Wheeling Gull Isle they are for each other

The children were old enough to travel to the rendezvous. All were weaned. She nudged the trio of @Vesper, @Prevost and @Peregrine along, with @Blueberry never far from her eldest sister. She smiled, but the expression was hollow. This should have been a momentous and joyful occasion.

Instead, it felt more like a farewell.

They could not stay here; she knew that. If they were closer to large herds of deer, greater quantities of game. . . But that was not to be found on the island. 

Maegi settled with a huff on her haunches in the place where she'd meant to grow her garden, letting the kids run fairly amok (though with a stern warning to stay within sight). She took a moment, closing her eyes, letting the breeze caress her cheek.

Then she howled for @Aiolos, @Mou, and @Phox. They had things to discuss. Many more things that would remain unspoken. And children to care for.

The pups were most important.

Mou had stolen some time for himself. To sleep, gather his strength for the trip off the island which felt imminent. The call of his wife's voice roused him from an uneasy nap.

He trotted most of the way to where she waited, quick stepping, energized by the knowledge that work had to be done rather than any good cheer.

What good could be felt upon the loss of yet another home?

The island had become far more silent now then ever before. With Hua and Mal having left, taking what remained of their pups along with them, the pack that Hua had created began to crumble. Sure, the four adults who remained could stay, raise these pups and raise them well, but it was the fear of their survival which moved the little group-literally. For Aiolos, his personal desire to protect his own future pups he may have drove him as well.

It was with a heavy sigh and heavy stride he came, unwanting to leave his beloved home. Aiolos is silent as he approaches Maegi and Mou, the frown on his features pulling tight. They would all do what they must, he knew.

He was one among four, although Phox could scarcely be called one of the island pack. He hunted for them what he could, and he searched for signs of Niamh. If she came back, it would be here. Phox was certain of it. He did not think she would return to the caldera; but maybe she knew this was a safe place for her and she would come back. Perhaps the children—they would be getting older now. Old enough to travel, and perhaps she was waiting for them to be able to do so.

He was reminded of this when he saw Maegi's children frolicking about. Four of them, perhaps the same age his own were right now. His heart sank, wishing that he could share those moments with his own children, wherever they were. Did they have a father? What had Niamh been thinking, pulling them away from such a good support system? These four children, despite the dwindling pack numbers, were doing well.

Along with Maegi and the children were the other two wolves who had greeted him at the border. Aiolos and the one who had not given his name. Or Phox had already forgotten it.

Phox's ribs showed clearly and his eyes were dull when he approached, but he was there. Ready to do whatever they asked of him.

They came, and her unease only grew tenfold as Phox arrived, her eyes flashing from the children back to the adults. Not that he was a threat—not to them, anyway. Just to the concept of her as their mother, and Mou as their father. The only mother and father they'd ever known.

So, I think it's time to find a new home, Maegi began, but it was merely ceremonial—the others were surely thinking it, too. Any ideas? I was thinking. . .Aiolos, I know you said that Moonspear had fallen, but what about that woman that visited? Would we be welcome in her pack?

She turned to Mou next. One of us can travel to the woods, see if Rowan would take us in, she said, softer. There was no doubt that her once-protégé would be happy to have them, but it was better to check in case they were just as down on their luck.

And then. . . I know you wanted to stay on the island and wait for Niamh, Maegi addressed Phox. You can continue on with us if you want, or remain. It's up to you.

Every other word was stuck in her throat. There were too many hard truths before them now to spill the ultimate secret—and besides, she didn't quite trust him, yet.

Aiolos came, and then Phox.

It took all of Mou's focus to remain watchful of his children rather than the other adults, and when Maegi made a shift of her own focus between them, Mou knew her struggle. He moved towards the four and rounded upon Blueberry, at which point he sank to his haunches and pulled her close with the guise of cleaning at her face for a few moments.

Maegi spoke then, offering suggestions and asking questions. There weren't many options as far as Mou could tell; he did not think that Blackfeather Woods would be a suitable place for any of them, given their history. Especially given how unfortunate the dark forest had been for their family — and then he thought of Onyx Hollow and the lives lost there.

Perhaps Aiolos could offer something; then again, it would be a fair bit of travel for the family just to get off the island, and then to go further - Mou wasn't sure if inviting danger was the way to survive it; he was a conflagration of doubt, dark portents, and concern.

Thinned was the last of them to join, the wayward father. His time both hunting for his mate and food for the pups not having gone unnoticed, despite half of those efforts being for not. Aiolos dips his creamy chin and then directs his attention back to Maegi, mother of Yuelong.

Aiolos poor expression did not waver as she spoke, yet she spoke the truth. Surely if it was the four of them together they would make it okay but with the pups and only with their growth they would be hungrier, making sure all of them were well fed was a gamble nine of them wanted to make.

It would be left to wonder for a few moments what Phox planned to do with himself (and how long it may still be before he found out the truth) as Aiolos spoke up. Kukutux is a fair and giving woman. I do not think she would turn any of us away, especially a mother with new life. His eyes tossed to the pups and Mou, then back to Maegi. They live within a ring of short mountains, where a great lake and old forest lie. If you go inland into the fields just beyond the sea lion shore, you will find their land. It is not far. It would be Maegi's and Mou's choice however, of course. Aiolos had every intention of reuniting with Kukutux after this, if only for the last bit of hope he held for the future being in her.

Phox listened, weighing his options. If Niamh came back here, and he was not here, what would she do? He did not think she would stay. She had come here seeking something, though what that was, he did not know. Since Maegi had known her, perhaps they were friends of a sort. Maybe Niamh would seek her out again when she was ready to come back. Because she would come back, right?

I will come with you, he said after Aiolos was finished speaking. Perhaps she will come looking for you again when she decides to return. This was said directly to Maegi. And so life pulled Phox in another direction again. Always seeking Niamh and the children that were surely out there somewhere.

vesper remained close to mou's side, leaning against him as he groomed blueberry. she should be excited— they were off to see new places, learn new things— but the dark child could feel the tension and sadness among the adults. she kept silent and listened, wary eyes peering at the fourth wolf from behind father. he was a stranger to her, though she knew he lived amongst them, and had become sort of a boogeyman in her mind. he was not family like mother, father, and aiolos were— her impression of him not helped by the fact her parents had never allowed them in, or even near, their den.

"time to find a new home..." the child's ears went flat at this, eyes snapping to mother, then back up at father. the gloom that hung heavy between them all told vesper that now was not the time to protest or ask questions, and so she swallowed them back and awaited their instruction.

She gave a brief nod at Aiolos as he spoke, then turned to Phox. His answer surprised her, somewhat; she had thought he would be tied to the island, waiting for Niamh. Perhaps he saw the writing on the wall. There was nothing for them here.

All right, Maegi said, taking in a deep, steadying exhale. So we will search, and if we do not find any of our family to stay with, then we will join you with Kukutux, she told Aiolos. Hopefully the woman would have them. His description was generous, but Maegi knew better than to get her hopes up.

Her eyes shifted downward, toward the pups. Now? she thought. No. . .not yet. As long as Phox remained with them, and did not turn away, she felt no urgency to tell him the truth.

Selfishness won the day. She wanted to keep them for herself—at least for a little while longer.

Well. . .I suppose there's no reason to wait around, she said, effectively concluding the meeting. Her head swiveled, taking in the island. Burning each sight and sound, smell and taste, into her memory. . .for who knew if they'd ever return again?

After a moment that felt like an eternity, she took one purposeful step toward the land bridge, and their future beyond.

Then it was decided.

Mou took one look around to the faces gathered, lingering a moment on Aiolos; then he turned to the children and moved to grab Blueberry by the middle. She was still small enough that he could carry her without issue; it would be easier than having her try to find her way across the channel on the sand. He could not fathom the thought of losing any of the children — being driven from their home was a hard lesson for them all, one which Mou wished he could spare them from.

As Maegi began to lead the way Mou, carrying the white blob that was their daughter, kept pace in the rear. He motioned for the other children to follow and trusted they could make their way - but he kept his eye out for any issues, all the same.

An ear twitched, a small ping at Phox words. He would follow Maegi wherever she went, with a hope that in doing so he would one day be connected with his mate again. Loyal without a fault even if it was not directly to the lot of them. It made Aiolos wonder more and more what had torn the pair apart. A story to remain a mystery, maybe forever.

Firey eyes then cast to Vesper, their sooty brown and black child. Her expression nervous, unsettled and it was of no wonder. It was only they three, Phox excluded, that the girl and her siblings had ever known. Aiolos offers a smile to her in encouragement.

Maegi spoke up, speaking of family, of reuniting with them. Perhaps if they found enough, they could all return to the island they so loved, renewed again. Aiolos nods sharply. I will deliver her the news and wait for your word, whatever you decide. He hoped that this was not goodbye, that they wouldn't cross that bridge onto the mainland and loose one another from that moment forward.

Passing a glance to them all, his sights too befall the whole of the island, just ad Maegi had. Until we're whole again... He whispers aloud, to the home which he loved and then he would go, moving away with what was left of Yuelong, no more.

skipping phox with permission! my last post for vesper— feel free to powerplay her as needed for the remainder of the thread.

vesper gave a dejected thump of her tail in response to aiolos' smile, but it did little to comfort the child— this was farewell, and she whined softly with ears back and posture bent low, sad eyes upon him as he moved away from the group. father nudged her, and she took her place directly in front of him. prevost and peregrine followed close behind mother; they were a bit more sullen than usual, but still could not resist nipping at each other as they traveled. at least they would keep each other distracted.

she paused, once, as they neared the middle of the land bridge. vesper looked at the island— it seemed so much smaller looking out here than when she was in it— and this image would be one of her first true memories. a nudge at her haunch again, and little blueberry kicking at her shoulders as she hung from father's grasp, and vesper teasingly nibbled on one of her little sister's paws before resuming pace.

g'bye.. so quiet under her breath, it was unlikely anyone else heard it.