Wheeling Gull Isle daggers and diamonds
112 Posts
Ooc — Sabin
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#1
Pack Activity 
Set for the 13th. This is a MANDATORY pack meeting. You only need to post once. :)

@Faeryn @Rokig @Driftwood @Mou @Lainie @Maegi @Droman @Reed @Thresher @Grayling

Having lived in the humans’ world for most of his life, Stockholm’s wild instincts, once dormant, remain tempered with a deep, steady tolerance. On some level he knows that his children are too young to leave the den, and this part of him bristles at the idea of bringing them to Maegi’s Mitexi. There’s also the added worry that the girl will feel slighted or overshadowed, because this celebration is meant for her alone. That being said, he trusts his packmates — in particular, his Aralez — completely, and Seelie is adamant. The preparations for this Mitexi are very different from Reed and Droman’s, but that seems fitting; Maegi is very different from Hemlock’s children.

A handful of the seawolves were charged with the task of moving the wolf Seelie calls Teamouse. It wasn’t an easy task, but Coelacanth was quietly insistent that he participate in the event. This time, when Stockholm tilts back his blocky head and summons the pack, he is only a few feet away from Mou’s former den, to the west of Skybowl where it meets Morningside Moor. At his back is a flourishing garden, and at his side is Seelie, four tiny babes nestled at her flank. Behind him there are flower petals floating in the ocean shallows, and on a deerskin some feet away Moorhen and Hemlock keep a close watch on Teamouse to ensure he’s as comfortable as he possibly can be.

The pack has cause for celebration — and for mourning, for Grayday’s death has yet to be communicated to the group. Stock figures they’ll see how it goes. If Maegi doesn’t mind sharing her celebration with a short announcement portion, they can go ahead and do that — but he’ll go by Seelie’s judgment and play it by ear.
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#2

the world grows bigger with each passing day, the sprite growing more daring, mind making connections and beginning to form memories that will last. she harbours no fear nor reservations in her, not yet, and when she is trundled along to the gathering she immediately seeks whatever might be most interesting, making it her target. 

whoever lay on the deerskin holds her attention for a moment, two, as a general fuss seems to be made over him. but far more interesting, and located conveniently in her general vicinity, is @Stockholm's forelimb, an object she makes her sudden goal to wrap her jaws around and gnaw.
Crabs?! Giant crabs?! That definitely sounded like a creature from his worst nightmares, ranking right up there with ponies and Bambi.
110 Posts
Ooc — Bryndel
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#3
He'd managed to retrieve one small blue shell, and as the appointed time approached crept meekly forward and scootched it across the sand toward Seelie and her brethren, not too close but not too far away. There; now Seelie could add that one to the den when and wherever she wished—although the day was bright and beautiful, and didn't seem in need of further decoration at the moment. He scooted himself back a few steps further, folding his ears neatly back and his hind legs under him, and watched the little ones for a long moment with his eyes bright and his tail thumping. He had never seen canines so small, and he couldn't help but stare in wonder at the petite mouths as they sought for food, the clumsy waving of an impossibly small paw. May your family grow and flourish, he said warmly, quietly, eyes flickering to Coelacanth's face before moving to rest upon Stockholm's face. Then as his eyes turned toward the stranger resting upon the deerskin they grew a little more troubled. He shifted his feet beneath him and almost asked Stockholm about the odd, scarred creature, but for once his mind was quicker than his tongue, and he shut his jaws as he figured that if there were important things the rest of the pack needed to know about these unforeseen circumstances then the leaders would surely let them all know once they were all gathered.

In any case, there was another far more active threat that caught and held his attention instead. First startlement crossed his face, and then a quirk of amusement that crinkled his eyes and upturned the corners of his mouth and tip of his tail as he turned at the sudden flash of movement that was little Fern. Um... I, uh... fear you may be under attack, he tried to inform Stockholm with solemn gravity, although the effect was rather spoiled by the twinkle in his eyes and smirk that was starting to crawl across his face. Do you need rescuing from this most vicious and fierce of tiny predators, Overseer? It would be my greatest honor to protect my leaders so. He included Seelie in the overdramatic bow he swept toward them with his upper body in all its over-the-top formality. He fought back his levity and straightened up after a moment, though, quietly and attentively sitting off to the side as he awaited the probably-more-serious words the pair wished to share with the rest of the island's inhabitants this day.

Beneath his left paw he absently drew squiggles in the sand as he pushed around a smaller-yet smooth pink shell across the myriad golden grains of the beach. ...He didn't really need or expect an answer to his playful queries, really; he was quite sure the leaders had other things on their mind—though he meant the offer to assist with the small nuisance barnacling herself to Stockholm's paw seriously as well; if it would help them to have someone else minding the distraction, Driftwood wouldn't be bothered in the least to play puppysitter. At least until the more-official holder of that position arrived, perhaps. He glanced about to see if such an individual was inclined to appear, though it embarrassed him some to admit that he didn't know who held what subleader areas of expertise within the pack still.
Ghost
1,738 Posts
Ooc — mercury
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#4
If Maegi was an adult, she did not know it. She had spent her days in a lazy, aimless fashion, playing with Droman or learning more about herbs from Reed and her mother, fishing with Rokig--anything besides really focusing on the future. The transition between childhood to the rest of her life was subtle; perhaps if she was still in Blackfeather Woods, receiving the pawprint that was her destiny since birth, this day would be more significant.

As it was, it was just like any other day when the girl heeded Stockholm's summons, traveling to the rendezvous point near Teamouse's old den. She nuzzled Coelacanth, looking lovingly down at the four newborns--each so unique and perfect--and gave Stockholm and Driftwood smiles in greeting. She licked Fern over her silky head and made an effort to detach her from the Overseer's leg, though whether she is successful was really up to the tiny girl, whose jaws were growing stronger day by day.
I'M A FLASH IN A CLASS OF MY OWN
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Ooc — remus
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#5

having been through her own mitexi, reed is not surprised by the celebration she arrives at (noting with a small sense of satisfaction that she much preferred the way hers and droman's was set up -- nevermind surely maegi would rather have something entirely her own). with some delight she notes fern and mur's presence -- oh how big they've gotten -- and doesn't bother to stifle the giggle escaping her at fern's antics, gnawing on stockholm. studiously ignoring driftwood's presence she descends to pepper the children with kisses, a rare display of affection from her, lowering herself to properly acquaint herself with aralez's children, should the doting parents mind it. 

satisfied she rises and makes her way toward the guest of honor, giving her a friendly knock on the shoulder. "welcome to adulthood," she tells her with as much pomp as she can muster (so, a significant amount), a grin on her mouth.
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Ooc — Talamasca
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#6

There was, for a time, intermittent quiet that surrounded him in his medicated state, and he welcomed it. Over the course of a few hours there seemed to be an electric, excited energy imbibing each wolf that came to see him; soon enough he was being roused and herded carefully outside of his shelter, prompted by his caretakers, until finally he was left exposed upon a blanket of fine hide like before. Being allowed to lay back down was a blessing—it took some effort to adjust himself, there was pain, but soon enough he was situated and adjusting to the strangeness of being out in the open.

He saw many faces that didn't seem familiar. Some, such as Seelie or Reed, he traced with his good eye and a slight lift to his chin. The effort of climbing all the way over here from his hide-away had taken a lot out of him; his hips were aching tremendously, and had he any awareness he would've reazlized that his breathing wasn't as laborious. He was healing, just very slowly. That last face he caught upon — a brief flash of pale white next to Reed — was the girl Maegi, who was wrestling a bit with a tiny blob of fluff and teeth. He sat there watching her the longest, until such time that festivities began - then he'd follow the speech with a wandering eye from person to person, much more curious now than in previous days.

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#7
It wasn't like Droman to be so late to a family gathering, but he'd just been so caught up in his studies and with the Mitexi having just passed and his new welcoming into adulthood and the—

It didn't matter why he was late, because he was here now. Stumbling into the meeting, he gave a warm smile to Reed and brushed gently up against Maegi's shoulder, whispering, Congrats, as he passed by. He was able to find a seat off in the shoulder where he was granted the perfect view of a proud @Mur, sitting tall as he watched the adults roll in. Even for a toddler, he'd acquired a certain degree of personality that not even Droman could help finding amusing.
587 Posts
Ooc — KJ
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#8
Undersea’s Aralez watched her family trickle in, her feathered tail beating a waxing and waning tattoo; it sped up exponentially when little @Fern attacked Stockholm with her blunt puppy muzzle. “Get him!” the proud mother — (and impish instigator) — whuffed playfully, slapping one paw heartily against the soft earth.

Her Neptune eyes were still laughing, her tail still whirring, when she looked brightly up at @Driftwood and the shell he offered. “Thank you, sweet Driftwood,” she chirped, her silken susurrus bordering on singsong with the depth of her delight. She bowed her head in acceptance of his blessing, then split her slim jaws in a doggish laugh at his jesting, sides fluttering with a whuffling huff-huff-huff. “Pohaku no more,” she added. “Seawolf, now.” Indeed, it was a day for celebration.

The gentle ghost arrived, then, and Coelacanth half-rose to meet her, elevating her forequarters with a careful prop of her willowy forelimbs, to meet the nuzzle with a barrage of tiny kisses and nibbles. “Maegi,” she breathed, “Mitexi today — Daggertooth, now.” She lowered herself cautiously back down, curling one feathered forelimb around a wailing @Sixgill and gathering a wandering @Grayling back against her flank. “Babies,” she whispered, indicating the squirming bundles of fluff, “wish you joy, love, strength. Small brothers, small sisters.” She centered her attention on @Maegi’s beautiful young face with an exuberant whisk of her tail.

The arrival of @Reed and @Droman, the first to ever hold the rank of Daggertooth caused a joyful wriggle to run from the waggle of her finely-drawn skull to the shimmy of her hips that jostled a nursing @Koi and a sleeping @Thresher. “Reed, Droman.” Seelie watched fondly as Hemlock’s children looked upon Fern and Mur with keen, affectionate eyes, and laughed for the sheer joy of it when the little firebrand peppered the pack’s newest arrivals with tender kisses. In Reed’s capable care, she temporarily left her brood, and tiptoed carefully to @Mou’s side.

“Peace be, Mou,” she breathed, tenderly bathing the soft fur between the peaks of his ears. “Special day. Maegi’s Mitexi.” Stockholm would explain everything in due time, but she wanted to make sure her friend felt included — he was part of the family, now, and the brightness in his eye assured her of his continuing convalescence. A mind and a heart were locked tight within that broken body, and she didn’t want them to fade out or die. She stayed with him for a time, but could not leave her children for long, and curled around them like a closed parenthesis. Hemlock was quick to take her place, settling beside their patient and murmuring a soft explanation of the original Awenasa tradition to catch him up.
99 Posts
Ooc — Jess
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#9
For the most part, the little girl couldn't be bothered. Her siblings would nudge and prod at her, and her mother and father would tuck her in at their side as one left or arrived, but Thresher had very few complaints. Even when carried, the little girl was still and quiet, considering the feelings she was experiencing like a mute little scientist trying to piece together what she was experiencing and how she felt about it. She had little idea what most movements meant, but was content in knowing that when she was moved, she would still be in a place of warmth and comfort, even if the cool absence of a parent or caretaker lasted moments. 

She felt her mother move away from her, and she instinctively moved toward the nearest source of warmth- which in this case was Koi. She uttered soft little noises- not quite whimpers but little whines as she searched until she found something soft and warm. This was one of the others that was about her size- as she'd already realized there existed others who were much larger and warmer than she. But as always, the little girl was content to lie next to anyone as long as they were warm and relatively still, so she tucked her little nose into the crook of Koi's throat, placed her body next to her sister's and relaxed again, into a calm slumber.
O C E A N S O U L
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Ooc — Houkie
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#10
The firstborn of Stockholm and Coelacanth gazed around in wonder.

His eyes had only opened recently, and ever since, his incessant fussing and squeaky whimpering had fallen to near silence as he beheld the world around him in its visual presentation.  His vision was still fuzzy and unfocused yet, but he could see indistinct shapes, shadows, and colors.  Combined with his ability to hear what was going on around him, even the most mundane, insignificant things became objects of intense fascination to the boy.  

What was happening today was not mundane or insignificant in any way, but he knew nothing of the greater importance of the event.  He only knew that he was outside, with soft, buttery sand beneath his feet and salty air on his face.  Bees buzzed over nearby flowers, reedy beach grass waved in the breeze, and sea birds filled the air with their strangely musical cries.  The gleaming, sunkissed expanse of the sea nearby, with its gently-lapping waves and endless sapphire-blue flatness, beckoned to the child and he was ceaseless in his efforts to go to it.  His steps were still a bit wobbly and uncertain, but there was no uncertainty whatsoever in his intentions.
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#11
crashes in late

He had been a bit far out from the call, wading in the waters trying to catch more fish. The Seawolf frantically climbed out of the water onto one of the lagoon's rocks. He almost anxiously tried to shake the water from his fur. With as much of it off as he could manage, he took off. Being all short and stubby did not make him a good runner.

In fact, he looked pretty damn exhausted by the time he showed up. Obviously late. He offered an apologetic grin towards Stockholm and Seelie. Only then did his gaze drift to Maegi, a more genuine smile sweeping over his features. His damp tail even whips about behind him.

But feeling a bit out of place and less than presentable, he doesn't move into the spotlight next to her. Instead the fisher drifts on the edges of gathering.
112 Posts
Ooc — Sabin
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#12
Sorry for the wait on this! No posting order from here on out.

@Faeryn and @Lainie, feel free to hop in late.

The Gampr’s brow furrows when he takes note of the empty spaces where Faeryn and Lainie ought to be, but he busies himself with those who are present and participating. He grins at Driftwood’s jesting, and the tiny puppy who is latched to his forelimb. “I’m too far gone,” he quips. “You’ll have to go on without me.” A gentle smile is given to Maegi, then, and he pitches his voice to carry, but his gentle golden eyes remain on the Melonii’s two-toned ones. “As some of you’ve guessed, we’re here today to celebrate Maegi’s Mitexi. Today she’ll take the rank of Daggertooth alongside Reed and Droman. In a few short months, she’ll be a full-fledged Seawolf.” He pauses, leaning forward to nudge his broad muzzle against the underside of the girl’s chin in an affectionate gesture if she will allow the contact. He knows, of course, that Maegi might want to leave the island someday; there are few secrets between the Aralez and the Overseer.

Catching sight of Rokig, he utters a low chuff of greeting, motioning that the compactly-built wolf should come closer. His eyes fall warmly upon each member of his family, in particular upon Reed and Droman, who have been through this so recently — and then he looks back to Maegi.

“Reed and Maegi have already grown to be accomplished healers, and Seelie and Hemlock wanted to give you both a gift. There are two gardens on Wheeling Gull Isle right now — this one, and the one to the west of Coaltree Rise. Hemlock and Seelie are here to help you with whatever you need and will continue to tend them accordingly, but these gardens are your domain now. This way, no matter where you wander, you’ll always have a place here. Always.”

He looks to his mate, who nods solemnly. “We’re also gathered here to mourn.” Again, he looks for Faeryn in particular, but when he doesn’t find her, he moves on. “I don’t know how many of you knew Grayday, the leader of Morningside, but he passed away. His mate was Seelie’s cousin, and our firstborn son is named in his honor.” He grins as his mate begins to follow their firstborn son to the water’s edge. “Maegi, since it’s your day, we wanted to know if you wanted to be the first to learn the puppies’ names and share them with everyone.”
♢♢♢
199 Posts
Ooc — Belle
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#13
Sorry for late post <3

Not unlike Rokig, she'd been a good distance away when the call had risen, and it had taken her a little longer than planned to get to where she was supposed to be.

She was late to the party, and so when she did finally arrive the seawolf dipped her head in apology before sitting down not too far from Rokig himself to listen to Stockholm's words, sending small but happy glances toward the wolves gathered. Although she loved her packmates, she was out of breath and had never enjoyed being the center of attention anyway, so she'd decided perhaps sitting near the other male who'd arrived a little late would be the better option. Besides, he seemed friendly enough from their last encounter.
I see quiet nights,
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Crabs?! Giant crabs?! That definitely sounded like a creature from his worst nightmares, ranking right up there with ponies and Bambi.
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Ooc — Bryndel
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#14
Driftwood smothered a laugh and raised a paw from the earth to swoon in mock-horror at Stockholm's melodramatic reply. Maegi made herself of more-practical use, actively trying to detach the tiny assailant from Stockholm's paw. Still grinning, Driftwood leaned forward to see if she was in need of any help—though he had a high opinion of Maegi's calm competence and rather doubted he himself would do much besides get in the way. Driftwood leaned futher back rather abruptly, however, as before he could verbally offer a helping paw regal young Reed went majestically sweeping by him, pointedly pretending he wasn't there. Whoops. Driftwood kept his lip buttoned and straightened nervously up like a schoolboy caught misbehaving, not really feeling up to another sound scolding from the intimidating young girl who'd just had her own Mitexi. Perhaps discretion was the better part of valor, here— and given that Stockholm himself rather unsurprisingly didn't seem all that genuinely concerned about the stubbornly-barnacled pup who'd attached herself to him, Driftwood figured he was safe enough to stay clear of the whole matter unless he was more-specifically summoned. (Especially since Seelie herself now seemed to be egging the little thing on. Driftwood's smirk reappeared more widely yet as the Aralez's playful smack raised a dusty puff of sand.)

Driftwood's chest puffed out and his stance grew taller yet as Seelie more graciously thanked him and then informed him of his promotion. He basked wordlessly in the news, beaming, and after a moment remembered the second and pinker shell beneath his paw, which he proceeded to quietly slide over in @Maegi's direction with a smile just for her and a murmured but heartfelt, Congratulations! following Coelacanth's enthusiastic and official raising of her from the puppyhood ranks to the adult. You'll make a Seawolf I'll be proud to stand alongside. He thought that perhaps the smooth curves of the little pink seashell might look nice in her new gardens, but silently left any decisions up to her—the gift was hers to do with as she chose now, whether that be to display, discard, or hoard the thing.

His face grew graver and more pensive for a moment, stilling as the announcement of Grayday's death was shared. It didn't take long for the tiny smile to dawn anew however as the next step drew the tiniest of the puppies into a ceremonial place of welcome as well. Driftwood scooted a little closer to the water, side-eyeing Grayling's venturesome steps with mild suspicion and watchful protectiveness as he kept his ears turned and tuned to hear what words might follow Overseer Stockholm's offer. He stood by, ready to assist any who might need it in any way.
Anyone can go ahead and feel free to PP anything further from Driftwood in this thread, if you wish!
This may be my final reply in here, depending on what/whether any others' inputs indicate a further response from me. ;)
Ghost
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Ooc — mercury
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#15
eeek sorry for the wait on this

A Mitexi had never been her idea of a coming-of-age ceremony. Three moons earlier, she had never even heard of the concept. Maegi had always imagined standing next to Ramsay and Euron, receiving the Brotherhood's crimson pawprint on her shoulder. This sun-and-surf gathering could not have been farther from the solemnity of the woods.

But though it was not the same--though it was not what she wanted or expected--it was something to be cherished. Surrounded by wolves dear to her as most in Blackfeather. . .her new group of friends. Her adopted family.

She took in the congratulations with a quiet smile, dipping her muzzle in gratitude. Then Stockholm began to speak, and her eyes drifted to him, absorbing each word. Daggertooth. It was a fierce name, almost at odds with the peaceful nature of Undersea. Apt, too; she thought of the exposed line of teeth along her left jaw and shivered slightly. But the gift--so generous!--sent a thrill through her.

Tail wagging, her eyes alight-- "Thank you," Maegi burst out, looking at Coelacanth and Hemlock. A garden! All the things she could grow and place there. . . Her throat was tight, suddenly. It was the greatest gift anyone had given her. No argument there.

The rest of it went over her head, something about a man dying, a name she didn't know. At Stockholm's query, she gave a nod, not caring one way or the other. She felt a little unworthy, to be given such important information first. She was also surprised that so few knew the babes' names before this. Perhaps they had just been given names, recently, and now was their formal debut.
587 Posts
Ooc — KJ
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#16
Closing this up on September 7, 2017. ♥

Seelie laughed delightedly at @Driftwood and @Stockholm’s antics, though she was clearly on Team Fern and liked nothing more than to see Poppy’s daughter play with such gusto. With an entreating glance at @Moorhen, she left @Grayling’s side, trusting the boy to his banded sister’s care. The sheepdog was delighted to see @Faeryn, and wove through the gathering eagerly, pausing en route to Maegi to greet her friend warmly, nosing gently at her cheek and lapping affectionately at the corner of her mouth. Then she reached the side of the Melonii girl, murmuring in her ear, “If Maegi wander far, ever home Undersea, ever,” she vowed clumsily, hoping that the girl knew that no matter where she wandered, she would always be welcome at the island’s shores. “Little brothers,” she breathed in the girl’s ear like a secret, looking first to Grayling, then to @Sixgill, “Grayling. Sixgill.” Then, “Little sisters,” she whispered, her gaze flickering from @Thresher to Koi. “Thresher, Koi.”
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Ooc — KJ
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#17
As if summoned by the sound of her name, however feebly spoken, the little pearl popped one milky blue eye open, then the other. Peeping softly, she tipped back her head to regard the pale-furred Melonii with unabashed wonder and infinite trust — and then she yawned, tiny pink tongue curling toward the roof of her mouth, and snuggled her tiny body around the girl’s ankle, where she promptly fell asleep.
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Ooc — mercury
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#18
She nuzzled against Coelacanth, taking in her sweet, sea-redolent scent. Her words brought comfort, but also guilt--she knew as well as the Aralez that she would not stay forever. Was it selfish of her, to want to go home? Even surrounded by all this joy?

Maegi stared from pup to pup, trying to commit the names to memory. Each of them different, unique, like pearls. Once Seelie had finished speaking, she nodded, and glanced around at the other wolves gathered, a small smile coming to her mouth.

"This is Grayling," she began, her voice loud enough to be heard but not obnoxiously so, dipping her head at the boy, "and Sixgill. And this is Koi and Thresher. That's. . .that's their names." Relatively pleased with her public speaking debut, of sorts, she clammed up, looking down at the babes. She blinked softly at Koi, who had drifted off beside her leg.

Maegi prayed for the quartet that they would always have each other. That they would stand beside each other, nine moons from now, for their own Mitexi. If losing a sibling was like losing a limb, she was left with only two--and one of them was bad. She hoped these siblings never experienced that level of pain, of loss.

Mephala, keep them together, she thought fervently, eyes seeing far beyond the sand beneath her paws. Keep them healthy, keep them safe. . .but if nothing else, keep them together.