Round due 4/30! Sins/Saints Mandatory! Those unranked who are attending will get ranks. If you don't want a rank and are not a sin/saint, you don't have to attend.

The yearling raids had gone just about as well as one would expect them to, meaning they were pretty bad failures. Sparrow wasn't at all upset by this- it was what she had expected. The kids knew what to look for now and they knew how to manage the chaos a little bit better. Some of the yearlings missed their first raid, which was the only real disappointment. Still, a lot of them had participated and Sparrow wanted to reward their efforts. They weren't really pups anymore, so it was about time to rank them up. Sparrow called the crew to the cavern with the usual amenities. Maybe even Pyralis would show up!

Deluge had been spending quite a bit of time exploring lately, but as chance would have it, she was home when Sparrow called the meeting. She quickly made her way to the cavern and found herself a seat, settling down to wait for the others to show up. While she had done well in the raid against Valhalla, she had her ass handed to her down in the bamboo (not that she expected any less, the woman she went up against was a lot heavier than she was). It was only a matter of time until the rest arrived so she kept an eye and ear out wondering if anyone was too ashamed to show their faces (not that it was needed, they'd all had their wins and losses).

"Speech"

Sakana was a bit shocked by his first fight and a bit embarrassed about his second. Really he hadn't even meant to fight the smaller wolf (he didn't even know there were wolves out there smaller than him so how was he supposed to know to keep an eye out for them?) He arrived at the cavern shortly after Deluge and kept a bit of distance from the larger wolf for once. She smelled strange all of a sudden, and he wasn't sure he liked it one bit. Dropping to his belly and sprawling out like a typical teenager he waited for the rest of the pack to show up.

“Speech”

the rougher the seas the smoother we sail

She didn't think she would need to let the children know she expected them to show their faces, so she didn't. She simply made her way to the cavern and attempted to hide the surprise on her face when she realised Deluge had beaten her there. For once she seemed to be sliding in before Gil so she made sure to settle herself somewhere with room beside her for him, reclining far more sphinx-like than Sakana's teenage sprawl. They were all still getting used to Pyralis being gone and now here she was back haunting them (or so Modesty had heard). She wondered if the wraith would join them for the boring meeting stuff too? (although maybe this was more of a celebration than administration). The kids had made it this far after all.

“Speech.”

They said that I got to keep it sweet

Here we go again. Yet another fucking meeting. Not many had answered Sparrows call yet by the time he arrived at the gathering spot- he wondered how many would. The recent raids hadn’t gone as well as any of them had hoped, though, to be fair, they were raid parties made up mostly of yearlings. But now that they all had a taste for what raids would look like … maybe they would get better. Perhaps it was one of those things where the more you did something, the better you got at it? One could only hope. With a silent stoicism, Aresenn’s gaze tapered off in the cavern as he awaited the Pirate King’s address.

The last raid had not gone as Calico Jack had hoped but his spirits are still high since they were able to have a kick-ass party afterward. Plus, he had won both his fights in the previous raid so he can’t really complain. Still, the ever-diligent boy has doubled his training regime, mixing in unarmed and armed techniques along with his daily rounds of calisthenics. He is out training on the black sands of their home beach, when his mother issues a call for a meeting.

Curious, knowing that it isn’t quite time for another raid, the boy takes a few minutes to finish his set of lunges before moving to the open mouth of the cavern. As he steps inside, he pauses to allow his eyes time to adjust before casting his gaze around the already gathered wolves. Offering them all a smile, Calico Jack moves to sit with Areseen. He likes to think of the boy as his friend and it seems he is upset about having to be here.

Plopping down next to the fire-kissed boy, Jack makes a dramatic yawn while slowly sliding down to his belly. It is all a show for Areseen as he really does not mind being here. Smirking to the boy, he adopts a bored tone as he says, “I thought being a pirate would be more fun. Seems like we have a lot of meetings…” Voice trails off as he turns his gaze to his mother and offers a wink before settling in and waiting for the meeting to being.


"Calico Jack"

Rexx had been more away from the beach than actually residing in it the past few months. He’d been a disappointment in the Valhalla raid and hadn‘t even gone to the bamboo one - not that he reslly cared. He was young, and there were more raids to come. He’d just..do better, he guessed? To be fair, particularly since meeting the nice girl from the secret bamboo pack and helping her out, his heart tugged at the strings. He missed Rheum, wanted to meet her again so they could just be alone and talk like they did (albeit by total coincidence) during the snowstorm at the Fjord. He also missed Scald, too, and hadn’t seen him very often as of late. Part of him wondered if his siblings were drifting apart; after all, they had been going away from the beach without him on their own adventures. But they were not kids anymore. Not in his head. They could do as they pleased, he still cared for them all the same. His own path in life was going to be different as well, now that he was forming a crush. Still, he was close to Sparrow’s call, though the beach didn’t carry the same comfort it held for him his entire childhood. He wasn’t even really in the mood to smile as he padded over, picking his own spot where he hoped Scald would soon follow. He sat down, glancing up at the Pirate King with a neutral expression. Quite unlike himself, without his typical half-smirk. "speech"

Ajax thought the raid went well enough, on his end anyway. But then again he wasn't one who had gotten his ass beat by a bunch of hermits who thought being from a land real far away somehow made them better than everyone else. It didn't really matter in the end to him, the raid was over and no one had died so...It was a win, sort of. Not like they were in dire need of bamboo anyway.

Moving to sit next to Jack, Ajax shrugged, though he didn't really disagree either. If the King wanted to speak they ought to listen, that's just how it worked.

"You're just salty you lost." He pointed out, offering his brother a smug side glance.

I'm Trying to Find A Signal Fire

It had taken awhile for Pyralis to figure out why she'd been given this second chance, or at least to come up with a reasonable guess. Once she had she was left feeling like a complete fool. She thought maybe it was to get vengeance on the Armada girl. She'd spent hours antagonizing her til it became clear that that act, while amusing, was not the real reason for her return to the physical realm. As she drifted about the world, in and out of boredom, she suddenly realized this was the perfect opportunity to visit her son. Such a foolish mother! How had she not thought of doing so sooner? It was this trip that had given her the answers she'd desired. Pyralis had been given the chance to say goodbye properly and tie up loose ends. It left her feeling light, more faded and she somehow knew that at the first light of summer she would cease to be in this realm once again.

She'd returned to Boreas to await that day, floating over the Obsidian Beach as she heard Sparrow call a meeting. Oh it would be nice to attend one last meeting even if there wasn't much she could do for her former pack. She floated into the cavern where Sparrow and a number of the pack wolves were gathered. She had no way of knowing who would and wouldn't see her so she simply floated up next to Calico Jack and pretended to sit. "Greetings and hallucinations, my dears!"

If the meeting with her family was annoying, then this secondary one for the pack was more so. Rivin’s anger bubbled like magma, threatening to overflow. After what had transpired with her brothers and Ignis, it seemed to never settle. That whisper within growling louder, that crawling in her skin urging her aggression, lashing out. She went hunting. She fought other predators… and she had become far more reckless in the process. The scar that the koi brat left on her face was no longer the only wound that had been covered with herb mixtures on her body. She looked like she had been through war, and Rivin did not intend to stop there. At first, when meeting Gil, she had been determined to merely train, to fight, to better herself to ensure she would be able to win both battles at the next raid. But… there was a comment he said that, coupled with how her dad responded to her brothers especially, had Rivin obsessing. She looked like she hadn’t had sleep, and she didn’t remember when she last dared closed eyes. Adrenaline pushed her now and nothing but as she came into the meeting with her tail lashing like an angry cat. They wanted a fighter? Someone who could kick ass? Fine. They’d get that. They’d get just what they wanted. She sat alone, the irritation she felt worrying enough she didn’t dare approach Aresenn, Calico Jack, or even Pyralis. She didn’t want to turn on them… she valued them and their feelings. Her claws dug into the sand as she lifted her gaze to Sparrow. If this was another lecture… she was going to scream. She was near her mental limit… and all the while… that beast within her waited, biding its time until it could make its first appearance. "Talk," 'Think.'

Fashionably late right? That was what it was called right? Flurry wasn't actually sure but she was pretty dang sure she was cutting it close, she hadn't gotten to go on the last raid and she was still a little bummed about her first raid, she was still pretty dang sure that fighting a horse was not fair. Still she supposed this was pretty on par for the pack, at least as far as she knew and there would always be other raids, for the time being she'd just have to get better... And make sure not to miss important meetings! She slid herself into the meeting, not daring to pull more attention to herself by pushing up towards any of her family instead deciding to hang back. "Speech"

Art by Perencreste

Sparrow was calling them together, and the message was that the Sinners and Saints were required to attend. Not that he'd miss a meeting where his presence was mandated, so with a glance back at the sulking Diablo, the pair made their way to the Pirate King's call. The kids weren't too happy with him, a sentiment he fully understood and related. Maybe he was pushing them too hard. Expected too much from them. But if he didn't push and expect, where would they end up? Dead and forgotten like those in his past? Waste their lives away drinking and partying? No. They would not have that sort of reputation. He loved them, yes. He could say that with absolute certainty. But perhaps his love was a bit...unorthodox. Diablo got the brunt of his disappointment, but as his firstborn of the litter, it was expected, wasn't it? After all, his own father had favored Domina and Dominus. Whereas Ignis and Actaea had been all but forgotten. He approached the meeting, motioning for Diablo to sit beside him whether he liked it or not. Crimson gaze surveyed those gathered, eyes falling a bit longer on both Rivin and Aresenn before turning his gaze to Sparrow.

"Speech"

He was sore and not really feeling up to joining this meeting that Sparrow had called. His father had chewed him out over his severe failure in the raid, and while he knew full well just how much Ignis was disappointed and probably ashamed of him, Diablo's own feelings about the matter far outweighed Ignis'. The yearling trailed reluctantly behind his dad, keeping his eyes down and avoiding eye contact with the crimson male. He approached the meeting, and before he could slip off to sit in the back, his father motioned for him to sit beside him towards the front. Ears flattened and he looked at his dad with a "are you kidding me right now?" look before sighing and moving to sit beside Ignis, head down as he stole glances at his siblings. They didn't look happy either...though they didn't get as badly chewed out as he did, they were still unhappy about their losses in the raid, too. "Speak"

The yearlings had had a very unsuccessful raid. Which he was sure was to be expected, after all, they were a bunch of teenagers on their first run, they would've been lucky as hell if they had won! The Saxe male dropped what he was doing to attend the meeting, wondering if she would talk about how it went since, ya know, he hadn't been there. He had yet to prod her or Gil for details, but alas, maybe he'd get lucky in the meeting. If not, he'd prod for details afterwards. As he arrived, he noticed that Ignis and his brood seemed moody as fuck, what was up with that? Party poopers! They needed to chill, maybe he'd harass them later to see what their deal was. But for now, he sat back and turned his attention to Sparrow.

"Speech"

It was not like him to be late to the meeting. Truth be told, the ninja raid had been quite exhausting along with the trek back up to the beach. But he would make it anyway because Gil was at least a faithful Pirate. His title of Most Unholy Sin would not be lived down. With his mind rolling with ideas of how else to prove himself worthy he saunters into the cavern almost dead last. His eyes slightly widened at the sight of Pyralis, but he had seen worse during the Long Night. Making sure to give her a respectful nod along toward Sparrow and Ignis, Gil moves to settle in beside his wife. Leaning against and getting comfortable, he turns his attention to the Pirate King.

Scald couldn’t really care for promotions, but he would come when called. Loyal to the Pirates, the sulky teenager slid in at the very last moment. Sidling up beside his brother whose he did honestly miss, he cast the tucked boy a glance. Part of Scald felt guilty for ditching Rexx and the other part of him was hardly bothered. They were growing up, ya know? Once he was settled in, he looked to the other yearlings and wondered how they too were doing and what rank Sparrow would give who.

OOC: Next round due 05/19! Please volunteer to scout if you'd like! Also feel free to ask for a mentor or a sin/saint title you'd like to work towards!

Sparrow kept an eye in the pirates as they trickled in. Wow did a lot of them look morose. Sparrow had to heed her laughter as the somewhat moody teens made their unwilling appearance- had she ever been like that? Calico Jack snarked about meetings and Sparrow rolled her eyes dramatically, "Well if I thought I could get y'all to listen any better one on one, I would." She tossed the kid a smile, "I hate them too, but gotta do the whole information thing." Pyralis joined, pretending to sit, but from where Sparrow was, she didn't quite line up with the sand right. Sparrow flicked an ear- spooky shit still wasn't her forte, but she loved Pyralis, so it was weird having her around post mortem. As the rest trickled in, she noticed Ignis's kids looked worse for wear. Damn what had he done to them to make them all this... angsty? Shem shot him a look that wasn't disapproval, but not really happy either. It was meant to be a "What the fuck did you do to your kids and why are they all so fucking sad looking?" but Sparrow didn't think she could get that across in just a look. Everyone else gathered, so Sparrow started, "Okay, first of all, cheer the fuck up, you all are taking these raids way too seriously. I think we did a lot better than one would expect for a bunch of fresh meat, so stop sulking eventually, okay? You all did really good and I couldn't be more proud to be ushering in this next age of pirates." Sparrow smiled wide- she meant it, she was very proud of all- most- of them. Maybe not Kashi, wherever he had went. "Deluge, Sakana, Aresenn, Calico Jack, Rexx, Ajax, Rivin, Flurry, Diablo, and Scald..." Sparrow looked to each of them in turn. "You have proven that you are not children anymore. You gave raided, you have partied, you are full fledged pirates, and I will be updating your rank to Generic Pirate to reflect that. Welcome to the piracy, officially as chosen members of the crew!" She expected applause and revelry or whatever, or at LEAST for the sins to say a few words. She looked at each of them pointedly to say something- even Pyralis, since she was here anyway. She waited for each of them to speak before continuing. "With all that said, if you want to choose a sin to be your mentor, you can. Likewise, you are all now eligible to earn yourself a sin or saint title. You can challenge for them if you wish, but I prefer them to be earned by actions. Speaking of- who's up for some scouting mission for raid targets?"

Honestly, Calico Jack does not mind meetings. If nothing else, it brings everyone together and that makes him happy. But, he wants his friends to think he is cool so he snarks about meetings, earning an eyeroll from his mother. A shit-eating grin is on his lips as she quips back and he dramatically heaves a sigh, saying, “Fine. I guess that I can stick around.” A wink is tossed her way as Ajax appears, digging at him about being a sore loser. That earns a deep bark of laughter as he says, “Me? A sore loser? Never.”

Another, smug grin is offered before he returns to watching the wolves’ filter in. Pyralis appears and the boy’s tail thumps the sand, always grateful to have her around even as a ghost. Rivin, Diablo, and Scald are all flashed smiles and, soon after Scald appears, Sparrow kicks off the meeting. First, she tells them all to cheer up and Calico Jack has a huge smile plastered on his face as his tongue lolls out the side of his mouth. He is the very picture of happiness because he thinks that raiding is fun and he learns something with each fight.

Next, the yearlings were promoted to Generic Pirate’s and, as she welcomes them, Jack lets out a loud ‘whoop’ of excitement followed by loud whistles while he smacks the ground with his paws. They are official! That is good… right? Finally, she talks about sins and saints before asking for scouts. Excitedly, Calico pipes up, “I want to be Wrath! Or maybe Pride. Oh, oh! Or Diligence…. Yeah! One of those!” What was the last thing? Oh, right scouting targets. “What about the pack on the island in the East? I can scout them out.” Another, cocky grin as Calico Jack silently hopes he doesn’t have to go alone.


"Calico Jack"

Deluge tried to remain indifferent to the heavy atmosphere the other yearlings dragged in with them. Calico Jack seemed to try to offset some of Arsenn's broodiness but even her own brother seemed down in the dumps. She rolled her shoulders to try and dispel some of the weight that was accumulating there. She had never felt obligated to try and lift a mood before, she had no intention of starting now.

Thankfully, that was the Pirate King's role and Sparrow was quick to tell them all to cheer up. A small grin pulled at her lips and her tail stirred the dust as they were finally promoted to Pirates instead of Baby Pirates. The offer for scouting was fortuitous, she had a party to attend in the west already. "I'm crashing a party at Armada anyway, I can check out the pack just south 'o there while I'm in the area." She didn't need anyone to join her, it was easier to get away if she only had her own ass to mind anyway.

Once she was back, she'd talk to her dad about what she might have to be to go after one of those sin titles.

In the time spent waiting for Sparrow to start, the vast majority of his pack mates answered the call for a meeting. However, his attention remained fixed to the cavern wall to avoid having to entertain an awkward exchange … or at least until he felt the approach of another. His attention flashed toward the mottled frame of Calico Jack, who seemed to be his typical pleasant self. Aresenn answered the smile he was offered with a nod of acknowledgment. As the other yearling made a comment against all the meetings- the Praetor boy couldn’t help but snort in amusement. “Yeah, one would think by all the meetings we have, things would be a little more cohesive.” But the idea of Pirates having their shit together was an even funnier joke than anything that could have been said.

Soon, he caught the familiar shadow of his sister appear at the edge of the gathering. Or at least, an individual that resembled his sister. The girl that showed up looked like she had just returned from a vacation in hell, and he could practically see the lust for hatred in her hardened emerald gaze. She sat alone for a reason, and he’d not take that wish from her. If she wanted to be comforted or reassured, he would trust that she’d make her intentions known. Until then, he’d leave her be. After that, more pirates trickled in, including their father with Diablo in tow. His brother took the brunt of Ignis’ disappointment, which left him feelings of pity. But in an attempt to not make things worse, he’d keep those feelings to himself. Offering a stiff nod to his brother from where he sat, he immediately felt a different gaze burning into him. His attention panned up to the unholy sin that was his sire. He met the hardened glare for a moment, before returning to face Sparrow as she began to speak.

The first bit, he zoned out on, not really caring to hear the coddling over their first failures. The mention of all the yearlings ranking up was a bit more interesting. Some other senior pirates stood to speak- not that he really cared to listen. Sparrow offered more avenues to challenge for higher-ranking titles, which wasn’t as appealing to him as he initially thought. He supposed if he was chosen for a title, it would be one thing. However, he wasn’t going to exert additional effort just for a fancy name in a group that he didn’t have much respect for. But to answer the question as to who they should raid next … he couldn’t help but perk up. “What about the pack we passed on the way to the Kois? Bet you could hide a bunch of valuable stuff in that castle.” Aresenn answered, not aware that they had previously raided Hallows before he and the rest of the new yearlings had been born.

"Aresenn Praetor"