The time has come, it has finally arrived, for Calico Jack to lead a raid. Excitement, nervousness, and a little bit of nausea swim through the boy as he stokes a fire in a one of the larger, downstairs room. Winter has arrived and with, a deep chill. Almost all the rooms that the pack occupy usually have a fire burning in their hearths to stave off the cold and he wishes those who will appear to be comfortable. Furs have been spread out around the room, offering a buffer between the cold earthen floor and the butts of those who show. Once the room is comfortably warm, Jack seats himself by the fire’s side and tips his head back, calling for those that wish to go raiding with him.



DEADLINE: September 13th but we may raid as soon as the 11th if we get enough wolves! <3


"Calico Jack"

It was time once more for a raid. He could tell by the howl that Jack released over the Isle. Internally, he was proud of the boy for stepping up and taking a leadership-style role. Externally, he was calm, cool, and collected. Expression on the bland side, not revealing his emotion any which way. Gil preferred it that way. To hold his cards close to his chest. Even as he approached, thankful that Jack had lit a fire to warm the room, he barely moved to glance at the boy. Instead, he enters the room, a quiet chuff tossed in the boy's direction before he goes to sit himself near the fire. Lanky as he was, he needed the extra warmth. Gil's lips stay shut as he watches the entrance to see who will show. Would it be Sparrow? Would she attend her boy's first raid? Ignis? All the youngsters? He wouldn't expect Deluge or Scald, but perhaps they would support their friend before shoving off.

"speech"

When Rivin heard the howl of her friend across the island she would move to rise. She had been allowing herself some time to rest and think. She mulled over her conversation with Gil as well as when Calico Jack saved her from the waves. She thought of her family too. Of the “mother” that she felt betrayed them all, that didn’t care for the rest of their family. She thought of Aresenn, and Diablo too. The trouble her brother had undoubtedly got himself in. But she didn’t tell the other adults. Diablo’s business was his own, and if a pack came for him, Rivin had decided she would stand with her brother. He was in the wrong by moral standards, but the femme cared for her brother. Wrong or not, she would stand with him. But right now, her heart and duty would pull her in the direction of Jack. She grabbed the necklace she had made with the help of her companions and set off with Lark and Feng.

Rivin would find that Gil was already there but, regardless of his presence, Rivin wanted to give her friend the gift. She would approach Jack and set the necklace in front of his paws, a smile on her lips. “A good luck charm for the first raid you’re going to lead.” She told him. Her companions moved off to the side, sitting together as they waited for their mistress to join them. Rivin would draw back, but not before giving the other yearling a wink. “If you don’t have enough bodies to raid with, count me among the masses.” Then the femme would cross over to her companions and sat with them, waiting for others to arrive.

"Speech," 'Thought.'

Sure she was leaving, but she hadn't left yet. So when Jackie's call went out across the island, she broke from her sunbathing and shook the sand from her coat. It wasn't often that she allowed herself to just stop so it wasn't too upsetting when his call came. She was still a little groggy from her almost nap and yawned widely as she came into the warmth of the building with its blazing fire, thinking there was a significant risk that she might actually fall asleep if she happened to lay down. She gave herself another shake before she sat, ears turned forward attentively and a nod offered to the meeting leader, to show that she was serious, even if her entrance might not have looked that way.

“Speech”

Flurry had mixed feelings about her siblings leaving to say the least. She'd been mulling the whole thing over in her head as she'd started to pick up more patrols, at least for now it was something she could do without feeling like she was more figure head than actually valued members of the pack. Still when she heard Calico Jack's call ring out she couldn't help but feel a little excited. She wanted a chance to really prove herself, maybe even not lose for once in her life! But for now she had to at least make sure she got herself there so the young woman lopped towards the call. She plastered an easy grin on her face even if she was feeling more conflicted than it seemed to show. She moved up from behind her sister, bumping Deluge with her shoulder as she settled beside her, maybe this would be a good opportunity to at least have one more good raid with her before she left... Flurry pushed that thought from her mind and turned her attention to the raid leader for this meeting. "Speech"

Art by Perencreste

Sparrow was near surprised to hear her own kid calling for a raid meeting, but it made since. Jack had always excelled at battle. She wished she could feel more proud, to feel elated at her son's growing leadership, but it fell on a stone heart. She could, at the very least, be there for him and to actually try in this raid unlike the last one. When she realized pain didn't bring her pleasure or the rush it used to, Sparrow dropped from the last raid to go and suffocate herself in alcohol, but this would be different- it would be for her son.

Sparrow came to the fire and sat in the ebbing shadows. She tried- really tried- to force out a smile, to feel at ease and to just be normal. It was a farce and it felt every bit as fake as it looked, but she was trying only for her family.

Scald had been off doing who fucking knows what. He wasn't exactly known to stick around the isle very much. Which was exactly why his father had given him the scout title. Wandering was his thing, ya know? But now that Deluge had tempted him to leave with her to start a band, Scald lingered at isle. He wanted to make sure he saw his friends and family one last time before shoving off. Not that he was that sentimental, but he would make an effort - he'd at least miss his sister and mom. So when Jack let loose the call for everyone to meet for a raid, Scald was more than happy to participate. Slipping in, glad that he wasn't the last one, he noticed Flurry and Deluge sitting together. Making his way over to them, he shot Jack and Rivin a grin before settling near the two girls. Making sure to tug on Deluge's ear and bump Flurry's shoulder with his nose, he then lazily flopped himself upon the ground in front of them, stretching out his lanky legs and making himself comfortable. The only one they were missing now was Rexx but... who fucking knew where he ran off to. S C A L D

Another day, another raid, not unexpected really. Ajax was game of course, dripping wet as he padded onto the scene, smelling of the salt of the ocean and the coppery tang of something dead. Something that had bled. He never hung around inside that much, ears flicked at the wet plips of water dropping from his belly, landing on the ancient tiling beneath his paws.

"Who we hitting this time?" Ajax asked, his head tilting slightly as he came to a standstill, eying those who had gathered already. It didn't really matter to him, he'd bite whoever he was pointed at, but he supposed it was all Jack's choice. Good for him.

He was determined to win one. Fucking. Raid! He'd been practicing (and failing) and he was getting fed up! Why the fuck was he so bad at this shit? He kicked a broken bottle out of his way as he was leaving his room, ears pinning as it smashed against the opposite wall. He winced when he placed his paw back on the ground, lifting it again, and noticed a cut that ran the length of his paw. Great. It was just his luck, wasn't it? And then suddenly, Jack was calling the pack together for another raid. "Fuck me..." He muttered under his breath. He had half a mind to ignore the call, but then again...would he be considered even more of a failure? A coward even if he didn't go to this raid? He had failed in two already...third time was the charm, right? Heavily sighing, he figured he ought to go. After all, Rivin might beat his ass for disrespecting Calico Jack. Last he saw, the pair seemed awfully close lately. "Tch..." He considered his options for another moment, and ultimately decided he might as well. The yearling made his way to the meeting to find a sizeable group there. He had beaten his father there, but Rivin was already seated. He decided then, to go sit next to her. And when he took his seat, he sulked. Ears flat to his skull, head low, shoulders hunched...he was not in a good mood and he made it clear. "Speak"

His wound was still healing, but there was nothing really else that could be done. He had a sizeable new scar on his back, the fur there was short and probably wouldn't grow back fully, but he didn't care. He wasn't vain by nature, and he probably wouldn't learn a lesson from it. The soreness was all but gone, so when Calico Jack summoned the raiders for their next meeting to decide on a target, Ignis wouldn't miss the chance. He rose from the sunny spot he had been napping in and made his way there, spotting a handful of his packmates heading there already. He would be among the last to arrive, of course. The Crimson male dipped his head to Jack as he arrived and he settled near the back of the group, gaze lingering on his two kids for a moment before turning his attention to Jack.

Jack is not left waiting long as the King is the first to appear. A huge, excited grin curls his lips up and his tail thumps the ground a few times as he dips his head in silent greeting. Next to appear is Rivin and his grin pulls into a bright, joyful smile as she approaches him. The girl sets a necklace at his paws and the boy it quick to gather it up for closer inspection. Eyes widen as he finds the tine of one of Rivin’s antler hanging from it and he beams happily at her. Slipping the leather cord around his head, the necklace comes to rest on the fur of his chest.

Before she can retreat away from him, Calico Jack leans forward, brushing his nose against the fur of her cheek as he whispers, “Thank you. I will treasure this.” Leaning back, heat floods his cheeks as his eyes flick over to where Gil is watching them and offers the man a lopsided grin. Deluge is next to show and he shoots her a grin, thankful that she is here to support him as Flurry arrives and takes a seat. The appearance of his mother has the boy genuinely shocked but in a good, proud way. Sitting a little taller, he waits as Scald, Ajax, Diablo, and Ignis round out the group.

Waiting a moment, Jack looks over the Raiders before a large grin tugs the corners of his lips up. “Thank you all for coming! Seeing as the weather is kind of cold here, I thought we could make a trip out West! Our target is Insomnia and we will be taking whatever furs we can find!” With their target picked and plans laid out, he stands and leads the raiding party outside.


"Calico Jack"