The night was hot. Too hot. So hot that Chimera couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned and, from the huffs and sounds of movement, it seemed that no one else could either. With a growl, the brute rose. The sliding doors had been left open, hoping for some semblance of a breeze. None of the plants outside stirred in the slightest. The night was just stagnant, humid and all around unbearable. Something had to be done or no one would be getting any sleep.

"Let's go. Bring a sleeping fur with you," The giant spoke to his youngest batch of children and their mother. Chimera moved towards the door and out into the big atrium at the center of the compound. A low woof was released, calling his family together if they were awake. With everyone gathered, the two-toned man led the group down to the back beach that stared out over the open ocean. As they broke the tree line and stepped into the sand, Chimera howled low, inviting all of the pack out of their hot homes and to the beach for a night time swim that would cool them all.

The embers of the beach fire were still red, so he threw a few logs in, not that they would need the heat, but because the undulating golden light was always nice to see. It would be a beacon to draw his wolves to this part of the beach where they would all congregate. Chimera instructed his family to toss down their sleeping skins, then he led them into the lapping waters of the ocean. The water was warm, but it instantly worked to soothe the burning heat. A sigh pulled from him and he ducked under once before laying there in the shallows, allowing the waves to gently pull and push at his massive frame.

"Fenmyre"

The hot summer days are only rivaled by the nights and it is difficult to find relief from the heat. Strix spends as much of the daylight as he can in the ocean, allowing the water to cool his core and make the day more bearable. However, when night falls and the family retreats into the compound, the pup has found it is much more difficult to keep cool. Tonight, he tosses and turns on the floor, no fur between him and the ground in a vain attempt to pull the earth’s chill into his body. He hears the shifting of bodies and murmurs as the rest of family try to find sleep but seem to be failing as well. Tongue hangs out his mouth as the pup pants in the still air of the night and wanders if he will ever feel the cold kiss of rain again.

His father rises and Strix’s head lifts to catch his sire’s movements, nodding to the instructions that are given. The pup immediately jumps up and scrambles to the fur he normally sleeps on, sloppily rolling up and grabbing it in his mouth. He sprints after his family, eager to see what adventure is in store for them. They arrive at the beach quickly and he throws his fur down near his father’s before watching Chimera stoke the dying embers. Soon the flames dance and he follows his father into the lapping water. The water pulls the heat from his body and, despite the warmth of the water, Strix soon begins to cool.

He lets a long, loud, happy sigh and sinks under a rolling wave, allowing the ocean to swallow him for a moment. Head pops up above the surface and he inhales a deep breath as he shakes some water from his ears. Strix lets out a happy laugh as he paddles in the shallow water, aiming to splash his brothers and family any chance he can get.


"Strix Klein"

Erys was always ready to heed Chimera’s call but he was especially so tonight. It didn’t feel like he had been able to get to sleep at all with how hot the weather was. He was even alone tonight, having curled up in the servants quarters after he had served Chimera his dinner. He was alone tonight, which was hard considering there were two wolves that needed his presence. Azzurra was more independent and she was currently staying in his own personal bungalow. There was also Lucian who had his own bungalow, and that Erys didn’t like leaving if he didn’t have to. The poor man didn’t do well alone so whenever possible, Erys was at his side. Tonight he had fallen asleep in the servants quarters, where he was the most comfortable and most often found. He meant to get back to Luc but fell asleep before that happened.

The call from Chimera disturbed him, but then again Erys was especially attuned to the King and his needs. When he called for the pack to follow him Erys wasn’t very difficult to get out of bed. (Insert Erys going to grab Luc and Azzie if desired)

He paced down the beach, carrying a couple sleeping pads in case someone forgot theirs. He prepared a little bedding area and found his ghostly white eyes lift to Chimera’s form as he led all of them into the waters. Erys followed, and helping anyone who needed it, submerged himself into the waves with a content sigh. Coupled with the soft light from the fire and the brilliant stars above, Erys was completely content to sit here in the water and enjoy the quiet social hour.

"Erystotle Atlas"

The nights were always the worst for him, a mixture of loneliness and fear that were quelled around Erystotle. He never expected him to spend more time when him than he needed to, but was always grateful for any time he was given. He hadn't been sleeping when Chimera called out for the pack to optionally join them at the beach, but considered going. He felt like he needed to whether it was optional or not, at least to prove to Chimera that he was trying in at least some ways. His weight hadn't gotten much better, but he was less bony and sullen looking at least. That was something to be proud about right? Not to mention his sunburn had almost completely healed minus for some patchy fur around the thinner areas. If he were going to be honest if asked, he'd say he was feeling pretty good... although he still couldn't help but worry about getting too comfortable. Kindness only extended so far and despite how sweet Erystotle had been to him so far, he knew better than to get hopeful.

That didn't stop his heart from picking up speed when he came to pick him up shortly after Chimera's call, however. He knew better than to believe that he was safe now, but something about him made him believe it now. Lucian hurried along to not keep him (and Azzurra?) waiting on him and walked closely to the pale man to keep up. Although he could see better in the dark, the land was still new to him and navigating it was still a struggle when most things disappeared in the shadows.

Once making sure Erys didn't need anything from him, he carried his sleeping pad to a spot in the sand and Erys had wandered off to relax in the water. The ocean was somewhat frightening to him and despite its calmness tonight, preferred resting on the safe beach instead. Besides, it wasn't as warm to him as the others perhaps due to his thin skin, skin, and lack of weight. While he wasn't cold per say, he did tuck his paws in underneath himself as they were often cold regardless of the temperature. Content watching what he could in the dim light, he kept flashing his gaze to Erys in case he looked to be needing something.

"Speech."

Cerberus had been out patrolling the island when Chimera had called, and while he was on duty he knew the lot of them could take on any dangers that may have come to them at least here on the island. He joined his father and the rest of his family, happy to see them all together again like they had been when they built the community den in Aspen. Cerberus liked to involve himself in not only his siblings lives, but with Chimera's queens too as he had seen each of them in some kind of maternal way. He could never be more thankful for them or his father.

He silently dipped his head to his father in greeting, dropping another log on the fire before he waded out into the waters to be with his brothers. He assumed maybe Scylla and Albion would be running their own patrols now too, so they may have been busy elsewhere or maybe they would be here later. He watched as his young brothers played in the shallow waters but they were all getting to be so big now. It was hard to believe that soon they wouldn't be so little anymore. Cerberus took the opportunity tonight to take advantage of his brothers being young, even if he was still young himself. He would play and splash around with them enjoying every moment.

"Cerberus"

Quill hadn't been sleeping, he hadn't even been laying down. Maybe at some point, but by the time his father was tired of stirring and rose before inviting them all outside Quill was sitting straight up on his pelt just looking off into the walls, the windows, really just lost in an empty mind. It was hot tonight, as the dry season would show the young pups. But instead of laying down and tossing and turning for hours, Quill simply chose to try an all nighter. Even if that was him just sitting here starting at the dark wall. He could manage that.

He grabbed his pelt before following after his parents among the rest of his littermates. He dropped his pelt unevenly on the sand, not worried about it in some odd misshapen position or covered in sand. He loped out in the water as his father laid down there in the shallows and he was ready to wrestle whichever brother he wanted to victimize. He may not have slept since they all laid down for bed, but you'd never know with the amount of energy he showed. Maybe he would crash a little later, after some fun of course.

"Quill"

It wasn't unusual for Reila to be up this late, sleep was generally hard to come by but the medications that both Dalila and Aliana had suggested to her had been working. She really didn't like the feelings that took over her body though so she didn't usually take the herbs on nights on her own unless she was just having a rough night. So tonight she was tucked in her bungalow, a little wine like always. She wouldn't expect being called for company.

She only thought of Chimera's call for a moment, she knew it was a call for the pack. The sense of urgency wasn't there, so maybe not a meeting. It took her a moment before she rose, leaving her wine bottle and joining the party. She was quiet as she approached the group that had gathered. With others there, she strangely didn't approach Chimera. With knowing but assuming who had struggled with her and Chimera's time together she kept her distance. Not awkwardly though. She waded out into the waters that the rest of the pack enjoyed on the hot night. And with a gentle smile as she looked at Chimera she settled just close enough to be considered part of the group but she was in her own space. She smiled as she watched the young pups ahead of her in the water. Even if she wasn't really involved, it was nice to be here.

"Reila"

The large pup had been secluded his house for the entire day, as the sun often brought discomfort to his dark coat which would collect more heat than others. That along his sensitive eyes and skin, were too bad for him to the point that most of his activities were made when the sun wasnt as strong like evenings, nights and early mornings, otherwise he havent found the strength to bear the heat. But tonight the heat had also invaded the night. Getting him little to no sleep or comfort. As he always slept tucked with his brothers, this night he was forced to do so alone.

There in the silence, his ears perked at somone standing up, opening only one eye he spotted his father going outside, not before announcing an invite to him. He jawned, feeling his limbs lazy but knowing better he needed to move up now. He would stretch his dark body, to get the laziness out. He shook his fur while he eyed his numerous siblings. Smirking in mischief. He took some more time to go out, as for some reason he would rather be the last to arrive.

By the time he jumped out of their home, he could already see a bunch of wolves enjoying the waters of the sea. He took his time to plan about what to do. But it would be even more fun to just do whatever he wanted. He snuck silently behind Strix, and without warning he tossed himself into the water, right beside his brother, he aimed to splash as much water as he could into him. Laughing devilishly in the process.

"talking"

Morendo blinked his bleary eyes open at his father's beaconing, lifting his head from where it had been laying on his paws. He hadn't been fully asleep, mostly just hovering on the edge of it since it was so hot and unbearable. It was one of those things where he was trying to force himself to sleep just so he wouldn't be super tired tomorrow, but it wasn't really pleasant either. He didn't really know what was happening when they were told to bring a sleeping fur with them, but he didn't question. Instead, he just quickly rolled one up and carried it with him out of the room, sticking close to his mother's side as always.

When they got to the beach he neatly rolled out the fur he brought and sat on it while he watched the others start splashing around in the water and what not, his father just laying in the shallows. He was sure the water was plenty cool and probably felt nice, but he was content settling down here on the sand instead, plenty far away as to avoid all the splashing, and just enjoy the cooler breeze that came off of the water. At least out here there was no walls to block the wind so that was a bonus. He settled down onto his stomach and rested his head on his paws again, watching his siblings as if they were some form of entertainment.

"Morendo Klien"

Ruse was flopped over upside down on her bed in some attempt to cool off with the air hitting the thin fur of her belly when she heard her father give a bark to call for them from the center of the compound. It made her ears perk from the unexpected summons in the middle of the night, but she was never one to turn down any kind of excursion, especially not when her dad was involved. She quickly hopped up and ran out of the room, giving her fur a quick shake along the way to smooth any ruffles that might have happened from sleeping. She slipped in with the rest of the group, not waiting up for her mother to join them, and hurried up to the front of the group so she could walk with her father.

When they got to the beach she didn't hesitate to run into the water as soon as they were led to the edge of the lapping waves, grinning as she splashed out into the surf. This was exactly what she needed and she was feeling so much better already! She ducked under the water for a moment before popping back up over the surface and giving herself a shake. Some of the others started to get into the water as well, some of them playing or just resting in the water and she looked around for a moment as she tried to figure out who she wanted to play with, but in the end she leapt through the water toward Cerberus as he joined them and splashed some some water at him with a giggle.

"Rusalka Alondra Klein"

The evening air is oppressive, the heat of the day still clings to land and the lack of breeze only adds to stuffy night. Athena has abandoned her bungalow to lay near the water in hopes of cooling off. Even with the windows and door thrown open, the hut had been uncomfortable and she had decided to stretch out on side on the beach. Heaving a giant sight, she feels the thick air heavily settle in her chest. Yuck. She lays there on the white sandy beach, trying to allow her tired body to drift off in dream land but failing. The white sand digs into her side while she tries to cool off. A low howl reaches her ears and any thoughts of sleep are banished as Athena sits up to glance in the direction of the call. The King is inviting them to midnight swim? Sure, why not.

Quickly standing, the earthen wolf shakes off the small granules that stubbornly cling to her fur before she moves back to her bungalow. Carefully rolling her sleeping fur up, Athena then strikes off to where the others have gathered to swim. Smiling to everyone, she places her fur on the sand and lays it flat before jogging to the water’s edge. Legs hit the water and the warmth of the ocean is almost too much for her overheated body to handle. But she doesn’t give up, instead wadding further out until she can full submerge underneath the waves. Head disappears as she closes her eyes and allows the water to help to cool her core temperature. When she reappears, Athena feels much better and she happily laughs at the puppy antics around her. She moves to help corral them in the shallow water and splash any that venture toward her.

Ah, what a good night this turning out to be!


"Athena Nocturna"

Winter in boreas had been hard on him last year with his short slick coat less capable of handling the cold but right now he was quite happy with his coat for this warmth.  Kione was a fan of swimming and almost daily had time for a dip in water whether it be the ocean or freshwater elsewhere.  He had been sleeping with his belly upwards, legs curled up and close to his side.  Kione was always very active during the day, always happy to do work and happy to play.  So long as it wa action and around others the guy had an absurd amount of stamina.  When it was time to sleep though weather hardly seemed to matter, he could sleep like a rock.

The sound of Chi stirred his mind to awareness and another moment taken for his sleepy brain to decide he really had heard the call and it wasn’t just a dream.  In his dream, he had been with his own and the voices sounded much different.  Rolling over and onto his feet, Kione gave himself a good shake.  Grabbing a pelt he jogged out to where the others had met at the ocean.  The pelt was placed on the sand with a fling.  Kione’s long sinewy legs charged towards the water near where the kids played.

At the first touch of water on his paws, Kione made a partial leap and then a larger one to create a decent size splash in the water with a high-pitched chirping sort of laugh before moving back closer to where kids waded about in play.  

"Kione"

The wolves of Fenmyre heeded his call and soon they began appearing on the beach. One by one they got the idea and almost all of them got into the water. Aside from the ones running patrols, all of his children were present. Chimera smiled to Erystotle when the pale man arrived and caught his eye. He did the same with Reila when the bob-tailed woman seated herself in the gentle surf. The King noted each wolf that appeared, nodding as their gazes met.

After a moment of soaking, the dual-toned brute rose and shook out his coat. He then turned and moved towards the mass of splashing pups. Most of the time Chimera was hard at work, but tonight was for play. The dire brute leaped into the middle of the swimming pups, splashing all of them in the process. Big paws wrapped around first Strix, then Orthrus, sending both boys gently through the air to splash into the water.

Dipping beneath the water, Chimera came up beneath Rusalka, effectively depositing his sweet daughter right on his back. He then gave a good natured head bump to Cerberus before wading out just a little deeper so that the water came up to his back. It was good to have everyone together for some rare silliness.

"Fenmyre"