The sound of water broke him from his scattered sleep, and he twitched slightly at the sound of it. There was something...off putting about it. It sounded so close, like waves crashing on the beach but.…did he fall asleep out of the den again? He slowly peeled his eyes open, yawning slowly as he tried to put the pieces together. He stared out of the den, blinking in confusion. Wait.…a second. He squinted slowly, before suddenly his eyes grew so wide. "Gaia! Gaia wake up!" He yelped as he stood quickly. The water was far too close. In the seconds it took for him to get out of his den the water got even closer. It rushed so quickly, dangerously. He could no longer see his favorite rock. Fear surged through him, and for a moment he thought that the ocean was out to get the rest of his family. But he quickly pushed away that irrational thought before he began to lop down the beach. He called, yelled for Glacier and Locha, called for them all. If the water got into the tunnels, anyone in there would be trapped. The moon was high in the sky, and the day was old. It would be several hours yet before the sun gave them the much needed light. They would be working in the dark. Rushing. He was terrified, but still somehow calm. Winter was going out with a bang. He made sure to keep an eye on Gaia, to be sure she was safe, but he had to make sure everyone else was safe as well. Oh come on, come on. He ran along the beach, ready to burst into every den and make sure everyone was up and awake. The water touched his paws now, cold and fridgid and he knew each moment was vital. They had to get to higher land. "Freewing!" He called for the bird, looking back at his den. "Take Gaia to the Praries! We'll meet you there." (Glace first please!!)

Glacier's giatn form was able to curl about the smaller frame of his wife and the tiniest frames of his children with ease. It gave him peace to lie like that, in the knowledge that anyone would have to step over or through the boy to get anywhere near his family. His titan paws twitched against Anais's side in his content dreams, perhaps he even dreamed about holding them all close to his heart. The moment was so serene that the happenings in the outside would would be almost surreal. Yet, Voltage's cry of alarm would leave no doubt that something was wrong and Glacier would awaken with a start. He jumped to his feet and ran to the exit – both to guard the one entrance into their home and to find out what was wrong. He exited the den and didn't even reach the end of the tunnel before he felt the curl of water about his paws. He froze in alarm. It was already deep enough out here that the moment in entered their den it would be sufficient to drown his little ones. “Anais, Anais!” his alarm was more of a hiss, in an attempt not to startle their children. He was really worried, to get to the Prairie, Anais would have to swim. Would she be able to keep a child in the air as she did so? He gently gripped the closed about the scruff of its neck – the silver girl with blue tones, his little frost. She awoke with a startled cry and opened up her lungs for the world to hear. She was going to be a strong child, no doubts there but he grimaced as he tried to hush her through the folds of the coat he held between his teeth. He waited for Anais to do the same with their other child before they could exit together. He needed Anais to be in front of him so he could watch her every step of the way. even as they reached the entrance, the water swirling at their paws, and a little child between his teeth he started to howl for his family. was every one safe? could everyone get to safety? he ached to plunge into the depths of the water and not surface until he had found every last one of his siblings, but his child had to come first. "Speech"

  

Oh crap. Locha's eyes whipped open as she felt water surround her paws. The ROAR of the water deafened her as it poured into her den. Oh crap. Without a moment to hesitate, she jumped up and stared towards the roof of her den. The beach was flooding. She needed to get out and to the others. She knew she had a little bit of time but not much, seeing as her own den was closer to the sea then the rest of her family's. She quickly hopped up, trying her hardest not to slip on the slick rocks and she reached air. Oh crap. She could barely see the black sands of her home anymore. Whipping her head 'round at the sound of her brothers' cry she ran, faster than she ever had before, along the cliffs to the tunnels. She knew without a doubt that she was by far and she cursed herself for not starting swimming lessons when she could. It seems she'd made this same horrible mistake twice in less than half a year. She pushed it to the back of her mind. Right now, she needed everyone out. She skidded into the tunnels and barked as loud as she could. Everyone needed to get out now. Already she could feel the first trickled of water cutting through the sandy bottom of the dens. Diving into the family den she barked again. "Everyone, wake up! We need to get out. If you need help, come to me! " she yelled. There was no time to explain or to be delicate about it lives were on the line here. Eyes scanning the bodies around her, she knew she needed help for this, but chances were Glacier and Voltage were busy with their own families. She's so the best she could. "Burn Baby Burn"

It was almost strange being back here, surrounded by her family as they slept. She wasn’t used to it anymore and so her sleep was restless at best, the vixen moving between wakefulness and fitful sleep. So it came as no surprised that the calls of her siblings pulled her so easily from sleep. Blinking sleepily she cocked her head, before the urgency in her sister’s voice snapped her into gear. She nudged her twin with a silver paw. "Sol get up, somethings-" she paused for a moment, suddenly aware of the creeping chill of water soaking at her toes. "The waters rising!" The realization struck her like lighting and she felt sudden panic wash over her. "Locha!" She called out for her sister, approaching with a trot. "You get everyone out of the den, I’ll direct them to higher ground!" It would be safer for her water logged sister to stay here while she sought out higher ground but she also couldn’t abandon anyone here. She really didn’t wait for much of an answer, quickly she scanned the den, took a mental head count and pounded out onto the beach. Immediately she was struck by how much the water had risen, it pulled at her ankles. She skirted wide around the rising tide and put her back to the safety of the prairie to watch for other emerging wolves, ready to help those who might be disoriented by the darkness or the sudden pull from their sleep. "Talk" "You" Think

Terrae Elementas He awoke with a gasp, shocked by the frigid water that lapped at his paws. Wait a minute...there was water in the den. Scrambling to his paws, he stood against the wall with his heart pounding in his chest, searching for what dry floor he could stand on. With such a jerk his companion had fallen from his skull with a squeak of surprise. Making a small splash, the hedgehog tumbled into the water though quickly scurried up the canine's leg before the tide could pull him away. In a rhythmic flow, the water pulled back and forth with the tide, covering more of the den with each forward approach. Already the water had risen to his ankles and wasn't afraid to rise further. What had happened? Was the beach flooding? What if someone was hurt? In that case he'd have to get his herbs before...an anguished cry erupted from his throat the sight. "No no no no no no," he hissed, furiously picking up each soaked leaf and flower from the water's surface. There wasn't much to save anyway, but he cared for his plants too much to waste them. As the tide swept the remaining herbs away from his reach, he grunted and trudged out from his den to almost lost his footing in the water. The beach! It truly had flooded! Sweeping his bronze gaze across the area, he found the familiar forms making their way to the prairie. Galloping ungracefully through the water with the herbs between his teeth and a hedgehog clinging to his back, he slowly reached his family and set the damp herbs on the untouched ground. "Anyone hurt?" he asked breathlessly. "Terrae speech" "Silvius speech"

Walk | Talk | Think

Peace had claimed the budding family during the night, allowing for restful sleep and pleasant dreams. Within the protective circle of her mate's body, Anais lay curled too around their children, a means of offering them warmth as well as protection. The two girls, so beautiful and amazing, were precious to the new mother, and she wanted to spend every moment with them, waking and otherwise. Her need to protect them, not surprisingly, was just as strong as that of Glacier, so when the call for alarm rang out from Voltage as he raced for the dens, she jumped awake with a similar panic and curled instinctively tighter around the little bodies beside her.

"Glacier?" Her weary voice was a whisper as her mate rose and quickly tread over to the den's entryway, and she waited nervously, ears pinned, while he stepped beyond and out of sight. The little bodies beside her, stirred by the waking of their parents, squirmed restlessly, and she reached down to soothe them as best she could, willing her panic to lessen before they caught it too. "Don't you worry," she assured them, mustering a smile that they could not see in a voice that she forcefully gentled, "Daddy will--"

The second she heard his voice hissing her name, quiet but no less panicked, the promises she had been about to make died on her tongue. Something was wrong. Her gaze lifted, watching the entryway until he returned and, without a word, immediately scooped up their little Seraphiel by the scruff, earning a protesting cry from the pup. She wanted to ask what was wrong, felt a desperate need to know, but trusted her mate's judgment. Gently, Anais rose to her feet and reached to pick up Aurora by the scruff as well, eliciting only a quiet grumble. She met Glacier's pale, silver gaze, her own worried but determined, before she stepped outside of the den.

And froze. The water! It coated the stone interior of the cavern that housed her particular den, glimmering as it shimmered under the moonlight. Oh, if Voltage had not woken them...if they had been left to slumber... Pushing it from her thoughts, she stepped forward, entering the water and proceeding to step deeper into it on her way out of the den. Though she was still safe, she tilted her head back and her muzzle up, raising Aurora well above the waterline and hoping she would be able to keep her there. The water chilled her toes, ankles, legs as it climbed with each step, and she visibly shivered as it touched her underbelly. Goodness, it was already so deep she was wading in it, and they were not even out of it yet!  

She hesitated for a second as the water swirled against her sides, the puppy held aloft in her muzzle squirming its discontent. There was no apparent way around the flood that had entered their den, and with nothing else to do, she waded completely in, struggling a bit to keep Aurora over the water but managing for the most part. The pup's tail dipped below the surface, earning a plaintive whine, but she could not stop and only continued to paddle against the pull of the water as it rose and continued to enter the den, fighting her way out. Anais could spare no thought to Glacier behind her, burdened with Seraphiel, but focused solely on her own swimming as she paddled her way through the large opening of the cavern and realized the beach was almost entirely flooded.

Eyes wide, the shock was immediate, but she was not out of danger yet. Ignoring the cries of the pup still dangling between her teeth as she struggled to keep her above water, Anais glanced both left and right as she tread water, searching for a clear, safe path out of the flood and up onto higher land.

Walk | Talk | Think Curled up tightly within the communal den, not alone as her siblings rested in their own chosen spots, Gale slept. It was a little chilly, partly because her personal body heater was still wrapped up around his new family, but after hearing about the news from her brother - complete with such a wide, goofy grin that she thought his face might crack - she could hardly hold it against him. Besides, she was a big girl - in a metaphorical sense. She was capable of handling a night on her own without someone to steal warmth from. She was tough enough for that. Except maybe that was not true. She shivered, curled tighter, and felt the cold slowly and persistently try to creep in beneath her fur. Another strong shiver wracked her frame, and squeezing her grey-green eyes more tightly shut she tried to curl a little tighter, only to hear the urgent bark of her Seabird sister. Quickly and with a start, she uncurled, and felt her paws suddenly hit cold ocean water. Panic instantly seized through her as her eyes widened and stared, stricken with a moment of paralysis, at the water that pooled and lapped its way further and further into the den. The ocean! It's-- It was rising. The moment of panic was snapped as Locha's demanding voice commanded that they retreat to higher, safer ground, and too frightened to think of anything better Gale scrambled to her lavender paws. She was by no means the strongest swimmer, and she had always had a healthy respect for the water, even more so of late. But this...this was something out of a nightmare. Dreading each step, tail tucked against her hind legs and ears pulled against her skull, the grey wolf crept quickly toward the den's exit, following Moonbeam as she seemed most purposeful in her retreat. She said nothing as she was led away from the worst of the flood and over to the higher ground of the Prairie's edge, and only stopped once her sister had. Gale shivered again, partly out of fear but also due in part to her legs and tail becoming soaked during their escape. She stared down at her wet feet, shaking herself quickly and each leg with an almost frantic jump, as if unable to stand the feel of the water in her fur. When she thought it might have been done, or at least when she felt less waterlogged, she turned to look at her sister and then beyond at the other escaping forms of her family. "C'mon, guys," she whispered to herself, willing them all to find their way to safety. Gale

Lior curled into herself even tighter at the dream she was having. The place she found herself in was quiet, a good change of pace from the monotony of pack life and all the events that transpired. The crashing waves of the beach matched the she-wolfs jumbled thoughts as to where she was and what she was supposed to be doing. Lior had failed her sister, failed to be by her side and assist with the birthing of Anais's litter or even trouble her with a visit until a few days the pups had been born. Like what she had been doing ever since Orchid had left Lior only felt meandering sense of loss, wasting away her days with the same routine over and over as Anais lived a happier life with her mate and pups.

Outside the cave there was growing chaos at the noise and rush of water but it didn't bother Lior in her dream. A hind leg twitched and she let out a sigh, almost like a prelude to the shocked yelp she gave as she was started awake by the flow of water rushing into her den. "Shit!" The shock of the muddy deluge rushing through her main den entrance wasn't cause for concern as she let out a feeble whine at the lost herbs and moss compresses that were already swirling around her ankles. Spoiled. Soiled. Ruined. With a harsh snarl of frustration and legs soaked by the rising water Lior wriggled herself free of her flooded den from the opposite side. A few scrapes from the coarse cave were received from the timely escapee, and as she looked around she gave a sigh of relief at the sight of her sister and the two pups dangling from their parents jaws. It seemed most of her packmates had made it, the healer giving a glance around her surroundings to look for anyone in trouble as she carefully made her way to join her sister.

"Hear Me Talk,"
'Read My Thoughts.'

Table by:: Evelyn

Gaia was sleeping more than peacefully in the late of the night, which was an odd occurrence considering she hadn't slept hardly at all since Current had left. Freewing was still curled between her paws as she slept, and Voltage was wrapped around her. The sudden awakeness was disorienting. She'd hear Volt's panicked voice suddenly and she would wake up immediately. Disturbed Freewing would flap around a bit before finally finding his way to Gaia's shoulder as she tried to make sense of the emergency. She would follow Volt out of the den, noticing immediately that the sand was incredibly wet and the ocean's sound was too close. It was an ominous, unknown voice. Not like the gentle sound that had put her to sleep. Her sightless gaze would stare out into the darkness, frozen, as Volt's voice would be heard again. Freewing, safety. She'd shake herself as the red bird took off from her shoulder, and with little more hesitation the woman would follow after the bird, praying that the gods would not take her Voltage away as well.

-exit to the prairie unless stopped-

Just her luck huh? One of the few days she was home and you know the sea decided to pay her cliff a visit. Not that the water had made it up the cliff face at all, but it was trying. As Astrea looked down at the water below her on the path down to the family's den she was wondering how she was going to get past the now almost filled to the brim cave. She would have to dive... But she was not like Locha, she was not able to propel herself as well and did not think she could get all her body under the rising tides. But not only was she not a very strong swimmer she was also much weaker then she once was. She had not been eating and sleeping like she should, and instead she was pushing pawing at the door of death, she knew she was pushing the boundaries like she should not be, knew that some day soon she would just keel over and stop moving from hunger but even so she could not seem to force herself to slow down. She had to keep looking, she had to find her! Astrea contemplated then to just sit her happy butt down and wait for the water to stop rising... Yes that did sound like a good idea, at least on the cliffs she was safe and dry... the water could not reach her perch right? RIGHT!? Astrea started to pace then, what if the water did make it up the cliffs, what if she was trapped... wait a second. The Star Dreamer wanted to smack herself with her paw, it was a CLIFF! If the water some how got to the tops of the cliffs she could just, you know, swim away, no need to dive or anything. With that Astrea sat her happy butt down and just waited either for the water to stop rising and then figure something out or for it to rise to the cliffs so she could just swim away. Easy. Just waiting... Astrea hoped the rest of the family got out of the dens okay, mainly newborns.

ooc: lolz at shelby for making a totally vague post cause I is too tired to read all the replies His twin's voice pulled him out of his sleep and he lifted his head groggily. A moment before Selini exclaimed what he had already noticed about the water his eyes popped open and he scrambled to his paws. Locha was already guiding everyone out toward the prarie and after he got his wits about him from the sudden jolt awake he followed Selini out of the den and as much as he wanted to just make sure his twin got to safety she seemed determined to stay and help Locha so he stood beside her and watched the water worriedly as it rose around their ankles. He wouldn't leave until Selini did so he might as well make himself useful. He waited to see if anyone needed help and readied himself to swim if need be. Speak Thought Others

Everyone was moving within moments, and that's what he loved most about his family. They listened when something was up. He panted as he booked it down the beach, wondering why he had to have his den on the outskirts. He passed the family den just as Locha was herding everyone out, but that wasn't his destination. The water was high, and at this point he was having to almost wade as he ran. He splashed through the water, pushing harder and faster before he finally got to the tunnels that lead to Glacier and Ani's den. Fear gripped him tight, sending ice cold shivers down his spine. Those children, the babies, his...god children. The ocean and the universe would not have them today, not over his dead body. He turned into the tunnels, feeling the water climb to just under his chest when he saw them. Glacier was wading through and he quickly got out of the way before he saw Ani struggling. Quickly he moved forward to the new mother. "Let me take her, you get out of here, i'll be right behind you." He said quickly, his voice deep and serious as he looked at her. But there was no time, none at all! Quickly he reached forward to push his nose into her cheek in comfort, taking the milaseconds to do so, before reaching for the child. He'd usher her along before following quickly, his head craned to keep the child up but he was determined. This was not just Aurora in that moment, this was Illie, this was Current. It was every sibling he had lived to protect, and he wouldn't stop now. He would move from the den, paddling as hard as he could towards the trail to the prairie. His legs burned, his muscles ached, but he needed to get the child to dry land and back into the arms of her mother, so that if there was anyone else who might need help he would have the time. "Burn Baby Burn" Minor PP of Ani approved.

He could hear the movements and noise of his family as they woke up in surprise. To the comfort of his heart he knew a lot of them still slept together in the communal den, and they would be side by side in getting to safety. He felt little Ray go limp in his arms, a noise akin to a grumble leaving her lips and he almost laughed. It seemed she didn't take well to being startled awake, through his lips might have twitched about the fur he held there was no laughter in his eyes. His silver orbs where trained on Anais, watching every step she made as they both took their leave of what was once a comfortable and safe den.

The further they got to the opening of the den, the deeper the water got around them. Their cave was slopped downwards, towards the ocean. They got wonderful views, and brilliant sunsets – but now it was a hazard – they had to go deeper into the flood to get out of it! He watched Anais with weary eyes, she had to swim, through Glacier himself did not. He tossed his head high above the water, through Ray did get a few stray flicks of water from his own movements in the flood.

He could see Anais struggling and wanted to help her, but he wasn't certain how to take the pup from her lips without endangering the one he held. The mere thought of dropping little Sera into the deep water beneath filled him with a terrible fear. He froze, paralyzed by the image of Ray sinking through the water, of her drowning just before him and the idea that he might not be able to find her in the dark lighting of the cave, of her drowning inches from his face. He felt sick in the core of his being, and yet his paralyses lasted three breaths before Voltage appeared out of nowhere and nuzzled his love, and gently took the child in his own grip. Like magic, his fear was broken and he could move again, and he was out Anais's side in a heart beat, being her rock and support, swimming beside her, with Voltage holding their second child – a team, working in sync to do exactly what they needed to do as together they made their way to safety.

They reached the Prairie safely, and he spared only a moment to ensure Anais was somewhere dry and safe, that him and Voltage could deposit the burdens in the safety of her side. He turned then, letting out a soft howl to where Gaia had vanished to usher her to the little group he was starting. Then he was looking back out to the ocean, knowing Voltage would be there beside him, that they would be a team as they went back to ensure every single one of their family made it safely to shore.

html by castlegraphics

Walk | Talk | Think

For a moment, Anais floundered. Which way was the better way to begin swimming, to the right or left? She was not sure how the waters had climbed upward along the beach, nor did she want to choose poorly and place herself and, more importantly, her child into further danger. Her golden-yellow eyes panned to either side and her head turned slightly, trying not to jostle poor Aurora too much, but as she continued to paddle in place a familiar, yellow-marked shape appeared out of the dark water, speaking to her in a voice that was full of comfort as much as it was authority.

Anais's eyes pricked with sudden thankful tears, and wordlessly she let her daughter be taken from her grasp as her mate's brother took her child's scruff between his teeth. "Thank you, Voltage," she murmured to him with breathless relief as she began to strike out and follow at Glacier's side. Knowing Aurora was safely being carried along by Voltage, she finally had a chance to assess Glacier's progress with Seraphiel and noted he had an easier time of it. There seemed to be no end to her thankfulness that this whole disastrous ordeal had turned out in this way, especially when things could have turned out so much worse.

When finally they reached what had now become dry land and moved onto the Prairie portion of their territory, the worried mother quickly shook herself free of as much water as she could, wishing her golden brown coat would dry faster. She barely needed to glance at Glacier and he was already passing her the daughter that he carried, and Anais promptly sat and curled around the pup, soothing her with soft licks as she looked over the child. Seraphiel looked no worse for wear, and with a sigh the new mother softly nuzzled the pup. "It's okay, we're all safe now," Anais whispered, and lifted her head to look up and about for Voltage with Aurora, only partly aware of the other forms of her family that had arrived safely on the Prairie before her.

Voltage was right behind them, paddling as quickly as he could while holding the blue marked daughter high above the lapping waters. When he met dry ground, his legs threatened to give out at the constant use, having pushed himself to his limit just to reach them in the nick of time, and again to get the child out of the water. He followed his brother, panting harshly around the scruff in his jaws before, carefully, placing Aurora at his mother's side. He'd press thankful kisses to the child's cheek, moving to Seraphiel to place a lick over her ear before lifting to nuzzle Ani. Tears were in his eyes, and two simple words continued to fall from panting lips. "Thank god.." He panted repeatedly in a heart breaking way before he snapped his head up to locate his rock, his Big Brother, a lump in his throat. He knew Glacier would jump back again, but Voltage would pause for a second to quickly look around them. With a quick headcount, he knew...they were all here. They were all safe. The lump grew thicker as his face tightened, tears falling faster before he gasped out a breath and turned to Glacier. "It's okay, Glace." He practically cried, too relieved to bother covering it up. But then again, everyone knew Voltage was a very emotional being, and he had been seen crying far too often. "They're all here. They're all safe!" He whispered, taking a shakey step to his brother to press his forehead into Glacier's chest. Now that all his adrenaline was fleeting, he felt shakey, like his body and mind and heart were all going into shock. He couldn't live with the idea of losing any of them, and he had to look around at them again with large stormy eyes. "Thank god." He whimpered again, pressing his weight into his mountain of a brother, knowing he could hold him up. "You're all safe, thank god!" His voice was tight, and he had to drop his head as he continued to cry, body trembling as he just stood there, leaning against his brother. "Can someone show Astrea how to get to the Pairies from the cliffs though?" He half laughed, half sobbed, seeing her in the corner of his eye in the distance. "Burn Baby Burn"