Maybe he was expecting a lot of them, and yet he knew he was expecting that of which they could easily assimilate to. His was a group that he expected greatness from, and while small--they deserved a reward for their loyalty; no matter how fresh it seemed to be. And thus he had arranged the thought of a gathering. To draw them all close to one another would be the best course of action. Perhaps, they would learn to trust him yet. He moved up the trail of caves that adorned the mountains and he did not waste his time climbing into a cave that was ever so massive. This...this would be his domain and this would be where they were summoned. He wanted them to know where he could be found, for a commander could be called on at any hour and he had accepted this.

He still needed to go to Valhalla and explain the circumstances to Chrysanthe. Was she aware of his absence? It had merely lasted a short two weeks, but perhaps she hadn't heard the whispers that the canine had taken to the mountains and was building a powerful weapon. His own personal hellion army. They would need to be strong enough to withstand what came against them, and already his domain promised that they could live in secrecy and learn how to bend the shadows to their needs.

He laid against the stone. The beast was considering a lot and though he made no demands for anyone in particular--perhaps a visitor would intrigue him at the very hour. He had already planned to throw themselves a celebration and where was a king without his planner? quietly, his tail swung behind him and he contemplated the hunt...the games...and the competition. Perhaps the hunt would be a competition. Perhaps he was enthralled at the idea of letting them all tear off in different directions and then they would all feast; and how marvelous it would be.

Three of her pups were found, safe and sound, and against all odds she had been reunited with Dempsey. It seemed like her life was finally taking a turn for the better after the whole fiasco over loosing Amenti and almost all of her pups. Perhaps now was the time to try to move up the ladder of Amenti once again... Or maybe just get to know the Arkhos a little better? After all, that's how she ended up the Madame of the old Amenti. She had merely earned the trust of Medusa and it had paid off in the end. She moved aimlessly through the many tunnels of the caves they now called home, her paws moving almost silently in that naturally quiet way she moved. If it wasn't for her scent and the ever so light click of her nails on the stone other wolves wouldn't have seen her coming. She caught the scent of her alpha on the air and she stopped. "Well... speak of the devil." With her previous thoughts in mind, she moved forward once more till she finally turned the corner and spotted the large, russet brute lounging several feet away. "No time like the present, I suppose." Alena padded forward calmly, a slight smile on her muzzle. She stopped once again a short distance from him and sank onto her haunches, her tail curling neatly over her forepaws. "Hello, Syrinx," she said simply, her violet gaze watching him as curiously as ever. She had never really spoken with the brute so she wasn't sure what to expect from him or if he was even looking for the company. Speech Thought Others

It surprised him that of those that could have come, the purple-eyed doe that he had been greeted by upon his claiming entered his 'domain'. eyes stared at her for a long moment before her greeting was ushered forth and he rose on his pads, staring at her. The behemoth easily towered over her. He engulfed her, and he also stood admiring her for her willingness to come. He was no beast unless met on the battlefield or otherwise displeased. Alena had not displeased him. Yet. "You've been of this brand awhile?" Amenti...yes, she had worn the title for quite some time, hadn't she? An eye would rise and he would stare at her as though he needed to know the secrets of her life. Perhaps it was quite invasive, and yet he lacked the ability to care. "Alena...why are you here?" he wasn't asking her why she stood before him, but asking her why she was in Amenti. He hungered to know what attracted her to a place where a crown was no longer hers. Where the leader was no longer a woman. Above all else, he wondered why it was so that she wanted to tolerate living beneath his laws, for his were not of the most noble intentions.

He would stare at her and in that stare she saw a need to know more, and his questions would only confirm her observation. He stood and towered over her, but she didn't flinch away. After all that she had been through and seen, the huge king and his bare jaw did not scare her in the least. In fact, he was quite intriguing if anything. "Indeed, I have been Amenti for quite some time, off and on. I was in it for the whole of Medusa's reign, took on the crown myself for a time, and then Canttina took it from me. And here I am again, living in Amenti. It seems like I can't keep myself from it." Why was she here? That was a good question. One she wasn't entirely sure of herself. "Well... What drove me to find a pack again in the first place was the father of my pups attacking and stealing one of my children while I was unable to defend them. The bitch that took my back did quite a number on me in our fight and he just so happened to show up before I had even really gotten a chance to begin healing. I wanted to know that my children were safe and I felt like I couldn't do that for them on my own... As far as why I chose Amenti in particular... Well, I guess Amenti was just home for me. I also quite like what you've done with it." Alena didn't care much whether the ruler of her pack was male or female, old or young. As long as they were a good ruler Alena was willing to follow them. In her eyes, she could see that Syrinx had experience in the field and he seemed to appreciate her skill set more than even Medusa had. Speech Thought Others

He watched her with a curious glimmer in his eye. There was a lot to learn from someone that held so much dedication, but it was possible she didn't realize that made them more alike than he had originally thought. She wasn't putting on a show to serve his name alone, but to serve the domain and place she had wanted to make her home. Sort of how he served Valhalla, but for him, it had to be without really being a part of it. The king did more damage than he did good. That much he had noticed and it was completely irrefutable. Alena, would hopefully understand where he was coming from. At least in time. He was going to prepare her to be a warrior. His warrior. the beast had not fallen to the hand of any, quite yet, and thus he turned to her and spoke proceeding, "Then you should know I intend to keep this throne. For a very long time...I'll not easily be swayed," If she thought him one to back down, he would tame her mind. He was as fierce as they were made. Adravendi did not fall bare to hands of usurpers. Cairo had been a king for...six years? It was an astonishing amount of time that was practically unheard of. Syrinx was four now. He could achieve the same. Likely more. That was, if he wasn't slain first. He had acquired a pretty number of enemies already. "You have a child that is not with you?" Syrinx already knew he was taking on more than he should given the fact he also had to retrieve the Seracians that had been stolen, but he didn't mind. The bloodier the merrier. Perhaps it was an awful law to abide by, but it was his, and his was definite. "My five girls are what I've got," He spoke with a low curl to his words, "Though, I hold the suspision they are stronger than most men," He had no sons and originally had not thought of more children, but things were happening in his head. Thoughts were brewing that he particularly enjoyed.

Like a shadow she emerged, growing and lanky, developing with the promise of muscle. One day Vyvienne would become a giantess, but now she was a modest height. Still, her lack of full growth did not diminish her conviction, her desire to eradicate the plague that set upon her home. The plague of those who weren?t hers and who never would be. It did not bode well that she found her father, one of her dear possessions, associating with such a mongrel. Silently she stalked forth, power in every step, long, bony legs carrying her towards what she hoped would be her father?s side. She wished to press against him, a growl rumbling in her chest.
"You are weak,? she told the white woman. There was no question, only conviction. If she had lost a fight and let what was hers be taken from her, she was most certainly pathetic. The girl?s acidic gaze sought to bore into the woman, her pelt fluffing up. The heat of her disdain was apparent, the hatred she had that she was required to share her land with such filth obvious. "You smell,? she said. There was no further explanation, merely a glare, a powerful one, baring directly into the woman?s eyes in a challenge of dominance and strength.

"Note taken," Alena replied to the beast's comment on him keeping his throne and she would say nothing more on the subject. She was not here to try and challenge his authority or steal his crown. No, quite the opposite in fact. Amenti was her home and she wanted to see it grow and become stronger and she thought, perhaps, Syrinx could make that happen. She had her children to look out for and did not want to take the throne again while she had her pups by her side. However, that didn't mean she didn't want to move up the ranks a bit. He questioned about her child that was not here and she nodded in reply, explaining, "Yes, one of my sons is in Seracia with his father's mate. I told Loccian when I spoke to her that if Nako liked it there he could stay, but asked her to bring him to me as soon as she could if he wanted to come home... Another of my sons, Calix, ran away and I haven't been able to find him. So now all that is left is my son Lel and my two daughters, Jian and Tocan." She wondered if that was more information than the russet brute wished to know, but there was nothing she could do about it now. He commented on the strength of his daughters and as if on cue one of his daughters, Vyvienne she thought her name was, appeared. Alena's violet gaze drifted to the green-eyed child, a single brow raising at the pup's comments. "His daughters may be stronger than most men, but they certainly don't have any manners," she thought to herself. She turned her gaze back to Syrinx without a word to Vyvienne, ignoring the brown pup altogether. She had come here to speak with Syrinx, not to be insulted by a child. "What plans do you have for Amenti?" she asked curiously, wondering if her new king already had plans to form this powerful pack he spoke about. Words were only words if there was no action behind them after all. Speech Thought Others

The moon wandered when the stars fell. Its shining grace did humble her heart and give her a reason to follow. Darkness did not become her and only that light gave her purpose. So she followed the moon while the stars danced around him. Gathering with his new found role and she would stand beside him as she always did. The sound of voices vaguely piqued her interest. Her well-groomed body swayed with its grace and strength as she wandered into the scene unfolding before her very eyes. Her father was conversing with one of the former women of Amenti, it seemed she desired to remain. A solitary ear flicked as she listened intently to the conversation. She had not revealed herself just yet. No, she was quite and reserved as she listened to the conversation unfolding. The implications that hadn?t quite been spoken were clear on her ears as her father inquired about the where about of the woman?s children.

Her sister had so gracefully come forth and expressed her opinion of the woman. Her brows arched and she allowed an exasperated sigh to escape her lips. These were sensitive times and though she enjoyed her sister?s odd possession of those she deemed worthy now was not the time to push those that lingered away. A kingdom needed followers, especially ones that could be counted on, and even though the woman was unknown to her she could see the sense of loyalty that the woman followed. That wasn?t a quality to be dismissed. Her tail curled behind her as she wandered towards her sister. Her sandy coat seemed to float around her as she made her way towards her sister. Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she growled gently ?Well Vyvienne, I do believe father has a hold on the situation and as fond as I am of your potentially deadly possessiveness we are in need of wolves to keep our kingdom strong. Please attempt to refrain from insulting our pack mates at least until they prove they deserve it.? she said sharply. This odd behavior from her sister was becoming quite the nuisance. She needed to understand that those that lived beneath them did in fact belong to them. The wolves of Amenti were their possession and the sooner her sister accepted it the better.

The king had a particularly twisted view in relation to most things, but that was fine, no? He had the beginnings of an entirely too powerful empire an there were signs that only foretold it would flourish. His skin itched and crawled with excitement as his daughter came forth and her flame ignited the scene. He said nothing to her as insults dripped from her tongue and then he revered at the restraint of the white maman. She would not punish his daughter? Intriguing. The dark lord rose to his pads and his figure ascended beside that of Vyvienne. Grueling motions were taken--slavering jaws kept open as he lingered near her side. So near her. "Sweet daughter. know your enemies," the hiss was low and requited and his hard jaw pressed against the side of her neck, "Hold you tongue," the command was clear--she was still a child. It was not her time to go against his words. Surely she held enough loyalty to him? He patiently waited. And came Syren, "You've so much faith in me," the statement was easy and clear--it was evident. And he was so proud to hear exactly that.. "Syren understands. You do not break what belong to you...you have to cherish it," his position changed and her moved to touch the shoulder of Syren--to show his affection for his daughter. She was a quick learning. How good for her. He was not done, however, the serpent turned on his heels-pivoting until he moved his head towards Alena--until he able to attempt nudging his nose beneath her chin, "...Especially our prettier ones," the compliment was laced in the husky, tight, breath of the king. His words being meant to make her hear him in a new light. He was a warrior and yet he understood how to please those around him.

She would observe the white monstrosity, ears pinning back as she was ignored. Like common trash, like nothing. Her body would tense, ears falling deaf to her sister?s chiding tone. No, Vyvienne would deal with Syren later. This weakness dared to ignore her presence, her voice, and Vyvienne wouldn?t tolerate that disrespect. Her father?s voice demanded that she hold her tongue, but that suited the girl very well. Posture grew stiff, breathing ragged as she watched the woman. She didn?t need to speak for what she had in mind, the size difference bothering the girl not. Alena was a foot taller than Vyvienne (who was half grown at twenty one inches), but the girl feared not.
Defenses settled, remembering some from her fight with Sevan. Eyes narrowed, ears pinning back, hackles raising, head lowering to align with her spine, neck scrunched, limbs spreading apart, weight evenly distributing. Her tail lashed out behind her for balance, body tense and ready. When her father came into contact with the thing, she could bare it no longer. The girl would move, seeking to approach from Alena?s left, hoping to be perpendicular to the woman in her attempted approach. She said nothing, as had been commanded of her, instead preparing to rip away her father?s favor. This woman wouldn?t be so pretty with a scar upon her face, now would she?
Vyvienne reared up, front legs lifting, right paw and left paw hoping to come down upon Alena?s neck. She wanted to make the woman?s head fall down. Her second attack was simple; it involved driving forwards with her hind legs, hopefully pushing the woman, seeking to push Alena?s neck to Alena?s right, so as it might cause strain. Jaws would snap, seeking to bite into the white woman?s left cheek, Vyvienne?s head twisting to her own left regardless, the hope being that she might capture flesh and mangle it. Of course, the girl was ambitious and young, the size difference great, but she would not bow and let this woman disrespect her, ignore her.
VYVIENNE vs. ALENA for DOMINANCE/MANGLING OF FACE

1/(2?)

Default to VYVIENNE

Due to ALENA not posting in the allotted time, VYVIENNE is the winner, and SUCCEEDS IN MANGLING ALENA'S FACE.

ALENA must give up by either passing out, submitting, or running away.