Hushed Willows ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Next round ends 12/26. If you missed the first round, you still can jump into the second. No post order.

Faithful Khali was the first to arrive, of course. Oh, yes, she responded, cuddling closer to him. We're here to welcome the Morningsiders to their new home. They were sanctuary members, now, but she knew that deep down, they were Morningsiders and always would be. But they were welcome, no matter what they considered themselves. Everyone was.

She greeted warmly those who said hello to her, and made eye contact with the ones that huddled themselves away. Aliac received a warm smile--her new sister, she thought with a thrill--and her eyes warmed at Sunny's gentle reassurance of a girl she did not know yet. This was bittersweet for the new wolves. A new beginning when they were still grappling with an ending. She curled her ebony tail 'round her paws and waited.

Not everyone came. . .but most, and that was enough for her, at least for now. There was always the possibility of late-comers, too. She cleared her throat gently, pitching her voice above the gentle hum of whatever conversation was occurring.

Thanks all for coming, Lily announced, beaming, the tip of her tail thumping softly against the ground. I know it's been quite the past several days. I wanted to gather us all together to welcome the new faces in our forest. The Morningsiders have come to join us, so that we both may thrive through this coming winter.

She dipped her head to Sunny, blinking slowly. Make yourselves at home. And for those of you who are not new, introduce yourself. Make a friend. Let's show not only the Morningsiders, but the whole rest of the wilds, that we are a place of warmth and welcome. If you don't know me, I'm Lily; this is Seabreeze, and Olive, and Khali, she listed each of them as she gestured with her muzzle toward the trio. Come to us if you have trouble, or questions. We're happy to help.

Lily grinned, lifting her nose to peer over the crowd. So--who has good news? Share it, any of it. Things you've done well, something you discovered, anything. Let's hear it. She thought this might be a good idea to start, rather than allowing the newly merged pack to share grievances--Mali'd be in right on time for that, she thought sourly--or ask complicated questions.