Arrow Lake for the only true Queen is the Night Queen

@Damien @Aries @Stigmata and anyone else that wants to greet the trio/quartet. This is backdated but prolly after the actual forming. If you just want to post once please clarify so we know who we can skip and who we can't, or just say we can skip you at some point so we don't hold up this thread too much :) PPing the group a bit, if you like anything changed please tell me

After a fiery discussion the four wolves and their raven companion had conjured up a plan. @Midar would stay behind and scout out for more recruits for when they would start the Melonii, with the new Meloniis they would spawn in the meantime. Aries would come with them to this Diaspora, both for extra protection for if it was a trap and because Nyx almost insisted on keeping her ward with her at all times. Tulugak, like most of the times, was indifferent about the ordeal. As long as he didn't have to walk all the way there, he was fine with everything. But Nyx was most concerned about Damien's opinion. If he found the place to be ill fitted for them, it was all over. If Stigmata did betray her, it was all over.

But she led them to and over the mountains anyway. Despite her fear of heights, the way up went just fine. The route Stigmata had described seemed safer than her recent travels up the mountain. All was well until they reached the dangerous slope downwards and she saw the lake glittering in the early morning sun. Facing her fears, she made her way down like everyone else, but it wasn't something she would like to repeat. The scent of pack lingered in the air, confirming to her that at least Stigmata had not lied about a pack located here.

She approached the border together with her small band and decided it was best if she howled out to Stigmata, as he would most likely recognize her voice more than that of Damien. And so she did, nearly proudly announcing their arrival while her eyes shot around to look for anything out of the ordinary. They had to cautious.

Despite their plans, Midar had begun to have second thoughts. His only family here was on their way to live under the rule of someone he didn't even know, and it just didn't feel right to the beast that he wouldn't at least be there to asses the new wolves for himself. 

So quickly, Midar backtracked, tracking the familiar scents of his clan through the mountains he already knew fairly well from previous wanderings. He moved with silent determination through the valley and across the other side of the mountains, Nyx's howl confirming he was close as he neared the winter-hardened lake. He padded towards the group at the borders, his stride panther-like as he came to a stop at Damien's side, and his face taking the usual blank mask he wore when facing strangers. Violet eyes scoured the horizon for the first sign of an approach, and he remained hyper-aware, ready to strike at the first sign of trouble.

she is just here to greet & observe, this will be my only post so please skip her subsequently! <3

ears swiveled as a cry was brought to her attention. she was quite enjoying lounging by the water, sunbathing in their new claim before everyone was settled & they'd set out again. golden fur bristled in a light breeze as finch shakes out her fur, trotting towards the call she had heard from their borders. a dark triad of wolves stand at them, and she was planning on starting some patrolling soon anyway.

as she approaches them it becomes clearer to her that these were the guests stigmata spoke of. they were expecting arrival from them, but she didn't know it would be so soon. the golden idol approaches them at the borders, swaying her tail and dipping her head towards them in greeting. ,,our guests, welcome to diaspora.'' her voice hushed but not too low for them to hear. ,,i hope you find the refuge you are seeking for the time you are with us.'' after her greeting, finch backs up slightly, waiting to see if stigmata will make his way towards them, so he can give them a proper welcome.

The reaper remained close, sharp eyes flickering between the group and the domain that would shelter them over the coming moons - as a soldier, a steel guard, it was his duty to defend, and so the beryl-hued gaze tipped to every movement, ears towered above a crown of dark silver and steps as quiet as a mouse; quieter, perhaps. He was aware of every word shared, and every move made.

Drinking in the surroundings was a necessary task; opening himself up to the life around and whatever secrets might lurk in their shadows - even after he was sure this trip was not a trap from the Diaspora wolves, he would remain alert, vigilant. To let down his shield would be foolish.

Eventually as the group wove toward their destination a dark figure joined them - who Aries knew to be Midar - and an unknown voice brushed against the fur of his ears: a woman, who spoke in hushed tones met their arrival, greeting them politely before stepping back, presumably so that this Stigmata would take her place. The Svartell eyed her silently, stood stock still in waiting.

Despite having his reservations about the deal made by Nyx, Damien followed his midnight lover up and across the mountains through the night, with Aries and Tulugak on toil. It had been decided that Midar would stay behind to gather new followers so that in time the Melonii clan could become a standalone faction, but Damien couldn't help wishing that he stood with them when the time came to meet the kind strangers that Nyx had got them all to seek out.

Hardened muscles tense when the scents of those inhabiting the mountain lake reach his nostrils. There were many already there, they were most likely outnumbered, but somehow Nyx still seemed tranquil. This Stigmata guy was probably some kind of hypnosis master to get Nyx of all wolves to trust him. All the way up and down the mountain Damien had felt uneasy. His senses were sharp, but for some reason he hadn't trusted them a second as they trailed down that last slope leading to the lake. Every bird flying above, every rock rolling down had become a threat, but who could blame him when his life had basically been built upon skepticism and coldness and his wife was asking him to deposit his trust in a complete stranger to house their first litter. It simply made no sense. It was only Midar's unexpected appearance that gave Damien enough confidence to see it through. He eyed his cousin with relief and wagged his tail ever so slightly to show him he was grateful for his presence.

His anxiety peaks the moment they encounter their first Diaspora wolf. A soft spoken female about his own age comes to greet them in a way too polite manner in Damien's opinion. They were certainly expecting their arrival, but how pleasing could it be to open up the gates of their home to a group of absolute strangers? Thank you, is the only thing that Damien can think of replying, but what he really wanted to say was... I hope your leader will have the time to share a word, it was spoken in a well polite tone, but his skepticism was clear throughout.

after hearing the call for him, stigmata reached the travel-worn pledges only a few moments after finch, but had hung back to observe the group from afar prior to arriving on the borders. the bespeckled nyx was easiest to pick out among them, despite being the only feminine form among her followers, and the appearance of tulugak only confirmed further that it was her.

beside her was a brawn-riddled inkwell - her mate, surely by the way he clung nearest - and next to him stood a sleeker ravenwolf whose beryl eyes were eerily lost to his line of sight at that distance. the stiffest of the bunch was a coal-and-sterling male; a little overly intense for stigmata's liking, but he supposed they all had a reason to be mistrustful of this situation. even if the woman they had chosen to follow seemed quite anxious to be here. none besides her looked particularly eager for the coming meeting, and he wondered why they had come at all, if so much apprehension beleaguered them.

the ironstar came to stand imperiously beside the most hospitable of his own group - the sheltered gold, finch - and he pressed himself to her side briefly, before addressing the supposed pledges of diaspora. a handsome group, but inhospitable, by the looks of it. "my lady," he looked at nyx directly, something almost expectant in his gaze. she was allowed to have her pride, of course, but there were wolves here that she needed to defer to first, and he wondered if she would without prompting.

his gaze passed over the rest of her crew. "sirs," he addressed them cordially; his eyes critical on them as well. muzzle angling towards nyx once more, he lifted his chin slightly. "you have come to accept my offer, i hope."

Nyx didn't trust Stigmata but rather her own judgment. There were only a handful of wolves that had earned the speckled female's trust, including the men that now surrounded her at the borders of the man they now believed to have put a spell on her. Nyx was an opportunist, racing through possible outcomes and identifying flaws in some, and she disliked sticking to the plan of forming The Melonii with their few members. Her first heat would come regardless if they had a pack or not and she knew accidents could happen. Having her first children die within the first weeks of her birthing them was even more undesirable than being a lone wolf forever. Stigmata was her safest bet as their group was not easily befriended nor trusted. She was sure that if Stigmata had met the men she traveled with prior to their meeting he would have never even made the offer to begin with.

Damien was perhaps too proud to admit the months that had passed had proven quite fruitless. Nyx wasn't about to spend her first heat, which she envisioned to be quite the romantic time, alone in the cold in some random forest. Even if she had to please Stigmata in some way would she choose her current plan over sticking to the old one.

When the first of Stigmata's wolves came to greet them, Nyx was pleasantly surprised. Stigmata had told his pack about their visit instead of letting them be greeted by wolves who would probably try and scare them away. How thoughtful. She nodded at the woman with a slight smile, eyeing Damien afterwards. He didn't seem as pleased as she was, but that was to be expected. She had done something dumb and now she had to prove it had been the right move all along. Had he lost faith in her?

She was almost relieved to see Stigmata though she refused to show complete submission to him. As far as Nyx was concerned, they were still equals until Damien approved of him. She did show him a proper bow as greeting, his formality both wanted and a cause for concern. Though her loyalty lay only with Damien, she was afraid he might get jealous if the two became too close. I sure hope so, Stigmata. She said with an expectant glance at Damien and the rest of her friends. But I am not about to choose for all of us. She added, hoping to show her loyalty lay with The Melonii and not the male she had known for only a few days now.

cameo unless addressed/tagged <3

the wolves with whom stigmata had made a barter, mahler did not know what to make of them. he followed his kill-brother to greet the pale-flecked woman and her pair of forbidding male companions. it was the tenser of the two that drew the gargoyle's focus; he flanked stigmata opposite finch, a silent shadow with a breadth to match any of them.
the woman spoke, and the musiker listened, though he did not answer. her deference to stigmata was fleeting; mahler found this unappreciative, as the ironwolf had offered she and her own a home. yet he said nothing, preferring silence than to add his own voice among the two that sounded now.

Soon after the welcome party greeted the Melonii crew, who Damien assumed to be Stigmata made his appearance. Damien couldn't help feeling a little probed by the male's gaze, so he matched it with as much intensity. There was a reason for his mistrust of this deal and he believed everyone involved to be reasonable enough to understand, so he had no qualms about communicating it. After all it was the lives of his family that was at stake.

The words shared between Nyx and the male confirmed Damien's thought that they were facing Stigmata, and refusing to direct his voice to anyone but him his attention was promptly redirected towards him. Nyx was right, the choice of staying or leaving didn't belong to her. For as equally important as she was within the crew, it was Damien who had the final word on this matter. We are here to talk, answered Damien regardless of who the question had been directed to, but if you knew him like Nyx did you'd know that Damien hadn't just changed his mind about everything. You'd know he didn't like any of it. My name is Damien Melonii. I am head of this family, he explained in case it was necessary to remind anyone that him and his crew were loyal to each other. I understand that you offered my wife asylum and free will to breed within your domain, he started politely, and after a brief pause his expression turned quite thoughtful. Now, I don't mean to be rude, I really appreciate the kind offer, but I hope you'll understand that I find it a bit... Curious... To make such an offer he took a seat then, expecting there to be a conversation in order for him to be able to trust Stigmata enough to accept his offer.

as nyx deferred to her mate, stigmata's focus obliged, noting that the male did not simply grovel in appreciation, which he had half expected given how desperately the deal had been made. as things stood, however, the titan inkwell seemed to have a much more reserved approach to the entire orchestration; a tactic that stigmata understood, but could not condone in this moment. it was the meloniis who were willing to bend their prides in order to have children - not he. what kind of trick would this be, if it were one?

he glanced at nyx as damien explained what he understood their terms to be, but remained quiet as the would-be patriarch walked daintily around the point of what he wanted to discuss. as the male reclined, casual for someone with mistrust souring his every word, stigmata stiffened slightly and did not try to hide his dissatisfaction. the iron liege was not yet inclined to hostility, but he had little reason to feel polite either; not when his gaze was being met and no deference came from any wolf standing before him. were they not here to accept? they need not all be here if they had only come to reject the offer, he thought in annoyance.

"i told your mate that as long as she was pulling her weight, she could raise her children with us, yes." the wolf drawled, skin twitching. "she did not lie to you, and i made the offer sincerely. diaspora needs the able bodies, and children are good for morale. curious or not, you clearly see the value in accepting, so what is it you are paranoid about, exactly?" he asked point blank, because if they only saw positives, then what was with the hesitation? reservations? well nyx had none, so it stood to reason that her mate would need to be on the opposite spectrum if they were to make it as a couple, but she obviously hadn't done a good job of convincing him this would benefit them. did he even love her?

it would be the second time that he thought not, but his opinions were based in misogyny so he was consistently wrong when it came to relationships.

It was then that she could relax just a tiny bit. Damien hadn't written them off immediately which meant hope that her wish might come true. Nyx took a seat when Damien did, speckled legs curling under her frame for a comfortable position. She was determined to stay here, to fix what was deemed a mistake, and she would not rest until Damien either had a good reason for them to leave or for him to accept the generous offer and give her what she wanted most (besides being with him).

She nodded at no one in particular as the conditions of the offer being made were spelled out, taking notice of Damien calling her his "wife" despite any proper ceremony. But this was no time to drool over such a thing. Damien wasn't a very trusting creature, she knew, and he most likely didn't like all of this. She hoped dearly that his craving for offspring outweighed his suspicions of this being a trap - that Damien saw that an honorable man could leave his pride behind for the woman he had chosen to be with.

It was after Stigmata's reply that she looked up to Damien, eyebrows raised ever so slightly. This was her silent pleading face, one he had seen many times and would probably see many times to come. So far they had only been greeted with kindness and she still had to find a trace of malice coming from either Stigmata or his wolves.

It was true, there seemed to be only positives from the deal to be, but it didn't mean that the intentions behind any of it were plainly altruistic. in fact, it was hard to believe they were, but Stigmata taking a hurt feeling from Damien's remark was a good sign. Damien himself would feel insulted should he find himself in the same position, but then again, he had never been the kind of wolf to offer selfless refuge, especially when the matter of free breeding rights were a part of the deal. His upbringing had made Damien believe and recognize the importance of young ones in a pack, and as an heir himself Damien simply couldn't believe that Stigmata would be so welcoming of pups other than his own or his inner circle for that matter, so trusting him to be a figure of protection for them was hard to achieve, especially when it meant that he would have to surrender to his command for however long they remained within his territory.

Though he did not direct his eyes at her Nyx's pleading gaze didn't go unnoticed. he could feel her pulse pressuring him to accept and he could feel his own desire to fill her belly with his pups pushing him to surrender, but Damien had never been the kind of wolf to give in easily. Nyx knew that he would only accept the best for her and their offspring, and welcoming them to the world under a stranger's command just because he seemed kind enough to offer special permissions nonetheless to a whole crew of strangers didn't seem like an ideal situation. He would settle for no less than full control over his own crew.

Not paranoid, my friend. Cautious. said Damien in condescending response. But since you too seem to be in need of our support I would like to make a counter offer, if you please... he said, yet took the liberty to keep speaking anyway. You see... We're not just another group of regular wolves. We are mercenaries, trained for assassination and infiltration. he stated proudly, and I intend to build an empire, he added without a shred of doubt in his voice. Seeing that we still lack the force to rightfully claim a territory of our own we will accept your offer to gather strength and plant our seed for the future... We will support your claim and reinforce your troops so you can set a strong foundation for your clan, and when we settle down on our own and take back what belongs to us Diaspora will remain a friend of our organization and will be granted special favors bare of payment. he said confidently. He knew they would be grand, they just needed time for his lineage to grow and become stable, and that was what Diaspora could provide for them, that term wasn't changing. but that was not good enough for Damien. But for however long we stay with your crew, you and I will be seen as equals. I will respect your territory and my wolves will work with yours. But we do not bow to you. Pride would perhaps be the death of Damien one day, but for as long as he lived he would defend his sovereignty against anything and everything. So what do you say? Do we have a deal?

in all actuality, damien had every reason to be suspicious of the offer, if only because - no matter how well the warhound played the part of sincerity - stigmata was not really a generous wolf. he never went into anything without ulterior motives and a list of plans spanning the entire english alphabet, and as simply as he was making this whole trade-off appear, the meloniis would be correct if they suspected ill of the sandraudiga, even if he had no intention of acting on it for some time. he had whispered of such things to mahler, eager to have his kill-brother's support on all fronts.

an ear turned towards mahler now; even as he listened patiently to the shade's spiel and counted the things this male expected without offering anything of substantive return. they were a band of mercenaries, but no more or less useful to him than any other strays, and his outright announcing that they had not intention of aligning themselves fully into diaspora was sobering news.

if stigmata had any cheer left for this moment, it was gone now. he had expected their disloyalty, but not quite so blatantly. he had privately assumed that over time they would admit intentions of still fording their own claim, but this was... irritating. he swallowed his venom, but seemed to remain otherwise unaffected. though far sooner than anticipated, the declaration that they would only stay as long as they needed to, wasn't in of itself a problem.

what the unfamiliar mercenary demanded next, however, brought a cold air unto the scene. he did not ripple nor bristle, or move at all really, but a deathly stillness and focus overtook him - stopping even the light sway of his tail - and if damien thought stigmata had taken offense before, then he would know now what it truly felt like when the iron wolf seemed insulted. and the insinuation that they could be equals in this situation did nothing but insult him. the meloniis seemed to be under the impression they were needed, instead of wanted, and he saw no deal to be made with a so-called leader who was not inclined to show deference even when his legacy might very well depend on it. no wonder they had no followers - the wolf who led them was a greedy fool.

many questions and rallying condescension crossed his thoughts. "i think not," stigmata replied, slow and stiffly punctuated. he felt a need to be scathing and indignant, or violently demanding if words did not feel to be enough. but none of these things bubbled to the wraith's crackling surface, except one quiet and forceful edict. "leave," he said, unwilling to even entertain the notion of an equal on his land. "now."

Oof

Then she felt the air grow denser. She expected Stigmata to be fine with their conditions, but apparently he didn't need the members all that much after all. He went from 100 to 0 real quick in her book. She knew Damien wasn't enough man to just leave his pride at the door and she expected more from Stigmata given his formality and eye for what his pack needed. Her own wishes were pushed to the back of her head. They'd find another way if Stigmata and his own band of whispering ghosts were too offended by what they stood for.

She stood up and brushed against Damien in a comforting manner, turning then to Stigmata. You will regret this. She commented softly, her gaze and posture more disappointed than angry. Damien would build an empire and ruining the shit show that was this place was at the top of her list for whenever they had what they wanted.

Midar watched silently as words were exchanged. At first, he was only half paying attention to the subject of the meeting, more concerned with where the Diaspora wolves were and studying their body language for any aggression or deceit. His violet gaze flicked to Damien as he spoke his suggested terms before being pulled to Stigmata, noting the way his whole body seemed to cease movement. The beast tensed, and when the Diaspora leader demanded that they get out, his ears flattened and a low growl rumbled from his chest as he came to stand closer to Damien. He wanted to rip the Diaspora man's throat out for his disrespect, but he fought against the urge. Normally he wouldn't show such restraint, but Damien and Nyx were in charge here, and he would wait for his cue before he painted the snow with the mountain wolves' blood. If anything, it might be smarter to leave here without a fight and then covertly take them out later.

A shame. Not one that he was not expecting, but a shame nonetheless. Damien's new outlook in life had made him more open for negotiation, that was the reason he had even agreed to come all the way up to this wretched mountain. He didn't even like mountains and he knew Nyx would much rather spend her time on firm ground than watching her every step not to fall off a cliff. But negotiations, in Damien's opinion, could only be made when both parties were in equal conditions, and Stigmata refused to give it a chance.

Damien could feel Midar's blood pumping next to him, and the low rumble that thudded on his flank gave him an extra boost of confidence to back his lover's own threatening words up. This will not be forgotten, said the dark prince simply, and turned without another word expecting his crew to follow suit. There was no need for bloodshed right there and then... They had a whole life to plan out Diaspora's downfall.

hi sry crashing for cameo purposes pls love me

both stigmata and mahler had eluded thorn that day, having coursed to some unknown haunt without him. no matter; the brute needed to challenge his tracking capabilities, and so set out after them.

he was much too late to eavesdrop, but the conversation he came upon was terse with icy words. thorn measured the mood of the room in a second; noticing stigmata’s iron posture, mahler’s frosty gaze — and most of all, noticing the circlet of dark wolves that stood before stigmata as if in defiance.

he was wordless, but his shape was no less intimidating as he quietly aligned himself besides mahler, flanking his tungsten liege with his tourmaline gaze focused sharply on the wolves that dared disdain stigmata’s high appointment. he did not know of what terms or conditions had been sundered, but he knew a tense room when he saw one and readied himself to protect the sandraudiga if it came to blows.

The calls had beckoned to her curiosity now that she had given her loyalty to the warhound and his wolves. Diaspora had come crashing into her life unexpectedly, and yet the exotic dove was already finding herself in the old familiarity of camaraderie and purpose as she assisted on patrols and whatever else was required.

She had missed much of the conversation, but even the cold winter mountains were warm in comparison to the icy tension that drifted between either group. Her own form slunk forward, her eyes calculating as she studied the wolves who threatened them now, and while she did not know what had transpired, she could feel the pull of awe that three wolves would be so stupid as to bring the ire of a large pack upon them.

But she heeded Stigmata, and sidling next to the dark Thorn's shoulder, she simply remained quiet, waiting for their leaders to give any orders.

such insolence. the moment the dark wolf settled himself with a great smugness before stigmata, insulting diaspora with an arrogant tone, mahler was tempted to seek his throat. however, he held himself quietly, hackles rising in response to his kill-brother's edict.
the woman was first to threaten them, and the man at his side issued a growl. mahler remained silent, unimpressed by the show of flaunting, nor the second threat that followed. they were a weak lot, and without their own land, would not breed this year and grow their numbers, while diaspora already carried the promise of new seedlings.
thorn and ketzia joined the three already present, and mahler settled the iron of his lavender eyes upon the retreating backs of the melonii curs.

i've given about 5 days for any stragglers to post, and since it's been so quiet i'll just fade this here!

baseless threats were tossed his way - for a group currently so small - remarks that did not stir him or inspire fear in the wolves shadowing him. perhaps it should have, but if they were to come for stigmata and diaspora, they would not catch the tactician or anyone under his tutelage unprepared.

the meloniis retreated with defeat hidden in their motions but not in their eyes, leaving the general with a cold, crinkled expression as he fought the urge to laugh. when they were out of sight, stigmata still looked in the direction they had gone, and then his tail started to wag before turning a dull grey eye over his shoulder. "come, diaspora," he said in a hushed voice to his gathered kith. "let us be sure they find our exit."

quiet as smoke and grimly bemused, the iron wolf led his comrades forward, trailing slowly after the vindictive black dogs.