Bass-ically Perfect {Tea}

His meeting with Tinaro had made him think. A lot of his wolves had been holding the same position for awhile, either just sitting comfortably or not thinking to challenge for the next rank up. So, with this in mind he padded to the plains, pausing to gather his thoughts. All ranks could be challenged for, well almost every rank. Chewing on the inside of his cheek, he looked around the sunny plains. The hissing of snakes could be heard underfoot, and he glanced down to make sure none of them were waiting to strike. He wanted to call the pack to him, to anyone who wanted to rank up. He had a task in mind for each of them, even the healers. All head positions were open, and it was about time that someone took charge of them. With his mind made up, Bass tossed his head back and let out a call to all those looking to rank up. Staying standing, when his song was over he just waited. If no one showed up, so be it. He was hoping that there were enough ambitious members that would step forward though, looking to prove themselves. speech

Oh? What was that? Lillianna's ears perked, curiousity written all over her face. Definitely a distraction, and she found herself nudging Farrym onto her back and bolting towards the call. Bass' and Lillie's last conversation had gone... neutrally, and she really hadn't had much of a chance to ask about becoming head messanger, but here he was calling all those that would be interested in becoming a head rank. This made her interested, interested indeed, and that would cause her to be the first who showed up, grinning widely as she plopped herself down in front of the man - first checking the snakes underfoot - and dipping her head to him. Maybe she had a shot. Maybe.

A familiar call would rouse her from a doze in the sun, and she'd blink in the direction of it. Bass was calling... all members who wished to seek a rank up. Hmm, interesting. She was comfortable in her rank - considered a fully trained Secondo Medico - but she was curious as to who else showed up. Perhaps, even, she would be able to become the primo medico, for she knew there was such a thing. She wouldn't protest if she didn't get it, though. She had not been too terribly active in the pack, hadn't really made an effort to get to know wolves, so she didn't particularly deserve the rank in her own eyes. Perhaps that ought to change.

Loping leisurely towards the call, surprise would flicker in her eyes when she found herself the second wolf to arrive, beaten only by a red female whose name she did not know, but remembered at the last meeting. She sat herself near Bass and the red woman, a gentle smile on her face as she greeted first her alpha, and then her packmate.

Sparrow heard her father's call. Of course she wanted a rank, but she wasn't entirely sure if she wanted to go medic or if she wanted to fight more. Her mind was still heavy. She didn't know what to make of things, and she knew she would have to talk to her father about it sooner or later, but she needed to get her head on straight. She needed to be able to think rationally. Maybe this call would give her something to do. As she approached, Sparrow saw the other two. Of course Lillianna was here. Her nose was stuck so far up Bass's ass that Sparrow was surprised she hadn't popped out his maw and started giving orders yet. Oops, Sparrow had definitely been talking to Ashmedai too much. It was starting to affect her thoughts. Sparrow half expected Lillianna to just come out and asked to be ranked up to head-honcho or beta. Hanging back, Sparrow dipped her head at her father then turned to see what bugs might be crawling in the brush.

Harmony was sorting through herbs, preparing to move them back to her den down by the river now that things there were drying back out, when Bass' call filtered down into her temporary den. Her ears pricked up at the message in the howl. Rank challenges, hmm? She'd been considering seeking a higher rank since winter, but what with all the flooding, and then Finch, there just hadn't been a good time to bring it up. Clearly Bass had beaten her to it, now that things were settling again into the rhythm of summer. She didn't know what Bass had in mind as far as testing, but surely any fighters seeking a rank would need to prove themselves in a fight, so there was likely to be wounds to be seen to after no matter what the other tests were. She bundled up some comfrey, some honey, yarrow, and lambsear to bind the wounds with, and a mild pain reliever in the form of bark strips from a white willow soaking in a container of water, then with her mouth quite full she trotted off to join Bass and whoever else chose to seek a rank. Lilliana, who she was not surprised to see, Sparrow, and Vali, who Harmony was surprised to see given how new she was to the pack. She dipped her head to set down the bundle, and gave Bass a smile. "Good morning, Bass," she greeted him quietly. "Get tired of waiting for all us lazy layabouts to rank up?"

There was almost no scenario in which Lark would be willing to ignore his father's call. Maybe that was just because he was his father and his leader, but either way - he was roused from sleep by the gently commanding beckon, and he would hardly hesitate as he pulled himself upright and shook himself and tried to wake himself up. Blinking slowly a few long times, and looking very much like he'd just woken up, he'd slip lazily from his den and begin to make his way to the gathering. It was not at all surprising that Lillianna was already there, as well as Harmony, Sparrow, and Vali. He slowed his pace as he got closer, his gaze dancing between the few of them, wondering where to sit. Next to Sparrow seemed the most reasonable option, though he wondered if he ought to greet Lillianna as well. He wasn't in the mood for drama today, though he knew it seemed to follow them to every damn meeting, and he wouldn't be surprised this time if someone was crying by the end of it. A quiet sigh, barely audible to anyone but himself, fell from his lips as he loped to sit somewhere between Sparrow and Lillie, offering his sister a slight nod before letting his gaze fix on his father attentively.

Decim barely knew anyone, he had made no progress and he could hit himself over the head for it. When Bass' voice rang out the man was quick on his paws. He could apologize but those were empty, he just had been becoming complacent and confused as to where or what he was supposed to be doing first. As he arrived a small amount of wolves had already clustered themselves up. Decim gave a nod to Bass as he gave a rather uncomfortable smile before taking a seat. It was obvious by his twitching muscles something was bothering him, and he wasn't going to share that it was himself. The only way to fix the itch was to be doing what he was doing now after all. "Talk"

Well, this was surprising. Abandoning his task of fishing, Dart picked up his fish from the bank and hurtled towards his friends call. Ironically, the Fox had caught a black Bass, a fitting present for his friend, no? The thought of presenting it to Bass tickled him, because despite his friends musically inclined name, Dart needed to only change the way the name was pronounced and voila! His friend would be named after a fish!

Racing across the territories, he had the fish clamped firmly in his jaws as he steered around the group that was gathered. His fluffy tail waving with delight as Bass came into view, and with a mischievous glint in his eye, settled down near Bass and tossed the fish at bass' feet. "thought you might like that!" He winked and grinned as he waited.

He was more then ready to do his part. And what better way to show that? He would go to the meeting that had obvious intentions in the note in Bass' voice, and while he wasn't among the first he still showed regardless. He had been training Quake since his arrival into the pack, and while she still lacked confidence in fighting, the old male wouldn't push that on her. Instead he had been spending time with her and doing what she liked to do, and that seemed to be herbalist work. Today though, he would take a break and go answer the call. When he arrived, the group was a decent size and all thinking the same as him he was sure. He nodded to his alpha as he took a seat, eager to see how and what would happen.

A Rank meeting? Hm..would be worth checking out. While he doubted he could get a higher Rank considering he'd been rather lax lately, he figured it was worth a shot. He'd been growing accustomed to being in a pack again, hunting and mostly keeping to himself and his thoughts about the past...but sooner or later, he had to let go. With a loping gait, he made his entrance to the group. Blue eyes found Bass and he would nod to the younger male, a light smile touching his lips. "Hello Bass." He would take a seat nearby and waited.

Lillianna was the first to arrive, and he was not really surprised at that. He nodded his head to her, gaze looking elsewhere when he saw Vali come in next. He smiled at the similar coloured female, and then at his daughter who came next. She sat a bit off from the group, eyeing a bush after greeting him. Bass frowned, and was about to ask what was wrong when Harmony came up beside him. Chuckling at her words, he aimed to playfully bump his shoulder against her. "Or maybe I just needed to get my aging bones moving," he teased. Lark and Decim entered next, and he was glad to see that the less active wolves had made it here today. Dart came in next, dropping a dead Bass at his paws. Looking over to the fox with a lopsided grin, his head shook slowly back and forth. Yes, his name was spelled the same as the fish, har har and all that. "Remind me to slap you with it later." he said jokingly, turning as the last few wolves trickled in. Kakashi and Hansel seemed to be the last two for now. Dipping his head to the older man's greeting, he cleared his throat to grab everyone's attention. "I am not sure if more will be joining us, but there are enough of us here to get this under way," he started, gaze roaming over those who had gathered. "I would like each of you to step forward who are looking for higher ranks. For some of you it may just be the next step up, or perhaps it's a head position you are looking for. That will all be determined today. I have challenges for each rank, and a task for each wolf who steps forward. Now, who is here to attempt to raise your rank?" Bass asked, waiting to see who was just here to see what this was all about. speech

Others came in, some new, some relatives, but Sparrow paid little mind to them until her father spoke up again. He had a test in mind, he explained as he asked those who wanted a rank to step forward. Sparrow looked directly at him without hesitation. Her heart beat fast and hot. This time, she was going to be the first to respond, "I'm ready to prove myself however I can- as a fighter, as a healer, as your daughter." She didn't just simply step forward- she was at the back. As the girl spoke, she walked towards the front, her eyes level and her face holding the slightest smile. No doubt Lillianna would have some loud protest or swear of loyalty. Sparrow was ready to prove herself to her father, to her pack, to Lillianna. She was done stepping aside and being okay with just "trying her hardest". Today Sparrow walked to the front of the group, lacking her usual friendly demeanor. She walked past her brother without acknowledgement, for she didn't need his support. Her eyes never trailed to her Aunt, for this time, she didn't need guidance. Something was different; she was filled with determination, "I'm ready."

LillianA

Lillianna bounced from paw to paw, barely able to sit still as she waited for wolves to arrive. Her excitement was growing by the minute, but she pressed down on it, telling herself to be patient. A white woman would arrive soon after, and she looked curiously at the female; who was this? Oh, right, the woman Bass introduced at the last meeting. V... something. She wasn't sure. She was surprised, though, that the female was seeking a higher position. Didn't she just arrive? Weird. Regardless, she dipped her head in return when the female greeted her and sat nearby.

Sparrow came shortly after that, and Lillianna eyed the female over her shoulder briefly before turning around. Huh, wasn't Sparrow only in training? Then, Harmony. She blinked at the bundle of herbs Harmony had; that was... extreme foresight. Fighting ranks would undoubtedly come and Lillie would bet those were healing herbs. She would have to ask; she was curious to learn basic first aid.

Lark would arrive and her gaze would seek him out... to receive no acknowledgement. He sat somewhere in the middle... and offered a small nod to Sparrow but then focused on Bass. A flicker of hurt went through her - and that surprised her. Why did that upset her? That hurt still lingering in her eyes, she whipped her head back around to watch Bass.

More would arrive. A man she had never seen before, Dart... dropping a fish. A bass. Incredulous, Lillianna had to repress the bubble of laughter that threatened to escape. She was more amused by that than she should be, and it certainly brightened the damper that was put on her moments before. Bass also seemed amused... and threatened to smack Dart with the bass. Snorting, she shook her head, a small smile on her maw. Shortly after Kakashi would arrive, and a grizzled looking old man - Kakashi she hadn't seen much, and the old man much the same; they were seeking high ranks? Odd. To her, the only wolves for consideration would be her - hopefully - Lark, Sparrow and Harmony.

Eh, whatever. She was starting to zone out when Bass spoke, and she straightened into attentiveness the moment she heard his voice. Those who wish to rank up should step forward. Lillianna wanted to leap up right then, but she waited until he was done speaking. Each wolf, a task. Each rank, a task. Each individualized, and that was a moment that had her respect for the man growing. She was about to rise when A voice came from the back - Sparrow.

Frowning, she waited, head swiveling to watch the girl. Ha, brave, fancy words. Derision rose in her, but she pushed it down; as much as Lillianna disliked the girl, she had to admit that Sparrow was likely more than ready enough to be placed as a fully trained healer. She seemed to be trying too hard, though, not even looking at anyone. Idiot. Just because you wanted to be independent didn't mean you weren't able to have support. Whatever, she'd learn.

Then it was her turn, or so she believed. She glanced in Lark's direction, only spotting the male in the corner of her vision, before she focused her attention back on Bass. She stood, finally, and stepped forward. She felt as if she would say something, but she chose not to, simply making her attentions clear with her body language. Her expression was clear, her ears pricked; her tail hung behind her, slightly raised in a moderately dominant position, with all four paws evenly spaced. Her entire posture screamed firm and decisive; she was certain. She wanted this.

"speech"

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Though his attention was fixed largely on his father, his gaze did wander to the few wolves that arrived after him. They trickled in slowly, all seemingly in good spirits, settling down easily and facing Bass with curiosity. The words his father spoke were not all that surprising to him - in fact, he was surprised a meeting like this hadn't happened sooner. He was looking to see who was interested in a higher rank. He'd had a similar conversation with his father before - but not much had come of it. His siblings were right in thinking he was strong and fearless, but dedication wasn't his strong suit. Bass had said that he'd hoped Lark might someday take over Abaven. He wasn't ready for it yet, and probably not any time soon - but he'd done better, he thought. He'd confronted his brother when he'd needed to, he'd taken care of Finch. He hadn't been as proactive in his training as he ought to have - and his inaction at the siege still bothered him quite a bit, though he preferred to not dwell on it. "I'd like to," he'd state firmly, his head nodding as he locked his gaze with his father's. He noted from the corner of his eye that Sparrow had stepped up, and so had Lilianna, neither of which came as any surprise to him. He could only hope that there wouldn't be any drama at this meeting like there had been the last few.

	He laughed at Bass' comment about his gift, a mischievous gleam hinted in his own crimson gaze. "Yeah, yeah I love you too." He teased. Soon enough, the meeting came under way, and as Dart listened with interest, he noticed a few others keen on the idea too. When Bass finished, he would wait a moment as others would step up before him. He eyed sparrow, a grin appearing as she seemed very determined. He expected nothing less from his friends kids, and it was good to see the enthusiasm. The next was Lilliana, and while he was neither a friend or foe to her, he didn't really know her too well, but was glad to see she was determined too. Albeit a bit strongly. Lark would step up next, and then Dart. He stepped forward, a quick playful look cast towards Lillie before he spoke. "Looks like you'll have competition, girly?" He chuckled, attention turning to Bass. "Hey, I did a good job the first time, I'm not too old to do it again. I'm in." "Speak"

Váli watched as others arrived - a daughter of Bass, Bass' sister, a son of Bass. A wolf she did not know, but recognized from the meeting she was introduced in. Further members, whom she recognized but did not know, also appeared. Then Bass would speak, and she listened quietly. He called each member up, but she stayed in place; it was not her right, nor her will, to seek a higher position with so little activity in the pack. She shook her head lightly to Bass, a smile on her face nevertheless; she was sure that those who wished to promote would do so, flawlessly. It did not take long for the first wolf to step up - to her surprise, it was Sparrow, the daughter of Bass. Then the red woman, whom she had also never met but had smelled everywhere, also spoke up. The son of Bass would as well, and then... the fox. She blinked; she hadn't seen the fox since that one meeting, but alright. And competition with... who? Oh - the red woman. So they were all going for different head positions? Damn, she really needed to talk to the wolves of the pack. She didn't even know who's position was what! No one else had spoken up; maybe, like her, they came because they were curious about those that may become their head.

Harmony's eyes widened at Bass in playfully mock anger. "Old bones, is it? I'll show you old bones, you faker." She grinned at him even as more of the pack's members drifted in, then schooled her expression to something more appropriately serious when he got started. Rather than stepping forward immediately, she chose to observe her pack members for a moment. Sparrow was quick to step forward with decisive words, and though Harmony sought to smother the expression she could not help the sorrow that shot through her at the way the girl's behavior had changed so drastically from the playful, loving child she'd been. Well, everyone grew older eventually, though true to her name Harmony could not help but wish that did not mean growing apart. She sighed quietly, and brought to mind Sparrow's troubling accusations concerning Lilliana. Surely it was no more odd that the girl would seek a higher rank than it would be for anyone else... right? She shook off the gloom and worry the younger members of the pack tended to bring up in her, and smiled playfully at Bass again, taking a small step forward, careful not to knock over her herbs. "You'll forgive me for not leaping forward like our young friends - old bones, you know," she teased. "I would like to try for the head healer rank again." She'd held the post in her youth, though she liked to think she'd do a better job this time around now that she had real experience to back it. Maybe it was that very memory that gave her the greatest concern with these very young wolves looking for high ranks, the memory of trying to struggle through as a leader when she was barely an adult. She swept a glance over the other wolves (and fox) who'd stepped forward before her, and attempted to give them each an encouraging smile, though she doubted they noticed.

He watched with pride as his daughter was the first to come forward. Dipping his head towards her and offering her a wink. It was unsurprising that it was Lillie who came forward next, her posture exuding confidence. There was no doubt that she was ambitious, but whether it was to a fault or not he did not quite know. Lark stepped up, followed by Dart and Harmony. His sister had held the position of head healer before, and he didn't doubt that she would make it again. Taking a deep breath he looks around, ready to assign tasks to everyone. "Dart and Lillie, you will both have different tasks, but I want you two to work together at first. I will be sending Dart to Donostrea to scout their borders. You must take a look at their pack without being caught, trying to see how many members they hold. I will be talking to the pack and seeing if they can send one of their scouts to try and find you while you do this. Since Donostrea and us have a neutral agreement, this will not be hostile. After you must report directly to me, but if you are caught you must get into a friendly spar with their scout. This is practice for when you scout out new packs, and learn how to protect yourself if you are ever found." He turned to Lillie then, golden eyes narrowing slightly. "You will be heading to Imperium to do the same thing, scout out their numbers and don't get caught. If you do, you too will spar the scout who finds you. But for the part that you two must work together on is this; once you leave pack lands, you must work together to stay away from me. I will be trying to follow your trails, and together you must try to cover each others tracks. You two will pick a day you will leave and inform me before you do." Bass looked to his son and daughter that had stepped forward, thinking what to give them. His eyes stayed narrowed as he thought, tail thumping on the earth. "Sparrow and Lark, I want you two to spar with each other. After this fight, Sparrow you must treat your own wounds as well as Lark's. Harmony will oversee this, and report back to me with how you do." Speaking of Harmony, he turned to her and let out a soft sigh. He always sucked with coming up with things for healers, and it took a little bit longer to think of her task. "Besides overseeing Sparrows healing, your task will be..." Suddenly a smirk came to his maw, a cheeky look in his gaze. "You have to teach me about basic healing." He flashed her his toothy grin, she knew better than anyone how daft he was when it came to healing. She had had to deal with his stubbornness in even taking the herbs, and his refusal to attempt to learn anything at all. That would not be an easy task, and he wasn't going to make it any easier on her. Snorting, he looked between all of those who had come forward, nodding. He was pleased with his decisions. "Once these tasks are completed, I will let you know if you have proved that you deserve a rank up. Best of luck to all of you." He said, tossing a wink in Harmony's direction. ooc;// All task threads must be started in a new thread. These all must be completed by April 11th, besides Sparrow's healing thread since that depends on judging. speech