Swiftcurrent Creek our dead and missing · pack summons

Set after Fox's disappearance - Bazi does not yet know that Fox went to SS, nor that Leaf and Magpie are missing. I hope it's OK to powerplay Scimitar, Rach!

This is not an 'official' pack meeting - it's intended to get everyone up to speed with the Fox/SS/Haunter happenings. Here is a timeline of events.

If the pack wasn't already in disarray, it was about to be. After taking a moment to get it together, Bazi left Fox's den - and Haunter's corpse - with @Scimitar to gather her pack-mates at the rendezvous site. Something told her that there was more to this than she knew, and the pack needed to collate information.

Wasting no time, Bazi threw a high, summoning howl into the midday air.

Tagging @Njal @Tuwawi @Shadow @Danica @Razo @Galileo @Kaskara @Kieran - if you don't have time but want me to assume your character is here, PM me. :)

Kieran was never far from the new home borders he now was in charge of protecting at least in his own mind. He heard the howl reach across the grounds and reach into his chest and steal his breath. Just as a summons howl always did, it always made his chest ache with loneliness and pain. Kiva had been the pack summoner in his former home, her voice was loud and lyrical and he missed that, hell he missed Kiva his poor gray dove. He sighed and strode towards the howl his green eyes darting to and fro to see what the new land had to offer, always observant.

He strode into the view of the white snow princess and dipped his muzzle to the ground. "Yer called me miss waaat is it dat yer are needin'?" He knew it wasn't just him she called, but it was habit to ask what was needed of him.

Shadow paused as he heard Bazi's summoning howl, he frowned slightly as he trotted to the shore and shook the water out of his fur. It must be important. So Shadow dropped the task at hand and began walking towards the source of the howl. His silver eyes darting, wondering if there was anything wrong, any intruders.

He strode towards the white furred Beta and dipped his head noticing another wolf. Someone he hadn't met.

Anyone is free to pop in, even if it's just for one post.

Shadow and the wolf that looked remarkably like Tiárnan - Kieran, was it? - were first to arrive. Bazi became suddenly aware of the black dirt that reached up her legs, but there were more important things to be concerned about.

"Fox is missing and Haunter is dead," she told them straight away. "From a sickness or some mysterious cause - we don't know. We made a tomb of her old den." It occurred to Bazi that the two boys might not actually know who Haunter was.. he wasn't the most sociable of creature. Yet again, she wondered what on earth had possessed Fox to take a shine to the one-eared freak. "They shared a den," she added, as if that would clear everything up. "Do either of you know where she got that wound? Did they fight?" If the disease spread via saliva, that might explain Fox's sudden disappearance. Bazi did not know about his tumour, nor did she know that the wolf to blame for Fox's injury was Ferdie - and that their leader had taken several of their own to the Sunspire.

The deed of burying the den was done, and while dirt flanked Scimitar's entire body -- blackening his limbs and even his muzzle -- he felt an entirely different kind of dirty altogether. Something about being close to what was likely disease -- even worse, having Bazi s close to it, had set his nerves on fire.

Now, they stood there.. with the conundrum that spelled a very missing Fox.

Two others had come -- both familiar to the male. The ivory she-wolf wasted no time in stating the facts, the aqua eyes of the male fell worriedly on her, rather than gage their reaction. "Fox got caught by one of the Sunspire a couple of weeks back for pissing on their borders," he murmured, cringing inwardly to the fiery female's reactions. He liked Fox a lot -- bemusement always followed him in her presence, but when he spoke words like that, he could not help but feel he was truly following a juvenile. It was her potential that rooted him here.. and a certain blonde that stood beside him.

"But that should have been healing. It wasn't fresh." But that did not offer much of anything, and he cleared his throat. "I'll go to The Sunspire and speak with them if you want -- ask them if they've seen here." Because if she had gone there.. or if they had come here..

Fox's disappearance did not look good on their newfound enemies.

I am going to post again and make sure I only do minimal actions to make sure nobody misses out on anything.. but I wanted to reply to Scimitar straight away so that he can go off to the Sunspire.

Bazi breathed a wearied sigh at that. She knew the Sunspire had been on Fox's mind - like it had been on everyone's minds - but was not aware that she had taken action beyond initial contact. Fox was like that - impulsive like the spark that births a firestorm, and now her Beta worried that their erratic leader had incensed the Sunspire against them. She didn't like their presence, but Jace would keep his master in line - and Swiftcurrent Creek had four little lives to worry about.

"Good idea," she told him whilst the other two wolves pondered their response, the touch of his dark nose against her cheek still fresh and tingling. "The three of us will seek out the others and form search parties. She can't have gone far." She gave him her blessing to go with a swift nuzzle to the cheek, and turned back to await responses from Shadow and the dead ringer for Tiárnan.

I am assuming Kaskara is ranked by now, but I just wanted to get in a post. :)

She had not been here long, but already she felt better here with her brother than she had felt at the plateau. Aside from her friendship with Junior, nobody had made her feel welcome there. Scimitar, her flesh and blood, was here, and finally she felt home.

When Bazi called frantically for the rest of the pack, Kaskara lifted herself up and came to her. Scim was there, as were the others of the pack, those she didn't know yet. The brown-haired wolf moved toward Scim, frowning at his dirt-flecked coat, but listened intently to the words that were spoken by all parties involved.

From what she gathered, Fox was missing, and a packmate had died. Flashbacks from the plateau haunted her, but she pushed them way. Kas was determined to keep her feet this time, to keep herself in this pack, with her family, and not do anything stupid.

"What can I do?" she asked softly, looking between Scimitar and Bazi, the only two wolves she knew she could trust. It wasn't that she didn't trust the others, she just knew Bazi from her acceptance, and Scimitar was her blood, and she would follow him anywhere.

Though she dare not be separated from her dozing children for long, Bazi's call was one Tuwawi could not ignore. The new mother's time had been consumed by the care for the creek's newest babes, but her task was made increasingly difficult by the continuous altercations their leader instigated. Constant fear of danger always loomed in the red ember's mind, and though her mate was strong and able, Njal couldn't be with her around the clock to protect their brood.

She arrived in the clearing, a little well for worn, a tired look upon her visage. Her gunmetal eyes shifted between Bazi, Scimitar, and the others she did not know. An anxious tongue betrayed her otherwise cool expression as it slid across her nose, listening intently the the delivered news. No other formalities were exchanged other than a knowing glance, Tuwawi eager to return to her den.

'Fox is missing and Haunter is dead... from a sickness or some mysterious cause - we don't know. We made a tomb of her old den. They shared a den. Do either of you know where she got that wound? Did they fight?' the pale beta asked her collation. Scitimatar was the fire to speak, 'Fox got caught by one of the Sunspire a couple of weeks back for pissing on their borders, but that should have been healing. It wasn't fresh. I'll go to The Sunspire and speak with them if you want -- ask them if they've seen here,' the large timber male replied.

Tuwawi couldn't help but sneer, her patience and loyalty wearing dangerously thin for their rogue leader. "If you think Ferdie, Jace, and their followers will politely oblige our questions then you are naive," she said with a toothy expression. "Fox continues to scorn them. Does she think this is a game?" A rippling growl lined her speech without a lick of sympathy.

Her weight shifted and tail lashed, temper inspired by Fox's disappearance. Haunter had been a special creature in the eyes of their alpha, though the correlation couldn't be certain. After a few moments the fight in her eyes subsided, and an eerie seriousness took its place. She sighed, "Bazi... I am tired of this."

Kieran was new here, so he did not know the sunspire of which they spoke and for a brief moment he wondered if he should have joined the beach pack rather than this one. There were so many at war, he supposed he could be able bodied, though he was loathe to fight a fight he wasn't part of.

Going to reply again since Bazi is a central character here. I'm not fussed about posting order provided it makes sense to respond.

Kaskara arrived shortly after the others, followed by a very unimpressed-looking Tuwawi. Bazi didn't blame her. The Beta visited Maera and Jökull as often as she could, each time delighted by their triumphs, and the idea that Fox's actions might interfere with the quality of their childhood did not sit well with her, either.

"I know," she told the fiery mother, keeping her voice low. "I am too. Let's find her, then we can settle this.. mess with the Sunspire." Perhaps it was not such a good idea to send Scimitar... Bazi turned to see if he had already departed, wondering of they should rethink approaching the Sunspire.

To Kieran, Kaskara, and Shadow she issued the first order: "Go to Fox's den and start tracking her from there. Don't stray too far - if her trail goes into the mountain, send one wolf on to investigate - perhaps you, Shadow - and the rest back home. We don't want to leave the Creek unprotected."

Danica was extremely late to the party, arriving just in time to hear Bazi's final orders. It was with good reason, however. After their Sunspire visit Danica had hung out around the borders, nursing wounds and trying to think of a way to get their captives back on the sly. She had attempted to go back in but met that black she-devil who made her turn back. It was after this that she realized that she would need to notify the pack and get backup. Sometimes she forgot that such a thing was an option.

Fox needed to know that Magpie and Leaf were taken against their wills. A plan to get them back needed to be made. Danica wasn't about to let the Sunspire take that victory so easily. The trip back had been slower, however, the parting blows from the fight forcing her to make most of it at a very easy lope.

Making an immediate beeline for Bazi's, Danica cast searching eyes around. "Bazi!! Where's Fox!?"

A set of rich amber coloured eyes watched the meeting unfold in silence. Galileo didn't have much to offer in this times of worry, nothing but his unconditional loyalty to the young snow coated yearling that had charmed him from day one. His eyes inspected the faces of the wolves present.

The second --and presumably now first --in command reeked with worry and anxiety, Galileo wished he could give the girl any kind of answer but he was completely oblivious to who Haunter was --or had been-- and Fox's disappearance was a shock to the older male. He assumed she had gotten away to grieve but the though pt was quickly dismissed as Bazi mentioned an alleged fight between the two.

The male who led the hunt chimed in, announcing the Creek's precious leader was taken captive by the Sunspire, something he found alarming. He had shared with several of the mountain wolves and they had proven to be decent individuals..

His eyes then settled on the proud mom of the famous Creek babies. He had already given her his congratulations but briefly, they hadn't really spoken since. The peppered male flicked his tail when she expressed how tired she was, and how she vocalised her mistrust on the mountain wolves and her annoyance with Fox childish behaviour.

"I'd like to go to the mountains too, if you'd allow me to" , he barked with his eyes fixed on Bazi. If they addressed the wolves with cordiality they would get more answers than by using Fox's methods.

Shadow nodded slowly at Bazi's issued orders, his silver eyes flashed warily around his surroundings. When Danica burst through, she seemed agitated and asked for Fox. Did something happen. "Whats wrong?" he asked, his normally expressionless face showing a flash of worry.

Something bad must have happened if the golden wolf was so... so.... he couldn't explain it.

Thanks for keeping up with this thread, everyone. I know it's a bit confusing with no posting order, but I hope it will mean we can get to some kind of conclusion quite quickly. Here is a summary of what each wolf is doing right now:

— Kieran, Shadow, Kaskara, and Galileo have all offered to help
— Scimitar suggested talking to the Sunspire and was given Bazi's blessing to go, but has not yet left the meeting
— Tuwawi has voiced her dislike for Fox's actions
— Danica has rushed in with news, and has been given the opportunity to speak up about what she knows

All this has happened within the space of a few minutes. To keep things simple and avoid a confusing thread, let's let @Danica do the next pivotal bit of talking, so we can all react - feel free to post your reaction to her appearance before she talks, though.

Wolf after wolf arrived to heed her call - Galileo was next, offering to add his services to Scimitar's. Bazi regarded his kind, wise face with fondness, and was about to bring up the subject of whether or not it was a good idea to approach the Sunspire at all when Danica suddenly rushed in, wild-eyed and tousled from.. from what?

"Danica.." Bazi murmured, confusion turning to fear when she saw the state of her golden pack-mate. She looked disheveled, to say the least. The Beta cast a glance around at the others and stepped back, allowing Danica room to speak. "What's happened?" she asked, loud enough to settle any murmurs.

He hesitated on leaving at Bazi’s blessing – for one, he was loathe to be away from the pack at such a time. For another.. something didn’t quite seem right about it. Tuwawi swooped in however, snarling to them that they were naïve, and the cinnamon male felt himself bristle at the mother, his gaze rounding on her tiredly. “I expect Ferdie and Jace to be content something happened to her – their reaction should be easy enough to glean if they had cause in it or not,” he determined, though his own words quieted near the end.

Before they could continue the topic, others arrived – questions arose, and the male cast a sideways glance to Bazi. His own muzzle bent down to graze over his sister’s cheek, reassuring her quietly and seeking comfort that she was now here, with him, and not in the clutches of the Plateau pack whose honor he still questioned greatly. That said – Fox’s recent attempts at annoying the mountain pack had been no better. It occurred to him in that moment that were it not for the ivory Beta and his sister, the male likely would have left the drama of this pack awhile ago.. perhaps founded his own – even claimed the forest once more and raised it to the glory it deserved that Chakra had fled from.

But now was not the time. And as Galileo personally offered to help Scim, a nod was given to the male. “If we go, it’s best to only scout for Fox’s scent. Tuwawi’s right – too much shit has been stirred with them. We don’t want them to know we’re without our alpha.” There was a small pause. “And I don’t want them to have the satisfaction that she’s missing and possibly hurt.” He fell quiet then, waiting for more suggestions – his thoughts trying not to stray to the potential that his pain in the ass leader was dead – his pain in the ass leader that made his heart twist at the thought of something happening to her.

gonna go ahead and post this! Sorry for being slower atm, being able to only post mobile really sucks

Danica would really liked to have waited for Fox's presence before starting, but Bazi would definitely do. Besides that, she guessed Fox might already have an idea of what went on when the other three of then did not return. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she sat down, legs trembling from the effort of her trip back here.

"Magpie and Leaf have been taken by the Sunspire," she stated outright, her anger at the situation clear. Her irritation was more with her own inability to get them out of the situation than anything else. "When they went I followed. There was a fight... I tried to help, but only Fox and I were able to get away. They weren't interested in taking me, told me to pass the message." And she had had no choice but to obey, much as it irked her. That was the other reason behind why she had attempted first to figure out a solution herself. Impractical but she had her pride.

Danica waited for Bazi's verdict. She would like to go immediately and help but she knew she would be useless until she had slept for a bit. Anger could only carry one so far and it had taken a couple sleepless days to get back.

Last post from me. :D I've written in opportunities for everyone to have break-away threads until we know what Fox is doing.

Scimitar's reassessment of the situation following Tuwawi's input made sense - Swiftcurrent Creek had to come first, even if that meant not doing quite everything in their power to find Fox. What a pain she is, Bazi thought angrily, nodding between Tuwawi and Scimitar to let them know that she heard their suggestions and agreed - locate Fox's scent, don't let on that something is up.

But then Danica delivered her news.

Anger boiled so sudden and so hot inside Bazi that she nearly passed out. Not only had their Alpha taken a band of wolves to harass the Sunspire, she had lost two - one of them a juvenile - and caused injury to a third. And now she was missing! It seemed Haunter's death was just a coincidence, and the wound that their leader had sustained must have been as a direct result of Sunspire fangs - not some lovers' quarrel. Several long, tense seconds passed before Bazi spoke again.

"Haunter is recently dead, and Fox appears to be missing," she summarized for the messenger in a tight, venomous voice. After that, the amended orders came quickly. "Kaskara and Kieran - I would like you at the borders. The Sunspire are unlikely to come after us if they've got two of our own, but I want Tuwawi and the pups to feel safe." Kaskara had already pledged herself to Bazi and the Creek, and as Scimitar's sister, she did not doubt that the girl could hold her own in battle. "Shadow and Galileo - " one a scout, the other a seasoned loner - "Find Fox. Track her over the mountains if you need to." The Beta turned her fierce gaze on Danica, where it softened. "Eat, rest, stay with Tuwawi. I don't want to lose you, too." Finally, turned to Scimitar. "We're going to follow through with your plan." They would go west, towards the mountains - towards their captives. But Bazi had no intention of knocking on the Sunspire's door. "There is someone we need to see."

With a flick of her snow-white tail and a look of determination, she swept around and began to march in the direction of their neighbours.

The old volunteer was recieved kindly, though he was warned the mission would consist on only tracking the scent of the fiery female, he accepted with a solemn nod and a gruff rumble in his chest. He would not seek trouble if it wasn't there, Galileo wasn't like that. Though he thought that he could approach Jace or Kododuna with more ease since a base of respect had already been settled bethween them.

His amber eyes fell upon the rest of the gatheres wolves as Scimitar and Bazi contiued to speak, only when the news of captives was announced did the male prick his ears. Jerking his head brusquely to meet the news bearer's face, in this case Danica, he furrowed his brow with worry and allowed an uneasy moan from his mouth. Leaf was in trouble.

Oh,the mere thought of the tiny red girl held against her will in the mountain was perturbing enough, but the uncertainty of her wellbeing was completely nerve wrecking for the male. Slowly the fur along his back began to bristle, they had to have her back.

When Bazi finally gave him the green light, not even a smile was given to the white female that had once won over the old male's heart. Their connection had been lost for a while now anyways..

Kieran dipped his head and with one last look he departed heading straight for the borders his long legs tearing up the ground as he strode towards them. Though this fight was not his, he would lay down his life for a femme with pups in a heartbeat. He gave a grim look around and then began to patrol irritation in his mind.

Tuwawi's tired, lackluster gaze settled upon their young beta as she agreed in an empathetic way despite her subordinate's vitriol. Scimitar was less receptive - bristling at first, but finally they all found common ground, agreeing it was best to search for their AWOL leader on the sly and not provoke the Sunspire wolves any more than they needed to be. Frustration was rampant and when the herald, Danica, arrived with news of Leaf and Magpie's capture the ire in Bazi's eyes was like a fire. The numbers were tallied. Haunter was dead, Fox was injured and missing, and two of their own were Ferdie von Pelt's captives. It was easy to ascertain that a dam was about to break... Sunspire could only be pushed so much.

Tuwawi's eyes narrowed, a critical look in her gaze, and although her ragged lips did not part to speak, they twitched with agitation. Bazi delivered the commands and assigned each their task. Swiftcurrent's mother gave a curt nod of receipt and turned to Danica. "I'll be at my den," she told the warrior, giving her time to mingle if she pleased. With a swift turn, Tuwawi left the gathering at a brisk trot, eager to return to her young.

Exit Scim once Bazi goes.

Orders were given, and Scimitar gave a brief nod of his muzzle in silent acceptance to this, contented to stay at the side of the ivory she-wolf. Tuwawi had vented her frustration but had offered nothing in turn, though the cinnamon male watched her go with a sharp inhale at the thought of the cubs.

His tail gave an idle flick, watching the others group together before parting ways to fulfill the tasks assigned. Only waiting for her to lead the way did the cinnamon male follow suit, trailing after her with concern etched upon his brows as his thoughts shimmied from one possibility to the next. Fox had left them in the mess she created. Fox had been taken. Fox was sick. Fox was dead. The possibilities were endless.. and they would not be interpreted any better over the next few hours.

Shadow's eyes narrowed determinedly and nodded, accepting the orders that Bazi had issued to him. He would have rather gone to The Sunspire to save Leaf and Magpie. But for now he would have to content himself with tracking their Alpha, Fox.

As if life at Swiftcurrent Creek couldn't get any more dangerous.

Uuuhhhhhhh don't mind me >_____> mooching to get a 3rd post for this pack event

At first her pace was hurried, but soon Tuwawi found herself slowly to a lazy waltz as she neared the clearing of her burrow. How wild this all was... what could have Fox possibly been thinking? Taking untested youths to Sunspire? Even if they had played it safe, it was an unwise idea. Ferdie von Pelt, who Tuwawi had defended, was something of a wildcard and had proven to be an unpredictable creature. It could have worked in favor of Swiftcurrent if Fox had allowed him to stay, but as an enemy it created an unknown variable. What if the binary Fox had tried to tend to him more? No... it wasn't her style. Their spitfire leader was logic defined and hopelessly self-preserving. It was evident by the males she enticed and collected. Had Tuwawi's litter truly been an act of good will? Or had there been some other motive to allow the Sveijarns to procreate? Tuwawi hoped it was the former.

She was unsure if Danica would follow through with Bazi's orders. The two women, one a mother and the other a warrior, hardly knew each other. She, herself, was hardly a healer, though the den's caches were full and the glen was cool and peaceful. She passed a familiar thicket of heather... perhaps it was time to learn a new skill? But she was hardly apt.

Different thoughts churned in her head - ones she felt interested in discussing with Njal. However, for the time being, she needed to stay put and guard Swiftcurrent's heart and tend to their wounded.

Since this *can* count as a pack activity, I'm leaving it open for a few more days for @Galileo, @Kaskara, and @Danica to post again. :) You can always post exists in one post and a 'what your wolf is doing whilst they wait' in another (to make 3 posts). I'll keep posting filler to let you do that. If you aren't too bothered, let me know in a PM.

Bazi's legs worked like silky, white little pistons beneath her as she forged ahead, picking up speed with every passing second. Soon, she was running, stretching her lithe body into a frenzied, west-bound gallop. Somewhere behind her, Scimitar's powerful strides were making the ground quake.

Confidence soared in Bazi.. but no sooner had it reached a peak than it plummeted again, dropping like a bird that is slave to the currents. The future was uncertain, and she knew it.

Danica nodded half-heartledly at Bazi's orders. She was in no mood to argue, too tired, and the concern in Bazi's tone made it clear it would be a futile gesture. Her best move would be to stay where she might be of some use. If someone came while the main force was out then the pups would need protection. Even if she wasn't completely mobile she could still leave some marks on any who may come.

Having nothing more to add here, Danica turned, nosing Bazi affectionately on the shoulder as she left to show she did not resent being left behind one bit. Then she slowly followed after Tuwawi.