Come Together

[Amity]

Her heart had fallen the moment that the howl rang over the lands, though it wasn’t over worry of who it might be or anything like that. No, it seemed nowadays, that she would just get the proud wolf by her side before one thing or another would send him off again. It wasn’t like Chael was avoiding her.No, he had been spending probably just as much time as he could with her- it was really the battle, and the pack merge, the recent pupnapping and all that had her feeling rather insecure and uneasy. She wanted to spend more time at home with him and her children in the den, but the days only seemed too regenerated with long lists of things to do. She knew that she was just feeling needy in a time when she needed to focus on getting things back together, and therefore had thus far refused to let clue Chael in on these feelings.

He had sent her on ahead to check on the pups, and to call the meeting that they had planned into session. Upon arriving at the dens she immediately began to look for Nightfang, who they had left to pupsit. She hated leaving her children in the watch and care of anyone but herself or Chael, but she knew Nightfang to be a trusted member. She felt that the woman enjoyed the pups about as much as an aunt would. Glancing around for the ebon fae she went to the dens entrance and gave a soft woof for her children. They hadn’t been able to see much of spring, and here in a little bit they’d see the most amount of wolves that they’d ever seen in their young lives. She felt sorry for the children, seeming to have been born into a world of chaos, but the future seemed a little more stable.

After calling for her children she walked around to the meeting area, feeling that the kids would ether begin to play or seek her out. She knew Chael would have been keeping an ear out for her call. She lifted her maw up, her clear alto voice singing out across the Kehme lands- the pack meeting had been called. Licking her maw absently she sat down to wait.

[Marluxanne]

It didn’t bother Marluxanne too much, really. She’d been told that a young wolf had been murdered by her paws. Kahn, she believed they’d said the name was. Some loner named Kahn.

Marluxanne huffed as she carried her hide of browns, white, and grays over to the pack meeting. Yes, she’d been one of those possessed and she dared anyone to hold that against her. Marluxanne curled her lip at the thought, but soon wiped the feature from her face. While under that “spirit’s” influence she’d fought many wolves, some were even currently with her pack. The thought of fighting excited Marluxanne. She could vaguely recall certain events and even if she hadn’t had control in the battle, she still got the thrill. However, Marluxanne couldn’t quite wrap the thought of being controlled around her mind, so she simply didn’t try. Her mind and body had been seized, she’d fought, and she’d killed a wolf...alright...but could you blame her? Nope. Marluxanne left it at that.

When Marluxanne reached the spring she leaned in for a quick sip. As her tongue played the water she remembered the howls she’d heard earlier. Marluxanne exhaled sharply again and then lifted her head from the water. Whatever, she’d probably find out all about it and then some at this meeting. Marluxanne then made a quick one-eighty and headed for the dens. When she arrived there was only Amity. She gave her alphess a small nod, keeping her expression fairly neutral, and then went to take her place. She reclined on her haunches and waited for everyone else to get there. She didn’t offer a word or anything because Marluxanne really wasn’t one for talking...at all. Her eyes moved about as she kept her tense guard up and waited for other wolves to appear. Marluxanne was never one to relax.

Marluxanne contemplated a moment why she was there...oh yes, probably something to do with that merge. Marluxanne rolled her eyes, but did nothing else. No one in the new bunch seemed really...fit for the Da’Lith ranks, but she could learn to deal fine as long as the fighting ethic stayed strong. It also helped that her alphas remained in charge while the alphas of the other pack remained betas. That was perfectly fine, as long as they didn’t raise their noses at Marluxanne and expect her to do something stupid; like pup sit. *Oh crap,* Marluxanne thought when she remembered there were pups in the pack. Great, just great, just what she loved. Yes, that was sarcasm.

[Chael]

Still in a black mood, Chael made his way through the misty forest, heading towards his mate's call. He didn't really have a particular reason for his mood; sure, the former Erkeni betan had been less respectful than he would have liked, and the new Kehme betan had essentially ignored him, but at least Raging Storm had responded promptly, and Calypso had not challenged his authority directly. And now Farse was with them, and Chael knew the half-grown pup would instantly inform him of any problems. So really, he had no reason for his foul attitude.

He still scowled anyway. He had no reason to be in a bad mood, but he had no reason to be in a good mood, either.

Except that now he was going to see his family again - that was a good thing. He'd been with Amity before Calypso's call had interrupted, but not for any extended period, and he was always glad to see his mate, anyway. And he felt like he'd barely seen his pups since they'd been retrieved from Tadec and his lackeys.

But that was a road he did not want to go down at this time; thinking about the pup-napping made him want to run snarling to the Calazehr lands and then rip Tadec to small, bloody pieces.

Instead, he tried to focus on the meeting to come. He had to admit to himself that he didn't really know what should be addressed, but it seemed like the thing to do, what with the merge and all. All of the members of the Kehme had to be clear on where they stood; he wanted no mutiny among the Erkeni, and he didn't particularly want his own few members stirring up trouble with the newcomers.

But they were all newcomers, he reminded himself. He really had to stop thinking of the two groups as separate; they were one pack now, the Kehme, and that was that. Nothing would get done if they were not unified.

And what exactly needed to be done? He would love to organize their fighting forces and lead a raid on Tadec's lands, and he couldn't really see a reason not to, if his numbers were great enough. That was something to consider. He wondered if any of the Erkeni - former Erkeni - were decent fighters; they'd always seemed a bit weak to him. Perhaps they could be trained, though. He could put Marluxanne in charge of that; she was a capable fighter, certainly.

He arrived at the spring before too much longer and immediately went to his mate's said. He sat close enough to her that their fur touched, but gave no other indication of affection; he didn't want to be seen as soft, even though Marluxanne was the only one there to see. Nightfang hadn't yet brought the pups out, and none of the other pack members had arrived. He gave Marluxanne a nod of acknowledgment, glad to see her back in good shape after that fiasco with the spirit. She had been with the Da'Lith for a long while, and he would have hated to have lost her.

With a tiny sigh, he settled more comfortably to wait for the rest of the pack. Glancing out of the cornet of his eye at his mate, he felt himself soften, almost relaxing enough to smile. He leaned over to nuzzle her gently, disregarding his prior thoughts about public affection; it was only Marluxanne there, after all, and he was pretty sure she would still respect him. If she didn't, well, that could be remedied relatively easily.

[Calypso]

Calypso made her way in the direction that Storm and Chael had taken. And the one that pup-Farse directed her so pointedly in. The little brute (ha!, who was she to call little?) would not have any diverting of the path to the meeting or a pace less than brisk. She sighed, deciding it would just make everything easier if she just went with the flow for now. A small gurgling reached her auds and she rounded a corner, with the overly giving-of-self-to-Alpha one not far behind. She paused a moment, taking in the serene little spring, and then the wolves present.

Chael, nuzzling a female at his side. Apparently the one who had howled the meeting, and assumingly his mate. So he does have a heart. Or at least a gland. The former Betan thought, no expression really on her mug. There was another femme, rather tense looking. Good. Maybe she wouldn't try to talk to her. Caly gave her a glance and nothing more. She wasn't really one to butter up to other faes and be thier friend. Actually, she would really rather not deal with other faes and usually treated them harshly and with scorn. Exceptions were rare, which made her think of Storm, and wondered why the former Alphess had yet to show up. They hadn't passed her anywhere on the way over...perhaps she sought Kirin.

Calypso raised a brow as she took a seat. Great turnout... She thought. She sat several, several feet away from the two Alphas, though directly in front of them and glanced at them both, flicking her aud. She hoped that Kehme's brother's mate was not the same as the one she chose to be with. She said nothing, for there was nothing to be said, in her mind. However, she wondered if Chael expected some sort of grovelling greeting from her, to assure himself and his chosen as the highest and ruling ones. The cute brown female did nothing of the sort. She sat. And she waited.

((OOC: Meh))

[Farse]

Farse trailed Calypso like a second shadow, following so closely behind the other wolf that he was in constant danger of treading on the back of her paws. He couldn’t help it: his impatience urged him to sprint to the meeting, even though what few social graces he possessed forbid it. When Calpyso paused just before the spring, Farse felt he could almost dance with impatience. Only his distaste for looking like a ridiculous puppy kept him still, if not happy.

Finally, Calypso moved aside and allowed the young wolf a view of the meeting place. There was Marluxanne, sitting primly at attention, as she should have been. There were the alpha and alphess, who were now— Farse’s eyes skipped hurriedly away. There were no sign of any of the former Erkenis, who Farse generally disapproved of, or of Jaykar, who he specifically, and very strongly, disapproved of.

Jaykar… Farse tried to dismiss that mission from his mind. He had a more immediate concern: watching the stranger. With a nod to Marluxanne— he didn’t dare even glance over at his alphas, for fear of seeing something he wasn’t supposed to— Farse marched back to take a seat beside and slightly behind Calypso. He sat upright and stiff, and attempted to focus on the loner. His golden eyes, however, kept drifting towards the edges of the clearing, watching for a tell-tale black snout.

[Amity]

Marluxanne was the first to make an appearance, which was suiting enough, though she had expected to see Nightfang and her darlings first. She eyed Marlixanne as she neared, trying hard to forget the way the woman had acted during the early shows of affection between her and Chael. It was that spirit after all, but the wolf wasn’t all that likeable to begin with. She proved this with her silent approach and simple nod to acknowledge that the two pack members were in the same area. Whatever. Amity wasn’t one for fancy greetings. At least she wasn’t making a fool of them all like she had been while under the influence of spirit. She watched just as silently as the other rolled her eyes, obviously lost in thought.

Her growing dislike was thrown off by the appearance of the one she loved. She tensed upon his approach, knowing his need to maintain a certain air of control in front of others. They had been getting on as best as possible during these hard times and she didn’t want to mess it up with a social mishap. Her eyes remained neutral as she observed her mate, again admiring his handsome features and the power that lay within those jaws and paws. Soon enough he was by her side, no real greeting or anything of the sort, but he told her of her importance to him simply through his chosen spot. She breathed a small sigh of content as she felt the tips of her coat intermingle with his and was instantly thrown into the desire to have him to herself in their den -Which of course was occupied by tender and potentially scarred previously pup-napped children. The woes of life.

The briefest of smiles found its way to her maw as her husband nuzzled her, which she returned by nosing his neck, breathing in his sweet sweet scent. But business would soon be at hand. Some fae she didn’t recognize had shown up with Chael, followed by Farse. As the new wolf made her way over she glanced to Chael the obvious question of who this wolf was in her eyes before returning her orbs the woman who had situated herself a bit of a distance away. Ah, hello. I’m Amity, alphess of the… Kehme. And you are?, her tone was gentle and polite with a hint of genuine curiosity.

Her eyes drifted to Farse who was being his odd little self. At the moment he wasn’t deigning to look at either she or Chael for whatever reason so she chose to let him alone. He seemed to have glued himself to the newcomers side, which she would attempt to amend depending on the faes answer.

[Talos]

No one every wanted to do anything when he wanted to do stuff. What a bunch of low lifes... He thought to himself. Talos wasn't one to take being rejected very lightly. At nearly a half year in age he was disgusted to find that his sisters would rather stand around and talk about cute males then actually go out and go something with the wonderful, handsome brother of theirs. It just didn't make sense, what did they need to talk about anyways, it was rather simply in his mind. Either a wolf is good looking or not, nothing really to discuss. Shaking his head irritably he trotted away from the little group of girls. Allowing his tassle to rise above his back he flicked it irritably in the air, and then took off to do what he wanted to do. Not like he was going to stick around and discuss males with his sisters. It wasn't even like they had any hot friends.

What a let down, that could of worked out... The thought crossed his mind and he simply pushed it away. Not sure what he would have done around a pretty girl besides perhaps sit and look handsome. Maybe not that would have just gotten boring anyways, he would want a female that was both pretty and adventerous to hook up with. Not that he was thinking about finding a mate just yet, but making friends never hurt anyone did it?

Powerful pillars worked, making the muscles in his shoulders and back flex and stand out alittle more then usual. His strides where long and covered distance easily even at his young age. He was big for his age, and still growing on top of that. The cool air entered his raven colored nose, and exited with each breath as steam. It was nearly noon by the time he reached his desired spot, he often visited this very spot. Pale amber eyes looked around as he relaxed, his frame holding a dominant posture none the less of where he was. Rust tipped auds flicked at a sound and his eyes followed his ears to find what had disrupted his peace of mind. Squirrels.... He though to himself, They never learn to shut up. Rolling his eyes irritably he stepped towards the small grey animal. Watching as it dug into the soft, damp soils of the earth. Pale eyes steadied on the plump frame, watched the fluffy tail flicker above the animals frame. Lowering his frame he waited, tassle out straight behind him. Muscles froze, his breath became quiet as his eyes met the raven orbs of the target.

Waiting.... Waiting.... Waiting..Wait. I'm done waiting!

The squirrel had made the mistake of returning to dig, it would never know the face of its kill. Large powerful frame landed upon the plump body of the squirrel. A small screach sounded then all the silent and the limp frame hung proudly in his jaws. The adrenaline of killing something was still in his blood stream, making his dominant stance more pronounced as he wandered back to his spot. Sitting exactly upon the Kehme border, the mere scent of the powerful pack made him excited and he set the squirrel down on the border and waited. His patience would run out soon enough and he would eat the squirrel and wander back into Tyrehl domain. It was the same story everytime, but once day that would all change.

Rust colored auds tipped forward and the young male stood for a moment, his body tensed with excitement. It was Cheal, his uncle. He would be there. Yes. This was his chance. With one slight glance over his shoulder the male took off, crossing the border without hesitation. His strong pillars beat the ground in a sprint as he made a dash to escape the good for nothing worshipping pieces of crap. This was his escape. Sure his father had made a dying wish that his family go to the once Tyrehl lands and be taken care of by what use to be his pack, but after his mother had passed away, Talos had been broken and he no longer gave a shit about anyone there. All those lands held where bad memories.

Pale ambers eyes looked to the pair as they sat together. He had been told about his uncle, but now that he stood near him he froze in surprise. It was nothing like the soft skinned wolves that where trying to shelter his life, no here he was with a wolf that had power. He was related. The half grown male stood, his tassle rigid with excitment as where most of the powerful muscles that laced his powerful frame. He was big for a pup his age and still growing. The moist air clung to his soot grey pelt as his rust tipped auds flipped forward. His attention was solely on his uncle as he marched up to the male. Stopping a few paces off he smiled the most devious of smiles, " So we finally meet Uncle Cheal..." Excitment laced each word as he gleamed at the powerful wolf before him. Finally everything seemed to be falling into place.