Wolf RPG

Zaria still had to introduce the pups to the whole pack, and they were already a month old by now. Fitz death was mostly the cause of that. This meeting was also for both of those things. She did not want to address Fitz his death. She didn't want to think about it. She was still mostly angry, her first initial tears had been pushed deep down and were replaced by anger. The young female herded her young outside the den. "We are going to meet the pack," she spoke. They were getting more vocal and they were really starting to babble Zaria's ears of with nonsense. Though the mother did had the feeling they were starting to understand things.

Zaria howled for her members, which was a demanding one. Steady and Mason had already seen the four children but the other members had not, so it was time by now. They needed the socialization, not that Zaria knew that. In her opinion the more wolves would want to watch her young the more she could do something else. Yet, she had to admit that she was growing more attached to them, seeing that they were the only reminder she had of her and Fitz, that it had been real and that he did not mean to die and leave her alone while he promised her not to do that.

Chaska had been down in the dumps. Full of a sense of failure after the passing of one of the alpha's. Fitz had been the first to show him kindness in these wilds. He barely had any inspiration for story telling. He had been busy moping around until a howl rang out. A very demanding one. He headed toward it, his head tipped down and tail low to the ground, his ears drooping. 

But then upon arriving, he saw something that lifted his hopes. The pups. He counted four of them. And there was still Zaria. He hadn't let the entire pack down. And it wasn't like it was his fault Fitz died. His ears perked up upon seeing the pups, and he slowly approached before stopping a few paces back, giving a look that asked for permission from Zaria.

The boy did not understand. "Peck?" He questioned, blinking up at Mother. What was that? It was him, the man, and the others. More? He was getting annoyed with all these people up on his turf. Hopefully he would not have to talk much, he hardly had patience for his own siblings. But he did what Mother said. Something was off about her. She was.. unhappy. He must have done something wrong. "I de berr," He tried to say. I will do better. Mother was quite strong, but he knew. But she could not hide such things from him, unlike she did to others.

Mother made a noise, which he soon copied. He wanted to howl, but his tiny vocals did not allow it. "Ahooo!" He tried, but it was more squeamish than he had imagined. He wanted to make the noise and make all the birds fly away, which he already did but not for the same reason. A stranger came up to see them. He did not like stranger's much. "Gerrrr," He bared his teeth like Mother did, hopeful that this would make a lasting impression.

The death of FitzDutiful had caused Krypton to mourn for days, crying over the loss of someone she held dearly to her. STM was family to her, something she held very close to her. While in her den, Krypon spent most of her time contemplating life and death, going more with philosophy and logic. She questioned her own life, her own meaning.

Her thoughts were closed off as a very demanding howl brought Keyton to her paws. She stretched out of her den, picking up a quiet trot towards the sound. Zaria was calling, Keypton wondered how she faired after her mate's death.

Chaska was already there, Krypton entered after dipping her head in respect to the two before taking a seat. She saw the small pups, her ears peeking up. She craned her neck over, but stayed at a distance to avoid the snapping jaws of Zaria.

Steady heard the summoning howl, and left the borders to head to the meeting. He could imagine what it was about. He trotted there, the pups, Chaska, and Krypton already there. He went to Chaska, attempting to greet him with a soft nudge, before going to Krypton to attempt to do the same to her. They had been a little spread out since the days of Fitz' death. He understood they were all in mourning, but he hoped they knew they could come to him if they needed to talk, or just for some company.

After greeting who was there, Steady went to sit near Zaria, though not exactly by her side. After all, she was still Alpha, and he Beta. He didn't want to overstep his boundaries by pushing them, and making her feel as though he might be trying to take his brother's spot. He was trying to step up, however, in his duties to make sure the pack was taken care of, but he still knew his place.

He wondered how they would respond to the news, if that was what Zaria called the meeting for. It wasn't like he was going to be their Dad, though he was going to take a more active roll in their upbringing. He was mostly worried about how Mason would feel. They hadn't hung out in a while, and Steady wondered if he would have wanted the responsibility. He was their big brother, after all. Steady would make a point to try and get with him after this meeting.

Words and comprehension were still two things Adeline was learning about. But most of what her mother said went in one ear and out of the other. When the time came for retention and for legitimate learning, it would be known; but her ears and eyes had opened, leading Adeline into a very, very new world. She had not changed; she was as indomitable as ever, but once she had learned that her siblings were actual beings and not a comfortable throw rug, she had ceased in sleeping atop them, for the most part. There was the odd occasion where the comfort of it conquered the thought of them as individuals; she would always be a bit selfish. If she were any bit selfless, it had yet to be displayed... but for a child, it was hard to know herself as anything but surviving.

Father had passed away, but Adeline was not as aware of it as the rest might be. There was a wolf who had stopped his visiting, but that this wolf had been her father she was not aware of, because her mind had not yet been wired to know anyone but the figure who gave to them. FitzDutiful lived on in her, yet! And outside of her, too; she wore his silver-tipped tail. She remembered that of FitzDutiful, at least, and did not know she wore the same mark. The unique thing upon him had fascinated her, and an unknown vanity that dwelt within her desired it for herself basely.

When Zaria howled, Adeline tipped back her own head and howled, too. It was instinct and something else that had her do this, but she glanced to her mother when her lungs had nothing left to give, and then to the rest of her siblings. But soon others came! This surprised Adeline, who was not at all shy. She marched right over to these wolves with a lifted tail and a flaring nose, with which she would investigate them with. It was her own magnifying glass, and the little detective would boldly invade their space. How adorable.

Aside from her initial outburst upon discovering his body with the pack gathered around it, June outwardly appears normal. She doesn't sob or cry for the loss of FitzDutiful, and she can even speak on the topic if prompted to, albeit her voice quavers and loses its clear quality when the subject comes up. Yet deep within, June's heart aches in mourning on a daily basis. The grand mountain feels somehow less grand in his absence, and she keeps to herself primarily.

But when Zaria's demanding howl rings loud over the mountain, she heeds it. June has always been obedient enough and nothing has changed now that FitzDutiful's no longer the ruler. Though she doesn't know the woman well, June has the utmost respect for her late father's mate and wastes no time heeding the call (well, except the time it takes to stop and sniff a curious indigo flower hanging over the edge of a cliff). June isn't June without being distracted by something.

When she arrives, Krypton, Chaska, and Steady are already present, along with Zaria and her four pups. June's eyes drop immediately to her siblings and her tail waves jovially, but she knows better than to approach and she's shy about the occasion anyway. She slinks over to Steady, selecting a place near to her uncle to fidget in silence.

Zaria watched how her children reacted to seeing the pack. Zaria was not worried about them, she trusted her pack mates and she wanted to put her kids in more social interactions. It seemed most of the pack was apprehensive about approaching the young. In a way it pleased Zaria because the whole pack was still knowing that she was in charge even though she had been absent from leading. Now her mate had deceased it was a good excuse to come back early. Not that she was planning on leaving her young, she might have done so when Fitz was still around, but now, it was her only reminder of him.

She noticed that @Mason was not there yet. Where was the damn boy? How could she announce anything if he was not there. Zaria raised her muzzle a bit,noticing that quite a few were absent from when she was still pregnant and walking. "I called you all to introduce the four pups Fitz and I created. I encourage you all to have a lot of social interactions with them, and baby sit them while I keep control of the pack. It was an unexpected loss to find Fitz lifeless on the ground. Though as you all understand is that these four need the utter most protection of the pack. I want borders to be marked, and strangers a good way from the border. We will have wolves watching out for big cats and any other predator that might be of any harm for these four. I will not loose them and in return they will not be only raised by me but by the whole pack, as it should," she spoke clearly and without a quiver in her voice while taking about Fitz. Yet, her heart was aching and she was so mad at Fitz for leaving her.

The female had always been strict and her green gaze was no different today. It only softened a bit when she was looking at her children. If more members had left then they would need to fill those spaces up, Zaria wanted to be able to hunt big game, and if one would stay behind then they would have four to five members to hunt big game. Which was not one hell of a lot. "Without further due, these are Stoic, Solemn, Adeline and Odette," she spoke and nudged Odette from behind her brother.

Steady noticed Mason's absence, as well, and worried. It wasn't like his fellow Beta to miss a meeting. He wondered if something was amiss, or maybe Mason was just protecting the borders still. June came over to sit next to him, and Steady's tail wagged as he leaned over, his intent to nuzzle her in greeting. He had missed her the time she was gone with Gracious, and knew he needed, and wanted, to spend some quality time with her.

His attention turned to Zaria when she began speaking, letting the pack know that the rearing and protection of the pups was their number one priority. Steady certainly agreed with that. While the pack had dwindled in size, they still held strong bonds, and Steady hoped that would be enough go get them through this difficult time. 

He did not fail to notice Zaria's choice of words. Steady agreed that pups should be raised by the pack, especially one as tight-knit as theirs. But, did this overshadow their agreement that Steady would help her raise them? Outwardly, Steady smiled softly as Zaria introduced the pups, but inwardly he was confused now in how much of a role, or a say, he should have when it came to them. He stayed put where he was, allowing the rest of the pack to greet their new family members.

Chaska couldn't help but chuckle, his tail wagging. As soon as the first pup saw him, it decided to growl. At least, it sounded like a growl. He lowered himself until he was laying down, now at their level. More pack members began to arrive, and more pups. One of them came right over to the pack members, nose held high. They were so young, younger than Mason and June when he met them.

He lifted his head to bow it at the one that came strolling over, as if she were a queen. Out of respect. She looked like the type that enjoyed showings of respect. After, he put his head back on the ground. He observed them, not putting names to appearance yet. He couldn't wait to tell this lot a story. And he had the perfect idea for one.

Sorry if I’m late – didn’t realise there was a time limit?


Luckily he had missed Zaria’s words. Mason flowed into the meeting amidst clamouring puppies and the usual faces. He glanced at Zaria in apology, one small wag of his tail and a duck of his head, but no verbal reason was given. His expression was hard, set like stone on the pale face which was unconventionally wide-set.  He clearly knew his siblings well, and he didn’t really want to dive in on the meet and greet – he wanted his packmates to have time to get to know the pups. Instead he stood to one side, wondering whether there was anything else to this meeting, or whether he was simply there to watch the babies socialise. He kept his firey eyes swinging from one little brother or sister to the next, ensuring that they weren’t accidentally stepped on, or prodded too hard. He didn’t hear any talk of Fitz, which was good, because he had no interest in thinking or talking about the death right now. Grief plastered his coat and face with a greasy dull sheen.
 

With the thrall of new faces, he doubted any of the babies would come and see this old one, so instead he settled down to wait and watch the final seeds of his father’s line blossom into children.

Adeline sniffed loudly at Steady first, and then moved in a bumbling stride toward Chaska. With all the confidence the fat little puppy possessed she waddled on toward her, and when Chaska bowed, Adeline let out an excited little yip. Her tail waved, too, to boot... and then she turned and caught sight of her brother. Mason! Adeline charged toward him and barked loudly, wanting to bowl him over with her mighty strength. That he might not be into play right now did not occur to her, as she did not know grief as well as he did. One day she would, but today she was young and giddy, excited to see new faces to bully play with but all the more excited to see this familiar and well-liked one.

Stoic watched as his siblings flailed about, but he was not interested in doing anything that would make him look stupid. It was times like this where he was glad Solemn did care about doing anything really. He, however, was much more interested in the grass, and what was in the grass. Bugs.. rummaging about. He slapped his paw down on one particularly big looking one, and to his satisfaction, it did not move any more. 

But soon, hitting things wasn't fun anymore. He looked up, seeing Adeline bully some more strangers. Typical girl. He looked up at Mother and frowned. "W'd ee dun ner?" He was unsure of what to do. Did Mother expect them to interact with these people? He was sticking with Solemn on this one, he did not want to talk. He looked to Solemn, hoping the boy had an escape plan. These giant beings would squash them if they didn't get away. He did not want one to accidentally sit on him.

June makes an effort to sit still and listen to all that Zaria has to say, but she has yet to grow into a wolf capable of controlling her own attention span. She is still months behind in her development in that regard. Her eyes keep dropping to the pups, then darting back up to the Alpha and then dropping again. This takes the bulk of her attention and she only truly hears half of what's said before Zaria introduces the four pups by name.

Most of the wolves remained still, but the pups moved and in return the pack moved. She watched with some amusement how Chaska bowed his head to one of the cubs and received an excited yip, only for the pup to turn and take off in another direction. June's heart leaps into her throat until her eyes draw upward, and—Mason! It's all that she can do to keep from doing exactly what Adeline is doing. She hasn't forgotten about FitzDutiful's death, even though she has compartmentalized it (perhaps the most mature thing she's ever done), and she yearns for her brother's comfort, but is old enough now to know this isn't the place to seek it.

Her attention lingers on her freckled sibling only a moment longer, for a tiny yip pulls one of June's ears aside and she turns her head to discover one of the pups right at her paws. "Oh!" squeaks June, who has never before seen a puppy up close and has no idea how to handle them, considering she barely knows how to handle herself, "hello! Are you uh... Stick or... Solley or... or Oddball? No, no, those aren't right..." It's clear that June's distraction got the best of her during Zaria's introduction—she can't even get their names right and knows she's listing them off wrong—and her ears droop as she tries to remember the exact names the Alpha had used.

Now the pack was open to meet her young Zaria relaxed a bit. Mason was there too, finally. Zaria had hoped he was there earlier but at least he was in time enough to not miss too much. The female had seen Steady's frown but was not sure what it was about. If he disagreed he should come and tell her.

For now the female watched how Odette was meeting June and how Solemn stayed close to her. The female had said what she wanted to say. Zaria laid down next to Solemn and Stoic. Even though they weren't drinking milk anymore she still liked them to be close to her belly for some reason. It was comforting. Normally Zaria wouldn't have laid down, but her rank was more than established for her to lie down in this moment.

Steady was relieved when Mason showed up, confirming that all was well with his nephew. The meet and greet went on as Steady watched everyone interact with each other. Steady would mostly likely keep his confusion to himself, and let things be as they would. As long as his family and friends were taken care of, that was all that mattered to him.

Chaska watched the pups go around. They were absolutely adorable to him. A large smile took over his muzzle, and he went back to sitting up then looked over at Zaria. "They are very cute pups. You must be proud to have them" he said. Fitz would certainly be proud to have such a healthy litter in his legacy. That was something the grey wolf never thought about. Having a legacy. And he didn't think of one at this time either.

Zaria's intro for the little ones wasn't surprising, her tone and explanation was expected. Krypton would have to test her patience with these small ones, hearing that the pack would protect, watch over, and interact with them. She could only smile softly and nod her head.

She strode foward a bit more, but then sit down. Her monstrous side casted a shadow, but she soon laid down and placed her head aatop her paws. Her position was one of submission and peacefulness, her tag wagging with excitement. She lifted her head a bit to look towards Zaria. 

"I would be happy to take care of them any time" she offered, hoping to build strong relationships with them.

Zaria was instantly convinced that this had been a good decision for her young, they needed the social interaction. With all the wolves, and all the wolves they had in their pack she trusted. "You are more than welcome to, Kryp,' Zaria spoke to her. She was glad that they had a close pack that wanted to help her out, still she would have to deal with Fitz death and she really didn't want to. "Yes Chaska. I am proud. They are perfect."