The summer had been anything but sweltering, but still Venom called the Empire together in the late evening. After much preparations, announcements, and heralds the night had finally come. It was midsummer, however odd the season had been after the long winter. The day had been hot for the season but as the sun lowered to the horizon the cool of the night would swiftly take hold. There were two pillars of firewood ready to be ignited as the feast began, but before that everyone was to gather.

Venom was on the very outskirts of Ashen territory where the white trees began to thin. The grasses hadn’t quite recovered and weren’t too tall. She had spent much time with Plague working on making the gathering perfect, not just for the Empire’s first Summer festival but also for his own special moment. The highlight of the entire celebration, his marriage to Void. Hides and leathers were scattered over the field, dinner placings around miniature feasts for each of the packs that were invited.

The Empress tilted back her head and called forth the Empire and her allies to feast and celebrate with her. This was an opportunity for allies to strengthen their bonds through revelry and rivalry. Beyond the feast they all had the tournament to look forward to. A spectacle of entertainment and pride.

Venom would stand at the head of the gathering, waiting for the arrival of all of her guests to join the wolves of Ashen. She would announce the itinerary, offer up the laws that were expected to be obeyed. Namely, no fighting beyond the tournament and not to cross into the trees without escort. Soong they would participate in the tournament, for now they feasted and toasted to the soon to be wed.


ooc. this thread is for the packs invited to the festival[Abaven, Armada, Habari, Hallows) and the wedding, assume ashen has gathered already. the main tournament will be set the day after the starting feast.

words "Speech" Hela helped in her own way with organizing the event, even if she wasn't invited to help she still did. She may didn't have a high rank anymore, but that wouldn't stop her from doing what she wanted, nor do things her own way. And even if she wasn't told, she made her part by placing warm furs around the fire so the guests could sit in the still chilly environment, she also set wine and any other drinks for adults, for children flavored water with fruits or anything else. She wore her polar bear armor as it was a Klein costume to wear in festivals or events as this. Despite the years, she was still hyper-loyal and proud of being a Klein, even if sometimes she felt like Ashen had lost the essence, not being the place Deatbelle founded years ago where Klein was the important name here, but now it didn't. But well she still carried it with pride. As she was done, she sat down in a fur now waiting for the quests or whoever else would attend.

ART BY IRISH

The skies are my limit

Panic as the girl of mommy she was, she helped her mother with the arrangements. Herself placed some of the furs, placed food, and made sure nothing smelled bad, everything had to be tidy. They were the Ashen empire, and looks and reputation were in the game, and as a loyal Klein like her mother, she wouldn't let her home be seen in poor conditions, and if she could help in that she would. She wondered who would come, who new she would meet. Whoever it was, she wanted to start using her cards in politics as her mother often spoke to her and her brother. She was ready to make a new one herself. She sat by her mother, already thinking she was like her.

Will you stop me?

words | fire | ashes

Image and table made by Scarlet

This would be Ikigai's first big event. Her debut to the world, in a sense. Since this was the case, the young girl took great care with her appearance. Iki didn't wish to out shadow her mother, but she wanted to make her family proud. Willa helped the pallid beauty brush out her long, obsidian tail. They carefully arranged an intricate headdress on Iki's head. The black fans of the dress matched the snowy white kimono that she wore. The designs on the kimono were in metallic swirls of black and purple. From the pictures that she'd seen and the knowledge that she'd collected from her grandmother, father and uncle, she knew that her look was traditional Japanese. Carefully, Ikigai made her way to where her mother sat. The young lady seated herself behind and to the side of the Empress, her spine straight, her attention straight ahead. She was quite excited to watch the tournament and was rooting for her sister to win. Iki was also excited for the remainder of the festival. She didn't let her excitement show, however. The girl was the epitome of decorum, looking much older than her several months. | "Tanuki" | "Ikigai" | "Willa" |

He had finished up the last of the preparations for the wedding just in time for Venom to call the beginning of the festival. The decorations and outfits were all stowed away and ready to go near the shrine and he waited eagerly at the edge of the territory with an excited smile lingering on his lips. He was almost equally as nervous since this would be the first time Void had really been around his family, but nothing could possibly keep him from seeing this through. Finally their wait would be over and they would get to show their love for each other once and for all.

As soon as the call went out he began to fight eagerly, barely able to contain himself as he gazed out toward where the Abaven wolves were sure to approach form. He had spent extra time this morning carefully grooming his fur after he had seen to the last of the preparations with his sister. Now he waited near the rest of his family, trying to focus on his nieces and nephews instead of counting every single second between now and when Void would arrive. He was excited about the rest of the festival and tournament that was to come, but there was really only one piece of this that he had his sights set on and Void was the missing piece.

Plague | Viridis | Procella

Ulric led the wolves that had been interested in joining in on the festival or the tournament with him up form Auster, bringing them across to the edge of Ashen's lands. He had been slightly hesitant to bring so many of their fighters away from the castle, but he had finally decided to just allow themselves this day of relaxation and celebration after such a long and dark time that they were working to put behind them. If it hadn't been for Eska volunteering to keep a tab on things for him while he was gone he probably would have stayed behind and let Artorias lead the pack to the festival, but he trusted the silver brindled woman with his life and now with his pack - even if it was just for a couple days.

As they approached the group that was forming he found his way to Venom, giving the Empress a warm smile and a tip of his head. "Thank you for the invitation, Venom. We've been looking forward to this." If nothing else he knew for a fact that his young fighters were dying for a good fight with someone other than each other. He glanced behind him at his wolves and gave them a nod, giving them the all clear to mix and mingle among the other wolves as he went to do the same.

Ulric Adravendi

Ever since his visit up to Boreas with Ulric, Artorias had been looking forward to Ashen's summer festival. Not only would it give him a chance to compete for the Hallows in the gladiatorial tournament Venom had set up, but it would also allow him to get a better taste of what inter-pack politics was like, see how the alphas interacted amongst one another, and perhaps make a few new friends and connections with other wolves as well. Already Artorias was beginning to feel more like a wolf of note within the Hallows ranks, establishing himself not just to his family, but also in the world. The diplomatic mission he'd been on with Ulric had given him that little sampling of what leading involved outside the borders of his home and allowed him to make his presence known. Now would be his first chance to let the rest of the world get to know what kind of wolf Artorias Carpathius was.

Artorias had bathed and groomed his fur to make himself presentable to the Empress and her family, then donned his armor, fitting the charcoal-colored leather cuirass with a few final adjustments in the mirror, appraising his appearance. He had spent the past day meticulously maintaining it, smoothing and polishing the leather to an inky black sheen and buffing out the metal gorget until it shone. Looking at his reflection, Artorias couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness in his gut. He had never done anything like this before, and it would be in front of everyone who was anyone in Boreas. He swallowed back his nerves, steeling himself as he stared back into fiery amber eyes in the glass. He could do this. For the Hallows. For Resin. He would show the strength and resilience and honor of the pack in the south.

The journey up to Boreas began early morning, Ulric gathering the group headed for the festival and proceeding north. The trip was mostly uneventful, time filled in with light conversation between friends and family. Arriving at the familiar borers of the white forest, Artorias followed beside Ulric while they crossed into Ashen lands, following just behind his alpha while he led the way to the Empress and her family. He gave Venom a warm and gracious smile once Ulric had spoken, taking a step closer to bow his head to the sovereign of Ashen.

"Your Majesty Venom, thank you for your hospitality. It's good to see you and your family again." Warm amber eyes glanced between the other wolves around her, some he recognized from the raid back in the winter, all of them adorned in lavish appearance that emphasized their pristine and stark coats. With a parting dip of his head, Artorias followed Ulric's lead to join the rest of the wolves in mingling amongst the steadily arriving packs.

"Artorias" | "Corbin"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

Ezra followed along behind his father as they made their way up to this festival that they had been invited to. He had followed Art's lead in getting cleaned up and donning the armor that nearly matched his friend's, though his wasn't as intricately carved or any of that - which was fine by him. Art was gonna lead The Hallows and all that one day, it made sense that he'd look extra fancy. Ezra was just happy that he had some good looking armor and he felt a little more put together and manly with it on.

He hung back behind his father and Art as they greeted the woman that seemed to be the leader of the whole thing, greeting her as Venom. His pale blue eyes swept over the group of wolves around her that was clearly her family or maybe even children. The younger pups that were seated around her certainly had to be her kids, right? They were all mostly the same sort of black and white and speckled patterns that she was. He gave Venom and each of her kids a polite nod as he walked by, his usual goofy grin on his face as he walked off to follow Art to another part of the festival.

Ezra Adravendi

Briar had been pretty excited about the idea of a festival when word got around that Ashen was going to be holding one and she had been extra interested in the tournament that had been promised since she had been working on her fighting skills more recently. However she only got really excited to attend once she heard that The Hallows was going to be attending since she knew for sure that Artorias would attend. Any excuse to see him was a good excuse in her book. She had borrowed some soap from someone else in the pack and had gotten up early in the morning to get herself all cleaned up and groomed, making sure that her tawny, turquoise-marked coat was perfectly neat. She even neatened up Marigold's pelt as well since her golden fox companion had insisted on coming along as well.

As soon as she heard Venom calling for them all she went off toward the pale forest of Ashen's territory with an excited bounce to her step, Marigold trotting closely behind. When she arrived she saw Venom and most of her family there and walked into the area just in time to see Ulric and The Hallows wolves arriving as well. Her chest swelled when she saw Artorias and grinned, but she refrained from running up to him right away, not wanting to interrupt him talking with Venom and the others since she knew he had the whole pack duties thing to think about too.

But the moment he moved away from the others she hopped up and hurried over to him with her tail wagging gently behind her. She admired how he looked all gussied up in his armor and hummed happily, pressing her nose to his cheek. "You look very handsome," she told him quietly, giving him another grin before nodding to invite him over to sit with her and her family.

Briar Fatalis

Resin's death affected Dunkan in a way not even he could explain, he felt empty and for the first time his mind wasn't just around the training and duties, for once he wasn't being a workaholic,he was in a stage he had yet to know. He had his soul pierced, his heart torn apart with the wolf he loved the most gone. In the past few weeks, he's been distant, well more than usual. He didn't want the pack to see him cry, he didn't want them to see him a weak, but it was hard to hide now. Eating has been more sparse, sometimes refusing to or just not having an appetite at all.

Dunkan wasnt a fan of big events like this, having a sort of discomfort or boredom around a crowd like this one. Of course, he wasn't on his right mind but he felt the obligation of assisting, but inside her, he just didn't want to. And as he followed Ulric and the rest, he took a lonely sit with both companions around him. And silently he just observed from afar. He wanted to change as Resin's last wishes for him, but not right now. He just couldn't with how hollow he felt. He wore his lion skull and mane.

"Speech"

Icons by MairuDoggy

Code by Admin

Jane Adravendi Jane wasn't far behind from her father and brother, following close with a happy walk on her speckled legs, her tail wagging behind her as this was her very first festival. She was dying of excitement, of expectations not too hard to fulfill. New friends! All the friends! And perhaps Balthier would attend, she really hoped so as he was her very first friend. She smiled and did her best to hold a positive aura even after all they have been through. She just wanted to be there for her siblings, to be the shoulder they could lean on. Ezra followed after Artorias, and she followed the two boys hoping they wouldn't mind if she did. "Speech"

Tamsyn hadn't been back to Boreas since Zee's funeral so coming back now was a bit bitter sweet. She had almost asked Kane to come with her for moral support, but she knew that at some point she would need to start facing things on her own again and she didn't want to cause a stir bringing him with her. She certain Sirius would be in attendance and she wasn't sure she had it in her just yet to have him see her with someone else. At some point she would have to break the news to him if he didn't smell Kane on her already, but it would probably be better for her to do it without risking Kane making some kind of snarky remark that might cause a fight in the middle of the feast.

She followed along behind Ulric and the rest of the pack that had decided to come along. She was proud to see so many of her children so eager to participate in the tournament and smiled as she watched Artorias, Rudyard, and Tika walking ahead of her. She was equally as proud of all of her children, especially with the amazing skills that Gwynevere had developed, but she was happy that her children were going to represent The Hallows and represent them well. As Ulric and Art finished greeting Venom, she paused in front of the Empress with a small smile, dipping her head in greeting. "It's good to see you again, Venom." She walked over to sit with her children, finding a place between The Hallows and Armada wolves out of habit.

Tamsyn Carpathius

The princess was excited for the festival coming up, but more than that she was excited to see her uncle married. The little Kiyohime adored her uncle Plague, he taught her everything she wanted to know, was always patient with her, and he was friends with Procella. The snow leopardess was one of Ike’s very first friends outside her siblings, which automatically made Plague her friend too. She enjoyed training with everyone and anyone willing to teach her, but she felt a special connection to her uncle.

Shuriken was no longer the itty bitty princess she once was, now she was taller than both Kit and Iki. A fact that troubled her. She was keeping up with her brothers now, but she didn’t want to. Ike wanted to be a small graceful princess like her sister. Ikigai was perfect, she was well groomed, her manners were impeccable, and she never tripped over her own paws. Ike was just grateful they had been gathered before the rest of the packs. She would have died right there if someone saw her trip coming in.

She sat slightly behind her mother next to Iki, her dark fur gleaming and her pale splatters were white as snow. She managed to keep the mud from her paws and whiskers so minus the decorative adornments her sister had at least she was as cleaned and well groomed as her sister. For now. The princess watched with bright dual toned eyes as the packs began to filter in, she watched curiously as the Hallows wolves arrived to greet her mother. She watched all of them as they slid by, her attention resting primarily on the younger wolves that approached. They were all yearlings and much more mature than she was but Ike still paid special attention as they took their places at the feast.

Festivities were not Hattori's thing. Of course, he saw the merit in drawing allies close and celebrating, but the noise and fan fair of it all got beneath his fur in ways he preferred into to think about. Had the long winter made him antisocial, so narrow-minded as he focused only on keeping the pack safe from outward threats? It certainly seemed that way, even Hattori could recognise that he'd changed and not entirely for the best of Ashen. He'd spent minimal time with the pack lately and even less with his children and wife. He knew she understood, Venom always would, but it frustrated him all the same and thus drove him to do better, be better.

Stepping out from between the trees, Hattori made a straight line for Venom's side. There was no need to worry or fuss, the hounds were attending the borders and making sure all who attended were indeed supposed to be here. No doubt his cat was around somewhere too, keeping a watchful eye out lest a tournament fight get out of hand.

"Venom." He greeted in a low, reverent, rumble. His eyes scanned the crowds, seeing all the hard work Venom had put into organising this all, and he let out an appreciative rumble. He did not intend to sweet talk his way back into her graces, if he'd even fallen, but it felt right to state the truth. To let her know what was on his mind, as always.  "You have done well. I apologise for not assisting, I am not-" his paw floundered. "I will be better."

Indigo followed after the inhabitants of the Hallows, his own head held high as he led his sub group, the wolves that would eventually make up his band. His group of future Nomads. Gypsy was settled in the fur of his mane, he wasn’t about to let her walk all the way here and he knew that she would be more comfortable with him as long as possible. The rest of the band would be there to watch over her when he had to step into the ring, but until then Indigo would keep her in his fur.

Massive black paws carried him to the head of the feast to also give his greeting a reverence to their Host. He never truly felt any loyalty towards Ashen but he grew up watching his father serve the Empress and he had trained with her and his father when he was very young. He always thought Azure was closer to her anyway. Indigo tried to force his late brother’s memory from his mind. This was a time of celebration, not sorrow, and he’d do better keeping his thoughts on the present. He did wonder if he would finally get to introduce Aslatiel to his band, but he also tried not to think too heavily on that outcome.

Indigo led his band of misfits before Venom and gave her an awkward bow so he didn’t disturb Gypsy. ”Empress. Thank you for your invitation and hospitality.” He offered rather quickly before leaving her to the next upcoming guests and making himself and his wolves a comfortable place near the rest of the Hallows.

For all his sister's excitement, Kuroki only felt lukewarm interest as he padded his way through the trees. He'd lost his childlike innocence a while ago, still saw Askan's lifeless eyes when he dreamed sometimes, and had taken it upon himself to act out in retaliation to the changing world. To just be a little shit for the sake to it, to see if he could finally get something, any kind of reaction, from his father. So far he'd only earned himself disapproving stares but it was early days yet. He would only get worse from here on out, that's all that needed to be said for now.

The young Prince had taller and lankier, with limbs too long and a sense of litheness he would shed as he grew even larger still. From a distance he looked more like his mother and that suited Kuroki just fine. He had a bone to pick with his old man, one he gnawed at daily, but Venom had always treated him well enough and was soft where Hattori was rough. She expected a lot from him, but the weight of her expectations was easier to deal with than his sire's.

Strolling out into the open, his eyes scanned the newcomers and he breathed deep to draw in the myriad of scents. If nothing, today would provide some entertainment outside the ordinary of pestering his siblings, and he'd be a liar if he tried to claim that the tournament hadn't peeked his interest either.  There was much to be seen and done, and the prince wasn't entirely sure where to start. He was quick to spot Ike and thudded his way over to greet her with a customary, brotherly, shoulder shove.

He'd changed a bit over the past few seasons, but his affection for his siblings had not.

 

"Speech" Izanami arrived without big expectations besides being at Hattori's pack,a pack that he now commanded. That was good for him,she always thought leadership was to be his, wherever he was. Her silver eyes stared with a cold expression to those who gathered. Her walk was neutral as her dark coat moved along the wind that circulated through the Shrine,she being on a far part but still watching around. She wasn't that into enjoying festivals unless she saw herself forced to or she felt like she was needed. And that last idea was today's case. She was here to just be around her Shogun but at all she just observed.

The boy found himself with mixed emotions, emotions that due to how young he was wasn't able to fully understand, he just have them and acted upon them. He felt anxiety but also excitment. He would meet the rest of his family, including his half-siblings his mother told him about. And since then, he was dying to meet them, to meet the rest of his big family. And as he walked in, he smiled widely too see so many wolves around. Were all of the family? He had yet to know and without waiting any longer he rushed to Venom and Plague. "Hello!!!" He smiled.

"I can finally meet you all! I am Sorcerer Klein,I am happy to meet you all!" He said wagging his tal and hopping they would notice him. His mother wasn't far so he had nothing to fear, and besides this was family.

"speech"

The young Destruction girl was excited for her very first real outing beyond pack lands. Her mother led her and Poetry towards the festival. She was excited to eat, though certain nothing here would be as creative as Fable’s creations. Even more excitement stemmed from the tournament that she wanted to enter. Shae felt like she had been play fighting and training since the day she was born she was confident in her ability, but not her ability to win. She didn't like being the center of attention, but so badly wanted to have the experience. Even if she lost her first fight.

Unlike the young that were gathered at the head of the feast Shae was no princess. She was raised by a brewer and his potter wife. Dirt and clay were a part of her life as much as honey and song. She was polite and well behaved but a wild child at her heart of gold. She raced ahead of her mom to the tail end of the first group of wolves to meet the Empress. She watched with bright blue and lavender eyes and admired the children that sat behind her highness. Shae smiled at all of them, but didn’t utter a word before racing back to where some more of Abaven’s wolves were beginning to gather.

Lyric didn't know if he should be here, feeling empty of wanting to do stuff at all, he was still recovering from the pain he had gotten through the years since his parents died, and with Tempo no where to be found he could only assume he was dead too. Abaven was doing well, but he couldn't tell the same about himself, about his own condition. But well, he didn't want to remain like that even fi he had to literally force himself into this event, an event Abaven was being kindly invited to enjoy. And with a forced smile, he walked into the place,it was pretty and different from Abaven's lands,a fresh air he felt.

But as he supposed he would do, he sat down in his own place. Pale blue eyes lurking around, but not making any motions of interacting with someone. He was shy by nature, and there was nothing he could do, this was him.

"Talk"