With spring behind them and summer temperatures steadily rising the Imperium lands were beginning to finally dry out. The Rio Grande, which butted up to two of the pack's lands, was slowly reclaiming its serpentine figure. The soupy fields were disappearing and beneath a liberal dusting of drying mud the grass was quickly springing back, as vibrant and healthy as if the flooding had never happened. All in all Valentine thought it was a good time for a meeting.

With a seemingly lackadaisical stride Valentine made his way to the barn. His youngest kids had just seen the turn of their first year. They were old enough for more responsibility now, old enough to officially take their places in Imperium. That thought was at the forefront of his mind, but there were other reasons he wished to gather his members together. They had things to discuss.

After settling down on the sunny side of the barn Valentine summoned all his packmates. While it didn't rank high on his list of topics today Valentine would be paying close attention to attendance. A couple of his wolves had been pretty scarce lately. Whether or not they showed up today would determine the next step he took in curing them of their antisocial tendencies.

OOC: Posts are due by February 23rd! Everyone is expected to attend - there will be consequences for not attending!

Seraphim was on it this time. He was ready. He'd been trying his hardest to stick near his homelands and even if he still didn't really like to talk to the others, he had convinced himself that it was enough for now. But when he heard Valentine's call he turned on his heel and raced towards him with all his heart. He was gonna be on time for the first time in ever and HAH! to his other siblings, they could eat it! Granted, he was getting a little excited for a full grown adult (which he was still denying being) and he tried to rein it in.

When he finally entered the clearing his father waited in he was ruffled and out of breath, but his posture was calm. His trot came to a stop on Valentine's right side, a ways a way. "Beautiful day, right?" The sun was illuminating the finer bits of grain in the barn's siding, and he found himself lost in it's patterns. He wondered vaguely what his father was expecting to do today, and was eager for things to just get started already. He wondered if maybe getting to things early wasn't all it was cracked up to be.

Claws raked through the woolen coat sending yet more tatters of it floating into the air. Birna growled. She was hoping to be through with the shedding in spring but the unusually wet weather seemed to have goofed up her internal clock. Well, at least the terra was finally drying out. The warrior got to her feet, reaching her neck gracefully to her left shoulder to chew out one last matt before heading off to do some training exercises.

Just as she started to head out she heard the call of their esteemed alpha. A meeting? Turning course she headed toward the range. The timing was good as it seemed like it had been quite awhile since their last one and there was certainly plenty to discuss. She hoped it might go a little better than the last one and that members could put aside their petty, individual squabbles long enough for the pack to come together as a group and finish the meeting.

She strode into the range with her usual quiet elegance, her steady form carrying her toward the alpha and the slowly gathering wolves. "Greetings Valentine, Seraphim."

Aw, dammit! Angel's eyes fixed on Seraphim who had somehow managed to beat him. That never happened. It was always a race between him and Evangeline. Speaking of... His gaze darted around. Heh. She was nowhere insight. Maybe it was a little childish, but Angelus couldn't help but feel a bit pleased to have beaten his sister to the meeting. Beating her in something would never get old. With a spring in his step Angelus made his way over to his brother. He sought to playfully ram his left shoulder into the smaller Imperialis' right shoulder before sitting down hard beside him and sending a smirk in his direction. His gaze then darted to Birna, the only other person who'd beaten him there. To her he nodded politely before letting his gaze rove over the hills in search of his slow (badum buh) sister.

With her heat cycle blessedly over and her hormones back to normal, it was safe for Evangeline to finally venture out once more among her packmates - and her father provided her with a lovely opportunity, as his deep voice rang over Imperium lands. She took the time to wriggle into her lovely, freshly cleaned pack and shook herself to settle it comfortably before she took off at a trot for the range. She pranced into the meeting at a slow, dignified waltz, all the better to show off the bright orange of her medical bag. It was unique, useful, and eyecatching in a bold way against the darkness of her coat, and she was ever so proud of it. Even if there were only a handful of wolves there to see, which was disappointing. Maybe she shouldn't have rushed. But Angelus and Seraphim were there so they could see her pack and be jealous. "Where's your slave, Angelus," she hissed at him as quietly as she could manage, with an audible sniff as she seated herself next to him in such a way as to not be entirely dwarfed by his extra inches in height.

(Ehehe love the Valentine table)

Ah, so there was a meeting? Good timing. Things were warmer now and much less sticky. Patrols lately had gotten a little easier and Esti was sure that she'd have to go off on a little adventure soon. For today, though, there would be a meeting. Esti strolled in, lopsided smile shining as she looked around. Ashmedai hadn't showed up yet, huh? She was sure he'd be bitter that she beat him. Esti's glance wandered to Mr. Alpha himself and Esti scrunched her eyes as if to smile wider than she was without actually extending her lips. Angelus was here... Seraphim... Evangeline... Ah- Birna! Esti walked up to the other woman, "Pretty warm out now, huh? Soon we'll be able to fight each other without sliding all around."

What? What was that? He knew that call! At least, he thought he did. He bet that was Valentine, calling the pack. He had never spoken with Valentine before, oh, he had to run! He had to go! Sparing only a glance back to the den he kicked off, haring towards the range at top speed. He had to get there before his siblings and mother! And before Mercy, too! And definitely before Illume. Panting, he skidded to a stop - aww, there were other wolves there but that was okay. He was waaaay too busy trying to get his breath back, sides heaving as he flopped his butt down into a sitting position in front of the big boss man, tail wagging lightly as he looked up with bright eyes. "Hello, sir!" he chirped, almost completely cheerfully; an excitement lit up in his eyes as he looked around and took in the other wolves standing next to Valentine. "Sirs and miss," he amended sheepishly, before glancing around him to see if Mercy had shown up yet. Nope. Both disappointed and cheerful he made it before the white-furred dame, he'd turn back to Valentine, excited to hear what the big alpha was going to say. Although, he wasn't that much bigger. He was as tall as his momma now. It was then the orange caught his eye, and he'd stare in wonder at the bright colorful thing, glancing between it and it's owner. It was nearly the color of the owner's eyes, the miss Imperialis, the daughter of Valentine he presumed, and he'd continue to be distracted by it, awe alight in his eyes.

Oh, a call? That was.. interesting. He, admittedly, was nowhere near as active as he should or could have been, and it quite honestly made him feel bad. He had gotten into the pack, but wandered off. It was in his nature, yes, but perhaps he should have been a bit more,.. attentive to the decision he was making. He vowed to himself that he would make that change, and would approach the meeting elegantly, a calm and measured look in his eyes as he sat himself down in the meeting, nodding to any that looked his way. He seated himself somewhere in the middle; a respectable distance, letting the pups and the higher ranking members sit up front if need be. He inclined his head towards Valentine, a respectful look in his eyes. Regardless, he couldn't help but respect the air of the alpha that called them together.

Aw man, a meeting NOW? Ashemdai was in the middle of a rather enjoyable arch-backed scat session and suddenly there HAD to be a meeting? With one final squeeze, Ashmedai gave up on his fruitful endeavor, scratching with his back feet to fling some grass over the pile before he made his way to the call. AW MAN, his mom had beat him? This was just getting worse and worse. Where was Illume, anyway? A loose grin formed on Ash's maw as he walked towards his dad, "Is something cool happening?"" He'd ask more out of casual conversation than actual interest. A flash of orange caught his eye and the boy's head swung around, "Vana what is that?" he asked, icy eyes wide. "Speech"

Cas nudged Chaos awake as Valen called the pack together. He was a yearling now, with the leggy gangly body that all her pups had at this age, but since the den had been built to accommodate three pups that size it was easily comfortable enough for them both, and Chaos didn't seem inclined yet to seek out his own den. She didn't mind. Maybe she was just getting soft in her old age (ha.) but she found herself more often than not feeling... lonely, when she slept in this big den alone. They'd both been out on patrol much of the night, and maybe it was just strange dreams, but she'd felt down and a little rough around the edges this morning. A little nostalgic maybe. She remembered how full her den used to feel, and then the times Valen used to sleep just outside, and she missed those days. The world just seemed more and more complicated these days. Still, shaking off the gloom was easier with Chaos rolling around with loud, goofy complaints, and she loped towards the range without any sign of the weirdly emotional thoughts that had lingered upon her waking up. "Hey Valen," she chirped, bouncing up to the alpha's side and flopping down at his shoulder without hesitation. She refrained from batting at his paws... barely... and settled for sprawling on her belly at his side. Let him keep a bit of dignity. She was pleased to see all three of their older children were there already, even if Angel and Vana were already hard at work snipping at each other.

Usually she was the first one to show up to these meetings, but today it would seem that she had been too slow. She had been patrolling the borders, the rising temperatures making her feel sluggish and tired. Taking her time, she meandered into the meeting, purple gaze sweeping over those already in attendance. When she saw Lykos she grinned, walking over to him and aiming a well matured bump of her shoulder against his. "You're not supposed to show up your teacher, you know. Makes me look bad," she teased, before turning to Valentine and Cascade. Dipping her head in greeting, she sat down beside her pupil, elongated tail curling around herself. She offered no words to the leading pair, just waited for the meeting to get underway.

"Speech"
'thoughts'

Chaos was awakened with a rough nudge as fading echoes of his father's voice rang muffled through the den. "Nooooooooooo lemme sleep don't wanna uuuuugh," he groaned, rolling to attempt to evade his mother. They'd been out late, did they have to go to a meeting? But she was relentless and finally, still grumbling, the leggy youth followed her out of the den. Well, he was a yearling now, so he guessed he'd have to start being more responsible and stuff. He perked up; maybe Dad was going to give him and Rhys'n'Rhyme offical mentors and that's why there was a meeting. He'd been lagging behind his mother up until that thought hit him, and he put on a burst of speed to come skidding into the meeting much more bright-eyed. "Dad!" he burst out, wanting to ask, but shut his mouth with a click when he realized how many others of their packmates had already appeared, thinking better of asking.

Atreides had just been returning to Imperium lands after a hunting and scouting trip within a half day's walk of the border. His trip had mixed results; he hadn't seen anything interesting, but at least he wasn't returning empty-pawed. He'd managed to catch a beaver on the shore and kill it; it was currently slung over his back as he trotted over the border. That was about when he heard Valentine's call. He perked up with interest, and though he took a quick detour to his den to stow the kill he still made good time heading over to the range. As he came into the group his steps faltered and he blinked. Holy crow were there a lot of new faces. Plenty of familiar ones too, but he was surprised by how much had changed while he'd been off doing his own things. And this was still early - most of the pack hadn't even shown up yet. Little Chaos was full grown now, not so little any more since he was easily the same height as Valen himself. Oh well - his steps might have faltered, but his grin didn't as he altered his course to sit his haunches next to his mentor. He'd been a full adult since winter, but he still considered himself Birna's student. He certainly didn't feel like an adult, after all. Maybe it was just being one of the shortest wolves in the pack - hard to feel like you'd grown up when you were still half a foot shorter than most of the rest of the pack. Oh well. "Hey Birna," he greeted the much-larger warrior casually. "Hey Esti," he added out of politeness, spotting her on Birna's other side. He didn't really know Esti on a personal level, but she was a full warrior and he wasn't, so he couldn't really ignore her.

The masked beast was doing as he usually did - skulking around pack lands in an eternal grump. Generally speaking he accompanied his grumping with hunting, sometimes for himself and sometimes for the pack. He was naturally a selfish creature so he was not hunting for them out of some altruistic nonsense or loyalty to wolves he didn't care about, but rather because he felt the need to kill something but wasn't hungry and didn't want to waste perfectly good food. Today he was just skulking, no hunting involved. Not even a peep from his ghosts - which was actually more worrying than if they'd been there. What were they up to? Ostensibly he was on border patrol, and he was patrolling the border with his usual grim intensity, but really it was an easy way to avoid his packmates. He wasn't there to socialize; he had a job to do, and listening to other wolves yakking away about their boring, stupid lives wasn't part of it. He didn't care who'd slept with who and who was having more stupid puppies or who'd gone missing.

He did have to go to meetings though.

The sound of Valentine's voice drew Hati from the borders, and for a moment he eyed the rest of the pack. For once there was no whining, no irritating sexual tension between any of the wolves, no jostling for position. Granted there was still a good deal of the pack missing, but it was something. Hati hovered back from the far edges of the gathering before finally slouching down to stare at the ground between his paws.

Revenge quietly found his way to the meeting, eagerly seeking a place behind Mercy. His usual unobtrusive, sitting-in-the-back-of-the-class kind of entrance. Not that he didn't like Valentine, but he had that whole authority figure thing going on right now. He wasn't the first and he wasn't the last, just like his normal middle of the road self. Offering a nudge to her shoulder as he seated himself. He'd spent a little time with his sister in the last season, mostly he'd found himself busy with different plants. He'd said he'd wanted to learn about poisoning when he'd first joined imperium, though his teacher had quickly abandoned her post. He'd again found his curiosity and had started to test those plants he'd known to be toxic on smaller animals. He was probably having too much fun with the practice, as he barely showed his face anymore. He was here at the meeting though, he was at least smart enough to know not to miss a meeting.

Rhythm was slowly making her two pups leave the den. The little cave under the boulder was big enough that with her two very tall children they were snuggled in really close. Now that summer was here the heat was making that kind of life style difficult. She had no problems with telling one or both of her children that they had to sleep on the rock above them. Sometimes when it was really hot she was the one to move out. She was encouraging them to seek out their own place, but Rhyme especially seemed nervous about the prospect. These thoughts were occupying her mind as she looked out over the knolls, Rhys and Rhyme were over terrorizing their favorite prairie dog town when she heard Valen call from the Range. She'd perk up, pushing herself from the boulder over the den. Her eyes were still on her kids, who seemed to notice as she did. With out looking to make sure they were on their way Rhythm would leap from her perch and make her way to the ajoining territory. Already much of the pack had gathered together and with little hesitation she'd make her way closer to the barn where Valen and Cascade had already taken their places. Offering a nod as greeting to Cas and a quick nuzzle to Valen she'd seat herself near him as her eyes waited to find their children. They should have been right behind her... Today would likely be a big one for them, they were a year old now. It was about time they realized responsibility. ""

"Hurry up, Inty! Hurry up!" Dagmær bounce back to the ailing woman who had the unfortunate luck to catch what Dag had been suffering from when she'd first been brought to Imperium. The girl was now completely healed and ready to start participating more in her new pack and getting to spend more time with her new family. She hadn't forgot dad of course! Sabre was strong and she would assist him in due time. But for now she had to get Integra moving. Dag raced behind the woman and head-butted her promptly in the rear. Integra was not amused and turned to snap at her sending the girl giggling and racing on ahead. Aw man they were so late! She gazed at the gathering already present. Hmmm… she didn't see Rhys though…. instead she saw Rhythm and quickly raced over to the woman, seeking to nuzzle her adoptive mother's right shoulder. "Inty! Inty! Sit here…. hey! Where are you going?" "Speech"

Integra growled in irritation at the bundle of energy before her. She glared through half-slitted magenta eyes as the girl tugged at her scruff and ears. No. She was sick, she was tired, she did not want to go anywhere no matter how important it was and she certainly didn't want to be dragged there by the scrappy little beast that got her sick in the first place. "Go. Listen. Bring me a report." She rolled over but a series of prompt tugs on her tail soon dissolved Integra's resolve. She knew dam well that Dagmær would not give up and so she decided she'd drag her butt to the meeting then kick Dag's butt as soon as she could breath properly again. Wheezing and panting she made it to the meeting and promptly ignored Dag's cries for her to sit with the girl. "I. Need. A. Break." She flopped down near her brother with a huff. She was never having kids.

Rhyme would dive into a hole as his prey dashed into it. He was too slow, but that didn't stop him from gnashing his jaws and digging at the entrance. These stupid prairie dogs were infuriating, but that would make him all the more eager to kill them. He couldn't help but think that Rhys felt the same way, they were awful to try and catch, and even hunting them for the last six months he didn't feel anymore confident in his skill. When he did get one though, that was the best moment. Pulling his head free from the dirt just as his father's voice echoed over the territory. His attention would be drawn that way as his dual toned eyes returned to his sister. He'd get a rather mischievous look on his face as he shifted himself into a runners stance. "Race you." He wouldn't give her anymore time to react and with no more hesitation he'd take off across the knolls towards the Range. He couldn't spare any focus on his sister as he sped over the terra, he didn't even know if she took the same route, but as he made his way to the barn he didn't see her anywhere ahead of him. Slowing before he actually entered the group he'd try and regain some of his composure, he was supposed to be respectful at meetings. He couldn't really hide his heavy breathing though, with a huff he'd instinctively go over to sit with his mother. Dag was very interested in Integra, but the older she wolf looked a little tired at this point. As he passed his dad he'd offer a big smile in greeting before his attention was drawn to the White marked girl. He'd tug on her tail as he walked by her, hoping to gain her attention. ""

Rhys was all too eager to have her own space. She'd spent a good chunk of the morning scouting for suitable places to call her own and had added a few good places to an already extensive list. The only reason she hadn't wholly abandoned her family's den was because she was afraid of accidentally hurting her mother's feelings with her eagerness. It was still kind of nice to be close to her mother and brother, but more often than not the small space and idea that only babies slept curled up to their parents chaffed at her. Rhys longed for adulthood and the independence she was certain went with it. She wanted to be out, she wanted to be free and she wanted to do her own thing. ”Race you.” Instead of rousing her into action these simple words did nothing. Rhys didn't move a muscle. Instead she remained locked in place, her gaze riveted on the twitchy little nose peeking out of a small hole in the ground. She tensed and then in an instant was up to her ears in dirt, her jaws grasping the prairie dog's head. Just as quickly she was free of the ground and rapidly shaking her head from side to side. In a matter of heartbeats it was over and the limp body of the small creature hung loosely in her jaws. More than a little bit disappointed that her brother wasn't right there to give her victory the attention it deserved, Rhys dropped the prairie dog and stuck her tongue out at her brother's retreating form. Taking her sweet time, Rhys then picked up her catch – fully intending to flaunt it later – and moseyed towards the meeting. She arrived shortly after Rhyme and slowly ambled along after him with her head held high so everyone – especially Rhyme – could see her catch. Rhys would have followed Rhyme all the way to the front and sat down with him had not her attention been drawn to the familiar form of Imperium's residential grump sitting all by his grumpety grump self. Well, that just wouldn't do.  She followed Rhyme to the front, chucked the prairie dog at the side of his head, and then, without looking to see if her aim had been true, headed back to Hati. Without a word and without ever looking directly at Hati she plopped down beside him and let her gaze rove nonchalantly over their surroundings.