Sleeping Dragon somewhere a bloodmoon hangs in the sky

This is not a mandatory (except for the puppies) activity but definitely encouraged, even if it is only a cameo! Please allow the babies (@Freyja, @Thyri, @Hvitserk, @Eske) to reply first. Changed my mind. Reply whenever! Powerplaying Gyda and Gavriel (will reply with Gavriel at some point). @Wildfire, @Dio, @Hush, @Portia, @Toxochelys, @Rebekka, @Uleön, @Mojave (@Foxglove, should she be accepted).

Having returned the coast a few days ago and making sure everything had been fine in her absence, she’d spent some time with the parents of Drageda’s first set of Dragons. She observes the children a little, discussing their future, and whether or not the puppies were old enough or ready to begin their integration. They were more mobile, they were learning their first words (and then some), and proving they are more than ready to enter their new life. Their training will begin soon and their exposure to different trades and skills will begin introductions, but first getting everything squared away in their new quarters.

With Gyda and Gavriel and four little dragons in tow, Thuringwethil helps the family reorient themselves in the rendezvous site. It’s a large area, spread out over several yards and then some and an intricate set of caves and dens and empty spaces for sleeping. It’s small enough that they are still one but big enough to give everyone their space. She imagines they will still remain a little separated from the others but letting them meet the rest of their family.

Once they are ready, Thuringwethil lifts her head and makes an announcement: whomever wished to greet the family back into Drageda life and meet the puppies are welcome.

He knew the time would come when the puppies would out grow the whelping den. It had gotten uncomfortable with the puppies and Gyda that he couldn't make room to fit himself, even if he tried. Even the puppies were getting uncomfortable and restless and so when Thuringwethil had gotten back from her brief trip, plans began to form to transfer the young ones into every day life. It is a bittersweet moment, he realizes, as the puppies have grown enough to move on. It seems like it has only been a few days since they were little round and lumpy potatoes rolling around with one another. And yet, here they are romping around and forming words and doing things that will one day shape them in the future. 

Thuringwethil makes a call, then, to the rest of the pack and he feels a sudden wave of anxiety as the inevitable happens. Soon, others will show to greet the newest dragons into their home and their teaching and training will begin. Once they've made the move, there's no turning back and soon they won't even need him anymore. Gavriel dismisses himself with Gyda for a few moments, looking through their options on where they may sleep at night. Frequently he glances back to the haphazard mess of puppies by Thuringwethil as she protectively watches over them in anticipation.

While the whelping den had undoubtedly grown rather cramped, it remained as the only home Hvit knew, as well as the place that he was most comfortable in. The idea of moving alone had caused for his skin to prickle beneath his fur, and for the pace of his heart to increase. He didn't know where they were to be taken, nor did he really want to know, and so he'd plopped his little butt right down prior to the trek. For as long as he'd been able to the boy had kept his rear end firmly planted on the threshold of the den, defiance scrawled perfectly across his features. Some part of him had expected for them to stay with him, but when he'd realized that they didn't plan to do so, he'd forced his legs to start moving after them. The idea of leaving the only place he'd ever truly familiarized himself with was frightening, but the thought that he might not see his sisters again had been far worse; he was motivated, too, by fantasies of what they might learn without him if he didn't kick himself into gear. Despite all of that, though, he'd still dragged his feet the whole way there.

The moment everyone else had stopped moving his own speed had picked up, carrying him straight towards Gavriel—after his meeting of Rebekka, he'd started viewing the male as a great protector—with the intent of gluing himself to the man's side. He'd acted too late, however, and was quickly left to stand there alone whilst watching his mother and father attend to their own business. An inaudible huff flew past his lips in response to their doings, but after that they'd been given little more attention from him. Rather, he'd headed for Thur instead, stationing himself directly behind her whilst simultaneously working to fight off his growing curiosity.

Wildfire was by now quite familiar with the pups, though she wouldn't have missed this milestone for the world. She had just dropped off a fresh kill in a stockpile about fifteen minutes prior to the howl tearing through the sky. She immediately retraced her steps to fetch the slain rabbit and hastened to the newly appointed rendezvous site with its bleeding carcass swinging from her jaws. Wildfire's amber eyes crinkled at the corners when she arrived and regarded the proud parents, Thuringwethil and of course the curious cubs themselves.

Slowly, she approached the Heda and laid out the kill at her feet, within easy reach of the bumbling pups. She then touched her nose briefly to the commander's cheek in a chaste and seemingly platonic fashion. The young Bandrona withdrew quickly and backpedaled about three feet and planted her hindquarters on the ground to join in the observation of the puppies as they acquainted themselves with their new home.

Today was a very big day indeed. Though talk of a move had been mentioned previously today was the day that the dragon littler would finally spread their wings and move on. She left the whelping den that morning with a heavy heart, not quite ready to leave it behind. Remaining quiet for a majority of their trek to the new site, Freyja moved slowly and almost unwillingly after their Heda. She would never outright disobey her parents and their leader but she sure wanted to in this moment.

When the wolves finally made it to the new den Freyja paused and looked to the den with her mouth agape. It was so big! So spacious! Her eyes danced about the new sights eagerly. As others dispersed and a call was made Freyja looked skyward with a smile her tail wagging as Thur’s call faded into the soft summer breeze. She looked down and about the gathered group once the call had died, not knowing just what to expect next.

Something was stirring, and the commotion that surrounded their home was unlike anything that the little dragon had ever witnessed. She had bounded after her siblings and the dark Heda, attempted to latch her fangs onto her mother’s tail, and stood in a mimicking fashion alongside her father as they prepared the children to depart for the rendezvous site. As busy as the stormchaser was, she could not seem to shake the burning curiosity that had found its way into her heart. Thyri did not know where they were to go, but she knew that they would be shedding the skin of their previous home and turning toward a new one. So they had set out on the trek, and she had taken it upon herself to catch everything she could within her sights. The world seemed to stretch for an eternity.
 
Once they had arrived, the dark Heda drew her head and called for the others of the pack. The stormchaser also parted her jaws and sang to the skies to follow suit. It did not take long for others to arrive. Thyri peered at the unfamiliar faces with wide blue eyes and found herself tucked neatly behind the agouti figure of her father. As soon as she could summon the courage, she would find herself in the company of new wolves with new scents and a fresh beginning.

It took him a bit longer to join the gathering, but at the sound of Heda’s howl, he sought the most manageable fallen piece of tree he could find so that the puppies would have something other than his toes to chew on. It was almost a metre long and perhaps four centimetres in diameter at its thickest points. It would do just fine. Clutching it in its middle, Toxochelys tore off, loping with thumping paws towards the rendezvous site. It would be the first time he interacted with the youngest of the clan.
 
When he finally arrived, he hung back, planting his powerful haunches on the ground with his forelegs splayed slightly. He placed the large piece of tree branch just in front of his paws, then waited to see if the puppies would react to him and the plaything he had brought. Once he had settled, he dipped his nose to both parents and Thuringwethil in turn, but remained where he was to let the tiny dragons acquaint themselves with his presence. Among the adults was a fiery red face he had not seen previously, and from afar, he studied her.

Prompted by the Heda's howl, he puts an end cap on his patrol and moved towards her point. For a little while now, he'd begun to wonder when this next step may come. He knows different mothers under different circumstances take their own time. It's usually just in his interest to know where her choice lands them. These pups are no different. He's still curious to know them better past the little glimpses he's taken -- which honestly, is more than he's used to from his prior packs, and he knows to be grateful. On his way towards the depths of the Dragon, he stopped by the nearest cache he knew personally and retrieved a light brown rabbit's hide with just a few scraps dangling here and there. Not the most impressive of treasures, but good for little puppy teeth to shred up and tug on, or so he imagined. The gona shook the excess dirt off it and deemed it good enough for now; he had to get going, anyway, and had a share of ground to cover still..

He trailed in behind a few others. His sights glance over each of the pups first and foremost, interested in seeing them and their growth, then moved for the commander. For her, he dipped his muzzle, and then moved to settle respectfully among those gathered -- a few meters away from Wildfire, at best. He planted his rump, curled his tail around his paws, and watched with his rabbit leather at his paws.

All Eske had decided to take from the word “moving” was that they were leaving the cramped birthing den in favor of something that would house their small family and visitors with comfort. Which was great because the fearless grounder princess had begun to resent that cramped den that she thought of as a prison. She was finally allowed outside but never too far or without supervision; and to her general dismay her complaining and insistence that she could handle it didn't appear to get her anywhere. So, the youngest of her litter decided to make the absolute most of this trek as they were herded at Heda's call. Some of the wolves that had gathered already Eske recognized: Wildfire, and Dio. There was one that she didn't know and it was him (Toxochelys) that Eske went up to, studying the large branch he'd brought and laid at his paws after studying them all in equal measure, skipping over her siblings, mother and father (as she saw them all the time!). “Hei. Yu-de!” She called to him, wanting his attention in that familiar demanding way of her's. “Ai laik Eske.” She introduced herself as she'd practiced over and over, leaving off her weighty “credentials” which included "grounder princess, future queen", and "dragonborn" for the sake of simplicity.

Though she is somewhat far when her Heda calls, Portia comes regardless. Her gaze scans the area when she arrives, trying to find something familiar to cling to. Dio was that familiar. She moves through the small cluster of wolves and sits beside him, smiling and giving him a friendly nudge to the cheek-- they were close enough friends, she felt, and there was no such thing as 'personal space' to Portia. 

In her jaws was a bundle wrapped in green leaves. Inside were shining purple stones, ones she'd been told to be Amethyst. They had no value other than being beautiful-- which to Portia was good enough. She'd found them in a crook just outside the borders of the territory-- which she'd left cautiously. They were somewhat painful to break off, but she'd found that dropping larger stones on top would break them off-- so that's what she did.

She eyes the pups that wander around with interest, looking for the sweet boy she'd met not too long ago. Apparently this was supposed to be their first meeting-- so she'd keep their previous one hush-hush. Hopefully he'd be more interested in herbs, or maybe she could find an apprentice in on of the pups. Ah, the magic of herbs and plants. So beautiful. Hopefully she could share her love for them with the younger generation.

Start round two! No post order. Next round will begin about a week from now. @Freyja @Thyri @Hvitserk @Eske @Wildfire @Portia @Dio @Toxochelys

It is Wildfire that shows up first with a gift in toe and Thuringwethil’s face brightens when she’s certain the parents are turned away. She leans into the gesture a little before pulling back, looking down at the puppies and how they take to their first gift. And then the others fall in line, some with and some without gifts, but Thuringwethil’s face remains at ease as it it wolves that she trusts to approach.

"Hvitserk, Freyja, Thryri and..." she pauses each puppy-bump when there's an empty space. She turns to search for the little girl just as she hears her say her own name to Toxochelys. "...and Eske."

None of them give her a bad vibe around the children and so she lowers her head to nudge at each puppy to say hello and accept the gifts they have been given.

She watched carefully as newcomers began to flock the scene. Some of them she had met while others were strangers to her. She lingered at her brother’s side as they were introduced and as her name was call her posture straightened. It was as her posture straightened that she caught eye of her favorite red-furred individual.

“Wilfiwa!” she called, gathering herself onto before galloping to the other wolf. She greeted the leader with a poke with her nose to the other’s foreleg. “Issa time ta hunt?!” she asked, hopeful that it was indeed time to go and hunt.

The Bandrona split her attention between the pups (75%) and the commander's face (25%), taking joy in watching Thuringwethil watch them. Would they get to do this one day as parents: relocate their litter, watch over them and introduce them to the pack? A warm shiver passed down Wildfire's spine. Aside from one day sealing the deal with Thuringwethil properly, there were few things she wanted more than the experience of motherhood.

A small voice called her name and Wildfire grinned at little Freyja. Unaware of just how interested her makeshift niece would become in hunting over the next few weeks, she shook her head and said, "I already did the hunting for you!" and pointed a red toe at the dead rabbit in front of the Heda. "Your only job is to enjoy it," she added, "and share it with your brother and sisters, of course." She winked one amber eye.

More and more bodies arrived, some with objects in their mouths, and others without. Hvitserk, skeptical of the entire situation still, had not moved from his spot behind Thur. While his eyes were allowed to wander, he'd not stepped forth in order to greet any of the unfamiliar faces, and he'd certainly made no approach towards any of their gifts. His muzzle pointed itself upward when he'd heard his name, however, looking to his former space heater. Nothing else would follow, he'd realized, and so his attention was focused, once more, on someone else—Freyja. For one moment the girl had been at his side, and then the next she was gone, directing herself towards someone he could not remember having ever met. He'd made a move as if he planned to follow her, but a change of course was made before he'd ever reached them, as the presence of someone he knew was noticed.

Poor-shah was there! Hvit hadn't yet formed an opinion about plants, but he knew that he liked the sound of the woman's voice. Thus, it was towards her that he'd gone, moving in a larger arch than necessary so as to avoid the stranger she'd situated herself beside. When he had finally reached her, his little tail wagged and a smile plastered itself across his face, the boy's version of a greeting having been extended.

A small, grey ball of  fur and legs waddles over to her, avoiding Dio in a wide arch. She gives the man a small smile, nudging him playfully-- though she felt he was not quite the playful type-- and turns back to the child. Her bundle sits neatly at her feet, and she does not yet toy with it, but pays the child her entire attention. With a deep bow of her head to the young prince, she begins to speak-- knowing good and well the boy would not respond "Goufa!" she says, smiling brightly. "You must be Hvitserk then?" she adds, lowering her head for him to better see her face. It was finally nice to put a name to this adorable face-- and even better, a face to the name of the pup she'd helped heal not too long ago. It appeared he really had healed just fine-- and that thought warmed her heart.

"This is Dio, hun," she then offers, nudging the man sitting opposite of her. "He is a Gona-- and a wonderful one at that." Not that she'd know, she'd never seen him fight before-- but the pup wouldn't know that. 

The number of new faces and scents was almost overwhelming for the small girl. She was drawn out from behind her father by the sight of a woman with strange fiery fur. Freyja seemed to know her well enough, but Thyri did not recall having spent time with Wildfire – at least not recently. She peered at the Bandrona with wide baby blue eyes and her mouth fell agape just slightly. It seemed as though the fiery woman had brought them food to feast on. It was, decidedly, one of the best days the little stormchaser had ever experienced. They had trekked across the land in search of a new home, settled upon it, called to many others, and they were able to partake in the prey that had been provided by the mysterious fire wolf. The rabbit smelled of blood and fur, but Thyri parted her jaws and clamped tightly to the animal anyway.
 
It was difficult for her to yank and pull as much as she would have liked to, but once she managed to rip a piece away from the hare, she plopped it down in front of her triumphantly. A small smile crept onto her face as she peered at the red meat. Leaning forward, she began to gnaw on it. A satisfied expression creased her features.

Portia came to his side, inspiring a few flips of his tail and a return of her nudge should she have it. At ease with her, her closeness included, he settled to just watch the pups until Thuringwethil's words brought his focus her way. Dio was already vaguely familiar with the pups -- Eske and Freyja especially, but that did not temper his interest in the formal introduction of the new lives. He glanced from pup to pup (with an eye kept on the area as a whole, for good measure), and found himself reclining to settle sphinx-like beside Portia, the skin still set within his reach but not where he was about to draw attention to it.

The male of the litter approached, although swung wide out of what seemed like caution. Dio quirked a brow and chuffed softly, humored to find the boy seemingly more at ease with Portia than himself -- presumably, they were a bit more well-acquainted? He couldn't guess yet, and didn't interrupt though, and remained a neutral, relaxed presence. Since the pup did seem a touch wary of him, his goal for now was to not be overwhelming, or push the boy if he was uncomfortable. Dio would let Portia and the pup have at it at their pace, he was content to just watch. He only piped in with a quick "Hi Hvitserk," after she'd introduced him and before they could get too far underway.

Still, he snickered quietly to her flattery, nudged her back playfully, and watched to see how the pup may receive this much so far.

The happenings around him either went ignored or unnoticed, for preoccupied was his attention by the plant-lady. He'd nodded when his name was spoken, glad that he'd not been made to share it with her. For Hvit, it was always best when another being dealt out the introductions, for, should he be left to do it himself, the outsiders would never receive his name. It wasn't that he couldn't say it, but more so that he didn't want to, having decided that speaking wasn't a necessary thing all of the time. Many thoughts and ideas could be conveyed just as well without words as they could with them, and, at times, perhaps even better. Someday, perhaps he might utter something in the woman's direction, but the notion of doing so was, currently, far off the table.

Much to his displeasure, as well as a bit to his surprise, the topic of conversation shifted towards the man at her side: Dio, a Gona. The boy tilted his head as he regarded the other male, only to look back towards Portia and then between the two of them. He believed the woman's words, unable to call her a liar after she'd been so kind to him, as well as because she just didn't seem like the type. Their shared antics had stuck out to him more than the fact that he was near to a skilled warrior, relating them to the interactions witnessed between his mother and father. Not yet able to understand the workings of any sorts of relationships, really, he'd assumed that they, too, were parents. However, if that was the case, then where were the other whelps?

With his belief urging him onward, Hvitserk stretched out his neck in order to glance around Dio, having eyed the stranger both prior to and after having done so. Nothing there. Rounding Portia, he'd looked all around her, but still came up empty-handed. There weren't any children there aside from his sisters and himself, which made him wonder where they were hiding. Perhaps they were sick, considered the boy, and because of that were not allowed to leave their den. Since that seemed to make the most sense, it was the hypothesis that he'd settled on. Someday, he would meet them, but for the time being he'd sat himself down in front of the female, leaning against her forelimb whilst a few glances were sent towards her partner. Kids or not, Portia was still his favourite, so no one could take her away.

Round three. I don't know how long this will go on but I also don't mind repeating posts in rounds if it keeps things going! I'll reply again in about a week. @Freyja @Thyri @Hvitserk @Eske @Wildfire @Portia @Dio

Gyda wanders off as she finds something suitable to fit their growing family, making sure not to keep him too much in mind. He'd grown fond of the woman but they are far from traditional and, so far, he's yet to see any negative effects from it. They know nothing else, as the first children of Drageda, and are happy. Even if they may be nervous uprooting their home, he's certain they'll get along fine once they've integrated themselves with the rest of the clan. 

From a distance, he watches the group. He recognizes the wolves that come to the site and greet them, all with gifts, but he doesn't interfere.

Freyja’s eyes bounced from her mentor’s face to the nearby offering and a quiet sigh escaped her. It did not seem like they would be going hunting. But, despite the sigh, Freyja straightened up and attempted to pull herself from her disappointment. “I will ‘njoy!” She chirped, taking a seat before the other and wrapping her tail about her forepaws as she settled. She did not make any moves to go and fetch the carcass and instead lingered at her mentor's side. She wasn’t quite sure what to do next.

“Who are all dese woofs?” she asked after a pause, throwing her glance over her shoulder to survey the gathered wolves.

Despite her words, Freyja did not immediately partake in the kill. That was all right, though. There was a lot of excitement in the air, a lot going on around them. When the pup took a seat, Wildfire took the opportunity to slither forward onto her belly, putting their heads at roughly the same level. She caught the girl's question and surveyed the small crowd.

"Well, you know Heda, your mother, father and siblings," she began, amber eyes flicking from wolf to wolf, landing on the swarthy figure lingering in the background. She didn't know his name, so she shifted her attention to Dio. "That tan wolf there, that's Dio. He's a guardian, like Gav—your dad. And see that pretty lady with the white fur and black markings? I think her name is Portia. I'm not sure about his name," she admitted, amber gaze returning to the first wolf, "but maybe you could go introduce yourself?" Wildfire suggested lightly, turning to brush her muzzle against Freyja's cheek.

Toxochelys didn't ignore the grounder princess but she found, in her very short attention span, that she was growing bored. “K...bye,” She said to him in the common tongue, offered him a toothy grin before she turned and pranced a few feet away, habitually gravitating towards her father, as she studied each of the wolves gathered again, unsure who she wanted to approach now. Not her mom, and not really her dad. She saw them all the time. The others seemed to be preoccupied by her siblings and with a loud huff turned sigh she decidedly made her way towards Heda where she plopped down unceremoniously close to Thuringwethil's paws. “Hei Heda!” She greeted her loudly, because volume control for Eske definitely wasn't much of a thing yet.

The gathering was losing its interest for the young girl. While the new faces offered her a moment of excitement, there was very little that she could actually do with them. The young stormchaser was curious, though. She tiptoed out of her position and peered upward at the wolf who was speaking to Freyja. The fiery fur of the woman was incredible, and Thyri wished that her coat would take on such a coloration. Because she had no real skills in social interaction, the young dragon inserted herself into their conversation without much call. She did not want to be left out. Not to mention, Thyri felt a strange protection over Freyja - something she could not explain. 

"Are you a Guardin'?" the girl inquired with a slight tilt of her head. She was not the best with words in the common tongue, but it was a decent attempt at the skill in question. In the stormchaser's eyes, the title of Guardian was of the highest kind. She aspired to claim the rank herself when she grew older, and she was keen to prove that she was more than capable. 

She watches where everyone gravitates. Freyja stuck near Wildfire, with Thyri soon joining them. Eske got bored of Toxochelys and came in her direction and Hvitserk's investigating between Portia and Dio. When Eske speaks up at her, however, she puts all her attention on the girl and beams a smile down at her. "Do you like your gifts?" she says, glancing around at each thing someone brought, wondering if Eske had gotten around to inspecting all of them.

Portia smiled at the child as he leaned against her, then looked to Dio. The meeting seemed to be going well, though the children seemed to pick and choose their favorites and hang around them... so much for a meeting, it seemed more like a reunion. Regardless, the freckled woman began a quick conversation with Dio about the amethysts she'd brought, and when Thuringwethil dismissed them she gave Hvit a quick nuzzle to the cheek and sent him back on his way.

last post! sorry for the delay <3