It was a long night, where the summer days seemed to drop away for the chill in the air about him, and even his cave didn't protect him from the wind that howled into its depths. The fur on his hackles raised and he got the sense of something in the air, something vaguely familiar that he might have encountered once before in his short two years. He had seen a small tornadoes before and remembered the strength of it. The boys first thoughts went out to the smallest creatures in his pack ? the pups. He nudged Sibelle, in case she wasn't already awake. He insisted she stayed within his den until she adjusted and healed from her injures, and that meant she was beside him now.



?Somethings coming? he told her softly, perhaps an obvious statement but he felt the need to say it anyway. ?I?m going to find Twig and her family and round up who i can, get them into the deepest caves in Weeping Woods to wait this out. Are you.. okay to split up and do the same?? he asked her softly, unsure how she felt about her restrictions with her new injury. He swallowed a lump in his throat, trying to push down the blinding fury that came with the thought of who had done this to her, he needed cool thinking for his pack right now, not a vendetta against that who had wronged his Sibelle. He waited until he got her approval before slipping out into his den. He needed sure footing in the howling winds outside and ducked his head as much into his chest as he could before making his way to the den Twig and her family resided in. Rather then woof outside he slipped in to be out of the wind, shaking out his coat as far from the family as he could ? he wasn't sure when but at some point the rain had started. ?Twig, Alpine?? he called softly. He imagined they would have to carry the pups, he half expected them to get blown away in the winds out there ? but he also knew it would only get worse, and they needed deeper caves to wait this out in. He could hear the creaking of trees as they bent and groaned under the weight of the growing winds and the pitter patter of the rain, which was still light but growing heaver by the minute, he decided there wasn't much time for niceties. ?Grab the pups, where going to the caves at the east of Weeping Woods? he checked to see if she knew where he meant before backing away to the end of the den once more, ready to take them there ? he wanted to ensure they got their himself before going in search of other members.

"Speech"
'thoughts'

She could feel the change in pressure, the sudden drop in temperature and the kick up of the wind. Something was not right with this storm. She?d awaken and nuzzle the pups closer to her belly. They were getting big and that action was starting to become rather difficult with their size. She was very much proud of them, but would feel worried as the wind continued to roar louder at their door. She?d keep herself strong for the pups, who were surely waking up by now, and would find her own strength in leaning against Alpine?s side. The weather wouldn?t get much worse when Crucifix found himself within the entrance of their cave like den. ?Cru?? She?d call out, not worrying about wakeful children now. It was highly unlikely they?d be staying here for long. As she suspected her brother?s appearance would herold the announcement she had expected to hear. She?d nod, knowing where to go and what to do. She would usher the pups out of the den, staying close to ward off the wind. Her bright violet gaze would turn to her mate and then to her brother. She was ready to follow. I'll Dissolve When the Rain Pours In

The wind was as easy to hear in the M?moire Black den as it was in Crucifix?s. The white boy stirred when he felt Twig move, to shuffle the pups closer to her chest and Alp, who had slept with his back against hers shuffled over to move himself so that she was tucked around his belly as she had done to the pups. A faint smile curved his sleepy lips at the thought of them all curled up into one comfy pile. It would be then that Cru would arrive and the boy would sigh and bring himself closer to wakefulness. He would become more aware of the raging weather outside and would furrow his brows as he listened to its intensity, it didn't sound good and he too could feel the building in the air that told them that the worse was yet to come. As Twig talked to Cru he would bring himself to standing and gently usher the pups up. They where blinking awake already and complaining softly and moving from the warmth of their sleeping spots.



Having listened to the conversation he understood that they where to move to deeper dens and he gently nudged the pups forward. All the adults seemed to have the same idea in that they walked with the pups close to their side and as much out of the wind as their taller bodies allowed. Following Cru they made their way to the dens and on arriving slipped inside. The dens started out straight then turned to the right and opened up into a deeper cavern, that was well out of the wind. The wind was still inside which was a nice change from the weather they had walked through to arrive and Alpine shook out his coat and ushered the pups over to a mossy part of the floor that looked soft enough. They where still sleepy and now cold so it didn't take much convincing to get to them to curl up against him. He was quite ready to stay and watch over the pups, he would be happier if Twig stayed but he wasn't certain if her Alpha duties would take her away here or not.

Solor was deep asleep when the sounds of voices started to wake him and the next thing he knew dad was nudging him and bringing him to wakefulness. He groaned and opened his eyes, shivering now that both his furry blankets had moved. At first he tried to snuggle deeper into Faun?s side but Alpine?s insistent nudging ruined that. With a deep sigh he got to his paws and looked at the adults around them. His uncle was there, talking to his mother and Alpine was nudging them forward. At first he wasn't certain what they wanted, but when he realized they where going outside he cried out. ?Out there! But its raining and cold? he wined, but Alpine was insisted and soon enough the whole family was out in the rain. He grumbled and stalked through the grass, the wind pulling hard at his coat until he was walking hunched over, as small as he could make himself.



It wasn't till they reached the cave that he stretched out again, and was ushered to a corner by his dad. He was happy to shake out his wet coat and curl up with his dad and sister on the ground, trying to gain some semblance of sleep and warmth again. He had no idea what was going on, but it was a thorough nuisance.



"speech"

Cru would nudge her awake, eye fluttering open reluctantly. She had heard the rain, wind and thunder, but she thought it was nothing more than a summer storm. But Cru's worry was suffocating within the den. She would look at him, a frown coloring her face. "Whats the mater?" Her voice was soft, thug husky with sleep. The only answer she got was 'somethings wrong'. A brow would lift as she peered out of the den, seeing the water that slowly dripped inside from the endless rain. He would rise, stating that her was going to find Twig and her family. He was going to the caves within the forest, and he wanted her to do the same after gathering some pack members. She would hesitate but nod, nuzzling him before he slipped from the den. She would follow a moment later, raining immediately soaking her pelt. With a huff, she would set off at a slow trot. She had finally begun to feel comfortable venturing on her own. But the rain and thunder blocked out the sounds of everything else. Trees groaned and cracked on both sides of her, causing her ears to pin and brows to furrow. Her head would tip back, a calling leaving her lips for the pack. She could spend days trying to round them all up. Her best chance was for them to find her.

The ground was growing slick beneath her paws, causing her to slip and slide as she moved. To her left, a gentle hill slopped down into a ravine. A tree to her right would groan before snapping, causing the woman to jump in surprise. Claws would try in vain to grip the ground as she tumbled down the incline. Eye would widen, a strangled cry of surprise leaving her lips as she plunged into muddy waters. She would break the surface with a gasp, sputtering out water. Her limbs would churn the dark water, claws trying to gain a grip on the side of the ravine. Panic settled in her belly as the water pulled her along with no signs of letting go. She struggled to keep her head above water, while to keep everything in her line of vision so that she wasn't hit over the head with any fallen debris. It would not take long for exhaustion to settle in. A second cry would leave her lips as thunder cracked over head, drowning out the noise. Fate was a bitch.

"Speech"
'thoughts'

He was leaving the cave in search of others when Orchid padded up to the entrance with a mouth full of herbs and an quizzical look upon her muzzle. He grinned at the healer, knowing she had heard or guessed something to bring her here with herbs. It was good to know she was there if they needed her and with a nudge on the shoulder he would continue on in search of others. He was worried about the overflowing stream that skirted the edges of his territory, he hoped the banks of the river didn't burst and flood all of Solstice.. if water started lapping their paws in the cave he would know he made a mistake. With a worrying sigh he decided to branch off that way and have a look. By fluke he would find himself close enough to the water by the time Sibelle made her cry. The thunder overhead nearly drowned the noise but the hairs on the back of his and his fear for the woman he loved had him leaping forward before thought could form in his mind.



She was being pulled by the current towards the very River that Cru was worried about bursting, and seeing the strength of the current and the constant, endless rain only increased his worry. He ran along the side of the water, the red shape of Sibelle constantly ahead of him. Through the stormy dark night it was hard to see where he was going and trees and rocks about him caught and dug into this coat, tearing out chunks of fur as he ran on. He was trying to catch up to the shape of his Sibelle but the water was moving so quickly. With an angry cry he increased his speed until he was flying across the surface, he ran until he was ahead of her and saw the perfect point, a fallen tree lying on his side of the bank brancing out across the water. He jumped, his fast pace made the movement unpredictable as he landed on the branch and scrambled to stay on, digging his paws in and dragging blood on the bottom of his pads and he scrambled further onto the branch before the water could grab at him. He was standing, head bowed when Sibelles form came rushing towards him. He reached forward, grabbing at her with his teeth and getting a hold. He locked his paws into a crook in the teeth as he was jabbed forward with the force of the pull, but he held on, both to the back of her neck with her teeth and his paws to the tree. He couldn't shout at her though his mouth full at fur but could only hope she was conscious enough to realize she needed to grab onto the tree and help him pull her up and out.

an empire's fall

The world had been turned on its head between Altavro going to sleep and whatever time it was now. It took him a few moments to process what was going on - that the howling wind was in fact wind, and not wolves. The crashing sounds of thunder or branches falling or whatever the hell was happening seemed to be a clear sign that the gods were very angry. Altavro was still for only a moment after processing this before leaping to his paws. He needed to get Albatross out of here and get somewhere safe. The golden male's ears pinned back for a moment as he leaped to his paws, nostrils flaring as he sought out the girl that he loved, pressing his nose against her side. "Albatross?" He raised his voice to be heard over the storm, "We need to get out of here and head..." He hesitated for a moment, mind working desperately to figure out where would be the safest to go, "Caves. In the Weeping Woods. C'mon, love." With that, Altavro would move briskly, grabbing herbs into his maw.

Under the circumstances, he wasn't as selective as he might have been - he had to grab things he wouldn't crush, which limited his selection. Some moss found its way into his mouth, to staunch bleeding, along with comfrey and agrimony and after that he just wasn't paying attention, and simply grabbed as much as he could. Surely wolves would be injured during such a storm - after all, he had ended up scarred from a natural disaster similar to this. He could still remember his fever dreams from those awful days, and hoped to avoid any similar situations by treating any injured wolves immediately.

As soon as he was done, Altavro turned his gaze towards Albatross, eyes faintly anxious as he waited for her to be ready. They needed to get out before this got any worse.



"Speech"

in just one day

Fangs pierced her scruff and for a moment she would struggle. The current jerked her, pain shooting across her neck. Legs would scramble, trying to find traction before finally gaining a grip on the fallen tree. Claws would dig into wet bark, muscles bunching as she pulled herself with the help of Cru. Nails would scrape, limbs flailing before she finally hung limply across the log. Her sides heave with exertion as she cough up from some water. Lifting her head, she would peer up at Cru, a sheepish grin causing her lips to twitch. She would remain silent as she rose, water dripping from her soaking pelt. Her wet fur clung to her, accentuating every curve, including the swell of her belly.

Rain continued to pound down on them, the wind whipping around them. The storm was not relenting anytime soon, she would follow him back to the caves silently. There was no doubt in her mind that he would take notice of her...different shape. She would walk beside him, mud coating her paws and legs. She would keep him to her left, and remain pressed against his side until they reached the caves. Slipping inside, she would first check on the wolves that had joined them before venturing off to a quiet and much more private alcove. The thunder and lightning was muted, leaving on the soft sounds of their breathing to be heard.

-exit to private thread-

"Speech"
'thoughts'

Living in Solstice had been a peaceful time, she was happy here, healing after all life had thrown at her. She had Altavro at her side, and really what more could she want from life then that. He was teaching her too, she was learning the art of healing from her nomad Love, giving her a skill in a world where before she had had none. Her serenity would be crashed a day in summer when her world went on its head. She heard the sounds of thunder as a distant drumming and the torrent of rains as a pitter patter on their dens roof. What truly woke her was Altavro, nudging into her side causing the girl to blink and find his face, a sleepy smile taking root upon her lips. She would find herself more awake with the urgency in his tone, telling her they needed to move. She stared, uncertain what was going on. She looked outside, listened to the sound of storming winds, they where picking up she could tell, howling around the pack dangerously. She hadn't encountered a tornado before, but she trusted Altavro ? if he said they must move, then they must move. As she rose and shook out her sleepiness she would see his efficient movements as he grabbed herbs from about him, and she would obediently follow suit, grabbing basic herbs for pain and cuts, she didn't know any complicated herbs yet, this done she would pad to him, standing at his side with her tail wagging slowly behind her as she looked, utterly trusting, into her boys eyes, she was ready. ""