She wasn’t sure what trance she’d broken him from, but seeing his grin appear on those princely features brightened the Princess. Her dual toned tail swayed contentedly at her hips as he spoke her pet name and leaned his shoulder into her touch. Rose and lavender eyes closed happily as he nudged her cheek in subtle affection as he reminded her of their last private moment together. Venom wasn’t sure that she had ever blushed before but her dark cheeks grew flush as she revisited the memory of being subdued completely. ”Is that so…” She wouldn’t be allowed anymore elaboration as the dancing pair parted and Mortis appeared before them.

Venom hid her disappointment like the Empress she would one day be. She smiled lightly at the winged Prince as he gestured for Azure to dance with the Armada’s spy. Venom lifted her brows curiously as Mortis aimed to claim her attention. An odd feeling rose in her gut, but she ignored it as Mort sat beside her and Azure apologized before moving off. Her gaze lingered on his spiked form as he made his way towards his parents and small sister.

She sighed inwardly and turned her attention to the sweet face of Mortis, Venom grinned as she offered her attention. Already she wondered if she could make up a good excuse to get her private dance with the chocolate hued prince. ”Happy Birthday, Mortis.” She told him warmly before placing a kiss on his cheek. ”You have my full attention.” Or most of it as her ears flicked at the sound of Azure’s voice to Aslatiel.

He smiled at Venom, remembering in her the girl he had shown his tree house to, and pet-names Snake. Who had taught him how to hunt when he had been too timid, and his father had hated him for it. The woman who had advised him against hunting a polar bear. She seemed even more different now, older. “Hey, Snake” he said fondly, returning the gesture, and folding a wing over her in a hug. “Sorry to disturb you guys, I brought you some meat” he showed her the prime cut he had snagged before coming over.

“I don’t mean to pry, but do you know what's going on with Auntie Death, mum and puppa? They won’t tell me anything” he whispered softly, lowering his voice, head cradled in the shelter his wing provided between them.

Mortis still held that same feel of a boy, where Venom felt Azure was much closer to her equal. Still, their easygoing affection was not so secretive as the moments she shared with Azure. She leaned against the prince as he apologized, ”I’ll corner your brother later.” Shr promised him, herself, and Azure. She hadn’t missed the glances and gestures, nor how talented Hanako was at dancing. Venom wouldn’t give her thoughts any merit now though.

She nibbled at the tender meal provided as Mort hunkered down and spoke in hushed tones. Her mother. Venom looked away from his blue eyes and studied the feathers of his impressive wings. She sighed, never one to hide anything from the prince. ”I don’t know much. Just that she made a mistake and that your dad would be very upset with her. She didn’t mention your mom.” She sighed again, ”I just got a message from her owl. She hasn’t been in the pack for a few days.” She went further, knowing that she could trust young Mort. ”I don’t know if she’ll be Empress when she comes back.” Venom hinted her intentions to him, curious what he might think.

Mortis couldn’t help but swallow, surprised at the depths of the.... Conspiracy? Going on between adults. “Is she okay?” he cared for his Auntie, and hated to think of her out there by herself now. He frowned, wondering if he should perhaps take a journey out to find her. He would just tell dad he was searching for Mal. it wouldn’t even be a lie, he was always doing that.

“What does that mean for you, Venom?” he asked, dropping pet names under the importance of the conversation. He raised his second wing, shielding both of them further from prying eyes. Holding it over Venom, as through he could protect her from the stress of what was to come.

Natha nodded to Sirius and moved to the pelt laid out near the fire where a few other gifts were assembled. She set down the main bundle and fished out the individual gifts wrapped in rabbit hide. She had a bear claw necklace, one each for Azure and Mortis. They could wear them or use the claws for other projects, she wasn't particular. She marked Azure's with a blue jay feather and Mortis' with a crow feather nestled in the twine that kept the rabbit hide around the gift.

She was less familiar with Indigo and Aslatiel other than their training aspirations. For Indigo she gifted a set of ceramic bowls fired in flame til they were a rich terra cotta color. Smokey black fire clouds decorated each bowl. She marked his gift with a spring of wild blue indigo. For Aslatiel she gifted a well crafted bone knife custom made for skinning. She marked the girls gift with a stargazer lily.

With the gifts laid out she moved to the other side of the fire and scrambled up the nearest tree, climbing out over a branch near the fire so the heat rose up to her. She stretched out the piece of deer hide that had acted as a bag then settled in to enjoy the warmth and the banter around her. Soon drifting off in a little cat nap.

-exit via nap time-

There was a birthday... party. Tox did not remember any such gathering nor celebration in all her time alive. She wasn't sure what it entailed. She wasn't even sure she wanted to go, but she had promised Venom she would try to do pack things and train to be a good allly for her sister when the time came. She DID have all those dusted honey drops from her experimenting in spring and yes all the poison ones had been disposed of. Obi was already eagerly grooming her coat and preening it with warmed wax mixed with lavender- he hoped the lavender would calm her and the wax would keep her fur in place, revealing her scars beautifully. She shot him the most terrible of looks as she slowly gathered the honey drops into a small grass-woven basket Obi had made. Finally, he hurried her along and sent her on her way.

Crossing the borders was not something Toxicity was used to. Nor mingling. She could blame the fact that they were all mortals, but she also had no idea how to approach them. She was above them... right? As a princess and a god... so... what if she made a mistake? What if she showed weakness? No such thing should be allowed. It was easier to stay back from them all. Damn Obi, and damn Venom for making Toxicity want to try.

She eventually made it to the gathering and approached Sirius. They didn't really know each other, but he had been there to scoop up the pieces when the volcano erupted and Toxicity had respect for him and his rank. The climb from slave to alpha wasn't one to easily bat eyes at. In his own way, perhaps he went from mortal to god... on a lesser extent. Toxicity came to him and placed down the basket of candies.

"These are... for the birthday. And whoever else." She fought to maintain level eye contact even though everything in her body told her to either try to show her dominance or leave. "They'll melt if they get hot." Even to herself her voice sounded mechanical and forced. She dipped her head lightly and scanned the area for Venom. She was busy with someone else, so Tox made her way to an unoccupied patch and just... sat. Yes. This was a party.

It was all going so well and then it wasn't. It was as if a switch had been flipped, one moment Mortis had been following her lead but as soon as she even tried to let him have a go he backed off like she'd burnt him. She simply let out a disappointed little oh as kissed her cheek and rushed off, leaving her standing there with her tail wilting down between her legs. Was it something she'd done? Had he simply changed his mind halfway through and just didn't know how to let her down gently? She knew dancing wasn't for everyone but she'd been having so much fun and- well she probably looked like a fool now. Hanako turned, almost panicked as the urge to just get out seized her, making it hard to think of little else. But that was surely an overreaction, her safest bet was to just pretend as though nothing had happened.

But it seemed as though she had little choice in the matter as Sirius entered her line of sight and bowed down, all prim and proper. An odd look for The Warlord, to say the least. Despite herself Hanako laughed at his comment, shoving her former worries aside as she immersed herself in Sirius' company, it was hard to be all glum when he wanted to dance. She eyed his extended paw, her nose wrinkling as she tried to picture it. He seemed limber enough and quick on his paws...but a dancer he was not. Oh she had to see this! She stepped up, her paws close together but ready to reposition at a moments notice as her tail unfurled once again, bent slightly in a delicate little curve.

"If you say so, lead on." She said, not bothering to hide her smile as she wondered what sort of old timey jig he had in mind.

Sirius Fatalis @Tox and Hana He was determined to chase away the hurt left by his foolish sons on his promising Wraith. His first words brought out a laugh, but before the dance could truly begin, the Klein Princess appeared beside him. He chuckled and nodded his head to a space behind them, where his bear companion lightly slumbered. Belly full of meat, and coat fire-warmed. At his nod, she lumbered forward, and grabbed the gift left behind from Tox. “Thank you, Princess” he said respectfully, and Tox took her leave. The bear took the present, and Sirius turned his attention back to Hana. “The joys of being in charge, endless distractions” he teased her. “As you wish, Lady” he agreed, referring to the words she had uttered just before they had been distracted. Taking her hand, he sashayed slowly down the beach with Hana on his arm. It had been sometime since he had to perform any such movements for court. His hard training had ensured he kept in limber shape, but the grace of his dancing was more deadly than beautiful. The giant was too large for his movements to truly be beautiful, but he could fake it, especially with a beautiful woman on his arms. And besides, he could only imagine with the greatest glee the glare Zee must be giving him about now. As he danced, he uttered in soft, conversational tones. “Which of those two boys are you going to pick?”

Dunkan observed as everyone seemed to engage in "fun" chats and even some went for dancing without shame.Sadly he didnt share any of those affinities to open himself,he just never was taught to enjoy life around others.But how could he? His mother even left him behind,she abandoned him for no reason and from there he stopped feeling apathy toward others, toward those he should be having fun with.But it was too late to reverse it,to take back the little warm he had,the joy and curiosity he ever had.Now he lacked all of those things,and watching everyone having fun made him feel a knot on his throat,but he decided to just ignore it.It was useless to feel this way, he had to be tough, be uncorrupted by the poison these feelings could place on his chest. He sighed as he removed himself from the wine, taking his time to consider his next actions. And there he spotted a lonely female(Tox), sitting away. His selfish side told him to let her be and mind his own business,but in the other hand he didnt wants to seat here bored and doing nothing productive. And thus he approached the Ashen wolf dipping his head. "May I...may I seat here too?" He was surprised with how the question came out,it felt like it wants his. Why did it came out this uncertain? Insecure? What was wrong with him? But he shouldn't be surprised, after all he had no experience with social stuff. "Speak"

This whole event was just strange. Suddenly she thought a birthday party was a bad idea. No one seemed to be being themselves except for the attention- loving speckled skank that her brother's seemed to be fighting over. Even her father was fawning over the girl. She didn't understand. Asla didn't see anything special in the girl. Quite the opposite. It made her sick to watch the girl use her brother's and it made her ashamed that they allowed themselves to be used. How were they so blind? Boys were idiots.

Speaking of idiots, Naiche approached and offered her a gift. It was a clump of lion mane tied together intricately. A small smirk formed and one eyebrow raised as the yellow wolf called her princess. The smirk remained. "Thank you, Naiche." To be a jerk, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. A quick peck, but still. "Very sweet of you to think of me." She knew it would bother the piss out of him. That's why she did it.

When Az appeared and asked for her to dance, the young wolf frowned. She didn't want to be paraded around. She wasn't Hanako. "No dancing, but you could take me closer to the fire. I'm pretty sore." it seemed like he was trying to distract himself, so she'd at least help him with that. As she moved along, she thanked people for coming and for the gifts that they'd brought. She appreciated the sentiment.

Once by the fire she crept past the sleeping Natha and settled herself on the far side, away from most of the party goers. The sand was warmed by the flames and she nestled down in it. Already she was wondering when would be an acceptable time to excuse herself. Thankfully she had a pretty good excuse with her injury. "So tell me what's wrong," she spoke to Az, knowing that there was something on his mind.

He didn’t have to wait long before his confidence arrived and was only acknowledged with a quick smile as she passed him. Ears fell to his skull as he tried not to deflate too heavily, one paw raised in the air as he almost went after his sister before Meadow appeared in front of him. Indigo felt most comfortable with Aslatiel beside him, and he was keenly aware of the space between them as he lifted his head and focused on Miss Meadow.

He loved his auntie. ”Hello, Meadow.” He returned lovingly with a nuzzle to the top of her head as she mentioned the surprise for their birthday. ”Thanks for thinking of us.” She leaned in as though to tell him a great secret and as he mirrored her he glanced up to see Aslatiel offer a kiss to the grass pelted soldier. Indigo tried very hard to hide his reaction, but as he felt his hackles rise his tore his gaze away and focused on Meadow.

She was sweet and soft, his gardening partner. He loved the older she wolf to the moon and back, but he wanted Aslatiel’s kiss despite knowing this was the last place he should think about that.

Meadow had his attention, she pulled him away from Aslatiel and her kisses and back to the garden. He inhaled deeply and settled, ”Really the best?” He whispered back, knowing that his sibling’s attentions were far away from him and his gardening partner. Indigo closed his eyes and lowered his head before Meadow like he was told to. His dark purple tail wagged slightly at his hips as he grew excited for his gift.

Hanako thought nothing of the brief interruption. She simply dipped her head in greeting to the princess, noting that she looked well and truly out of her element. As Hanako learned more about The Ashen Empire she couldn't help but feel as though they were a little odd, seeming to lack the normal affairs and customs that were common place in other empires and kingdoms. Were they just too busy for events? Or did they simply deem it not worth the time or effort? She mused over that question till Sirius turned his attention back to her.

She'd been right to assume that the Warlord's style was antiquated but at least to his credit he wasn't bad. He lead with a steady tempo, the pair dipping and rising as they twirled around one another, leaving weaving tracks in the sand as they went. The dance wasn't one Hanako was familiar with but it was easy enough to pick up; a simple one two three style with a few flourishes thrown in to mix things up. It didn't take a lot of focus to maintain the rhythm and Hanako's mind soon began to wander, why had Mortis just ditched her like that? And when was it Azure's turn?

At Sirius question Hanako hummed in confusion, clearly oblivious to his implication."What do you mean?"

His dance party was elegant, and easy to lead across the sand. He danced her a little further away from the fire, their conversation private beneath the evening sky, interpreted only by the sound of waves, and the occasional raised voice at the main event. Zee hadn’t shot lazerballs at his backside yet, so he could have just a little more fun at the expense of his poor kids. “I mean that Azure and Mortis look pretty infatuated from where i’m standing, Hanako. This old man wouldn’t be opposed to koi-coloured grandkids” it was as close to a blessing as he would go. Hana was his, his wolf, and he was not opposed to tying her to one of his children. Meddling old cot that he was. "Speech"

Hanako's steps faltered. Her side of the dance screeched to a halt as she slammed on the breaks, kicking up a bit of sand as she righted herself and swung out her tail for balance. What? Hanako knew what the Keepers expected from her, that she'd one day return to her Keepers, get married and do wifely things for her future husband. But it had always been a sort of soft spoken affair, a conversation that never required her input or let alone presence. She'd never tried to broach the topic with anyone, almost as though it was taboo, so the fact that Sirius was being so brazen well and truly shocked her! For a moment she feared that he knew what her Keepers were, the implication their titled carried and that she was simply a prize to be sold off to the highest bidder. But surely not, he would've addressed it by now, right?

That got her thinking though, would he even want to pay the price? From what she'd heard it was pretty steep, an investment that would lighten the coffers of even the most wealthy emperor. Sirius, for all his power and prestige wasn't-or didn't seem to be, at least- a man of material wealth. The Armada was impressive for sure but...well the members lived in barracks, what else was there to say? But then again what did she know, maybe her Keepers would take a liking to him and would be willing to make a special exception. Regardless it was too much for her to think about, though perhaps this had been fates plan all along, the current guiding her to the here and now.

Maybe this was why she didn't think about her Keepers so much these days, the old crashed against the new and it made her head spin.

"Well...you'd have to speak with my Keepers about that." She managed, recounting a statement she'd had to say only a pawful of times. Most men weren't so bold, after all. She turned, forcing her posture to relax as she was suddenly very interested in watching the waves roll out.

He had expected her to stumble at his first question, but it was his explanation that did it. He steadied her with a gentle paw. Incorporating it into their dance, as he spun her towards the ocean. Concluding it with a small flourish that allowed them to watch the ending of the sunset, and the dancing of the waves. He rested there, releasing her, but giving her no space. He bit back a smile, keeping his expression serious. “Oh, don’t worry, I intend to do exactly that.” he promised her soothingly. He would speak to the keepers, and purchase her with blood. Keeper blood, to be precious. But that was a little secret between him and Azure. Built in an understanding the first day he had introduced him to Hana. now his possessiveness with Hana had soared, and he would see her as a daughter in law if he was able to. She is mine. He thought viciously. And one of his children would help ensure it. Perhaps Azure, as a dutiful heir, if Sirius put grandkids as a stipulation of inheritance.... "Speech"

Woops, there was a gift pile.  Naiche nodded "got it." Sirius was walking off and as Naiche thought to turn away he instead got Asla kissing his cheek.  It didn't last long, but she got a quick glower before he walked off and put her present down amongst the others.

Naiche imagined he should really socialize but first he just wanted to wander around the area to take in all lamps and then to the main interest the bonfire.  There was a look of awe at the huge fire.  No one in his band had made fires, after all their numbers had been pretty few and just one big family.  Naiche would go socialize in a minute.  Several minutes later Naiche shook himself out of just watching the captivating flames.

The buffalo was right there so Naiche helped himself to a few bites before turning his attention once more to all the wolves about him.  Dancing and conversations here and there.  He had thought of meeting Natha and seeing what the cat was like but didn't see her on the ground.  A cat among wolves, her smell was different, but once he traced it back to the tree he saw her asleep.  Well, another day.

In the end Naiche decided to get in that perfect spot near the fire, not too warm or cold on his back and watch the others to see what presented itself."Speech"

Hanako wasn't sure what to make of that. She ought to have been happy though, right? She really liked it here so the thought of staying and being betrothed to... Well, her future had always been such an abstract concept, distant, unknown and completely outside of her control. More times than she could count she'd conjured up pretty images in her mind, a perfect life with a perfect stranger, the details changing on her whim depending on her mood. Everything just worked, ended up exactly the way she wanted it like a story with a happily ever after. The end.  But reality could never match up to fiction, somewhere deep back in the recesses of her mind she knew that, she just didn't want to face the facts. Not yet.

"Mm, of course. Thanks for the dance."

And with that she was off, hopping back to centre of the party to find someone less confusing to mingle with.

Eyes sparkle as she looks to Indigo, the taller wolf nuzzling the top of her head pulls a giggle from her. When he thanks her, she waves a paw and says, “Of course! Everyone deserves presents! I hope you like yours.” His attention seems to wander but Meadow does not mind as she instructs him to lower his head. Patting his paw lovingly, she waits for him to close his eyes. His tail wagging does not escape her attention and she really hopes he likes her present.

Retrieving the gift, pulling it carefully from her bag so as not to ruin the flowers, Meadow takes a moment to inspect it. It had taken her a long time to weave the flower crown together. She had used flowers from the garden and stalks of the long grass. White tulips make up the majority of plants but there are two big yellow sunflowers sit on either side of the crown. The big, yellow plants sharing their happy faces with the world. In the middle, right above his forehead, will sit a bright red rose. That is her ultimate achievement. It had taken her a few, painfilled hours to remove all the thorns before she wove it in.

To Meadow, it is more than just a crown of flowers. This small gesture is her showing Indigo that she thinks he is a King and he always will be in her heart. Slipping the crown onto his head, she takes a step back and smiles. “Okay! You can open your eyes now!” she happily tells him. When his eyes are open, Meadow bows deeply and says, “Happiest of happy days to the one and only King of the Gardeners!” Standing, she looks at him and finishes, “Long may he reign!” Sitting back, she claps her paws before asking, “Is it okay?”



"Speech!"

TABLE & CODE © SKELLE 2020

Not for the first time here, she was grateful for her average size and coat colouring, it meant she could sneak in late with her gifts and add them to the pile, grabbing something extra last minute for Sigrun, who she hadn’t seen hide nor hair of for days. Of all the times for her to wander off on and adventure... But she was her father’s daughter, and all Sedna could do was sigh and roll her eyes. Her new opossum, Otis (he had eventually told her his name), was perched on her back, small wrapped bundles held greedily in his paws, a hiss offered to anyone that dared to eye him sideways. She dipped her head and he added their offerings to the pile, then he flopped, toes curling into the fur on her sides. Another long suffering sigh, she had wanted a battle buddy, not a backpack.

If anyone asked, she could say she was waiting for the crowd to die down before offering her respects to the leaders, the strong scent of cypress clinging to her fur after her latest experiments. Her ears turned back and her head dipped respectfully as she approached Zee, bumping her nose to the underside of the leaders chin respectfully in greeting and offering a small smile before quickly clearing out to make room for the next wolf. She chuckled at Hana, swirling up a storm, and decided she didn’t want to draw any attention to herself tonight. They never had anything like this where she was from, and she could just imagine how out of hand something like this would get at the Scowle. Feeling much older than her two years, she settled herself by the fire, turning her head to grab Otis by the scruff to pull him to the side and under a paw. He grumbled at her but spared her a hiss, and she rewarded him with a long lick up the side of his face. "No stealing the gifts." She had already discovered the cheeky thing occasionally suffered from sticky fingers.

"speech".

we wear red so they don’t see us bleed

Sirius Fatalis The Warlord laughed softly, bowing over her paw, and releasing her. His poor Wraith, he knew he shouldn’t tease her so. He glanced about himself, seeing Venom and Mortis conspiring in a corner. Meadow was getting ahead of herself, gifting Indigo a flower crown, which he could already tell the boy loved. Azure was sulking by Asla, likely an after effect of watching his father dance with a girl he liked. What boy wouldn’t stress seeing his dad conspiring with a girl? He cleared his throat, and raised his voice above the sound of bonfire and speech. “Alright, it’s getting late, these troublemakers are almost at their one year mark. I see there are some presents to open, and I’m sure they appreciate any and all thought that went into them. Asla, Indigo, Mortis and Azure, come here. I have a present myself for you to open, and then you can start in on everyone else's. Feel free to speak out or hand your gift to themselves if you prefer, or they can grab them from the pile.” He gave everyone a moment to organise themselves, and his kids to come closer. They had all been through so much in the last year. His kids had grown to incredible mental heights. He had seen Mortis learn how to shield his soft heart and fight. Indigo had learned to cultivate a garden, and appreciate new growth. Asla had taken on a love for fighting, and was learning her craft well. As she was learning a diplomat's face. Azure had learned to care past his own selfish desires, and he believed the boy truly would make a great King one day. “First of all, my present to each of you is a piece of land. A choice to choose where to place your dens in the Armada, and what designs you would like. I will construct them to your desires myself.”

Ooc: For those giving gifts, feel free to step forward and give a description of your presents. If you would rather not have your wolf hand them to the kids, then just message me a description. I’ve pulled a rough list from what I read in everybodys posts:

Natha: Bear claw necklace each for Azure and Mortis (az marked with blue jay Feather, Mortis with crow). Ceramic bowls for Indigo. Bone knife for skinning for Asla
Dunkan: Skinned cougar hide to share
Hana: Herself
Meadow: Flower crown for Indigo &?
Naiche: Crafted lions hair for Asla
Venom: Trinkets x3?
Toxicity: Honey drops
Sedna: small wrapped bundled containing?