Ashen Empire Tournament Main thread

Kali sat and took note of the arrivals as they began to filter in. First was a pup who she assumed to be one of her younger siblings, who also looked a disturbing amount like Wendigo. He seemed innocent enough despite the slightly creepy, cheshire grin that twisted onto his lips. He introduced himself as Macabre and she blinked, putting on a small smile for show even though she couldn’t care less about the little tyke. “Yes, I’m your older sister. My name’s Kali, I’m glad to see you taking part and representing Habari. I’m wearing some chains with crystals, because we should always make good impressions to our allies,” she replied simply.

Next was Askell, who had seemed to be in a foul mood as of late ever since the death of his brother, Jigsaw. He offered a dip of his head to her and she nodded back, watching him skalk over to a quiet corner. As long as he wasn’t too moody to their guests, she’d let him be. Her bi-colored gaze turned to see their first outside guest arrive, an Armada wolf judging by her scent. She offered a simple nod her of her head in greeting, to which the Cherubim returned. If she didn’t want to make small talk, Kali wouldn’t mind. She likely wasn’t too high on the totem pole anyways.

Afterwards was Misery and she fought to keep the pleasant smile she’d plastered on her face in check. He greeted their guest before sauntering over to her, his voice oozing a false kinship that they certainly didn’t share, but if she’d learned anything from their mother, it was that appearances meant everything. They needed to appear united to the outside world, so she played along. She watched him speak to their younger sibling, seeming to have a surprisingly chummy relationship with Macabre and the yearling made a note of this. Her brother was conniving and scheming, the reason why he was their head spy, and she didn’t trust him as far as she could throw him. He turned to her next, complimenting her on how the festivities had turned out, which to anyone else would seem sweet, but she sensed the undercurrent of his words. He wanted to watch her fail. “Thank you, brother. It’s been a labor of love, but I’m excited to have the Empire at our doorstep. Would you help me and make sure the refreshments stay stocked, I fear I’ll be too busy speaking with our guests,” she requested. Her smile remained, but her meaning was clear: she was the star of today’s show and he was just a not-so-pretty side piece.

Her attention turned sideways to see a small, pale figure enter. By his scent, he seemed to be another one of her brothers, but he made no effort for introduction. All the better. At the same time, a massive, startlingly pink, mottled woman entered, a dog at her side carrying a full sword. She blinked, slightly stunned, as their Ashen guest settled silently not too far away, but she was given a nod of greeting anyways. She hoped she wouldn’t have to fight her, but it wasn’t like she would be able to use the dog or the sword anyhow. Their spars and races were to be simple, focusing on the innate abilities of the participants rather than the extras they brought for themselves.

Her cousin, Voodoo, arrived next, greeting her and telling her she was excited. “I’m glad to see you here, Voodoo, make sure to help yourself to the food and drinks. We’ll start before too long,” she replied pleasantly. Another pale pup showed, smelling of a pack she couldn’t identify and she squinted at him, unsure of whether or not he belonged but she decided to leave it. After all, he was a pup, what harm could he do?

Good lord, it seemed their entire attendance would be pups. Another dark pup, coated in odd spiked and coloring and smelling of the Armada, entered and sat quietly to the side. How nice it must be to have silent kids instead of the incessant chatter of her own siblings. Her attention turned as her mother entered, the girl’s tail wagging. It was a pleasant show that Recluse came as Kali knew of her day blindness. It affected Kali as well ever so slightly in her pink eye, the light occasionally making her very eye hurt to the point that she could have to close it. It was just a fraction of what the Seraphim experienced and she had a greater respect for her for it.

Another tiny pup, this time with a dark, spider webbed design on his face and dark splotching along his back end bounced up to them, his scent telling her he was a brother. He had similar energy to Wendigo, the kind of head empty, no thoughts vibes that made her question how her littermate managed to live. He was there, ping ponging off his littermates before zooming over to the Armada pup of similar age. She watched him go with vague horror, hoping he wouldn’t make a mockery of them.

Afterwards, more Ashen wolves seemed to arrive in bulk. First was the massive glowing boy she’d spared many times before and, begrudgingly, always lost to, followed a rather miffed looking girl, a girl who looked like she was made of fire with a set of equally flaming antlers, and a mottled girl with catfish looking whiskers and a pair of dual colored horns. She knew at least a few of them to be the prince and princesses of Ashen and Kali stood a little straighter, offering a wide smile and a nod in their direction. Now they were talking. Medusa wandered in and was given a side eye from Kali, hoping to catch her eye and let her know she wouldn’t be embarrassed by her. She was lucky enough as a slave to be allowed to participate anyhow.

More Armada wolves and Habari wolves filtered in, and after waiting for a while longer it seemed everyone was in attendance. Kali stepped up, giving a moment for everyone to settle before clearing her throat. “Thank you all for joining us in the Nook for this occasion, Habari appreciates you taking time out of your busy schedules to attend. These past few months have been incredibly hard for all of us and times are still uncertain, but as allies, we are never alone. Ashen and the Armada will always have our support, and we wanted to show this by hosting this tournament. We believe a little fun is in order to take some of the weight of recent events off of our shoulders. There is plenty of meat, both Habari’s special dried selections and more plain options for those of you with softer palates, and drinks, both adult and pup friendly. There are a few racing courses set up, indicated by small flags, and several sparring rings. Please, feel free to pick a partner for sparring or racing. We will go in rounds, and the winners of each round will advance to the next. In the end, the wolf who wins will be able to claim the title of Strongest wolf in the Empire, or Fastest wolf in the Empire. Pups will pair with pups, and those over one year of age with each other to make it fairest. Please, mingle and be merry,” she finished, her grin wide.

She thought that went pretty well.