Ever since Ioa's death, Lily had felt as if something needed to be done about the state of life in Bracken Sanctuary. Their numbers had swelled recently, and no longer could they afford to be withdrawn, barely seeing each other. Packs functioned best on camaraderie, where everyone was indelibly bonded, if not by blood then by friendship. With all the new members, now was the best time to come together.

The dark-furred girl padded to Paradise Garden, the polished leg bone of the deer they'd taken down between her jaws. It was a nice, sunny day, and the butterflies were out in droves, fluttering around the beautiful wildflowers. She took a second to breathe it all in, eyes closed--a silent meditation, something she hadn't taken time to do in a while. Set down the bone at her forepaws, and smiled.

And then she tipped her head back in a howl, not to one or two members, but to the entire group of wolves that now called Broken Boulder home. Whether they would all come was anyone's guess; she didn't hold quite the authority that Alarian or Delight did, but she was a senior member here, and she hoped for a good turnout.

Daddy had done this, and she wondered how the dynamics would play out in a non-familial pack. They had been spread out on the plains, and every moon or so, Robert(o) would gather the pack in a sort of a "state of things" meeting. A time to share thoughts, air concerns, talk a little bit about yourself and what you had been doing. Of course, being family, they knew a lot about each other already, which made Lily think that this strategy could be even more beneficial in this scenario.

It was an icebreaker. A chance to get to know everyone at last. She'd been lax in her duties; she didn't yet know everyone by heart, and there were a couple she had not met at all. That would end today, she hoped. As Consultant, Lily was responsible for their hearts, their state of mind--and she'd seen enough internal discord from Alarian to know that things were not as good as they could be.

Lily brought down her head, blinking. A butterfly settled on her nose, and she sneezed, giggling as it flew away again. Watching, waiting. Hopeful.

They came, one by one, not all of them--but enough. "Hullo, Korei," Lily greeted, giving her friend a playful nudge to the shoulder. Vilkas was next, and she gave him an unguarded smile; Steele, Queenie, Kavik. . .then Alarian and Delight, Liri and Brennan. They all settled down around her, and she grinned, wagging her tail. She wished Lanawyn were here; she must be busy with something.

"Thank you for coming," she began, her voice a little tremulous. Taking a pause to regain composure, she sucked in a breath before continuing. "Back home, my father has led my family pack for many seasons. In all our history, it was peaceful and happy. I have to believe that the councils he called every third moon were a big contributor to that goodwill."

She dipped her muzzle down at the bone at her paws. "He'd gather us all together to share what was on our minds--what we had been doing, what we were proud of, what concerns we had, if any. We stayed connected, that way, though our territory was vast and open." Her eyes drifted past each wolf in turn. "We are not bonded by blood but allegiance; we chose each other. That means that getting to know one another is even more important than it was in my family.

"We're going to pass this bone around the circle," Lily explained. "When you get the bone, tell us your name, your trade and role here, what you've been up to, what you're proud of, and any concerns you might have about the Sanctuary." She smiled softly. "I will try to address those concerns one-on-one, as best I can. After you speak, pass the bone to another, someone who hasn't gone yet."

She placed her paw upon the bone. "So, erm, I'll start. My name is Lily. I'm the Consultant here, a counselor for all of you to talk to when you need it. I've been trying to look after everyone, and practicing my hunting as well. I'm proud that our numbers have grown in the past few moons--and I'm concerned that larger numbers might make some feel isolated, hidden. That's why I'm doing this today." Lowering her head, she picked up the bone and padded over to @Korei Julia, placing it at her feet. She smiled at her, an expectant gleam in her eyes. As a long-standing member of the Sanctuary, and a wonderful heart, Korei should go next.

The bone was passed from wolf to wolf, each of them sharing their stories. Lily was thrilled to see them opening up. Some of them struggled, she saw, but that would change with time. They would grow to know each other, grow comfortable with each other. She was grateful that they had made the effort, at least, and had heeded her summons.

"Thank you," she said, moved beyond adequate words. She grinned, white teeth flashing against her black lips. "I know that was kind of awkward," she added, giggling. "But hopefully we've gotten to know each other a little better. We're family here, after all. And if any of you need to talk, anytime, I'm here. Come and find me."

She padded away as everyone began to disperse, engaging herself in conversation with Korei. "Thanks for starting things off," she murmured to her friend, smiling, their shoulders brushing as they walked off. Her fiery eyes flashed to Vilkas; Lily would find him later. For now, she basked in the success of her first pack meeting--and was suffused with bubbly excitement for the next one.