It was probably time that they get off their butts. Abaven was gone and after some discussion Gloom and Spirit had agreed to join their mother and brother. It was both terrifying and exciting. Gloom hadn't seen Void in quite some time and she hadn't had a chance to catch up with what was happening with him and his family, but at the same time this would be a pack that wasn't made up of mostly her own family... And Gloom hardly managed to get through living around her own extended family, how would she handle being around so many strangers? That fear gnawed away at her as she and Spirit made their trip. They would arrive sooner rather than later, Ashen hadn't exactly been very far from where Abaven had been. Gloom swallowed the lump forming in her throat, and glanced at Spirit. "Here we are..." She said, trying to keep her tone light but there was a clear nervous waver to her voice. She took a few deep breaths before she let out a soft, nervous call. For their mother, for Void, and for whoever it was that could allow them to finally rejoin their family. Action | "Speech." |

Art by Frida-Corvus

Though their lives so far had been somewhat tumultuous, neither of them did well with change, so it was no surprise that they'd dragged their paws on deciding what to do going forward. Abaven had been their home for so long - but had it ever really felt like home? Spirit wasn't so sure. He'd felt more at ease when he and Gloom had gone off in search of their mother and he had to hope that now that they had an opportunity to reunite with her on a more permanent basis that they might both begin to truly settle in and heal. It would take some adjusting, he knew that for sure especially given how they wouldn't know hardly any of the wolves here, but at least they'd be together - and with their mother. It was all they'd wanted for so long and now that they had the opportunity he didn't want to pass it up.

He felt his own nerves flaring up more intensely as they drew closer. They lingered for a short moment before Gloom called out to announce their arrival. Leaning into her for support - both for Gloom's sake as well as his own - he lifted his head to join in on her call. He just hoped they'd be allowed to stay here because if not he didn't know what their next step would be and he didn't want to think about it yet.

She certainly didn’t expect to answer a call intertwined with that of her brother’s husband that day. It was an odd mixture of Ashen wolves that were summoned and Venom was immediately curious. Of course tearing herself from Maverick’s side was always a chore but when duty called she would not dally. White gloved paws carried her to the border, surprisingly before Void even appeared. What greeted her was not a sight she expected. Two wolves she did not recognize, looking very lost and almost sad as they huddled together at the edge of Ashen’s territory. They immediately reminded her of Eulogy, and she would assume they were family until the mystery was solved.

Venom lifted her brows curiously but remained quiet, afraid she was going to spook the both of them away with her mere presence. "Greetings, travelers.” She started as she waited for the other presences called. They had the fading scent of Abaven about them, which further solidified her belief they were of Destruction descent.

"Venom"

Void had settled in with husband and family, but it would be a lie to say he wasn’t worried about his family when word came that Abaven was disbanded. He’d taken a trip to his homeland, but he hadn’t found anything. He felt a huge relief at the sound of familiar voices at the border. He hadn’t spent any considerable amount of time with his siblings since they last searched for their poor mother.

He hurried to the border with those memories within his mind, and despite the quickness of his paws he did not outpace the Empress. There wasn’t much surprise there. He ducked his head to her before all of his attention turned to Gloom and Spirit. ”Empress,” He greeted Venom softly and explained, ”My siblings.” He sucked in his breath, knowing there was only one reason they faced Ashen’s borders right now. He held himself back from embracing them, or outright welcoming them home as he spared a glance back towards Venom.


Void Abraxas-Destruction

The call from the borders of Ashen reach the old woman’s ears and she lifts her head from her paws. A smile plays across Eulogy’s lips as she moves to abandon her sunbathing and beat a hasty path to the call. It takes a few attempts for her joints to obey her brain’s silent commands and, as she gathers her legs under her, she is forced to bite back a groan of pain. Not wanting to appear at the border and worry anyone, the older wolf takes some time to stretch out, limbering herself up so she will not appear as stiff and sore as she feels. Once done, she then quickly makes her way to where her children had called from.

Stretching had cost Eulogy precious minutes and, by the time her thin frame appears, she spies the Empress and her other son, Void already greeting Gloom and Spirit. She hears Void introduce them as his siblings and she slips past the pair to embrace her children that have come home. Venom has been kind enough to allow the older wolf to linger on Ashen lands while she visited Void and his family as Eulogy had been uncertain about what she wanted to do. She tossed around the idea of stay here in Ashen but she also wanted to go find Gloom and Spirit. Ah, but here they are! She holds Gloom and Spirit, a warm smile on her lips before she moves to release them.

Turning back to face Venom, she bows her head and says, “Empress, these are my children, Gloom and Spirit.” Her paw gives each one of her children’s a pat as she says their names. Oh shoot, had they wanted to introduce themselves? Eulogy is so caught up in the joy of having them here that she had taken over the parent role again. Falling quiet, she sits between them, beaming brightly at Venom and Void. Today, she going to officially ask to stay in Ashen! Ah but first, she will allow her children to speak.


"Eulogy Destruction"

Fortunately, they didn't have to wait for long at all for someone to answer their call. The female that approached them had an undeniable air of importance yet she approached them carefully, something Spirit appreciated, both for his sake as well as Gloom's. He dipped his head in respect to the stranger though immediately his attention fell on Void, who followed close behind her. It was hard, even with his nerves, to keep a smile from suddenly appearing. Seeing their mother only made the expression widen, and he allowed himself a moment to sink into her embrace before it was concluded and he straightened himself properly again. He didn't mind being introduced by her - it saved him from the potential embarrassment of stammering over his words.

Of course he hadn't taken into account that their mother couldn't read their minds and beyond introductions couldn't really speak for either of them. "Y-yes. I-I'm Spirit. T-thank you for... answering our call," he managed to squeak out. Trying to gather his courage, afraid if he hesitated too long that he wouldn't find his tongue at all, he forced himself to speak. "W-we - G-gloom and I - were hoping we might be allowed to stay here. W-with our family." Hopefully the Empress didn't see the two of them as weak, or liabilities; all he wanted was to be home with them, even if adjusting might be difficult. "I-I'm a novice healer," he explained in addition, hoping that mentioning one of his skills might make allowing him to join seem more appealing. He was hardly skilled but he knew the basics and he was willing to learn more, especially if it meant ensuring a place here alongside his family.

As Venom arrived to greet her guests her brother-in-law appeared behind her just as swiftly. As she might have suspected he quickly spoke up for the two wolves. His siblings, as his mother Eulogy would introduce them right behind her. The woman had been welcomed to stay here while she recovered with her son. Venom couldn’t deny how sweet the sight of mother and son’s reunion as well as seeing her with her grandchildren.

Sunset eyes shifted from each wolf to the white splattered man who spoke up after Eulogy’s hug. He gestured to his sister as he stuttered through his greeting. Venom wasn’t certain if he was frightened of her and the prospects of Ashen, or if that was just how Spirit was. He opened up to her, looking as though he was exuding his whole courage just to tell her his desire to be here with his family.

Time continued to pass, and as Venom grew older she held different ideas than when she was younger. As her own children grew and left she felt like she was scrambling to keep those she cared about close. She knew the plight of this little family. "I would be a sorry excuse for a sister-in-law to deny a place for my extended family.” She returned softly with a sweeping paw as she welcome the group inside. "You are more than welcome to make your home here, with Void.”

"Venom"

Spirit felt like he was holding his breath for a few moments, waiting for anyone to speak, either Venom or his family. It wouldn't surprise him if Gloom had nothing else to add. Though Venom admittedly intimidated him quite a bit - as most strangers did - he swore he saw her gaze soften as she looked upon them, his reunited family. They were still missing two but even the four of them being brought together was enough to warm Spirit's heart.

He felt relief wash over him when she accepted them into her pack, and he sighed a breath louder than he meant to. "T-thank you," he mumbled, just as shyly as before, leaning to press more tightly into his sister. He hoped this transition wouldn't be too hard on her. He'd do everything in his power to help her acclimate, and in turn he'd grow used to this new pack as well, and all the new wolves in it - though the very thought of meeting a plethora of new people made him suddenly feel nauseous. "W-we won't let you down. Promise." He was nothing if not dutiful and loyal, and he hoped here he could grow and become even more useful to his family and his new pack.

They were a quiet bunch, but that was alright with the Empress. She could see the look of determination, especially in Spirit’s eye. As he spoke there was an appreciation as well. They needed a home, somewhere to be safe, and somewhere their little family could be together. Venom suppressed the deeper emotions she felt about all of that. She was happy for Void, she knew that he and Plague struggled in how to join their families, now her brother-in-law would no longer have to fret over the distance between them.

"You are welcome, Spirit.” Venom offered in return, he vowed to do his best and she had every confidence in him. "I’ll leave you to start settling in. For now you may all share the rank of Apprentice. Once you’ve made yourselves at home we’ll talk again about your place in Ashen.” Venom dipped her head then and left the family to be together again.

"Venom"