Emberwood The heart wants what it wants

@Reek @Arion @Gunnar @Ryker @Ivy @Oliver This is a one round howl thread for the members of the Rise to basically identify that they're safe and willing to relocate with the pack you can have your character howl once or you can have them meet up with Saena & co. for more rounds if you want to! I'm going to leave this up for a week or two before making any more replies so everyone has an opportunity to respond in the way they would like. If you choose not to post here, then I'll assume your character does not want to stay with the pack. Lone wolves that want to join up with the relocating pack are welcome to post here, too! Reek and Saena wouldn't turn them away and the pack is really hurting for members right now.

For two days and two nights, Redtail Rise burned. Reek and Saena watched the fall of their home from the safety of the Emberwood, both of them sober. Any attempt at light-heartedness only seemed to make the situation feel heavier. Thankfully, Arion had managed to get out as well and had met up with them here, but Saena didn't yet know the fate of the rest of the pack. Thinking about it made her sick to her stomach, not only because of the possibility they were dead, but because she'd failed them as an alpha.

She felt that way even though she knew the fire wasn't her fault. Being unable to howl for fear of scorching her throat wasn't her fault, either, but she should've tried. She knew that.

On the third day in the Emberwood, Saena slowly extricated herself from Reek. She stepped solemnly through the wood, her usual cheery disposition all but wiped out. How could she be even remotely happy? She, Reek and Arion were homeless, and who knew where the others were? She thought mournfully of Gunnar and Oliver and Wynter, and even the newest members, Ryker and Ivy. What if none of them made it out?

Deciding that she couldn't bear not knowing any longer, the former Redtail Rise alpha threw back her head and sent out a powerful howl, hoping to rally her wolves. Those howls she heard in response would tell her how many remained, and she would mourn those who were silent.

Being vague about the storm bc on vacation and throwing up a quick post! PP of Cita done with permission!

To say the storm had been bad was a vast, vast understatement. How the two lone Amazons had survived it was unknown to her but they had, and that was what counted. In the eerily quiet aftermath, they had pulled themselves from their shelter and assessed the world around them. The destruction had been horrific and the Counselor wasn't quite sure how any could have lived through it. Her eyes turned to the Rise, shocked to see the flames that rose above it. She could only hope that they, and even Tyrr and whoever else resided on the ridge, remained alive.

That had been more than a day ago. Now, a howl drew her attention. It wasn't necessarily a familiar howl but it was calling for the members of the Rise, which meant that at least one of them had made it out. Bright eyes glanced at her companion, her question evident. They would not continue thriving on these lands without a pack, especially now that all the prey had pretty much just up and left.

In mutual agreement, they moved towards the source of the howl, eventually coming upon Saena and her small clutch of wolves. Surely, there had to be more than these three who had made it. But Nochtli did not voice such things, instead asking an important question. "How can we help? I am a tracker and Citali is a healer." If there were those that were lost or injured, perhaps they would be able to lend a paw.

Something was burning. The acrid smell of smoke was upon the air. Ash flew upon the wild winds. The storm may have passed, and somehow they made it through the night, but the damage remained. In some places, the damage continued. It was devastating, truly. The horrors of the natural world, while normally manageable, had chosen to prove just how small the rest of the inhabitants of this place were. They'd been powerless to do anything about it, but after hiding and waiting out the storm, it was time to see what remained.

She was starved. Or felt it. Her stomach gurgled as she and Nochtli emerged from their place of hiding to see what they could find. A howl rang up. Her ears turned towards it as she caught her dark sister's gaze. Citali sighed before giving her sister a silent nod. There was a survivor out there somewhere. The healer within her could leave no wolf behind. At the very least, she'd have to see what was out there.

They found Saena and the rest of her companions. Nochtli was quick to volunteer their assistance to which Citali merely offered a nod of agreement before turning her eyes towards the trees. This place looked as though it had gone mostly untouched. If there was anyone with injury, there was certain to be something within this forest that could assist them.

Ryker had narrowly escaped the flames as the licked the trees of what would have been his new home. He had only been there a matter of days before a stor ripped through the wilds causing endless damage. The whole Rise had burnt down after lightning struck a few of the trees.

Ryker ran following the very faint scents of his fellow pack mates. He hadn't come to recognize many of them but he knew for sure that Saena, Reek, and Arion had made it out alive. Were they okay however? If they weren't his healing skills weren't good enough yet to save a life. He sure as heck hoped there was some other wolf had made it out that could help him.

As he got closer he saw the two Alpha's, Arion and two wolves he didnt recognize. Right now it was hard to know if they were even pack mates. He was relieved to see they were relatively okay. He fell into a fit of coughs because of the smoke but he would be fine. He was fairly sure of that. He turned to face the forest. All that remained was the bark from very dead trees and ashes.

Where would they go now? They had no home. Ryker was once again homeless. At least this time he wasn't alone.

He looked back towards the group of wolves. "Is everyone okay? Anyone hurt?" concern showing in his eyes. He coughed a few more times but collected himself fairly quickly. "Is there anyone else who made it out?" he tilted his head. He didn't know how much even the Alpha's of this pack knew.

Shouldn't the Emberwood prefex be under the Snowforest Taiga instead of the RSV? I just noticed that. Shadow posted Ryker, Edited.

The core trio of Redtail Rise made it out of the inferno more or less unscathed (barring any emotional trauma), and for that Reek was thankful.  However, seeing their home reduced to an ashen hill made it relatively difficult to focus on the positives, even though the survivors were quite lucky in the fact that they had made it out alive. The others, on the other-hand— their fate was still a mystery. But rather than dwell on the ifs or whos, Reek occupied his time with something else.

While the trio of survivors regrouped in the Emberwood, Reek had taken up the bad habit of sleeping the day away. First it was difficult, but after the initial shock wore off sleep was as easy as ever, especially with Saena by his side.  Thankfully, Reek wasn't the type to be plagued by nightmares, and even in the face of tragedy his dreams tended to be pleasant— but most of all, an escape.  But, his most recent foray into escapism was cut short by Saena's howl causing him to stir slowly and eventually he found his feet.  Shifting his tired gaze to @Arion, Reek beckoned for him to follow to meet back up with his lover.

There, they waited. Hopefully the other subordinates had made it out in time, but for a while there was silence.  For every passing second, the knot in Reek's stomach tightened. A response eventually came, but it certainly wasn't the one Reek was expecting in the slightest... Nochtli, and that OCD healer who made a fuss over the fern. Reek shot the two amazons a weak smile; any familiar face was welcome at this point.  

"Nochtli..." whispered Reek in greeting before shifting his gaze to her companion who's name he never learned. "Fern lady." He turned back to Noch to address her question. "We don't know the full extent of the damage yet... but, I'm sure we could use all the help we can get."

Out of the blue, their newest member, Ryker, burst onto the scene, coughing from the residual effects of the smoke. Reek breathed a sigh of relief... at least one had made it out alive.  "So far this is it Ryk... We just need to wait and see." The six of them would have no problem staking a claim elsewhere, but the other missing subordinates weighed heavy on Reek's mind.

Wynter came to a rest god knows where. She hadn't really been focused on where she was going she just knew she had to get away from the flames that had slowly been creeping through the forest. Wynter was terrified. Not because of the fire but because she didn't know if the others were okay. Reek, Saena, Arion, Gunnar and Oliver. Also any of the new wolves she had heard near the borders. Had any of them made it out.

Her question was soon answered as a howl rang out. Saena. She was okay. What about Reek? Saena and her ex mate had been spending a lot of time together lately and she wondered if they had been together when the fire had started. She threw her head back and howled announcing that she was okay and she would be there soon. A fit of coughs followed her lungs full with smoke and ashes from the blaze. 

She began to make her way towards the Emberwood where the howl had come from. Stopping ever so often to catch her breath. Where would the pack go? Not that it mattered much to her since she wasn't sticking around too much longer. Still she was concerned for the survival of the pack itself.

Once she arrived she saw that Saena, Reek and Arion were all there. As well as one of the newer wolves whose names she did not know. Also there were two wolves she assumed were lone. She wondered if they were there to join the Ranks or if they were just there to offer their assistance. She bowed her head to Saena and then acknowledged the two lones, and took a seat nearby. She hadn't really much to say since she assumed they had already encountered enough Are you okay's. 

"Is this it? Or are there more of us," her heart sank at the thought of the rise losing more wolves than they already had in the past weeks. There was no sign of Gunnar or Oliver yet. That was what worried her.

Arion supposed that while his fighting skills might have gone a bit rusty when he arrived at Teekon Wilds, his running was still as swift as the wind and therefore he was still as fast as ever. He thanked the gods that his speed had been enough for him to escape the raging inferno relatively unharmed. Sure, he had a burn on his paw, but that was so minor that it didn't really hurt the battle hardened warrior. Surprisingly, even after that, he still thought of fire as beautiful. He loved these things, things that were so beautiful yet so dangerous at the sametime. Perhaps that was why he loved the sea so much too, because water could be as dangerous as fire; maybe even more.

He didn't understand how some wolves thought that the sea couldn't be more dangerous than fire. Why not? Stupid idiots. Water could kill just like fire could. But nevermind that now.

He met up with Saena and Reek in the Emberwood, and was secretly thankful that they were alive though outwardly he remained as aloof as ever. It wouldn't do anyone good to show that he cared for anyone (even though that probably knew); he didn't need a tarnished reputation on top of everything. Though why should he care about his pride? After all, they were homeless now, and technically packless too. Now, they were just a band of wolves, no longer a pack. So while Reek somehow managed to sleep, Arion was kept awake by the thoughts that plagued his mind. To go? Or to stay?

His thoughts was interrupted by Saena's howl. Immediately, he stood up and stared around with wide eyes; by the looks of him, with his bristling fur, he had thought there was an attack. Thankfully, none of that happened. Good. Now what was he supposed to do next? Ah..yes, meet up with Saena.

Somehow he forgot that Reek was there, and began making his way to where Saena was before the ragged male even beckoned him. He didn't do it on purpose, not really, he was too occupied to remember mundane details like how the (former?) Alpha had been next to him.

The Greek stopped and waited when he arrived, tail flicking impatiently behind him. Surely, someone other than the golden trio had survived the fire. But for a long time, no one came, and Arion began to grow anxious which made him start pacing back and forth to get rid of his nerves. Then someone came, but not who he was expecting. They were the two Amazons. The black one he knew from the Sebastian encounter in Larksong Grotto; the other one was the one he met in Phoenix Maplewood.

He nodded to Nochtli, and flashed the healer a brief smile but otherwise, remained absolutely silent. Where were the others? His question was answered in a second when Ryker burst into the scene, coughing as he did so. Well, at least Arion hadn't made a mistake accepting him; he had been capable enough to escape the raging fire. Then Wynter came, which was totally unexpected as he'd thought she had left.

None of his thoughts showed on his face. Instead, he continued calmly pacing, alert for any others who may have lived.

Okay, let's make this a free for all. If your character would stick around to chat you can feel free to play in this thread, but not gonna do rounds to keep it moving because I can't commit to scheduled posting atm, so... Go nuts I guess! and nope, Emberwood is actually in RSV, just very close to SFT.

The longer she stood there alone, the more nervous Saena became. Even when Reek and Arion stepped up beside her, the alpha female fretted. She fidgeted on the spot, barely able to quell a worried whine from leaking through her usual composure, but then forms began to materialize through the trees. She perked up, wagging her short tail hard with relief, but she faltered when the first two to arrive were not from Redtail Rise at all

Saena knew Nochtli far better than Citali, but she knew both wolves to be decent beings. Citali was perhaps more forceful. She was conflicted upon seeing them but breathed a sigh when they announced their intent to help. She couldn't have dreamed any would come from the surrounding packs to aid them, but the pack that these two came from was clearly of a decent sort. They aided not only Sebastian, but the wolves who had stood against him. They did so equally.

She knew that was difficult. "Thank you so much," the alpha female breathed, turning to brandish her hip, where an ugly burn mark was stamped into her flesh. The escape from the Rise was a blur in her memory but this was the brand of a falling chunk of wood. Reek tended it as best he could, but all his stores burned down with their forest. Citali's attention would be much appreciated, and as she glanced sidelong at Arion, Saena hoped the Amazonian healer was able to tend them all without straining herself.

Ryker arrived next, proving himself resourceful even though he was new (she showed her relief at seeing him with a wolfish grin and a happy whine) and then out of the blue came Wynter. Saena fixed the female in her gaze, watching carefully for a moment--hadn't she left?--but then turned to Nochtli.

"There are two missing. A brown guy with roundish markings on his face and a dark-haired guy that looks sort of like Reek. Gunnar and Oliver respectfully." By the time she finished describing them, Saena's voice had taken on an edge of panic. What if they didn't get out?

She couldn't bear to think of it.

Gunnar had barely escaped the flames, licking at his backside he had run. Run until his legs gave way and his heart felt as if it would beat from his chest. He fell to the ground and lay there, smoke sticking to his fur, making it an ashy color. He looked a bit like Mercury now. Tilting his head, he closed his eyes exhaustion overtaking his limbs and he slept. He wasn't sure how long he had slept. Or even how far away he was. He heard the howl as if from far away, in the midst of a waking dream. He jerked himself awake and listened quietly, trying to determine if it really was a sound or if it had been merely a trick. 

Tilting his head he sent out a questioning howl, hoping it would reach whoever was out there, and if his family was safe

The young alpha turned to place the burn mark on her hip more directly in Citali's view. With a lifted brow of question and permission to get a closer look, she stepped forward to examine the damage. A flesh wound. Charred, but nothing that would cause lasting damage if treated properly. "Anyone else suffering from burns or any other ailment?" she asked, making a mental inventory as to how many would need her assistance and what for. She was able bodied enough to gather supplies and tend to them, but the fewer trips she made to fetch things, the more time she could spend here assisting in recovery.

A few more wolves joined up with them. A couple she recognized from her encounters in these wilds and a few she did not. In time, perhaps she would get to know them, but for now there were other, more pressing, matters at hand. Like finding the rest of these wolves. No sooner had Saena spoken of a couple missing from their party than a howl rang out in the distance. "Perhaps that is one of them?" she asked, looking to the former redtail residents to see if they recognized his voice.

A glance to Nochtli bore suggestion that her sister run to fetch whoever it might be. No doubt the wolves present were all exhausted from their evacuations. While they too had fled the storm, they'd been more fortunate in finding shelter and had avoided the worst of it. They were none the less worse for wear and they were here to offer assistance. Nochtli had offered to track. It was as good a time as any to make good on their promises.

No sooner than the howl had rung was the dark female turning from their presence, never catching Citali's glance. She had told Saena she would help, and help she would. Nochtli was a hard-working, loyal shadow, despite what the bum King had said about her and she would not just flit around like a floozy. No, if she could be helpful to this pack, she would, especially if they were going to join them.

A slight distance away from the gathering, she loosed her own howl, calling out to @Gunnar and @Oliver. One of them had howled and while she didn't know who, she was determined to find at least one (though preferably both) of them. Location? Even if they didn't know her voice, if they responded, her job would become incredibly easy.

In the meantime, her nose was working, nostrils flaring as she sniffed at the air and ground both. If she could just pick up a trace of their scent, the dark Amazon would have something to go off of. For now, she drifted, sniffing at the ground and doing what she could to track them down.

Wynter watched as more and more wolves began to join the group. She was pleased to see most of the members had made it out with noting more major than a few burns or smoke inhalation. Gunnar and Oliver were still missing though. They were good wolves and frankly she was worried.

Before anything else could be said a howl rang out into the air. It was Gunnar. He was alive. Although possibly injured which may explain why he had not managed to join the others. Wynter was toiling something over in her mind. She knew now that most if not all the wolves had made it out of the fire alive. She could leave now. it would be the perfect time because they didn't have a permanant home as of yet and she could easily walk away and find one of her own.

"Saena, now that I know most if not everyone is okay. I think I ought to go," she said padding up to the white Alphess. "I greatly appreciate all you have done for me allowing me and Reek," she paused and glanced at the dark wolf beside the Alphess. "To stay here at the Rise with you," she finished. "I was glad to be a part of founding this pack but I no longer feel as welcome here as before," she gave a final nudge to the white fae and then bowed her head. "Goodbye everyone," she said. "Perhaps I will run into some of you on my adventures. Who knows." she finished with a smile as she turned tail giving one last wave and wandering off into the unknown. Her new life.

The gathered wolves bustled around her, but Saena's attention lingered solely on Nochtli for a moment. The dark woman began to turn away and at that moment, a howl reached them from not-so-far-away. Saena pricked her tall ears and turned automatically toward it with a mixture of relief and shock flooding her chest. When Citali asked, she nodded and breathed, "Gunnar." The viking was safe, but where was Oliver?

Nochtli seemed to be thinking the same thing, for she set off immediately, leaving Saena with the chocolate furred healer and the rest of the splintered pack. Her ears lifted again when Nochtli howled and she lifted her head to join in, calling Gunnar home and hopefully reaching Oliver as well.

She was about to turn to Reek, Arion and Ryker when Wynter stepped forward and launched into an almost inappropriately long speech about leaving. Given they'd just watched their home burn down and given she'd expected Wynter to be gone by now, Saena faced her subordinate with a heavy glare rather than her usual softness, as if to say, "this is not the time". "I'd thought you were gone already," was all she said to her former follower until the woman finally said her goodbyes. "See you," she managed, though in the wake of loss and grief and destruction, "get lost" would've felt much better.

Swivelling back around, she sought Citali and murmured, "I can't tell you enough how much we appreciate this."

Quick to keep up with the present situation, Nochtli was fast off to find and gather whatever wolf of theirs might still be straggling behind. Knowing her dark sister, Citali was certain the wolf would find whoever wished to be found or those who'd simply lost their way. No doubt the emotion turmoil of losing ones home would be just as tumultuous as their physical attempt at escape. Fires were no easy force of nature. They were lucky to have fled mostly unscathed.

Her eyes took a mental inventory on all the visible ailments she could see before she excused herself for a moment. As was true with most forests, this area came with a number of viable options. She was currently seeking lavender or honey. Given the local climate, she doubted aloe vera would be anywhere nearby, but the other two were possibilities. She just had to decide whether or not she wished to risk bees or go the easy route.

In spirit of swiftness, she collected a few sprigs of lavender and returned to the gathering. With the stems at her paws she began to strip the petals from the flowers so she might utilize them whenever those who needed tending were up for a little poking and prodding. The oil from the flower was a natural antibiotic, pain reliever, and would expedite the healing process. All good things.

Saena turned to her, thanking both herself and her absent sister. "You're all very welcome," she murmured, not looking away from her present task of petal pulling. "Truth be told, we're looking for a new place to settle. Though the reason for this reunion is not so sweet, the timing could not be better." Her ear turned, listening to see if Nochtli was any closer to returning. This conversation was best had between the three of them.

I'm going to fade this here! I'll leave it up for a few days if anyone wants to make final posts in it!

Citali's explanation that they were looking for a new place to call home pulled up the memory of Nochtli before the woman went to investigate Ankyra Sound. The dark-haired Amazon had mentioned their former alpha, a member of these lands as well. Maybe the two events were linked.

"Nochtli mentioned you guys leaving, too," Saena mused aloud, taking a step closer to Reek to nudge him comfortingly. Maybe she just wanted him to listen in, or maybe she was seeking comfort herself. After all, she was unlikely to settle from this for a long time, and her heart was still hammering unpleasantly in her chest from fleeing the fire. Even a few days later, she could not calm down, and being close to him helped. "She said your alpha had been in several wars. Is that why you left?"

Whatever the explanation was, if Citali was open to giving one at all, Saena would open up about plans to relocate and extend an offer to Citali and Nochtli, with the promise they could have input on where the pack went. Little did Saena know that Citali and Nochtli would be solely responsible for choosing their new home. Redtail Rise was gone, but that didn't mean the pack was going to fall apart. Not if she could help it. She'd tasted leadership and she wasn't willing to return to a life where she followed, not yet anyway. Refounding was the only way to ensure her place at the top, and she knew Reek probably felt similarly.

Last post from me!

She busied herself with the herbs, plucking petals from the stems as she created a small pile of light purple flowers. The smell was strong, enough for her to turn her nose aside so she might breathe fresher air and listen more clearly as Saena mentioned she'd spoken to Nochtli on another occasion. About Tezca? My my. Wasn't he a hot topic of conversation?

"We Amazons are not unfamiliar with war," she replied simply enough. Their kind was large enough and daring enough to require several healers, of which she'd been one once upon a time. As to the real reason why they had left? "We left because he was no longer the wolf we remembered or believed him to be." This new alpha could take the words however she so chose. It was of little concern to Citali as there were more pressing matters at hand.

She gathered up a few of the lavender petals in her mouth and chewed them down into a pulp. She transferred the salve to the top of her paw for safe keeping as she moved towards the young alpha. "Let's see to that burn on your flank now shall we?" Her ointment was as ready as it would be given such impromptu circumstances. She would tend to this wolf and then see to the others accordingly.

Last one for me!

She searched, but found nothing. Called, but there was no reply. A frown tinged her expression, ready to turn back, too close to the craziness of the storm for comfort. One last howl, calling out for Gunnar. Location. The wolves of the Rise meet close by. She would not venture closer now, instead turning in the direction she had come from and hurrying back, only to come upon a conversation about Tezca. Fun.

"Couldn't find him." Saena probably knew this, but she stated it anyway. "I'll look again when things settle down." For now, she tasked herself with helping Citali where she could, following her friend's instructions to the T.

sorry guys

Gunnar heard the howl and though he was tired he moved in the direction. He was too exhausted however ot howl out, and his throat hurt. But he would follow the sound and hope he found them at the end of where he was going. He sighed, he could always go back to the bay if he couldn't find them, though that was not what he wanted to do. He made it and looked about him, he lay down near them. He couldn't even muster a hello before darkness overtook him, exhaustion and smoke inhalation were not good for him apparently.