Iolaire had worked tirelessly to get things in order for this special evening. She had constructed candlelight that hung from bone dishes in the trees that lined the river. Other candles lined a path that led from the common area to the festival site. A large bonfire burned and crackled jovially. There were slabs of stone piled with meats and other various dishes. Once she believed that everything was in order, she called for the packs to convene. This was to be a time of joy and togetherness. A time of bonding and a time of hope. She would wait until many had arrived until she explained the process. Io had sent word ahead of time for each wolf to bring an item that was significant to them. An item that was important, but that they didn't mind parting with. As the wolves arrived, Iolaire finished up tidying this and that. She made sure that the strips of bark were stacked properly to be used. The food was presentable. The lights were burning bright and the fire was stoked. Now, all that there was to do was wait and explain the process. "Speech"

OOC- Ashen/Armada Festival! Bring an item that means something to you. We give that item to the river on a piece of floating bark and make a wish. There will be food and lots of bonding.

my flame will not dim As the feminine call came to Banshee's ears a grin slipped across her warm features. She had heard rumors of an event but wasn't too sure what it would be. Festivities would surely get the anxious gal's mind off her troubles for one evening. That is if she could avoid some of the Wolves that she didn't want to interact with. Nevertheless large paws carried the lean fae to the party with ease. As she moved there seemed to be a slight pep in her step. Banshee aimed to take on the event with a more positive outlook then allowing her issues overtake what could be a pleasant night. Upon arrival those baby blue eyes took in the fire lit festival. Her grin formed into a smile as she observed the bonfire, food, and a few other bits and bobs. Banshee was impressed with what Iolaire had done and seemingly by herself. With a tiny nod Ban moved to find the greyscale femme. "You have outdone yourself." Raspy feminine vocals hit the air as she stopped about ten tail length away from the small healer and let the spear that was between her jaws hit the ground. Speech

Plague had been on a routine patrol as the howl hit his alabaster ears. Green eyes narrowed with slight curiosity as he looked over the border before him. It was not a mandatory patrol but one he had taken upon himself to do due to sheer boredom. Thus, the restless Wolf would abandon his post and take strides towards the festival. A mild amount of nervous excitement resonated within his chest. He hadn't been to a festival before and really wasn't sure what it would consist of other then the fact that they needed to bring a special item. Thus, when he sauntered into the Armada's lands and witnessed the fire lit clearing his eyes went wide. His jaw went rigid as he observed everything. Fire seemed to give him a slight bit of anxiety as his thoughts moved back to the volcanic eruption. The fate his father had endured due to the molten explosion. But he managed to shake off the worry as he looked over the food and then the two Wolves that stood in the distance. Plague swallowed nervously before moving gently towards the two. One was the fanged cousin he hadn't spent much time with and the other was Iolaire. Between his jaws was a rolled up deer hide that had once been one of the many furs his parents used in their palace. Plague offered a simple nod as he stood a polite distance away and dropped the hide to the ground, "This is impressive." ""

Roan didn’t have much in the world, he was a minimalist by nature and before accepting a place in the Armada he’d been not much more than a vagabond. The silver marked titan and his sister lived from job to job, keeping little but the fur on their backs. He hadn’t collected much of anything, so instead of a physical item he brought a leaf with his pawprint on it.

A promise to the universe or whatever decided what luck was, that when he felt the tug to help he needed to answer. Roan didn’t like to offer any services for free, it was one reason he’d so eagerly accepted Sirius’s original offer of a year of service. His resources and Iolaire’s time needed to be paid back. He was nearly fully healed, and after that he was fate’s tool.

It wasn’t much longer after he’d decided his solution that Iolaire called for the packs. His limp was still noticeable but the pain was much less now. He easily made his way to her side and got comfortable without much struggle. Emerald eyes fell on her tiny form as he awaited her instructions.

Curiously Deathbelle made her way to the sound of Iolaire’s call with her own small sacrifice. Through her pups teething experience she only managed to retain one tiny tooth. She thought it was from Plague but couldn’t be completely certain it wasn’t Venom’s. She brought it along in a tiny leather pouch. Her delicate paws were silent as she approached the small gathering. Iolaire prepared everything beautifully and as Deathbelle took in her firelit form she was reminded again of the connection they shared.

She smiled softly at the dainty healer as she spied Roan. With a quirked brow Deathbelle settled back onto her haunches and quietly waited.

Venom liked Iolaire well enough, she’d been honest with her when they first met and hadn’t betrayed her trust yet. Plus her mother and her mentor Sirius seemed rather fond and that helped. So when word went out that they were going to gather and to bring an item with them her first thought was her first few quills. She’d shed through her baby quills and kept all of them. Her and her squirrel companion had used them to make a bit of jewelry, it was those same quills that had attracted the squirrel to her in the first place.

She brought them along as she followed her brother to Iolaire’s little festival. She was curious and excited, even more so as she took in the desired atmosphere and work the small woman had to put into pulling it off. She was impressed much like Plague. Quietly she took as seat beside him, her ears perked and purple pink eyes on Io.

So many had shown up to celebrate with her that Iolaire's heart brimmed with happiness. Each new arrival was met with a smile and a nod of greeting. Some came up to applaud her hard work and she thanked each of them. Deathbelle arrived, seating herself to watch the festivities and Iolaire offered her a wink and canted her head towards the silver and black brute beside her in a casual, 'this is the guy I was telling you about' gesture.

Once the trickle of participants died down, Iolaire moved to the center of everyone and began to speak. "Thank you all for joining me on this special occasion." Again she smiled at the congregation of faces before her. "I asked you all to bring something with you that held deep meaning. By giving this special item to the river, you invite the balance to be filled with good luck." The small, dark woman winked. "A wish, if you will."

Moving to the squares of skin that she'd prepared, Iolaire took one and placed a stone upon it. The stone was swirled with silver and black and was smooth and small. "I brought this stone all the way with me from my homeland. Today, I give this stone to the river in the hopes that good health and prosperity will find me and mine." Placing the square of skin into the gently moving river, the current slowly swept the object away.

Stepping back, Iolaire swept one dark arm outward, motioning the others forward. "Feel free to share your wishes aloud if that's what you prefer, or hold them tightly to your hearts. The choice is yours." The small woman seated herself beside the river, eager for the rest of her family and friends to take their turns.