Kotori hadn't quite known how long he'd be away, but Asla had told him to take his time. With Indigo, Arcturus and Satira by her side, the pack would be well guarded. Not that they were heavy in numbers, at present. That was well and good. They would have to fill their ranks eventually, but it would be easier to feed less mouths over winter.

With the change in ranks, Aslatiel decided to call Valta together to inform them of the shift. It would be a good time to touch base with everyone, listen to grievances, entertain ideas from the rest of the pack. And so Aslatiel settled herself atop the falls and called the pack to her. She had felled a nice sized doe that would feed the attendees. The day was brilliant and typically autumn. The smell was sweet and rich as the leaves died and rotted. The birds sang and the creatures played amidst the piles of leaves. It was a perfect day to call everyone together and just relax and bond.


"Asla Indarra"

Satira had met up with her mother, brother, and uncle just before the meeting was set to begin so she could walk in with her family prompt and early. Before leaving Cináed, she had explicitly reminded him to not be late to the meeting, not wanting him to sour any impressions Asla already had of her live-in friend with benefits, and a slow turn-up to the first meeting of her dam as alpha of Valta was sure to not do good things to his standing with her. The meeting was even being held at the top of the falls, a stone's throw away from their den. He literally had no excuses not to be here promptly.

It was a bright and beautiful autumn day, perfect for a gathering of their friends and family to announce changes and look forward to the future. Deep down, Tira was still a bit anxious about seeing her father in the crowd that would soon be collecting, but she refused to show any traces of it in her expression. She seated herself near her family, but with just enough space near her so if Ciná did want to sit next to her he would be more than welcome to. Then she waited for everyone else to show up, just relaxing and tipping her muzzle up as a gentle breeze rippled across the clifftop and tousled her fluffy fur and floppy ears.

"Satira"

Mojito left Hoa to watch Nao, only after much cajoling and being told he didn't need a babysitter but Mojito wasn't naive, he didn't expect Nao to go running off but he also didn't think he wouldn't see a meeting as a good chance to explore when everyone's attention was elsewhere. Besides he still wasn't well enough for that in Mojito's opinion. Doctor's orders. And that was what he was planning to tell Asla if she asked about him. Speaking of which he'd been somewhat surprised to hear her calling for them and not her younger brother. Mojito wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth though, after all she'd been the one to extend the olive branch in the first place and right now more than anything both he and Nao needed to feel secure... Not that Mojito was sure he could. Everytime he thought about the freckled man his heart fluttered but his stomach dropped, filling with guilt. He owed his daughter just as much if not more effort, and he frankly still wasn't even sure how to begin trying to approach her or if he ought to wait for her? He didn't know, and he was terrified that either option would be the wrong one, either forcing himself on her or seeming disinterested in her. Mojito sighed as he padded towards the call, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath before he got to close. He'd just have to push that out of his mind for the time being. Easier said than done when it turned out there was only one other wolf at the meeting place so far and it was his daughter. He stopped suddenly, one paw still in the air. He swallowed the lump in his throat. Her head was tipped back and he didn't know if she could see him. He hurried forward head down and shoulder's hunched, placing himself some distance from his daughter, occasionally glancing in her direction in case she spotted him, he'd give her a smile at least... "Speech"

Image by Ulfeid3

She’s been feeling pretty disconnected lately, but was that any different than usual? Not really. Distant, keeping everyone at arm’s length. With everyone around her so close, coming in as an outsider was… different. Difficult. She thinks about the nice blue man, the one from Elysium. Wondering if she’d be better off there, rather than here. Maybe she’d talk to Kotori about it, later. For now, there’s a meeting.

She hangs around the fringes, watching steadily. Carefully. It wasn’t their alpha who’d called, instead one of the other members of the pack. Sanna dipped her head, a nod to the summoner, before taking a seat to the back. Not wanting to draw attention to herself, as if trying to fade into the gathering group.

"Speech"

Life in Valta has been blessedly quiet and the earthen woman finds herself going through the motions. It isn’t that Athena doesn’t enjoy her life here it is just… quiet. The woman travels along well-worn paths as she patrols the lands of her home, mind wandering to places her paws have not been. A call rings through the autumn air, calling all of the Valta wolves together and the woman’s ears perk up. It is not Kotori’s voice that sings the summons but someone else.

Curious, she cuts the patrol short, turning in the direction of the call and hastily trotting toward it. She arrives at the meeting area at the top of the falls, in short order and finds that only a few wolves have gathered so far. Athena slips into their ranks, settling close enough to hear the small woman talk while still giving the others plenty of room to spread out. A warm smile is offered to Aslatiel as she turns her attention to the woman and waits for the meeting to begin.


"Athena Nocturna"

Vanille followed along with Arcturus and the rest of his family as they made their way to the meeting grounds. Asla taking over had probably no impact on her, but maybe she let it. It was only a part of her nature. She tried to be better even  just by keeping it all in. Maybe that's what she did best.

She waited for Arc to make himself comfortable so she could make her place beside him. Quiet. Always. Away from the spotlight she hoped at least in the next coming moments. She wasn't sure who knew of the change of power even if temporary. It would come to light now. She could only find her comfort here beside Arc. Easy enough.

"Vanille"
Base By WatermelonCreature

Strix’s second birthday had come and gone with little notice by the monochrome man. Life has become stagnate for him and he finds himself retreating into the depths of depression. It is easy to do when he has little occupy his mind and time and, since he heard of his family’s return to this land, none have come to seek him out. True, he could go and visit them but, as he kept putting off the trip and none of his family reached out to him, well… the man’s mind had begun to run away with horrible thoughts.

Strix is in his den, curled tightly around himself, sleeping because he had nothing else to do when a call rings out. Eyes blink open and he quickly awakens himself, shaking off the dregs of sleep while also making sure his coat looks acceptable. Quickly, he makes his way to the top of the falls, finding a small gathering already there. Spying Athena, the small man angles himself toward her, pressing into her side as he seats himself beside her. The woman is his safety blanket since she took care of him when his father had fallen ill.

A small smile is offered to Asla before he turns his gaze down to his paws and waits to hear what she has to say.


"Strix Klein"

The broken woman has yet to find her place in the world. Broken promises and a shattered heart are all that seem to be given to her lately. Tove lays in her den, unwilling to move out into the world while she waits for the Viking man to keep his promise. Yet, the days stretch on and he has not returned for her. The woman kicks herself for believing that this time would be different; that his promises to her would actually mean something.

A call rings through the land and a sigh falls past her scarred lips. Heaving herself up onto her paws, the wraith of a wolf makes her way out into the daylight and, while it hurts her eyes, she continues on, not caring about her discomfort one bit. She arrives at the meeting area, breathing heavily from the trek even though it wasn’t too far away.

Ribs show through her coat as she seats herself in the back, far from any of the others that have gathered. Duel-toned eyes find Asla before slipping off to the side, realizing that even Kotori has abandoned her. With a sigh, she slides down to rest on her stomach, head on her legs as Tove realizes that life has screwed her over once again.


"Tove Baade"

The change in leadership had come as quite the surprise to Indigo, but he couldn’t help but think that Aslatiel deserved this time to shine as their leader. She had been much more ambitious than himself, and even Mortis, their entire lives and yet she had never been given the recognition that she deserved. The past was in the past though, and today she would call her pack together in absence of their younger brother.

His massive black paws carried him to be by Asla’s side, he didn’t expect there to be any trouble from the pack but his hulking form would make certain of that. However peaceful the maned man was, his hulking form assured he was never met with any nonsense.

"Indigo Fatalis"

Even though he knew that his mother’s take over of Valta was a temporary one, it still felt weird to him as he walked with his family and Vanille to join in on the meeting that was going to be held. Getting settled back into pack life had taken a bit of time after taking off on their own as a family and now to see his mom as an alpha—even if it was just for a while—it was a little hard to wrap his head around. Of course he was proud of her and glad that they could help out while his uncle was handling other matters. Settling onto his haunches with Tira on one side and Vanille on the other, he waited attentively for the meeting to begin. Subtly he wrapped his tail around Vanille as she sat close to him, giving her a little affection and encouragement.

"Arcturus Indarra"

It had been one thing to feel like he had to impress Tira’s uncle to keep his place here in Valta with her, but now that he knew that her mother was going to be leading the pack for the foreseeable future… He was just waiting for Asla to kick his ass all the way back to Auster. In his attempt to at least appear respectable and responsible, he readied himself for the meeting at Tira’s warning and as soon as he heard the summons for it he started to make his way over to where everyone was gathering. He didn’t rush over since he didn’t want to look like he was trying too hard, but he also didn’t want to be the last one there. Luckily he walked in just as the last few attendees were joining in as well and he immediately went to sit beside Tira on the other side of her from her brother. Yes, he was certain that her mother could tear him limb from limb if she so desired, but something told him that if he backed down and didn’t sit by her then that wouldn’t earn any points either. Glancing down at Tira, he gave her a little grin before looking back up at Asla to give her his full attention.

Cináed

Late! She was going to be late! The wayward, wandering girl had been following her paws as usual and hadn't even remembered that there was a meeting today. Her mom had told her too! The tiny young lady hurried back, running as fast as she could until her legs ached and her lungs burned. By the time she reached the gathering, she was a panting, filthy, overheating mess.

Aia slunk to the front of the group, trying to not be conspicuous and failing. The tiny purple puff dropped at the paws of her brother and sister, still panting, though she did offer her siblings and her parents a sheepish smile.

"Aia Indarra"

One by one the members of the pack gathered. Of course her family was there first since they'd been warned ahead of time. All but Aia, she noted. A sigh pulled from the blonde fae. Aia was nothing like her. The girl was a bit of a disappointment, but she loved her anyway. And she knew that Indigo doted on the girl. Still... she should have been here on time.

The purple puff in question showed up after everyone else, panting and huffing. Asla's eyes narrowed at the girl and she shook her head, another sigh drifting free. Kids...

"This won't be anything fancy or intricate. I just wanted to call everyone together to inform you that Kotori and Ochitsuki have left the pack for an undisclosed amount of time to travel." Asla didn't know much about the koi woman, but she could tell that her brother had a thing for her and that was enough. "In his absence, I am the standing alpha of Valta. Any issues, concerns or what have you should be directed to me. I'm available day and night."

And that was it. Meeting over. "Quick and painless, right?" The blonde fae flashed the group a toothy grin and motioned with a pull of her head towards the freshly killed deer. "Feel free to eat your fill and mingle if you'd like." As if to show that it was time for relaxation, Asla's forelegs slid outward and she leaned against Indigo's shoulder.

"Asla Indarra"