She had been a recluse for far too long now, after the events leading up to her stepping down from Ashen's leadership. She felt deeply ashamed despite the support she had in Maverick, and though she wanted so badly to shake it the once great Empress wore it shamefully. Her head didn't quite raise as high as it once had, but she still held to her Klein regality. White gloved paws carried her into Hallowed lands where she knew that she would be welcomed, by Artorias at the very least.

Her sunset eyes did find their way to familiar faces, and she smiled proudly at Delphi while her attwntion shifted to Sirius. Her own offerings were given, she had lost so many wolves but more recently she had heard that her mother had passed. So she gave a small sprig of honeysuckle for both mother and father as she made her way to sit near her old mentor and friend.

Kitchen work was never done. Isa had assisted in preparing the feast for the bonfire festival. Eventually Briar had insisted that she go join the festivities, and the old woman begrudgingly agreed. After cleaning herself up a bit, Isa made her way out to the rest of the group. She arrived as Sirius made his offering to the pyre, likely in memory of his deceased wife. The blue fae had picked a few vibrant flowers on her way to the plains and she moved forward to place them within the pile of branches. One for each child and husband lost. She stared for a moment, offering silent words to them, then went and lay down on her belly beside Sirius. She remained quiet, contemplative, allowing everyone their moment of reflection.

"Speech"

Sorrow had plagued every step from Serpent Plains to Starlit Plains. Haiku was gone. Gone. Never again would he smile upon her. Never again would she be able to make him smile by calling him Hero. Never again would she feel comfortable and safe in his embrace. Never.

Their time together had been spent making him as happy as she could manage. That time and happiness had an unexpected but very welcome result. Bowen was pregnant. Her svelte frame had the smallest indication of a swollen belly and it was easy enough to hide if she wanted to, but she didn't. The Carpathian was proud of her current state. Proud that Haiku would live on through her.

Bowen had buried Haiku beneath a large cherry blossom tree. It had been difficult to do it alone with the ground being frozen, but she refused to stop until he was laid to rest with his ancestors. Once she had a good cry laying on top of the grave, the caramel fae snapped a branch off of the tree and carried it all the way home with her. Bishop and Prose stuck to her side, concern in their cracking speech. She assured them that she would be okay and never stopped walking until she reached home. The scent trails leading in that direction confirmed that it was indeed time for the summer festival. Just in time.

Grave dirt still clinging to her coat and blossomless branch between her teeth, Bowen made her way to the pyre and placed her offering upon it. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she prayed to whatever gods existed, asking them to take care of Haiku as they had taken care of Boogie. Then she made her way to a shadowy place where the tall grass would shroud her tears... and she cried.

"Bowen"

Cerberus had officially asked to leave Elysium to be with Scylla and Albion but that didn't stop him from attending The Hallows annual festival. He knew they were kind and giving hosts and knew everyone attending would have fun as long as they meant well.

He had joined rather separately from anyone else but with a few other stragglers as everyone flooded the pack lands. The fire would start soon, he could tell, and then the feast would begin. He did briefly stop by Elysium's group before Mariah had spotted and greeted him. He'd show that gentle warm grin he was well known for at least with those he liked. A paw reached out as he gently touched her foreleg and looked behind him at those who had joined from Elysium, "Enjoy some time with your family, I'll meet up with you soon." He did come for a good time, but with Mariah specifically insisting she'd enjoy his presence he wouldn't leave her to the night alone. Still, she should have experienced some of The Hallows culture herself. He briefly approached Artorias with a nod of his head, "It's good to see you again." It had been quite a long time, years even. But he hoped as himself could have a proper standing with The Hallows. He'd turn back to find his place in the crowd, maybe near Mariah if she chose to join him again.

"Cerberus"

Despite the more somber connotation to at least a portion of the bonfire's festivities, Briar looked forward to the event each year. Always the hostess, she loved having so many wolves visiting and always looked forward to having an excuse for her family and friends to visit. She had hung near the borders for a while, greeting some of their guests as they arrived until she was sure they were nearing the point where Artorias would light the bonfire. She gathered up the branches she had prepared with delicate blooms from the garden and walked over to where the bonfire had been prepared, placing them on the pyre. There was one specifically for her mother, but a few more for all of the wolves they collectively had lost. Even though they were not her family nor was she particularly close to any of them herself, their pack was close knit and the loss was felt through them all regardless. Once they were in place she made a quick round through the crowd, greeting the familiar faces and giving a little affection to each of their children that had decided to come. She left her father for last on purpose so that she could give him a longer hug, giving him a smile before she went to take her place next to Artorias, leaning into him for a moment with a kiss to his cheek. She knew how deeply he felt emotions and how much this event meant to him so she always made sure to be here to support him.

"Briar Carpathius"

Imagine the absolute bolt of electric anxiety that raced down her spine when she realized she was the first of Avalon to arrive. It zing'd straight down to the base of her tail, and she felt like her hackles would never be smooth again. Finch had danced around the border for a while, hanging back, hoping someone else would trail in first and she could ride the coattails of their entrance comfortably, but no such savior appeared. She hadn't shown up with empty paws - her parents had raised her better than that - but as she watched groups of pack wolves appear, laden with gifts and offerings to the bonfire, the one wax-sealed cask of mead she'd procured seemed paltry. Insufficient. Some might say embarrassing. Gulping down her fears, she shuffled in quietly at the rear of the latest procession.

Seeing most wolves stop and pay deference to the large blue-toned male and the delicately horned female next to him, Finch stopped briefly and stammered a polite thank you before dropping her mead off at the tables weighed down with delicious food and drink. She also had a young apple branch, still green and pliable, wrapped around the wax seal of the mead. Finch worried it loose with her teeth and waited for an opening to the tremendous bonfire. When one appeared, she deposited the branch among the other offerings and retreated to the edge of the festival, her eyes still darting around for a familiar face.

Bramble is a busy daughter, taking her role within the pack seriously. Not a day went by that she didn't spend every waking moment doing something. Whether is patrolling, cooking, cleaning (anything but her own room), practicing, teaching, and sitting in on meetings, Bramble was doing it all. By the time her head hit the pillow every night, she would near instantly fall asleep from exhaustion. It was safe to say she was avoiding her room, her life, and all the worry that niggled at the back of her head. Not only was there threat of an enemy on the horizon, but Tate was nowhere to be found. No longer did he linger around the grove in their meeting spot. While she'd been contemplating whether staying with him was a good decision or not, his absence made her realize that she needed him in her life.

So though she has little hope for Tate to attend the summer festival, Bramble still takes her time to get ready. Bathing, brushing, and braiding her fur to near perfection. Her bright teal eyes encased in a slight shimmer of makeup borrowed from Clove. Makeup wasn't entirely her thing, but tonight, she wanted to feel pretty. Leaving her room as much of a disaster as it usually was, she finally made her way down the multiple staircases and out into the plains.

Already, so many wolves appeared. Wolves from her family and ones she had no idea who they even were. It seemed word had gotten out and attendance was higher than she could ever remember. Taking a deep breath, she puts on a cordial smile and makes her way over to her mother and father. Greeting both of them and all of her siblings and their dates in turn, her eyes finally land on Dusk and Sitri. Excitement zaps across her face as her tail begins to wag furiously. 'Is that him?!' Bramble mouths, taking a few steps toward her sister and the boy who clearly had been the one Dusk had confided in her about.

As she nears, a familiar scent wafts over to her, forcing her paws to stop. Freezing, eyes widening, her attention is suddenly drawn to a chocolate and white splashed figure weaving in and out of the crowd. How long had it been since he'd disappeared? Breathless, her heart slamming into her chest, Bramble can't believe it. Was she imaging him?

When their gazes finally meet after a few painful moments, Bramble's jaw actually drops. Her eyes feel misty, but she holds them back. Instead, she makes her way as quickly as she can without being noticed. As soon as she's within in distance, Bramble quickly wraps Tate up in an embrace, burying her face into his neck. Happiness and fury and relief all swirl around inside of her as she pulls back, her smile developing into a scowl. "You can't ever do that again," she hisses under her breath, her eyes still watery and fighting to hide all the emotions that swell up.

table coding by bunni ♥

Lumine trailed along with her siblings toward Auster. While she would have rather stayed back so she could hang around with Dominus, she had heard that Elysium had been invited as well. Would the boy from next door be attending too? With the hope of seeing her friend, Lumine gave the excuse to her siblings that she was going to keep them company. Staying close to Styrmir's side, knowing he gets all jumbled up about being protective, Lumine is in silent awe as they cross over the borders. Beneath a setting sun and the beginning twinkle of stars, a mounding pile of wood reached for the heavens. As she looked, she noticed how many wolves approached with various objects, appearing more somber than joyful. Was this the bonfire that had been mentioned? The one that would be lit to remember those lost? Leaning over to nuzzle her nose against Styrmir's cheek briefly before departing, Lumine makes her way to the bonfire in silence. Reaching from the satchel around her neck, she pulls out a stone that shimmers under the twilight of the setting sun. A stone from the mountain to remember her mother and everything that symbolized her hope in the world. With a sigh and a single tear rolling down her cheek, Lumine places the rock within the sticks of the bonfire. Words are whispered quietly under her breath before she turns to go back toward her siblings. At least with them at her side, she could try to have fun tonight. Lumine Trygg

table coding by bunni ♥

The trip was far from short for the family. Although most of the pups did not have fun in the bag, Lyra did. She sat at the top of hers; being one of the smallest, she more than likely wasn't too much of a burden for the ones below. Every once in a while the top of the bag would give way, allowing Lyra to peek through and see the beauty of their journey. It sparked something in her: the urge to explore. She did not know why, where, who, or even what they were doing but all she knew was her mother told her to go in the bag, so she did and she didn't complain. By now she would become sleepy and the bag hadn't offered her another glimpse to keep her awake. She would quickly fall into a nap.

***********

The hustle and bustle around her would wake her up just before one of her siblings stepped on her to get out. Impatient most of them were. Eventually, the opportunity to get out arose, and Lyra quickly hopped out of the bag. Stretching her little limbs and yawning with a loud nose. Once comfortable, she would look at her surroundings, and she was astonished. She had yet to see so many strangers. What were they doing here? Who were these people? Yes the land was gorgeous but she was uncomfortable being surrounded by those she did not know. Swallowing a lump in her throat, her eyes searched for familiarity...

Perfect! She saw Pythia wandering away from others and quickly ran over. Her tongue bounced as she smiled, "Pythia! Pythia wait!", she would call out. Once she caught up to her sister she would lick her cheek in greeting.

"Is it okay if I join you? I dont like all these strangers."





"Speech!"

Code © Skelle/Witchdogtor DO NOT USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

A new pack and a new family meant new traditions and new events for him to become acquainted with. Dusk had clued him in on what the bonfire was and what it represented for them. He was thankful that he didn't have anyone to mourn–at least he hoped not. He wasn't sure where his parents were any more or how they were doing, but he liked to believe that they found the peaceful retreat they had hoped for and were living the rest of their lives happily there. In that sense he didn't have anything he wanted to contribute, but he did want to spend time with Dusk and be an extra set of eyes since she was on guard duty of sorts. He followed Dusk out to the plains where more wolves than he had ever seen in one place had begun to gather. It seemed like wolves form all sorts of packs had come out for the event and even some loners too. He settled next to her, giving her a little grin before he started to peek around at the other guests, trying to see if he spotted any familiar faces in the crowd from Ashen. To his surprise he spotted his aunt approaching the group and an excited grin pulled across his face. He began to get up to go greet her, but he spotted his cousin running across the plains toward her so he stopped himself with a chuckle, settling back down on his haunches next to Dusk. He'd let Rebel have this moment and he'd catch up with Venom later instead.

"Sitri Klein-Destruction"

Rebel didn't really know what was up with this pack event with the bonfire, but everyone seemed pretty excited about it. Since Ember left to go do diplomatic things she wasn't really sure who to ask about it so she figured she'd just show up and see what happened. By the time she made it down from her room in the castle and out to the plains a huge crowd of wolves had already started to gather around the fire. She blinked with surprise as she took it all in. The Hallows certainly knew how to throw a get together! She kind of wandered around the crowd a little bit, mostly just trying to find a place to hang out until it was time to get everything started, until she spotted Ember among some of the other wolves she didn't recognize. She was obviously traveling with some of the wolves from the pack she had been visiting. Still, it was good to see the one familiar face she had in this pack so she wiggled through the crowd to get to her, nudging her shoulder with a grin. "Hey, it's good to see you."

Not even a moment later, she happened to glance over Ember's shoulder and her eyes widened with surprise. "Mom? Dad?" she asked mostly rhetorically before she bounded off toward them with a grin, her tail wagging excitedly. She had of course expected wolves from other packs to attend or whoever might be friends with The Hallows, but for some reason it never crossed her mind that her parents might come too. She threw her forelegs around her dad's neck, nearly barreling into him and laughing as she hugged him tight before letting go to do the same to her mom. It had only been a season or so since she left home, but that was the longest she had ever been away from them so she had missed them a lot. "I'm really glad you came," she said genuinely before settling in beside them to watch the bonfire.

"Rebel Klein"

It felt like every year that passed the bonfire became a bigger and bigger event. She knew that was bound to happen the more friends and allies that Artorias gathered for The Hallows, but it still surprised her each year just how many wolves came together for what had begun as a simple moment of remembrance. As always, she prepared a branch for Resin for the fire and she placed it next to the others with a little smile. Slowly as the years passed the ache and the pain of loss dulled. More and more as her own age crept on her she felt more inclined to think of the good and the nostalgia than the bad and the heartache. Most years she would move around the crowd, greeting everyone and spending bits of time with her children and grand children, but this year she was feeling wistful and instead sat back, finding a good vantage point to see everyone else interacting and enjoying each other's company. She didn't plan on staying long, just long enough to see Artorias light the fire, and then she'd go back to her den for the night. Still, just being here and seeing everyone made her happy.

Tamsyn Carpathius of the Valley

For once in all of her years of constant work, Gwynevere had managed to convince herself to take the day off–mostly–and used the bonfire that evening as an excuse to relax. Of course, relaxing to her meant organizing her own personal store of more experimental herbal components in her library, but by the time the sun began to set and she heard her brother calling for everyone to join him she was quite relaxed–and quite organized. Large events and gatherings like this was had never been very comfortable for her so she hoped that by taking the time off today she might be more mentally prepared for facing the crowds. What she hadn't really accounted for was the fact that this was the biggest turn out they had for any of their bonfire festivals. As she approached from the castle she was immediately daunted by just how many wolves were there and hung back toward the edges for a bit, her ears flicking uncertainly. It was hard for her to pick out one face in the crowd to move toward until she eventually spotted Mercury toward the center of it all. With a frown, she carefully picked her way through the crowd to make her way over to where he was standing and it wasn't until she made it to his side that she breathed a small sigh of relief. Giving him a smile she settled onto her haunches beside him and turned to give her brother her full attention.

Gwynevere | Eilwen

If it wasn't for Dovleac getting into something he shouldn't have Solaire probably would have gotten to the bonfire early, but because he had to spend some time cleaning up the mess and scolding his friend for breaking into the greenhouse to eat some of the vegetables he was trying to cultivate he was going to almost be late! He hurried out to where everyone was already gathered around the bonfire with soil and bits of leaves clinging to his paws and forelegs and then tried his best to stay out of sight of his mother. He knew that if she saw him coming to a pack function this dirty he was going to be in so much trouble. Luckily, the crowd of wolves was so dense that he was able to skirt around behind most of them and keep his legs at least out of sight. He couldn't get up close like a lot of his other siblings, but that was okay! He just wanted to hear his dad talk and see the fire be lit and then he could go back to fixing the garden and get cleaned up. Who knew, maybe he'd make it back in time to mingle a little before everyone left if he was lucky!

"Solaire Carpathius"

Part of him really wanted to skip the bonfire this year–not because he didn't enjoy it and not even because it meant he'd have an opportunity to take advantage of his wife while the castle was mostly empty, but because it was the first year that he actually had someone to honor and grieve. He had kind of awkwardly picked out a branch from the garden to bring with him even though he had debated doing it at all. He still had yet to really process how he felt about his dad's death since he had either been distracted by looking after Aylin or by all of his duties around the pack and this was making him face it in a way. He walked down toward the bonfire beside Syanna with a little reluctance and stepped away from her side to go put his branch on the fire. He stood there for a moment, wondering if he should say something or if just the branch was enough, until he finally said to himself quietly, "Miss you, dad." He turned away then, giving Art a nod and a little smile before going back to Syanna and settling in beside her, draping a foreleg around her shoulders and pulling her into his side.

"Ezra Adravendi"

Code © Skelle/Witchdogtor DO NOT USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

The male walked, quiet with his armor and companions in toe. Ruby was in flight in the sky, silently watching and searching while Sebastián was at his heels. His sole ear pressed as he moved. The only noise from him the sound of leathers rubbing with leather and metal.

With Lucy gone hed been completely alone. Not to mention his demotion. Trust was being thrown away right now, but a deal with him was a deal. He glanced to his side where Haydee shadowed him. A grumble was his only words. Shadows danced in his eyes. The love of his life, gone, stolen. His mother in law, gone, vanished. What was he supposed to do, not start to slip? Tani had probably told Hay to make him leave the den. After all he respected Haydee and would never deny her. She was a former leader maybe, but to him he wanted to serve no other than Bell's and her chosen heir.

Call him old fashion.

Haydee had said she wanted an escort and he had picked up on her nervousness to be in a public setting with potential raiders. He was her body guard tonight. He stopped at the edge of the meeting, looking around. He knew Sebastián had already warned Haydee and told her about Lucy and that he might become volatile, but it was also safe to bring him they all knew. Bae would die to keep his family, adoptive or not safe. Almost wanted to die. His heart had shattered when that trail of those slavers had run cold.

He found the blue male with his darkened eyes and dipped his head, though he moved to be away from the raiders. He didn't need their bull shit right now. He could see several. He glanced at Haydee before repositioning to be now walking behind her but close enough to intervene if needed. She could take the lead.

His eyes found the purple galaxy woman and he sighed. He wanted to glare, to hate... but the energy to do so, it just wasn't there. He knew he was broken. That man who had went charging onto a battlefield and sought vengeance for his son, he just wasn't here right now. Though he passed his eyes to others, the face of Eltrys and the pup from the meeting bringing another sigh. A nudge aimed for Haydee's hip to bring her attention to them, not that he wanted punishment or anger for them being here, just acknowledgement that he had more to protect here than just her. "I'm just gonna sit near the pyre they are going to light, if thats okay with you. I'll be aholler away if you need me....." head dropping and even before she could agree he moved. His ass finding a spot to lay near where the bonfire would be. He had no appetite or want to socialize, just todo his job as used to be bruiser.

"Speech!"

Bellatrix

Trixy was around auster alot these days. Didn't matter where just mattered that she was alive in auster. Ever since losing her chance at a pack she had tried her best to just resume her life as she had. She still had every intention of taking a pack and making her statement to the Syndicate, but there had been time to think and reflect. She needed to get better at fighting, hunting and doing things, and she'd had half a mind to ask Artorias if she could shadow him to learn, but that wouldn't help she figured.

She needed to do it on her own.

She padded into the grounds of the festival Artorias was holding. Her eyes looking about and spotting some familiar faces. Her lips spreading in a grin at Art and the form of Dusk. She'd appreciated the offer woman hanging out with her. Her short tail giving a wag. She moved towards Art first though. Her ears pricked. Had she disappointed him when she failed the first time? She wasn't sure. She stopped short of him and gave a greeting to him with a respectful dip of her head. "Its nice to see you again Sir Artorias." she let him have her smile before seating herself to watch everyone else and enjoy company of the wolves here. She had left Frank to bed down for the night though so the reindeer wouldn't be uncomfortable.


"Talk, 'Think.'
A million dreams for the world we're gonna make

The trip to The Hallows was a long one and it was the first time she really got a sense of just how big Boreas and Auster were. To think that there was another whole continent worth of land past where they currently were was wild in her mind. It made her even more excited to start traveling with her new Diplomat position so she could see even more of it. The Hallows was going to be her first stop and it was so convenient that their Bonfire Festival just so happened to line up with when she wanted to head south so she could travel with a few of the other Armada wolves that wished to attend. She was genuinely surprised by the amount of wolves that gathered around this unlit bonfire. Some of them were from other packs like them, some were loners, some were from the Hallows itself. It was one big melting pot and it was really impressive how many wolves this pack could bring together. It made her all the more interested in learning diplomacy from this group. She’d find a moment to ask Artorias if she could stay for a while here to do just that at some point, but for now she made a beeline for her grandfather, giving him a grin as she stretched to reach up and give him a kiss on the cheek. “I was hoping you’d be here,” she said with a chuckle before she settled onto her haunches to watch the bonfire lighting.

"Wynter Fatalis"

If he had planned things a bit better he might have saved his trip to visit The Hallows for when it would line up with this festival better so he wouldn’t have to make the trip twice, but given the fact that this was their best ally he would still happily come to show support regardless. He approached the Hallows lands with the small group of Elysian wolves that had wanted to come along and easily spotted the large group of wolves that had begun to gather around. Well, there was certainly no missing the party, he supposed. Luckily it seemed like they had made it just in time. Some of the others of his group spread out to mingle and he took a moment to walk over to where Artorias was waiting to begin the festivities. He gave the Lord of Cinder a respectful dip of his head and told him, “Thank you for the invitation. We’re happy to be visiting your pack again.” Glancing down at where Kintsugi was glued to his side, he added, “This is Darika, my daughter and heir.” Once Kintsugi had a chance to make her own greetings he gave Art and Briar another dip of his head before he led his daughter away to go find a seat and wait for the bonfire to begin.

"Deimos Mendacium"

The trip to Auster was so long, but she wanted to go see this pack in the south that she had heard so much about bad enough that she was willing to put up with the long trip to get there—especially since she was able to ride on her father’s back most of the time. By the time they finally got there a bunch of wolves were already clumped up around what she assumed would become the bonfire, so many more wolves than she had ever seen in one place before! She slid down off of her father’s back and shook out her fur, smoothing down her chest and head fur just like her momma had taught her so she would look her best. She followed closely beside her dad as he walked over to a pair of wolves that looked kind of important and she looked up at the adults around her, glancing between her dad and the man that she quickly figured out must be Artorias. When her dad introduced her she smiled to Artorias and Briar as she dipped low in a respectful bow. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she recited, keeping true to all of her lessons in manners. When they walked away and she sat down next to her dad, she leaned over to him and whispered, “How was that?”

"Kintsugi Mendacium"