All will be explained IC, this is Mandatory, posts due Dec. 29th <3

I will not bow, I will not break;
Something seethed in the Judilian band leader, a calling she couldn't ignore. There were better resources here, but soon they would have to move again - not an easy feat with little ones to tote around. She hated jumping around from place to place like they were still on the run. The devil had already found them, though not for the purposes she had originally feared, Ultyr seeming to be somewhat changed since that fateful day. She would give him a chance, if only for the sake of the children and his lovers - her brother and Lailah. She would take the time to visit once the meeting was over, to check on the babes and see how Lailah recovered. They still had a bit of time, but Atreyu still felt the pressure upon her back to do something about a more permanent living situation.

They needed time to build stores, cultivate and raise livestock animals - provided their hunters could work together long enough to trap and tame them. It was one of several points she wanted to raise with her family and friends - and Ultyr, who wasn't quite a friend yet - something they needed to hear. The truth wasn't always so easy to tell, nor was it easy to hear. They were running dangerously low on food despite the efforts of her hunters to catch enough food for all. It would take time in this place to raise up that sort of stockpile, time they didn't have. Taking down prey day by day was all they could do for now, and while the hunters seemed to be actively trying, she thought perhaps they needed to take lessons from one another. She needed her fighters on par as well, needing everyone to hone their skills in any area they saw fit.

The seasons of resting were over, Atreyu needed everyone to be ready for what was to come. When she wouldn't be there to protect them, splintering off from the group in the aftermath of their birthday party. Another event they needed to be prepared for. It was nearly time to celebrate the Morningstar birthdays, an event Atreyu could hardly wait for even though she dreaded the anniversary of the Judilian genocide. Shaking her head, Atreyu finds a high point on a hill and sat regally before a small clearing. She sang out for the members of her band to come before her, even the little ones as they mattered too. The spotted leader needed to know who was still with her, it would be important in the coming months.

"Talk." || Think || 'Hear.'

code by bird, art by resin

find a reason to smile everyday

Fairytale was starting to feel much better, although it had taken time and quite a bit of rest, she still felt the taste of that caribou occasionally that would cause the woman’s stomach to tumble and knot up. Everything was once more falling into place; sure, they had to move due to what had taken place within Forgotten Isle. And Fairytale was slightly worried about what had all taken place there but was not about to overstep her boundaries with her friend and boyfriend. No, that would not sit correctly with her. The small woman has not seen Vayne around lately and hoped that the larger brute was all right. Her tail danced around behind her as the call of her friend echoed out over the land. She pranced quickly towards where Atreyu had stood. Her ears twitching to her, knowing that the woman has captured within thought lately.

Her tail fell silently still behind her – her eyes locking onto Atreyu her dearest friend, and then towards where the others were. She allowed a chuff of a greeting forth. A smile placed among her facial features as she came up to where Atreyu was, lowering down upon her hind quarters, but giving her friend a little space. She known that leading wasn’t no easy task. But if any one could ever do it it was Atreyu. Atreyu proved that time and time again to the band.

"speech" | thinks

The constant traveling was something she didn't saw as bad, she could even say she was used to be nomadic. And it suited her. Traveling meant for her to be safe and avoid dangerous wolves to know where they were, moving would make them harder to track down right? With the anniversary of that faithful day was close and with that she could feel her scars hurt again. As if her nerves remembered still, the pain and the blood. She arrived to the meeting, her single good eye landing over her sisters, quietly taking a seat and as always not making a motion to come any closer to them. She didn't enjoy closeness anymore.

"Speech."

His ears perked around his horns at the call, the familiar voice of his sister stirring something deep within him. Aspen Dam had been a reprieve, but the pressure Atreyu bore was evident even to him. The weight of their survival, their legacy, seemed to weigh heavier on her shoulders each passing day. Oath couldn't help but feel guilty for the burden she carried, but he trusted her. Atreyu had been a beacon of strength for as long as he could remember, even when they were pups she had been a guiding star for their scattered family.

He stretched lazily from his resting spot, his devilish horns catching a faint glimmer of light as he rose. The young bard moved with deliberate care, weaving his way toward the gathering. The sight of his sisters and the ever-gentle Fairytale was a comfort, even if he could tell that the strong and unyielding Petra was lingering on edge. He nodded to her, his cyan eyes meeting her single one briefly, a silent gesture of solidarity.

Taking his place near Fairytale, Oath dipped his head respectfully to Atreyu before settling down. The air felt heavy, filled with unspoken concerns and the weight of decisions yet to be made. He flicked his tail, breaking the silence with a soft and melodic hum, letting the melody slip into the clearing and fill the space as an offer of calm before the storm of words to come.

"Speech"

Oath Morningstar

CODE BY SIN

Alaric didn't mind the constant travelling, so long as they found a good stable, secure, place to temporarily live. The aspen forest wasn't entirely a bad choice, at least he didn't think it so. There were certainly worse spots they could've chosen to settle. Maul and Cinder weren't far behind the wolf as he entered the meeting area. He was quiet, as usual, as he took his spot nearby. Close enough to Atreyu to hear what she had to say, enough to give a respectful distance. Maul and Cinder sat on either side of him in their usual, quiet yet protective stance. Alaric could feel a sense of change in the air, something was different. He couldn't place a claw on it yet, but this meeting would probably explain what it was. So he would sit and wait patiently for Atreyu to begin the meeting and spill out what was so important.

There was a call and Azriel sought to answer it in a timely manner. Atreyu sure did love her meetings. Though the demigod hated it here in the aspen forest, he hadn't complained as much aside from watching over the pack almost night and day. Gods he hoped that Atreyu had decided someplace more secure next time. He was getting rather tired of always moving and not having safety for everyone.

Their band had children now to think of as well. He should start schooling them soon as well. Self defense and other essential skills were going to be needed. And with the passing of Vayne it was a wonder anyone felt up to anything. The demigod moved and prodded the sleeping form of Lailah as he pass to get the farm girl to rise and move on to the meeting. He didn't care that she was taking advantage of the fact her kids were n the center of that trio's camp, nor that he startled her. "Get your kids and lets go. Atreyu is holding a meeting." He idn't wait nor was he gentle. He was an ass most the time, but he'd taken notice that she clung like a leech to Ultyr and was constantly doing anything he told her.

It pissed Azriel off.

He shook the thoughts from his pelt as he entered the clearing and strode directly to Atreyu's side. His own dog taking up a spot with Bigs in a flirty but sort of cute way? He gave a small kiss to Atreyu's shoulder before turning and facing their band. This was her show but he was here to support her nonetheless. He cut his eyes to their members, taking stock of those that had appeared today already. Damn he was late at being first but he took it as a good sign that others were being active and stepping in where they were needed. The melody Oath hummed brought a small smile to his lips, the man had always had a way with their songs. He was aware Atreyu was holding all the cards and either the band would riot today or he would see them come to terms with her decisions.

"Atreyu" || "Azriel"

code by bird, art by asena

She'd been peacefully napping with the sound of Akrasia and Lys near. She didn't leave them unsupervised ever though, no her chickadee which she had named Hero had been watching them. She was sure someone would of thought it a stupid name. He hadn't saved anyone but she did adore the small bird. Like her it had lost it's way and had found a kinship in her. She wasn't sure though that someone wouldn't try to eat it still though. Though she suspected if someone tried, Ganymede might bite them. He seemed weirdly protective over her, not that she minded.

It was the touch of someone's paw to her hip that had her startling awake, leaping up and turning to face them with wide eye and tail tucked. Shit had she upset her master? Though the face she was met with she found more scary. She still couldn't remember them all and he had outright attacked thm on day one. Her ears pinned and she flinched as he started moving, exposing her throat. "Get your kids and lets go. Atreyu is holding a meeting." The words making her lean away and look down. Though thankfully he didn't linger after the order.

She took the moment to sit on her haunches after his sound was gone, shaking and trying not to cry at the indifferent attitude the man had. He reminded her of the way the slavers spoke to her. Do this.. Do that... Your good for nothing except the kings pet.... Your lucky I cant touch you.... She remembered them all. She took as many deep breaths as she could before she looked up for Ultyr and Ganymede. Then to where her children were playing. She needed to follow his orders before she made him mad.

She stood again and moved, nudging first Lysanis and then Akrasia to get them moving in the right direction. Both were too big for her to carry now. She moved and escorted both her children to the clearing the darker man had moved to, sitting as far from everyone as she could. She definitely didn't belong here... Slaves didn't get to help decide things. She just hoped Ganymede and Ultyr were close behind her. She made to pull her kids close to her and she kept her eye down on the ground in front of them all. Her ears pinned at the sound of the song being hummed. She'd come to despise music, but the tones were familiar. Her eye moved to the side looking for the culprit, landing on a red pelted male. She'd have to ask Ganymede later in her book about him and why his vocals sounded familiar. She'd already made it clear as she could that she didn't remember any of them but she knew the scent of Atreyu and something about that voice was familiar.


"Hear"

coded by NachoMumma