Posts due: Aug 28th

It was time to let the little rascals off the ship, but Sparrow wasn't entirely thrilled on the concept of trying to keep them all together so she instructed Friar to weave some rope to give the bastards some harnesses. With all of them on leashes, it was a lot easier to guide them to the beach. The sun was setting and glimmering off the sand, and it was just dark enough that the pups ought to be getting sleepy enough to not cause any trouble. She had already told them that they were going to meet the whole pack today, but they still some other things to cover.

Settling with the five on leashes, Sparrow called the rest of the pack. They needed to discuss future raids as well as previous raid, needed to hand out all sorts of promotions. Also, there have been quite a lot of pups recently, so Sparrow thought it would be a good idea to maybe have Eden and Modesty come up with some sort of birth control for the future until they could expand the pack better, hopefully through raids.

She also thought since there are so many pups it might be good to do some training, not to mention that would free up some of her time, which she dearly needed.

There was a lot to discuss, so she ended her call to the rest of the pack making sure they knew that this was mandatory unlike usual. With that all there was to do was sit and wait.

Another meeting, but Eden was glad for it. She also had some news to share with Sparrow and the others. Not of her pregnancy but of the obvious disrespectful way Hanako's mate was shit-talking them. As a healer, it was her duty to ensure the safety of the pack. The Plunder could care for themselves, obviously, but if they tried to walk outside of the Beach or Cavern... She didn't want them to be misunderstood or attacked needlessly. They were all, in her honest opinion, good wolves.

But she would zip her lips. Eden sat near the middle of the gathering pack, wondering if she could first talk to Sparrow. She was still a Generic Pirate, and it wouldn't do it to rile the Plunder up. Even if she had a good reason. Her belly was still swollen from the weight of puppies to be, feeling hot and uncomfortable near the spring's end. Soon it would be summer. "King" she said to Sparrow, dipping her head respectfully. She would smile kindly at the pups she had leashed, sort of amused by the situation.

"Speech"

AS HER OWNER...
ignis praetor is allowed in any thread, even ones marked private
baelfire, diablo, rivin and aresenn are also allowed due to being her children

The pups have been gathered together and mom instructs them to stand still. That is a feat in and of itself as Calico works hard to obey, his small body practically vibrating from all the pent-up energy. A monkey, one of mom’s companions, slips a strange contraption over his head before having him put his front two legs through a couple holes which Calico Jack does easily enough. But the pup’s attention is torn between what the monkey is doing, what his mom is doing, and what his siblings are all doing. The fact that he has been leashed is lost on Calico as he spies Ajax getting into his own harness and the pup quickly runs forward to tackle his sibling.

Small body rockets toward his sibling, ready to take the orange pup down when, suddenly, he reaches the end of his leash. In mid leap, the rope pulls taunt and Jack is snapped backward. Icy blue eyes widen as his perfectly timed leap is cut short and the pup tumbles backward, falling into a heap on the floor. Confused, Calico squirms, trying to understand what has just happened. Is it a fluke? Some strange defensive measure that Ajax has? What the actual hell? Wasting no time, he scrambles back to his paws and makes another run at his sibling but, again, he is pulled backward. Brows furrow and Calico Jack makes frustrated puppy sounds as he wiggles against his restraints.

Mom calls to them, directing the pups toward the beach and Jack decides to forget attacking his sibling for the moment. Small body races toward the beach, encountering that unknown backward pull again but this time, he strains against it. The harness that had been made for him, digs into his small body as the pup fights to move faster than he is allowed. They arrive quickly and mom works to settle them before she releases a call. Looking behind him, shooting his mother a charming grin, Calico Jack finds the evil thing that has been limiting him. Eyes narrow at the rope that stretches from his harness back toward his mom, the fact that she is holding the other end completely lost on the patchwork pup.

HA! Now he can get free! Swiftly, Jack spins around, catching the thing in his mouth and wrapping his small legs around it. Without the use of his front legs, Calico pitches forward, tumbling into his closest sibling as he goes. Vicious sounds erupt from his mouth (well, vicious in his mind) as he rolls and soon the pup and his rope victim soon come to a stop. With his mouth full of the thick, braided material, gnawing heavily on the thing, Calico Jack spies Eden, the nice adult who helped him with the net, and he shoots her a happy grin from around his newfound toy. Tail thumps lightly against the ground as he wiggles, rolling over and knocking into another one of siblings. How is he supposed to pay attention when mom gave them such cool toys to play with?!


"Calico Jack"

Everything had been great until the young boy had opened his eyes. He was constantly surrounded by the familiar warmth that had surrounded him before the big cold fall, and there was plenty of milk. His life was great. Once he opened his eyes, he realised… he was surrounded by giants. Not just him mumma and the other grown ups, not just the pups that were older than he was, everyone. Everyone was bigger than he was.

Jaws parted in silence, muzzle wrinkled in protest as the scratchy rope was tied around his body and he had to toddle along with the rest of the pack. Once movement had stopped, he finally came to realise that perhaps being smaller might be to his advantage. He lifted his right leg and tried to wriggle it free of the restraint, managing to get his paw back level with his chin before his elbow caught and he toppled over and landed on his face with an indignant squeak. Now his leg was stuck! and he wasn’t yet coordinated enough to balance on just three limbs.

He could only throw himself onto his back and hope his wriggling might help to free the limb or that someone would come and save him.

Her mumma might be a lazy bones, but Deluge wasn’t gonna let the pirate king down! She dragged herself out of the ocean, the salty water flying from her fur as she shook. She knew her glowing annoyed her mumma, and it made her extra drooly if she tried to pick her up, so she made a point of swimming in the ocean often to keep her glow nice and bright and annoying. The nubs on her skull appreciated the cold of the water as well.

Her long and awkward legs were only made more so by the weight of her growing cat paws. Deluge stumbled as she approached the small gathering, giving Eden a big grin and looking at the leashed pups with some interest. It was smart, but she didn’t want her own mother getting any ideas. The little brown one with his leg stuck might serve as deterrent enough. She crept closer to give the limb a little tug back into position and made herself busy giving each of them a sniff now she wasn’t being yeeted by an angry giant across the beach.

Modesty had been surprised at the way her heart had been in her throat when Deluge launched herself at the giant Armada wolf. The whole affair had left the girl somewhat in the lurch if she was honest. She had grown up as a member of the Ashen Empire, niece to the Empress, with the Armada wolves apparently being their closest allies. But she supposed, a lot had changed since they changed their last names and left the shrine behind.

She was pleased to see her daughter had beaten her to the meeting, and for once, she offered the mottled child an approving smile as she carefully arranged her extra long fur in a manner that wouldn’t leave it pulling on her skin as she sat alongside their new healer. Her stomach gave an unpleasant flop with the realisation that Eden’s brood had also been born. She really wasn’t much of a one for children, and with her own brats to look after, Modesty wouldn’t feel quite right dumping her kids on the green flecked woman too. It looked like Gilgamesh would be pulling double… hell, with Sparrows kids as well, maybe even triple or quadruple kid duty. Her current share was more than enough thank you very much. She had no intention of sending herself prematurely grey.

Speaking of, they should probably work on planning a wedding some day soon…

(free use pixel fox)

Ajax didn't get it. Why weren't they allowed to run free? Why were they being contained!? He was usually a pretty agreeable kid, a little pushy when it came to finding the comfiest spot to sleep against Mum's tummy, nothing that heralded his future just yet. But this had the boy straining against the lead, walking on the spot and going nowhere fast as the distant waves caught his attention. Twisting around in an attempt to untangle himself of whatever was holding him back, he ended up walking backwards, bum first into his Ma's leg.

Tipping his head back, he peered up at her and offered her a grin. There was a lot he didn't know, but one thing was for certain was that he loved his Ma! He'd love her EVEN MORE if she let him go.

Shifting his attention to the other bigs that had started to gather, he didn't recognise 'em. None were known and familiar like Ma, from their scent to their looks it was all knew and strange to the little pup. Were they family too? Not quite like his siblings who'd been by his side from the start, but still important. Still there.

Anyway... He deserved freedom! Release him! He struggled anew, surging forward to walk on the spot once more, still held back by his neck. 

All You Have Is Your Fire...

Pyralis applied the ointment she'd been given to what was left of her ear. It burned a little but mostly itched. She was assured this was a sign of healing but it was still frustrating. She debated wearing her fancy new headband which had her taxidermied ear attached, but decided to leave it. Most of the time she considered it battle decor. While Pyralis looked over her injuries a call rang out to gather the pirates.

She sauntered in, shooting the present wolves a grin. Pups abounded and she noticed that Eden was pregnant as well. She was impressed anyone found time to get knocked up with all the fighting going on. Pyralis threw down a sheep skin and then settled down onto it like a sphynx to await the start of the meeting. She was getting too old to sit through these things.

They were finally going outside the ship! Ma and the other Bigs had had a hell of a time keeping the Pirate King’s spawn from escaping. Their natural instinct was to run free, uninhibited by rules or other regulations, like the Pirate Code had intended, and the outside was the ultimate freedom. Kaede had been bounding from paw to paw, eagerly waiting the moment the hold would be opened and they could scatter. But then, the weird wolf had slipped her into some sort of trap and the orange-splattered girl’s nose crinkled with distaste. Well this was no fun!

Still, she begrudgingly allowed it when they were led beyond the wooden walls of all they’d ever known thus far. Her nose was twitching like crazy, her heavy tail, weighted with the spikes that were beginning to sprout through her skin to remain hidden under her lush fur, violently wagging to and fro. She paid no mind to being careful to not wack the sibling behind her with it. As they walked, she found a fun game she could play. The pups were lined up snoot to butt, with about a foot of slack rope between them. Every so often, she would either stop suddenly and yank the sibling in front of her back with her, or surge forward the jerk the sibling behind her along with her. She laughed jovially at the harmless fun, her pink eyes bright and carefree.

Then, they were stopping, and Ma was yelling for a bunch of other Bigs. Dede lifted her head and yelled with her, a warbling howl that wasn’t much of a howl at all, but when she finished she looked to Ma with her bright puppy grin, as if to say “Did I do it right?”

"Speech"

Sure enough, a new brood of pirate babies had spawned. The tiny beanbag looking things that were writhing on the beach with that big fight a little while back had now become more recognizable as puppies. Curious, Rexx followed after Deluge, pausing once in a while to bend down and rub his sore tusks on the tops of his burly forelegs. Damn, his jaw hurt. His tusks were itching and every time he tried to chew a stick or a strip of bark his tusks kept splintering them. So, he had to just push through the discomfort with a cocky grin and a wag of his nub tail. What was the saying, no pain no gain? Or something like that, Rexx didn’t really care for learning such phrases. He arrived after his larger sister to a sight he couldn’t help but snort at, just a little. The little guys - though were they any bigger than them? - were all tangled up on leashes, tied together so they wouldn’t escape. Leave it to the Pirate King herself to create such a contraption for her kids. His expression lit up amusement as he approached them, watching them like one would watch those little ants in the plastic ant farm displays. He did, however, show some interest in the gingerbread-pelted boy with the long brown horns, eyeing him with a titl of his head. Yeah, that one had to be his play buddy if he had anything to say about it. Like his dad, Rexx could be a bully if he wanted to - but he was smart enough to keep his mouth shut and stick with his sister and mother. Not that anyone needed reminding, but if anyone needed to be on aleash, it was probsbly Rexx himself. He was trouble personified, plain and simple.

As the call rang out to gather Artisan wasted no time placing down his craft and trotting happily across the beach toward the mouth of the cavern. Many had beaten him to the meeting but it didn't bother the easy-going Aracari man in the slightest - he wasn't late, and he'd arrived before his brother. Surely in comparison to Hya he was the golden boy pirate and hopefully, due for a promotion! (Especially after swiping that bastards eartip right off his head during the chaotic trespass.)

Sweeping his gaze across the many, many puppies, Artisan found himself a spot away from the majority of them where he was in no danger of being nibbled or drooled on. This age was... well, boring and a little gross. When they got a bit bigger he'd be the best pirate uncle that had ever lived, but until they were old enough to share a brew with he simply did not know how to interact with them. The leashes wrapped around each pup had been a brilliant idea, as far as Artisan was concerned. Had Sparrow stolen that idea from him??


"Speech"

"Talk" Walk His injuries hurt. Wounds healing from the raid. The wound from his now missing ear somewhat healed from the fight with one of his sons. The newest wound from Azure's trespass. Ignis had been getting into fight after fight, earning a fresh new battle wound each and every time. Though his wounds from the raid were minor considering he had won both of his fights there, he could feel the tug and pull of each wound as they started to heal, and the tiredness that was coming with it. His Demon seemed intent on trying to beat him down each and every time, too, with Ignis seemingly waking up with something that made him feel even more battered and bruised than the day before. He pulled himself to his feet and lumbered over to the gathering that Sparrow had called. The day she had given birth had been a total shit show, and he hoped Eden's birth didn't end up the same. She was, after all, likely to be due soon. She definitely looked about ready to pop, and he still wasn't certain how to feel about it. Still, as he spied her among the group, he moved into the group and settled heavily next to her. Crimson gaze turned to Sparrow, a nod given to her as his gaze fell to her pups and all the other pups that were bounding around. His good ear flicked back, the crimson male unsure what to do around all these little creatures. He hadn't exactly been father of the year when his first litter was that age...and he had no idea what would happen with this soon-to-be litter. He shoved the thoughts from his mind with a huff, wondering if Sparrow was going to promote those that had beaten their opponent's asses in the raid or something. He had his eye on Pyralis' position, but the old bat was soon to croak, he was sure. Might as well let her live out the rest of her days with the rank she had earned.

Coming back from another one of his adventures, Scald was proud of himself. Wrapped around his neck was a rabbit. Half-alive by now as it wiggled and squealed its pleas to be released. Bopping it once or twice on the head until it would shut up, the colorful coated pup crossed Pirate borders just as the Pirate King's call echoed over the beach. Curious, he picked up his pace as he saw his siblings and mother make their way toward the noise. If mom was going, then it must be important. Catching up just as his family arrived, minus dad and Flurry, Scald saw where his other two siblings were headed. Deluge poked at a stuck brown one while Rexx sauntered over to the red-horned boy. One brow raised as he looked at the rest of Sparrow's kids, his two-toned gaze lingering. Tired from his jaunt through the nearby woods, Scald decided to leave the tied-up pups alone. Their entrapment would be enough fun for them for now. Passing by stinky Eden and his mother, Scald dropped the rabbit at her paws with a beaming smile. "For yoooou, mama," he crooned before he noticed the bright and colorful man laying off to the side by himself. Passing by Pyralis with a smile, Scald approached Artisan with a tilt of his head. "Why're you all by yourself?" Scald asked with a raised brow. Sitting himself beside Artisan, a smirk crossing his lips, hoping to annoy his older packmate, he looked up to Artisan before turning his attention toward Sparrow. Speech

Gilgamesh was not particularly pleased to be wandering around. While most of the pirates only ended up with a torn ear, his ankle had once again been broken. There wasn't enough booze or pills to keep the pain away since Modesty hadn't quite gotten onto the "good mother" train yet. Following his family out slowly toward Sparrow's heeding call, the mottled man made sure to bring a large bottle with him. Sure, he hadn't quite been successful against Azure, but Deluge was safe and hadn't been killed or kidnapped. He considered that a win in his books. Hobbling as well as he could with the splint still wrapped tightly around his ankle, Gil came up to the other side of Modesty. Rubbing his cheek against her in a quick moment of affection, Gil plopped himself down onto the sand. Taking a large swig from his bottle of booze to ease the achiness of his injury, he glanced around the ones who had gathered. Glancing over his shoulder to make sure Flurry was still in tow behind him, he smiled at his daughter. Nudging her in the direction of the other pups, Gil finally turned his attention upon Sparrow, their Pirate King. ”Speech” ’Thought’

edited to add that flurry came in attendance with gil since Lo is on absence <3

He was running late, and that was totally on him but he wasn't about to throw himself under the bus. He'd been drinking a little too much the night before, and when Sparrow's call hit the air, it set his mind reeling as he woke up with a pounding headache, fur sticking up in every angle as he stumbled to his paws, tongue dry as dirt as he made his way to the cavern. His vision wasn't quite in working order, much less with the brightness of the day as he barely woke up, but if Sparrow was calling another meeting then it had to be for something good, right? After all, that mess with the whole Armadan thing and Sparrow dropping babies on the ground like a broken gumball machine was definitely something he wasn't going to forget anytime soon. Maybe that's why he was so hungover right now, he wasn't sure. It was certainly something he wished he could wash his eyeballs for because he had not been prepared to see his cousin giving birth at all but alas!

He stumbled into the meeting, practically flopping onto the ground in a heavy heap of fur, bleary-eyed and seeing double. Most everyone was here, he thought. But what did he know? It looked like there were alot of wolves here thanks to his double vision. Would his dad be disappointed in him? Eh, probably not. He wasn't sure. He hadn't seen his old man in a while, and besides, it's not like he got hammered his often all the time anyway. He was a pirate after all! What was a drink or few?

The pups all wriggled and stuff and Sparrow did her best to pay them no mind.

Eden came first, round with pups. Sparrow offered her a large smile. There was the woman who believed her about her pups, who helped her and defended her. Yes, Sparrow thought of her warmly and hoped she'd be happy by the meeting's outcome.

Deluge was next, and she moved towards the pup. Cool, yes, do something with them.

Modesty followed and Sparrow was glad to see her. She had been somewhat absent of late, but she had kids and so Sparrow didn't blame her.

Pyralis came in next and Sparrow cast her a familiar grin and greeting. She was solid as always and Sparrow had no complaints except for that she wasn't getting younger. She should really work on that.

Then there was another little interested in her pups. Ignored. Next!

Artisan, the golden boy of the hour. Sparrow flashed him a smile, partly because she was now drowning in puppies and partly because she had good news for him.

Ignis followed- a good warrior. He was injured, but still at the meeting. She saw him eye the pups somewhat helplessly and felt a sort of comradery. Same, Ignis, same.

More pups, great.

Then Gil. He was hobbling still, although he did make it. Sparrow smiled at him, wondering if she should open up another most unholy slot eventually...

Ares stumbled in last, and Sparrow tisked at him, though her face didn't hold any seriousness in it.

After waiting for a while for Hyacinth and any other stragglers, Sparrow started the meeting.

"Alright, welcome everyone to probably the first real meeting I ever held. I still want it to be quick, so first- Habari! The raid went really well! I mean, we lost, but it went well! I want to congratulate Ignis, Gil, and Pyra especially for performing amazingly."

Sparrow waited a second- it wasn't quite time for those promotions just yet.

"Next," Sparrow said, releasing her hold and the knot on the pups' leashes, setting them free, "We have new pups! There's Kaede, Ajax, Calico Jack, Kashi, and Sakana. Thank Hanako for these guys. And about their birth-"

Sparrow looked at each of them as meaningfully as she could while her pups no doubt went rabid with freedom. "Thank you all for your efforts against Azure. And thank you Eden for helping keep us all patched up through the raid and that fight. And thank you, Artisan, for this sick new ear trophy which definitely makes you my current favorite."

Sparrow flashed a smile.

"For all of that, I'd like to hand out some promotions! Eden, you've shown your compassion time and time again and it's only fitting you get to be our first Virtue of Compassion for your service. Ignis, you always are there to enforce the wrath of the pack, and I think you should be named as such. And lastly, Artisan you've given me something I covet, and I haven't missed your knack for collecting, so it's only fair you get to be our Greed. Congrats to you all, I hope we all get drunk tonight together."

Sparrow had dug up some drinks, which Friar now gestures to lavishly.

"Moving forward, we need more raids. I want Pyralis to take Hyacinth, Ignis, and Modesty and scout north and west of us. I want Gil to take Artisan, Ares, and Eden and scout anywhere south and east of us. Come back after you find a pack with some valuables for us to raid for."

That about concluded the meeting, Sparrow thought. "In the meantime, train the pups, drink, do NOT make more pups until we expand the pack, and yanno, try to heal up. I'm not assigning teachers, but protect them as you would any member of the pack, teach them well, and send them to the ship if they get on your nerves."

Ok there that concluded the meeting. Sparrow popped open a bottle, tipped it to each of those who got promotions and tipped it back for a moment.

Oh yeah.

"If anyone sees Hanako, there's a bounty for her. Bring her unharmed, willingly or by force to see the pups. Whoever does will fill the next Most Unholy or Most Holy. That's all. Any questions or things?"

---

Next round: Sept 5th

For scouting groups: Please complete one thread together then return to Sparrow to suggest someone to raid! Idc what yall do or if yall get in trouble or whatever, just wanted to make cool group threads that aren't just spars or regular trainings!

She could not help the surprise flickering across her face when Sparrow announced her a Saint spot. Eden almost protested - almost - believing that someone else could be worthier. That was self-consciousness though. Deep down, she knew she earned her spot. For herself, for the pirates - at last, she had worked hard and been rewarded... It had been something she wanted, to be proven worthy of her unexpected pull into the chaotic band. She hadn't even bothered Sparrow about rank, time and again. It had always been healing others, helping others...

Maybe she did deserve this. She nodded to Sparrow, giving her thanks for this.

She wasn't the only one who deserved recognition. "Congratulations" she said instead to Ignis quietly, flashing the man a warm smile. Wrath, yes? Wrath and Compassion... Two sides of the same coin. Eden didn't know if he coveted a spot in the Sins, but he did work very hard for the protection of the pack. Gilgamesh was given a scouting lead and her name was dropped to accompany them. There was mention of Hanako, which made Eden frown. Not about anything Sparrow said about it, but because... Well, she really needed to talk to Sparrow.

Before the patrols set out. But now that Eden was a Compassionate soul... She raised herself, clearing her throat uneasily. "Um, it is worth mentioning" her eyes cast over the pirates with further unease "the man, that Azure, has been spreading rumors about the Plunder. I know... most do not care if he does, and I am not sure what else he said... But he accuses us of kidnapping children and women to replace his wife. He is spreading lies about his trespassing. I, uh, expect that if we announce we are from the Plunder... it could be a fight sometimes."

Her eyes drifted to Sparrow. "It is something to consider, to avoid further injuries before we raid again" A bit of finesse was required during this time, some charisma and skill to avoid issues that could be talked out "I do not claim to know how others would react if they were met with rumors first." Lucette had been quite uneasy at first, even scared. But stronger wolves, physically? They could react in a very negative way, with no questions before attacking. She did not want to see anyone hurt due to that bastard.

"Speech"

AS HER OWNER...
ignis praetor is allowed in any thread, even ones marked private
baelfire, diablo, rivin and aresenn are also allowed due to being her children

Gilgamesh would catch Sparrow's smile and return a sloppy one. Did he want to bump up in the ranks? Of course, he did. He was the Sin of Pride and he worked hard for it. Getting beat up by Azure hadn't been for nothing even if the cruel bastard had crumpled his leg. What he would not do was grovel or beg for it. There was still time even if the others in the pack had finally opened up their eyes. Nestling into the sand beside his family with another swig as Sparrow began her speech, he listened carefully. The man's chest would swell with acknowledgment toward his efforts during their raid on Habari. Unlike the previous raid, this one had gone much better; even if they had lost. Now that there were pups within the pack, they soon would be able to join in and help out their numbers. Adding a quick nod in the direction of Ignis and Pyralis for their efforts as well, Gil tuned back into Sparrow's words. There was mention of the new pups that suspiciously appeared similar to that Hanahoe girl, but he thought nothing else of it. Everyone knew two females couldn't reproduce with each other, right? Just a coincidence in his feeble mind. Glossing over those facts and turning once again to nod in the direction of the newly appointed Sins and Virtue, he was not opposed to taking another bottle from Friar. The warmth of the liquid slid down his throat as he finished his original bottle. Nothing quite like getting rather tipsy during a pack meeting, huh? Before he could move into full drunkenness, Sparrow mentioned that he would be taking Artisan, Ares, and Eden out scouting for a pack to raid. A small smile met his mouth as he thought about where they would move first. Before he could get too deep into thought about that, Sparrow moved back to mentioning the pups and there were to be no more until they expanded. Glancing at Modesty from the corner of his eye, Gil had a feeling she wouldn't agree to anymore anyway. Opening his mouth to say something, he quickly closed it when Sparrow said that she would be holding a bounty over Hanako's head. Alive to see the pups? Brow furrowed, he shrugged and took another swig of the booze. There was no time for more congratulations or celebration when Eden spoke up. Yellow eyes turned to the girl as she mentioned the slander Azure decided to spread over Boreas about them. His fur prickled along his spine as he lifted his lips in a growl. They had done nothing of the sort! "He is the one who openly beat a pup but we're the ones who did the wrongdoing?" Gil's timbre trembled with anger at thought of the Pirates being seen as some sort of terrible group. Whether kidnapping Hanako was wrong or not, at least none of the pirates had openly maimed almost an entire pack and willingly beat the shit out of puppies... Over a girl who seemed to enjoy being kidnapped in the first place. ”Speech” ’Thought’

All You Have Is Your Fire...

Pyralis beemed proudly as she was congratulated. Even though she was twice as old as her opponents she had whooped them. It was the confidence boost she needed after a number of defeats though she still couldn't help but wonder how long it would last. Would she even be alive for the next raid? Time was ticking against her. If she truly wished to die in battle she needed to start putting the rest of her plans into motion. For having hair trigger temperments she had yet to anger one of the Fatalis wolves to the point where it really mattered. Did she persist or search for a new deliverer?

She was pulled from her dark thoughts by the introduction of new life. Sparrow's pups! Pyralis grinned, one of her few sincere grins. She'd certainly been taken by surprise and she cocked her head at the mention of Hanako. She wasn't sure what the koi wolf had to do with anything though the appearane of the pups was an uncanny mix between Sparrow and Hanako…

Promotions were given followed by assignments and Pyralis wrinkled her nose but said nothing. She supposed she should be honored to be leading a group on a scouting mission but her old age was making her lazy. Especially after her last expedition.

…do NOT make more pups until we expand the pack,…

Awwww…. but Sparrow….. Pyralis snickered. She had no intention of having more pups nor did she think she'd even be able to. She was an old shriveled rose that was quickly losing its petals. Soon nothing would remain.

She listened with interest as it seemed Hanako had a bounty placed on her. The next wolf would become the next Most. Well, she was secure in her position for now, let the younger ones take a crack at it. Though if she did happen across the koi woman she wouldn't let the other just pass on by.

Pyralis got to her feet and stretched. "Just one… Where exactly is Hyacinth? I haven't seen him. Honestly though, you snooze you lose. Ignis, Modesty, I'd like to leave on our scouting mission in the morning."

Other wolves filter in as Calico Jack rolls around with his leash in his mouth, chewing on it as everyone gathers. Soon, mom speaks up and Jack stops rolling, turning his attention up to her while still nomming happily on his leash. She congratulates some adults and the pup’s icy blue gaze turns to the gathered adults, wondering who’s who in the zoo. Mom signals the beginning of the next subject and the leash that has been holding him back suddenly goes slack. Eagerly, Calico Jack gathers up his leash and trots out to the gathered wolves, showing off the prize he carries in his mouth.

Mom keeps speaking and Jack walks up to his friend, Eden and presents his treasure to her, tail waving like a flag behind him. He turns to the red male that sits with her and notes all his ouchies, frowning around the leash in his mouth and lifting his eyebrow in silent question, wondering what the hell happened the big. The adults begin to talk among themselves as Calico Jack trots over to a tall blue and black wolf (Artisan) to show off his leash. Tail wags as he stands in front of the guy, tossing the object up and down, looking for some acknowledgement.

Movement out of the corner of the pup’s eye catches his attention, pulling Calico’s icy blues over to a tusked boy (Rexx). Eyebrows lift and Jack races over, the adult already forgotten as he prances up to the pup and toss the leash around, growling with joy as he gives the pup a play bow. Butt high in the air and tail waving, Jack growls playfully at the other pup, inviting him to join in on tug-of-war with Calico Jack’s leash. The worries of the adults are already forgotten as the pup shakes his head and tries to make a new friend.


"Calico Jack"