Liquid time to phase 2 before everyone got The Ooze!

The battle had been won and Sparrow had spent some time recovering before the world had turned to weird evening time and things started glowing. Well, she wasn't going to let it ruin her party! Sparrow had found just the lands she wanted- this one even had a pirate ship nearby AND it wasn't in the north! Now that things were settled, Sparrow figured she ought to use the land and call over her comrades. She had a moderate amount of booze, but the point of today wasn't to get smashed. She needed to probably talk some things out with her crew and make sure everything was all kosher or whatever- yanno, alpha things. Tilting her head back, Sparrow called out- having sent Pongalo out tracking the members to tell them to come close for the impending meeting. She also called anyone else who was interested in being a pirate- besides, things just got a lot cooler.

Posts due: November 20!

Úlfr had caught a white tail deer and had just finished stowing it away. The moon still hung in the sky, full and ominous but at least the pack would be fed. It's cold blue light spilled across the forest and into the cavern that made up part of their new territory. He moved carefully around the pool of water and the fish that occupied it and farther into the cavern as he heard Sparrow call them together for a meeting. He was the first to arrive and he eyed the bottles of booze for a moment before settling down. One thing was for sure, Sparrow knew how to make a meeting interesting. Even if he got bored, which he very much doubted, how could he say no to free drinks?

Artisan had been sleeping in the fancy new pirate ship Sparrow had found for them when the call rang out to gather. Not the type to keep his packmates waiting, the colorful man stood with a stretch of his limbs and sauntered down off the deck and into the cavern from where the summons came.

Ooh, booze! While he waited for the rest of the packmates to arrive, Artisan scooched closer and closer to where Sparrow and her alcohol stood - eyeing the Pirate King with a very clear question in his eyes, paw slowly extending across the ground towards one bottle. If she didn't want him to have any yet, surely Sparrow would say something, right? He'd take her silence as acceptance, continuing to glide his butt stealthily across the cave ground until he could get close enough to take a sip of the booze that awaited him.

"Speech"

Hyacinth much like his brother was napping the day away, rolled onto his back, limbs sprawled and tongue lolling from his mouth. His ears perked as he heard his king make the call and slowly rolled himself upright, starting to wake himself up at the same time. So maybe he wasn't exactly prompt but he still couldn't help but be a bit surprised by who had or hadn't shown up yet. He bumped up behind his brother, gently nudging Artisan's rump with his chest. "One track mind eh?" He said a little too loudly if he blew his brother's cover even better. Before Hyacinth trotted off to find himself a seating spot, casting Sparrow a wink. "Speak" Think

Art by Grinfok

I'm Trying to Find A Signal Fire

Pyralis slept more and more these days. She was eating less, her fur matting behind her ears and along her neck as the pain in her chest grew. She'd seen a number of healers. Well, perhaps seen wasn't the correct terminology. More like coerced, blackmailed, and bribed. All had told her the same thing. Cancer. Apparently it had been growing inside her for some time, quietly biding its time before using excruciating pain to make its presence known. There was no healing this. She was given a time frame and expected to wait for death.

Pyralis knew she had very little time left and she intended to go down swinging. Raiding with the pirate band would of course be a dream way to go but she wasn't entirely self-centered. There were two wolves that transcended that part of her. Her children. She would not leave this life before taking the chance to see them again and perhaps joining them on a raid in her old homeland and passing there. She had yet to tell the pirates but when a meeting was called she knew it was time. Pyralis arrived and dipped her head to the wolves gathered there before taking her place. She would wait for the right time.

A very proud Sunder marched into the meeting place and took a seat near Sparrow. He was overjoyed to be a pirate. This was the best, simply the best thing to happen to him in his adult life. The only other big event he'd ever had was the one that marked him as an adult: the day he'd gotten his scars. He wasn't sure which was a bigger deal, being a man or being a pirate. At any rate, it was fair to say today ranked quite high in his book and he was ready for whatever Sparrow was going to throw at him. Hopefully soon there would be another party. He couldn't get enough of those. ""

Sparrow watched as the pirates gathered. She was sure they were missing a few, but after they seemed to be done trickling in, Sparrow spoke, "Okay, I'm just gonna jump right to it: Welcome to the Pirate Pack, or I guess I'm gonna call it Pirate's Plunder since that's kinda what I did." She flashed a smile to the group. "So, first thing is that nothing really changes. We wander, we do whatever, and these territories just get to be out main party place and stomping ground when we need them. Also get to have some good official ranks- putting all of you at Generic Pirates except for Pyralis, who, until she leaves or kicks the bucket will be out Big Sin. Basically the highest except for king. It's not super exciting, but she can have some of her own slaves or captives or whatever if she likes." Sparrow waited for all of that to sink in as she took a look around the group. They would definitely need more wolves before raiding... And for the world to be less weird. "I heard there's a pack in the place where I got all my cool digs, and where my father got his cool shirt if you've seen it. SO, I intend to raid them for some cooler clothes as soon as the sun comes up again. Does that sound okay to everyone?" She didn't waste a beat in explaining things to everyone, and now waited for their input.

Next round due Nov 30

Úlfr debated on if he should just walk up and grab himself a bottle or if he should wait for some sort of invitation. Was the booze a reward for sitting through the meeting or a refreshment for the duration of it? He spied Artisan edging toward the alcohol and he swiftly followed behind, enjoying the view on the way up. He then grabbed a bottle of ale and trotted back with it, flopping down next to Artisan and taking a swig. "Thanks for the refreshments, fearless leader!"

Soon Sparrow began the meeting, laying out the structure and the ranks before moving on to a raiding target. He had no idea who she was talking about but he was eager to raid and prove himself in battle. His mothers often told him stories of mighty warriors and heroes. He wouldn't be satisfied with just booze and partying. "Sounds good to me. I'm eager for a good brawl and the fact that they have an island only deepens the appeal. If you wish to raid in true pirate fashion I may know of some wooden rafts in an old human hollow."

I'm Trying to Find A Signal Fire

Pyralis curled up with a bowl of red wine, lapping it and enjoying the warmth that spread down her neck and into her aching chest. She watched quietly until the meeting began and Sparrow explained her plans for the pack. Pyr nodded her agreement to the lands being mainly a party location and the pirates still being free to roam as they pleased. She was surprised however that Sparrow had given her such a high rank. It made her feel almost bad for what she had to say, but then she was terribly old. She was sure most of her pack mates expected her to drop any day now.

"Oh Sparrow, you tear my heart in two." She sighed heavily. "I wanted to let you and the others know that I'm dying. Well, ok, I was basically dying in slow motion ages ago but the process is going much faster. I'll be lucky to make it more than another season. I want to see my children again before I go. However… if you do think this raid will happen soon I am willing to delay my travels for such a sweet taste of violence."

She grinned wickedly. "You know, I was there with your father when he found his shirt. I should very much like to see that island again before I go."

Sunder frowned thoughtfully as he considered the King's words. He hadn't seen her father's shirt so he couldn't comment on its majesty, but what she had in mind lacked the oomph he wanted in his first raid. No one here appreciated clothing like he did, but his newly minted pirate heart craved something meatier. Literally. "I'd like a shirt someday, but dis our first raid as a pack, yeah? Let's crack open someone's sto'es and celebrate! I bet dat pack wit the castle eats well. I bet dey got all kinds of good food and drink hidden away in dose rooms." He glanced around at those gathered with hopeful, hungry eyes. Surely someone agreed with him! ""

Úlfr listened as the strange hairless dog spoke and offered his thoughts. He wasn't really sure what to make of his new pack mate but at the mention of castle pack he gasped. That was right! They had said they were going to raid castle pack before the ooze happened and threw the world into chaos. It didn't seem right to have that decision just cast to the way side all because of the almost-apocalypse. Úlfr nodded. "I can get behind that. Remember our first raid meeting? We had decided we were going to raid castle pack. Seems a shame to just drop that decision." He wasn't sure what everyone else thought but he did really want to see that castle at some point. If not now then they definitely had to go some time soon.

I'm Trying to Find A Signal Fire

Pyralis wrinkled her nose as Sunder spoke. Not so much because of what he was saying but because she was surprised no one had culled him as a pup. She couldn't imagine a tiny, wrinkly, hairless Abraxas ever being allowed to keep the gift of life. Still, she could see where he and the other boy were coming from. In all honesty she'd forgotten about the last meeting. Her memory wasn't as sharp as it had once been but there were some memories she held close to her heart and she grinned. "Ahhh yes, Amron's Castle. Truly as sight. I remember tricking the Talis alpha into giving me a tour before my son challenged him. Another place I wouldn't mind seeing before I go." She looked over to Sparrow then shrugged lightly. "I'm fine with either of those targets."

The pack discussed and it seemed the opinions waivered back and forth. That was good, she liked to see that. As Sunder voiced his mention of the castle pack, the others backed him. Despite being a newcomer, the others were willing to vote in his favor when he had a good idea. Sparrow smiled at them, her decision made. "Ok, I hear you guys," she said, calling the attention back to herself, signifying the discussing phase was over. "We’ll wait until the sun decides to rise again, then the first full moon after that we’ll make our move. Wear whatever you want, but I plan on sporting some armor and fur paint personally. Meet here that day and we’ll travel over together!"