Silent.: Rising.: (Sivveh only!)

[♫Flisk♫]

Melina daintily stepped into the clearing. She spotted a tree ahead of her and instantly felt a small tingle inside. This must be it. Her ivory fangs flashed as she licked her lips nervously. She turned to Nightshade and stared at her creamy paws. The dirt hung inside her claws and Melina let her icy blue gaze follow a lone leave swirling through the air.

"Um...what next?"

She woofed lightly.

((Sorry, not feeling the flow of the writing.))

[Sivoncé™]

Night blanketed the sky with its thick cloak of dark, studded with the classic silver of the stars. The world around them was silent, as the hour was some ungodly thing. Faint crunchings in the snow, the ginger treadings of the nocturnal beings were the only sounds that lupine ears would capture. The snow mounds were piled high, save for a small, sudden break in the trees. The clearing had always been strangely devoid of all snow. Icy fingers gappled for a hold on the dirt circle, but found none. The roots of the giant tree that presided majestically over its circular palace simply would not have it. The giantess of an oak towered high over head, the only tree of its kind that retained its leaves always, thought the leaves themselves were bitten with the gnashing teeth of frost. The roots unfurled beneath its structure, something preferring the hidden networks under the earth, but others curling up and twining their way throughout the clearing. Nightshade stood on the rise before the clearing, gazing in awe at the tree's radiance. She blinked curiously lavendar-hued optics as Melina adressed her.
Oddly, though there was a joy in this moment that tremblied within the marrow of her slender build, Nightshade did not smile. For with the euphoria, there was also a solemnity that came with it -- this was a ceremony, a time of responsibility. A part of Melina would die here tonight, die out in the last snow she would walk upon as a warrior. She would not be completely different, but whatever happened to her inside of the root cave beneath the ancient tree would set her life onto a different path. Her heart would beat at a different metrenome, one of the leading counts to the wolven melody that ran throughout this valley.
Nightshade dipped her head respectfully, but did not speak. With her tail, she motioned towards the root den, the den she had mentioned before when they had spoken at Silentnight's Rise. She would not speak until they had left this place out of sight, not as Lupus Proeliator and Beta, but as Alpha and Beta.
Let this be the right thing....

((Once Melina falls asleep in the den, typically 12 of the deceased come to give her her lives. If you just want me to do it, that's fine, but most people keep it as an open thread, and then other people ask if they can give lives too ))

[♫Flisk♫]

((Uhz...you'z can do it. Its hard for me to check so many threads during the week soooo its nice if we just got it done with ^.^.))

Melina shifted her weight on her paws uncomfortably. She felt like vomit was going to errupt any second. Her icy blue gaze peirced the den as she nodded solemnly at Nightshade and settled into the root den. Digging her claws into the ground, she waited, but sleep was not coming. She shifted a few times and tried to close her eyes but she couldn't.

Why? Melina knew. She was unsure of herself. Licking her lips, she turned over to stare up at the starry sky. She imagined herself leading a battle, knowing that she would be able to. Her stomach rumbled unconfortably but Melina's face was peaceful with sleep. Shapes began to form, blurry at first. The ceramony was beginning.

[Sivoncé™]

(( okayy ))

Mist swirled and danced in evanescent clusters, twirling with elegant mysticism in the celestial circle. All around, a ring of dark shadows formed, just out of sight of the wold they held themselves in waiting for. These shadows were but blurs in the mist's constant motion and artistry. However, the clearing was not left in a murky haze. No, far from it.
Here, in the heavenly Realm of Eternal Twilight, Winter was in her prime. Trees were draped at the edges of the place, frosted with delicate piles of glinting silver. The snow painted the setting with wide, refines strokes of pearl and diamond mixture. The cold was present, yes, but rather like its own entity. It did not bite with bitter fanaticism, but rather nipped playfully at the gathering specters. The night was dazzling, with a beauty that could only be possible at the core of paradise. The mist was like a wolf itself; it was not truly mist, but instead, it was spiritual breath. It bound and tied with wolves together as they watched, like living, breathing stardust.
A single spectral femme weaved her way throughout the wolves, a dusting of snow leaping playfully around her as she tread with regal dignity towards the heart of their meeting. She paced over towards the sleeping bundle of Melina, then bent forward to whisper softly in her ear, "Awaken, dear child -- it is time to begin."

---
Wherever Melina was now, Nightshade was suddenly sure, with a curious cold shiver that wavered tantalizingly down her spine, that she was more than just a few feet away. Her body might be taking up temporary residence in the Eternal Tree, but the unearthly nerves that pricked her now suggested her spirit was elsewhere. The hairs of her ornate peltage stood on their ends, but Nightshade did not desert her station. Loyally, yet fitfully, she maintained her gaurd.

[♫Flisk♫]

Melina woke as a soft, calm voice glided through the air. She slowly opened her eyes, not sure exactly where she was, but then, suddenly, the memories came back of her, Melina, becoming the alphess of the Siverians. Clearing her throat, she felt the presence of the cold, but it was not uncomfortably, more like it was just there, like an element whisking silently through the air.

Melina's mucles tensed as she looked into the wolf's eyes. The femme was immortal...there was something about her that told Melina that. She smiled and lowered her head in respect before raising it again and speaking politely.

"Wh-Who are you?"

[Sivoncé™]

The femme, painted sterling silver and winter's breath, blinked slowly at Melina with wide blue-gray eyes that seemed just as surprised as Melina's. She smiled slowly, a hearty grin across her slender maw. Many called the seasons goddesses. They've much to learn. "My name is Siveria, and this is the Realm of Eternal Twilight, the preferrable realm of afterlife. And what might be your calling?" She asked gently, all the while her blue eyes flickering with a strange pairing of mischeif and tenderness.

[♫Flisk♫]

Melina stared into the surprised eyes and nodded familliarly at the name of Afterlife. She stifled a laugh of giddiness and instead smiled back. Inside, her stomach was teeming with butterflies but she swallowed, sucked it up, and stepped forward. When Sivera asked her calling, she tensed. Did the former leader know SHE was the one taking the responsibilities as alphess.

"Um...I'm Melina and I believe that I am the one to become next alphess of the Siverians. Nightshade brought me to the tree."

She held her head high like a proud pup and put on a confident look before waiting for a response.

[Sivoncé™]

Siveria's tail swished behind her merrily, and the smile on her maw was nothing short of euphoric. Eyes twinkling brightly, she woofed softly, "Of course you are -- we've been expecting you. Nightshade did well. Are you ready, then, to become alpha of the Siverian pack?" Around them, the mist shifted idly, and the whispers of the waiting wolven were that of energy and excitement. With every alpha ceremony came a great change of some sort, and the Siverians had been awaiting change for quite a long while. Siveria had presided over other alpha ceremonies in the past....but the former alphess had never been so effervescent, nor had she ever greeted the object of a ceremony with the mentality of an old friend. This was the way things were supposed to be.

[♫Flisk♫]

Melina nodded seriously and sniffed the cold air, then watched as the mist shifted through the air. There was a sense inside her...a sense that made her want to ask so many questions. As a pup, Melina was told to ask many of her unanswerable questions to the Golden Wolf when she died. This was the closest to being immortal than she had ever been. She licked her lips, cleared her throat and spoke.

"Yes. I am ready to lead the Siverians to victory."

Melina had no clue at all how a ceremony went. Was it painful? She felt like a child 30 minutes before the fireworks were set off, scared to death that they would start early and the sound would catch her off gaurd. She prepared her body for any sudden shock and waited.

[Sivoncé™]

Siveria dipped her head, and, with a final happy swish of her tail, the ceremony began. Her voice wove certain and clear throughout the winter air, hot breath steaming a bit as she spoke, "We are gathered here in the name of the Siverian pack and the wolf before us. She has come forth to lead the Siverians out of their dark, dank state, to reassert the training and mentorings of our sons and daughters, and to lead our pack through times hard and bountiful. I, Siveria, former alphess of this dear pack, am here to give her her first of twelve lives, so that she may continue to lead them for many moons and seasons to come."

The formal introduction to the ceremony being over, Siveria stepped closer to Melina, and touched her nose to her's. Siv's eyes locked on Melina's solemnity and burning passion swam in the depths of her stormy gray optics. She continued without once blinking. "I give you the gift of determination, Melina, in hopes that you will use it to power you through the predicaments that will face our pack, and that you will refuse to give into the lethargy and forget that many of our dear family have slipped into. Use it to reawaken our pack, and to burn on with our spirit." Siveria's eyes closed, electric blue energy thundering with the strength of countless lightning bolts through her connection with Melina. And in a breath, Siveria was gone...

...and replaced by a she-wolf who looked eerily similar to the alphess standing before Melina before. She waited patiently for Melina's recovery with a kind smile on her maw, familiar eyes hearty and warm as they looked upon Melina.

[♫Flisk♫]

Melina slowly braced herself, but when their noses touched it did not prepare her for the unique pain. It felt as if a force had battered her and shocked her. When Siveria stepped back, Melina did not move. She slowly closed her gaping mouth and then quickly nodded her head with thanks before quickly going back to the state she had been in before. Swallowing, she shook her pelt free of any traces of the weird experience.

A new wolf was in front of her now. She snuffled curiously and nodded, saying she was ready for the next life. Ugh god! What if this is worse?

[Sivoncé™]

Feather's smile was a gentle, reassuring one. "Hello, Melina. My name is Feather, and I am a former herb healer of our pack. I am here to give you a gift similar, yet contrary to my mother's. I give you the gift of rationalism, so that you know wen to take risks and what choices to make to better the well-being of the pack." She leaned forward and lightly touched her nose to Melina's, the force of this life being a weighing pressure and heat, sybolism for cool-headed decisions in the heat of the moment.

The third wolf to appear was a wolf of long, ragged pletage. She was colored with many variations and hues of brown, and lovng conviction was painted in her eyes. "Hello, Melina, my name is Rippedstripe. I am known to few, still, as a daughter of Bloodsbane, but my true family was the Siverians, because they sheltered me as a mother should always shelter her children. I died before I could my own pups grew into full warriors, but the pack gaurded them well. I give you the life of familiar protection so that you and your pack are tied forever as family, and so that you can use the fierce protection a mother feels for her pups to gaurd you pack against ill omens." Rippedstripe's nose touched Melina's, but she drew away quickly and dispersed. Rippedstripe's life was one of undying burning and fierce, cutting adrenaline.

[♫Flisk♫]

Melina watched the pretty femme called Feather step forward and she snuffled silently. She really looked like Siveria! Slowly, she braced herself again. What if this was even more painful? Swallowing, the soon-to-be alphess arched her back and smiled as she touched noses with Feather. Suddenly, what seemed like a load of anxiety and pressure weighed down on her mind and she didn't know what to do. She felt as if she was in a life-threatening situation, deciding whether to save herself, or others.

Soon though, the feeling passed and another wolf, Rippedstripe to be exact, appeared. Melina nodded to the wolf at the saying and her eyes filled with pity when she told her she had died before she could see her pups be warriors. Clearing her throat, she touched noses with Rippedstripe and suddenly felt blood pounding through her ears. She was aware of one thing, her goal. Everything else was clouded. Her pelt burned with decisions. After a few seconds, that too passed and Melina waited silently.

[Sivoncé™]

The fourth wolf to step forward was a wolf of eerie silver-white. She carried a scent foreign and contrast to that of Siverian smell, but it was still a familiar one to any practiced Siverian, alive or dead. Mist, former alphess of the Sheeran Pack, padded towards Melina. "My name is Mist, and I used to lead the Sheeran Pack. Melina, this life I give you is one of healing. Use it to nurture your wounded packmates, both emotionally and physically, and call forth the best in them in times where they've lost themselves." Mist lightly grazed Melina's nose, the energy that flowed through her being one of tireless constance and jolting wakings.

Next came a silver female, tall and lean, with a good-natured, yet sharp gaze. Selena's smile was slight and rough around the edges, but that was how the she-wolf had always been. "Hello, Melina -- I am Selena, an old healer of our dear pack, from way back when we used to live in that old set of terras, or whatever. With this life, I give you clear judgement, so that you may always sight the fact from the fiction, and differentiate between truth and fallacy." Selena's life took a leaf from Mist's, with a shocking twang of revelation and a powerful surge of sharpened clarity.

"Melina, my name is Riley, and I am a former proxy to the Siverians," the succeeding wolf barked, amber eyes twinkling brightly. He was a wolf of medium stature, calico markings, and an easy-going composure. He winked at her and said, "with this life, I give you humor, so that whichever situation you are in, you may always shed light on it with an outlook of good nature." Riley pressed his nose to hers, his gift having the feel of a soft warm glow, the silver lining beneath a raincloud.

Replacing Riley was a wolf of creamy and brown, oddly resembling a female that had already visited Melina. He padded forward, his body that of only a young warrior, but starkissed like the rest of the dead. "Melina, I am Ralph, and I died a young Lupus Proeliator to the Siverians. I give you a life of remembrence, so that you make keep burning the memories of the past and those lost in such a way that you do not dwell in sadness, but persevere with new strength, wisdom, and insight from things that have already occurred." Ralph brushed his muzzle against hers, but something unique transpired there. Instead of feeling, Ralph's life sent Melina a rush of images, memories from Ralph's own lifetime -- Kosav and Rippestripe, his brother Toboe, becoming part of the Siverians, being mentored, his mother's death at the paws of a Siverian traitor, the battle with Verlust's Blood Mist, a journey across a mountain range, the falls of Siveria, Verlust, and Destiny, the new terras, falling in love, watching the core of his affection walk away.....dying. Every instant that his wide green eyes had seen, every feeling he'd ever felt. He blinked sadly, but determindly back at Melina, "Keep it alive, Melina. Don't let them grow lethargic -- we are wolves, and we have seen much, but the world is not done with us, nor should we be done with it." He padded away into mist.

[♫Flisk♫]

Melina waited until the strange silver-white wolf stepped up. Her eyes darted over the femme and she did a once-over. The feeling inside Melina was incredible. She had adreneline pumping through her every vein. I still can't believe I'm doing this! Shaking her head with a nod, she felt tireless and the feeling rushed through her for a few seconds. She nodded respectfully at Mist and waited for the next wolf to come.

A blur of silver fur appeared and Melina watched closely with pricked ears. She tried to keep her paws from kneeding the ground excitedly. When the life appeared, Melina felt a shock even though she braced herself every time. she then knew that she could not stop pain or anything else from coming. The next wolf appeared.

Riley appeared and Melina felt safe and warm with him nearby. He seemed like a father. With this thought Melina felt a twinge in her stomach. She missed him so. When she touched his nose, the soft glow comforted her every worry. She felt it transfer down her body and couldn't help but let out a snuffled laugh. She woofed her thanks and settled down for the 7th wolf to appear.

Now Ralph had come. He was an odd wolf, someone Melina would trust but also wonder about his past. She licked her nose and listened to him talking, eyes lighting up with every good thing and saddening with every bad detail. As she touched noses, Melina believed that she was going to be hit with a rush of adreneline and covered sadness, pride shining through. Instead a rush of memories filtered through her mind. She watched them slowly and when they ended snuffled respect. Who was going to be the next wolf?