Moonless Meeting [07/25/08]

[Sheera]

The flame-coated alphess was the first to breathe the new air of the meeting.
The clearing was empty, her howl echoing as she bounded into the clearing.
The moon was only black: New Moon, the night when the moon shies
away for one night only to return as a small slice the next night.
Her eyes shone a pale silver color, and her flame-colored coat still shined a faint red.

[Sivoncé™]

Nightshade was close behind the alphess, entering the clearing in a few fluid bounds after Sabela. She looked around the empty, shadow-strewn clearing, observing that they were the first pack to arrive at the meeting. They had cut it close with the battle, but they had managed to maneuver out of it just in the nick of time. They got lucky, too. They hadn't stayed to face Black Fury himself or his elite guard. Well, it still seemed that the pack wolves had done a good job gor their first launched attack. They would have to make a consistent effort and keep winning if they were going to make any breach in Black Fury's forces. And they would need to take care of it soon. He'd been too much of a nuisance already.

Freya, Annelise, and Arkantos followed the indigo-silver she-wolf. The three paced the clearing restlessly, scenting their air for the other packs. Each wondered seperately what could be keeping them.

[silverpelt12]

Lirenia ran forward and lept for the high rock. Her silver fur was a-light even in the darkness. Her blue eyes sparkled as she sat down to her first Moonless Meeting.

[Sivoncé™]

Natalia was a white streak among the new throng of warrios blending in with the Siverians. She scented the air, tail twitching anxiously as searched for the other packs. It seemed that the Sheerans were only accompanied by the Siverians so far. Well the Yozorans and Destinians better hurry up! We're wasting time, being here. It makes me feel like an open target. We're sitting ducks as far as I'm concerned, and something's not right about the air. I taste something sour, something bitter....something I can't quite get a grasp on. The sooner we get out of here, the better. She looked around for Styx, deciding to explain to him the basics of Moonless Meetings before the other packs came and the formal part of the meeting started.

Rye was also among the many Sheeran pelts that swelled the clearing with the Siverians. His cream and brown pelt was hard to make out in the dark, and with so many wolves. His warm, liquid amber eyes searched the mass of pelts for one of the Sheeran's own, Anelie. Schedules had been very hectic for the warriors lately, considering the new neophytes, so much change in the camp, and the attacks on Black Fury. Oh, and they still didn't have a beta or a proxy. He was quite unnerved by this, but it didn't irk him as much as his lack of time with Anelie did. He continued to search for her, pushing away the worries of the packs, the ominous air, and the reason for Winter's absence.

Solaris was nearly impossible to make out. He was nothing more than an outline in the dim lighting, a lighting perhaps only wolves could see through. His eyes glinted with thought as he dissected the current situation. Something was wrong with the air, a feeling that was pricking at his paws unpleasantly. He shook himself, then followed Lirenia into the clearing.

[Sheera]

Sabela bowed briefly to Lirenia. She smiled kindly. "Pleasant Greetings, I presume?" she asked pleasantly. Her eyes glowed, watching the two packs. She felt the unpleasant air, and it was hard to hide the small bristle of fur on her neck. The ominous feeling was too strong to ignore. "Do you feel it, Lirenia? Do you feel what is to come?" her voice was that of someone telling of a prophesy. She got up, and began to trot around through the mass of wolves, making sure everything was fine. Once she had made a loop, she returned, ears twitching with nervousness. "Somethings coming."

Anelie stalked up behind Rye, eyes sparkling, yet not completely happy. She felt it too; the ominous air, it was all too strong. She finally reached him and she whispered. "Do you feel it?" Her voice was only a small anxious whisper. Her tail brushed over the ground, eyes wide as the fur along her spine bristled with unease.

The bloody brute trotted around, ears pricked for any sound of her. "Winter?" he called to her. "Winter?" he called again. Was she here? All he could sense was the ominous air, and the tention that began to tighten in the pack wolves. Vance spotted Rye, but did not run up to him. He continued to pry through the pack wolves, looking for her, or a sign, anything.

[Destiny]

Iver had halted just before entering the clearing, the outline of his figure not noticeable, most likely, to those already down below. The young alpha slowly breathed in the fresh, cool night air. There was something in it he did not like. Something was going to happen tonight, but what, he was unsure. For a moment the eyes slipped closed and he took another deep breath. Was the young alpha nervous? This wouldn't be his very first Moonless Meeting, so what could unnerve him? "Alright, let's go Yozorans." With those words the lids snapped open and the brute took off, racing down into the throng of wolves. Carefully he weaved between them, not slowing until he had neared the Twilight Stone and the other alpha's. Iver did not immediately turn his gaze to them, however. The brute paused before leaping onto the stone, eyes searching for Nightshade. If he found the fae in the crowd of wolves, the brute would try to lock eyes with her, if only for a second. And his would carry a message that could not be spoken out loud: I need to talk to you soon. Please, Nightshade.

Lyra dashed into the clearing, close at the heels of her alpha. The young neophyte was absolutely beaming. However, why, only she knew.

There was no sign of Aliya.

Zethro, his alabaster coat shining brightly even in the dim light, made his way to the front of the Sheerans. He wanted a good view for this meeting. Of course, Pyre was close at his heels, and Selia and Tiah sat in front of the two brutes. The small group of wolves, all so different, had developed some sort of friendship.

Liria, whom had entered the clearing close behind Sabela, began to mingle and weave through the gathered wolves. Searching to see if there was anyone here she might know.

Yoru, a wolf who should really be a wolven warrior by now but whom was still a neophyte without a mentor, luckily Liria had been training her in the spare time of both wolves, sat gazing up at Sabela. She'd never actually been told that she was a Siverian, but no one had run her off. So she'd had no reason to leave.

[silverpelt12]

Lirenia nodded to Sabela,"I do," she murmured. She spotted Rye in the crowd and lept down from the rock, "Rye," she whispered, "Iwish for you to be my proxy, do you accept?" she waited his reply, she still had to decide who would be her beta. She then said ,"speak with me after the meeting, I must go." and the femmore turned and trotted up to thwe high rock and resumed her position.

[Sivoncé™]

(Um, remember most don't know that Lirenia is leader now, Sheera She hasn't announced it yet, really. )

Rye tensed for a moment, staring transfixed after Lirenia as she stood on the Twilight Stone. Wow. Go figure. I guess if she thinks I'm the wolf for the job, I'm the wolf for the job. He turned to see Anelie, who appeared worried and anxious. He licked her ear affectionately. "It's probably just leftover nerves from the battle, love," he told her. But his own tail was twitching at the oddities that were bombarding them, his own fur was standing on end with the electricity.

Meg romped happily into the cleairng, spotting two of the other neophytes, Selia and Tiah on their way in. She padded over to them, youthful mind at ease and so far unaware of the shock in the atmosphere. Perhaps later in the evening, when it was stronger, she, too, would be forced to recognize this oddity. "Hey Selia, Tiah! How's training going?" She woofed.

After Lyra, a barrage of others barreled down the slope. Kasparr and Neveria were first, racing into the mass of wolves. They were followed shortly by Twig and Autumn, both laughing at their older siblings. Shiro and Trianna entered walking, apparently in and intense arguement of sorts. Truffle was last, the cream and brown brute entering alone and giving his chest fur a quick lick before padding after Lyra. "Hey, Lyra!" He woofed breezily.

Olive, Crow, Lyell, and Saskia joined the gathering together. It had been a long time since Saskia had been to a moonless meeting -- she'd been very busy with her large litter of seven. Olive still had pups in the nursery, but decided they would be fine for one night. The quartet sat near the Twilight Stone and chatted softly to one another, but each seemed slightly bothered.

[.Rabid Lycan.]

(I have no idea what happened in the Destinians in the last month XD I feel so brainless!)

An aged silver-and-russet brute padded onward in a zigzag line towards the other leaders, his head held high in an air of confidence and authority. Then, without warning, he tripped.
After a minute of staring up into the sky with shock, Toss jumped to his paws again, muttering something about everyone being out to get him. He sat down beside the others and let out a small yawn, as if forgetting where he was.

Euphrates glanced up at his Beta- taking place of their leader- and rolled his eyes. Poor old timer probably forgot what we’re doing here…

Lance blinked in surprise as Toss flopped onto the ground. …? He didn’t even know how to react.
It took him a few seconds to ask himself why Aliya wasn’t here, and how in the world Toss was going to give the Destinian news.

Bain eyed Toss distastefully, turning away to watch his own leader instead. What an idiot…

The rest of my wolves arrived too. XD

(yeah… this post sucked, lol)

[Sivoncé™]

Fireflight glanced nervously between Euphrates and Toss, shuffling her paws with uncharacteristic anxiety. "I thought Aliya was goin to be here tonight...." she murmured to him. "Toss isn't really big on this idea, I don't think. I do hope he doesn't trip again..." she winced.

Nightshade glanced at Toss with mild interest, wondering why Aliya wasn't leading the pack. Toss is a little old to assume the position as leader. Perhaps Aliya only fell ill? And what's with Lirenia hanging up there? Where are Mist and Seidei? I don't like the feel of this air, either. There's too much of a mess going on....well, the meeting will start now, since all of the packs are here. Perhaps we'll get some answers then.

[Sheera]

[[Oh yeah... =p]]

Sabela turned to Lirenia. "Where is Mist.. where is Seidai?" her heart began to thump harder at the realization. She had just assumed they were elsewhere, on business, but what would be the irony in that? Her paws were more anxious, and more fretful. Where is Aliya? she gasped inwardly as Toss stumbled in.
This was going to a night to remember. So many young alphess's were missing, with no explanation, but she knew that was not what the ominous air war coming from. Something else would make this meeting one to remember.

Anelie didn't look sure as she sat down next to Rye, and watched as the many oddly lead packs stumbled in. Her own pack's odd leadership was becuase of the death of Mist and the disappearance of Seidai, but the Destinian's? Who knew what brought them low enough to have the elderly Toss stumble here to lead the pack? He was older than Crescent, his mate, and Crescent was dead!

[Sivoncé™]

(You can probably start the meeting now, anybody? )

Saskia's nose wrinkled slightly as she took notice of Lirenia. This was not a gesture of distaste, rather one of shock. "But where's Mist?" She woofed in a low whisper to Crow, Lyell, and Olive. "Sure, she's probably lost a few of her lives, but all twelve? That seems unlikely..." She thought hard on this, trying to uncover the reason of the alpha's absence.

"She was a senior warrior when she took on leadership," Lyell murmured. "Maybe she's ill or just depressed," he sighed heavily. Most of the Sheerans and Yozorans were rather uneasy about talking of their temporary truce, and even more unsettled when it came to Mist and Light's relations. It was quite obvious that Mist regretted her actions deeply, or at least it seemed that way. She'd seemed terribly emotional, true, but she'd also seemed on top of her game last meeting. What could've possibly happened in such a short time?

"She wasn't at the battle, either, now that I think of it!" Olive recalled, suddenly wide-eyed. "There's no way she's THAT ill. She missed the battle, and now she's missing the meeting. She knows it would make her look weak and suspicious -- she wouldn't miss both. She'd know better to at least try and make it to one. No, I think it's something worse than a temporary illness," she frowned.

"Do you think she retired?" Crow mused, voice intensely skeptic. Most leaders didn't retire, even when they were on their last lives. It seemed better to go on leading as long as they could, even until death, than to die in calm and comfort. Most leaders were so attached to the exhilaration, partially because of the lives that poured through them. It was probably agonizing to tear themselves away from such a lifestyle, let alone watch from the senior's den!

[Destiny]

The brute did not move for a long time. He had yet to join the other alpha's, and he wanted desperately to speak to Nightshade. But could he risk doing that in such a public place? Sabela might become suspicious, and Nightshade could get into trouble. Could even be removed from her position as a beta if Sabela though something was going on. He wasn't sure if that was a risk he would take. Not after all he'd done to her already. But he had to tell her that it wasn't true. That he loved her. He'd always loved her, and he always would. So, the brute disappeared took an alternate route to the Twilight Stone. He made sure to pass closely to Nightshade the way there. "I still love you." The whisper was directed to her, and it was for her ears only. The brute's ears were flopped to the side, almost down, and his head was lowered as he passed the beta of the Siverians. Almost as if he was showing respect to her, which he was, but it was also from the sorrow that stabbed at his heart. Iver pulled himself onto the Twilight Stone then, eyes focused on the throng of wolves, refusing to make eye contact with even one of them for fear they'd see the tears hiding in his eyes.

(Ah, what happened in the Yozorans the past month? ...Oh Right. All the neophyte's to warriors, pups to neophytes... any births? Any deaths?)

[Sivoncé™]

The warrior was abosolutely still when Iver passed, unmoving as his words reached her. She looked away from him, anger starting to gnaw inside of her. So what if you do? So what if I do? The damage is already done, and there are wolves I can't hurt anymore with this! In the pale moonlight, her form was slimmed considerably. New, dark scars around her stomach and flanks had yet to heal, and their sources were onimous. I may have lost pups, I may have lost Iver, but I still have wolves that I need to fight for. I still have wolves that need me.

[silverpelt12]

Lirenia would answer Sabela's question when she gave the Sheeran news.She stood a little higher and her eyes were sparkling, sad and excited for her first Moonless meeting. She let out a howl to say the meeting was beginning. To speak the reason they were all here, "I speak for the Sheerans now," she said, "Mist has passed, and Owen as well. They were both killed by some wolf in the loner terratorries." she barked, trying to keep her voice from cracking as she spoke the sad news, they had lost three and gained two." We have also lost our beta, Seidei, she went missing and none have seen her. We have four new neophytes: Meg, Styx, Selia, and Tiah." she thought there was no need to explain where Styx had come from, it would only make her being alpha seem even more curious, " One of our wolves who had seemed lost when the plague spread through and devoured the forest has returned, Mythic has re-joined our pack. I myself now lead the Sheerans and have already gone and recieved my twelve lives." she said, bowing her head and allowing the next leader to give their news of their packs.