Redhawk Caldera i need you so much closer.

If I double tag, I apologize! Also, just FYI - We determined that it wouldn't be fair to use PPC's in the war plot, so Andalusia and Orca will now be going with puppies as extra protection.

Tagging those most relevant to this plot thread (if I haven't tagged you below already):
@Fiadh @Tegan @Lucca @Clover @Towhee @Blixen

Tagging for visibility - feel free to join if'n you want, but you don't need to :)
@Sebastian @Colt @Quixote @Whip @Shrike @Allure @Dio @Eske @Hush @Hvitserk

If I missed anyone, just yell at me and join on in. Bye kids, have fun!

Finley had dreaded this day for such a long time now. She reminded herself over and over again that it was for the best, but still, it made it no easier to bid her little ones farewell. She refused to think that this might be her last time seeing them. It was too risky a thought to allow herself to have. It was far too late to call the entire thing off, and far too dangerous to do nothing and allow Blackfeather to continue tormenting the Wilds. And she would not leave the Caldera without a fight. This was her home, where she had built a life and a family. It was too important to just abandon. Wasn't it?

It didn't matter. Fin watched her pups playing together at the rendezvous site, gazing wistfully at their fierce little faces. The alpha was content to watch them quietly like this for the rest of her days, but she felt a gentle touch at her shoulder and looked up to see @Elwood standing overhead. All at once, far too soon, it was time. She sighed and stood, leaning to touch the tip of her nose softly to his, then turned to walk towards the little group.

She wasted no time in rounding up who she needed and walking them across the territory to where Drageda waited. They didn't speak much as they went, at least not the adults, which I'm going to awkwardly list right now to make sure it's clear who I mean - Andalusia, Raven, Ben, Lagan, Orca, Elwood and Finley. She came to a halt upon reaching their allies, searching out @Thuringwethil amongst them and nodding solemnly to her so that she would know it was time. Then, once all was quiet, Finley sat her four little wolves - not quite so little anymore - and said the words that ripped her heart into pieces.

"Okay guys, you are going to go on a trip with your cousin @Raven and your big brother @Lagan now," Fin informed them, smiling and wagging her tail as though everything was perfectly alright, "@Ben is going to go with you guys too, and @Andalusia and @Orca. Plus, a your cousin..." she froze, realizing that her kids would only know this particular cousin by one name and it wasn't exactly her name... Her gaze flickered briefly in apologize to Thur before saying, "...Betty's daughter. You guys get to go on your very own adventure for a couple of weeks. And then we'll all come back home and you'll tell Dad and I all about it. How does that sound?"

She forced the smile to remain on her face as she looked at her kids, expecting the very same of all of the other adults there. She needed them to think that this was fun. She couldn't stand them leaving unhappy and being miserable while they were away from home. She knew that she could count on Lagan to remain upbeat and optimistic, even though he was likely feeling the opposite in that moment. But he too understood that all of this was for them, and so there was nothing more important than keeping his little brothers and sisters safe and happy through all of this.

Although he wished that this day would never come, Elwood greeted it with resolve. It was time to send the wildlings on their adventure, away from the caldera so that they could stay safe while their parents and relatives went to war. He knew that there were mixed feelings all around, but he swallowed his own emotions and appeared as cheerful as possible, following the script that he and Finley had carefully crafted.

He exchanged a grateful glance with all involved as they made their way to meet Drageda, shepherding the puppies along. This short journey was easy enough, especially compared to the travels that loomed ahead for the young Blackthorns. When they arrived at the edge of the territory, Finley commanded the attention of the four youths and gave them their instructions.

He touched Fin's shoulder gently with his snout in reassurance before speaking. "Lagan is a scout, so he can teach you everything you need to know. And your mom used to be a scout, too, so you're making her very proud by going on this adventure," he added, glancing between each child and then directing his gaze back at the group of escorts. "We'll see you soon," he said firmly, willing the words to be true.

Sending off the wolves not participating had never been a problem, until now. Once more, Wildfire is being separated from her but this time with safety. She still knows where she’ll be and, if all goes south, they’ll go to Drageda anyway. As she waits for instructions Finley has for her crew, talking about them—breaking only briefly when the alpha calls her Betty—she takes her time to move close to Blixen and Wildfire. She glances away for a second to see if anyone has come to say their goodbyes but she wants whatever last few minutes she can get with them.

tags for visibility

Sebastian was there as well. The two most important wolves in his life were going away. The tall male said his temporarily goodbyes to @Andalusia. It was hard to let her leave. He wished he could go with her and Benjamin but he was expected to fight. He tried to keep himself tough though, and definitely not show his disdain to fight to Elwood and Finley. He promised he would see her again.

Then he turned to @Ben and spoke some words of encouragements. He promised to come back to his son. That he wouldn't leave him behind. He gave Benjamin a hug and a fatherly kiss. Perhaps Andalusia could see that he had some trouble with saying goodbye to them. Though he sincerely how it wasn't a forever goodbye.

"It isn't fair," Fiadh bemoaned to anybody that was listening, as she followed the gaggle of her siblings begrudgingly. "I'm ready to fight! And Lucca is! And Clover!" As she listed off her siblings, her eyes found Tegan, and she laughed to herself. "Sorry, Teag, I don't think you're much of a fighter," she taunted. "Maybe next war you'll be okay enough." Although her mood lightened considerably for a brief, fleeting moment, she soon herself angry at her parents again, and she turned her attention back to them as Finley began to speak.

She scrunched up her face and stuck her tongue out with evident distaste. "It sounds like baby stuff," she complained as she looked at Finley. Although she had been told about a million times, Fiadh still could not comprehend why they weren't allowed to go to war. In her very humble opinion, she was as skilled and ready as even Towhee. 

"I'd make you so much prouder killing those Blackfeather wolves!" How could they not see that?

them right there are fighting words, clover... if only he could

tegan, not fully understanding the seriousness of the situation, gave 0 fucks about the fact that his parents were leaving. he was way more excited about the possibility of limited adult supervision... or maybe he'd be on even more of a lock down now that they were gone. he wasn't sure, but he hoped it wasn't the latter. 

fiadh though pulled a nerve, and he sent a glare in her direction. he didn't even want to fight, he hadn't complained one bit. but she also needed to shut up because her complaining was useless! and annoying. he stuck his tongue out. "i'm bigger than you," he huffed with a haughty turn up of his nose. though, all the pups were pretty similar in size. and smarter, fiadh was dumb as bricks!! that was what was important too. whatever. tegan just hoped towhee would come back soon so he'd have someone cool to hang out with... and maybe teach him something to use against his sister.

When he saw the Redhawk alphas (plus the eventual others) approaching their little Drageda encampment, he perked and stood at the ready, ever watchful as he found out what was going on. So far, nothing is coming up as a major surprise, which is good. He doesn't want them to see any setbacks. The logistics of it are getting settled and everything is in order so far.

He's plenty comfortable with their Drageda force especially, both those off to help guard the young and those going off to fight. They have had some time to rest a bit from the trip here and keep their strength relatively up in the meantime, so he knows they have been lucky in that regard. In-between other doings, he's tried to see to it that theirs are fit and fight ready in any way he can. Now, it was just about knowing when the time is right, and trying to further familiarize himself with their allies they would soon fight alongside.

This gathering was just another step forward, and a necessary one for the safety of those not going to fight. He understood the need, and watched the youngest generation of the Caldera take to the news. While it is a risk in its own way, as with anything, the wocha still felt assured that they are doing what is in their best interest. 

blix feels close to buzzing out of her skin. she presses her nose briefly against nomi's shoulder, looking for - some sort of reassurance, before pulling away and stepping closer to mother. where's furi? she wants to see furi (when did that become more important than mother protect home make nomi proud and is it temporary, she wonders). 

the bustle of children that accompanies finley temporarily distracts her. the only wolf from the caldera blixen has really interacted with is towhee -- who as far as blix knows, is still pissed at her, but whatever, she was right -- and she doesn't really know much about kids, but they look like a feisty bunch. she likes them, she decides, watching them argue about going to war with their parents. "hey, pipsqueaks," the ginger says playfully, "if you wanna prove you can fight, you gotta take on me first - prove you're real gonakru." with her goal right in front of her, it's easier to calm down. protect mother, help keep watch of her baby cousins, keep everyone safe until nomi and dio and eske and furi come back to her whole.

Like Fiadh, Lucca too felt slighted by all of this. They weren't babies anymore; why were they being sent off when they were almost full grown? They were just as capable fighters as the adults and had spent ages practicing (at least Lucca had amongst his sisters who had proven themselves fine warriors despite their size). Lucca had a fierce desire growing within his heart to protect both his siblings and the pack, not realising that leaving was actually the best way to do just that.

He shot a look to Tegan who proclaimed he was bigger than Fiadh, which was truth, but Lucca jumped to her aid anyway. "And I'm bigger than you," he shouted, tail flipping over his back as he huffed a snort at his brother. They were all similar sizes, really, except for Clover who made up for her runtiness with her personality. However, Lucca had been growing at a steady rate into his large paws, easily surpassing his slim mother.

He whipped his head around as one of the seawolves spoke, a small, red-haired girl who he frowned at. He had no idea what a gonakru was but he instantly wanted to be one, his anger over the whole situation fuelled by her comment. She was as small as Finley herself, who was she calling a pipsqueak? He grit his teeth and lowered his head, accepting her challenge. This would be easy! With an almighty war cry, Lucca then ran full tilt at the girl, aiming to bowl into her side in his usual fashion.

Artaax had no real interest in his young cousins, if they could really be called that. He was well aware that they shared no blood, meaning the title was just some silly sentimental notion. Besides that, they were obnoxious, wild and annoying. He had to fight not to scowl as they argued against their mother's ridiculously sugar-coated instructions. He gave them props for seeing straight through it, but the blatant fabrication still gave them no right to defy the orders of their nomi, and commander, no less. He wasn't surprised that Blixen showed fondness for them. He gave her his usual combination frown and eye roll as she invited them to spar and sighed. He was devoted to protecting them as well as his mother, but he couldn't help but feel like he was not going to enjoy this trip at all.

His gaze shifted to Thur and he spent a moment eyeing her. The boy was still striving to behave as a man, and so he didn't seek her out for the cuddly, affectionate farewell he was secretly craving. Artaax was still utterly confident that they would be victorious in this endeavor, but that didn't mean he was entirely comfortable with the temporary separation. He glanced away again as one of the boys jumped forward to engage in battle with his sister, sighing impatiently. The sooner they got this show on the road, the sooner they could return to Drageda, and Artaax was very eager to get home.

Yeah, she hadn't been too hopeful that they were actually going to fall for that one. Fin hadn't wanted them to part on terms like this. She'd wanted them to be happy and excited, carefree. Not burdened like this. Not feeling slighted and angry with her for being sent away. But they weren't babies anymore, and it had been a long shot from the start. In spite of how it pained her that they would inevitably leave her side feeling this resentment, she did have to smile at their protests. She loved all of her children dearly for their own unique qualities, but there was something so endearing to her about these four. They were such passionate, bold, fierce little things. She had no doubt that they would one day be an asset in a situation like this, but for now, they were young, inexperienced, and untrained. And they were her babies, no matter how big they got.

Wildfire's daughter offered a distraction and Fin smiled gratefully, but grew perturbed as Lucca sped off to engage in battle. She wasn't exactly done talking here. "Lucca," she said sharply, attempting to pull him back in before looking to Elwood hopefully. He was always good at this sort of thing, and she was at a bit of a loss momentarily.

The tension in the air causes Thuringwethil to stagger in a deep breath, letting Wildfire pull away from her a few seconds after Blixen’s attention focuses on her duty. She looks at the other wolves going with them, and so few of her own, that it makes the next turn of events a little hard to do. She says her final words to her mate, gently pressing her nose against hers, and pulls away. She watches a few seconds before she turns to Artaax, shifting her weight a little as Wildfire walks out of range.

“Artaax,” she calls to him, drawing his attention away from them. “I have a different job for you.”

Artaax was surprised when, for a moment, it seemed as though his ploy had worked. Thur bid his mom farewell before turning her attention to him and coming closer. His ears slid back in respect instinctively as she said his name, his head canting when she spoke of another task for him. His brow furrowed in confusion at this. Was he not going with Wildfire and the others anymore? His heart began to thrum as he began to consider that she had decided to take him with her instead. He said nothing, but his expression plainly asked for her to explain.

He was anything but surprised by his children's protests. Fiadh wasted no time in verbally expressing her opinion and mouthing off to Tegan, who swiftly retorted and, as a result, got Lucca riled up. Before he knew it, one of Wildfire's children was inviting Lucca to spar, and while Elwood valued his offspring's interest in learning to fight, this was neither the time nor place.

Finley's exasperation was evident in her voice as she reprimanded Lucca, and Elwood echoed her with a low, sharp bark, intending to bring the youths to order. "You can spar in a minute -- give us a chance to finish," he said, directing his instruction at all of the young wolves gathered but saving a pointed glare for his own sons and daughters. He glanced at Thuringwethil, who had beckoned to Artaax, and then resumed giving the Blackthorn clan the stink eye.

Ima gonna PP all of you and wrap this guy up! :D

Fin smiled at her mate gratefully. He was very good at being stern while she was more inclined to be exasperated. Their wildlings turned back a bit sheepishly to listen once again as they said their final orders and then their goodbyes. In the background, Thur and Artaax spoke in whispers before they too moved in the for final farewell with their departing families. Fin watched with solemn determination when at last, they left. They would be together again soon. For better or for worse, she would see them all reunited again soon.