Razorback Ridge We look at the future and help it along,

Célnes felt it would be safe to stay in the mountains for the meanwhile. She did not prefer so, enjoying the more flat-lands of the dense forests, but they couldn't be picky. Surviving a fire, she now was determined to survive through the torrents of water throwing itself around the lands. A downpour of rain, a curse to the area. 

It seemed for now the mountains were the safest to be, due to a lesser chance of floods. Perhaps mudslides, slippery slopes, but they wouldn't drown. Only then, once it was over, they would head down. She threw some thoughts of joining another group, but maybe avoid doing so. After finding Kendrick, maybe it would be more preferrable. At least know how he is doing, and what his thoughts are to be.

She wouldn't force him to stay, but felt obligated as the eldest.

And so the Deorwine roamed around the mountain, a few Whitebark Wolves following after. She made the 'hideout' for any with her, at Sunspire mountain, the very top. She told @Cenric that, and anyone else who stayed with.

Like many, Brewster had sought refuge in the mountains, his hand forced due to the torrential rains. First fire, now floods — what's next for the disastrous Déorwine? He thought solemnly with a huff of a laugh. Perhaps it was all just a test for them, to flush out the nonbelievers, those who betrayed the faith in some way. Perhaps it had not been a punishment, but a culling.

The thought did not sit well with the man, so he shifted his attention to the path ahead. It was a rugged slope, littered with pitfalls made no easier due to the current downpour. He wasn't quite sure where he was going, but he had had the idea to head higher to get a scope of the land. The mountains would not be their final home, but maybe beyond them...?

Brewster squinted against the rain, making out a slim, dark figure up ahead who had also found themselves upon these cursed peaks. The falls had dulled his senses, and the still healing injury upon his paw made movement slow, so the man could only hope the stranger was a friendly one. Knowing it would only be a matter of time before he was discovered, the Déorwine decided to make himself known.

"Careful ya don't get washed away up here, hey?" he called out cheerfully, picking his way across the rocky trail.

"Uncle Brewster," Célnes said to the familiar appearence. She thought out of all the elders, he would've survived, and he did not prove her wrong. While more scorned, with his cooling tones, he was still beloved as so, especially by her mother. The triad's mother truly loved her siblings so, and she felt disgusted by that.

"It is nice to see you again," the elken woman put on her best smile.

Well, what a surprise! The figure turned as he drew closer and, without missing a beat, greeted him with a familiar, pleasant smile. Brewster paused after catching sight of Célnes' burnt orange gaze, dipping his head in turn with the same air of amicableness.

All for appearances. Out of all his nieces and nephews, he trusted Célnes the least. Even before the disappearance of his brother, he suspected something was up with her and the other two she hung around, yet he never had enough proof to pursue any sort of trial. And they had proven herself devoted enough to stay within both the pack's and High Elk's graces. Never stepping on any toes yet creeping around all the same.

But the elder would not let his suspicions ruin his jovial reputation. He was a family man, after all. "And you, Célnes," he replied. "Fancy finding you here — what are you doing all the way up in these mountains?"

They had a mutual dislike for each other, but for all everyone else knew, Brewster and Célnes held a perfect uncle and niece relationship, with the excemption of Cenric of knowing. The two held onto their smiles, even though no one was around. She would always keep up appearences, especially with dearest uncle Brewster.

"We all survived," referencing herself and siblings, "but we are having trouble finding Kendrick," their little liar, "we assume he was in the mountains." She felt like he was accusing her something, as he always seemed so somehow. The Deorwine reversed the question, "how about you, Uncle?" She said, with a hint of malice.

Corliss absolutely despised this place. She hated the constant raining, the flash floods, and the disgusting muddy shit that she'd been force to walk in for god knows how long. Thankfully it wasn't the same fire that destroyed her entire family's home and seared her left ear, but it was like walking through another test of her wavering patience. But alas, this series of unfortunate events couldnt have been happening out of nowhere — it was a sign. A trail which the high elk was putting everyone through to make a statement. But of what? What had motivated them to set Corliss' home ablaze and guide her toward land that was practically submerged in water? It was something she'd figure out once the test of her loyalty to the elken god was over. 

Climbing over ledges and rock all day wasn't an ideal position to be in either, but Corliss favored this over wet soil. And just when she was about to call it a day and rest near a flatter surface, ears twitched from the sound of two farmiliar voices on the level she walked on. No, that couldn't be, right? Yet when the dame got closer to see, there was no denying who they were.

"Well, well, well, would you take a look at this little merry band~" The fae's voice echoed, her long strides mimicking her regal voice. "It would appear you were too stubborn to allow flames stop your path after all, Célnes. Good to see you again." She looked towards her cousin with a proud smile, then turned to glance over at the other Déorwine wolf beside them. "And you, Uncle Brewster—" Ah, there he was. The greyish brute that her father called his brother. The sight of him nearly made her lip curl in annoyance; let's say she wasn't as happy to see him, but that wasn't something the she-wolf made visible "—I am glad that old age hasn't slowed you down just yet. You still look as lively as you've ever been."

Ah good, his sister's little darlings all survived the fire too, it seemed. Which was more than could be said of their parents...and Grayson. Célnes informed him that they were up here searching for Kendrick, who was yet to be found, though he knew their brother at least had enough wits about him to head to higher ground during this monsoonal rain. "Well it looks like you can add one more pair of eyes to your search party, eh?" he replied with a wink, while his inner voice rumbled, unlikely.

As for what he was doing here, the man opened his mouth to answer, before a distinguished voice announced the presence of another.

The man turned his head to face the newcomer, eyes alighting upon none other than Calhoun's sister. She was another he didn't entirely trust, but at least he was sure this girl and her brother wouldn't try to murder him in his sleep. Still, for all the unseen tension between the three, Brewster did not let his jolly nature falter. "Ah, I can still keep up with you youngins yet," he said with another wink. "Good to see you too, Corliss." It seemed like Déorwine were crawling out of every nook and cranny around here. "I'm glad so many of us have survived!"

Célnes held onto her pefectionist smile, only changing by craning her neck to look over to the fox that entered. She came in like nobility, as a Deorwine should, "It is nice to see you as well, Corliss, I can say the same for you." The High Elk seemed to favour the youngest generation to survive, as only few of the eldest slipped through the cracks. Her fire-lit gaze went back to focusing on Brewster, as he did his fake glee.

"A few of us are staying at the highest spire, including Calhoun," the elken woman said while looking at Corliss. She momentarily met her brother, Calhoun near the lower parts of these mountains, and mentioned the same to him as well. She looked between the two, and didn't mention the unholy joining their ranks.

When Corliss reached the two she'd find herself a seat, curling her bushy tail neatly around her paws and straightening her back with a pleased grin. Finally, it was good to see some farmiliar faces amongst the wreckage. The damsel nearly thought she was all on her own out here during this flood, but knowing there was family around gave her a boost of confidence. 

'I'm so glad many of us have survived!' said the elderly male — that meant there were others who survived the fire as well, a good sign. And when Célnes mentioned her brother, Calhoun, being included into the yet to be executed plan, the grin on her face only grew wider. "So it would appear that my dear brother arrived at the call of the high elk before me. I almost feel jealous..." sibling rivalry never left Corliss' blood, not even towards the entrance of her adulthood, and a small part of her wished she'd arrived before Cal did. Either way, the femme was still glad her brother was okay, because the same couldn't be said for her parents...

since brewster went inactive i'll throw this post!

Célnes did not want to talk to Brewster too much, and before he spoke again, she cut him off. There was a knowing grin as she gave a side-eye to her uncle, and spoke directly to them, "It is a blessing that a lot of us survive. I shall take you to where we rest, and hope many more continue to us."

Calhoun would be pleased especially knowing his sister survived. Sadly, there was a few unwanted ones, like Whitney that also seemed to escape so. The elken woman refrained from mentioning that woman, or that fact there was none Déorwine in the mixture.

She didn't let them talk more, only flashing the receptionist smile, and turning around to lead them up the mountains.