Stavanger Bay 8 dogs 8 banjos (Optional Packtivity)

Atoll had never heard of these strange tales, and listened with an eager ear at their telling. She was glad that Artemis had come, but worried at what reception she might have. With flashing eyes, she warned the others away, wanting them to know that this was her coyote, just as Quill was her girl and Szymon her mate. It seemed as though she need not have worried, as no one rose at once to make trouble for the littler woman.

At the end of Lagertha's story, Atoll gave a soft chuff of approval and swept her eyes over the rest of the group to see if another would come forward to speak. When no one did, a small sorrow tried to rise up in her chest. This was not like the joyful nights she'd shared with her family, and instead of making her feel closer to her roots, those times seemed more unreachable than ever. Her heart ached, but in her mind, she was resolved.

These wolves don't know each other, but they will in time. Perhaps we will not have a proper Den Night this moon - maybe not for the rest of the winter. But one day, we will have grown as close as I was to my family - and on that day, there will be joy once more.

For now, she sought to keep the night moving, and remembered at tale from her own land. It seemed right to tell it, in light of the mixed company, and so Atoll lifted her voice in the familiar, musical cadence that her tribe had always afforded such tales.

"This is the story of the eight dogs - that on a ausipicious day in the dying of June, a wise young wolf stolen from his den by man..."

It was a long story, but Atoll kept it as brief as possible, and ended it with her favorite part - "... and when they did not know whether to laugh or cry, they laughed."

It was late, but she was not exactly tired. Stretching her neck, she snagged a fishbone from the forgotten pile of meat before them and began to worry her gums with it. Perhaps someone else would have a song or story, or perhaps it was time to wind down for the night. Either way, Atoll was pleased that wolves had attended at all, though she hoped that the next one might be a little more lively. Humming softly under her breath, she waited to see what the others would do.