The birth of his two children had been exciting. It had been equally the most depressing and happiest day of his life. It had been unfortunate that only two of them had survived but they were the good born out of the remains of the fire. FitzDutiful had stayed at the den most nights, being away only when alpha duties called for it or when he needed to gather food for Raissa. It could be said that he was doting in her but he was doting on his children. They were his priority above everyone and anyone else.
FitzDutiful had put the word out that no one was allowed near the pack lands without good reason. It also was looking like a few more wolves had deserted their cause. Paxton, Minxy and Copper. He hadn't seen or scented them for too long. So now he gave them a chance to come back. His pups were coming up to two weeks old. They were doing well. June had managed to survive though he still worried. She seemed behind Mason in terms of development. Her weight gain had been slow and not as quick as his. FitzDutiful assumed their eyes would be opening within the next few days. He was looking forward to interacting with them on a closer level.
None of the pack had seen his pups. No one but Bindi had been allowed anywhere near the alpha's den, Raissa's chosen birthing place. And that was only because Bindi was the beta and needed to talk to FitzDutiful on occasion. Now things would start changing. He moved outside the den, not too far away. Far enough that his pups were not in danger from any new members they may have taken on but close enough that Raissa would be expected to attend this meeting too.
Throwing his muzzle into the air he howled for the pack to attend a meeting. Telling them he wanted to know of any encounters they had had around the pack lands and that everyone was expected to attend or they were out of the pack.
Chaska heard the long howl carried by the wind, and followed it quickly, for it meant one thing. He was going to have his first pack meeting. He was filled with excitement, knowing he would finally meet all of the pack. His legs moved fast, being careful not to trip on any loose roots or small rocks along the path. He later arrived, and set his sights on the source, his leader.
"Chaska, reporting for duty" he said, sitting across from Fitzdutiful. "What is needed of me?"
FitzDutiful's call had caught her attention. Picking herself up off the ground, Ryuu swiftly trotted towards the sound. There was nothing she had to report to him, but she hadn't been in this pack but a week or so. Would he be disappointed in her for not having anything to offer? She would never stray too far from the den, she didn't like to be anywhere near the boarders in case some danger did appear.
It didn't take long for her to come to the den, but another wolf had made it here before her. One that she hadn't met yet. Nervously she sat at the edge of the clearing, not wanting to catch the wolf's attention. Her gaze stayed on her paws as she waited for the rest of the pack to arrive. How many were there? Would she start to panic if the number of members were too many? She shuffled a paw with worry. FitzDutiful had accepted her but that didn't mean the others would.
Bindi had been patrolling making sure the were no threats in the area, when she heard Fitz's howl. She ran towards the alpha male, and wasn't surprised to see she was not the first one there. A male who had been in the pack for a while now, and a female the midnight wolfess had never seen before. She gave a smile to both of them, before heading over to Fitz and gently nudging him. Bindi sat next to Fitz, but kept a respectable distance between them. She heard the pale alpha call for the entire pack, and that meant Raissa would be here. The last thing the pack needed was for the tri-colored wolfess to run off, because Bindi was sitting to close to Fitz.
The obsidian female wondered what this gathering was for, while she stared at the wolves she still need to meet properly. Bindi did not know them personally and because of that she saw them as a possible threat. Until, they proved they were loyal and trustworthy Bindi would keep a close eye on them. Bindi silently hoped her appearance wouldn't scare off any of the new wolves, because that would most likely hurt her feelings.
Raissa had been cooped up in the cave for nearly two weeks now and though she loved her pups dearly, she needed to stretch her legs. Fitz had told her that he would be calling a meeting and that it would be near by, so she was rather excited to get away. She was making sure the pups were fast asleep when she heard his official call. Once she was sure they would stay warm and safe inside the cozy confines of the den, she set off, her ears perked, alert for any sign the pups were in danger.
Since she had been hidden away from the real world, she had almost no idea what was happening with the pack. Were there new members? Had others deserted? There was no doubt she would be thoroughly disappointing when she caught wind of Copper's abandonment. She had taken a real liking of him, he was almost like a little brother to her. Then there was always Bindi. For as much as Raissa despised her, she knew they couldn't keep up their little feud. All that time of thinking led her to believe that maybe they could start over and have a chance at getting along, or maybe even being friends. The tri-colored wolfess made it up in her mind she would talk to the beta one on one after the meeting and apologize.
Raissa padded into the clearing with a hopeful smile on her face. The only two wolves she recognized were Fitz and Bindi, and that worried her. She smiled at both of the unknown wolves and even Bindi, before sitting down next to the male she didn't know. She wasn't quite sure where she stood anymore, so she decided to sit a respectful distance away from the leaders, her ears searching for any sounds coming from the den.
Whoops! This was supposed to go up yesterday. Ah well, round ends Sunday, May 3 and no post order required.
Chaska. He was the first to arrive and FitzDutiful smiled to see him. He was a very loyal wolf and FitzDutiful hoped he was still considering becoming the pack's chronicler. He wanted to inspire wolves to stay and become part of the family.
"I'll let you know when the others get here." he replied with a smile. Ryuu was the next to arrive and he noted her nervousness. He hoped she was getting along okay and made a mental note to catch up with her. Hopefully she would be the pack caretaker. The collar on her neck continued to blink
Bindi and Raissa both came too. Bindi greeted him and then sat not too far away. She was a respectable distance as was permitted for her beta status. Raissa moved to sit a respectable distance away from them both. He glanced over both of them as they arrived wondering about the situation. He had thought his pups would clarify it and make it easier. It did it some ways but it was also slightly more difficult. He found it harder to confirm his feelings. Maybe that was part of the problem and he needed to stop trying to justify them and just feel.
He shook his head. They were down three. They hadn't come. He waited a few more minutes for any sign that anyone else was approaching before speaking.
"As you all know, except maybe Ryuu, I asked us all to be more vigilant along our borders. We need to protect ourselves and the puppies. Copper, Paxton, Minxy." he said their names, looking towards Bindi to find out how she was feeling about her sister not being here.
"They have not been scented around here recently. They haven't arrived at this meeting. They are out of this pack. They are unable to rejoin without a good reason for their departure — I will not have any one taking us for granted again."
He looked around the wolves to make sure there were no questions before continuing on. Any questions that the wolves had would be answered before his next speech.
"I'd like a report on any encounters you have had at our borders. I, for one, met Ryuu and allowed her to join us. I also met another lone wolf, named Luke, who seemed peaceful and plans to find a home far away from here. I also had a run in with two wolves from the Sunspire. They were disrespectful and rude to start with. If they return then the one named Rain is allowed to converse at our borders but her escort, Nishu, is to be run off immediately for his disrespect. Be warned, he may start a fight." He quieted, allowing the others to speak of anyone they had come across this past month.
The grey wolf returned the alpha's smile with his own, then caught sign of movement and watched a silver-cream wolfess arrive. Next was a midnight black wolfess with a small white patch on her chest, and last was another wolfess with a dark brown, grey and white coat. He lightly smiled at all of them, then turned his attention back to Fitzdutiful.
The alpha began his speech, and he listened intently. By the time he was finished, Chaska began to report his findings.
"I had encountered quite a large wolf close to the border, but managed to get her to leave without the need of a fight. I doubt she would return, but she looked liked she'd been through tough times" he said, clearly visualizing the grey bear of a wolf he had seen a few days ago.
A black wolf with a white marking on her chest was the next one after Ryuu to enter the area, and then after her another female who was a brownish color. She hunkered down, making herself seem small. Hopefully no one would specifically call on her to say anything. She wasn't sure that she would be able to speak.
FitzDutiful then began to speak and Ryuu was surprised that only a few wolves filled the rankings of Silvertip. He begun by explaining that they needed to all be more vigilant along the boarders to protect the pack and the puppies. Her ears perk up at the mention of the puppies. Then he said something that confused Ryuu. He mentioned three wolves by names and told the pack that they cannot rejoin for disappearing without good reason. That made her realize that the pack had been larger, but because of the three missing wolves, their numbers had dwindled to just these few. Well with the new puppies their pack should refill again. Hopefully at least. She was glad that for now the numbers are few, it would be easier for her to try fitting in.
The next subject was a report on what FitzDutiful had dealt with. When he mentions her name, Ryuu bows her head slightly. He told them next that he had met another lone wolf named Luke who was searching for a home away from here. She would have rather Luke joined this pack - then she wouldn't be the only new wolf here. The last he mentions is of two wolves from a place called the Sunspire that were rude at first. FitzDutiful mentions their names and that's when Ryuu froze. She had missed the rest of what the alpha said and what the next wolf said as well.
Rain? Was it her sister? Ryuu started shivering, eyes widely staring at FitzDutilful. "Rain?" She interrupted forgetting her nervousness. "What did she look like? Could you say that she looks like me but more silver?" It couldn't have been her sister, right? She hadn't seen Rain in over a year. But what if it was? What would she do? She was now committed to this pack and it's not as if she wanted to go traveling around an area she didn't know. Perhaps she could ask one of the wolves here to bring her sister to Silvertip. Could she make such a request though? Would FitzDutiful allow it? She would have to talk with him in private later. For now she wanted to hear his answer.
Bindi watched as finally Raissa appeared and smiled at the two wolves Bindi did not know, and even the dark female herself. Bindi thought nothing of the smile, but instead gave her full attention to Fitz. When he said that Copper had left, the midnight girl wasn't exact sure how she felt. Copper was not her best friend, but she wouldn't consider him an enemy. The next wolf her said, Bindi had never met and so nothing about them even concerned the obsidian girl. Finally Fitz explained about Minxy. Bindi was a bit disappointed that her sister was not here, but it didn't matter. The dark wolfess was use to not having her sister in her life.
She listened as the pale alpha spoke on how he came across several wolves at the boarder, and how most were nice but one was to be run off. The dark female turned her attention to Chaska when he said about a large wolf, and getting her to leave Finally Bindi focused on Ryuu when she asked what one of the wolves admits met looked like. Bindi felt a bit disappointed in herself, as she had nothing to report. She was doing a terrible job as Beta leaving Fitz with all these loners when he has a new family to take care of. Bindi kept quiet and waited for what Fitz was say next, as the midnight wolfess was sure Riassa had nothing to say since she was in the den taking care of the pups all day.
Raissa listened intently as the conversation began, her smile drooping as she heard of Copper's disappearance. Why had he left without saying goodbye? She had thought he had finally started to feel welcome in the pack and the fact that he had just up and left hurt her a little.
But maybe it just wasnt the right place for him and she could respect that. Things were changing around here for sure and she wasnt quite sure if it was for the better or not.
The petite wolfess was happy to hear there hadnt been any fights. The rational part of her said that it was because she was glad no one had been hurt, but really she knew she would've been jealous. Fighting was her passion. Hopefully she could pass it on to at least one of her pups.
Stupid stomach bug's caused this to be late, sorry about that!
Everyone was quiet while FitzDutiful spoke. He looked towards Bindi when he mentioned her sister he wondered if there would be a reaction but he didn't see anything. From her nor Raissa. Did neither of them mind about the desertion that had occurred? Things were getting tough and FitzDutiful wasn't sure what to do about it. Was this all down to him? Was he a rubbish leader? These things were beginning to fly through his mind but he carefully boxed them all away before the others reacted to his question.
Chaska had seen one wolf and pushed her off without a fight, FitzDutiful nodded to his response. He was pleased that Chaska had gone out of his way to protect the lands. Ryuu seemed to be falling ill when FitzDutiful cast his eyes onto her. She was shivering and he frowned in concern but then she began to speak.
"I'm afraid I was more concerned about being attacked than focusing on her appearance. Maybe so. If you want to know for sure than Bindi might be willing to scout around for you?" he glanced between Bindi and Ryuu to get an idea of whether she'd agree or not.
Neither Bindi nor Raissa had anything else to add to the protection and he decided to move it onwards once the Bindi/Ryuu/Rain situation was resolved satisfactorily for now.
"Due to the desertion we are low on members." It didn't help that he was still fearful that Raissa would leave if he failed to forgive her.
"From the next full moon until the one afterwards I want everyone to focus on recruitment. To entice you to participate there will be an automatic promotion for any one who manages to recruit a lone wolf into our pack." It was a risky business but he hoped it would pay off. The promotions wouldn't extend into leadership - that was common sense - but it may be enough.
He had thought about this long and hard. It might backfire horribly, but it could pay off. The pups would be able to be left alone when the moon hit - the human date of May 3 - giving Raissa as much of a chance as the others. He didn't expect Ryuu to recruit but she was being given as much of a chance as the others and could look after the pups when Raissa was out. Now he waited for their reactions.
"Any questions?"
Chaska listened to the others for their reports, but surprisingly, only the alpha had something to say about activity around and inside the pack territory. After he had spoken of his encounter, the silver furred wolfess spoke about something related to the subject Fitz talked about. Chaska tuned out for a moment, believing this was not a conversation for him to listen to.
He then went back to listening when the light grey alpha spoke again, and this time about recruitment. He had briefly met two of the wolves who were not here, but before he mentioned three names, so he assumed he missed one. At the mention of becoming a higher rank, he raised a brow. Things just got interesting for him, and perhaps he could do more for this pack.
He shook his head when Fitzdutiful asked for questions, for he had no need of any to ask. He understood everything that had been discussed, besides the matter the silver wolfess brought up.
"I understand" he uttered, and bowed his head respectfully.
FitzDutiful's answer to her question was not what she had hoped for. Her head turned to Bindi as she made a note in her mind to also speak with the black wolf about traveling to the Sunspire. Ryuu wished that she could do that herself, but she didn't think she would be able to handle it. She wasn't even sure she could ask Bindi for the favor at all. Nervousness began to creep up on her again, causing Ryuu to revert back into her quiet state. Her eyes dropped to her paws.
She wasn't interested in gaining ranks in the pack, not believing that she deserved a decent rank. She was useless. Only strong wolves belonged in high ranks, but nonetheless her alpha wanted them to recruit so she would try at least. That is if she didn't lose her wit once she spotted someone. Ryuu sighs, would she ever be able to do anything?
Last round. I'll archive this in a week's time and give out the appropriate exp rewards then.
Only Chaska verbally responded to the words. He had feared that this may be taken badly by his pack wolves but he had decided it was for the best. He wanted them to feel like the pack's well-being affected them too, he was fed up of wolves leaving as though it didn't touch the ones left behind.
There was nothing much more to be said and so he signalled the meeting's end and moved away from the group himself to sit slightly closer to his den, keeping an ear out for the young ones inside. This was for their future, protection should any more of their pack up and desert them.
When Fitz gave the signal that the meeting had come to a close the dark female stood and began to make her way to the border. She wasn't going to be very helpful to the pack by just sitting there, and now that there was a mission to get loners to join Bindi was prepared to track down and recruit wolves. She remembered how Nova had said she would come to vist sometime and the obsindian wolfess wondered if the pale girl was still in the area. From what Bindi knew Nova had never stopped by.
Bindi set off to search for the pale female she met before. If needed she would drag Nova back to the mountain, and make her stay there. Make her become Bindi's slave. The dark female sighed as she realised how twisted her mind really was.