OOC: This feast takes place soon after the siege. Assume all the fighters have had the chance to rest and have their wounds looked at. All Abaven and Imperium members are welcome to attend. Food and drinks will be provided! First "round" ends on the 15th, but people can continue to show up after Valen's second post. You are more than welcome to do individual threads feast threads, but Abaven members must stay in the Knolls.

With the help of Angelus and Atreides Valentine had brought down a buffalo in preparation of the feast. Together they'd separated the beast from its herd and driven it off an embankment and into the dry riverbed below. The fall wasn't too terribly far, but the creature's speed and weight brought about its demise. Crippled and unable to rise, the buffalo had been quickly dispatched, and because it was just so damn heavy, they left it where it fell. The riverbed was as good a place as any, really. Opposite of the side the buffalo had fallen from was flat for several yards before it rose up from the river, and even then it was nothing more than a step up. The buffalo was the hard part; there wasn't much prep work to do. The jars of mead he'd gotten from Yfir sat in a shallow hole in the shadow of the embankment near the carcass. They had food and they had drink. Now all they needed were people. Clambering up onto the embankment, Valentine sat down directly above the buffalo carcass. He curled his tail over his paws as he gazed out over the territory. Abaven had been invited and he had no doubt that those who wished to attend were on their way. While it would be a blended crowd, Valentine intended to formally recognize several of his members for their individual triumphs in the siege. In a strong, unwavering voice Valentine called Imperium and Abaven together. Today they would celebrate! ""

Injuries tended to Birna enjoyed a leisurely strole back to Imperium. She was lucky not to sustain any serious injuries and was in little pain. With a contended grin she strolled back into the territory. She'd claimed an eye from one of Sin's whores, a fair prize and mark to attach to her reputation. With that victory under her belt Birna hoped to make a name for herself within Imperium and start climbing the ranks until she achieved her goal of becoming Praetor. Arriving at the Knolls Birna settled down for a quick nap after the excitement of siege.

Sometime later she'd hear the call of Valentine, summoning them together for a feast. Yawning she got to her feat and stretched. Mmm… food sounded good. She dipped her head in greeting to the Rex before taking her seat and waiting for more wolves to show.

"Speech"

The only blood that stained Integra's fur was that of her enemy and as such she had no wounds that needed tended. She was still flush with the elation and taste of her freedom! She couldn't wait to feast with her siblings, to walk proudly among them as an equal and to show how worthy she was to be a child of Drashiel and Roman Armada. Integra could barely contain her excitement as she skidded into the gathering with a, still slightly-bloody grin on her face. She arrived quickly at the meeting, tail wagging lazily back and forth as she tried to get herself back under control. She'd never felt so happy since we a very little girl. It was a wonderful feeling to be this joyful again, so much so that a small part of her wondered if the other paw wasn't about to come smashing down on her newfound hope. But that was something to fret about later. Now was a time for joy and feasting!

Karabela managed to make it out of the siege with little more than a bruised shoulder and when she heard the summons in Imperium for a feast she sauntered into the territory with a grin on her face. She knew her mother was proud of her. Even if she wasn't there to speak the words it was something Raba felt deep in her chest. She wondered how old uncle Hati was doing. Raba paused at the border of the Knolls and let loose a little howl, a knock if you will, to let the wolves of Imperium know she was planning to show up for the feast. Strolling through the familiar territory she quickly came upon a small gathering of wolves all ready for the feast. She was looking forward to seeing some familiar faces. Raba walked in to the, currently small gathering and dipped her head in greeting. "Greetings, Lord Valentine. Thank you for hosting this feast. Hey Integra! Nice work at the siege…" she paused as she glanced at the stern stranger. "Hey there, I'm Karabela Thyre. Nice to meet you!" She couldn't help her cherry mood. They kicked ass and took names and her fighter's spirit had loved every minute of it. ""

Lillianna was the next member to arrive, head held high and tail curled proudly over her back. She had trailed Karabela, mostly because she wasn't quite sure where to go - and Raba seemed quite familiar with the territory. Perhaps she was once of Imperium? It didn't really matter, though. She would let loose her own short howl, mimicking the girl before continuing to follow.

She swept her gaze over the gathering so far; not many had shown up yet, but that was quite fine. She saw Valentine, and - oh, there was the woman who helped her and Vana! Tail wagging, she trotted up to Integra, happiness shining in her eyes. "You are a fantastic fighter," she complimented the woman, tone genuine; after all, she ripped the testicles off of a Hellstrom wolf. Pretty impressive to Lillie.

ooc ;;// Bassy needs help dragging! You can PP helping. He had decided that it would be best to do the hunting in an unclaimed land a bit closer to Imperium. It would have been pretty difficult to carry the kill from Abaven all the way to Imperium. Careful to not trespass on anyone's home, he and a small hunting party had gone after a herd of elk while he had sent the rest of Abaven on their way to join the feast. They had been able to take down a rather sizeable cow elk, and Bass' jaws were clamped around her neck as he dragged it towards Valentine's pack. The muscles in his own neck were straining against the effort, and he was glad to those that had stuck around and helped him drag the carcass. When they reached the borders he did not stop, not until he nearly backed up right into Valentine and the buffalo. Dropping the beast he panted, his usually pale muzzle stained red with her blood. Grinning at his fellow alpha he dipped his head, dismissing the wolves who had assisted him. "Good day for a party, eh?" he said with a chuckle, his yellow gaze sweeping the crowd. There were still more wolves slowly trickling in, and he licked at his stained chops. It would seem that they were waiting for more to show up to begin, and he didn't mind waiting. "Talk" "You" Think

While Mercy was all about a party, she wasn't too much about Abaven. A scowl was on her pale muzzle as she stalked her way into the feast, purple eyes instantly roving across the crowd. She saw the woman who had jumped into her fight without so much as a please, the girl who had once been a part of Imperium and left it, and glowered in her direction. Mercy had a score to settle with that one, but would not ruin Valentine's party with some jousting. Unless... She looked at her alpha with hope shining in her eyes, maybe a few little spars would be welcome in this celebration. Even though they had just come back from the siege not to long ago, she was already eager for more fights. Perhaps she should ask Birna to fight with her again, or drag her sorry ass to the battlefield for once. But some day, somehow, she was going to challenge that little wench to a duel. Shrugging her stiff shoulders she moved on, trying her best to avoid any wolf who reeked of Abaven. "SPEAK!"

Art by endless-adventure

>>He helped Bass pull the carcass towards the lands of Imperium, he was still iffy about these guys, but then again he was still mildly wary about many who were unknown to him. Bass was the only wolf he trusted, so in turn, he trusted Abaven. Though his thoughts remained on the siege, the bloodshed, the massacres...the two larger packs had gone unfairly against a much smaller pack, but the two packs still saw it as a victory. Albeit an unfair one. He had stayed his blade the entire time, unable to take part in a fight that did not truly have anything to do with him. He still didn't fully understand why Bass had wanted to go to war, but he didn't question him no matter how badly he wanted to. Instead, he dropped the carcass and licked at his muzzle. One ear flicking at Bass' comment towards the other alpha. He didn't smile, didn't seem entirely thrilled to be here really. His thoughts kept lingering on the siege...the pair that had been claimed, he was sure, just wanted to go back home. Sighing, he wandered away from the kills and sought out a spot to sit by his lonesome. Crimson eye merely watching the oh so proud imperium wolves. What he was trying to figure out...if it it was abavens war, why was imperium the ones to initiate and do most of all the fighting? It just didn't sit right with him...wolves were odd creatures. "Speak"

So there was to be a party.

Vana scowled across the scene from her perch on the bluff her father and brother and the Armada boy had driven the buffalo over. She wanted to go down and enjoy the accolades of her pack mates and feast on the buffalo and preen over their victory, but already there were Abaven wolves trickling in to steal the glory from the wolves who'd actually won their silly little war. She scowled down at them, at Bass who hadn't even fought even though he'd started it, at Lillie who'd have been obliterated if Vana and Integra hadn't been there, and at Karabela just for good measure. She burned to see Abaven's wolves invading Imperium again with their stupid nice-nice attitudes and their delicate little prissy mannerisms. She was surprised that Rhythm wasn't already there fawning over her family. Her scowl deepened, and she pressed herself firmly to the ground.

But her daddy was down there being the host, and her brother was there and she knew that daddy would be hurt if she didn't go be sociable to his guests. So with a huff she sat up, licked at the healing wounds on her hock, and turned to sweep down around to the bottom of the bluff where everyone was gathered. Her head and tail were held high with a dignified arrogance, but the effect was somewhat ruined by the faint limp in her right hind. She bristled silently in a sudden flash of fury at seeing Lilliana cozying up with Integra before she could go seat herself with her friend. Was there no level they would not stoop to in order to ingratiate themselves to Imperium? Sulkily, she changed direction to go lurk over behind her father and Birna instead, her face gone completely smooth and rigid to hide the scowl that threatened to return as she cast a judgmental eye over the Abaven wolves.

Revenge heard the call and made his way to the gathering somewhat slowly, he'd remained here and by the time everyone returned his limited skills had not been needed. He was eager for the feast however, not that he was usually one to enjoy a get together. He'd only recently recovered from the cold symptoms he'd been suffering from the last month, he felt eager to actually see all of his pack mates. It would be kind of ironic that the first wolf he came to see was Mercy. Not hesitating at all his elegant frame would approach his battle scarred sister. "I don't remember if I congratulated you for the victory." He'd murmur as he nudged her hip affectionately. Finding that now that he was here there were little other wolves who grabbed his attention.

Cas stretched lightly at hearing Valentine's call, and stood from her sprawled out position in front of the den watching Chaos play, signalling to Chaos to follow as she trotted off to go join the rest of the pack. He was a little young if the party got rowdy but it wasn't like she was going to ask someone to skip the party to watch him, and she couldn't trust him not to run off on some adventure or to the party anyway if she left him alone, so he'd just have to come with her. The wounds on her neck pulled as she stretched, but she took care not to pull them to the threshold of any sharp pains that would signal them breaking open again. A deep, pleasant ache throbbed through her body, that of sore muscles from fierce fighting. She considered whistling up her new slave just to put him in his place early, but ultimately rejected the idea. Abaven and Imperium may have been allies on the surface, but there was enough tension between individuals that they didn't need to add a mopey slave to the already volatile mixture. Hell she wasn't even entirely sure if she was going to be a helpful, responsible adult, or just light a match to that tinder just for fun.

She waltzed in to the group with her tail waving like a banner behind her - clearly holding herself back from bouncing in only because of her wounds. "Bass, darling, how are you and your pack enjoying your spoils?" she drawled playfully, coming up next to Valentine and seeking to bump his shoulder with hers (and immediately regretting it when her wounds protested fiercely) as she sent the Abaven alpha a sly grin and a wink. "I hope the kids didn't completely destroy our lands while we were off destroying Hellstrom for you, eh?"

The siege had been an utter disappointment for the toothy youngster, who'd been left with his half-siblings in Abaven. At least they had family there of some sort, he had only them, and he'd had to deal with a mean old song bird making fun of him. His face scrunched up at the memory, and he imagined it was that song bird between his teeth as he chomped down on the battered chunk of buffalo hide he was playing with, and shook his head viciously. His mama had come to collect him and whisk him back to Imperium lands before he'd gotten to see what the rest of Rhys'n'Rhyme's family was like, but he'd been distracted by the wounds on his mama and the injured wolf she'd brought back with her that she called a "slave". It was just so cool that his mama had gotten to fight in the war and take slaves and stuff. Chaos wanted to do that too! He briefly considered trying to make the long trip back to Abaven by himself and take one of them as a slave, because it was the only pack he knew and the only one he knew the way to, but he figured even if Rhys was down for that Rhyme would probably not like it very much so maybe he'd have to find some loner or something and they could jump on him and drag him back to Imperium just like Mama had...

His ears perked up when his daddy's voice reached him, and his tail wagged enthusiastically in the dirt behind him. A party? Cool! He wanted to go! He turned pleading eyes to his mother but he didn't even have to open his mouth to ask... she was motioning for him to come with her! Immediately dropping his toy he leaped to his feet and bounced along in her wake. At three months old he still hadn't caught up to his half-siblings in height but he was showing signs that he'd eventually reach the same height as their older siblings, or so his mama told him, and despite his late start in growing he easily dwarfed most pups his age. Peeking out from behind his mother's leg as she sat next to his dad he grinned to see all the strangers gathered. "Hey dad!" he chirped in a loud whisper, wiggling his way in between his mother and father in an attempt to crawl under his dad's forelegs and get a better view. "Are they all thlaveth?" he continued in an awed voice. Mama had taken one slave, had daddy managed to take all of these slaves? Well if anyone could it would be his dad!

Shai had no injuries from battle and had been one of the first to volunteer for Bass's hunting party. They were successful in their endeavor, finding themselves with a fat cow. He helped drag the beast with pride, finding that hunting with Bass was more than a pleasure. He was almost as talented as his beautiful sister. Not that Shai was about to offer those thoughts out loud. He'd nod in greeting to their hosting alpha as Bass dismissed himself and the other wolves. Bright yellow eyes would seek out Motif's form, wanting nothing more than to spend the celebration at her side. He'd trot away absently, his decorated form intent on being next to his wife's.

RHYS IMPERIALIS Rhys skittered into the gathering, darting around legs and butts and whatever else got in her way as she tried to reach the front where he family was at. In doing so she passed a fox, and in her disbelief she had to loop around and circle him once to be sure he wasn't just a weird looking puppy. Oh, it was a fox! Abaven brought a toy! Not once did she stop; instead, once her circle was done and she was back to where she started, she took off on her original path. She caught Cascade's comment to Bass as she zoomed by and, completely oblivious to the woman's playful needling, interjected, "I destroyed nothing!" At least nothing that could be pinned on her. Completing her arc around Cascade brought her behind her dad and Chaos. Shoving between her Daddy's hind legs she wiggled up next to Chaos. "Chaos!" she whispered loudly before trying to get in close to his ear. Her voice dropped lower, this time into a real whisper. "They brought a toy! Look!" She motioned in the direction of the fox. "Let's catch it!" "Talk" "You" Think

Sitting beside the head of the buffalo, Angelus watched the wolves gather. He was quite proud of his role in the siege, even if he'd only gotten to participate in one fight. Honestly he felt accomplished. The yearling spent a great deal of time feeling unworthy of his title, so participating in a real life conflict and emerging not only as a victor, but as a captor, gave him a much needed boost of confidence. His eyes followed Rhys as she streaked by, and his attention followed her as she made her way up the sloping side of the embankment all the way to his parents. He watched her sidle up to Chaos and his eyes narrowed briefly in speculation. Yep. She was up to no good. His eyes roved those gathered in search of Rhyme. Where one was the other was sure to follow.

Rhyme was indeed hot on Rhys's trail, but while she had run to the call just barely faster than he did Rhythm had grabbed him before he could catch up to his sister. For the longest two minutes of his life his mother insisted she try and calm his unruly fur, but just like any other time she attempted to groom him the fur would shift back to its original position as soon as you moved on to the next strand. "Mooom! Stop it, you know you can't tell my fur what to do." He'd struggle beneath her, though he was challenging her height by now she was still stronger than he was. He knew he wouldn't really be able to pick a fight with her yet. Begrudgingly though the woman would release him due to his impeccable logic.

With an eager scoot and a grunt Rhyme pulled away from Rhythm and barreled after his sister. Gangly legs would fly beneath him as the boy made his way to the gathering. Even before he saw the wolves Rhyme would smell the prey that had been felled. A growing boy was always hungry and Rhyme was no exception. With a wildly wagging tail and his tongue flying out of his smiling jaws the almost half a year old boy would trip at the last moment. His feet would sen him tumbling to a stop in a heap on the other side of his dad from Cascade. With an 'oomph' he'd shrink in to the grass to recover.

Rhyme had keen ears though, especially for his sister's voice. He'd come to attention as she grabbed Chaos's and his ears would perk towards them. The rest of him would follow, head rising as he thrust his form into the air. He was completely unscathed except for a grass stain or two on his pale paws. Moving closer to his sibling his bright dual colored state would find where their attention rest: a fox.

As rhythm heard Valwntine's eager call the woman made a mad attempt to grab the both of her children before they could run off towards the call with our her. The usual result commenced, Rhythm managed to catch Rhyme but Rhys was gone in a flash. Not that she could have hoped to hold the both of them in her arms at the same time anyway. They were so big now, it was amazing that they'd ever been as tiny as they'd been when they were born. She'd sigh heavily as Rhyme protested under her grasp, she wanted her babies to look nice for the festival, it would be a nice change from covered in mud. Rhyme's fur would have none of it and Rhys either. Giving up she'd allow Rhyme to wriggle from her grasp and find his way to his father.

Rhythm was a bit slower than her energetic children, with sure paw steps the graceful she wolf made her way towards the gathering. Valwntine's form would catch her attention first and she would slowly make her way to his side, her eyes were open for Shaye and Sparrow as well, she wanted to know how they had fared in healing the wounded. Before she found them the Destruction female would offer a congratulatory nuzzle to Valentine, brushing her nose through the fur under his jaw. Rhythm would offer him a smile before giving Rhys and Rhyme a stern look. They wouldn't misbehave too terribly in front of their father she hoped.

Leaving them mostly in his paws Rhythm would continue forward to greet her brother who also received an affectionate nuzzle as she reached him. "I'm sure Frith and Novella would have thanked you if they were here." another soft smile would grace her lips as she thought of their aunt and uncle. She hoped Novella was recovering well and enjoying her time with Lyric and Darilnor.

So there was to be a celebration now that Hellstrom had fallen. Heh, good deal. Sounded like a wonderful plan to him. Hell, he might even come celebrate after all, for who could miss the opportunity to have some fun? The brute would leave his den behind in favor of going to see who all had arrived. Whether it be more Abaven or more Imperium members time would tell, and Einarr was curious to see who might show.

Ahh, the woman Mercy was there. Einarr respected the femme, particularly after their little spar. Einarr would chuckle softly, feeling a bit more amusement then he normally would. What had gotten into him? Perhaps the festivities were lightening the grumpy brute up. Though not enough to actually mingle. No, he held back, deciding to just observe and take in the others as they came. The one who had particularly grabbed his attention was the fox.

Perhaps it was because, in a way, it made him think of Tiny. Made him think of his mother. He would shuffle slightly, lowering his rear half to the earth. He... kind of missed them.

SERAPHIM IMPERIALIS Phim heard the call, and came running. He'd heard talk of Valentine hosting a celebration, but it had completely slipped his mind. A wave of guild flushed through his body and Phim cursed himself yet again for being so absentminded, or maybe just absent in general. The bulky yearling streaked through the knolls, and it wasn't long before the scent of the gathering hit him full on in the face. He balked for a moment... That was a lot of wolves! He hadn't taken part in the seige but since his family's return he'd heard all about it, and he'd heard the name of plenty of Abaven wolves. Based on the myriad faces he didn't recognize, he could only guess he was about to meet some of them in person. He paused atop the ridge the bison must have tumbled down, looking at the gathering below. He sought his siblings out first, of course, praying for some familiar faces among the chaos. Vana seemed in as pleasant a mood as she was ever in, based on how she was sulking there behind their father. If there was one thing he'd learned in his childhood, it was how to recognize when Vana was ticked. He smirked to himself and loped down the slope, coming to a stop just in time to give her an affectionate shoulder 'boop.' "Hows it goin, sis?" Despite her sour attitude, Phim had always been extremely fond of Vana, not in spite of her barbs but because of them. She just needed some extra TLC, was all! "You look especially pleased today!" He was about to move forward and greet Valentine, but from the corner of his eye he noticed Rhys and Rhyme along with Chaos too, all the younger ones, and they seemed to be up to something. He nudged Vana again, this time nodding towards the youngsters. He wasn't sure exactly what they were up to, but it had to be bad. He wasn't about to go rain on their parade, but Vana probably would! "Talk" "You" Think

Esti came through loftily, Ashmedai shortly behind her. His excitement was understandable, but also a little concerning. Had Esti been as excited her first battle? She guessed so. She probably was just as excited and as confident as he was. Still, she worried a little for her son. She didn't want him to go throwing himself into fights so carelessly. Even so, that was a conversation for later. For now, there was a party to be had. Trotting in, Esti beamed. She hadn't cleaned up completely, but she was in better shape than her son who proudly wore his opponent's blood. She saw Revenge and Mercy and offered a nod. She would catch up with Revenge later. Cascade moved from Bass to Valentine. Rhythm was with Valentine and Esti offered another nod at the pairs. Was it Spring already? Of course not, but Esti enjoyed thinking about strange pairings. Cascade and Bass? Hah. She didn't actually know much about any of the members of Abaven, but thinking about them mingling with Imperium was enough to bring a smile to her face. Maybe they could all get along and things could have a happy ending between the two packs. Especially if there were any available wolves. Actually, that might be frowned upon. Esti would have to search for a partner later... after drinks.