All You Have Is Your Fire...

The adventure up north hadn’t been worth its salt in Pyr’s opinion. She already knew the Armada had relocated and that they were loaded as always. They had to be. Even expanded into another territory. Apart from the Armada the only other pack in the north was small and new and in her opinion not worth the Pirates time. Oh sure, they’d be raided eventually. Every pack in Boreas and Auster would be raided eventually but with supplies on the brain it would be better to wait til that small pack became more established and had goods worth raiding for.

The next assignment was the west which was proving well… barren. And hot. Way too fucking hot. Pyralis was about ready to say fuck it and haul her team back home when they came to much nicer lands. There was a rich field of green suddenly interrupted by a wall. Pyralis smirked. “Well, well… now would you need to build a wall if you didn’t have anything worth stealing?” Her ears perked up at the sound of baa’s. “What the heck is that? Sheep? Goats?” She needed a better look.

Pyralis sized up the wall then headed back a ways before turning and charging toward the wall. She took a great leap and scrambled on top, using her hind legs to push her up onto it. She whistled. “Oh wow, this place is pretty, you guys gotta see this.”

After the meeting, where Sparrow had given certain members of the pack scouting duties, Calico Jack had been eager to help out one of the groups. So much so, in fact, that when he had seen Pyralis set out with the big red man and pretty lady, the small pup had tagged along. Man, they walked forever! Somewhere along the way, Ignis (that is what he said his name is) found the group’s small shadow and proceeded to scold him.

After many words, some of which Jack had not heard before, the man had begrudgingly allowed him to finish the journey, since they are already so far away. Okay, being small has its advantage because, when he got tired, the big red Ignis scooped him up and gave him a ride. Calico is dozing on the man’s back when they arrive at the wall, soft snores escaping every now and again.

Suddenly, his world shifts as the man stops and Cal, unable to brace himself, tumbles to the ground. Eyes fly open in shock as the ground rushes up to greet him but, luckily, pups are built to bounce and he does just that, hitting the ground, rolling, and springing back up to his paws. Pyralis speaks about the wall that stands in front of them, pondering aloud what they hiding on the other side.

Head tilts at the sounds of some unknown animals and he watches as the older wolf sizes up the wall before charging it and leaping atop. Mouth rounds as Jack looks back at his impromptu ride, happily saying, “I want to go see too! Throw me!” Scrambling to get in front of Ignis, Calico then curls himself up slightly and exposes his scruff so the red guy can toss him over the wall. With a happy bark, he shouts, “Throw me!” and waits for his request to be fulfilled.


"Calico Jack"

It was good to get out and away from the kids, and Modesty might have even been carrying a little more pep in her step as they made their way through the desert. The realisation that one of Sparrow’s pups had made it out caused her eyes to roll back in her head. Undoubtedly several of her own had probably done the same, and she wasn’t looking forward to having to try and round them up again once she made it home.

The distant bleeting was met with a vibrant patch of green, and Pyr’s whistle only cemented further that there was something worth looking for. She joined Ignis and Jack, and when the child begged to be tossed she offered the red man a sidelong smirk, “I’ll do it if you won’t...” she offered mirthfully. After all, he was asking for it.

“Speech.”

They said that I got to keep it sweet

"Talk" Walk He hadn't anticipated on bringing a child along for this particular task. But when he noticed one of Sparrow's kids sneaking along behind them for who knew how long, Ignis had stopped and berated the boy for doing something so reckless. The kid should've made his presence known sooner so that maybe he would've had time to run him back home before the others got too far, but as it was, he decided it was best and less time consuming to just take Jack with him. He didn't think the boy would be able to keep up, and of course, he was right. They were going a pretty far distance, and eventually, Jack got too tired from walking and while Ignis had half a mind to leave him, deep down he knew he couldn't do that. Not only was he Sparrow's kid (someone he respected), but after one of his own kids had gone missing recently, he wasn't just about to abandon Jack alone in the wild. So instead, he scooped him up onto his back and continued on his way. As the group approached Valhallan lands, he came to an abrupt stop which had caused Jack to fall off. The crimson male rolled his shoulders and glanced down at the boy who had bounced back to his feet, turning his attention to Pyralis as she jumped onto the wall. On the other side, he could hear bleating. Sheep maybe? Shortly after Pyralis exclaimed they oughta see what was on the other side, Jack wanted to see too. The boy eagerly placed himself in front of him, exposing his scruff and asking him to...throw him? Ignis was hesitant at first, a glance spared to Modesty when she said she'd do it if he didn't. "Ah what the hell," might as well, right? "I hope you stick the landing, kid." Reaching down, he picked Jack up by the scruff and tossed him towards the wall. The boy flew through the air, and he hoped to whatever God's were out there that Jack would stick the landing or that Pyralis would catch him.

All You Have Is Your Fire...

Pyr's good ear twitched at the little squeaks of a puppy. Huh, when did that get here? She carefully turned herself around and peered down at the calico pup as the other adults debated what to do with him. Pyralis steadied herself, evening her weight across her limbs. "Yea, I can catch him… maybe." She grinned wickedly, eyes on Ignis as he scruffed the pup and tossed the little creature up to her.

Pyr's golden eyes tracked the boy and as he neared her jaws darted forward snatching him by the scruff and quickly depositing him on top of the wall to her right. She then let go and maneuvered back around to look at the pack lands. "Ok squirt, mind your balance. If you fall over the other side I'm not going after you." Ok, not entirely true but it was far easier on her old joints to jump up than it was to jump down. She looked over her shoulder at Ignis and Modesty. "You two coming up or shall we call this good?"

[ooc: edited in a quick inclusion of Modesty at the end. My tired brain completely blanked out and forgot that there were more xD I'm so tiiired...]

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Patrols were unending, however... today was one that had been thoroughly disrupted by a herd of semi-feral goats. These were not the old-breed of goats that hadn’t been touched by human hand and selective purpose-breeding. No… these were floppy-eared, noisy witches with funky, convex noses and a certain stubborn gleam to their eyes. He’s been stuck the entire past three hours attempting to convince them to leave the pack lands. Livestock that weren’t prone to kicking the teeth out of any trespassing wolves they didn’t know were too much trouble. Not to mention, the small prey animals were magnets for bears and pack raids. Goats, however… were not like sheep, who were biddable and willing to flock together and go where pressured in one fluffy blob. These goats scattered, and it was very clear they weren’t in the least bit afraid of the wolf that towered over them. Oh, no. They capered away in every direction, big ears flapping, bouncing and kicking up their heels like the hooligans they were. But finally. Fucking finally, the goats had – almost all – their fun, and he breathed a huff of relief as they suddenly pelted toward the wall. He loped after them at a distance, considering taking one down for all the trouble they’d given him. Maybe if he could track down Corbie, though, she’d take the unruly things off him. The wall came into sight, but his eyes narrowed slightly at the unfamiliar forms on the top. Typical. Already there were wolves at the wall, and given the lack of howl for an alpha, they weren’t there to be above board. His eyes flicked back to the goats. Well, it wasn’t like he wanted the little fools. Flicking his tail he altered his path, shooting a dagger glare at the small herd, who batted their eyes at him… did they just smirk? He snorted under his breath and leapt to the top of the wall with a bound as he reached it, taking a moment to assess their scents as they reached him on the breeze. Ah. In fact… he recognized the woman at the very least. He didn’t know her name, but he’d seen her at the challenged claim of the old northern pack he was pretty sure had been Acere Preator’s once upon a time. Who had the winner been? Ah. Sparrow. Pirates. Not so much of an annoyance as they might have wished to be. In fact, he welcomed them with a sabered grin as he regarded them, head cocking. “You know… Life just has a way of dropping opportunity at one’s paws. I’ve had yet to speak with Sparrow, but if you’d be willing to carry a message to her, I’d be grateful.” He left the floor open to the aged woman, though her scent was familiar in more ways than just being at the fight on Sparrow’s side of supporters. He added a slight nod aside to the pup, vibrantly marked woman, and red man, though his eyes remained rested on the woman. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Jack is thoroughly enjoying his time being a scout for his mom. Sure, he wasn’t supposed to be here but pirates do what they want!... right? Sparrow had talked about freedom and that, if they are willing to face the consequences then do it. And he did! Which is why he is readying himself for his red, impromptu steed to toss him up to the older lady. The small pup casts his gaze sideways as the prettiest member of their party offers to do if Ignis won’t.

For a moment, he wonders if she even throw that far and, Jjust as Cal opens his mouth to voice his doubt, the red man steps up and tells him to stick the landing. With that, the world shifts as he flies through the air, the happy, tucked pup shouting, “Weeeeeeee!!” as he goes. He has to hand to Pyralis, she is great at catching! Making sure to keep his small form tucked, the older wolf atop the wall deftly catches him and sets him down.

Uncurling, Calico Jack happily stands looking at the scarred wolf with his small tail wagging. After her words, Jack happily chirps, “’K! Nice catch!” Turning, the pup looks out over the grass land and searches for stuff. As boring as this place is, there seems to be a lot of prey animals that roam or are fenced in. Strange, many packs keep prey like this? His icy gaze follows the stalks of grass as they bow in the wind, enjoying the way it ripples like waves in the ocean.

A pang of homesickness strikes the young pup in his heart as he longs for the familiar beach of home. Once all four pirates on top of the wall, Calico looks down the line at them and smiles. Pushing aside his sadness, Cal reminds himself that he is a real pirate today! A flicker of movement catches the pup’s eye and he turns his gaze out over the grass to spy… a wolf herding something.

His icy blue gaze follows the wolf’s path, watching carefully as the large, strange male leaps up to join them on the wall. He definitely is not a pirate and the pup’s eyes narrow in distrust. Carefully, Jack weaves around bodies and legs until he is under the wolf closest to this new comer and he stares up at them with wariness coloring his gazes. Listening to his words, the pup snorts his disbelief at the man and puffs out his small chest as if he is big, bad wolf.

Calico Jack challenges, “If you have a message for her, why don’t you go see her? We’re just here to look at the grass.” Honestly, Jack doesn’t know if he is being brave or stupid but he feels proud to speak up the big man with strange fur. They are here for reasons and the small pup tries to be a big bad pirate. Making himself as tall as he can from under the wolf he has taken shelter under, Cal tries his best to be intimidating… or something.


"Calico Jack"

All You Have Is Your Fire...

A flash of flame caught Pyr's attention and she looked to see a colorful male chasing after some goats. Oh had the herd escaped or were these some wild animals that had gotten in? It wouldn't have surprised her. Goats were irritatingly good at climbing. Any more she rarely bothered with hunting them but if they were where they weren't supposed to be then perhaps the pirates could get a good meal after all. "Need some help with those? We'd be happy to take them off your paws for a cut."

The man moved to address them, stating that he had a message for Sparrow. She chuckled at Jack's response. Yes, they were professional grass watchers. "I'd be willing to pass along a message, though it is such a long way back. I could really use some food to make sure I can get back and get your message delivered." She winked at the man.

[[if nothing makes sense, blame my cotton ball brain. I'm tired xD]

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

It seemed the pups of the Pirates were spitfires. Granted, even had the boy been a grown wolf, the rude remark would have rolled off the king’s coat like water off a duck’s back. He answered the boy’s snark with a sabered grin, nodding to the elderly woman’s words. “I’d love to be rid of the goats, certainly, considering I never bought them or traded for them in the first place… they just turned up. But it’d be more fun to brawl for them, right? Which brings me to my message for your Captain. If she’s interested, I’d like to arrange a raid agreement. You raid us, we raid you. Everyone gets practice, and the Pirates get the goats, in the end, either way. Given bears love them, I’d just as soon not have them hanging around. But, if you can catch one today, you can take it as insurance and a meal for the road.” He sat back, one ear twitching toward a particularly mouthy squawk from the herd of goats, who’d grown curious enough to draw near and watch, but just far enough away to bolt back into their merry goose chase if he glanced at them. The pirates had been known for raiding, but Valhalla had yet to have them knocking at the wall to say hi, so he may as well get the ball rolling first and get Valhalla to rattle off some dust from their skills. A good beating by a raiding pack might shake them out of the complacent stagnation, and the prospect of a raid of their own might serve to improve on that. It remained to be seen who would go first if Sparrow agreed to the idea. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

All You Have Is Your Fire...

At first Pyralis wondered if the man wanted the pirates to hop down right then and fight him for the beasts but at the mention of a raid her ears perked up. It wasn't every day a pack suggested being raided by pirates and while she didn't know exactly why the man proposed it she didn't see any reason to decline, especially as it wasn't her decision. Pyr grinned. "Sounds fair to me. I will pass the message along to Sparrow and hopefully she will send a younger messenger with a reply. A change in the weather is coming. I can feel it in my bones." Pyralis stood and cracked her neck as well as her back.

"I'll return with the message, if the rest of you want to go for the goat feel free. I'm getting a bit old to be chasing those obnoxious creatures." Pyralis turned, sized up the wall then leapt down nimbly for her age. She popped her shoulders then started heading for home

-exit-

ooc: sorry if this a bit abrupt, just trying to get some of Pyr's threads wrapped up.