With much changing around the world, some positive and some negative, now felt like the appropriate time to bring the Hallows together for a much needed pack assembly. The alpha meeting had recently concluded and Art had a better grasp on where the packs stood with one another, and where the Hallows fit into the big picture. After some deep conversations and long introspection, Artorias had several things he needed to announce to his wolves—some of which he wondered how they would take the changes... In some ways, this would be the most radical shift the Hallows had faced since its inception. In others, it was an inevitability that was bound to happen. Regardless, with the world changing the way it was, it was time for the Hallows to follow suit and adapt too.

As evening fell across Auster, the Aegis headed down to the Great Hall. Artorias crossed the vast space to toss a fresh log into the Great Hearth to feed the eternal fire that burned there, its orange glow roaring back to life. He gazed into the fire's light for a few moments, watching as the flames danced and licked along the smoldering wood before lifting his fire-toned eyes up to the preserved pelt hanging above the hearth—the pelt of his long dead psychopathic brother. His daughter’s heated words echoed in his head as he relived the night he slew Oxx. He had been so sure he had been doing the right thing then… so why did this time feel so conflicted?

With a sigh, Artorias turned and headed for his throne at the head of the hall, unslinging Embershard from across his back to rest against the side of his throne while he took his seat. The azure and black brute lifted his muzzle and gave a commanding howl for the wolves of the Hallows to gather for a meeting. It was long past time to share some information, celebrate their victories and achievements, and discuss planned changes with his family and friends.

ooc: Mandatory pack meeting! First round replies are due by May 29th to remain in the Hallows!

"Artorias Carpathius"

Briar followed Artorias toward the Great Hall, lingering in the door frame as she watched him add a log to the fire and then move toward the head of the room with a sigh. A soft frown crossed her features as she watched her husband for a moment before following in behind him. She had known and witnessed the weight of leadership her entire life and she was no stranger to difficult situations that didn't have a clear solution, but that didn't mean she liked seeing Artorias carry that feeling on his shoulders. She knew that today wouldn't be all about heaviness and danger and she just hoped that the brighter aspects wouldn't be outweighed by the darkness. Regardless, she would be at his side–literally and figuratively–to support him and play her part in trying to guide them toward what felt like the best outcome. She took her place beside her husband as he settled into his throne with Embershard leaning against it. She waited until he had howled to call the pack together, his voice echoing around the large room, before she leaned over to press a kiss to his cheek and offer him a small smile. Despite everything, she was looking forward to having everyone gathered together. It felt like it had been so long since they had a meeting like this and it would be good to see all of the faces of the Hallows in one place again.

"Briar Carpathius"

It had been both easier and harder than he had imagined to get settled back into life in the Hallows. He hadn't expected Artorias to return him to his High Councilor position when he returned with Syanna and Aylin in tow, but he was honored that his best friend still thought so highly of him and he immediately started getting back into his old routines of patrols and hunts–with some added breaks to spend time with his wife at Syanna's insistence. He also did what he could to help Aylin with her training as well even though it felt like she was getting all the experience she could have dreamed of from the various sword wielders in the pack. Regardless, he had promised his father that he would look after his half-sister before he passed and that was exactly what he was going to do. He was in the courtyard with Aylin, going through the motions of a few practical fighting stances when he heard Art's howl ring out from the castle. His ears perked and he glanced back over his shoulder at the summons. He gave Aylin a glance and nodded for her to follow as he trotted into the castle and toward the Great Hall. When they arrived it was only Briar and Artorias waiting for them at the front of the room so he gave them both a grin before taking his seat to wait for the rest of the pack to arrive. 

"Ezra Adravendi"

Aylin was mid movement, shifting from one pose to another as she followed her older brother's lead, when she heard Artorias calling for everyone in the pack. She was still learning what it was like to live in an organized group like this so she wasn't entirely sure what the summons was for at first. Of course she looked to her brother for guidance with a raised, curious brow, but she only got a nod to follow him in response. They were close to the castle doors, having been practicing in the courtyard just a handful of feet away, so they arrived quickly and when she walked into the Great Hall next to Ezra she saw Artorias and his wife waiting for them. She had yet to properly meet Briar, but she had heard plenty about her and Aylin had to admit that Briar was even prettier up close. She gave the alpha pair a polite nod as she settled next to her brother, glancing toward the door occasionally so she could see the other members of the pack as they came in. She was still learning everyone's names or at least tying to put a face to the names she had heard before. At the very least she knew Ember would be here so she'd have at least one familiar face in the crowd.

"Aylin Adravendi"

It was a quick walk from the infirmary to the Great Hall, but she took her time getting there, walking at her mother's pace as she, Tamsyn, and Solaire walked together to the meeting. Solaire was a quick learner, but there was just so many different herbs with so many different uses and all of the various ways they could interact together. She had a feeling that she was going to be teaching her nephew for a long time still, but having some real hands on experience was invaluable so when her mother came to the infirmary for her usual medications and treatments she took that opportunity to have Solaire be the one to prepare the doses. They had just finished up when her brother called the pack together so it was truly perfect timing. They were still pretty early to the meeting it looked like given the fact that they were still one of the first to arrive. She settled into one of the seats next to their mother while making sure she left a space on the other side of her just in case Mercury wanted to join her. She knew he had a pretty important role in Artorias' council so maybe he would sit closer to the front and she wouldn't be bothered either way, but the option was certainly open. 

"Gwynevere Carpathius"

Oh how grateful she was for the skills her daughter had developed over the years and the fantastic care she was given because of it. Yes, it was still becoming more and more difficult for her to get around far more rapidly than she wanted to accept, but between Gwynevere and Kane caring for her the way that they did she knew she was maintaining far more mobility than she ever would have been able to otherwise. Her grandson seemed like he was well on his way to following in his aunt's footsteps and that made her very proud. She walked with her family toward the meeting when it was called even though Artorias had told her before she wasn't required to attend these things any more. She wanted to be involved for as long as she was able so even though it took a bit of effort to walk to the Great Hall and pull herself onto one of the benches she still did so and looked up at her son and daughter-in-law with a proud smile to wait and see what they had to speak about.

Tamsyn Carpathius of the Valley

Ember was still not very pleased with her father's decisions or lack thereof as of late, so when she heard him summon the Hallows wolves for a meeting, she didn't immediately head down to join the others. Instead, she sighed and rolled her eyes, marking the page she was on in her book with a little dog-eared corner and setting it aside on her bed. She then rolled off to the floor and, with a languid stretch, she made her way over to her vanity and began to brush out her long tail into a smooth layer of fur. She probably didn't really have time to get all done up, but she didn't really care. Ember took her time smoothing out her tail and braiding it up into the simple yet functional braid her mother had shown her so it wouldn't be dragging on the floor on her way down. Then, once she was finally ready, Ember leisurely made her way downstairs to the meeting. 

Strolling casually into the hall, Ember noticed several others had already arrived before her, but most of the Hallows had yet to convene. Her mother and father sat up at their family's table as expected, with her extended family and other Hallowed wolves taking seats at the long tables around the room—including Aylin, who the Carpathian princess did her best to avoid eye contact with, lest her face light up as hot as the fire in the hearth again. Ember walked over to Tamsyn first and gave her grandmother a sweet kiss on the cheek in greeting before heading up the dais to join her family. She went to give her mother a kiss on the cheek too, all smiles to her mom. "Bună, Mami!" But to her father, she just gave him a curt dip of her head. "Bună, tati." The message was loud and clear. Ember went to take her usual seat at her family's table then, settling in prim and proper while she waited for this to get underway. She had a good book to be getting back to... 

"Ember Carpathius"

Never one to dawdle, when the call came from her father, Dusk dropped what she was doing and began to make her way to the hall where their meetings took place. Whisper was clasped to her tail, as always. The weapon had become much more than just an extension of herself. She felt naked without it. The woman's long, prehensile tail was held off of the ground just enough to keep the hidden blades from hissing across the stone floor. Many were already congregated within the hall and Dusk nodded to her packmates as she made her way to the front of the gathering. She was never shy about sitting at the head of the class. The obsidian fae was always interested in what her father had to say. 

"Dusk Carpathius"

All around him the world moved slowly, or rather he was the one moving slowly. Every thought, every movement seemed to require immense effort and so he had to gather his strength to make the simplest of motions occur. Once stout and heavily muscled he was now thin, his ribs showing beneath his unkempt fur. Nelu barely recognized himself but he had no strong feelings on the matter. He simple was as he was now.

Nelu spent most of his recovery gazing out the window at the sky. Samiri kept him company reading various manuscripts from the library and other items he had recovered on his travels. As he lay there listening to the tales of a warrior named Sunblade he heard his father call out to the pack for a meeting. It sounded important. Nelu rose shakily to his feet before he padded over to the stairs, gazing down them with a soft sigh. This was going to be a challenge. Still, he decided to try, accepting that he was going to be late.

When Nelu arrived there were a number of wolves already gathered. He slipped up one of the side ways up to the family table, taking a seat at the end to disturb the event as little as possible.

——————

Lately, Clove has been spending a lot of time by herself. But the solitude was starting to become tiresome and heavy. 

It’s not that she was purposely isolated herself; but things in the kingdom were… tense. Father was preoccupied most hours of the day, Mother kept the castle staff happy, Ember was in a sour mood, and the rest of her siblings, well, they kept to themselves. Leaving Clove feeling a bit lonely. Still, she made an effort to stay in the common areas of the castle, working on her maps, playing the piano her father brought home, and reading books in the library. Often, she thought of Akito, wondering if he was having more fun than she was. Or if he was busy helping Tojo Kai stay war ready, like Artorias was with The Hallows. 

Clove was sitting on her balcony, lazily slumped over the railing and looking out into the ocean sunset when her father's summon echoed throughout the castle. It startled her at first, made her jump and she had to catch herself against the railing to regain her posture. It took a few seconds for recognition to form inside of her mind; she’d been daydreaming just seconds ago. A pack meeting? Well, she couldn’t be late. 

Rushing back into her room, she quickly combs through her fur and repositions her beautiful necklace, stealing one last glance in the mirror of her vanity before rushing down the stairs. Making her way to the Great Hall, she enters slowly. Cautiously. Trying to read the room as she steps inside, her bi-colored gaze settles on her mother and father first. Mother seemed to be in a good mood, she had a warm smile on her face and was sitting beside Father, supportive as ever. But father… there was something off. Clove couldn’t quite put her paw on it. Like he had the weight of the entire world on his shoulders. Embershard was leaning against his throne, which made her feel uneasy. Why did he look so conflicted? So upset?

Other pack members were present, including two of her sisters. Clove made her way around the room, saying hello to everyone and saving her parents for last. Then, she gravitated towards Ember, offering her a reassuring smile. She took her appointed seat at the table, and waited for the rest of her family to arrive.  

"Sisters"

Silas made his way somewhat nervously towards the meeting his father called them up for. He had been somewhat absent from the pack lands since his first birthday party. The gift that his mother and father had given him needed testing out, and that was just what he had done. Dark paws carried him all over Auster,and s promised the compass on his bracer dutifully pointed North and the other hand towards their castle home.

The evening was stretching thin as he made his way through the gates underneath the sun streaked sky. His bright green and purple aurora marks were subdued in the light of the orange and pink sunset, and remained so as he arrived within the great hall and was bathed by the light of the fire. The scar markings over his eye flashed with brilliance as his athletic frame slipped past his family and placed him in his favored place. Offering a small smile and nod to both of his parents and siblings as he wrapped his tail around dark paws as he took a seat.

"Speech"

Mercury trotted into the great hall, and took a moment to take in the scene. With Artorias on his throne, Briar beside him and a few other wolves scattered through the space. His eyes lingered on Gwyn and he found himself making his way towards her. While he loved this pack, the wolf he had been closest to had left. But he found he enjoyed Gwyn’s presence.

He took a seat beside her, offering her a quiet smile before his attention returned to Artorias and Briar. He found himself wondering if this meeting had something to do with the Syndicate. He knew they were playing heavily on his commander's mind.


"Mercury"

Kea had been struggling mentally ever since his encounter with the Worm. Nothing had quite prepared him for his own mortality until that encounter. He almost felt as if he had felt himself die repeatedly in his encounter. He bore the burn scars as a reminder that it had been real - as fantastical as it had been.

The scars on his soul were a little more hidden and he entered the Hall without his usual energy, or eye for mischief. Instead, he seated himself near the back instead of pulling to the front. Hanging to the side and out of the way to see what this meeting would be about.


"Ciaran Carpathius"

The extended trip he had taken with Sorcerer had been a much needed break and went on quite a bit longer than he expected. He just couldn't separate himself from the man... in more ways than one. His lover had already promised to join him in the Hallows, but now he would only need Artorias' permission and he doubted that it would be hard to obtain. Each day they were getting closer and closer to the borders, so it was no surprise that as he was finishing an early meal with his boyfriend that he could hear his brothers voice call out and request the members to assemble for a meeting.

Perhaps it was fate that he could hear the call, though he would feel guilty for not showing up and essentially ignoring it. He was expecting to return tomorrow, but that didn't mean he couldn't have one last night with his boyfriend before admitting him into the pack. Besides, this gave him the opportunity to request without Sorcerer hearing the potential rejection.

Promising to return as soon as the meeting had ended, Grim left the abandoned den they settled in and made his way towards the castle. Once he found the group of others that had gathered, he made sure Artorias noticed his return and sat somewhere off to the side of the crowd.

"Speech!"

Code © Skelle/Witchdogtor DO NOT USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

Sota couldn't deny that fatigue that had begun to creep into his bones. He was getting older, he knew that and wouldn't bother to pretend otherwise... but lately he felt a new kind of tiredness growing within him. It felt especially pronounced after losing both Audra and then Laeta. He had far fewer days ahead of him than he'd live so far, and that realization wasn't exactly a comforting one for him. He loved his life within The Hallows, and he didn't want to imagine it coming to an end anytime soon. It wasn't as though that day was breathing directly down his neck, but it was closer than he cared to admit. Having long since settled in for the evening, he found himself sighing when he heard Artorias's call ring out. Not that he didn't want to gather with his packmates, but imagining dragging himself down the stairs after mentally preparing to rest felt difficult. Stretching his forelimbs, he gathered himself and began to make his way down the stairs, far from one of the first to arrive. Fighting a yawn as he arrived, finding a shorter bench and climbing onto it with only some notable exertion. Sinking into a more comfortable position, he waited for the meeting begin, eager to hear the news even if part of him wished he was curled up in his room beginning to fall asleep.

Sitri certainly didn't want to be late to the first pack meeting since he joined The Hallows. The only problem was that he somehow managed to find himself out on the opposite side of the castle grounds when the echos of Artorias' howl reached him. Well, he certainly wouldn't be late, but he wouldn't be as prompt as he might want to be for a good first impression. He very quickly cleaned off his paws on the way in and then trotted down the corridor to fall in behind the other wolves that were quickly filling the grand hall where Artorias and his wife sat at the head of the room. Sitri scanned the crowd one he got far enough into the room to do so and managed to spot Dusk's dark antlers between the heads of a couple of other pack members. She was right up at the front–as was probably to be expected for the alpha's daughter–and he knew he was probably expected to sit somewhere more toward the back, but why would he pass up a chance to sit next to his... crush? Girlfriend? Either way, he slipped around the edge of the crowd and wiggled his way in to steal the seat beside her, giving her a grin before turning his attention up toward the front to see what this meeting was about.

"Sitri Klein-Destruction"

Solaire followed closely behind his aunt and grandmother as they made their way into the meeting, only half paying attention to what was going on around him while he silently ran through the list of herbs that he had just been learning about moments ago. Usually he liked to take a little time after one of his aunt's lessons to really commit all this new stuff to memory, but getting to his father's meeting on time was obviously more important. He could always have Aunt Gwyn remind him of things later if he had to, but he tried not to do that as much as possible. If only he had the kind of photographic memory that she seemed to have! Then remembering all of these herbs would be so much easier. He found a seat next to his family and sat back to watch the other pack members arrive, giving some of them little nods or grins as the space soon became filled with wolves. Everyone in the pack was always so busy and living their own lives that sometimes he forgot just how many wolves lived here until he saw them all in one place like this.

"Solaire Carpathius"

Gloom was a rare sight, having largely hidden herself away as she struggled to process her grief. It was safe to say she wasn't really progressing, more stagnating in her sadness and numbness. Still she needed a place to call home and while she had considered seeking out Ashen (having not yet learned they'd dissolved as sequestered away as she was) but she wasn't sure being in the place where her mother had passed and having to explain what had happened to her brothers felt like it might kill her. She was doing a good enough job of that all on her own thank you very much.

So she pushed her way sluggishly from her room, hers because it no longer smelt like Audra, and dragged herself to where the meeting had been called. She picked her way numbly to an open spot near the back of the gathered crowd and huddled herself up, trying to make herself as small and invisible as possible.

"Speech"

Image by Blue-Onyx

Fern has been scarce around the Hallows lately because most of her children have flown the coop. With their departure, she had lost herself in self-reflection and often replayed old events while trying to find her path forward. Admittedly, the woman had lost herself, grown stagnant, and disappeared, only emerging from her room to continue her daily training regime. Yet, even that had become so routine that she no longer pushed herself to do more, to be more.

It didn’t help that Rudyard was often off traveling, his absence only helping Fern to further disconnect from life. The howl from Artorias finds the detached woman in her room, eyes faraway as she ponders what she did wrong. Slowly, she blinks back into reality, moving her gaze around the dirty room. It used to be that she kept it meticulously clean but, as her family drifted away, so had her desire to do… anything. Standing, joints pop and creak, reminding her just how long she had been laying down.

Gathering Lark’s Song, Fern then slowly meanders down to the Great Hall where she finds that most of the pack have already gathered. Slipping into the group, she finds a spot to sit and settles in, uncertain if Rudy would even be making an appearance here. Feeling utterly alone, the gray woman waits to hear what they have been summoned for.


"Fern Carpathius"

Rudyard had been out hunting when the howl came. This time the prey got lucky and was allowed to live for another day. Better to have heard the howl before catching the stag than after and having the corpse to deal with in a hurry. Shaking out his coat, he turned around to head back to the castle. Rudy picked up his gate, not wanting to end up late. It was fine as a pup but he didn’t want to go back to being thought of that kid that always found trouble and showed up late.

Rudyard spotted Fern when he entered the Great Hall and silently moved up from behind before sitting next to her, turning his head to give her bottom jaw a small lick, “Hello love.” His head swung over to look at his brother, checking out his body stance and facial features to get a feel for what was coming.

"Rudyard"