we survive, it's what we do [ABAVEN SPRING MEETING]

Theory tried to cast an encouraging smile at all the puppies who attended. She'd almost forgotten how many of them there were. Soon she'd have to call a little pow wow and see which ranks they might be interested in as they grew older - it was never too early for just a little bit of training. It was how she'd been raised, after all.

Turning to face the pack, Theory cleared her throat nervously. She leaned on Rhyme before standing by his side in what she hoped was a confident pose - her ears were pricked forward and her head was held high, but her tail just couldn't seem to flick upwards. It'd been hard to muster the kind of bravery that Shaye had sworn she'd seen in her since her mentor's passing.

"Thank you for gathering," she said, realizing too late that her voice was a little too quiet. Theory turned her eyes to the sky for a moment and collected herself. If only Shaye were here. "First, it would be impossible to start without recalling our recent losses. Shaye and Odysseus have passed," her voice was shaking. It was impossible not to. "They will be sorely, sorely missed. There aren't words for how much we'll miss them - their leadership, their guidance...." she soldiered on, her voice growing stronger as she went.

"As you can see, we're a little bit closer to home. For the foreseeable future we'll be split between here, the Ibis Islands, and Fontamo Bay," Theory announced, hoping to see some flicker of happiness or relief among her pack members. Was returning home the right choice? "I'm willing to hear anyone out as to other habitable lands in Boreas if they would feel comfortable further from the site of the eruption," she added, trying to meet everyone's gaze for a brief moment. So many of those attending were young. Had she looked that small once?

"Rhyme is continuing on as beta. We can use all the help we can get. If you'd like to take on more responsibility, please let me know," she finished, settling back down by her father's side. He was hanging on by a string. "Poem and Motif have been located and are safe. Poem has entered an agreement of her own free will on behalf of her sister and will be training with another pack for the next year," Theory added a bit stiffly. The news still bothered her, but the rest of the pack deserved to know what had transpired among Shaye's daughters.