Well, Sparrow guessed it was about time for a meeting. She had a lot to talk to her pack about. Lirim and Dragoste were big issues she needed to address. Then there was also the problems with activities and ranks. Also the Santuarios should probably be introduced.

All those things definitely should be addressed at the meeting. Sparrow wondered who all would show up. Maybe no one would.

Well, Brandr might come at least.

Sparrow had to figure out what to do about the wolves in her pack. If they weren't contributing, they were better off not being in the pack. Then again, if she did that... how many wolves would be left? Why were they here? They weren't standing by her side and they weren't helping Abaven. If that was the case: if there were really that few wolves wanting to be in Abaven and contribute, then maybe they would be better off if Abaven dissolved.

Shaking that thought from her mind, Sparrow called her pack. She called the Santuarios too.

Things either had to start moving, or they were going to stop entirely.


OOC: Posts due the 22

She had been busy all on her own since her mother had left. She didn't want to admit it, but in all honesty she had slipped into a bit of depression over the winter and had distanced herself as she finished the task of making herb den's in all three territories that Abaven currently laid claim to and evenly distributed her mother's herb stock in all three dens. She did this because she felt it was a great idea, that way herbs were in close reach if something had ever happened and a healer would not have to travel one to two territories away to get what they had needed. She hadn't told anyone that she had been working on this, in fact the idea came to her a while ago when her mother was teaching her about healing. With a big span of territory such as Abaven the intelligent young women came up with a way to make the healers lives better in Abaven. Now that her task was finally complete she had plans to meet with Sparrow and tell her about these three herb stocks and to actually show her where they were. Sparrow would know who else Corentine had to show these dens to, because after all the changes Core was unsure if there was any healers left in the pack. Though her well thought out plan had been changed, or tweaked as she would call it, as the summoning call from Sparrow herself called the pack together for a meeting. Would it be a good time to tell her before things started? Or should she just announce it when the floor was opened up? 'Sparrow needs to know first, she is the alpha.' That's what would be done. She picked up her paws and headed in the direction of the call, hoping to be the first there so she could tell Sparrow before the meeting started so that way she could decide what to do with the information. She wasn't far from the spot where Sparrow was and when she arrived she was happy to see she was the first one there. She wagged her tail and smiled in quiet greeting to Sparrow as she approached her. "Sparrow I was just about to find you before you called. I want to let you know before the meeting starts that a herb stock den is made and stocked in each of Abaven's three territories. I will gladly show you and any other member of the pack their location, that way if emergencies arrive herbs are not far from reach. I'll let you decide when the others should know." she said with a smile before back tracking and taking her seat for the meeting. "Talk" | 'Think'

Then they went on to say the pearly gates

Spring brought better hunting opportunities and a wide variety of prey. Not to mention it was the season of birthing and Brandr had been pleased to see that a nearby elk herd was starting to calve. He'd have to see if he could arrange another hunt in the future but he didn't want to over work they pack. He'd pushed them hard during the winter bison hunts and with their small numbers he had to carefully weigh the defense of the pack with any potential injuries.

Brandr was just returning from his scouting when he heard Sparrow call a meeting. Swiftly he headed toward the meeting area to see Corentine already there. "Hello there Sparrow, Corentine." He grinned and moved to sit next to the black and white femme. Maybe the two of them could go on a hunt together after the meeting.

had such elegant graffiti

Winter was usually a slow time for healers other than the usual bouts of disease or injury, without many herbs available to gather and dry. Kassander, however, had never been one to like to waste time in idleness when he could be doing. All winter he'd been holed up in his den, mixing concoction after concoction using the new tools he'd worked up that summer and fall, expanding the den even further, furnishing it with newly tanned hides for the comfort of future patients. His den was now a neatly organized grotto. The dried herbs of the summer before had been ground finely and stored in their own separate jars, or mixed together in readiness for specific remedies. He wanted to find some way of heating water to pour over some of them, having found that it extracted the necessary potency much more efficiently from the herbs than cold water or simply swallowing them, and some external remedies worked much better as a water rinse than as a poultice. He wondered again if there was some safe way of keeping a small fire going outside his den... or perhaps keeping a single hot coal in a horn of sand ready to build a fire to heat water in an emergency.

Overall he was pretty satisfied now with how prepared he might be for any medical issues that might pop up. He was even feeling rather relaxed and considering expanding his hunting to supply hides and other supplies to the other pack members. Maybe Brandr or Lark or Corentine - really the only wolves he knew in the pack having hunted with them - would want to learn how to craft things out of their kills.

All that comfort and planning vanished like the popping of a bubble into a swelter of anxiety when he heard the call for a meeting filter through the thicket and into his den. Oh no. All those wolves, all at once. In reality the pack was few, but in Kassander's mind the group took on looming proportions, a profusion of wolves all gathered together and he, Kassander, would need to...

Well actually he just needed to BE THERE, not actually do anything. With a deep breath to ward off the lurking panic he forced himself to step out of the den. When he'd enlarged it, he'd enlarged the entrance as well with the thought that it would be easier to get unresponsive patients in to where they could be cared for, with a near-ninety degree branching off to either side of the main walkway with large roomy den areas. One a crafting area, one a storage area, and further down away from drafts the sleeping and treatment chambers. It was the roots of the thicket overhead that stabilized the roof enough to allow for the chambers, and a rather large old oak spread thick sheltering roots over the round entrance hole and walkway, providing the necessary pillars to hold it all together.

Thinking about it was what allowed him to hold it together, too, pride in his work keeping him from slinking anxiously as he headed toward the meeting. He still moved jerkily, hesitantly, without Rommel there for support. The fox was off hunting somewhere. Kass would be fine. He wasn't a child, was in fact the eldest wolf in the pack. He would eventually have to act like it.

He was a little surprised to find he hadn't dawdled as long as he'd thought in his anxiety. Only Corentine, Brandr, and, of course, Sparrow were there when he moved to take a place shyly near them. At least he felt like he knew Corentine and Brandr, even though they had not spoken outside of the pack hunt. He was just more comfortable with wolves he had worked alongside than those he'd only known in passing.

Waking up early, Caelum had managed to catch her daughter in the middle of scurrying out of the den at the crack of dawn to go exploring, and promptly put a stop to it. Now that she was better rested it was easier to keep up with her child's antics and feel like a halfway decent parent. They were sitting outside the den, after Caelum scolded the child and told her to at least tell Cae or Zephyr when she was going exploring and roughly where so they could find her. Caelestis was on her way to becoming one of the more spirited children she'd had. They were always lively as pups, but most had mellowed out as they aged. That didn't seem to be happening with Caelestis, at least not yet. Caelum's ears flicked forward as a howl called for both the wolves of Abaven, and her little family. Turning and barking for Zephyr, Caelum wasted no time in making her way there. He could catch up, and she had no intention of being late.

Her child would bounce and leap and ask silly questions the whole way there. Caelum humored her, patiently answering as she hurried along, good humor in her blue eyes as the little insatiable pest didn't give her even a moment of silence. Such a curious and energetic child. When they arrived, Caelum would dip her head politely to Sparrow, taking a seat not far from the pack members who'd assembled. Only knowing Sparrow and Brandr made her feel a little awkward, but that issue would soon be fixed if she had a chance to at least see and be around the rest of Abaven's wolves today. "Greetings, Sparrow," she called, voice cheerful and friendly, if a bit quiet. For all her good nature and warmth, Caelum found herself feeling shy at times like these.

She was so close to getting out of the den unnoticed. It was gunna be so fun, the girl had planned it all. First, she'd run allll over the place to confuse the heck out of her parents and make them think maybe she was around here somewhere. Once a dozen scent trails were laid, she would mosey her way on over to that border she was sure was calling her name and just step on over and go for a little adventure. She'd even planned to be back by noon. But it was all for nothing. Her mom caught her. Caelestis feigned remorse but secretly was a little miffed and not quite as sorry as she ought to have been.

When they headed off to the meeting ten thousand questions hit her and she probably was well on her way to getting halfway through them when they arrived. Standing tall, with eyes wide and curious she followed her mom, glancing around at the others who were here the entire time. She hadn't been to a meeting since she was smaller, in Dragoste. It felt odd to watch someone else hold this one. Last time it was Ganta she watched stand facing the group. Now it was Sparrow, facing them and some wolves she didn't know.

An idea soon sparked in her mind, and Caelestis found herself crawling on her belly towards Brandr, moving behind the other wolves and sneaking closer to Brander until she was in range to bat at his tail playfully, an impish grin on her lips as she tried again, flopping onto her side and trying to pat the fuzzy thing lazily. Looking up at him with a sweet smile, she asked, "Hey Braaandr? Do you think you could give me a hunting lesson soon?" She did have the common sense to keep her voice from being obnoxiously loud, but did not have the self restraint to keep herself from doing silly things and asking questions.

She could hear her mother hiss her name at one point, but she was too fixated on Brandr at this point and Caelum gave up on drawing her child back to her.

It was time for a meeting, it seemed. It'd been awhile since Sparrow had called them together, and with Abaven being so quiet, well.. it wasn't all that much of a surprise when he finally heard her call the small pack together. At least a few new members had joined - he knew about the girl he'd met named Caelestis and her parents, so he supposed that was a start. At least members weren't leaving, and they'd accomplished quite a feat in taking down a bison last season. Things could be worse, he decided pointedly, as he turned and headed toward his sister's call. Only part of the pack had gathered yet, a few of the new members, as well as one of Storm's children, as well as Kassander and Brandr. Lark nodded mutely to the group - or any who turned their heads to acknowledge him - before finding a seat to settle back on his haunches and wait. He presumed Lilianna would show up soon and sit at his side, and the knowledge of that made him feel a bit more upbeat than usual, a slight grin tugging at his lips as he watched Sparrow. She didn't seem... totally happy, so he hoped this meeting wasn't about anything bad. He'd finally shaken most of the weird funk he'd been in and he wasn't in the mood to be shoved back in it again.

Vali had been quiet. She didn't quite... know what to do. She collected herbs, sure. She was the field medic, sure, with her specialty in battlefield healing and after-battle healing, but she wasn't... she couldn't really train any apprentices. There weren't any. There was young Corentine, but as far as she was aware the young girl - not so young anymore - never chose a path to study under. Truthfully, she probably should have worked with the other healers as she would, in reality, be working alongside them.

Still, as she arrived to the meeting, she nodded at those who were present, before taking a place quietly by herself.

Zephyr wasn't quite sure what to make of Abaven yet. The pack seemed decent enough - relatively small, quiet, and well-established despite its meager size. And yet he couldn't help but feel understandably out of place here. He wouldn't admit it to his family, but he was worried that the Abraxas might come back.. that, maybe, they'd decide to either take Abaven's land from them or simply kill this pack's leader, too. Perhaps traveling, and trying to exist as rogues, was safer than settling down anywhere? He really wasn't sure at this point. Letting out a soft huff, he slowly rose to respond to Sparrow's call. Caelum was quick hurry to the meeting spot with Caelestis in tow. Truthfully, much of their energy had been spent keeping her reigned in and not out of sight - now that everything with Dragoste had happened, it was only natural for them both to feel more protective over her.. and it wasn't like she was making that task particularly easier for them. He trudged after them, finally settling down next to Caelum and watching their daughter bound over to another wolf. At least among pack members she was safe, and he was far too exhausted to try to keep her under control at this meeting. Let the alpha do it if she decided Caelestis was being too rowdy. He didn't really give much of a damn what she did, so long as she was within their relative reach.

OOC: Anyone arriving to the meeting after this post is considered late and their pack standing will be affected.

Sparrow Looked around as members entered the area. First were Corentine and Brandr, as expected. Sparrow smiled warmly at the two. Corentine said she had stocked dens. Sparrow raised a browspot, "We will definitely want to check that out after the meeting."

Kassander showed up next. Though scarce, the man had helped Brandr in a pack hunt along with Corentine and Lark.

Caelum and Caelestis showed up, slightly surprising Sparrow by their timeliness.

Even more than that, Vali showed up just after Lark.

Sparrow had words for her and a few other members who had been less than active.

Zephyr trudged in and settled by his mate and daughter.

After Sparrow had exchanged greetings to those who offered, she decided it was time to start the meeting.

"Alright, everyone. It's Spring, right? Where has everyone been?"

Sparrow looked around for a moment before continuing.

"It has come to my attention that Dragoste has fallen. We have Santuarios Caelum, Caelestis, and Zephyr joining us today."

Sparrow motioned to the family.

"They come telling us of wolves going by the family name Abraxas. They are said to have not only challenged for, but sieged and raided their pack while their alpha, Ganta, is assumed to have perished in battle. They are considered hostile and dangerous and should be avoided if possible."

Sparrow turned to Brandr.

"Brandr, Corentine, Lark, and Kassander held a hunt. Their efforts did not go unnoticed. For his continuous support and activity in the pack, Brandr is to be promoted to Prima Pattuglia while we investigate these Abraxas wolves. After that, he is free to choose an equal rank of his liking."

Now she turned to Corentine, "Corentine, you may choose one of the Seconda ranks of your liking."

Kassander and Lark had been all but absent besides the hunt. They didn't need new ranks just yet.

"Good job to all of you."

She turned now, her eyes settling to Vali for a moment before looking into the pack.

"On the flip side, there are members who have been basically nonexistent in the pack. It is not enough any longer to simply reside within the borders. If I can not see any effort or progression, then are we really becoming better as a pack? We cannot be complacent any longer. Especially with the looming threat of the Abraxas family at out heels."

Sparrow looked to Vali directly.

"Vali, for your inactivity, you are demoted to Seconda Medico."

Sparrow looked to the rest of the pack.

"Sandpiper and Lillianna have both been equally absent. When pondering their place in the pack, I found that we had no other lower ranks for adults. Therefore, I am forced to place the two of them in the Omega position. Until they are ready to be contributing members of the pack, they are no better than young pups. Pups, at least, have the will to learn and grow- which I have seen from neither of these wolves."

It pained her to say such things about Sandpiper. Lillianna... not so much, but she wasn't helping her case- turning tail and becoming a recluse as soon as Sparrow gained alphaship.

"This rank is not meant to be permanent. It is one step away from being declared unfit to be in the pack. I encourage you to- if you see either of them- help to push them to do better things within the pack, lest they be force out."

On to better things.

"Now, if you're looking for ways to better yourself, Lirim has offered to do joint trainings. I would like to know who is interested. I want us- no- we need to become stronger as a pack. If we can't accomplish this, then the pack would be better off dissolved."

Sparrow looked grimly around those around her. She couldn't carry this pack herself. If it came to that, she would rather be a loner.

She hoped the others felt strong enough to help prevent that.

OOC: OKAY! Everyone do one more round giving suggestions and opinions on training with Lirim. Posts due on the 29th!

To be fair, Lillianna had been recluse long before Sparrow had ever become alpha, but Sparrow - the girl/ woman who was essentially crazy and freaked out on her - wasn't helping herself. Why the fuck would Lillianna want to support a creature who did that? Truthfully, she didn't. Truthfully, she still wanted to figure out what was wrong with Sparrow, and why she acted why she did.

And that was, at the current moment, not too important to the queasy wolf. She was late to the meeting, she knew; it been quite some time since the call was made, but Lillianna really couldn't bring herself to care - or move faster. Not when it felt like her stomach was turning inside out and she just wanted to curl up in a small ball and not move.

Which is why, when she arrived, she heard almost nothing of what Sparrow said, only the last sentence - whoops. She slunk in, only blinking at the 'alpha', before she sat down next to Lark, hunkered down in the smallest ball she could while still sitting, and there she sat, trying not to throw up, trying not to just completely give in to the urge to be a ball on the floor. And all of that, for once, was actually written on her face.

The meeting had only just begun, barely two sentences in, when Kassander's white-tipped ears drooped to the sides. Sparrow did not sound pleased, not at all. He stared down at his paws instead of meeting her stern eyes as she glanced around. What could he say? That he'd been around? He hadn't been participating in pack life enough, and he had no excuse to offer her. She moved on almost immediately though, to warn about a possibly dangerous new pack that had taken over. Kassander flicked his gaze upward, eyes wide and startled as he took in the newcomers. The news was troubling, yet at the same time Kassander had been part of more than one pack that had gained a bad reputation simply through rumor and the unsanctioned actions of individual members and part of him was reluctant to take the claims at face value. He wanted to speak up, wanted to ask how much of the information was actually substantiated. The alpha was presumed dead or he was dead? These wolves were said to have sieged and raided the pack - said to? Or did? He went to glance towards Rommel for support before remembering that the fox wasn't there, and his jaws clamped shut on the questions he'd been about to ask. He hunched in on himself a little, and by the time he had worked past the anxiety Sparrow had moved on, giving promotions and, eventually, demotions. Since he himself had not gone out of his way to seek out other pack members, he did not recognize the names of those she was demoting, though he did peek at the female that she addressed by name, putting the name to the face. She was about his age, and if he was starting to understand the foreign names of the pack's ranks, he thought her rank might have been another healer rank though he wasn't certain of the difference between her rank and his. For that matter, he wasn't certain what Brandr's new rank meant either. Maybe he should ask Sparrow for a more indepth explanation of the ranks she'd assigned, though the idea of approaching the alpha like made him uncomfortable. At least the omega rank was fairly self-explanatory, though she also took the time to give details before she moved on. She wanted to hold joint training with another pack, and spoke harshly about dissolving Abaven if they could not become stronger as a pack. Kassander stared at her, his troubled thoughts clearly written on his face. She would really dissolve her father's pack because they did not meet her expectations? He'd been part of many packs at this point in his life, had seen much, had seen the bonds of loyalty between family, and he simply could not fathom how one of Bass' children could choose that path. But she'd asked specifically about this training, and he was obliged to answer even if the idea of speaking up filled him with dread. Why had no one else said anything? Why did he have to be the first? "I... if they have trained healers, I could... arrange training with them?" he said tentatively. "We don't really have healer trainees right now I don't think - " or at least he had been told nothing about them, and none had been assigned to mentors - "but they might, and it's always good to exchange knowledge. Or... I do some crafting... they might be interested in that? If... if they have crafters too I could learn something new for us." "Kassander" "Rommel" "Remmy"

Then they went on to say the pearly gates

Kassander was the next to arrive and Brandr nodded gently towards him. The older man was of a strange and timid nature but he'd proved to be an intelligent and excellent hunter. Brandr hoped to get to know him better in the future. The refugees, Caelum and Caelestis were the next to arrive. Brandr wondered what would become of them and if perhaps they might join Abaven now that the news had come that their alpha had perished. He knew it was terrible news for them but now that they knew it was unlikely their pack would rise again perhaps they might stay. He nodded a greeting to Caelum and grinned at her child. "Of course! I would love to. Maybe after this meeting we can hunt for wild turkey?"

Brandr returned Lark's nod before a pale woman appeared that he dimly recognized as Vali but he really didn't know the woman very well. He returned her nod though. The next to arrive was a new man though Brandr found it easy enough to guess that this was the mate Caelum had told them of as he moved to sit next to his family. Then the meeting began.

Brandr listened quietly and patiently as Sparrow began to lecture and bring the news of Dragoste and the Abraxas. Most of this he already knew. Sparrow turned to him and he sat up a bit straighter with a soft grin on his face. He'd been pleased with how the hunt had gone and while he was still uncertain about his promotion to Prima Pattuglia but regardless of his rank it was in his nature to do his best. It was for the safety of the pack.

Corentine was also promoted and he grinned as he turned to her. However, it wasn't all good news. Some members were then demoted, some clear to the rank of Omega. He did not know Sandpiper or Lilianna very well and was having trouble even remember who they were. If they could not contribute though it was probably just as well. Brandr found great joy in feeding and caring for the pack. But he did admit to feeling a bit of irritation at providing for those who could not contribute to the pack themselves. A woman with a scarred face would show up late to the meeting and he wondered if this was in fact Lilliana. Well, at least she was here. Perhaps in time he'd get to know who she was as well and she would work herself out of her rank.

Brandr's ears perked in interest at the mention of joint training with Lirim but he hid a shudder at the mention of the pack possibly being dissolved. He was finally settling in. He didn't want all that to dissolve right under his paws, surely she wouldn't do that? Where would she go? Where would everyone go? He glanced at Caelum and her family. That wouldn't do.

"I would be interested in attending Sparrow. Perhaps I could work with their lead hunter to arrange a combined hunt? Everyone we'll certainly need to be fed and it would be an opportunity to practice cooperation."

had such elegant graffiti

She was happy to hear that Sparrow wanted to check out the storage dens and she nodded in agreement about checking them out after the meeting. She smiled and looked around as others trickled in. First was Brandr and she grinned at him as he came as sat beside her. She gently bumped herself into him with her tail lightly thumping on the ground. She was hoping he would be up for a hunt soon, one that it was just the two of them. Soon there was others showing and one was a young pup she hadn't met before. She had come running up to Brandr asking for hunting lessons. Corentine smiled at the young girl wondering who she was and how long she had been around. Corentine looked around to see two new faces, a male and female, who she assumed to be the parents. Soon though Sparrow spoke up and her attention drew back to the female as the male started. She started with a nearby pack has fallen and answered her question of these three new wolves. She nodded vary lightly both understanding why the three were here and noting to herself that she should meet with them and introduce herself. She went on to explain this family called Abraxas who had overtaken Dragnoste a worried look flushing over her face as she thought of her mother and brother in the north and of course her own pack here. Was this family going to continue to take over packs? It was surely something to worry about. She then turned to face Brandr and began to speak of the hunt. She grinned at him again hearing he was promoted in the pack and her tail lightly drummed the ground in happiness. Then Sparrow turned to her and her attention snapped to Sparrow as she said her name. Her first thought was that she was in trouble. Though her eyes lit up when she said she could pick a Seconda rank. She too was being promoted and she grinned before her brain ran through the ranks. None of the Seconda ranks were for hunting, but she could certainly go into healing. It was her secondary skill. Hunting could always be something else she could do, a stress reliever. "Seconda Guarire please," she said with a smile. Though soon she realized there was also demotions today, one being one of the women who had been in her life since the day she was born. She looked over to Vali wondering if she was okay. She should seek her out after the meeting and be sure she was doing alright. Sparrow then spoke of teaming with Lirim to do joint training, which she agreed was a rather good idea. Kass was the first to speak up saying that he could do a healer training and Brandr said about getting a hunt together to feed everyone. What else could they do? "We should also do group fight/defense training. That way we all will be able to pitch in and defend if there ever is an attack on the pack lands." she said. "Talk" | 'Think'

Lark shouldn't have been that surprised that his mood would be quickly soured when his sister began to speak. Pack meetings had never been anything worth looking forward to, even when their father had been leader- when he had been optimistic, he'd ended up disappointed. Even now he found his nose wrinkling as Sparrow began to speak, asking where they'd all been, before explaining about the new members and what had happened for them to come here. He got some praise, barely, for his involvement in the hunt. Nothing else, though, but that didn't bother him all that much. What did bug him was the way Sparrow spoke of Lillie. He knew she didn't like his choice of partner to begin with, and had never really tolerated her in the first place. But.. to place her as an Omega? Alongside his sister? Inwardly he bristled, but he was silent, since when he turned to face Lillianna, who had arrived at the tail end of Sparrow's speech, he realized she wasn't feeling well. It was obvious, written plainly on her features, and he felt concern suddenly well in his stomach - taking place of the irritation that had started to build there. Whatever focus he'd had on the meeting was directed toward Lillie as he leaned to nudge her neck gently. "Hey... you look like shit. You alright?" Lark frowned, barely hearing the wolves speaking up around him. He didn't have much to say, and instead turned to eye the wolves around him - focusing specifically on Kassander, a wolf that he swore he remembered had some kind of interest in healing. Maybe he'd have some idea what was wrong with her? He cleared his throat, trying to get his attention without causing a disruption in the already-uncomfortable meeting. Once Lillie felt better he'd have to reiterate to her that she'd been demoted, but he'd save that unpleasant conversations for later.

The leader introduced him and his family, and briefly explained why they were here - and what had caused it. Zephyr was silent, stoic as ever as he rocked back on his haunches and listened. Much of what Sparrow said didn't have to do with his family at all - promotions and demotions, as well as some kind of discussion about training with another pack. He tried not to huff as he sat and waited, trying his best to keep his eye on Caelestis and maintain a demeanor paying attention even if he wasn't super interested in what was being discussed. He and Caelum hadn't even discussed if they were remaining here or not yet, so he wasn't going to commit to really getting into things if this was merely temporarily.

Caelestis grinned as Brandr said they could maybe hunt for turkey. What was a turkey? She needed to know! Nodding wildly, tail fanning the air, she looked fit to burst with energy at the prospect of these hunting lessons. For now she kept quiet though as the meeting started and Sparrow began talking to them.

As her family was introduced and their circumstances briefly explained the girl would peer about a bit more tentatively as she felt eyes on them for a moment but soon recovered when the moment passed. Whoever these Abraxas were, she didn't really appreciate how they went and ruined her home and now they kept getting talked about. Maybe she'd tell one they weren't so important if she ever saw one. That'd teach 'em.

Then there was some uncomfortableness as more serious things were discussed that didn't really pertain to her. That part was kind of boring, but she was smart enough to know to keep quiet while Sparrow talked for now. Flopping onto her side in a silent but dramatic gesture that had Caelum narrowing her eyes at the child, poised to do... something. Caelestis could tell from a brief glance at her mom that she wouldn't go interrupting things just to come get her. Not unless she was actually bad which she totally never was.

As they started talking about trainings with another pack and doing stuff with healing and hunting and fighting Caelestis would sit up, interest piqued. Her little eyes widened as an idea formed and she grew excited, tail tapping the earth several times as her attention flicked to each of the speakers. Her mother failed to notice this, which gave the child the opportunity to interject before her parents noticed. "Oh, oh, you should do something for uhm..." she paused, trying to summon the word her mom used when she'd finished chastising her for running off again, giving Caelum just enough time to realize her kid was weighing in on business not their own and begin shooting her an angry mom look, "Navigators! Like, exploring." Sitting triumphant at having offered her suggestion, Caelestis beamed.

Her mother was still looking at her sternly but as long as they were in a meeting and chastising her too much would be a further disruption she was safe. Flopping down again behind Brandr and Corentine Caelestis smiled sweetly, hoping she did good with her suggestion and also hoping that her mom would let her go too if it actually happened. Group exploring sounded awesome!

The meeting was probably all she assumed it would be if she was honest. They were introduced, and Caelum reflexively sat up a little taller when she felt eyes on her, head held in a regal manner. Then there was more business, rank changes and things she was not unfamiliar with. It made her slightly nostalgic for the days when it was her and Zephyr leading such meetings, though at this point she figured she'd more or less lost the chance to lead again. That was okay though, raising this daughter of theirs was more than enough to keep both of them busy.

Speaking of, as the pack discussed joint trainings suddenly a small voice would chime in. A voice belonging to her child. Frowning and trying to get the little one's attention without drawing attention to herself Caelum found she was trying in vain. Was Caelestis deliberately not looking at her now? Oh heaven help the little bugger if Sparrow saw it as a distraction. For now she felt rather powerless to do anything and tried to offer Sparrow an apologetic look.

Lillianna slunk in next to Lark. Sparrow didn't have the time to care what the omega did, but her brother's attachement to her was always a concern.

Never mind all that.

Kassander suggested a healing training. That was expected. After, however, he offered a more material type trading. Sparrow's interest was piqued. "That definitely sounds like something to consider," she said.

Everyone seemed to like the idea of training together with the exception of Lark, who was focused on Lillianna, and Zephyr who really had no reason to be interested.

Caelestis made an exuberant little suggestion and Sparrow smiled at her, "That sounds wonderful, Caelestis," she encouraged. There was no need for the pup to feel hushed for a positive suggestion during the meeting. Sparrow offered Caelum a warm smile, "It's okay."

Overall, Sparrow was glad to see the pack involvement. She would have to visit Lirim soon to see how the other alpha proposed doing this training.

"Okay, I'll check with their alpha to see what their members suggested. I look forward to seeing everyone honing their skills. Until then, keep your guard up. If you see any strangers near the pack, call me immidiately. Thank you all."

After that, Sparrow sent a concerned look towards her brother, but departed to talk to Kassander about his skills.

She would have to talk to Lark later.