OOC: IT LIIIIVVVEESSSS! -blows confetti gun- Ahem. So, here's how this is gonna work. This first round of this thread is going to last three (3) OOC days. On January first, sometime in the evening most likely, I'll be replying with Mithras to any and all who show up here expressing interest in the pack! This will hopefully be a quick and easy bulk join up for anyone interested. So, let's get this party started!

Mithras' daughters were getting older. Every day they were getting a little bit bigger, a little bit more intelligent, a hell of a lot more curious. He was having trouble keeping up. Faria was helping where she could but even so they were outnumbered! What was a wolf to do? And with such... exuberant daughters on top of it all, three well behaved pups would be a lot. So, he'd left the south with a plan. Several of the Diamachi had agreed to lend Faria a hand while he was on his trip, and he promised to be back soon, but there was a bit of work to do. They needed a new home. A stable home, one with set boundaries, a foundation that they could grow on. As the days wore into weeks, the hulking man had scoured from east to west searching for something, some kind of sign. It had also given him plenty of time to think. What kind of world did he want his daughters to grow up in? What kind of environment would give them everything they deserved, everything he'd ever dreamed of for himself, let alone for something he loved with more depth than he could ever imagine possible? It was a tough nut to crack. So finally, when he crested the final rise which led into the Emerald Valley it struck him. With the wide prairie stretching out in front of him, bathed in sunset light, the silver sliver of river glimmering on the horizon, the wide and untouched west, it struck him. The young male got a wild hair. His thoughts began to race a mile a minute. It felt like hardly a heartbeat passed before he'd put together a plan. His thinking and meditating coalesced into something like finality and he threw his head back in a howl of calling. He envisioned it racing out over the wide empty terra, tickling the ears of the brilliant wolves he knew lurked there. A new pack was forming in the gilded evening light. "Talk" "You" Think

ooc: Not yet sure Costa will stay but the pack sounds right up her alley, honestly

The sun had began its trek down the western sky and Costa Andreas found herself wandering ever closer to it.  The west was a place she rarely ventured, feeling it often too hot to be bothered with.  Winter, however, saw the land cooler than normal so now she let herself roam.  She was a vagabond, in love the with the many contours of the earth on which she stood.  Each place was different, unique.   She was headed up.  Upward towards the peak of the rise to find what lay on the other side.  If was well known that the best way to get a sense of your surroundings was to find the higher ground.  At the top she found herself overlooking a wide, grassy valley.  A river wove lazily through the middle.  Her eyes surveyed the open land below her before she let herself slide down into the bosom of the valley.  Her nose was at work now, searching for a snack or anything else worth while.   The little wolf was in luck, nose catching a scent so familiar that it brought back memories.  Lavender.  Lavender was the herb in which her mother adorned her as child, swathing in her it and gushing over her.  She was a singleton babe and her mother sickeningly doting.  Indeed, the obsession of her mother had nearly drove her mad.  She recoiled from the memories but dove for the herbs, grateful just to find some.  It was hard to maintain any stock when you hadn't a solid home.   The little lavender stocks were looking a bit sorry but never the less they would work splendid.  She plucked them delicately as any canine could be expected to, holding the violet flowers in her jaws.  With them so near it wasn't hard to see WHY her mother had been so keen to keep them near her.  Lavender eyes accented by lavender flowers.   A call set from high above caused her to jump damn near out of her skin, cringing down and cursing for the lack of cover where she was at.  Her eyes started to scan for the call, listening intently.  A wolf calling others near.  There was purpose in it.   Her curiosity was sparked, she had to investigate.  Standing tall once more, the mid-sized creature headed a sharp angle from that which she had entered the valley.  At least she didn't have to navigate the river. She came up from behind the brute, clearing her throat and making a point to stamp about a bit.  He was intimidatingly large and, to say in a word, stunning.  Never had she seen a wolf that looked like him.  Like the night sky when the milky way was at its brightest and even then more vibrant.  At any rate, he made her look like no more than a pup.  She was drawfed by him.   She delicately set the lavender at her paws before craning her neck to look at the male's face.  "I'm probably not who you were expecting..." Her words were deadpan, clearly not giving a shit if she were who he expected to see or not.  "Costa.  Costa Andreas." "Speech"

IRIE DIAMÁCHI She was tracking him. Why? Because... she could. Because... she was Diamachi, and she was curious despite feeling utterly uncomfortable with the idea of the North. But she wasn't entirely certain how to get back, now... though to be fair she'd be lying to herself if that was the only reason she stayed. Despite the cold - which she abhorred, and the... just the idea of the North, she still remained Diamachi to the true, and was wanting information. If anything, tales for the pups! She wasn't expecting this. Not at all. Not this call, not this... at all. Why? Hadn't they taught him? Hadn't they taught him the ways of the Diamachi? What had happened? Why was he doing this? She knew of the pups, of Faria, though she hadn't had much direction How could he have become so misguided, so... delusional? He knew the ways of the pack - and he was Diamachi! Not by blood, no... perhaps that was why this was happening? But oh, it was too late now! The woman would break into a sprint, heading towards the call, widened eyes taking in the sight of the multicolored form. Where was her sister? She needed her sister - oh so badly. She knew how close the two were, even if she realized that a relationship was likely to never happen. "Mithras!" she breathed, coming up on the male from behind. Her mouth opened to say more, but she just... couldn't. What could she say? What would she say now? Her eyes said it all - the way the sky blue shimmered with a sadness, the way they pulled at the corners. How had the Diamachi failed? "Talk" "You" Think

This.. this was not his home. It had never been his home. No more than the Mangroves had been his home. Steel had, quite honestly, never had a home.. and he had begun to wonder if he ever would. He was a vagabond if there ever was one, a lost soul with no purpose and no goal in sight. For awhile he had been trailing near Faria, never far from her or her children, though he was a stranger to them at best. Even to Mithras, he was little more than a name and a face. It was surprising, to say the least, when he heard a call that signified a claim. Mithras was claiming this place as his own. He'd never been particularly fond of him.. not that he disliked him, either. Steel had grown close to Faria and out of nowhere it seemed as though he had returned, and won her over, and given her children. Despite his prolonged absence. He'd always been fairly open around Faria, but he'd grown distant as of late. It felt like he didn't belong with her anymore - she had children and those children had a father. Love was the last thing on his mind, but he certainly trusted and cared for Faria far more than he had ever cared about anyone. He couldn't help but feel an aching emptiness inside him as he considered that Faria and Mithras shared something special, something that he would never share with her. A forlorn sigh, meant for no one but himself,  left his lips as he pondered over the call. The idea of living without Faria was unpleasant, and while being alone sounded tempting.. he didn't really think he would be happier anywhere else. He trudged toward the call, his paws dragging through the wilted grass of the once-emerald valley. Soon it would be coming to life once again, as winter faded into spring. The imminent change of seasons wasn't terribly thrilling to him. He preferred the stark cold of winter to the sweltering summer. His brows furrowed, his mind reeling as he slowly made his way toward the gathering. Mithras was easy to spot as his journey came to a close, and his expression would harden slightly as he approached, though he came to an easy stop and settled to his haunches without a word.

She couldn't say that she hadn't been expecting some fort of call from Mithras. It had been a long few days since Mith had been home, it was easy to tell by how much energy seemed to be building up within their daughters. The Diamachi had been doing well to distract them, but no one could tire their daughters out like Mithras could. He was turning into a marvelous father and their co-parenting could not be beat. However, she still wasn't sure what they called their relationship. They were still best friends like always.. they just happened to have kids together? She wished it could just be that simple. For the most part it was easy not to think about it, she had her paws very much full of puppy madness. There were very few times when she had a moment to herself, and even fewer when she didn't want to just nap during them. The results were simple, Faria didn't have a life outside her litter. Which meant she'd been neglecting the wolf who had even brought her down south to begin with: Steel. She didn't see him often anymore, and what she did see of him was a fleeting glance. They'd been so close on their travels together, he'd taken the place that her wandering companions had left for a time. When Mithras had appeared that night she'd gone and ruined both relationships. She would have mourned her decision had the result of it not been so demanding. Her daughters took all of her attention, so as they grew she would have no time to think of what might have been. Gathering up said heathens Ria would lead them to where their father called, the task hopefully a little more easy with such a high stakes goal. There would be little running off as each pup was more eager than the last to finally see dad. She'd let them run ahead of her as Mithras finally came into view. She was almost surprised to see Steel already in attendance, but it wouldn't show on her face. She'd offer her friend a bright smile, though she couldn't hide the apologetic tendrils that broke through a cheery exterior. She'd tear her gaze from him and return it to her three bouncing daughters, adding her own soft smile and greeting to their father. She couldn't deny how proud she was of him, going from the young pup she knew as a child, to the exuberant wanderers they'd been before, to this proud father who wanted nothing more than the best for his children. She'd smile as she sat back, eager to know where this new future might take them. "Talk" "You" Think

The illusion of spring spread before his paws.  The tufts of green grass peeking out from the snow in a land that probably was not used to receiving much freezing precipitation.  He knew as the sun rose that it would all soon melt away, unlike the north where it continued to linger, slowly smothering the local plant life.  Ullr paused, leaning down to sniff at the grass.   He was uncertain why he'd travelled this far south.  For all it's cold and harshness he was more a northern creature wasn't he?  He was used to being surrounded by ice and snow in the winter and some how the near absence of it felt… incredibly off-putting.  Though he supposed the year had been rather dry and warm all around.  Maybe this was the sign he was seeking?  The charge he'd been searching for.  Perhaps the change in environment was the first clue.

The man sat heavily, corded limbs curling under him as he laid down among the grasses, listening to the wind and praying softly for some direction.  He was aimless, always aimless.  Ullr had wandered for the past few years and still could not find himself at peace.  Did he dare to stop moving?

A howl rang out and Ullr's ears perked at the sound, his breath catching and his body going taut as he realized it was a claiming howl.  Someone was claiming this land.  He was on his feet, preparing to beat a retreat before he found himself turning back toward the source of the call.  Silver and sky blue eyes turned upward, gazing at the clouds.  It was a rather strange coincidence.  One worth investigating and so the man would take to his paws and stalk toward the source of the call.  What he found was beyond his reckoning.  Seated among a small group of wolves were two wolves that looked as though they'd been cut out of the fire of the cosmos.  Brilliant gem colors and exotic markings so foreign that he felt an old fear creep into the pit of his stomach.  Was he…. was he hallucinating, again?  He rarely had visions any more surely they weren't returning?   He looked to the other wolves who seemed to acknowledge the other-worldly pair so maybe they were real after all… or maybe none of these wolves were real….

Ullr inhaled deeply through his nose, sniffing powerfully to take in the scents, closing his eyes to avoid his mind trying to fill in any gaps for his eyes if he was indeed imagining things.  Slowly they'd open as he exhaled.  The were real he was almost certain of it. "Hello…" he spoke softly, eyes focusing on the brightly colored male, "are you the one that called the claiming of this land?"


"Speech"

A howl reached the girl and she perked. It was slowly starting to occur to her that she might be more safe in a pack; still her grasp on the common language was stressed at best and she was cautious about joining a pre-established  group where she might not truly fit. So the call seemed to be her best bet. It was a ways away still though and she would struggle to get there in good time. Still Estelle hobbled as fast as her missing limb would allow. She would traverse many lands she had yet to fully explore and made multiple mental notes to come back later. Finally though the scents of other began to assault her senses; and it made her slow. Turquoise orbs roved over the landscape as she hobbled upon the gathered group. At first her breath was taken away, two wolves seemingly made of pure starlight dazzled her for a minute. Then as she her gaze away she observed the other wolves around. Then without thinking she dropped her gaze to move more among the group and settled herself nervously upon her haunches, suddenly very aware of her feelings of inferiority. "Pouvez-vous m'entendre?"

Curiosity would arise in the female, eyes flicking towards the sound. She much preferred the North - however, the allure of this call, to at least investigate, was too much to resist. The ebony-coated woman would make her way towards the origin of the call, a soft smile on her face. That smile would drop when she'd arrive... and stare at the gloriously coated wolves that were present. She spotted the origin of the call - he stood proud, strong... he also reminded her of the evening starry sky, on a night before an aurora borealis. That aurora would be exemplified by the woman that was approaching him - a stunning goddess, cloaked by the midnight hues. Ainia could not recall a moment where she had seen a more beautiful woman, and oh was this one worthy of the title.

With effort, the warrior would force her gaze away to rest on Mithras, awaiting information of this pack.

Mithras spent a long moment lost in his thoughts. The future was an amalgamous mash of uncertainties. Whatever the next day held, who could guess? Hell, in a lot of ways he wasn't really sure what was over the next horizon but that would all come with time. Or at least, so he hoped. It wasn't long before he was dragged back into reality, because his first responder had arrived. She was a steely fae, speckled and with vibrant amethyst eyes. He gave her a wry smile and a nod. She introduced herself as Costa, and his smile widened. "To tell you a secret," he leaned in conspiratorial. "I half wasn't expecting anyone." I mean, it was true after all. The next attendee was... Well, she was a little less pleased to see him. Gods, of all the timing! He was caught between a gleeful smile and a frown because this wasn't exactly an intimate situation, how on earth was he supposed to explain this to her? "Irie? Oh gods, just..." On the horizon he saw others, making their way towards him. He sighed. "Just give me a chance to explain, and I'll talk to you after. I promise." He gave her a solemn nod, because he wasn't about to let such a close friend walk off hurting. Next came Steel surprisingly enough, followed by Faria and the children. With a beaming smile Mithras would jounce forward, lifting a paw in an attempt to ruffle the fur atop the head of each of his four girls (wholly expecting bitten paws from his two oldest daughters.) Three other unknowns followed after her, one earthen, one dark, and one pale but all looked eager. It struck her late that one female was missing a limb, but Mithras would just smile a bit brighter at her. That seemed like quite the story, and maybe he'd be able to wheedle it out of her. Now seemed as good a time as any (he certainly didn't want them to get bored) so he drew in a deep breath. "Not gonna lie," he grinned. "I wasn't sure I'd see anyone here, but I'm glad to see there are still some wolves with a spontaneous spirit. A sense of adventure. Curiosity..." He looked skyward, where the sun was hung low over the horizon and bathing everything in a ruby hue. "Packs are always hum-drum, day after day toiling for someone else, and for what? Safety that may or may not be guaranteed? At least in my experience anyways. But at the same time a single wolf can't do much at all. Well, unless they're lucky, anyways." He laughed, recalling the messes his children had already been able to get into. "The point is, we can do better. What about a pack that cares more about progress and free thinking, and all inclusive collaboration bent on making the future something worth living through? Forget the daily grind, I'm thinking massive forums of rogues and packs alike, a tight knit group of mentors, a safe haven for anyone and everyone. Where the only thing that matters is that you can be relied upon to help when its needed, and contribute because you want to. A safe place for the generations to come." His gaze you fall at last on Leto, Iskra, and Artemis... His three girls. The whole reason he was doing this. He looked back at the group around him. They were a varied bunch. He liked it, and it made him smile a wide cheesy grin. "What I'm asking for is a vote of confidence, I guess. If this sounds like something you might want to be part of, you're welcome here. Hell, if you're not sure, you're welcome to linger and think it over. If you have any questions, I'll answer them. And a few of you might want to beat the crap out of me," he leaned towards Irie and whispered, "Looking at you here, darlin,'" before leaning back out to address the group and shrugged. "I guess that's fine too. Whatever may come." He sat back, proud of himself. Who cared if they all ran off, flipped him one collective bird. That was their prerogative. He had his family, he loved them, and he would make this work one way or another. "Talk" "You" Think

IRIE DIAMÁCHI More would show up, more and more. Oh, all these poor deluded souls. How could they be so... so blind? To the binds, to the chains, that a pack causes? To the limitations in freedom, in choice? To giving up power in yourself to be ruled by one who places him or herself above you - how does one do that? And she did not see how Mithras was able to be one to rule, to shackle all the mislead beings at his paws. Yet, he would respond when she spoke his name, and she'd nod silently to his words. Despite this, there was no way she could abandon him, not without explanation - not without an utter betrayal of the Diamachi. And while this was a betrayal, it was not one to warrant shunning. It may not even be a betrayal, he just... gah, she didn't even know. Yet regardless, she would stay and listen, hear his words, his explanations, with as open a mind as she could have. It would not be long before he started speaking, and she felt her heart clench for the young man. He sounded so... well, him. Cheerful, joyful, yet there was an undercurrent of something new in him - instead of the free, carefree soul he had been, there was now an edge of steel. An edge of maturity. It was something to be respected, and her head would tilt as she listened. Then he got into the meat of his words, and she found herself leaning forward, eyes widening. His words, they voiced her thoughts. What...? How...? A gasp would leave her, quiet and barely audible. Pride would burst in her chest - the ideals, they weren't forgotten! He wasn't misguided, not entirely! He had not turned on the Diamachi; not in any way, or shape. He was making... a group, similar to the Diamachi, but with a bit more boundaries. While the extra buondaries made her cringe, she could, with some measure, wrap her mind around it. It was not Diamachi, but it was not pure Northern wolf - it was something in between, something that was... well, tolerable. Something she did not be afraid of. Further still he would speak, and she'd smirk - yeah, just a bit. And then he leaned over, and she would try to meet his eyes with a dry look, a soft snort emerging from her. Even she couldn't not smile at that, and she would nod silently to herself. Yes, she would talk to Mithras - just to reaffirm. But for the time being, her heart was appeased. "Talk" "You" Think

She caught every pair of eyes that fell upon her and she loved it. After Mithras had greeted her and their daughters, she'd attempted to rough up his fur a bit too, but it didn't really work out so well when you're 1/3 your target's size. She'd settle with the satisfaction of his bitten toes by Art and Leto. An amused smile would play on her features as she attempted to settle the children down as their father started to speak. She would listen to him intently, she wasn't really worried about the words that left his lips. She'd proven it before and she would prove it again, Faria would follow Mithras anywhere. From the jaws of destruction that had lay in wait in their homeland, to here and now as Mithras took his first steps as an alpha. "I'm here for you, Mith. Where ever you need me." Her words were confident as she stood proudly, only distracted slightly by the squirming mass of star babies at her paws. "Talk" "You" Think

It would not be long before this evening-colored wolf would speak, yet even so she found her eyes drifting to the gorgeous blue beauty. It was clear they were together, and even clearer that they might be mates - that is, if the tumbling children were anything to tell by. It made her a bit sad - though she knew of many pairs as was her culture that did not mate for life; perhaps this was the case here? She certainly hoped so.

Attempting to listen as best she could whilest distracted by Faria, her interest was indeed perked. A pack, that did not hold all the rules and regulations of a normal pack? She liked it. The ability to learn, yet rely on others, in a loyal bond? Yep, she liked it. She couldn't help but snort in amusement at the last bit - so this chocolate hued woman was not too happy about it and Mithras knew it, hmm? Interesting, but she didn't much care. She would step forward, eyes sparkling.

"I am interested in joining. I would pledge my loyalty to this fledgling pack," Ainia swore to Mithras. However, while she did so, her eyes rested on Faria - yes, interested in joining indeed.

Well, this was interesting. Domino's ears perked when he heard the familiar call that belonged to Mithras, and immediately the males lithe frame was carried through the terrains until he reached the gathered group. Among them, he noticed a face or two that he recognized, the others? Not so much. Still, he made it in time to hear Mithras while he himself stuck around the back of the group until Mithras finished and the others spoke up. Promptly, he stepped forward, tail wagging and uttered an excited bark. Generally, the male was introverted and kept to himself, analyzing everything before speaking let alone making a decision. But while he had listened to Mithras, it seemed the lad still held the ideals of the Clan. And they would live together, like a pack yet not the same way. "Count me in, Mithras!" Now...would Anselm find his way?

Leto's mood was sour already from her da being gone so long when her mom had gathered her and her sisters and dragged them off up north. At first it had been a novelty, an adventure and everything was new but they had to walk f o r e v e r and it was so awful and cold, and the swaggering almost-six-month-old hoodlum's mood grew more and more irritable. But then finally she could see Da's colorful form amid a veritable sea of plain boring wolves - ok it was only like three and one was Steel but she still scowled at them and stuck her tongue out as her mom marched them up to Da and made them sit, Leto stalking along grumpily the whole way, and then she turned a pouting scowl at her mom too. Why'd they have to come all the way up here anyway? Who were all these wolves that were showing up? Other than her family they were all drab as molting crows, but they all seemed to be excited about something to do with her da. Da noticed them, finally, but didn't say anything just smiled and tried to ruffle their fur. "DA," she complained loudly, wrinkling her nose. "Quit mussin up me fur! I gotta repitation and ya gonna ruin it!" She puffed up her chest quite fierce, but he'd started talking to everyone about packs or whatever and the whole lot was really boring and hard to follow. Something about safety (boring) and a corbation (what was that?) and a buncha other boring floof words that didn't make no sense and sounded no fun. Ok ok so he could talk pretty and make everyone else's heads all dreamy but Da hadn't actually explained anything had he? Everyone else seemed to be nodding along and agreeing but to what? "Yeah yeah yeah, that's all great and stuff, but wot's a pack?" she demanded. It was THE MOST IMPORTANT question and no one else had even asked it! "" ""

The male was not displeased to see her, in fact he granted her presence a smile and nod. "To tell you a secret," he leaned in towards her, acting as though someone were trying to listen in on a secret conversation they were holding, "I half wasn't expecting anyone." She quirked a blackened brow spot at him, a smirk on her face. Whoever this vividly colored stranger way, she didn't dislike him so far. "Well then allow me to say that you must be pleased with the turn out!" Costa, party of one. They were not alone much longer, in fact nearly as soon as the words left her mouth a brown colored lass came storming up. By the way the lord's bi-colored eyes shifted to the new arrival Costa took her cue to step back and give the company some room. Cos made sure not to forget the lavender at her paws, careful of her hold on them and yet firm. The new female did not seem pleased and the male, name still unknown, seemed uncertain about how he felt to see her. "Irie? Oh gods, just..." She stifled a chortle, letting her attention roam away from them to see a whole herd of wolves headed their direction. First was a large, mousy grey male with red eyes. He seemed none too interested in the whole ordeal, settling silently. Costa wondered if he were a stranger here too or if he knew them. Surely he knew them and her suspicions were confirmed when a mottled blue female appear. She reminded Costa of the might sky and in her tow were children. Initially she wanted to say that the bitch was related to he who called the meeting, a sister perhaps, but his features were obvious in the offspring. She supposed they could still be related... who was she to know if they were into that kind of thing? More wolves accumulated, some seeming familiar with the star bedazzled wolves and others not. What she gathered from all the words flying around was that the one heading the shindig was named Mithras. He spoke rather ineloquently about his plans to build a "better" pack before asking everyone to give him a chance. Cos sat silent and thoughtful. She hadn't intended to settle down, but maybe it would be fun? They seemed an interesting and colorful (literally and figuratively) bunch. Males and females of capable ages in which they could accomplish great things, and already with three young children to bring up as the next generation. "Oh, what the hell..." She said rather to herself before speaking up, "Count me in!" Her words were loud, to be heard over the cacophony of voices. "Speech"

Ullr remained silent, taking in everything the star-colaked male said. His mind wrapping around not only the words but contemplating the fates, the norns, the woven threads and where his destiny might lead him. He was almost certain that this was a sign from the gods. What else would explain a pack forming right in the area he'd been resting in and with such a mysterious and mythical wolf as its founder? Ullr couldn't say much on the pack ideology other than it certainly sound good to him. A tight-knit pack that cared about it's members, a safe haven, everything his birth pack had never been.

"Sir, I'd be interested in joining. I'm Ullr Vilison, a hunter and traveller. I don't believe I caught your name?" That wasn't true, he'd gathered enough to guess the males name but he wanted to hear the other introduce himself.

"Speech"

The call across the land was new, fresh. The sound of a leader calling out, his triumphant voice reaching the ears of those farther than he. Matthias was one such wolf, and he would perk his ears to attention at the sound. The young man had been searching for something more than what he was finding down south, something more than strangers in single numbers. The young male longed for stability, and, perhaps, with a pack he could gain that. Maybe he had the wrong idea in trying to found something new for his Clan... Maybe... Maybe they just needed to move forward with something new altogether. He would arrive to catch the tail end of a speech -- a speech by a man with a coat that was even more striking than his own. A starchild for certain, and quite literally so. The galaxies seemed to be thrown all across his coat. He was a handsome man, if compliments were worth anything. Perhaps it was because of the coat of the other that Matthias truly took this as a sign. The youth would sit, close to a white and black furred male. He would listen to the words of others, speaking up as they pledged their allegiance to this newforming pack. A safe haven. A place for wolves to grow and live for generations. Matthias could not help but to feel a tad nervous... The same thing had been what his mother had wanted. Yet things had not ended well for her. Matt would glance towards the others presence before looking to the celestial man. The youth would speak up, gaze fixed upon the other. “You can count me in, sir.” He was sure there would be time for introductions at a later time. ""

Well this was certainly unexpected. She'd been in the valley for only a few days, roaming as she watched the snow melt and the grass begin to peek from beneath the layer of frost. She'd hardly seen a soul, nevermind noticing any marked borders. Then all of a sudden, there was a call, a howl that seemed to make claim to the lands. Esarosa paused in her stride, blinking emerald eyes. What was this about? Had a pack decided to move in? She sat down, somewhat irritated, a low growl of displeasure forming in her throat. She had no intentions of settling down, of chaining herself to one place and staying there. She couldn't give up her freedom! But, could this be the pack that Miksa had been talking about, the home he'd been offered in the west? With that thought it mind, she decided she had to go see what was happening. Who exactly was claiming this beautiful place, and who else would be there? Esa got to her paws, nodding to reassure herself. She wasn't going to just leave without notice because someone else had decided this was their home now. Maybe... maybe it would be okay to get a feel for this pack, if it meant that she didn't have to leave the charming valley. Before long, the ebony-coated young woman would find herself on the outskirts of a gathering. She paused again, truly hesitating, anxiety rising and telling her to turn the other way and run. She coudln't fall into this trap, no matter how intriguing the group appeared. Wolves of the most bizarre coat types, some massive, others smaller, she almost had to wonder if she was dreaming. But the scents were too fresh and vivid, the smell of new growth was in the air. It had to be real. She then spotted a familiar frame; certainly not the one she'd hoped to see, yet it still relieved her to see Steel amongst the gathered. She realized that the towering male with starlight in his coat was the one that had called the wolves to him, and that he was now proceeding with a speech. Esa edged closer to the group, her paw steps unsure. She wanted to hear what was being said, but as her eyes continued to scan the area, she didn't see Miksa. Was he missing out on this? Maybe he didn't know that his pack was forming. I'll have to find out what's going on here first, then I'll go find him and bring him back, she thought determinedly to herself. She picked up her pace to a trot and came toward the group, catching some of the last bits of the man's speech. Quietly, she placed herself beside Steel, the only wolf she was familiar with, and perked her ears toward Mithras. He sounded young and eager, maybe even a little free-spirited... the idea he had for his pack didn't sound terribly strict or awful at all. It might not even be that bad. When the man sat back in silence, it seemed he was waiting for the others to say their part, whether they wanted to join or not. Esarosa kept her lips sealed, watching and listening as some wolves stepped forward to confirm they would join. Others, like herself, said nothing. Without realizing it, her breathing had quickened, and she didn't know what to do or say. This was so spontaneous. Should she really so quickly make a decision that would change her life? Taking a deep breath, she stood, taking just a few tentative steps closer to Mithras. When the others were quiet, she'd finally speak up. "I think... I think I'd like to join," she said, swallowing back her uncertainties and trying not to feel like she was putting herself in shackles, "I've been a traveler for a long time now... I can hunt, though, a good variety of prey, too." Did she really just do this? I'm joining a pack... I'm actually letting myself get tied down! she thought fretfully, nervous of the consequences. Life wouldn't be the same, would it? She couldn't wait until this was over, so she could go find her friend and drag him back here. "Speak" "Listen" Think

His speech would garner a ring of responses, and to his first glance they all seemed quite positive. A smile broke out on his lips, small at first but growing larger every second. First of course was Faria, swearing to stand at his side. He noted a pleased look on Irie's face and then a pledge from a stranger, then his recent friend Domino. Leto piped up with her own opinion (he'd expected something of the sort) and drew a chuckle. Another and another swore in until he was surrounded by a ring of followers, everything he'd hoped for and more. His tail swayed from side to side and his chest filled up with a buoyant jubilation. Their future was looking brighter by the moment. "I, Mithras Aeris, am honored by the show of faith and I won't let you down. From this day forth this Emerald Valley and the Whistling Willows to the north belong to Argead! Cry it to the heavens, to the corners of the earth. We won't let a soul go unknowing of our creation. It's a day for the histories!" He threw his head back and howled, with joy and promise and hope in his lungs. This was the start of something powerful and marvelous and it felt right. Despite the setting sun, he felt a new sun rising in his life, a beacon of hope, a light and a warmth he hadn't felt in a year. Everything in his life at that moment had at last coalesced into something worth living for. "Talk" "You" Think

OOC: Omg he's such a drama queen, I'm sorry. I couldn't stop him. But anyways, I've added everyone who gave verbal agreement to join under a neutral rank. If you want in on this quick-add-thing here you can post your characters having lingered and listened in to Mith's speech, and have them request to join in one last round! If your character has specializations already and knows what rank they would like to join, we can assume the conversation happened IC with a PM to me, or we can thread it out if you'd rather! Either way, thank you so much!


★WELCOME TO ARGEAD★

J’avais fait une gross erreur!   Estelle thought to herself as she struggled to follow along with the starry man’s words. Damn, she absolutely needed to learn the language here. She managed a word here or there of course but they all spoke it so fast that she didn’t have the time to try and translate in her head before they were several sentences ahead of her. So in truth she had given up on trying to really listening. She was almost tempted to try and sneak away but she knew for a fact he had seen her come in, and more than that she needed the protection and stability of a pack. Then the starred man has finished speaking and the gathered wolves were speaking, it was all very confusing for the poor lost girl. This went on for a moment and Estelle wondered if she too ought to jump in but before she could decide the male spoke again, lifting his voice in song once he was finished. There was a tone of finality to his sound and the girl panicked suddenly. Wobbling to her paws she hobbled a bit towards him, waiting for the lifting sounds of the howls to die before she spoke. “In.” She spoke softly, suddenly aware of all the gathered wolves and more than that the harsh accent of her word. J’avais fait une gross erreur!   "Pouvez-vous m'entendre?" Hover for translation