The time had come! Everything was prepared, and the pack had done well to get everything prepared and put together for the long awaited festival! She cackled as she made her way from her den to the middle of the pack land, eyes lit with anticipation and excitement! In the center of the Dancefloor, a huge well put together pile of wood for a bonfire that would be lit when the sun went down. Surrounding it, plenty of furs adorned the ground for guests to sit and talk, and beyond that was a set up of food and mead for those who didn't want to participate in The Hunt! She didn't know who would show up, but she had sent Seymour out with word to Ashen, former Valhallans, Avalon, and Raiders Hollow, though she was sure word would travel to others she hadn't specifically requested. The Festival, after all, would be open to other packs and loners alike but with a warning that it was to be on neutral terms. Hostility would be met with force, and she did not want to have to resort to that! This was meant to be in good spirits and fun! Eat, drink, and be merry was all she cared about! As the festival participants began to arrive, Medusa would announce the start of it all! "Welcome all to Insomnia's Festival! Medusa welcomes you, and hopes you have a good time! Eat and drink! Make friends, or don't! Medusa has put together some competitions that she hopes you will have fun with! The only fighting allowed here is during the fighting competition! Food, drinks, and fun are provided for all! Enjoy!" And with that, would begin the start of Insomnia's first Fall Festival! OOC//Welcome to the Fall Festival! Insomnia's doors are open to all during this time! Fighting is limited to the fighting competition, and any hostility and fighting found on Insomnian grounds outside of competition will be met with The Wraith's wrath and will be permanently banned from attending future events! All attendees must make at least one initial post in this intro thread, and afterwards, characters may make separate threads to mingle with one another, and are only limited to post within The Dancefloor of the Gods! So far, there are three planned events as follows: Fighting competition sign ups, Racing sign ups, and Team hunt sign ups! Tell stories, play games, have fun! Enjoy! "Speech"

Fall is slowly turning the warm days colder but the usual harsh bite that comes before the cold kiss of winter is strangely absent this time. The warmer than usually days mean that many wolves are still out, bustling happily around and the talk of a festival being hosted by Insomnia has reached the ears of Ashen. Many of Chimera’s newest litter wished to go and attend but they needed someone to escort them. Seere, wishing to help her Uncle while also making sure that the kids are happy, had eagerly volunteered to accompany them.

With strict instructions to make sure that none of them are killed or stolen, the small, monochrome woman had rounded up the little ones that wished to go and set out for Insomnia lands. Seere travels with her armor and weapon in place, ready to fend off any attackers that may want to try to hurt the young ones but, thankfully, they arrive without incident. Stopping before they enter the land, she calls all the pups’ attention to herself and, when she has their attention, says, “Alright, here are the rules. Don’t die, horribly maim yourselves, or go where I can’t see. If anyone gives you trouble, you call for me right away. Got it?”

While her tone is serious, there is still a hint of laughter hiding in her mismatched gaze as she dips her head in the direction of the land and says, “Remember, stay where I can see you. Now, let’s go have some fun!” Yes, she made the same point twice but it is extremely important and Seere doesn’t want to have to run around the festival in a dead panic because one of the little goblins had decided to wonder a little too far off. They arrive to hear Medusa’s speech and, as she opens the festival, the woman looks to the pups and gives them a nod, allowing them to disperse and find fun activities nearby.

Keen eyes and sharp ears stay ever alert as she hoovers near them at all times, ready to intervene if and when needed.



"Seere Klein-Destruction"

This was a first in Alaric's book. A fall...festival? Open, to all? Inside a pack's land? His instincts told him not to trust it but his curiosity got the better of him as he found himself enter the pack lands. He took in the new smells and sights. They had even decorated for newcomers, with fur lining around for seating, food, etc. Alaric had never seen such a display. He listened, ears perked, to the leader's words. He took heed of them. This was not a place for getting into trouble, got it. He would keep himself on a leash then. Alaric sat himself down on a laid out fur, his orange gaze quiet as he took in the spectacle. Who else would appear to this odd event?

What better way to celebrate her return than with a festival? Although she knew better than to think that Medusa had thrown this for her, it was a nice thought she carried around with her. At the very least it was good timing and Widow was glad that she wasn't missing it. Even Terror seemed excited about feeling well enough to socialize with others and ... that was very much unlike them.

Arriving to the festival, she took a deep breath and took in the fresh air. It was much nicer out here than within the gorge. Nodding to Medusa with a smile as she arrived, she found her way to the array of food and drink and settled on something a bit stronger than she should. She couldn't be stop nor controlled though, and it had been a while since she really had any fun. Why not now? Besides, there was a fighting competition. Better take the edge off now.

"Speech!"

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it’s nice to enter Insomnia lands without having to sneak around and worry about getting in trouble. in fact, this time, El just walks right in! trotting dutifully at Seere’s side, her gaze scans intently over the crowd, scarcely listening to the rules being presented. “okay!” El chirps once Seere has finished, blinking up at the older woman with big, guileless eyes. who, me? her expression seems to say. make trouble? impossible! “we’ll follow the rules, promise!” whirling on her heel, the Klein girl dashes eagerly into the crowd, hopefully leaving her siblings in the dust. no, she can’t have her annoying littermates weighing her down right now; she’s on a mission! nose to the ground, El searches for a familiar scent, brow scrunching in deep concentration. he has to be here, she assures herself, pace quickening alongside her impatience. he lived in this very territory, after all, and his own mother was hosting the festival! gods, Red, where are you? "Speech"

The opportunity to mingle with the masses of this new continent was too much to pass up, and the violet brute sauntered rather casually across the marked border towards the small gathering. There weren't too many gathered yet, but there was still plenty of time in the day. Stern features remained painfully neutral as he settled onto his haunches on an unoccupied fur, taking a peek at the spread of food and drink before returning to one of his favourite pass-times. A guilty pleasure, if he was honest. People-watching. He never dared to admit the passive entertainment he garnered from observing the interactions of others in public settings. There were a surprising amount of children present already, and he wondered if perhaps he had missed some kind of memo. Thankfully he had little interest in sparring, so he wouldn't have to concern himself with minding his manners in a brawl with a little one. He did, however, wonder what the choice for their hunt would wind up being. Something more easily manageable with youngsters in the party? Impassive lilac stare flickered from wolf to wolf, searching for observable traits that might link them together and tell him who knew who.

The small fae who escorted he and his littermates to the festival was one of his cousins, though he admitted he hadn't spent much time with her. While he and his siblings were being painfully rambunctious for the entire trip, she remained cool and calm. In the back of his mind, the leggy young male marvelled at her composure. Most others would have smacked at least one of them upside the head by the halfway point in the trek. As the not-so-small group crossed the threshold of the unfamiliar pack and its territories, the pale princeling was on high alert. Mismatched eyes flickering between his siblings as he tracked their movements, watching El take off at a dead sprint into the gathering without a moment of hesitation. A scowl settled onto his angular features, and his oversized ears pinned to his skull. Why wouldn't they make it easy for him to keep them safe? Honestly, it was super inconsiderate. He paid the other attendees little heed as he found himself on the edge of the group of siblings, trying to pick out the silvery form of his sister among the many other bodies at the festival. He was reticent to leave the rest of them, just in case he was needed. And sure, Seere had given them a stern warning to begin with... but he couldn't help wanting to protect his smaller siblings from harm. "Dagger Prince" pixels by squishyalpaca

Medusa had extended an invitation to Avalon to attend Insomnia's festival. She'd encouraged the members of Avalon who were well to attend - they'd need the break from the mood after several of their wolves had fallen mysteriously ill, and with Alarr away with his foster child and Ulmaria among the ill, the burden fell heavily onto the few other healers they had. A short time away to reset would be healthy for them, though she was troubled at leaving pack lands right now. At least the illness didn't seem to be particularly contagious, and would hopefully prove not to be dangerous in the long term. She made herself smile at Medusa as she came up to the other alpha and nodded a greeting, sweeping her eyes over the gathering crowd. She didn't know anyone else who'd made it there before her, so it was just looking at a crowd of strangers, but she kept her expression open and friendly as she looked them over. "Thank you for the invitation, Medusa. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone compete."

The boy already knew the events to come and the rules thereof. He was to attend, and take part of, but cause no issues. He even offered to enforce the rules if necessary. Anything to make his mother proud. Excitement boiled in his veins. which made his musculature twitch and ripple all the worse. He could scarcely contain the way his jaw and neck twitched and craned. Redrum arrived late to his mother's announcements, and just in time to see his friend race off into the dancefloor. Elara was here! For a moment, as his paws steadily picked up pace to follow after her, he grinned that she might he searching for him. He shot off into a sprint after her.

""

Illusion knew of the festival. She knew it was going to include a lot of strangers, from different packs and different ideals. She was besides herself with excitement for it. Though she hated that she would have to pretend and act for so many souls, she was sure it would benefit her. So, the beautiful girl had seated herself at the gathering, watching new faces and familiar ones as they trickled in.

She held onto Medusa's words, nodding in understanding as her alpha laid out the rules. Fine. She could play these games. She would rather like to try her hand at combat after all...
illu

The beginnings of the festival buzzed with excitement and the air was filled with the scent of all sorts of different wolves. Barghest stood alongside Seere, their guardian for the festival. Her eager eyes scanned the surroundings, tail wagging with anticipation, casting glances to her siblings who chose to participate as well. The mottled girl, with her sharp, attentive gaze, listened intently as Seere outlined the rules for their adventure. "I understand." She replied with a nod, her voice a playful blend of excitement and determination and responsibility. Medusa's speech heralded the beginning of the festival, and Barghest's heart raced all the while. Though even with all the revelry, Barghest remained vigilant, mindful of Seere's watchful gaze as she set off to explore Insomnia's land.
""

"Speech"

Eltrys was curious about what a festival in these lands would be like. He had heard that an acquaintance he had come across before, Medusa was the leader of Insomnia and holding a festival for anyone to join. He crossed the borders cautiously, waiting to see if any trap was involved, he decided it was safe when many others were crossing unharmed as well.

He followed others to the central festival area marked by decor and several furs on the ground. And there was the strange Medusa, her black and white skeleton-marked pelt was exactly the way he remembered her back on Fossil Ridge during the storm last season.

He looked around after her speech and noted several children, the smells of different packs and strangers intermingled among everyone and confused the nose with so many unfamiliar scents. He sat comfortably with one paw tucked into his chest as he cooly observed all those around him with his sharp blue eyes.

A very young woman of rich raven blacks tip toed over the borders, coming to see the festival. She was unsure who or what she would run into but perhaps she could make a friend and watch the competitions.

She noticed first all the scents declaring that several packs would be attending, she made a mental note to try and meet at least one from every pack. She smiled quietly to herself as she spotted several pups scampering and chasing each other. They seemed to be excited and having a lot of fun. She wished she had had an opportunity like this when she was younger.

When word of a festival being held in Insomnia had reached Andromeda’s ears and the young woman had quickly hatched a plan. With Bas restricting Aresenn to the market area of the Armada, the pair have had a bit of a more difficult time expressing their love for each other as freely as they had been. But, not wishing to disobey her new Warlord, they have obeyed the rules and kept themselves in line no matter how many times she had wanted to spirit him away to her observatory. Now, they have a chance to go to the festival together and Andy isn’t going to waste this. On the day of the festival, Aresenn had received a message from Aquila to meet the lavender woman in the market place at a specific time and, together, they traveled out to Insomnia. The cool fall day is welcome as wolves slowly move toward the land where the festival will be held, excitement buzzing around their forms and electrifying the air. Pale blue eyes scan the throngs of wolves that congregate in the open plains as she tries to spy any familiar faces among them but does not any, yet. Hopefully, Briar or one of her other siblings will show up and she can show off Aresenn to them. As the two enter the area of the festival, the skeletal marked Alpha of Insomnia speaks up and welcomes them all in, kicking off the whole party. Looking to the fiery hued man, a huge grin splits her maw while Andy’s eyes dance with mischief. Calmly, she states, “I’m going to take part in the fighting tournament.” While the statement is innocent enough, there is an unvoiced challenge lingering in the back; a wish to finally spar with the boy who has stolen her heart and see what he is made of. "Andy" & "Aresenn"

Aresenn's typically stoic expression remained unchanged, but a glimmer of excitement shone in his eyes. He had never witnessed Andromeda in battle, but he had seen her fight with fierce determination for her family and for herself. Yet the idea of a tournament? That was unexpected from her. A surge of adrenaline rushed through him at the thought, ignited by the challenge in her gaze. "Is that so?" he asked nonchalantly, a smoldering grin spreading across his features as he allowed his attention to wander.

He took a moment to fully absorb their surroundings, observing as the festival grounds to come alive around them. The air was filled with a riot of sounds and sights that tugged at his senses, an array of vibrant colors pulsating against the backdrop of the clear azure sky. The crisp autumn breeze carried tantalizing smells - the irresistible scent of roasted meats, fresh cider, and the distinct aroma of leather and steel. With a playful glint in his amber gaze, he turned his attention back to Andromeda. His muzzle pressed lightly against her neck, just below her ear, as he spoke in a low, rumbling voice between them. "And what do I get if I win?" His words were laced with a hint of mischief and challenge, adding to the electric tension between them.

"Aresenn"

Medusa has out done herself with the festival and Enki is excited to be going with Tazzy. The young man has taken his time getting ready, bathing in scented water and even taking the time to comb his fur with lightly scented oils just so that he is presentable for his date with the rainbow-hued boy. Excitement causes his belly to flip-flop as he trots out to meet Tazzy, the pair having agreed beforehand to go to the festival together.

With a shy grin, he greets him, stepping in to steal a quick kiss before stepping away to nod toward the area where everyone is gathering while sheepishly saying, “Shall we?” They arrive as Medusa is kicking off the festival and Enki dips his head toward the woman in greeting before looking to Tazzy and saying, “What should we do first? Eat? Drink? You pick! All I know is, I will be taking part in the racing and fighting tournaments.”

Eyes sparkle with mirth as Enki waits to hear what Tazzy wishes to do.


"Tazzy" & "Enki"

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