Larksong Grotto Ozymandias

Hey all! With the new BWP kicking into effect, I figured we'd get things started with an impromptu pack activity! Reek will be calling all who haven't taken shelter from the locust swarm to take refuge in his cave.

@Jhala @Eslani @Skeet @Aspen @Zaavier @Lilac @Emory @Charley Pryor @Sapphire Sephora

They came in a number so vast that they nearly blotted out the mid-day sun in the thick blanket of buzzing wings and clicking jaws. A swarm of locusts had descended on the grotto in plague-like proportion, thus shrouding the territory in darkness and shadow. Reek could only stand and watch in fear as the swarm approached in mass, like a cloud of death. He was no man of faith, but lately he found his disbelief shaken. This was his punishment, he was sure: a plague sent from hell itself to punish Reek for his sins — his infidelity, his greed. There was nothing he could do but stand helpless as millions of locusts encroached on his land and stripped his pack dry.

Soon, they engulfed everything. The air was thick with tiny, buzzing wing flaps and Reek could barely see past five feet in front of him. His knees trembled in the wake of this disaster and he found himself unable to move -- eyes wide as he was covered with a sheet of six legged demons. He tried to shake them off, but they clung to his fur with their spindly legs. Despite Reek's best efforts to stave them off, even more locusts clung to his body. Once he had become more insect that wolf, Reek felt there was nothing more to do than run. He threw his head back, calling for his wolves to take shelter with him in the grotto before setting off in a sprint.

He took off down the ridge, running blind in the swarm. The buzzing was so intense, he could hear nothing else. Vision failing him, he was guided solely by scent back to his cave. Locusts lined the walls, but their numbers dwindled the deeper into the grotto he traveled. Coming to rest in the darkness of the cave, there was nothing left to do but wait this hellish nightmare out,.

Charley was out hunting when it started. Hed stalked perfectly, and was now waiting for the perfect time..... A light buzzing, however, caught his ear, but his carribean eyes were staring down the rabbit he was hunting. He jumped and landed square on its shoulders, dispatching it with a nip to the spine. Victory! But now the buzzing was WORSE. Again, it wasn't his priority. Whatever this damn bug was crawling on his shoulder was! It wasn't a massive thing, but it was a shelled insect he'd never seen. He bit its face before I got far, but then there was another.... And another! Shit.
NOW is when the ragged male decided to look around. His eyes grew wide and panic as he saw the rippling cloud of locusts.
Emory! He let loose a howl for her, stumbling away from the grotto and where Reek had howled just seconds ago. It was calling to the pack but damnit didnt he know Emory was more important? He snatched the rabbit and rushed towards his twins scent, trying to avoid all the bugs he can but failing. He wouldn't go to Reek or find shelter till he was WITH Em, that was for sure. He'd die out here before letting her be alone.

They were everywhere. Constant buzzing was all Aspen could hear even over that of her own thoughts. She had just been quietly relaxing after her hunt by the lake when all of a sudden. Hundreds- no - thousands of bugs came in a huge swarm all through the land. Where the hell did these annoying bastards come from? She thought as she tried to get a grip on her location, how close she was to the water and which direction shelter was. She was plastered in these six legged creatures and they were everywhere. The air was thick with things with wings and buzzing. 

She heard the alpha let out a howl calling for his pack to come to him for shelter. She was thankful that he had and began to sprint her way through the territory heading straight for the grotto. She ran blindly not being able to see much of anything hoping that she wouldn't trip on some unseen tree root or rock. 

It wasn't long before she reached the entrance to the grotto and quickly darted inside. The walls were still plastered in bugs but as shegot deeper she noticed their numbers lessened. She slowed to a trot as she approached the alpha her tail tucked and ears in their rightful place. "What the heck is going on out there? They're everywhere," she asked with a hint of alarm to her tone. It was likely Reek knew nothing of the bugs either but right now, logic was the last thing on her mind. 

She waited in the hopes the rest of the pack managed to find their way to the safety of the grotto in one piece.

Emory wasn't far from her twin, simply roaming about what she guessed was now her home, too occupied in familiarizing herself with the territory, she ignored the faint buzzing in the distance. Not until a figure landed on her shoulder, then another, and another. A howl for the pack was heard, and then for herself, she lifted her head only to see a cloud of unholy creatures coming her way, instinctively she began to race in the direction of her brother, only to be out run by the small beasts. "Charley!" She cried, her heart race beginning to pick up, her breaths shortening each time. Fortunately, her twin was in the same direction of the first call in the cave, hopefully to safety. 

Short post is short :/

Zaavier's chest was heaving as he galloped along, heading for Reek's den. His eyes were wild from the exhilaration. He had to get to Reek. He to tell him his plan. His fought his way along the plague of insects. Hearing their bodies crunch beneath his paws made him shutter but he pressed on. Finally, he reached the grotto, charging into it. He could smell Reek and a few other wolves deeper in the cave, so he kept walking. The deeper he went, the more the locust numbers dwindled until finally there was none left. He could still hear the soft humming of the millions of wings outside, but it was nothing compared to what he had just run through. Finally, he reached the others, his sides heaving and tongue lolling in exhaustion. "I saved a couple bundles of burdock root and chamomile, but that's all." He told Reek then gave a snarl directed towards the locusts. 

"But! I have an idea since we will be running out of prey fast. We need to learn how to fish." It may sound revolting at first, but it was really one of the only ways to survive. The insects can not reach the aquatic plants, so there should be plenty of fish. Hopefully.

When the locusts started to appear, Sapphire was still lost in thought but quickly can out of it and ran fast to the alphas den. Along the way she quickly caught two rabbits to sustain herself and the fellow wolves. She got there, here sides were heaving only slightly. She saw a wolf standing beside her. He must have had a harder time running here.

Eslani had been feeling quite fine lately, and frankly she was also much less aggressive for the past few weeks. She was minding her own business and taking a nap when she felt it. The tiniest prick on her tail. She whipped it away, only to feel more pricks. Was this a swarm of horsefly?  She whisked it away, straight into a heap of locusts. With a shriek, Eslani was on her paws and running--sprinting actually-- away from the cloud. What the hell? Locusts? Fucking Locusts? She snarled and screamed, bolting for her pack. "Help," She snarled out as she passed them, running in circles from the disgusting creatures that clung to her god damn pelt. No! No! Her OCD-ish symptoms made everything worse, knowing that disgusting, filthy bugs were attached to her.

Hearing the call of Reek and seeing the swarm of locusts coming straight for him, Skeet was almost frozen in place. Fear spread across his eyes before he took off, running as fast as he could. He could hear their loud buzzing, some began to stick to his fur. He ran faster and faster, almost running out of breath before seeing the cave where the howl originated from.

Continuing with a heaving body, Skeet began to run into the cave, deeper and deeper as locusts began to fly off of his matted fur. He soon slowed down his pace, seeing others from the pack inside with Reek. Skeet let out his breaths of relief and panic as he trotted deeper to rest with the others. The hell bugs would hopefully leave soon, but Skeet feared the worst.

Would the animals move on to another area and leave the wolves to starve? That didn't matter for the moment, what mattered was being safe for now. He went close to Reek, nudging his shoulder with his muzzle before settling down next to him.

"Some-... bugs" he panted to his leader before settling his heads atop his paws.

Lilac had been gathering herbs.  More than ready to prove her skills with herbs.  She had grabbed five individual pieces of brake fern and then walked a few feet away and began to dig up her recently made herb cache.  A sharp relieved smile settled on her face when she saw the five pieces of burdock root that she had placed in this cache yesterday.  She then placed the bracken fern in and the burdock root back in.  Then feeling pretty triumphant, she covered the hole with dirt.  With one step back she gazed proudly at her work.  At that moment she felt a bug.  She did not think much of it for two minutes.  Probably just mosquitoes, but more and more just came.  Still it wasn’t enough to rise suspicions... yet.  Then when she finally turned to get a look at the bug, out of pure annoyance she noticed that it looked like a grasshopper.  Seconds later  the swarm was upon her.  Disbelief quickly settled upon her and a shiver ran up her spine.  What was this?  She watched in shock as vegetation around her began to disappear.  Luckily they were not smart enough to go search for her herbs that were underground... so far.  Still she found her heart to be pierced with icy cold fear.

She began to run towards Reek at the sound of his call.  Soon grouping up with others of the Pack.  The only one that she could clearly recognize though was Reek.  Jhala was not here... yet at least.  Lilac had no doubt that Jhala would soon be here though as the bugs didn’t seem to have a taste for wolves so far, as she had determined that on the way towards Reek.  Lilac listened to some speak and one ask what was going on?  Well... she knew the answer to that, vegetation was being terminated.  Her attention then instantly turned to a wolf who had a couple bundles of burdock root and chamomile and then claimed to have an idea.  His idea was quite an obvious idea.  Normally she wouldn’t have been so blunt, but right now she was cranky and very upset.  These bugs were turning the world upside down and she did not like it one bit.  She strolled past Zaavier and whispered in her ear as she passed.  “Good plan Captain Obvious.”  Of course water was the only way of life now.  It was there last hope, the plants on land were being eaten, so hopefully these bugs did not know how to swim or learn how to.  “I have five pieces of burdock root and five pieces of bracken fern that I have stored in an underground cache.”  She then quickly offered.    ......

Jhala had never actually seen a locust before. The creatures began to show up in small amounts and randomly, and the young beta was absolutely thrilled with the new discovery. She yipped and leapt around in hot pursuit after one-- a lack of maturity clear-- until she finally managed to swat it dead. She then gobbled it up and made a horrendous face, deciding that was the single most worst thing she'd ever tasted in her entire life. Who the fuck would want that around? Then it hit. All at once the entire grotto was coated in the disgusting creatures. She yelped, shocked, and began to run for cover. Reek's voice carries through the buzzing-- only barely-- and she travels full speed ahead towards it. When she arrives at his cave, she tumbles in, rolling on the ground and smashing any bugs that were on the ground or in her coat. 

"OFF," she screeched, flailing. "OFF OFF OFF... GET THE FUCK OFF," she did not appear to care who heard her. 

Next round starts Tuesday, May 3rd! No post order!

@Jhala @Eslani @Skeet @Aspen @Zaavier @Lilac @Emory @Charley Pryor @Sapphire Sephora

Even deep within the depths of the grotto, the hum of the descending swarm outside was deafening. It was safe within the embrace of his cave -- it seemed the winged horrors held some sort of aversion to the confined space -- but fear still gripped Reeks chest tightly. Head flush with confusion in the wake of all the chaos, Reek was unsure of what sort of damage this would bring to his land— to his pack. Individually, the locusts seemed so harmless, but as a swarm, the damage they could do to the plant-life of the grotto was unknown. These unanswered questions, they brought Reek unease.

His heartbeat had yet to slow from it's rapid, fearful rhythm. Stragglers from the chaos outside still clung to his fur— he could feel the spindly legs of locusts moving across his skin. Reek was utterly disgusted. Whipping his head around, he attempted to pull as many locusts from his fur as he possibly could: each crunching in his mouth as he stripped them away. The taste was foul, but he had nothing else to do as he waited for his wolves to join him inside his shelter.

And soon, they did just that. Responding to his howl, subordinates entered into the cave in droves: each appearing a bit worse-for-wear, especially Jhala who seemed to be doing battle with the bugs on the cave floor. It was Aspen to arrive first, and to her question, Reek's only response was a confused shrug. He had no idea what was going on, nor the implication of what sort of disaster it would bring. The only thing he knew was, no matter what, this wasn't a good thing for the grotto.  

Once all his wolves were accounted for -- save for Eslani and the Pryor twins -- Reek finally opened his mouth to speak. Zaavier's suggestion towards fishing did not go unnoticed, but Reek shook his head. "It won't be enough," he said. Fish were all fine and good for the individual, but the lake could not support a pack as large as the grotto. "But, we can't do anything about it until the swarm leaves. We'll take shelter here for the time being."

His eyes narrowed as he scanned through the bodies who filled his cave. "Where's Eslani? The Pryor's?" Surely they would be coming soon.

Zaavier was a bit taken aback as a female passed him, whispering a snarky comment into his ear. He took it lightly - as he often did - dismissing it as nothing but her anger boiling over. He understood her being pissed. He listened to the same female rattling off a list of herbs that she had saved. He then nodded as Reek commented on his suggestion. He indeed understood the sense behind it. He knew it would only help a little bit, but at least it would help. Once the swarm was gone, he would set out to catch as many as he could for his pack mates, then hunt for any remaining herbs, even if there probably weren't any. 

When Reek mentioned the absence of Elsani and the Pryor twins, he looked about. He had yet to meet the Pryor twins, but the thought of them missing along with Elsani unsettled him. "Let me look," he offered, padding towards the entrance of the cave. The sound of clicking mandibles and beating wings grew louder as he reached the entrance, but he ignored it as best he could. He immediately saw Eslani running about and calling for help. He called back to her. "Come over here, Eslani! I'll help you get them off. Calm down, they're not going to hurt you." The female was obviously in a frenzie to get the revolting bugs off her. Even as he spoke, more locusts from the swarm began landing on him, clicking their mouths and using the spindly legs to crawl upon him. He continued to ignore him, searching for the two wolves known as the Pryor twins. He did not see them just yet, but he was certain they would turn up shortly.

The raven queen ran straight to Zaavier. She made a freaked out guttural noise in her throat and leapt for the cave, opening her eyes only when the buzzing quieted. She was panting, sleek body covered in the repulsive things, and she began to tear at the bugs. Her jaws crunched many of them and she shook her head as the things crawled into her eyes and began to wildly growl, shaking harder and pulling the sickening creatures--not even worthy of that title to her-- from her pelt. She flashed a 'thank you' glance at Zaavier as she continued. once she was nearly free of the creepy-crawlies, the femme clicked her teeth together with anger. "Fucking locusts."

Charley could do nothing to defend himself from the locusts, not without dropping the rabbit locked in his jaws. He heard Em call to him over the buzzing, which means she was close. Yes! There she was! Her agouti coat stood out against the landscape, albeit covered in the bugs. The fear lacing her tone drove him harder, faster, and the patchy male thundered towards her.
            "Em, GO! Go to Reek!"
Charley slowed only enough to come to her side, shoving the rabbit at her and snapping at the bugs plaguing her. Never mind himself, they needed to GO! He could handle the uncomfortable crawling feeling in his pelt a little longer, so long as he knew his sister was going to be alright. He wasnt sure how harmful these damned things were to wolves directly, but could already see the damage they could do to the plant life. That would be a problem, seeing the amount of the pests there were.... But that would be dealt with later. Right now, the main goal was getting to Reek.

Aspen sat continuing to pull the ugly critters out of her fur. Her skin crawled at the thought but something had to be done about them. She couldn't just let them cling to her and do what they will. Her ears twitched as Reek spoke. He explained to an unfamiliar wolf that fishing wouldn't be enough. Will we have to move..? Aspen was thinking. If this wiped out mot of the nature in this land what would they do. Surely Larksong was not the only pack effected by this swarm. 

As for the location of a pair called the Pryor twins, whom Aspen had yet to meet, she had no clue where they could be. Aspen tugged a locust off her paw and then lifted her head up as to see who exactly was in the cave with them. There was Skeet, Eslani, Jhala,who had just made a rather grand entrance, and some wolves Aspen presumed were new. 

Aspen padded over to Jhala and bowed. "Need some help with those Jhala?" she asked ignoring those that still remained entangled in her sleek grey coat. "Annoying little critters aren't they," she finished. Annoying, but where the hell did they come from? Her mind was full of questions pertaining to their situation but she was almost sure none could be answered until the swarm left.

Squashing a number of the bugs onto the cave floor via back, the girl rolls from her back and onto her stomach, panting. She turns to see Reek, who asks for Eslani and two wolves she has never met before. Jhala frowns, shaking her head. Just as she did so, Eslani leaps into the cave. "Found her..." the girl mutters, looking away from the tall black girl and back to Aspen, who is bowing before her. Her warm eyes widen, and she feels heat rush to her face. Even at the Ridge-- where respect was a must-- no one had ever bowed to her. She shakes her head furiously, but answers quickly. "Ye-- please," she looks over the other, "You've got some too-- I could get 'em for you?" she offers in return, her tail gently thumping against the cave floor.

Lilac was having anything but a good time.  Her ears swiveled around as she did her ebst to take in what everyone was saying.  They're was so much noise.  The hum of the bugs, all the chatter from those around her and even some screeches.  She sorta wished everyone would just quiet down.  She didn't enjoy all this noise and it was really started to ust stress her out.

A strong flash of annoyance thundered into her eyes, still to those around her that could have noticed, could have simply thought it was because the territory was being destroyed... but no it was because of all the noise.  Sure, it was selfish, but Lilac didn't care all to much at the moment.  Her old life as a loner had been fairly quiet and she had enjoyed it in a way.  Now that dream had been ruined though through all of this noise.  Noise.  Noise. Noise. She fought her instincts to curl her lip back, knowing that that would probably be going a little too far.

Short post x-x

Rolling off some of the bugs that entangled in his coarse fur, Skeet than ran towards a wall and rubbed his body against it like a cat and a scratching post. He felt thems tart to release their tight grip, some jumping off as he snatched them in his jaws. With a satisfying crunch, they fell victim to his teeth. It seemed that about everyone was present. Aspen was helping Jhala, and Reek gave his statement.

They were stuck here until the swarm was over, and that could be days.

Sorry for the wait you guys! Final round!

The commotion inside the cave was almost more deafening than the swarming locusts outside. With all the noise surrounding him, and the fact that some of his wolves were still unaccounted for, Reek felt a creeping unease crawl over his body. Though he did not know yet the scale of the destruction the swarm would leave, he could only guess that whatever this plague was, it was a harbinger of rough times ahead. An omen.

He heard Eslani's voice from the mouth of the cave -- one more wolf accounted for. After breathing a quick sigh of relief, Reek's worry soon returned. His eyes then fell on his beta, Jhala, and the wolves who aided her. Reek did not budge from the spot, seeing as the other wolves had her pretty much covered.

With nothing more to do, Reek fell completely silent save for the sound of his ragged and fearful breath as he laid his head on his forepaws and waited for the plague to pass.

Zaavier plucked the large grasshopper-like insects from the female's fur, crunching some in his mouth, and others tossing into the wind. They buzzed and flew away. He scowled at the fowl taste of the bugs, but continued to assist Eslani. Once the female was free of locusts, Zaavier left her and began tending to himself. He rolled on the ground to free himself of the bigs he could not reach and picked the others off. The bugs were absolutely revolting!

Once he had rid of them, he looked about. That cavern was filled with commotion, so Zaavier headed to the only other wolf he knew. Reek. The lanky male sat beside his alpha, giving him a knowing glance, for he seemed to be a bit overwelmed by the activity going on in the cave. Zaavier then settled down on his belly, giving his legs a rest. He would wait for the swarm to pass. He would find some food. And he would try to survive.

My last post. Sorry its so short! ^^

Aspen offered Jhala a warm smile. "Alright," she said and listened as Jhala returned the offer. Aspen looked at her fur for a brief moment. She had gotten most of them but there were a few out of reach. "I would be grateful if you did, I can't quite reach them. Thank you," she said leaning down and beginning to pull the remaining locusts from the beta's fur.

It was undetermined how long the wolves of the grotto would be stuck her but for now this was home sweet home. At least all the wolves seemed to be present now. Most removing locusts from their fur or helping those who needed it.

It was good to see that in a time of need there were wolves here who would help you out. Even if you were a complete stranger I don't think this group of wolves would leave a wolf in distress. They were like family here and that made Aspen happy. Family. She repeated the word in her head.  Something she longed for and wasn't sure she would ever find. Perhaps she finally had.

Last from me!

As the plague raged on, Skeet went and looked towards everyone. This curse would surely starve them, and he wouldn't be able to do anything about it. He huffed in annoyance, crushing a few bugs with his paws. "Filthy shits" he said, spitting at them with a disgusted look.

He decided to lay down once more, playing with the dead insects with his paws. His eyes trailed around the large cave as the members of LSg were prying off their own bugs. This would be a loooong wait before they would head out.