Spring had been in full swing for quite a while now. The lambing had finished, berry bushes were heavy with unripe berries, the fruit trees were losing their blossoms to be replaced with growing fruits, and it was time, Corbie judged, for a celebration. The Sunsday festival was small, intended just for the pack. It was still dark when she'd slipped from her den to pick bouquets of the wild spring flowers in the fields, tying each carefully with cordage made from more flowers braided together, and lay each outside the den of every wolf old enough to welp. Samara, Suspense, Ulmaria, Theory, Thalia... she was saddened not to be able to leave one at Twig's den, the loss still fresh to the pack, but she quietly laid one on her grave. She was drawn from her thoughtful quietude when Tam very seriously presented her with a bouquet of her own, and she had to smile and chuckle in appreciation. She wondered if other pack wolves were out doing the same thing.

She returned to the barn as the sun began to peep over the horizon, casting the interior in shadow but for the pale blue light stripes between the remaining boards. While she'd been out picking flowers, Ren and Ayer - and Tam, before he'd come to seek her out with flowers - had been setting up long tables of light breakfast foods to begin the day of feasting without weighing down their stomachs too much for dancing and play. She'd taken the opportunity to trade with a small band of travelers, capuchin monkeys as it happened, to provide music so that no one in the pack felt obligated to do so unless they wanted to - the little troop was chattering together in the rafters as they pulled out their little instruments. Once the sun reached its zenith the festivities would break for a ceremony, then again at sundown they'd light the bonfire so anyone who wanted to could leap it together as promised mates, or for those hoping for pups in the coming year.

Lifting her muzzle, she sang out for the pack to come together for the Sunsday festival as the sun broke the horizon.

Mother and mommy had guided them along the worn path through the meadow quite early this morning. Lore toddled along, bringing up the rear, stopping every other moment to inspect a bug or spring flower. Mommy was often the one to circle back and nudge her along to keep it moving. Didn't she understand that there was so much to look at? The green of the grass was so inviting, the brilliant red of the ladybug demanded her attention, and oh! The wonderful smell of food. Lore stood stock still, her nose high in the air to scent intensely the wares that Corbie had laid out on the tables ahead. She was too small to see what lay atop them, but she focused all of her attention on making her way over to where breakfast was waiting.

Theory awoke to two beautiful bunches of flowers laid before the den she shared with Thalia... and her children. The thought of them still quickened her heart. It all felt too impossible to be real. She still caught herself, staring in open-mouthed wonder at the backs of their heads when they went on walks. Sometimes she found herself staring at them at night while they slept, their small chests rising and falling almost in unison. Perfect. They were all perfect. This festival was, in some way, in honor of them. The gift of new life. It was the perfect opportunity to introduce them to the rest of the pack now that they were old enough.

Thalia brought up the front of their conga line as they made their way to the area Corbie had organized. She kept having to nudge Lore forward, but she did so with an indulgent smile. Finally, her daughter's nose won out and brought her right over to the tables laden with delicious food. An answering rumble sounded in her own stomach. "Good morning, Corbie!" Theory called, "and thank you for the flowers!" She busied herself with making a plate for any pup who was hungry before she served herself.

Bub’s ears twitched at the sound around him and his siblings. He followed all the action with his nose and ears first, curious what he might encounter next. He certainly had no idea if he was supposed to be afraid by all the hustle and bustle of the beginning of the festival. As he strayed off to the sides of the event, he craned his neck to see what lay in the darkness beneath the tree canopies. He was walking much faster and farther away from the festival than his moms and siblings.

Mother had warned him. He was to, under no circumstances, wander off. He learned her stern, but even, voice many times already. He challenged what she knew about the world versus the great things he already felt like he could discover on his own. After his eyes first cracked open, he began wandering out of the den as soon as he could stand on his paws.

He looked over to see her staring him down. “Mother, I’m just looking around - I promise!”

Sonnet enjoyed being up early. When the bouquet had been dropped at the front of their den, her bright orange eyes had been watching. The fresh scent of flowers wafted in, rousing more than just herself. Waiting as patiently as she could as her mother and mommy gathered the rest and got them ready to leave, she wonders quietly to herself what they were going to do.

It doesn't take long until they're ready to go and filing out of the den in a line with Theory at one end and Thalia at the other. Unlike some of her siblings, Sonnet prefers to hang toward the back. Quiet, keeps to herself, eyes open and observant to the world around her. Being the smallest of the litter, it was easy to get stumbled over so she liked to keep out of the way. As long as she kept up with everyone, no one seemed to mind.

At last, the scent of breakfast food fills the air and sends Sonnet's tail wagging. Her eyes brighten as she peers around her siblings to get a good look at the festival decorated barn. The sound of the instruments tinging in the rafters catch her attention, bringing her gaze upward for a moment. "What're those?" Sonnet says quietly, not really sure if anyone has heard her.

Before an answer can truly be given, the smell of food and mama Theory handing out plates distracts her once more. Bounding over with tongue falling from her mouth and tail still wagging at high speed, she waits for her turn to receive a plate full of yummy food. "Thaaank you!" Sonnet croons before taking her plate and finding a place to sit and eat.

Sonnet

table coding by bunni ♥

a storm in the rocky mountains; A. Bierstadt In the moments that followed their arrival at the festival, the din within the old barn surrounding the little family, the dark furred pup realized he was not a fan of having so many bodies around. He could see his mommy greeting someone he didn't recognize, smell the food that was set out for anyone to grab- anyone tall enough to reach it, at least. Which was not him. He caught sight of Lore, practically doppleganger among their litter, and she was making a beeline for the food. Bee was already wandering off, looking at this and that. Which was also tempting the russet anointed child, who was debating making a break for the door. It was very loud in here, and he didn't know anyone except his mother and his mommy and his siblings. But he was going to try to be brave for a little bit, and see if he could get something to eat. As he toddled past Sonnet, she drew his attention upwards with her soft spoken query. The little creatures occupying the rafters of the barn were unfamiliar, their bodies were put together in a very strange way that he couldn't quite understand. It looked like they were the source of the gentle music that surrounded the party, though. "You should see if mommy or mother know," he returned in an equally quiet voice, furtive glances searching for where his mommy was currently hiding. He'd been following her a moment ago, but the brief pause had discombobulated him. Dark ears tipped backwards nervously until he caught sight of her willowy figure at the table- right. Food! He eagerly awaited the doled out plate, gripping it awkwardly between his teeth and prancing away with all anxieties forgotten in his excitement to eat something. Little bunny tail wiggling excitedly, the boy settled quite awkwardly off to the side near a wall where he could enjoy his meal without interruptions. ""

While the rest of his siblings were puppies, full of puppy energy and puppy actions, Ipos was the soul of an old man in the body of a tiny wolf. His expression was stern, his brows knit together as he stomped out of the den, stiff legged. There had been a visitor. An intruder. Yes, perhaps it was the leader of the pack, but he had to be vigilant. Some day it might not be the leader, you know? Siblings and parents came and went and still Ipos stood sentry by the doorway of the den. The boy was getting a little flustered since he didn't have enough eyes to keep one on every member of his family and his dark tail began to twitch in irritation. He even growled at Bub as his brother assured their parents that he was just looking. Ipos seemed like a hardass... but he really just wanted to keep everyone safe. As the little sentinel stood watch, the loud roar of his stomach snapped him out of his intent state. Curling his neck, blue and gold eyes stared daggers at his traitorous stomach. With a hmmph of annoyance, Ipos' ears flicked backwards and he stalked towards the table full of food. "I'll have some, please..." "Ipos"

The week had been busy, Álarr rushed about tending to sheep, gathering and crafting healing supplies, and trying his best to spend time with Stjarna. Things had been easier before when he had only himself to really worry about. Now there was this other being whose needs he constantly fretted over. Even though she was old enough to start looking after herself he felt a need to constantly check in.

Having woken early, Álarr took a few moments to catch his breath and relax. Smoke curled up from the coals where a kettle of water rested. His ears twitched as he heard Corbie's call. The festival was today? Ah.. so it was. Where had the time gone?

Álarr got to his feet and shook out his coat. He set about moving his tea kettle and making sure the coals were extinguished before he headed over to the gathering. He smiled politely at Theory who was accompanied by her new little ones. "Good morning, everyone."

Why were they awake so early? The thought only lingered for a brief moment as they were roused from sleep. It was quickly replaced by intense excitement at whatever was planned for them today. The flowers that had been dropped outside the den were strange, and Astaroth sniffed at them idly as they were ushered awake and out of the den. There were far too many unknowns for her to even begin to ask questions about what was going on, not when everything was so new and so unfamiliar to her - to all of them.

Her nose was twitching rapidly as she followed along with her siblings, always keeping an eye on mommy and mother as they went, making sure she wasn't going too fast or too slow or being ushered back to the group. Being scolded wasn't her favorite thing. Ipos seemed to agree that keeping in line was important, giving a growl of warning to their brother who looked like he might be trying to wander off. She decided she didn't need to reiterate what he'd said though, choosing to creep closer to the food.

The smell of everything was so inviting and interesting that it was difficult to pay attention to much else. Her attention was locked in and razor-sharp as she stood near Sonnet, all but begging for food of her own. A stranger caught her attention for a moment and she gave a nod of acknowledgment to him, far too serious for a barely-weaned pup. "Mornin'," she returned his greeting before snatching her meal, hardly wandering off far at all before she started to dig in.

Everything about her world had changed so quickly that sometimes it all felt surreal. Reuniting with Theory had solidified a truth she always had known, but had been too afraid to accept - that the other woman was the answer she'd been chasing all along. Their reunion had so quickly turned into something far more serious, and now.. She, too, stood in awe of their perfection as they all awoke - some having to be roused from sleep by she or Theory, both eager for them to experience this festival Corbie had so carefully prepared for them, in honor of them. It was important for her to know just how special they were, how revered they were. Thalia would relentlessly teach them that indisputable fact. Never had she expected to have children of her own but she fell naturally into the role of caretaker, growing more protective now that they were growing older. They were Abraxas. They were demigods. They needed to be protected until they were strong enough to take care of themselves. Though she trusted Theory to keep an eye on them as well, it was hard to not continually twist her head around and ensure they were all keeping up, and staying out of trouble as they began their walk to the feast. "Ipos, tone," she warned her serious son gently as she passed him. Like him, she was having trouble with her children beginning to wander and explore, wanting to keep an eye on them all simultaneously. "Asta, no need to eat like you're starving," she told her daughter as she watched her beginning to scarf down the food prepared for them. None of it was targeted, of course - Thalia tended to be the stricter of the moms, almost obsessively wanting to keep her children in line.

Drat! The festivities were starting, and he wasn't quite done gathering all that he needed. The stallion had sent out his companions to help him load up a small cart of goods for the rest of the pack, gifts, rather, for the females that might attend. While it was a strange custom for him, he respected Corbie's choice of festival. While he couldn't do much in the way of weaving or sewing, his howler monkey had been able to do that part while he and his other companion had done all the collecting and majority of the dying. Surely these would make good gifts for them, or even if they didn't like them, well...at least he tried!

The last of the blankets were loaded up and then he would slip into the harness, his own mane and tail decorated with flowers that his monkey had braided into them. With an eager snort, he set off toward the barn where the others were beginning to gather. He was eager to get a proper look at the most recent faces and pups that came with them. As he passed den sites, he could see the flower bundles that were left before them. Including one on the grave of the she-wolf that had passed away. Continuing on, the barn came into sight and as he came to a stop just outside, he removed himself from the harness before stepping inside, mindful of where he placed his feet so that he wouldn't accidentally step on a pup.

"Speech"

The festival was starting, and the old male decided he too, would attend. After all, he was one of the Betas, it would do well for him to be there in show of support, no? They had new pack pups now, and he very much did adore pups. It made him a little sad, however, that he had yet to have any of his own. Once he finished tending to the flock he liked to watch over, he made his way toward the barn. Finan would be arriving shortly, he was sure. His nephew had been out scouting nearby lands for exotic prey, and Cloud was eager to hear of any reports of his findings! The barn came into view and old as he was, he still had some energy left. He wasn't quite done with this world yet! Besides, the arrival of new pups gave him a sort of renewed vigor, and so when he arrived at the barn with the others, bi-colored gaze found quite the number of them and he couldn't help but smile as he moved to sit among the others.

He was finishing up the last of them, and as soon as it was done, he scooped up all the gifts he and his uncle had been working on and hurried his way to the barn where Corbie had called the pack together for the festival! The monochrome male came across his uncle's scent on the way and followed it, surprised his uncle had managed to beat him to the barn first! But ah, despite his uncle's age, Cloud liked to make it a point that he still had plenty of energy and vigor and refused to let life slow him down. Or at least, he fought the aging process as much as he could, but even Finan could see that he struggled from time to time. Perhaps it was the hunting and keeping active that kept his uncle from becoming a decrepit old man? He wasn't sure. But he clearly wasn't ready to kick the bucket for a while yet! Making his way into the barn, he walked around Balian before dropping the stack of flower crowns onto the ground. "A gift fer all ya lovely lasses! And lads if yer so keen," He grinned, allowing them all their pick of the pile should they so choose before he went to sit beside his uncle. "Talk, 'Think.'

Corbie was pleased to see the pack gathering, beginning to sample the food and enjoy the music. The sight of the puppies scrambling around underfoot set her tail wagging and her whole expression softened. She'd missed having little ones around after Corvus' kids had grown. "Good morning to you too, Theory, and you're very welcome," she returned to the dark-furred woman who was even now fixing up plates of food for her kids. She chuckled at the younglings who were gazing up at the musicians in the rafters. "Good morning, Alarr," she murmured in welcome her beta as she joined him, then tilted her head in curiosity towards where Balian was extricating himself from a harness attached to a cart full of something. "Morning!" she called out to him too. She'd made sure to include options for the herbivore of the pack when she'd set out the breakfast, so she was assured he'd be able to find something to his liking there as well. Cloudburst and Finan both made their way in as well, and she added a greeting to the both of them. She surveyed the gathering with satisfaction, though there was sadness there as she observed the absences. Twig's family was grieving her loss yet - she hoped that they'd trail in over time. Stjarna was sick and under Ulmaria's observation, so she had known not to expect either of them. Despite all that, it was successful so far, and she was happy to see as much of the pack together as there was.

"Please help yourself to the food, mingle, dance, enjoy yourselves," she called out to the gathered wolves. "When the sun is high, we will have a meeting by the fire to celebrate the spring, new life, and new growth. In the meantime, have fun!"