Autumn would be coming soon, and with it the harvest and preparations for winter. Corbie had put a lot of thought into doing something to mark the occasion, and with new pups to celebrate as well it made for an exciting moment. So with some help she had put together a little mini-festival, just for the pack, with abundant food arranged in a feast with last year's mead and hard cider, and cordials, and different flavors of cooling tea, and refreshing fruit drinks. She set the feast up partly in the barn, in the mostly-roofless part of the barn she had been renovating into a meeting area slash bonfire area. The sun beamed in warmly, lighting the hall while the remaining roof gave some areas shade to escape from the summer heat. Only a small fire burned in the circle of stones, but the tea kettle was twisted over it and bubbled merrily with fresh water ready for tea. With Ayer's help Corbie set about sheaves of grain-heavy grasses and other first harvests to decorate, like the first of the ripened winter squashes. She'd also grouped rawhide furs around in areas for wolves to congregate and relax, padded underneath with straw. When she was satisfied with the decorations, she moved out of the barn to lift her head and call the pack together.

OOC: Yes, mandatory. Posts due the 10th.

Magpie was rooting into a burrow she'd found, her chest pressed into the dirt and rump high in the air and tail wagging as she continued to try to shove herself deeper into what was no doubt some poor traumatized prey animals' home. Though if they were home they had retreated to a deeper tunnel, and that wasn't what Magpie was after anyways. She instead was very sure there must be some kind of treasure buried here, that made sense right? What else would be worth burying?

Still even with her head literally in the ground the call of their alpha reached her, muffled as it was. Magpie wiggled herself free of the burrow, grunting and struggling a few times but managing to get herself out of the hole. She shook herself, dislodging the dirt that was loose on her pelt, though she'd managed to smudge much of it deeper and a simple shake did nothing to keep her from looking like she'd rolled in the dirt... Which was close enough. She'd been told by her parents that when Corbie called for them they were supposed to listen, because usually it meant something important was happening. So Magpie didn't even consider trying to find her parents or siblings instead trotting her way over to the barn. She poked her head in, and spotting the black and white woman and she trotted right up to her, smudged in dirt, and grinned up at her. "Heya!" Well no points for grace.

"Speech"

Art by Chernotrop

Corbie's call had awoken him from a nap that he had apparently really needed. He had been teaching Finan how to track and hunt larger game over the last few days, and he hadn't realized just how brutally sore the lessons had made him. He chalked it up to the fact he was old now. He just hadn't realized it until he started feeling things he had never felt before. He rose onto his feet, feeling his joints snap, crackle, and pop as he uncurled and stretched. While getting old wasn't pleasant, at least he acknowledged that he was. He was just glad that he was well and healthy enough and that his body was still working. He emerged from his den to find Finan already waiting for him, and with a soft greeting, the pair headed off towards the barn where Corbie waited. They arrived to find the old barn decorated, a warm fire, and lots of other things for comfort and to fill bellies. While he generally wasn't one for social events, he realized just how hungry he was, too. He hadn't spoken much to anyone that wasn't Finan for some time, but perhaps that would change today. Choosing a spot, he settled down as he nodded towards the kid that was there, and then Corbie. "What are we celebrating?" He asked curiously. "Speak"

art by Otackoon

They were celebrating... something. Rye didn't actually know the specifics, nor did she really care to mess with them all that much. Whatever they were doing, they were all doing it together. That was cool! She was more than happy with the concept of together, regardless of what the actual nuts and bolts of it were. She'd overheard someone say something about bringing things... yeah, Rye could do that. She could bring something! She'd snuck a look at the barn a little bit ago, and it seemed like there were all sorts of decorations going up. She'd bring something to help with the decorating too!

Rye had managed to gather a decently sized bundle of wildflowers. The girl didn't know the names of any of them, or the specifics, but she wasn't going to let that stop her. Clutching the haphazard bouquet in her teeth, she came to Corbie's summons, grinning around the thing. "Corbie! Corbie I brought some decorations!" The words muffled around the bundle of stalks, but probably almost clear enough. Terribly proud of herself, Rye came in to join the pack.

Twig was settling onto motherhood quite well, though she had to admit she had been quite absent from the rest of the pack white she focused on raising their wonderful children. She had heard once that puppies were a young wolf’s game and as she stretched and groaned with movement she had to agree. Though she wouldn’t have traded them for anything in the world.

At the alpha’s call Twig gathered any pups that were still hanging around, with Magpie and Rye already beating them there. She smiled as little Rye approached Corbie with a bundle of wildflowers. The old Memoire woman couldn’t believe how much pride she had in these little bundles.

She made herself comfortable around the fire, lowering herself to her striped white haunches and wrapping her tail around her hips. Eager to be at such a carefree and wonderful feast.

"Autumn Twig Memoire"

Vine had been quite the quiet pup as she learned way of life. Not that she could say she had many responsibilities at such a young age, but she was starting to come out of her shell and get out there a little more. She was showing more interests and personality, and soon she would be her own unique self.

As the call was let out for Avalon, she wasn't sure what that meant. But her mother gathered up her siblings and they made their way towards Corbie's gathering. Silent, though secretly eager, she sat beside her mother and waited for her father to arrive too. He should have been here any moment.

"Vine"

(just PPing Canary and Skylark being here for now since they'd be tagging along!)

Corvus was running a little behind - but who could blame him? Wrangling five children wasn't exactly an easy process for any wolf, let alone a wolf his age. Fortunately some of the kids bounded ahead of them, while a few stragglers had to be corralled by himself and Twig. Their first pack gathering was a big deal, even if they likely wouldn't think it was. They'd no doubt be introduced to the pack and would begin to learn that they were part of something even bigger than their little family. Hopefully the prospect of food and celebrate would be enough to excite them.

Magpie and Rye came ahead of the others, Vine not far behind. Jay, Canary, and Skylark would be rallied ahead of him. Corvus would come up last to make sure the rest were in line, only stopping to rest once everyone was settled in. He let out a tired but content little sigh as he settled into the shade of the barn, happy to rest and watch over the pups as they enjoyed themselves, continuing to stretch their independence a little more each day,

A meeting! That sounded like fun. Jay didn't really know what a pack gathering would entail but she knew to always head quickly to a call like this, especially if it was from Corbie or her mom or dad or even another adult within Avalon. She wasn't sure where all her siblings were but she'd been hanging close to both her parents so she gladly followed along after Twig, oblivious to what this little feast was but excited to be part of it nonetheless. A few of her siblings were already there by the time she showed up, and she bounded over to Rye when she noticed she'd set something down. "What'd you bring?" She asked, headed cocked to the side. Maybe she should've brought something too? Oh well, too late for that. Maybe next time she'd remember to.

Álarr had been having a time getting over his illness but soon enough rest and some good medicine worked their magic. He was still a little sore from the muscle aches but when he felt he could safely be around the pack without infecting anyone else he started to venture out more. He was down in the range gathering some summer marigolds when he heard Corbie's call. Álarr neatly tucked away the herbs, making a stop at his den and arriving rather late to the barn.

When he entered he was surprised to see a bountiful feast laid out for the pack members. Was there a special occasion he'd forgotten? Entirely possible since it felt like he'd had his head buried under a rock for the past several weeks.