Many things had changed in the last few seasons and it was time to officially announce several changes that were to come.  Kotori made his way to the pack's meeting spot.  Several different large rocks were formed in a circular pattern.  Two rocks were larger than the rest.  Until recently there had been only one giant rock but Kotori had spent the night changing that to show Ochi in the morning.  He would not have Ochitsuki sit lower than him.

Kotori took his spot on one of the two large rocks.  He sat with his shoulders back and head high with pride.  So much good news to share and plans that hopefully his pack would be equally excited for.  The pack had grown and this time the circle of wolves should be considerably more filled than prior times.  

"Kotori Fatalis"

Well it had only been a matter of time. Mojito still had some reservations about just how fully his children would be opened up to the general population of Valta. Not helped by the knowledge of his own cousin wandering around. He was wary to say the least. Still there would be no denying Kotori nor would he even try. Still they had their paws full trying to herding seven children and it was easier to split their efforts. Mojito started with the kids that were in or close to the den. He gathered whoever he could find up and gently explained they had to answer the call they'd all just heard. Then making sure all his little ducks were in a row he lead them towards the rapids. They appeared to be the first to arrive and Mojito gave Kotori a respectful dip of his head. Before he picked a place to settle himself on his haunches and gathered the children he'd managed to grab up. "That's Kotori, he leads our pack. He called the pack for a meeting so our job is to sit quietly and listen alright? You may speak if asked or told to." He gently instructed, and spotting Tsuki already starting to wander off both mentally and physically, reached out to fish his daughter back, rolling her gently over onto her back where she happily set about mauling his forepaw. At least that was keeping her where she was.

"Speech!"

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Tsuki was so happy to be allowed to play outside now! She was busy watching an ant crawl across the ground, when the call rang through the air and her head popped up, ears perking though they would never not be folded over themselves. She glanced around quizzically, what did that mean? The tiny girl spotted her dad and he gestured for her to follow him. Done! She trotted happily after him, tried to listen as he explained what the call had meant, would she retain that? Only time would tell. Still she was more than happy to keep following her father as he lead them towards the place with the fast water! He seated himself and began to give some instructions but even as the word meeting was leaving his lips Tsuki found her focus slipping off somewhere else. She was looking at the other man that was here and was just starting to wander towards him when she felt her father's paw snake around her and she was pulled onto her back where her previous goal was immediately forgotten as she playfully started biting at her dad's paw! Happy where she was. "Speech"

Art by Fewtish

Ume has been gazing off into the distance for the last ten minutes (at least), so Mojito has no trouble bundling him up and herding him from the den. lost in thought as he is, the boy scarcely registers the path they take, moving along as though in auto pilot. he doesn’t even take in much of what’s around him, too-bright eyes bypassing the territory with a glazed-over expression, everything washing over him with as little impact as possible. occasionally his attention will snag on something specific - that butterfly is missing a wing, and that plant has been partially stomped on - but for the most part he doesn’t tune back in until Mojito’s speech is largely finished. “-and listen, alright? you may speak if asked to or told to.” Ume’s head tilts in a lazy half-nod, the motion cut off by the antics of his sister. he watches her nibble on Mo’s paw, curiosity spiking his interest. do paws taste good? will his own? he shoves one into his mouth and bites down, hard - then emits a little squeak when pain shoots through the affected area. okay, yowch, he’s not trying that again.

He’d aroused from a well needed rest. Head having been comfortable displayed across Varushka’s back, now sat looking out from their den. There was a call on the winds. A beckoning that could not be ignored. One he knew all too well as he stood. Shaking out his coat in the process. Tongue rasping across his mate’s forehead with a gentle nip to her ear. "We must go, my earth. Kotori calls.” He waited momentarily for her to arise; before, leading them both down the memorable worn paths to where several others waited. Easily he recognized Mojito and their pups. A nod of greeting t’wards the new family. He gave a small chuckle at the thought of Varush carrying his litter. The image alone brought a flutter feeling to a beating heart. Which caused him to look at the earthen woman with a suggestive look.

To say he had changed in such a short time would surely be an understatement. Khranbari was an entirely new male. One he did not recognize; but, easily embraced forever more. There were a few rocks just a bit off to which he chose to settle. Tail falling limp along the back of the hard surface. While he took a seat in wait for the meeting to start. Eyes watching the trees for the arrival of others.
"Khranbari Chah Fao"

Hanataro sat close to her family, quietly watching the group of wolves gather. To her this was a very grand event, so these were all her potential friends. Shyly she stuck close to Tsuki and Mo mildly watching the antics of her sibling. Oh heavens she certainly hoped the head honcho wouldn’t call on her what would she even say. Fluffing up her fur she shook her head trying to get a grip on the world around her. This was supposed to be really important right so she had to stay still and listen super carefully.

Though she gently put out a paw, "Papa can we watch some butterflies later?" she whispered quietly. She liked watching bugs. Though she wasn’t sure if there would be any right now. She’d only seen one once, and instead of trying to catch it she’d stared at it for what felt like forever until her family told her to come back. She was such an easily distracted child.

Shochu had been a bit resistant to his papa’s efforts to round him and his siblings up, far more interested in trying to eat more of some plant he found, but papa insisted that they come along and stick close together. It was disappointing, and any attempt to stray away from his siblings was quickly caught by his papa. Giving in, Sho would eventually walk the rest of the way before the sight of the rushing water caught his attention. He stopped, but he unfortunately wasn’t listening to the important message that his papa was telling them. He saw Tsuki try to go for the water, and papa scoop her back. The boy’s gaze shifted to that paw. Maybe if he just tried to sneak around him he could go get a better look! Lifting a paw he started to creep forward, his gaze shooting to his papa to see if the man would notice his attempted escape.

"Speech," 'Thought.'

Ochi wasn't that great with children. She was kind, but her personality was rather dry. They didn't seem to take a shine to her like they did to others, which was fine. Perhaps it would be different when or if she had her own, but for now, she gave the new pups a wide berth. She watched them though, orange and blue eyes keeping tabs to make sure that they didn't wander off or harm themselves.

The black and white fae took a seat upon the stone that matched Kotori's, shooting him a soft little smile and a nod of thanks for the gesture. She appreciated his thoughtfulness, though it wouldn't have bothered her had he not remembered. It did go to show that he thought of them as equals and that was... comforting.

Since Kotori was the focal point of the meeting, Ochi slid down to lay upon her stomach on the rock, though she still held her head high and was the picture of proper decorum.

"Ochitsuki"

Not being alpha of Valta left Asla with a lot of free time. Yes, she hunted. Yes, she filled the stores. Yes, she patrolled the borders. These tasks didn't take all day. In her free time, the blonde woman found herself helping Mojito and Nao wrangle their mess of puppies. Asla had thought that she hated children at one point, but that wasn't the case. She adored them and Mo's pups were no different. Coming into the clearing for the meeting, Asla noted that Shochu was trying to skirt past his father and that just wouldn't do. The scarred fae scruffed the boy and carried him back to his father before sliding down to lay on her stomach with Shochu between her forelegs. "Meetings are important, little man. We'll do fun things after." "Speech"

Indigo was feeling a bit of empty nester syndrome with his sweet daughter going off to explore the world. He couldn’t hold her back, and he knew that learning the world would do her good. Even if it meant that he would miss her dearly. So Indigo did his best to enjoy Aslatiel’s company when he could, she was often helping out with the newest litter of puppies to grace Valta. Though even he wasn’t exactly sure where they had come from.

He followed after Aslatiel as the pack gathered at the meeting spot, the first since Kotori had made his grand return as leader. Indy couldn’t deny he was quite proud of his little brother, and that showed on his expression as he gave Ko a respectful nod. He made himself comfortable at Asla’s side and waited for the rest of the pack to arrive.


"Speech"

The boy had thought his plans were foolproof, but just as he thought to start taking bolder steps toward the waters and break into a run he felt himself being scruffed. Disappointment filled him as he was turned away from the view of the water and carried back to the rest of his family. He was placed between his aunt’s forelegs and he looked up at her, tops of his ears twitching as he frowned. If both his papa and auntie said that he needed to listen, then he would have to. But he didn’t understand why it was their job… nor could he possibly fathom the weight of importance it had at this point in his life.

“Okay auntie Asla…” Despite his hunger to experience the world around him, he wouldn’t fight being told that it was important twice, even if it was confusing. When his papa and Outou-chan spoke of things that were important, their tones shifted and their body language was different. Maybe this was like that? But… his brow furrowed with confusion as he looked at Kotori. He didn’t get it. His Papa and Auntie were acting like he should listen to Kotori like he was supposed to listen to them, and they would listen too… but Kotori wasn’t their papa… right? He didn’t look like their papa. The more he tried to figure it out the more his head hurt. He’d lay down and put his head on his paws, keeping his gaze on the man on the rock as he did his best to keep focused on him now.

"Speech," 'Thoughts.'

Rounding up seven puppies to trundle off to a meeting was more work than he cared to admit, but he wasn't even close to complaining. It was all quite rewarding, though he worried that his children lacked the manners necessary for such an event. Typically, he'd been left at home or with a neighbour at this age. His was a culture steeped in social niceties and customs, to a degree that most of these lands were not. At the end of it all, he trusted his beloved to ensure that they were not making a misstep of some sort. After all this time, his "social skills" were "rusty".

Despite their slow pace, the young family was among the first to arrive to the meeting. So he settled with Mojito at his side, and soon enough they were joined by Aslatiel. Nao's feelings on the relationship that he now shared with the woman were.. complex. He did not hate her, and all said he did not resent her in the way he did the majority of the Fatalis lineage. However, he still wasn't certain he loved her in the way that he ought to for his children and lover's sake. She secured an errant Shochu as the boy attempted to make a beeline for the water- he and the young man could discuss that after the meeting.

He leaned his hip against Mojito's, eager to maintain a point of contact to anchor him throughout the meeting. The wraith was still wary of pack life, despite his relative freedom. Some kind of reassurance was imperative to keep a cool head while in attendance. So he carefully pinned Chuhai between his forelegs, leaving enough of a gap for another child to join in there, and let out a soft sigh.

"Speech!"

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our home is outer space

black skies and endless seas

Harumi had, luckily for their fathers, not taken the opportunity of their distractions to wander much further. Instead, they had been pawing at a bug, big and fat and yellow, that had landed on a flower nearby. Their ears flicked at the howl, curiosity flooding them, but they didn't get a chance to ask before the yellow bug suddenly started towards them. With a yelp of surprise, they backed away, fleeing the smaller creature and nearly running right into the legs of their Papa.

Who had, right on cue, begun explaining that they needed to answer the call. Harumi's ears twitched again- they wanted to ask why, but in the moment, anything would be better than being chased by that bug. So they follow, without much complaint at all, only half listening to what their Papa had to say during the journey, focused almost entirely on the pretty scenery. It's only when they stop and Harumi nearly bumps into their father's legs that they pay attention.

He's telling them to be still and quiet during this gathering, and this time Harumi does find it in them to take offense to the mere idea of it. "But why?" As far as they're concerned, with their puplike nature, there's nothing that could be so interesting to make them be quiet.

this is not enough,

this is not enough

love, dante

Arcturus was in the middle of preparing some supplies that would eventually become some new hunting traps when he heard his uncle's call for a meeting. It had been a while since they had a meeting so he was pretty eager to see everyone. Even though Valta wasn't a huge pack, it was still somehow possible for him to not see many of them for stretches of time. Of course, he didn't do himself any favors in that department mostly keeping to himself with Vanille, but he certainly couldn't regret something he was so content with. He waited for Vanille to be ready to go, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek before they went off together to join in on the meeting.

By the time they got there, a few familiar faces and some less familiar ones had already gathered–including Mojito's new kids. He had heard from his mother that there were new pups around, but he hadn't actually sought them out to meet them yet. He made a quick detour to greet his mom and Indigo before he picked a spot a few steps away from the bulk of the gathering crowd to settle down onto his haunches, both so Vanille wouldn't have to be right in the middle of the crowd and to give Tira an option for someone to sit by that wasn't right by Mojito and his kids if she didn't want to. He hadn't had the chance to talk to his sister and see how she was feeling about all of it so it didn't hurt to give her an option!

"Arcturus Indarra"

Wolves came and went, joining and leaving the pack while the alpha-ship changed paws twice; and still Athena remained within the Valta ranks. While Kotori had left to tour the lands, the earthen-hued woman had toiled away happily in the pack lands, running patrols and just generally making sure that the pack ran smoothly. Now, with the addition of pups, the pack has had to make extra sure that they stayed safe and the woman was determined to make it so.

That is why is out tracing the familiar pathways around Valta pack lands when Kotori’s summons reaches her ears. Aslatiel had been a wonderful alpha and there had been no bumps along the road as the pack shifted leadership both times but Athena cannot deny the happiness she feels at hearing the founder of the pack call for them. With a bounce in her step, the earthen woman quickly moves across the land to where the meeting is and joins the throng of gathered wolves.

Pups pull her attention here and there, their adorableness too much to pass up and she murmurs hellos to them as she passes by before taking a seat near the middle of the crowd. Amber eyes find Asla in the crowd and she offers the woman a warm smile before lifting her gaze to where Kotori sits tall and she spies a beautiful, monochrome woman laying near him. Brows lift in curiosity as she wonders if that is the Ochitsuki Aslatiel has mentioned at the pervious pack meeting. It is no wonder that Kotori has fallen for her, the woman is… breathtaking.


"Athena Nocturna"

There was so much to do and so little time in the day to get it done, and so when she was whisked away from her very important business for.. a gathering? It would suffice to say that the silver girl was less than pleased with the development. Trailing after her Otou-san and papa, the shining youth stayed quiet only out of habit. There were some fun things to look at while they walked, and the subtle sounds of bird calls all around them were enough entertainment to keep her from pitching a fit. However, that wouldn't last long. Once the group arrived at the mostly-empty meeting site, and her sires began to gather the rest of her litter up to settle down, she grew a little bit antsy. Pressing close to her Otou-san, she sought to sneak into the space between hip and belly, shielded from prying eyes while still having a view if she chose to look out at everyone. Mismatched gaze drifted from one unfamiliar face to the next, examining the differences between these wolves. Some were plainly coloured like her papa and aunty As, while a few were bright and shining like flowers. Many of them were like her papa, with horns or fangs to boast, and she found her attention lingering on the thick manes of fur on two of the older males. She'd never seen their like before, and it was enthralling to try and determine where the long fur blended into the shorter fur of their shoulders and chest. The girl leaned against her Otou-san's foreleg with a long-suffering sigh, as though she herself was the parent of seven tiny terrors and not the reason her sires were going to turn grey.

Being with Arcturus, she felt more grounded than she ever had before. Life with him hadn't changed much, but something new between them had brewed. She had to take those steps to get out more, get to know his family more personally. Maybe do more for the pack. She had more confidence to do it, it was just the final jump.

Kotori called for a pack meeting, and as herself and Arc finished up their tasks she started to head towards the call with him by her side. Once they gathered with the rest of the pack she was quick to follow along Arc and of course gracious for the ways he subtly thought of her. They'd make themselves comfortable and wait for Kotori to start the meeting. She was finally starting to believe she could open herself up.

"Vanille"
Base By WatermelonCreature

A howl from Kotori, another pack meeting to attend. It wasn't that Satira minded pack meetings or anything, she just had better things to be doing with her time. Like reorganizing her private stash of herbs and medicines. In the middle of shuffling around some of her bottles, vials, and decoctions, she heard her uncle's call and heaved a sigh. Really? Right now? Well, no sense in delaying it, she supposed... "Ciná!" she called back behind her into their den. "Get up, there's a meeting going on!" Stepping down the little stepladder she used to reach her shelves, Tira gave her coat a shake and a smoothing to at least attempt to look presentable, then waited by the entrance for her giant roommate to come join her so they could walk over to the meeting together.

As they neared the gathering, Tira could already see her father and his new family milling about over there, the abundance of small nature-defying puppies scampering about. It made the little wolf-dog's throat tighten a bit. She still wasn't 100% sure how she felt about the whole situation—not that she really had a choice or a say in the matter. She didn't blame her father for any of it though. How could anyone have predicted this?! "Stay by me, okay...?" she whispered to Ciná as they drew near. And then as if flipping on a switch, Tira was all sweet smiles and bright blue eyes as she regarded her sire and her mother, finding a spot somewhere in between Mojito's new family and her family where she and Ciná could sit on their own.

"Cináed & Satira"

Ciná awoke with a snort when he was suddenly jolted awake from his nap by the sound of their alpha calling everyone for a meeting. He rubbed his face with his paws with a low grumble just as Tira called to him from the other room, telling him to get up. "I'm coming, I'm coming..." he muttered with a sigh. Rolling out of bed, he gave himself a hard shake to wake himself up and smooth whatever fur might have gotten disheveled while he was sleeping before he stepped out to join Tira and walk with her to join their pack mates. As they got closer he started scanning the crowd, spotting some familiar faces like Kotori, Aslatiel, Tira's brother and his girlfriend, and–of course–Tira's dad. He had yet to actually speak to the man, but he had heard from her about the unusual existence of their new pups. "Where else would I be?" he replied in a quiet rumble with a reassuring bump to her shoulder as they got closer and while she gave everyone in her disjointed family he gave each of them a polite nod as he took a seat beside Tira, though he did give Asla a bit of a grin.

"Cináed & Satira"

With the newest edition to his large family, Strix has been slightly remiss in his duties to Valta. Traveling between the packs, playing with the new pups, and making sure his mother who had birthed nine pups was okay has taken up a lot of his time. However, the young man could not be happier. For a time, he had thought that his family hated him but, after a visit from his mom and dad, he had realized the flaw in presumptions.

With a bounce in his step, Strix crosses over into Valta land, having just returned from another trip to Ashen, when a summons reaches his ears. Hustling, the man makes his way to his den, deposits his satchel of herbs inside and quickly shakes the dust of travel out of his fur before making his way to meeting. Arriving late but thankfully before the Sumatar has begun, Strix spies Athena and quickly makes his way to her side while offer smiles to everyone. Settling in beside her, he tosses the woman a wink before turning his attention to Kotori, ready to hear what news he has to share.


"Strix Klein"