Spring was nearly over - summer would be upon them shortly and Ebony limped along with very little enthusiasm and interest from it's members. What little discipline and cohesion they had held under Val was faded and nearly forgotten. Maximous' blatant disrespect still stung at the young man. It was not in his nature to hold a grudge but this... under three rulers before him no one had to step up and make a judgement, mete out discipline, and it was a symptom of something deeper. There was a lack of faith in his leadership and the doubts of others ate at his confidence and in that lack grew self-doubt. Speaking with Sigmarr, having him at his side now as his beta - his Guardian - had helped a lot. Having reunited with both Svetlana and Val had helped. The confidence his siblings seemed to have helped. But he still couldn't help but feel that he wasn't good enough. That he wasn't doing a proper job of it. He was going to be two years old tomorrow. It occurred to him that it would be a good cause to celebrate. Not just his birth, but the birth of every one of the pack members that had been born in the summer months. His littermates, his adopted siblings, Solo. They should do this at the start of every season. It would promote community, and they could have fun... right? So with very little plan other than that Kassander made his way to the top of the rock his mother had always used to call meetings. He tossed back his white-masked face and called out for the pack, inviting them all to join him. "Talk" "You" Think

(OOC: Basically setting this on the last day of spring - the eve of summer if you will. First round replies will be due at noon on SUNDAY, February 15th. Short notice but I want to see if everyone's paying attention and Kass will want to explain things before it officially clicks over into summer.)

Max had done little more than lay around and be worthless since Callisto had quite literally run away from him. He hadn't expected to get that reaction from her, Kassanders punishment had been nothing in comparison. Sure he had been stripped of a rank, but Calli meant more to him than that. Much more but based on her reaction to his admission, he would assume she wanted nothing to do with him. When Kass would call for a pack meeting, Maximous would have to peel himself from the ground beneath him and make his way to where the boy stood.

Kassander hated him and Callisto, as far as he knew, did too. Maybe he shouldn't have left home and his many, many cousins. Sadly it was to late for that kind of thinking as if he were going to think about that it should have been within the first weeks of his absence, not after he had been gone for more than a year. He had seen no one else with the healers mark in this land so as far as he knew, he had no family. No one that cared for him as such and no one for him to care for. Every time he tried to care for some one it backfired on him. Ebony was becoming less and less like home and more like a prison with every passing day. He had joined with pride and hope, if he left it would be with a blackened heart.

Upon his arrival Max would lay beneath the shade of a rock, at the edge of hearing range. The man did not wish to speak with anyone or even look at anyone. Blue eyes would not even look at Kassander but rather they would aim unseeing at a small rock just two feet from him.

When the howl sounded his head snapped up from where it had been resting on his paws, ears pulling forward. He had actually been finding that he had started to sleep better and better, although it did little to drop his grumpy moods. He didn't know what it was, but he had begun to settle down more. He was more relaxed in Ebony that he had been for quite a long time, something that was almost foreign to the man. Picking himself up on to his paws, he shook out his auburn coat and started to head towards the Rock Garden. When he got close he saw Max, nearly stumbled over the black man who was lingering in the shadows. Right away his lips pulled back into a snarl, his ears laying flat against his head. He didn't trust the man, didn't like him when he rolled in late to his training. He had also felt the tension between Kassander and the healer, and he didn't like it one bit. He growled softly at him, his duo-toned gaze glaring down at him. He didn't even have the guts to look at their alpha. Fendar bit his tongue though, knowing that Kass would probably not be happy if he snapped at the healer. Snorting, he walked passed him and closer to the alpha, smiling up softly at him as he dipped his head, although his eyes were still hard from his encounter. He was on top of a rock, but from his tall height he was able to see him fine -- despite his foggy grey eye. "Greetings, Kassander. And happy early birthday." He said, winking his ember eye as he took a seat where he stood, about a foot or so to the right of the rock.

Gaia would return to Ebony after she and Andromeda went to say their last goodbyes to Natalya. Gaia still felt unsure about the finality of that last encounter, she would never see her aunt again, the woman who raised her and helped her to 'see' the world around her. She was the reason Gaia had become so much more than a helpless blind girl. Her form, though still thin and frail looking, had a layer of taught muscle. She was much stronger than she looked, and with the help of her seeing-eye-bird Gaia could go anywhere and do anything. She'd return to Ebony in time to hear her brother's call, but not with enough time to seek out Solo before. He would be at the meeting surely. She felt early as her dark grey paws brought her to the two of wolves. She'd spoken to Fendar before, at the training session and Kass was with him there. She still felt too somber to smile, but her features would obviously brighten as she came into the Raisa born's presence. She'd boy her head to him quietly before her cardinal jumped into the air from her shoulder and led her to a seat that didn't happen to be in the middle of everything. She lowered herself to her stomach as she waited excitedly to feel Solo at her side once more. ""

Kassander's voice rolled out over the lands, and Mirajane perked upwards. A cluster of spirits had been trailing after her all morning long, and they too began to quiver at the thought of being summoned. Was something wrong? Was someone in trouble? Since her joining she hadn't talked with many others (okay, with anyone) but Kassander had seemed nice enough. This was probably nothing to worry about, and she didn't want to be late to their first summons. She kicked it into high gear and began weaving in between boulders on her way towards... wherever. The moss was squishy underfoot, and she had strands of it dangling from her patterned pelt, remnants of her den refurbishing just prior. She came upon the group at a run, which she slowed hastily into a walk. Dignity had never been her strong suit, and she could not hold back an embarrassed cough. The young girl settled at the back of the group. She was only a Squire, right? Maybe that was where she ought to go? She looked over the others in attendance, giving a courteous nod of greeting to Kassander before acknowledging anyone else. Besides Kassander there were three others: a dark man, a russet man, and a girl of pale coloration much like Mira's own. Walking the thin line between observing and creeping, Mira stared her down. She seemed young, was she friendly? The gods knew Mira needed more friends, because there was no use being in a pack if you kept to yourself. Perhaps she would try to catch her eye once this was all over and done with. Until then, she would do her best to remain silent. "Talk" "You" Think

"Listen to me talk," 'but read my thoughts.'
The call of her brother, King of Ebony, would call to his people. For the first time in forever Svet would rise to answer the call of an alpha. An Ebony alpha. She felt like, somewhere, something had finally settled in her heart. There was a shuffle at her side, naturally, as the polar fox who was her companion shook out her coat and rose as well. The garden had, once more, became their home. They were in a sense strangers again in their homeland, but in the end they would settle in. All would be similar to before, yet with its own differences, as time marches on and changes all things. Still, there was one thing that was agreed upon by both; it was good to be home.

Both wolf and fox would move towards the meeting, pawsteps almost matching. They were a pair, inseparable overall. The fox had faithfully served as Svetlana's friend and guide, keeping her from losing herself. In that sense she was much like Raisa's steward, Koros, and yet the fiery fox was completely different. Svetlana too, though she bore a strong, strong resemblance to her mother, was of a different mind and path. All of that was to be expected in the end, wasn't it? Were they not all individuals?

Silently Svet would arrive, and she would seat herself somewhere on the borders of it all. No sign yet of her other biological siblings, but she had faith they would arrive. Gaia was there however, which was a surprise, yet also refreshing to see. It was wonderful to know her Olympian family had not been shattered even after all the chaos. Sitting by her side, head raised with pride, was Korrin. Silently she gave a nod and a smile to Kass, twitching her ears in greeting. Sure things felt a tad awkward, yet somehow refreshing at the same time.

Table by:: Shelby

Sigmarr raced back to Ebony as fast as his legs could carry him. Aerndís didn't know about Kassander or any of his other siblings and he had to let Sindri know that their worst nightmare was still around and stalking them. There was a chance that if he and Sindri took off they could spare Ebony dealing with that monster and perhaps work out a plan from there. Of course the only way to full scrub the earth clean of Aerndís was to kill her…. between the two of them, if they could get her alone then maybe… just maybe. Sigmarr slid into the pitiful gathering, panting as he struggled. He would've preferred a quieter setting but this could not wait. "Kass…." He moved closer, lowering his voice to try and give them some privacy. "It's Aerndís, she's still in Arcanum. She's the one who trained me and the one in charge of recapturing Sindri. She's now a ranking wolf in a pack called Arcanum… and…. oh Kass, she's still after us. I don't know what to do. I think it's for the best if Sindri and I leave Ebony for awhile. Maybe we can lure her into some sort of trap and kill her but…. I'm afraid of what will happen if she learns I have more siblings." In truth Sigmarr had no idea how he'd even begin to lay a trap for Aerndis, but he did know that he and Sindri would never be at peace until she was dead. "Speech"

Sliding into the meeting, the boy scooted over to his sister and with little ceremony, flopped down beside her. Nemesis leaned down to nose her shoulder affectionately and parted with the greeting, "Heya, Gaia." He then let his gaze wander over those gathered, taking in the Xanilovs and the- The boy blinked. Did that girl have swirly marking-y things on her legs? His ears and whiskers pinned forward in interest. That was cool! And really pretty. He realized he was staring, immediately sending his gaze elsewhere in the hopes she hadn't caught him looking. As he was distracted by the pretty girl, Sigmarr's entrance went unnoticed. ""

Sindri was running behind. She'd heard the call and set out to answer it at once, but had gotten distracted and found herself deep in the pursuit of an errant thought before remembering what she'd been doing. Abandoning it, she'd made a beeline for her brother and arrived just in time to catch Sigmarr's entrance. Immediately she went numb. She'd hoped her pursuer, after months of fruitless searching, had returned home or better yet, had died. Learning that she was not only alive but in Alacritia was enough of a shock to force the young Xanilov to the ground, her hind legs suddenly becoming weak at the knee and slowly dropping her to her haunches. ""

At last she and Gaia had finally returned to Ebony lands, it felt good to return home, knowing that their brothers were close by now but although she hadn't been as close to Natalya as Gaia had even she had felt the strange tension of knowing that truly would be their last goodbye. Andromeda personally preferred not to talk or think too much upon that fact how Gaia was coping she wasn't entirely certain. Reaching the borders the golden girl prepared herself to call for Kassander and the rest of their siblings though it seemed that the boy had other matters to attend to, summoning the rest of Ebony to a meeting. Soon she and Gaia would hopefully be official members of the pack at last, normally she wouldn't have dared to step into the lands otherwise but they were so homely and she was unable to wait any longer. Together the two sisters made their way to the meeting. She would first cast a nod of greeting in Kassander's direction as they arrived and as Gaia moved to find a seat to one side, Andromeda would cast a look around to see whether anyone else in the family had arrived yet. She would be pleasantly surprised to spot Sigmarr, Sindri and Svetlana were present, she hadn't seen any of them for such a long time. With Sigmarr busy addressing Kass about something, Andromeda would choose to silently to follow Nemesis' lead and go sit with Gaia, together the two sister's could go and see Kass afterwards. She'd nudge Nemesis' side lightly as she joined the pair. "Gaia is beside you." She teased, she hadn't noticed who he was staring at to be honest, only that something else evidently held his attention. "Kass isn't speaking yet, you can ask how your sisters have been first."

Nikolai hadn't had much motivation to do much of anything as of late. He went about his day, occasionally training in something, but that was about it. It felt like he spent his days just waiting for something to happen. It was like he had no excitement, no want to get out and do something with his day. Instead he just hung around the Ebony teritory, waiting for something to happen or for some sort of summons to call him forward. Just such a summons would sound, the voice clearly Kassander's, and Nikolai would rise to his paws to move toward it with little hesitation. He was in no hurry to arrive so by the time he got there he saw that there was already a fair sized crowd gathered. He took a place among them, sitting slightly toward the back but close enough to the front that he would be in the thick of it all. Light brown gaze would glance around him curiously at all the unfamiliar faces before settling on Kassander, curious to find out what they had been called for this time.

"Speech" 'thoughts'

Heavy paws moved the young wolf slowly through the territory, so when he finally arrived he was among the last. His eyes swept the group until they rested upon his family. Gaia's red affianced wasn't anywhere to be seen, which was surprising considering that the Sovari boy seemed to cling to her like a burr to fur. Nemesis and Andromeda were both with her, so all was right with the world once as they were together once again. But he hesitated rather than join them. He hadn't quite worked out how to broach his decision to the girls, and he didn't know if Nemesis had told them yet. Speaking of Nemesis, the boy didn't seem to be paying all that much attention to his sisters or the meeting, but rather staring over at someone. Hephaestus' eyes followed his to find... The golden boy lit up. Mirajane. The pretty girl he'd met playing in the snow around the rock garden before Kassander had claimed it back, after Hephaestus himself had gotten lost in a snowstorm and wandered from the territory. Hephaestus made his way to sit beside the silvery girl. "Hello," he said, very seriously, just as he had the first time they'd met. "Talk" "You" This sexy table brought to you by Fox!

Kassander was serene as he watched the pack file in to find their places but Sigmarr's rushed words immediately put his hackles up as both fear and fury coursed through him. "If you all wouldn't mind giving me a moment, I need to consult with a few people before I start the meeting," he spoke as reassuringly as he could to the pack, most of which probably hadn't heard or understood Sigmarr's words and wouldn't think anything of it anyway. Tilting his head back, he sent out an urgent call for the alphas Bass and Epiphron. Their packs were close by, they were allies of Ebony, and most importantly they were wise leaders. There had to be something they could do to protect Sigmarr and Sindri. To keep them away from this... Aerndis without them needing to make a run for it. Maybe Pip would be willing to let them stay in her pack. If Aerndis was looking for them it would be here, not there. Or maybe Bass would be willing to lend him some guards for them. They'd figure it out. "Svet? Sindri? Sigmarr? Would you mind coming over here with me?" He kept his voice calm, knowing the inner turmoil Sindri was no doubt feeling at the knowledge one of her tormentors had resurfaced. And Sigmarr... Kass led them a short distance away to await the arrival of the other two alphas. Nervous energy made his stomach roil, but something else was already beginning to take root and grow in his mind. A protective instinct that made him feel he could tear the world to pieces to protect his younger siblings. Aerndis wouldn't be able to harm his siblings - he'd make sure of that. This pack she was in though... they might be a problem. "Did you say she was in Arcanum?" he asked Sigmarr in a low voice, though he already knew the answer. Arcanum... that was the pack that had very publically taken apart the pack Solstice. Hounded it and did terrible things to its members until it just broke apart. A chill raced down his spine at the thought of this Aerndis with the full force of that beastly group at her back. ""

Sigmarr quickly stepped away to join Kassander as he pulled back a bit from the meeting to give them some privacy.  Thoughts were racing through his head, desperately searching for answers.  Honestly he didn't care if Aerndís came and ripped him to pieces, it was Sindri he was worried about as well as the rest of the pack.  Sigmarr nodded. "Yes, and there was no denying the scent of pack on her pelt.  Aerndís is a foul beast but she is not the kind to lie.  If she says she's from a back of brutal warriors I have every reason to believe she's telling the truth.  Kass… I'm worried about our family.  I don't want to bring danger down on everyone but I don't want that monstrosity getting a hold of Sindri… I would try to kill Aern before I let that happen....however.... if there's retribution I don't.... I don't know what else to do but to try and run." To run... what a cowardly thing to say, but really what other choice was there? "Speech"

Birna scouted ahead of her Queen while her brother lingered behind as guard. The pair of bear-sized siblings had been adjusting to their new duties and of particular importance was guarding the Queen. While they seemed to be on friendly terms with this Ebony, Birna was not willing to take chances. Kingdoms fell every day, she knew that all to well. Yet all the same she was filled with an intense curiosity, almost a longing to see this other Ebony. Would it be at all like the pack she used to call home? Birna paused at the border, letting loose a howl to announce the arrival of the Queen of Flori before she crossed into Ebony territory and into the meeting. She froze. Eyes lingered on the faces, some marked so similarly to the Xanilov's that her heart skipped a beat. Could it be? No, no she could not get her hopes up. She was here on a mission anyways and it would not do to have Epiphron see her get distracted. "I am Birna Xanilov of Flori, I wish to announce our Queen, Lady Epiphron." She stepped aside to allow her ruler to advance into the meeting, bright sapphire eyes alert for any potential threats. "Speech"

When the howl sounded for his name, Bass' ears perked up and he jumped to his paws from where he had been laying. It sounded like... Kassander? Calling him to Ebony? But why? Perhaps there was danger... Darting around Abaven, he ducked into their den and nudged Wren, his golden eyes urgent. "Come with me love, we are needed at Ebony. Gather Harmony, she can keep an eye on the kids while we are away," without pausing he ran over to Motif's den, picking up the stale scent around it. Huffing, he tipped his head back and called out for her, sounding the call for Allen as well. They were needed, and those were the wolves he wanted at his side. He felt a pang in his heart, he wished that he could call for all his siblings but could not. His howl was urgent, calling the wolves to his side at once. He then trotted back over to his wife and nuzzled her cheek, kissing her forehead before trotting off. The other two would be able to follow his scent. The walk to Ebony was short, and it appeared that he had been walked in on some sort of meeting. His brow shot upwards as he gazed at the group, eyes landing on a tall russet man who shot a glare his way. What the... He then picked out Kassander with a group of others around them, and trotted up to the smaller group. He looked over his shoulder, pleased that both Motif and Allen had been able to catch up, his wife at his side. He nodded at the others before standing slightly behind and to the right of Kassander, eying his own little group. "Kassander, this is my wife Wren, my sister Motif, and my Gamrean Allen," he cared little that the rank meant nothing to his ears, as he pointed his nose to each wolf. Instead of asking what they were needed for, he took a seat and eyed his pack members to do the same. He took notice of the huge wolves that escorted a smaller wolf with them, the female introducing her as Epiphron, leader of Fiori. Well now... he had never met this woman before, nor had he heard of her pack. Strange. But he pushed that aside, eyes resting on Kassander as he waited to be told why they were here.

There was a certain impatience to Kassander's call that she had not expected. Though she had officially formed an alliance with him, had invited him into her home as he pleased, she had not truly expected him to request her assistance quite so soon. Burning with curiosity, she began her journey to Ebony, grateful for Birna's presence in the near distance while her brother trailed behind them both. There was comfort in their presence, as they had fallen quite quickly into their role as her guards and they had only proved to be quite adept at what she had chosen them for. They struck her as loyal creatures -- though she figured only time would tell if her instinct was correct. As they approached the borders of Ebony, Birna was quick to announce her presence as well as introduce her to those who didn't know her. A rather large meeting had formed, and her gaze was bright with inquiry as she moved past Birna to greet Kassander with a curt dip of her muzzle to the earth. "These are my lead sentries -- Birna, and Bjorn," she gestured to the male that drew in from behind, wanting Kassander to know the two of them. Her gaze lingered on the other male, curious as to who he might be and wondering why she had called the two of them there to what seemed like a pack meeting. "You requested my presence, King Kassander?" There was a hint of playfulness in her voice as she assessed him, despite the serious aura that lingered in the air.

The towering bear-wolf took up the rear of the little expedition as Epiphron made her way to the pack known as Ebony. Ebony... it could not possibly be so simple, that this would be where the lost Xanilovs had come to rest, but the coincidence was much too great to ignore. He pushed aside speculation, however, in favor of doing his job. Alert for danger the intimidating wolf followed immediately behind the woman so that if danger threatened he was free to leap to either side - or over her - without needing to do more than shift his weight. But the journey was short, and no one attacked, and within a short time they had passed over the border of the pack Ebony. To think it had been so close this whole time... His weak lavender eyes swept over the group, picking out a remarkable number of the "royal mask" markings the Xanilovs had borne. But many, nearly all of the lordly houses had also borne such a mask - these were not necessarily Xanilovs, and could just as easily be bastards of the line. But they were, nonetheless, clearly... wolves of old Ebony. Caution gripped him as they approach, but he was still surprised by the pull he felt toward these wolves. That dangerous inkling of familial loyalty. He sent a wordless glance in Birna's direction, a look ripe with questioning and worries, before turning his attention to the gathering once again. A king? That wasn't unusual in itself, but he did not seem to be deferring to a queen. A break from tradition, or was this boy truly the only Xanilov left to rule? "Talk" "You" Think

Something was wrong. It was made clear from the moment that Sigmarr came in. She would whine, not quite catching his words. Sindri came in but a moment later, but she heard clear enough. The female would get to her paws, casting a small look at Korrin. She would slowly move to stand with her siblings, feeling out of the loop and worried. From what Sigmarr was saying there was someone named Aerndís who could threaten their entire family. Her blue eyes focused on Sig, then switched to Kass. "What... what is Sigmarr talking about? Is... Is our family in danger?" The wolfess would give a small whine, ears flicking back. Surely there was something more they could do other than leaving them or simply killing this wolfess, right? Korrin would slink closer to the Xanilov siblings, rumbling under her breath. She knew that Kassander would sort things out, keep the family safe, but the thought that someone threatened the safety of Svetlana's siblings had even the small polar fox ruffled and unsettling. The vixen would sit beside her companion with a low growl. Her gaze would shift, taking in the prompt arrival of two foreign alphas... allies. Hopefully this would be settled quickly. She didn't like seeing Svet unsettled. "Listen to me talk," 'but read my thoughts.' "Listen To Korrin talk," 'but read Korrin's thoughts.'

Table by:: Luisiana

When Bass called the Gamrean would rise with little hesitation. With a loving nuzzle and kiss goodbye to his beloved the older male was off, loping through the territory to Bass' side. The call for Bass had been just after a call sounded for the man himself... something important was going on. He would not ask yet the reason for being called -- something Bass probably did not know yet himself. But Allen understood Bass wanted him with him, and he would answer that call every time, without hesitation. They would meet in Ebony territory, trailing after Bass' scent and meeting once there. The old gentleman would let his gaze roam over the rest of those present, remaining close to his Azat and the other Abavens. The man would breath in -- there was some tension clear in the air. A sense of fear and worry. He would dip his head respectfully to the man, Kassander, that Bass addressed, but not much more yet. There was another pack here as well, their scents mingling together. Allen furrowed his brow some, waiting for what would unfold. "Hear Me Talk," 'Read My Thoughts.'

Table by:: Tealah