Deadline to post is March 15th! The one thing Leo knew how to do when confronted with some kind of conflict or distress was to throw himself into the few things he knew how to do well. One of those things was his alpha duties. He had practically doubled his patrols and had started thinking and pack things constantly, all in an effort to distract himself from the fact that there was still no sign of Svetlana. If she had a habit of going off for days at a time he wouldn't be as concerned, but this was a first for her. He tried so hard not to think about what might have happened or how his children might feel about this, but these thoughts crept in on him at night when he was trying to sleep. He knew he was going to hit a breaking point at some point... he just needed that day to not be today. He was watching his children play when he stood and gave them all a smile. "Come on, I think it's high time we have a pack meeting." He'd lead the way to the larger open area where they usually held their meetings. He took a moment to quickly neaten each of his children's fur, lapping his tongue over their foreheads and chests. Everything was fine. Everything was going to be okay. Once they were all settled he climbed on top of a fallen log and settled on his haunches, taking a deep breath before lifting his muzzle and calling for the pack. A pang of heartache hit him as he lowered his head again and glanced to the empty place beside him where his queen should be sitting. He gritted his teeth and pushed the thought away, instead focusing on watching his children and making sure they were behaving. "Talk" "You" Think

Wolves vanished so easily, or at least that was the impression he was being given. Rivaxorus was angry at his powerlessness, but if it was anything at all. He distracted himself with work - that was the right way to do it right? One of his siblings had gone missing again in which made his mind scatter off. Was he that bad at keeping what he wished to keep. As soon as he heard his uncle's call, he took a breath. Now was the time to stop thinking, he would have to move on eventually. His paws carried him over and by the looks of it he was the first one there besides Leo. "Hey Leo." Rivaxorus greeted, he tried to force a smile. Dipping his head as he took a seat. A meeting was probably what he needed anyway, there was announcing things. Maybe finding a few search parties to find Leo's wife. He would gladly help and lead a hunt for that - there was nothing worse then the feeling of losing someone. It wasn't as if it was with his mother, but like with his father. Who he wouldn't even bother, because even his sister knew. He deliberately left. "Talk" "You" Think

Amalia Jayne Adravendi-Mathias She had returned from the west just the night before, lingering with the giant wolf to teach him a little bit about healing. When she finally got home, she had just collapsed in the den and slept until the sound of her brothers call woke her up. Startled, she jumped to her paws and looked outside the den with wide eyes. Oh dear, had she really slept that long? Letting out a tiny squeak she raced out, not even paying attention to if her family was in there or not. Slowing down when she reached the meeting place, she walked up to Leo and tried to bump her white shoulder against his flank. "I've got to tal-" Cutting herself off, she realized the look on his face. Concern filled her gaze, and she blinked up at him slowly. "What's wrong?" Amalia asked, all else forgotten about. "SPEAK"

Xephyris perked at the sound of a howl. Ah, so their leader beckoned them, and it seemed a pack meeting would be mandatory. The brute stopped what he was doing and headed in the direction of Leo's call. Sturdy legs carried him quickly, and it wasn't long before he found the fallen log that Fiori's king was perched upon. He noticed Riv immediately, though was surprised to see that Zephyra was not hovering at his side already. So, he went to stand beside the boy, nodding in greeting to him. He hadn't seen Riv since they'd been welcomed into the pack; he'd have to catch up with him after the meeting. His silver, blue-specked eyes then scanned around, realizing no one else had shown up yet, save for a small woman speaking closely with Leo as they waited for the rest of the pack to show. He was curious to see who else was in this pack, since he hadn't spent much time socializing as of yet. He hadn't caught on yet to the serious atmosphere that hung around the wolves currently gathered. "Talk" "You" Think

The girl had been moping about underneath the tree near her den. Valefor lingering nearby. Even though she didn't really talk to him, save for bring him food, he still insisted on sticking around her. At this point, she didn't know what to do...sighing, she laid her head on her paws as she turned to look at him for a moment, ears perking then when she heard Leo's howl. It sounded important, so the girl got up and simply began to walk towards the call. Valefor would follow her there she was sure. It didn't take long for her to arrive, the girl a bundle of nerves as she spotted the group. A few others arrived before her, all unknown to her save for Leo and the male she had spoken to. He wasn't so bad...but still, she wasn't used to being around men so much anymore. Hesitantly, she moved to take a seat near Leo, not saying a thing as she picked up on his serious mood. She sat there, confusion in her eyes as she waited. "Listen to me talk" 'and know my thoughts.'

What was wrong with mom? Why didn't she ever talk to him? Had he done something wrong? The young pup was confused...deep purple eyes watched her as she sat beneath the tree...she seemed...sad...he was about to try and go to her, to see if maybe she'd talk to him until their alphas call sounded in the air. He watched his mom get up and leave, heading towards the call. The boys ears flattened against his head..What did I do wrong? Sighing and with a heavy heart, he followed a ways behind until he reached the meeting. He felt...alone...even as he joined the group, he sat near the edge of it. He was too young to pick up the seriousness in the air, but the boy was already in that state of mind. He had been for a while...not once had he played since he was born. His mom never wanted to play with him, and he didn't know anyone else to play with. Did everyone hate him? He sulked as he sat there, waiting to see what would happen. It was his first meeting after all, he didn't know what to expect.. "Speak"

Still just resetting her old den to the way she had it once, all nice and tidy, the familiar sound of Leo's howl had spead across through the wind like butter on ice. Her batten ear flipped forward before leaping out and her paws thundering her to the place where more and more scents were filling in: A meeting! This would be Nala's first and a pretty good time to start making some friends....but how to start a conversation that wouldn't alter their moods to anything but pleasant was the trick. Wary not to step on anyone's tail, her little pink padded paws danced in an awkward way until she huddled into her own little cozy spot. Her head swiveled around to see some of the Fiori members, wondering if she appeared ok for someone to maybe speak to her. The pure alabaster baronet was rather pumped for the meeting and grinned at the alpha who'd summoned everyone to come. Just for a instant, she popped up, but thought that she might look a bit weird if talking to the leader before he spoke to everyone else, and she backed up and plopped down; Nala's expresshion remained the same, but felt like she wanted to ask something. A favor--"Could you maybe introduce me to someone you think I would get along with?" However, it was probably best to find amigos on her own time and not at a gathering.

Roza was trying to stay her usual cheery self. She new Daddy was trying to stay happy so she would stay happy too! She was bouncing around Heather when she noticed their father suddenly stand up and say something about them having a meeting. Oooooh did that mean she was going to get to see everyone? That was exciting! She hurried to catch up to him and followed along till they got to a big clearing. She let her dad flatten the ruffled fur on her head and chest without too much complaining, just a little playfully annoyed puppy grumble in response. Then she'd sit on her haunches all still near him along with the rest of her siblings to wait and see what was going to happen.

Her big cousin came first and then Aunt Ama, but neither one of them seemed very happy and it made the young pup frown. A few more wolves came then, but still none of them looked too cheerful. Was everybody going to be all gloomy? She hoped not. This meeting thing wouldn't be very fun otherwise. Then a pale woman came and she seemed a little happier! That was good! Roza hopped up to go say hi, but she quickly stopped herself and looked up at her father who was saying something to Aunt Ama. He probably wouldn't want her to move from their spot... She huffed and sat back down with a frown. Maybe meetings weren't that fun after all.

She was outside the den, showing Jayne and Diana how to crouch when they were hunting when Leo's howl cut through the air. Her black-tipped ears perked at the sound and she pulled herself back up onto her paws properly as she listened. Before the howl had even ended she saw Ama suddenly dart out of the den and run toward the meeting. Athena just blinked in surprise and confusion as she watched her wife run off through the mangroves. She wasn't sure what had gotten into her. She had come home late and slept in and now running off like a bullet to a meeting? Athena chuckled softly and motioned for her daughters to follow as she started making her way toward the meeting at a much more reasonable pace. When she got there she saw that quite a few had already gathered and she saw Ama saying something to Leo at the front of the group. She peered at her curiously, but settled down on her haunches with their daughters all the same. It didn't seem that Tiburtius had arrived just yet, but he was never too far behind. She noticed Svetlana was no where to be seen either. She hummed quietly to herself and tipped her head down to run her tongue over Diana's head. "Talk" "You" Think

She was quick to arrive at the meeting, following swiftly behind her friend. It would be her first pack meeting upon her arrival in Fiori about a season ago, and she was eager to see how the alpha would run the gathering. As she stepped around the bodies of her new pack-mates, her scarlet eyes scanned the crowd and studied the unfamiliar faces. There was Leo, her friend Riv, Xephyris, Ashelia and an orange pup who appeared to be the Adravendi woman's son. The rest were unknown. However, she was quite pleased with her earlier efforts to socialise with the rest of the pack. Knowing a few faces was better than being an absolute stranger. She seated herself by her friend and momentarily noticed a change in the air. The King had look of melancholy upon his features, and a couple wolves approached him with concern. Confused, she briefly sent a glance to her friend, wondering if he knew what had happened. Surely it would all be explained once the meeting started. "Speech"

Jayne crouched down, trying her best to match her mother's movements and working on making her awkward, growing legs do that she wanted them to. Just as she was starting to get the hang of it her uncle's howl interrupted her and she stumbled out of her crouch as she popped up at the sound. She only briefly saw her other mother dart out of the den and she tipped her head to the side at the sight. Athena didn't say anything about it though so she didn't ask. She fell in beside Diana and followed their mother to the meeting, her tail wagging happily behind her. She plopped down on her haunches beside Athena and looked around at all the wolves that had already gathered. Momma Ama was up at the front with Uncle Leo and she saw her cousins beside him, but other than that she didn't think she recognized anyone else. She stayed next to Diana though instead of introducing herself, knowing she should stay with her sister. She could always meet all the new wolves later anyway! She peered curiously at her uncle, wondering what him and Ama were talking about and what this meeting would be about. Speak Thought Others

Tiburtius pulled his large form to his paws at the sound of his uncle's howl, shaking out his coat before walking toward the meeting. He had felt so uneasy the last few days and he couldn't put his paw on why. He couldn't tell if it was Arivae, the situation with Bacchus, the tension around his mothers... He just didn't know. He had tried distancing himself from it all, but it just wasn't working. And then his run in with Abby the other day to top it off just helped to confuse him more. He had been resting in the shade most of the day trying to sort through his thoughts but he had determined it was just no use. He walked over to where his mother was sitting with Jayne and Diana, sitting on the other side of Diana. He gave his sisters a little smile before lifting his head to look around the meeting. So many wolves he didn't know... He spotted the pups sitting near Leo and realized those must be his children. He hadn't had the chance to introduce himself to them just yet and just from their coloring and markings it was pretty obvious they were Leo and Svetlana's. A slow sigh passed his lips and his ear flicked while he looked around again, just wondering if Arivae would come to the meeting this time around. Speak Thought Others

Heather was probably the most excited thing that could ever exist in alacrita at the moment. Despite the very tense energy in the air she had a smile on her face and a jump in her step. She wanted to remain positive, or rather her brain forced her to remain that way because of the negativity that she blocked out. Sticking close by Roza, she seemed to want to attach herself to her sister at the hip. Seeing as everyone else didn't seem very cheery, Heather found herself poking at Roza for a moment smiling. Just to let her know that there was someone here that at least was not in a gloomy mood. Hopefully it would rub off very soon on everyone. She looked at the growing crowd some of these wolves were bigger then dad. That was a bit interesting, new faces to bother and bug. To ask questions to as well. Look out world - here she was.

She wasn't so good at crouching, to be honest. She kept wiggling her rump and swishing her ivory tail impatiently. Sometimes she lost her balance and face-planted onto the ground. Oops. How was Jayne so good? She tried to mimic her mother's and sister's positioning, but she just couldn't. Well, at least she wouldn't have to do it for much longer, as the alpha's howl rang across the land. Dusting her dirtied pelt, she scampered after her mothers, her sister by her side, as always. Inevitably she was still shy around the pack - around anyone she supposed. Her emerald eyes searched for Bright Moon and Razor, though of course the only two other wolves she knew had to be absent from the gathering. Were they all looking at her? She didn't want them looking at her! Don't look at me! she mentally told them as she hid behind her mother's hind leg, trying to camouflage herself until the woman seated herself. She flopped into her mother's lap with her sister and older brother alongside her. A happy squeal slipped from her lips as her mother's tongue caressed her head, eyes fixed on her uncle. Speak Thought Others

Jackson was settled in and had yet to go find Riv. His den was all comfy and he had even done some short term exploring. She had yet to really meet and greet with other members of the pack, nor did he even know of the recent disappearances. The howl from his uncle brought him out from his den and picking up his pace to arrive at the meeting before it started. When he arrived there was quite a crowd and for a little while the male stood at the back of the crowd of wolves searching the pelt colors until his eyes fell on Riv's. Wagging his tail the male moved forward, but paused as he realized that two wolves sat at either side of him. He didn't recognize either of them and for a moment struggled at what to do. There was no room to set close to his brother, but he also needed to meet others. In the same thought he felt a pack meeting would be a good place to try and make friends, it was meant for business and to pay attention to the alpha. So Jackson just settled right where he paused and looked to Leo ready for the meeting to start.

"Talking"

Razor was not one to show his emotions often, as it was his sister had gone missing. After they spent so much time in the den, and with her getting better only to vanish. This was something very alarming to him. As his uncle gave out a call for a meeting, Razor crawled out of his den and started towards the gathering. Though he stayed far outside the lines of the others. His blue eyes spotted his brother, and relief came to him to see that both Jackson and Rivaxorus were here. The shy boy just wanted to blend into the side lines at the moment. He didn't think he really wanted to say anything today. His black tail curled around his body, the air just also seemed gloomy. He hated it when anyone would feel like that. However Razor tried to remain calm. Hoping and listening would be his best bet.
"RazorSHARP"

He knew there was something off, of course he knew, he wasn’t ignorant to the fact that their mother was missing. It tugged at his heart with a pang of pain every time he thought of it but if his father was seemingly unmoved by it he would also wear a brave face. Of course he simply viewed his father’s lack of emotional response as strength and didn’t understand how much it was probably destroying him under it all. Still Quentin held all his pain below the surface though no doubt it would spill forward sooner rather than later.

For now though he would play with his siblings like nothing was the matter. That was till their father spoke and he turned all his attention to the red man. Accepting the brief grooming with all the grace he could muster before trotting off with his family.

Once they had arrived at the meeting the boy settled himself upon his haunches on Heather’s other side. Briefly nudging her in support before lifting himself into his usual posture, back straight, tail curled around his paws and head held high.



"Speech"

Bright Moon had only just heard the call for a pack meeting as she lingered at the edge of the territory hesitantly. She had been away from the pack for some time after her terrifying escape from a bad man. The spring season had drawn unwanted attention to herself - why had she ever left the safety of the pack lands during that time? Shaking her head, she tried not to dwell on it right now. It was over, and she'd ultimately gotten away mostly unharmed. If anything, her spirit had been terrorized more than anything. But now, she just had to keep telling herself everything was okay, and that she was heading toward a gathering of friends now. She would be safe.

Dainty paws carried her lean form to the gathering of wolves, to find that many had arrived before her. She was sad to see that Amalia was busy in hushed conversation with Leo - she would have liked to greet the woman, but now was not the time. Glancing around, she noticed several other wolves that she recognized, but she wasn't sure who to sit near. Her silver eyes were drawn to Diana and her sister, Jayne. Happy to see the young ones, Bright made her way over to the pair, who sat with one of their mothers, Athena. The silver fox-coated woman sat on the outskirts of the small family, saying nothing as she seated herself. Her shoulders were hunched, and she seemed tucked into herself. It was clear from her crumpled demeanor that she was not in peak mental condition, and she remained quiet and tentative as she waited for the meeting to start.

Arivae was definitely well enough to go to the mandatory meeting. Yeah, she was still a tad sick. She still had those occasional shivers and aches in her stomach. But overall she felt like she was getting so much better. The need to sleep constantly and the weakness in her body had dissipated over the weeks, and she was now well enough to hunt for herself. Even now she was up and about, replacing the snapdragons around her vine-covered den. It was only until Leo summoned the pack that she dropped her bundle of small flowers. A yawn split her maw into two. The girl had planned on taking a nap after her decorating to keep herself relaxed and rested- to help her recover, of course. But she didn't have a choice. This was presumably a summer meeting. And those, she knew, were mandatory. Missing it would sacrifice her place in Leo's ranks. Arivae sighed and stretched her back, before making her way toward the crowd of gathering wolves. She arrived within a few long minutes and studied the forming group. Tiburtius, Tiburtius...ah. There he was. Tiburtius was a big blue giant. It was easy to find him in a crowd...er, usually. Arivae glided over to him and nuzzled into his shoulder, her little tail wiggling with excitement. "Tiburtius," She said softly, reaching up to kiss his cheek. It looked a little ridiculous, tipping her head up so far just to give him a smooch. But she wasn't going to give him a shoulder-kiss. That'd look...er. Worse. The dark girl seated herself beside him and glanced around. The majority of wolves here were unfamiliar to her. She needed to get out more often...and Leo. Oh she knew Leo. But he looked...different. Sad, maybe? Arivae let out a soft whine and turned up to look at Tiburtius.

If Epiphron knew anything, she knew that she was damn grateful Leo had not lost Fiori. She didn't know what she would've done if the pack had been taken over - she'd wondered if they might be prisoners. She knew she likely would not win her freedom herself - she'd never been much of a fighter, though she'd aspired to be in her younger years. All she wanted was to stay with her family, and she was grateful to find that was exactly what would happen. Her son's call, though, was not a joyful one. It held a hint of sorrow that she could not ignore. Curious, she would move to join the gathering, though her movement was slightly staggered and far from hurried. When she finally arrived, it seemed most of the pack was there already. Instantly her gaze found Leo, and she would offer him a smile.  God, was she proud of him. He was everything she'd always hoped for in a child - she was loyal and dedicated and kind. He was devoted to his family, and willing to defend them at all costs, as he had done against Bacchus. Rivarous was already there, as was Amalia - some of the other wolves were less familiar to her, but her sapphire gaze studied them all individually and quietly as she padded closer. The air here was not as warm and joyful as she'd expected, and carefully she would move to sit near Amalia, offering her daughter a small smile.