flashes of light were perhaps the only signs that there was still time to prepare. She managed with what she was able, gathering the bundled furs and rations across her back and in her jaws to carry to the entrance of the den, and eventually up the steep slope of the mountain facade.
The droplets of returning rain moistened the ground underpaw as she climbed. Weighed down by the excess load, each step promised a slip should the rain bare harder down, And as her heart raced with the effort of her climb, her eyes strayed down to the side of the slope to the ground becoming more distant. Fear began to crawl its way to the surface, effectively hurrying her steps but causing them to tremble all the more as she climbed. Once calmed breathing became labored, and heart hammered a painful beat against her chest. She forced her eyes from the ground to the path ahead and clawed desperately to reach the gaping maw of the would-be shelter. The coupled scent of her own and X'ies greeting her flared nostrils even as it was muted by the moisture in the air. And in relief, she all but leapt upon the subtle ledge and scampered with her remaining strength to the dry interior straight to the far wall to settle...
329 words.
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ooc: lupine form
Hearing the call of Issum meant that it was a serious matter. So when a howl from the Issum carried onto the higher rocks of the mountain, X'uri immediately broke his train of thought where it was and nimbly leaped from rock to rock down the slopes of the mountain on to more stable and level ground. After running for several moments he would find himself amongst his fellow Nomads, and the Issum nearby.
He didn't know what exactly was going on but he could see soon enough that it was a large herd of prey, enough to stock the mountain for the rest of the coming storm. It was quite the endeavor to be sure, it was no wonder that he had tried to get more members out to take on more of the prey.
"I'm ready when you are Issum."
000 words.
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