the road you leave behind
#1
backdated to the 8th.
Noah exempt from mandatory part, but may appear if wishes)

Iskata sat out in the back porch facing the sea, the cold winds ripping at her pelt as she raised her nose to the air and drew out a long demanding howl. The last call she'd ever make to her packmates as their Matriarch and council member. Her heart was breaking but there was little she could do to help that, she couldn't see, she was useless in a fight.. what kindof leader would she be. A Leader had to be strong, to show power, to be able to lead. She wouldn't force her pack to follow behind a blind crippled horse in the greatest race of ever, life. blood tinted tears stained her eyes as she settled down to wait, turned away the whole time from the entrance to the unofficial meeting place of the pack. They'd been her once so long ago when the pack was born.. and now one Phoenix would fade away while another would rise.

The gentle wash of the waves on the beach was so distant she could barely hear it, but it called to her. Perhaps now in some small bit she understood why Laruku wanted so to be alone. She knew that DaVinci and Skylar sat quietly on the porch already, they'd lead her out to the spot she sat, the quiet squeaks of Zana barely auditable over the winds.. but it pierced her heart knowing she'd never see her baby grow to be a woman.. never see those first steps. She'd already lost so much.. now she'd give it all way.
#2
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After Iskata's outburst, Deuce's heart sank. She knew what this was to be about. She heaved herself off her bed, making her way to iskata's cabin. Others would be there, she was sure. The birth would be any day now, and Deuce was feeling more cumbersome than ever. But she would get there.
She arrived. There was only Iskata, Da'Vinci, and the pups. She settled onto the porch, easing her weight down carefully. She was so clumbsy in her advanced stages of pregnancy, it was a miracle she hadn't broken anything yet. She greeted Da'Vinci with a smile, also smiling at his pups. She almost didn't see Zana, but there she was too. Deuce's heartstrings tugged. Soon she would have a litter of her own, and her son was barely grown.
Soon after Deuce arrived, Taliesin bounded up the stairs, settling next to his mother, greeting her affectionately.

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#3
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wc355

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The summoning cry over the whistling winds brought the thick-furred brute to his feet; Jefferson had been dozing, as always, huddled as contentedly as possible beneath a tree. It was freezing, but hell, the ranch house was too far a walk and the cabin was a morose and solemn place where he felt his presence unwanted and unnecessary. Recovery was not always a group process; Iskata was aching everywhere, body and soul. He knew it. She was sharing double, complete blindness compared to the bitter hybrid and his slash-scarred eye. Jefferson's vision hadn't been completely lost, no, but his vision on life had become impaired much like Iskata's. He knew what she was feeling. He knew, however, that his fall from grace that she'd endured was still the opposite of his own. He'd starved himself, grown emaciated, lost an eye and partial usage of a leg, not to mention a couple dozen gashes and scars throughout his pelt. Iskata had lost her sight--which had struck at her charisma and esteem. He knew how she felt. He still could not do anything about it.


As the cabin and the shuddering woman--along with son and grandchildren, no less--fell into his one-eyed view, Jefferson flattened his ears and frowned. The brute had never made a motion of respect in his time in Phoenix Valley--no bowing, no eating the dirt, no rolling around in the mud--but now, see the desolate, desert-like look in her sightless eyes, he was almost moved to stop where he was and stop approaching. He gave a careful nod to Deuce and laid a dismissing hand on Tyrone's head when the pup overexcitedly greeted him at what seemed an inappropriate time. Instead, Jefferson stepped to the Matriarch's side and bent down, whispering her ear. "Iskata," he said quietly, laying his good hand on her shoulder. "Don't do this," he said reassuringly, keeping his voice low. What would DaVinci say--chew him out, maybe? Hell. But... Jefferson couldn't bring himself to say anything more, and instead, he took a seat beside the sightless woman and bowed his head, thoughts wandering to and fro with the whistling wind.

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#4
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Pepe had only been part of the pack for a day, but he had fallen back into pack life very easily. He found it a relief to no longer be alone. He never strayed far from Iskata, although he gave her space. He had some exploring to do himself, but always shadowed her closely with Skylar. He let DaVinci and Skylar help his firefly lady out the most. They had been there for her the longest and he didn't want to usurp anyone's place. He just wanted to mend his family again.

The white male took a seat slightly behind Iskata and off to the side, so he view the others approaching the porch. This would be his first glimpse into the members of the Phoenix Valley pack. The faces he saw were almost all unfamiliar, although the white woman heavy with child struck a chord in his mind. He felt like he had seen her before and possibly even known her as a child in storm. But questions would have to wait until much later. There was a somber atmosphere surrounding them, and he didn't know why. Most of the wolves coming seemed almost worried. He sat quietly and waited to hear what Iskata had to say.


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#5
It was no lie that he had been avoiding being seen around the pack, the male had thinking to do after his meeting with his sister and Iskata. He wasn’t sure how to feel about how she talked to him, he wanted to respect her. He really did, but she always had everything negative to say to him. He wasn’t sure if he knew how to respect some one that couldn’t even respect him in return, hell at least he was trying. Then he heard her voice call the members the male rolled his ears back, knowing full well that he couldn’t ignore the call, it was her call, she was the leader.
Making his way through the house the male pushed past the door, as he spotted the whole pack, he rolled his ears back with a yawn and found a place to sit. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but he would be the good little stupid male that Istaka wanted him to be, He would sit there, behave. He wasn’t sure what was going to come out of this, but oh how he hoped that Iskata wouldn’t turn it into a meeting why he shouldn’t be allowed in these lands.
#6
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A call was upon the wind which moved to the white wolf's ear. Pendzez heard the call that was saying it was a pack meeting. Pendzez was quick to act as he was along the path that led to the meeting. He started to move step by step closer to the meeting place. There on the porch he saw Iskata who was looking out into the sea. From the sight, Pendzez could tell she had a lot in mind. Pendzez wouldn't want to bother, but she called so he had to answer.



He came onto the porch from outside where he saw Deuce, Jeffers, Da'Vinci, and a new wolf that joined not long ago. Pendzez hopped over the porch fence and was quick to regain himself. He stood straight, then leaned back on the porch fence, slightly sitting on it. "Hey there guys. What's up"


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#7
Unlike the fit that he had thrown in what seemed like hours waiting to find if she would live or die DaVinci this time had drawn himself in and was silent, reserved.. as though something inside him had reverted him back to what he once was before joining the pack and gaining friends and companions. He knew enough of the arguement that Deuce and Iskata had had mere days before to have more than a feeling of what was to come. What he didn't know Skylar had filled him in on, the meeting of Pepe at the borders and the bitter change that Iskata had seemed to take since the day before. They all worried for the woman, the family atleast.. but there was little they could do now. He knew she was a hardheaded woman and it was apparent that she had her heartbroken soul set on what was to come.

He barely caught the murmurs of what Jefferson had said to his mother but he agreed. His eyes briefly met the other's and just as quickly they turned away. His shoulders drooped as he lowered his gaze down to Zana, running his fingers through the pelt of the last pup of his mother's litter, the last sibling he'd get a chance to know. He doubted there was anything that would bring the woman back from this world she'd fallen into and all he could do was help her along as he could.

His ears flickered as he caught the sound of others approaching, soon Pepe had crept up to sit close to him and Skylar, close enough for the Matriarch to know he was there but far enough away to have his own space. Lucifer's appearance made DaVinci's heckles rise slightly before he could stop the action and as he began to calm his frayed nerves it seemed the loud and oblivious youth Pendzez had arrived, wanting to know what was going on. Before he could intervene though Tyrone turned towards him in what was obviously a manner he'd learned from Jefferson and just stared at the older male. He hissed at the white fellow to be quiet as he turned back to Jefferson for a brief moment before finally letting his gaze fall to Iskata.

DaVinci knew there was one missing in their numbers but he didn't say anything, he knew the old hearth friend of Iskata was still attempting to adjust to the ways of the pack and wasn't use to large crowds. Iskata had probably spoken to him in lengths about what was going to happen today. He wished that she could have atleast done the same with him, he would have liked an excuse to not be here. He'd already expressed enough emotion the last time.. he didn't need the rest of the pack to see how his emotions and fears tiptoed on the edge so recently.
#8
She knew they would come, all in due time the pack began to arrive. The quiet sounds of her children and grandchildren behind her made her strong enough to continue on.. yet she knew that each and every one of them wanted nothing to do with the meeting, or atleast those who had guess so far. She hadn't exactly been quiet in her outbursts the past few days and it wasn't hard to figure it all out, if one had been around lately. Soon the sound of Deuce and Jefferson followed, she knew they would do fine without her leading, they were both strong and steady together as long as they could work past their differences. She closed her sightless eyes as the wind buffered against her body once more.

She felt the gentle touch as Jefferson murmured those words softly. She knew the tears were quietly making trails down her cheeks as the words touched her. She had already made her choice long ago and yesterday had only just shown her how worthless she really was. Bowing her head as she shook it slowly back and forth, she wasn't going to chance her mind and none of them could force her to lead them. She only made them weak and a weak leader made the pack a target for the thirst of others. When he moved off to the side to sit along the porch, so close and yet far enough for her to still be standing alone she listened for the pawpads of the others.

Normally she would have been glaring at Lucifer, expecting some disrepectful roll of his eyes or show of how little he cared for this pack and the Matriarch.. but none came because she couldn't see them even if the gestures were made. She never once turned around when the loud and seemingly over cheery voice of Pendzez called out to the quiet group. If she'd been another in the crowd she probably would have laughed when Tyrone hissed for silence to the larger packmate. Those pups would be the death of them all with all the energy and trouble they never seemed to stop getting into. She wished she could see it.. but she knew better than anyone she would never.

When it seemed that they had all joined, minus the large greyscaled teddybear of a fellow to whom she'd already spoken with, Iskata ran her paws across the boards before her. DaVinci had to have lifted her up onto the bench she sat on, her mangled hindlegs making nothing easy on the woman.. and she refused to shift into her luperci form, as well as strict orders from Deuce not to until the stitches were cut lose. She was looking for the words to speak to them and yet they failed. She tried again and quietly the words came. "I called you all here because I can no longer be a part of the Council. I can not lead as your Matriarch anymore..." She closed her eyes as a shuddering sob broke through her defenses.

She was such a liar and it was so obvious now. She didn't want to leave her post, she didn't want to retire into a rank with no duties or responsiblities. She wanted to be right where she was from the beginning. She wanted to lead right beside Deuce as they'd dreamed it so in the summer nights. Fate had twisted her dreams into nightmares and she had to bow to the truth of it all. She had no clue how the pack would accept it.. she could guess that little would really change.. but to her it felt like the whole world had.
#9
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Ah, ho hum.




Allegro bounded up to the pack meeting, realizing she was late. She never was on time for anything; if it was a pack meeting important as this, or a simple trip to Raven Beacon. Allegro didn't know almost anyone, but she still sensed that everyone was worried and trouble. She rested quietly on the ground, away from the rest of the wolves, hoping that she wasn't noticed. Bad timing on her first pack meeting certainly wasn't going to help Allegro.


Allegro sat, inhaling the words Iskata has just said. She, being merely two years old, was a little confused. Still, she understood why everyone looked so somber and depressed. Allegro held her jaw tight, not making any noises. The breeze batted her matty fur lighty, and Allegro felt wholesome; not perfect, but almost like she was discovering her new life ahead of her. Lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it!) for her, her life has just begun.

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#10
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Deuce is absent this week, so we're going to hop over her for now.

POST ORDER:
-Iskata/DaVinci
-Deuce
-Jefferson
-Pepe
-Lucifer
-Pendzez
-Allegro

Thank you for posting as soon as it is your turn! :3


Would anyone be interested in a pack hunt thread soon or after Christmas?
(It will not be mandatory, but for whomever wants to join.)



Jefferson straightened his back as his eye peered out darkly as more and more figures came into view, most of which he recognized but a surprising one or two he did not. He nodded rather dismissively to DaVinci, recalling in his mind their conversation in the outside room of the cabin the day Iskata was found, and couldn't help but release a wearied sigh at the mere thought of it. It felt like things were suddenly spiraling downward, all of a sudden; Iskata's incapability to help due to her recovery had required a bit more out of his as of late, and he was tired. He'd expected her to laugh at the whole thing, shake her head, and go on with her business unfazed. Obviously, he was wrong.


The thought of the white duel-eyed female wolf ruling the pack alone worried him, and he cast a rather disgruntled look on the Matriarch despite that she couldn't see it. He knew talking her out of it was pointless now, a lost cause in all reality. He wondered if she'd step down to subleader or a higher rank like his own, but judging by the tone of her voice, his stomach turned and he scowled at the ground. There was no way for Jefferson to predict the future this time around.


When her sob arose, his hand moved and touched her back, though she was in her feral form and he in his luperci. He'd lend her his strength if she could have used it.

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#11
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The Loas kept his eyes carefully trained on those who had gathered around the porch. When Iskata spoke, he listened intently. The tone of her voice rendered his heart in half once more. His mother, the strong, beautiful, vibrant woman of his memory now seemed so broken down and broken spirited. He hadn't hoped to find her like this, but he was grateful every day that he had found her at all. He knew that although there was great sadness in her words, that Iskata was a wise wolf. She knew her limits. What she was doing, stepping down as matriarch, was for the best and for the pack in her eyes. He would stand behind whatever she said.

Pepe didn't know what to do when she broke out into a sob. He wanted to rush forward and to comfort her, but he held his place behind her. Even though she was stepping down as the ruler of the pack, she still commanded the attention of the crowd. And he thought that no matter what she did, the pack would always look to her for advise. He didn't want to undermine her in any way. Plus, although the pack seemed dismayed or confused, there was an air of support.

It was good to see the one-eyed male, Jefferson, offering his support. He didn't know him from Adam, but he seemed to have a powerful presence. He leaned in close toward Iskata's ear and whispered his support, trying to give the pack room to be with her. He was barely a new addition and it wasn't his place to stand in the way, as long as they weren't upsetting Iskata. "We're all here for you, mom."

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