OOC: Set after Pyralis funeral but before the yearling party. Neither of which have been posted because they require more energy than I have, but the Pyralis funeral will be drinking and bonfires then we send her off in a boat and burn it after taking turns dumping alcohol in it for her and also for the fire. DM if u have questions.

It had taken Sparrow a while to feel anything other than dread after Pyralis passed. The funeral had taken precedence, obviously, but even that took more energy than she'd had and looking back she's not sure how she dragged through it. She hadn't broken down or cried or anything like that, but it was as if she had been sobered to her core and no amount of alcohol would wet it. It forced her to look at her mortality and her future- neither of which she liked to do. It reminded her of Valentine and her father and Tyrian wherever he was. She didn't want to think about that and so she had tried her hardest to become something akin to a stone- cold and unfeeling- until her brain could think about anything else.

And raiding and yearling parties were something else.

Sparrow didn't bother setting up much for the meeting. She called everyone together. They had yearlings who could raid now.

Due: Jan 22nd

Well, she'd promised Sparrow that she'd be there next time they raided. It looked like that time was now. Jack arrived at the meeting more promptly than she usually would have. Couldn't make too poor an impression after her already... bad impression. Since when had Jack ever cared about badness? Was she getting soft? Ah, fuck it. Whatever, she was already almost there, may as well just be prompt. The blonde creature arrived at the meeting and slumped to her haunches toward the back of the space. A simple inclination of her head toward Sparrow by way of greeting. Plunking down in the sand and just... waiting. These yearlings, hell, Jack had barely met any of them. Weird that they were whole ass wolves now. Huh. Maybe she'd missed more than she'd ever meant to. Life would keep marching on, whether Jack was here or not.

Gilgamesh

The old woman's funeral had been somber at best. Taking a toll on the pack more than Gilgamesh cared to admit, he was glad now that things had settled down. Over the past season, much had happened, and while he was still ready to rip out that asshole's eyes for what he'd done to his daughter, Gil too had little energy. He missed his wife and wanted to spend time raising his offspring. They certainly needed more guidance than he was giving, seeing as they were running off and causing more trouble than they could handle. Recuperating from old injuries, training his young ones, and spending quality time with his mate, Gil was ready to start fresh and cause some chaos himself. Especially now that the pups were old enough to raid, he was eager to see how good their skills were.

Approaching the area that Sparrow called from, he wasn't surprised to see a lackluster setup. He really didn't care for a party anyway. Taking a seat near Sparrow but leaving enough room for Modesty and the kids near him, he nodded to his Pirate King. A small but trembling smile licked at his lips for a mere moment before his face went stoic again. Pack life wouldn't be the same without the old woman, but that surely wouldn't stop them. There were pirate things to be doing.

Speech

A lot had happened recently. Most of it had been a whirlwind for the boy. He was growing up too and was now of age to participate in raids. At least that much he was excited about. Everything else was still really really sad and he too didn't have much interest in doing much lately. Maybe a big raid would help lift everyone's spirits! Eager to learn the ropes and get a real taste of fun, Scald followed after his somber father. Looking back to make sure at least Rexx was following and hopefully Deluge and their mom too, Scald smirked in their direction. "I bet I'll get the most wins!" He hissed before sticking out his tongue. Turning his attention back to the assembled meeting, Scald took his place near his father. Turning his eyes to Sparrow, he dipped his muzzle respectfully before glancing around to see who else was there. So far, it was just a wolf that he didn't recognize. She was older by quite a few years and sandy blonde in color. Curious, Scald called out to her. "Aye, I'm Scald. Who're you?" The gangly youth asked with a tilt of his head. S C A L D

While winter has cooled the air of Boreas, the chilly days do little to deter Calico Jack from exploring. In fact, most of the time, the patchwork hued pup finds himself straying from the lands of his home more than he is actually in them. While some may take that as a sign that he doesn’t like to be home, the pup knows the truth. His heart is out there in the huge, wide world and he is determined to explore every last inch of it.

So, with the heart of an adventurer, it is pure luck that the boy is wandering along the black sands of the beach his family calls home when his mother lets out a call to gather for a meeting. Excitement pounds through him as he knows that meeting usually means raids and he doesn’t want to miss those. With a smile playing across his lips, Cal turns toward the direction of the call and sets off.

Smoothly pulling into a trot, Jack swiftly makes it to where his mother a few others have gathered. As he slows, the pup allows his pale blue gaze to roam over the three wolves that have already arrived and is delighted to realize that he knows at least two of them. Moving to join them, Calico joins the yearling and swiftly folds his haunches to sit with him.

If a raid is being called, the pup is hopeful that he can join the adults but only if there is room. Looking to the taller boy, Jack whispers, “Happy birth season.” Eyes sparkle with joy as he tosses the boy a wink before turning his gaze turns to where his mother is. Chest puffs out as he waits to hear what today holds for the pirates.


"Calico Jack"

Art & Code © Skelle 2023

It felt like time was moving on without her. Rivin had been spending much of her time within the Pirate’s lands, not that the pups of the pack were supposed to leave, and she felt herself growing more distant. It wasn’t like that all the time, but bit by bit Rivin felt something growing inside of her. An anger that had been bubbling, festering since that day with Pyralis on the beach. She had been feeling more hostile, avoiding her father and brothers, and there was a fire burning in Rivin’s eyes that threatened to burn out of control. She wanted others to hurt, but she was trying to hold back, a part of her afraid of accidentally hurting her pack mates. That rage only continued to burn when she attended Pyralis’ funeral. It made her sick, and though she did not shed tears, there was a hollowness at losing someone else from the pack that left her feeling cold. She missed the old woman, though she had only been able to interact with her one day of her life. But fate was cruel, taking those that the living cared for away. It had Rivin thinking… what if her mother and brother were dead? But then… she had to ask herself the more important question. If they were, did she care? When Sparrow called for the wolves of the Plunder to gather, Rivin rose to her paws. She moved automatically towards the call, her gaze seeming a bit glassed over, distant. She hadn’t worked enough on her skills to be of benefit raiding, and so she was merely showing up out of respect for the brown-furred woman that led them. That, and, perhaps, to see how her father was fairing. The girl arrived, and, not seeking anyone else out despite being somewhat close to Calico Jack, Rivin sat and curled her tail around her paws. Come the next raid meeting, she vowed to be better. Stronger. It was only a matter of time. "Talk," 'Think.'

The grown ups all seemed so sad, and she couldn’t wrap her head around it. Pyralis had lived a good life, it was a miracle she lived as long as she had. Deluge was sure she wouldn’t have wanted to go out any other way, so she wouldn’t shed tears… at least not where anyone could see. The old woman had been far more caring than her own mother but it didn’t change the fact that she was bordering on decrepit and someone was going to get her sooner or later… She’d left them with plenty to remember her by.

The mottled girl sidled up against Scald’s other side. "We should find some coyote balls and teach the kids." Her lips pulled up in a smirk, surely they owed Pyralis’s memory at least that much… even if she knew realistically it would be a stretch of time before coyote pups would be easy to find… Any excuse to go exploring though, maybe she’d have some luck across the land bridge?

As others began to file in, she turned her attention to Sparrow with some seriousness. She was finally old enough to raid, and she was ready to go.

"Speech"

Sakana still had a bit of growing to do before he would be big enough to take part in a raid, but he would come along to the meeting anyway. Things had been different around here lately, and when all that weirdness only gave him a few new scars, on the underside of his neck and two fang lines across the top of his nose, well… he’d kinda lost interest in leaving home for a bit, and there weren’t a lot of plants to look at in the winter.

He saw the gathering of younger wolves and instead moved to sit closer to his mother, giving his best wide grin in greeting. He might not be big enough to come along to this one, but when he was, well, he’d be there with bells on.

“Speech”

the rougher the seas the smoother we sail

It wasn’t often Modesty really gave the kids a thought, there were so many of them now though and they were getting big, maybe, just maybe as Patience, she should be putting some effort into them? So she had resolved to Urgh stop thinking about herself for even just a little while and try to teach them… something? To be fair, in their area of expertise, they probably knew more than she did, especially the fighters… but hell, maybe she’d end up getting some pointers out of it too?

Her face was scrunched up in thought as she joined the gathering and flopped down along Gil’s side, trying to not stab him with her quills… maybe not trying too hard... The whole plunder had been a bit lost without Pyralis prancing around insulting everyone and keeping the kids busy. Maybe a raid was just what they needed, and her own kids were finally old enough to participate.

“Speech.”

They said that I got to keep it sweet

While he had never interacted with the old woman, he did regret her death. He didn't grieve, but knew what it felt like to bring some ounce of empathy to his surface for those who did. Aresenn sat silently through her funeral, and when they broke and were later called to a pack meeting- he would sit silently then too. It seemed that there were quite a few already gathered around Sparrow- he would take his seat at the edge and off to the side. His amber gaze panned the crowd drifting across his sister and Calico Jack. They were about the only two that he would have taken interest in anyways, but sat idly by instead.

His gaze fell to the obsidian sand in front of his paws, awaiting for further instructions from the Pirate King.

Rexx wasn’t really up to speed with much, preferring to mess around and explore the nearby territories with his brother. But as a pirate, he also had a great thorst for raiding - why wouldn’t he? It was basically in his blood. The tusked yearling approached and sat by his quilled brother, offering him a friendly nudge and a half-smirk in greeting. He had yet to participate in a raid, but so did his siblings, so it’d be an interesting experience, for certain. He noticed in his peripheral vision that his father and mother were also present, but he didn’t pay them much mind; after all, he was a year old now. That milestone made a massive difference to him - he could go wherever, fight practically anybody, all without needing to ask permission or feel the need to slink away from the den. He felt so mature, so proud sitting there. He focused his purple eyes upon Sparrow, giving the Pirate King his full attention. "speech"

"Talk" Walk He'd been spending a significant time alone. Fighting others outside pirate lands, winning some and losing some. Though whoever his opponents ended up being, always came out of the fight far worse than him. But when Pyralis passed away, Ignis had gone quieter. Keeping to himself. Death should've been a common thing in his life at this point, but still he struggled to come to terms with it. While he hadn't been super close with the old woman, he had respected her more than he had ever respected anyone in his life. Perhaps even up on the level of respect he had had for his uncle before he had turned on him. And when Sparrow called for the pack to gather, he realized then that he would be coming face to face with his children. He had been falling dangerously close to doing with them what he had done with his first litter, and that thought alone urged him to hurry and see them. He did not want to fail them the way he had failed the first time, so when he did arrive, he first spotted Aresenn sitting on the edge of the group, and Ignis opted to walk over to his child and offered a quick nuzzle if Aresenn allowed it, before moving to Rivin and sought to do the same. Diablo hadn't arrived yet, and he wondered if his son would be here soon. Regardless if he did or not, Ignis sat and waited for the meeting to begin. Making a mental note to gather his bunch later and take all three of them out for some much needed time together.

Pyralis' funeral had been pretty sobering. He did drink until he could barely recall his own name, but after that? He told himself he needed to do better in his life. He had no mate, nothing much in his life to strive for, save for the pups he had fathered with Kairi, but she had passed, and now he was responsible for them. It wasn't something he minded, but he still felt like he needed more time getting to know them and learning who they were before they turned a year old. By then, they would hopefully decide where they wanted to stay. Either with him as a pirate, or remain in Valhalla. Or perhaps even a whole other path in life. He sighed as he arrived at the meeting, sensing the energy among the group, he remained quiet for once as he took a seat among the others.

He was running a little late to the meeting. The boy had been on the far side of the beach, and wasn't keen on attending the gathering. He was likely to feel some form of jealousy if he couldn't raid, but he'd also been lax in his training. He knew he wasn't ready, but he wanted to go anyway. He supposed he'd find out if he could or not at the meeting, right? So maybe it'd be a good idea to show up. Slender legs carried him to the meeting, already feeling the ambiance before arriving. He had never spent quality time with Pyralis before she died, but he knew she was a well loved and highly respected member of the pack before she croaked. Welp, best to at least act like he cared too, right? He remained quiet as he arrived, spotting his siblings and dad sitting among the group before taking a seat on the outskirts and waited for the meeting to begin.

Next round due Saturday Feb 4th because I'm going on a week scarcity after that alpha check to travel for work.

Jack arrived first, which was good to see. Gil followed not long behind. Sparrow regarded them both as warmly as she could, hoping they couldn't see how hollow she still felt. Scald, Calico Jack, Riven, Deluge, and Sakana gathered- pups and yearlings so close in age, yet decidedly different. Modesty showed up and flopped beside Gil. Sparrow wished she could do the same. She couldn't bring the same swell of emotion she had once felt as Aresenn, Rexx, Ignis, Ares, and Diablo came to the group. It seemed that after that, no one else came or at least they didn't seem to care to come, and Sparrow couldn't be bothered to care. "Right, so word has it we have some yearlings." Sparrow forced a smile. She had to keep going and faking it always worked for her before. "Old word from Pyra still has it that the pack to the west- Valhalla- has a large wall and lush hunting grounds. I think, for her, it would be a good place for the yearlings' first raid- and I do mean that all the yearlings should participate. Rexx, Flurry, Scald, Deluge, you're all required to raid. Everyone else is first come first serve. We leave in seven nights. Who's in?"

The way that Sparrow looked over the whole crew that showed up brought no discernable emotion to Rexx’s face - she still seemed the clever pirate king she’d always been. Still, grief was a sly creature itself, able to rear its ugly head in any aspect of one’s expression. The boy observed some flicker of emptiness, a sorrow that flickered past as quickly as it came. He didn’t pay much mind though. Pyr’s death was a deep loss to their pack, but he couldn’t say he’d known the old woman for long, and thus didn’t have the same emotionl response to her death as the others. When she finally panned her gaze over the young ones, including him and his siblings, she announced the raid on Valhalla. A wide grin spread across his tusked maw. Finally! Time to hone his skills and swing his tusks around. It was a no brainer, really. "I’m in.” He said, simply but boldly. "speech"

Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh could tell by the rigid expression on Sparrow's face that this was probably the last thing she wanted to do. He was nearly tempted to ask if she wanted him to take lead so she could sit out this time. The yearlings in question were his own after all, but a raid would not nearly be as fun without her. Watching as the rest of the pack, or those who cared to show, showed up, he smiled at his offspring and leaned over to press a nudge on the top of Modesty's head. Thankful that things were at least looking up for his own family, he eyed his children carefully as Sparrow told them it was mandatory for them to join in. "I will be attending as well," Gil adds after the now yearling pups confirmed their participation.

Speech

Scald was pleased to have his siblings sit beside him and soon surprised when the pup named Calico Jack sat nearby him as well. Showing the younger boy a smile, he leaned in to nudge the not-koi-spotted youngster. "Thanks," he whispered with a cheeky grin before straightening himself. Turning his attention back to the group as others filed in, Scald would slide down into a laying position with legs splayed out. As the last ones filed in, he wondered where the fiery boy, Ajax, was. Looking from Rexx to Calico Jack, his brow furrowed a moment. "Aye, where's Ajax?" Scald asked before being swiftly cut off by the words of their Pirate King. After her speech, his smile returned. "Of course, I'll be there!" He said eagerly as his tail thumped against the sand. S C A L D

After congratulating Scald, the pup’s pale blue eyes scan the faces of those who arrive, searching for his siblings and is worried when he only finds Sakana. Still, he offers his brother a grin and wink before smiling at Rivin and Aresenn. The yearling beside him asks about Ajax and Jack shrugs his shoulders saying, “Probably swimming.” His mother kicks off the meeting and he grins as the target is picked. He had been in scouting party with Pyralis that had gone to the Valhalla lands and, while he probably wasn’t supposed to be there, he had enjoyed it. So, when Sparrow says that the yearlings are expected to raid and then opens it up to volunteers, the boy simply says, “I'm in.” He has been training and will turn two the following season. Might as well get some practice in while he can.

"Calico Jack"

Art & Code © Skelle 2023

Whilst Ajax hadn't been swimming he'd been near the water, so his bro Jack was close enough. His tail had healed up well enough, but the thoughts and experience that had come with the injury still lingered, like a thorn in his paw he couldn't quite yank out. He was quiet, didn't like to spend much time with his siblings or pack mates these days. From the outside looking in it likely seemed as though he was going through a moody and broody phase, but it all felt deep-rooted in his chest, like there was a hole there now. A hole he had to fill with something, but what? Nothing seemed like it would ever be enough.

He joined the meeting late, but better than never. Mum was chatting away, telling them about the next raid and it felt so...same old he had trouble paying attention. Did he want to fight? Yeah, he guessed. It used to be something he liked, something that made him smile as he bonded with the others. But now?

"I'll fight too." He said simply, voice quiet, like he had to shove the words out from behind gritted teeth.