The raid had been set, the fighters picked and informed of their task, and all that is left is for the scouts to pick a spot for the healers’ camp and a good area to lead their attack from. Ricin swiftly leads his group of scouts from their home island, past the rock garden across the stone steppe and skirts the volcano until they are in the land that had been picked for the base camp. The trees lay dormant, their beautiful magenta leaves missing as they lay in their wintery slumber. Signaling the group to stop, the blue wolf then ushers them to gather around so that they can discuss the layout. Once the other three have settled around him, the blue wolf folds his haunches and comes to sit lightly on the ground.

Lifting a paw he points toward the adjoining land that the Valta pack has claimed and says, “That is where our raiders are going to be attacking. Now, we need to find a good spot that the fighters can attack from and a place to set up the healers’ camp that won’t be too difficult for them to get to. So, tell me what you see.” Lowering his paw back to the ground, the wolf allows his ruby gaze to roam over each wolf. With a friendly smile on his lips, Ricin waits politely to hear what the group thinks. Some might believe their task is pointless but, to Ricin, it is opportunity to weigh the wolves’ skills at reading the land. They will need to consider the slumbering brush, the dusting of snow, what may offer natural protection, and what may hinder the healers’ efforts, among other things. Quietly, the blue wolf waits.


"Ricin Dauner"

Since Nirvana had settled in Elysium she might not have been actively interacting with other members so much, but she had been doing other things to better herself and gain some knowledge of the pack, her new home. Mostly at night, when the sunlight could not hinder her vision with its harsh rays, the albino dame would walk the lands that her aunt had claimed. From the island, where much of the pack seemed to rest their heads, to the lake where she had first entered Elysium, to the garden of stone where she had chosen to make her own den. Nirvana liked it there. She could watch over the land toward the island, and see when her pack mates would cross the strip of land back into the main lands of Boreas. It seemed like a good middle ground and, as she grew more confident in herself and felt like she belonged, perhaps she would choose to move her den. For now, however, even her rank in the pack reflected how she viewed her standings with the rest of them. Amateur. But Nirvana was not one to crumble at a challenge, and that was what rising in the ranks was, was it not? A challenge to prove her worth to not only the rest of the pack, but to herself as well. So when a raid had been organized Nirvana had decided that rather than join the fighters and potentially hold them back she would assist them elsewhere until she was ready. Sure, she had gathered accessories meant for battle, and companions, but equipment did not reflect your skills. It had been a suggestion to her aunt and the albino woman hoped Manea would not think less of her for it. Besides, this was a good opportunity to get to see and know some more of her packmates. She had been instructed that a blue wolf named Ricin would lead the scouting party to the land that had been chosen for their base camp for the raid. Nirvana met with them earlier that day, dressed in her raven feather cape, armed with her dagger, and accompanied by Thomas and Ridge. Nirv had hope the falcon might be of use to them on this mission, but that was to be seen. After following Ricin across the lands alongside two other wolves they would arrive at their destination at last. They were signaled to stop and gather around and the woman would take a seat with the rest, her falcon and genet remaining close to hear what the blue wolf had to say. Ahh right, points of interest. The whole point of the operation, right? She had passed through this land on her way to Elysium and she had observed something that might be useful in this regard. “There is a river that cuts through the area between the nook and the lands the other pack has claimed. With it being winter, I suspect the shallowest area will be low, easy enough for our fighters to walk across into the territory with a cluster of trees on the other side.” Nirvana gestured with a paw in the direction she was referring too. Thankfully the trees were bare, making it easier to see where she was pointing. Sure enough, down the way was the river, reduced in size from what it would have been in the summer when the rains had fed it. Sunlight reflected on the water and, on the other side, the cluster of trees and foliage she had pointed out. It felt like a good passage in, where there could be things to help provide cover, and if they worked on hiding their scents, they might even be able to remain undetected for a bit. As for the way out, to where the healers would have a camp set up? That was a good question. "Talk," 'Think.'

Cerberus joined the scouting party more so he could be alongside his sister. Elysium had many capable warriors and he wasn't one the get hyped for some bruises. Chimera had never launched attacks on other packs, whether they be allied practice raids or not. He had the same morals. He would have joined the party had it been asked of him, but it all seemed to be covered.

Cerb smiled down at his sister as they walked along, and soon Ricin would stop them to regroup before the scouting. Cerb pushed his paw forward against Ruse with another smile to send her off. But he himself stayed centered among the others, looking around for any threats that could close in on them. Everything seemed safe and calm for now. And with the four of them, very little may have ambushed them. As Nirvana said her own little piece of observation he nodded. Otherwise he stayed quiet and watched the outskirts.

"Cerberus"
F2U base by Starwuff

Ruse was always more than happy to be out in the world, exploring and seeing what could be seen, so being a part of the scouting party for this raid was certainly something she was interested in. Cerberus had opted to join up with the scouts as well which she was very glad for. Any excuse she had to spend some time with him was a welcome one. She walked next to Cerb as they made their way toward the Redbud Nook behind Ricin and Nirvana, the group scanning the area that they would be using as a resting point and a place for the healers to tend to their wounded after the raid. As Ricin mentioned how they needed to find a place for the fighters to attack from and for a place for the healers to do their thing, she nodded and began to look around a little more closely, keeping those things in mind as they went.

The woods were pretty bare this time of year with the winter season, but she could imagine how it might look with the full tree cover. It was kind of a shame that this wasn't happening in the spring or summer so that they could use the shade of the leaves as part of their camp. Regardless, the thin trees would be easy enough to tie some canopies between them. Nirvana spoke up, mentioning how the river should be shallow enough at a certain point for the fighters to cross. She nodded in agreement, looking off in the direction of where the pale woman spoke of. Looking around on their side of the river, Ruse began leading them over to a clearing near the river as she added, "Maybe we'll set up the camp over here then? It's a clear enough area here for a bunch of wolves, but where the trees are closer together over on the sides we could hang some skins between the trees to make some shaded spots for the healers to work."

"Rusalka Alondra Klein"

Ricin looks at each wolf in turn, nodding as Nirvana speaks up first. The man’s crimson gaze drifts over to the river in question as he offers, “That is a great idea. Tell me, do you think we should build anything or modify the banks in any way to help our wolves cross? If so, what are your suggestions?” He looks back to the Mendacium woman with a friendly grin as he allows her a moment to think through his question.

Eyes slide over to the dire male, quirking a brow in silent question as Cerberus remains quiet. Wishing to engage all the members of the group, Ricin poses him a question, “Do you think we should have use runners to get water from the river? There will be pups helping the healers, should we send escorts with them if we have them fetch water?” His smile is easy and his tone polite, asking the man his opinion on the matter.

Before he gets a chance to hear what the man thinks, the shortest member of the group begins to move and the blue male gently urges the others to follow her. He brings up the rear while listening to what Rusalka has to say. With a gentle bob of his head, Ricin says, “That is a great idea as well. Since it is cold, how do you suggest they arrange area to use to help combat the cold? They will have a fire but what are some natural things in the area that they can use to break the wind or keep the snow from collect around them?”  

Quietly, he looks to each wolf, offering a calm, steady smile.


"Ricin Dauner"

Nirvana waited, her red gaze flicking to first the horned male, who did not offer anything additional to her suggestion… but his own observing gaze was not overlooked. He might not have had input to offer yet, but it wasn’t as though he didn’t care. This could have very well been one of the first times he’d been here, and judging by how he scanned the outskirts, he was likely thinking on what might be beneficial before he spoke. Then the other female who had been with them spoke up, suggestion a location for their potential camp, as well bringing up the idea of hanging skins up for the healers to provide shade and potentially help break the wind. The leader of their group, Ricin, spoke up again, and Nirvana directed her gaze back to him. “Admittedly, I hadn’t thought that far ahead. Though it might be a good idea to consider something to make travel on the banks easier, or even just to simply cross the water. It might not be deep, and getting across to fight wouldn’t be an issue, but we do have to consider our injured will come back this way… Hmm.” The albino woman furrowed her brow in thought. Perhaps they could find something to act as a bridge of sort? Just to make getting back this way easier. She’d have to think more on that one. His next questions were posed to Cerberus and, wanting to give her packmate a chance to answer and not jump in, she chose to be silent for a moment. Then they were on the move, to where the mottled woman brought up the idea of their camp. Ricin speaks up again, asking how they can prepare the area, and again Nirvana speaks. “Rusalka, I believe your name is?” She glances to the woman and then back to the blue wolf. “Initially brought up using skins between the trees for shade, but perhaps we can arrange them in a way to break the wind with the fire inside. We can leave a clear path for them to get in, and angle the working area a bit off to the side, so even if wind blows in it won’t be directly on them.” Being near the fire would help with that too. “With it being winter it might not hurt to consider bringing extra furs with us as well to cover those who have been treated.” "Talk," 'Think.'

Cerb was generally a pretty nice guy but the deep logistics that Ricin and maybe the others were going into seemed rather unnecessary to him. He'd agree to have this area nearby the pack to patch up the fighters and as they mentioned, making some kind of area to keep protected and warm. Maybe he was just biased, or maybe it was the thought of having a much more laid back lifestyle from heir to warrior. He wouldn't outright say how silly he thought the continued discussion was, but Ruse may have been able to tell he wasn't quite himself as they went on.

He still stayed just a few steps away from the others, mostly keeping his eyes between the trees as he had before. Glancing towards each as they said their observations and thoughts as Ricin asked. Cerb still didn't have much to say, only responding to what Ricin had asked him. "I'm sure Alastor and I can keep an eye out here while the healers set up and work. Our Raid party if we needed more than that, assuming that the raid doesn't turn malicious." There was always the chance right? In that case Cerb was sure any of the fighters that were set up here would be running in for backup. He surely would for his brother.

"Cerberus"
F2U base by Starwuff