Two Rivers Isle HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOOOUUU

@Burke 's birthday is today! It can be assumed Malice told everyone about her plans for a surprise party at the big tree up the hill. She probably also asked if everyone could bring a little snack with them- except the pups. This activity is not mandatory- but it would be nice if your character joined anyway for some bonding! Everyone is welcome and there's no post order, though, please, only post once every 24 hours to give others a chance to post :) @Aeronwyn @Dagfinn @Liekos @Judas @Pyro @Vassago (@Amos ?) This all takes place at  the night of the 21th.

Nervousness raced through her body as she sneaked out of her den, making sure she woke up only her two sons and not her beloved mate. They could decide to come along or not, but she'd make sure to go back once everything was settled for the exciting night to ask if they wanted to join. She understood that most would rather sleep through the night, but night seemed the best time to tell tails and snack upon something delicious. It was a bit chilly too, but her thick coat of chocolate would make sure it didn't bother her that much. She weaved her brutish form around the trees, knowing every rock and stick to avoid to make no noise, and slipped her muzzle into a cache where she had hidden 2 plump hares. She took them out and sneaked out of the forest where most of them lived and went up the hill of the Great Tree. Darn, this place still needed a name.

She had told everyone of Arthendal, save for Burke, about her plans for tonight and she just hoped no one had forgotten to stay up tonight. It wasn't very late yet, but dark enough to let one's eyes wander off into the direction of the stars. Mother was spotted in the sky almost immediately, and Malice smiled at her excitedly. She lay the hares down in front of her, awaiting the arrival of whoever had decided to come.

Sure, Malice had told him about Burke's party, but that didn't mean he wanted to get up early! Not only did it have to be early, he had to be quiet too - what the heck. Vass stumbled to his paws, very nearly stepping on his dad in the process, and grumbled after Malice as he left the den with Pyro. The cold of Autumn cut through his pelt and chilled him to the bone, and as they walked the chestnut boy drifted closer to his little brother. Eventually, should Pyro let him, he'd press side to side as they padded on through the night. 

Mother led them to that damned hill, and a displeased rumble sounded in his throat as they began the climb. Why did they have to meet here, at the TOP? Why couldn't they hover at the bottom? Another, more violent shiver ran through Vassago's body, this one not just from cold but from fear - he pressed more firmly into his darker littermate, ears sliding back as he stared up at their destination.

It took him less than two seconds to shoot himself out of the den. He had been cautious not to wake daddy up, but he was sloppy and didn't check twice to make sure he hadn't messed up. He was just too excited for today was the day mom kept talking about! He wasn't completely sure what party meant, but it sure sounded like fun!

SHOOT. He'd forgotten his present, one that he'd put a lot of effort into catching the day before. He quickly scooted back inside the den to get it, issuing a hushed hurry to Vassago on his way back out with a dead vole in his mouth and a happy tail swirling behind. This was going to bE GREAT.

He noticed his brother's shaking on their way up the hill, and he rolled his eyes thinking 'please not again'. But he was a brother, and brothers needed to hold eachother's back. So he did just that and allowed the already larger boy to use him as emotional (but mostly physical) support until they reached the top. Once there he dropped the vole, checked it wasn't moving, and once sure it wouldn't escape he threw his brother a 'see? it's not that scary!' look before sitting next to mom.

She waited, and waited, yet no one turned up. She sat there, alone with her two sons under the moonlight and the food they had caught to celebrate. She bit her lip. Had they not found it a good idea? She frowned. Anger welled up inside her, yet she took a deep breath. Fine - they could make this evening a succes anyway, even if she was still a little mad at Vassago. She looked to her two boys, shaking her head with a smile. Doesn't seem like anyone wants to come. She informed them and let out a chuckle. How about we just call daddy?

Before they could answer, she raised her muzzle to the night sky and let out a long, strong howl for @Burke. It was a summoning, but also a message for the others. She would make this all work out, she knew, and they could suck it for now.

she had taken absurdly long to catch a few rabbits, having swam to the thicket and spent an afternoon throughout the trees hunting. she had gathered two in a temporary cache, and after claiming a third small and fluffy life(albeit not a rabbit) did she return to the spot she had left the two others, only to see the rapidly retreating form of another and her prizes gone.

needless to say, after a chase and a small scuffly, she had gained yet again possession of her prizes and returned to the isle, though tiredness and a winding cut down her forelimb had hampered her progress, as well as the burden of having to carry the three plump creatures from her jaws, and the issue that had presented itself at the river. 

when she did arrive, sodden and bloody and rather disheveled, albeit laying down her three prizes a few moments after the call for Burke had gone up. Panting in the slightest, gaze apolagetic as she sat near to Malice, her gaze flickered at the pile of gifts as she noted her third catch had been a Pika. She found the little creatures delicious, and hoped her Lord would feel the same. In the Hinterlands, they seemed rather difficult to catch. She had not missed the Vole which bore the scent of Pyro, and she gave him a praising smile before she begun to hurriedly groom her pelt and attend to the winding scratch, though she would halt immidiatly should Burke appear.

Burke was quickly awoken by the howl from Malice. He woke up with a start and looked around to find the den empty. The male pushed himself to his feet and was quick to go out of their den, his legs feeling very stiff, something that came with the age. The man groaned though he struggled to continue. Still it seemed Malice needed him, why did she go out at this time??

The male found them at the top of the hill and came up to it running, thinking something was wrong. He was panting slightly as he arrived at the top, looking even a bit stiff as he was walking. "Malice?," he questioned with a light frown. "What is the meaning of this?," he asked with a grumpy tone.

Soon after she had called did a white pelt catch her eyes - it was her sister, and Malice smiled warmly. It had always been the five of them, really, and somehow her anger passed by without an issue. Yes - this was them, and they didn't need anyone else. They were the gang in the gang, and Malice couldn't be happier with them all. To be honest, she almost loved that it was only Aeronwyn that had remembered the party, even though she had wished to spend some time with Judas and ask how he was doing. Oh well, she could do that later.

Just as she was about to greet her pale sister, running footfalls reached her ears and her whole body perked up. In the light of the moon could she see it - her one and only, and she grinned happily. She left Vassago and Pyro be, padding slowly toward Burke. Surpriiiise! She called out, softer as to not alarm anyone. If he would let her, she'd give him a nuzzle to his neck and a kiss on his cheek. Happy birthday, Burke!

Vassago missed the roll of Pyro's eyes, but stumbled to the top until he was close enough to huddle into himself, silent and shivering; his chestnut pelt was fluffed out against the cold, and he waited what felt like forever until Aunt Aero and Dad showed up. He didn't really care who showed up, but he did smile slightly at everyone that showed -- he even crowed excitedly after his mother.

                "Happy birthday, Dad!"

They waited and waited, silently staring off into the distance in hope that someone else would show up. Pyro would steal a glance at his mom from time to time, the gold in his eyes glinting enigmatically. Why were they the only ones up there? Weren't parties supposed to be attended by others? All those questions went unanswered for a while, but then came aunt Aero and Pyro ran up to her joyfully to lick her in greeting. Now it was a party!

Mom decided no one else would join them at some point, and Pyro met her chuckle with a wide smile. Why was he smiling? He didn't know, but he was sure happy to be surrounded by his loved ones. His own voice joined Malice's summoning howl, and that's when the excitement kicked in once more. He checked the pile of presents once more, his vole was still there so he was ready for dad.

And when the old man came to them Pyro jumped from his seat to come greet him. His ears were folded back and his tail low as it usually was when he was around Burke, but he was boisterous all the same. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!" he shouted as he came up to Burke to lick his chin. Then he remembered about the vole and sprinted back to the pile of dead bodies and stood behind it proudly as he awaited for Burke to come see his gifts.