Sleeping Dragon bone tongue

More announcements came, and her eyes shifted briefly to Dio to acknowledge him. She doesn't know him and doesn't have any qualms, and truthfully that extended to everything else that far. For as strange as the culture was within this particular pack, Mojave was rolling along with it as best as she could.

That was until things took a bit of a change. The news that someone had lost their life along their borders was news to her. It snagged her interest for a moment, though the feelings that rose up were a mixture of several. She couldn't have claimed to know any wolf that was stupid enough to get caught up in such an affair, but their natural law was writ, always loud and clear.

Her eyes trailed over Portia as she approached Thuringwethil, a curious glint settled within. Her ears went flat briefly as she watched her score their leader, but the apprehensiveness remained. This was a bizarre sight for her, even with the warning that it was coming uttered only moments before.

He listened; more news. His tail thumped in wolf-applause at Dio's promotion. The news that they as a pack were growing strong enough to have an established army of their own excited him. He was a part of that army, as both a scout and a fighter. To know that it was Dio leading him pleased him. He nodded towards Dio in congratulations, then turned his head back towards Heda.

He had heard of the wolf who had died, seen and smelled the blood. But this ritual surprised him. He flinched as the rock went across Heda's shoulder, but when it was done, he relaxed. It was a part of her culture, the culture of Drageda. Perhaps the same would happen to him eventually, if that was what was done.

Snipe short hyper caffeinated uber-delayed shit post- here we go!

Goliath grunted in dissapointment. Another miserable addition to the shitstorm that had ravished his day. Some wolf he barely met became the Wocha, and Goliath was still tumbling around as a Kru, even after all of his hard work. (Not that he was going for that role, he just simply despised the idea of more military authority over him) It was bad enough that he saw the little runt that pestered him get praised by the queen herself, especially while enduring the aches and pains he carried with him due to his constant work.

Not paying much attention to the rest of the ceremony, Goliath simply kept his expression stone-faced, and daydreamed a perfect war scenario, full of adrenale and where he could simply kill and slaugther and not sit through boring, painful conferences.

The child remained silent - as was typical for her nature. She regarded the gathered wolves with a narrowing of her brows and a quick stirring of her tail against the earth. They were focused on the mentioned few. The child of the storm suddenly felt very out of place among her kin. The gleam of light that had flashed in the eyes of Freyja had been unmistakably ambitious. But who was Thyri to judge against the slate-furred girl? She had a mighty thirst that needed to be quenched. The stormchaser did not imagine that Freyja would settle for second best. 

With a wary approach, she moved forward and did what was expected of her without flinching away from the scene. She was the ideal soldier; savage and obedient. But only for that moment. Her eyes locked with Freyja's and her snout crinkled into a smirk. 

Next round. Will end next Sunday. @Dio @Wildfire @Hush @Portia @Rosalyn @Goliath @Rebekka @Mojave @Freyja @Thyri @Hvitserk @Eske.

The ritual, a quick one, would typically end the meeting as Heda bore her mark and their lives went on about their business. As Portia put the final touches, the antibiotic, across her skin, she stares at the wound for a long moment. Her features, devoid of the pain the woman had caused, turned back to look over the ground. There is little that has changed when she glanced away but Thyri catches a glimpse but she thinks little of the closeness. Thuringwethil turns to Portia and murmurs a quiet “mochof” of thanks.

Once Portia has taken her spot back among the crowd, she scans their features and knows the majority might not have an opinion about the next set but she swallows a lump in her throat. However, as if something that may have slipped her mind, she begins again: “There is a pack forming south of here. Their distance is no threat to us and they know not to hunt above the maplewood. It is best if you do not hunt big game below,” she says, as she eases the meeting to a close. The last thing on their plate, however, sends her gaze back toward Wildfire for a brief few seconds.

“Most of you are not of our own customs and teachings yet and perhaps that is a good thing as things can change to better fit us while still keeping to our ways. There have been a lot of changes since the beginning but I still the strength of Seageda here, even as many of you do not know our former home. It is not common for Heda to have a family of their own, outside the populous of our wolves, but I’d like to make an official statement. It will not cause any changes and my position will not change, but it is something you must know, that I have taken Wildfire as my mate.”

Thuringwethil tightens her jaw and doesn’t break away to look at Wildfire and, while she resists the urge to shrink back, waits for the response to come.

Hell, at least she didn't have any false pretenses, Rosalyn thought as Thuringwethil acknowledged that many weren't really in the know on their culture.  Whatever that might be.  She didn't have a lot of (read any) desire to be marked the way Thuring just displayed, but she did have a lot of respect for cultures of other places.  That sort of thing made a wolf who they were, and it lent color to a people.  She might need to ask the alpha a few questions someday soon.

The next words were a little bittersweet, and Roz wasn't sure how to take them, though she smiled at the happiness she was sure the two were feeling.  The upside - the alpha was down with ladies as well.  The downside; one particular lady.  Shoulda ridden that train when you had the chance, she thought with mild disappointment, though really she hadn't intended to pursue it anytime soon.  Bad way to start life in a pack, it could get messy when you shagged the alpha outright.  Ah well.  Insert cliche about all the good ones being taken.  And perhaps down the line some variety will be wanted, she thought somewhat wickedly, knowing it unlikely but enjoying the sentiment all the same.

She would hang out where she was until others began to disperse, then get back to whatever the hell she'd been doing before.

Though Freyja had been raised in the traditional sense, the child had not been exposed to anything different. Despite this, the news of Thuringwethil and Wildfire’s coupling did not bring confusion or ill feelings to the child. It only brought happiness to the newly appointed Feisripa and in response she grinned widely and wagged her tail.

She knew that love was always something to celebrate, regardless of who it involved. Looking up to the Heda with bright eyes, Freyja offered a quiet “mochof!” before turning her attention to Wildfire briefly.

He skimmed the crowd appropriately, wondering if there would be any immediate backlash to his rise, but really, he harbored no concerns and neither did the pack make him think there would be. Steadfast in his efforts, he was every bit a piece of this, and he'd establish himself more firmly -- and confidently -- in days to follow.

However Thuringwethil's new mark garnered the most of reactions, it seemed, and she rode it's momentum into a piece of information all her own. Dio's expression quirked, interested but otherwise not of any ill intent. In fact, all and well the opposite. He decided he didn't find himself all too shocked, either, and just wondered why the heda had seen it fit to tell them this way. Whatever the reasoning, it certainly got the job done and he nodded a silent acknowledgement (and congrats) to Wildfire and the commander alike.

Another pack to the south. Their side of the Sunspire mountains were very popular, it seemed. Packs seemed to be sprouting up like grass. But they were far enough to not be a threat. He would have to investigate on his own sometime, but for now he perked up his ears, waiting for Heda's next declaration.

She and Wildfire were mated. Hush cocked his head. He had never heard of females mating before. Having sex, yes (and that was something he never figured out the logistics of), but never mating. It was a new thing to him; they were together because of love, he supposed, but would they want to have pups? How would that work? Would they get a donor?

Despite these questions that he never could ask (even if he could speak, he probably wouldn't ask for the sake of not sounding rude), Hush thumped his tail, smiling at the pair.

The news of the Heda’s choice in a lover hadn’t come as a shock to the boy, for he didn’t quite understand it. He knew of what a mate was, but not what it meant to be one. With a neutral expression on his face, he’d taken to looking towards Freyja, observing her reaction so that his own could form. Was it a bad thing, or something good? Maybe it wasn’t good or bad, but simply was. Given the way in which his sister had responded, he was made to believe that it was, in fact, a good thing. The wagging of her tail and the grin that had spread across her lips made it clear that he, too, should be happy for the two females in question.

Turning his attention back towards Thuringwethil, a small smile had replaced his previous expression. Whilst he didn’t show nearly as much excitement for the new pair as his sister had, he was still happy for them.

Ready or not, the commander broke the news. Wildfire went very still as the words left Thuringwethil's mouth and for a few seconds, she didn't dare look at anyone. Only when she heard Freyja's congratulations did she look up and over the crowd. She met the girl's gaze and smiled, fondly and with more than a little relief. Curiosity then made her sweep her eyes over the rest of the pack. There were a couple of smiles and a few more pensive looks. The Bandrona let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Nobody outwardly opposed the leaders' union, at least not yet. Wildfire took that as a good sign.

Thank-you, she mouthed to Freyja in particular before dragging her eyes back to the Heda. With the moment of tension passed, it hit her like a strike of lightning: they were mates now. Wildfire wanted to commemorate this moment and felt a strong impulse to walk up beside the commander and give her a kiss. But was Drageda ready for that? Were the two of them? She knew they had just gone public but she didn't want to push anyone—including herself—too far or too fast. Wildfire remained in her seat.

The news about another pack doesn’t do anything to cause him alarm. They are far enough south that leaves the maplewood in their grasp, fond of their prize from the phoenix wolves. Even if it has been months since their disappearance, it is no less a treasure Thuringwethil will likely hold on to. It is the next set of information that puts Gavriel on edge, leaving him with a weird feeling in his stomach and suddenly object to the changes being made. Everything has been done in the favor of the dragons to ensure their survival and safety, even when their risk has been low, but for a selfish turn of events like this?

His jaw sets and he glances to Gyda, once before focusing on the ground in order to hide the sudden wave of emotion and anger awash.

Little does she feel for the arising changes Heda brought forth, both of the rising pack and the mate ship of two females. After all, she was in no position to make any judgement upon the Commander's choices. Yet, perhaps it is the feeling that Drageda has in some way conformed to the acceptances of the Teekon that leaves her less inclined to whole-heartedly accept Wildfire and Thuringwethil's mateship. Such a thing would barely be approved of in Trigeda; she wonders if it is the influence of the wolves of the Teekon Wilds that has altered the Commander's perception. Nevertheless, Rebekka does not say a word against it; she quite valued her head. Rebekka herself had pledged herself to the Commander, despite any personal choices the Commander might make. What went on in Heda's personal life was none of her business, and it never would be. However, she felt wary towards Wildfire; she woman was not of their culture. She did not trust her. However kind Wildfire was, she would never truly understand their ways, not to the extend that was expected. The two would be a figurehead of Drageda, and Rebekka felt unsure if she felt inclined to pay heed to a woman who had little to no experiance among their true, untouched culture. Casting a glance towards Gavriel who she assumed held the same emotions she did; could not meet his gaze for he held his head down, brewing in his own fury. 

She did not know what to say. Instead, she averted her gaze from the duo, but not disrespectfully, slightly nodding her head only once to show she understood the changes that would be forthcoming within the tribe no matter her personal distance to them. Rebekka pledged to support the Commander, but had said nothing about accepting the alteration of the ways she was born into. Saying little but saying nothing discouraging at all, the woman waited until they were to be dismissed. 

Portia made note of the forming pack, though it was really only just as a precaution. She didn't travel out of the territory much but it was good just to know. Thurinwethil's next comment caused a wide smile to light up her face, her tail thumping heavily against the ground. She was not naive to the opinions of some wolves, but to her this was absolutely fantastic. Her approval consisted of a light yip and a bright smile, green eyes glinting as they focused on the Heda and Wildfire.

Eske wasn't in the mood to offer congratulations. She just wanted to leave. She wanted to be left alone to her jealousy and work it out in a spar with some poor log somewhere. She barely paid any attention to Heda's words, her attention drawn back in long enough to hear the news of her and Wildfire's mateship. Freyja looked ecstatic, ugh, of course she did. The reaction, Eske saw as she took a look around, was pretty mixed. Some appeared to be happy and others ...not so much. She noted the moment her father exchanged a look with her mother but she returned to scowling at her mother's leg hoping to burn a hole through it. Until they were formally dismissed she was forced to remain. She just wanted this stupid meeting over with.

Sorry for late post :s

Goliath sneered at the idea of a pack with such close hunting grounds to the Drageda- one or two of the new pack's wolves would certainly cross paths with Goliath, and that certainly wouldn't spell anything good for them.

However, the next news came as quite a shock; the Heda was taking her co-leader as a mate? The fact that it was a woman did not bother him so, but Goliath never saw a leader so hesitant to admit of her lover. From where Goliath came from, the second an Alpha found his mate he would simply take them, and the rest of the pack would deal with it.

Eitherway, this was not the time for him to speak, and thus simply repeated: "Spechou", and waited until he could finally leave.

There is an underwhelming reaction to the news and Thuringwethil releases a breath she’d forgotten about. Her eyes travel to Gavriel and Rebekka, who have less than thrilled reactions, but the others seem to be a little positive. A few verbal confirmations, a few tail wags, and while the majority seems to be in favor enough, the weight of her own kind hold her back. She tries not to linger on it too long, dropping her gaze for a moment before casting it toward Wildfire. 

Her gaze lingers for a moment longer than normally and she takes what she can get. They will simply face the storm together. Her nose lifts and, with the chorus of her own wolves, releases a howl to end their meeting.