Making Plans, The Ex-Veren and anyone else

[Nierra]

She couldn't believe it. The Veren had been uprooted, taken down from the rocky peak they had been living comfortably on to hand their lands over so very nicely to those heartless, blood-thirsty, wretched demons that called themselves the Zehr. Of course, they weren't the Zehr anymore. Calazehr. How Nyx had allied herself with that black hole of a wolf, Nierra would never know. It was irritating to think that the one wolf she had felt even the smallest inclination of friendship towards outside of her pack had joined ranks with the very thieves who had taken her territory. Another deep breath. Nothing to be done about it now.

Staring across the valley at the pool of water newly thawed from the--finally!--receding winter, the gray colored wolf knew there were more important things to occupy her mind and time. First and foremost being the current things: their location, the pack itself, and food. Now that winter was giving its last farewell for a few much needed months of warmth, Nierra wasn't too worried about where they were currently located. The Taiga Valley seemed the most likely choice. It had both open fields for prey to wander through when they started showing themselves again and forests for cover. There was the lovely little lake centered within to attract those which they preyed on, as well as to keep themselves hydrated in the mean time. Not to mention it was a decent distance from the Calazehr lands, so they wouldn't be too easily reminded of them if they chose to try and move on instead. Their numbers, as far as she knew, hadn't been too terribly hit, though it had been difficult during those last moments to really know who had survived, who had died, and who was still on their side. As for food, it was just a matter of time.

For future thoughts, her attention was focused on her pups. After all she had been through, she wouldn't have been surprised if half of them showed up stillborns, or disabled if it really came down to it. How much stress could they live with before they just gave up? It bothered her, but she tried not to worry. She had done enough of that already. Instead, it was time to make plans. A safe place would be needed soon for birthing, and though the neutral lands were starting to look very lovely she wished instead for the safety and nuturing attention she would receive from a pack. It was just a thought at the moment, going and giving birth within the Lairehl territory, possibly staying there for a short while for the pups to mature, and she hadn't yet mentioned it to Milleno. Doing that was probably a good idea. He tended to worry more than she did.

Then the for the rest of them. What would happen to the other pack members? Another tick of irritation. They weren't really a pack anymore, more like a bunch of rogues pulled together to form a roaming band or something like it. She would definitely need some time to get used to not having to refer to herself as the Alpha, or of her little group as the Veren. How sad. And she had just gotten used to it. Well, it was their choice if they decided to stay or not. There were two good options in the area as far as packs went--she doubted any of them would want to join the ones who had taken their territory--and she would wish them the best of luck with their lives. If they chose to stay, she would gladly let them. They were a nice bunch; it would be a shame to lose all of them.

Calm now, Nierra sighed heavily and lifted herself to her paws, leaving the tree she had sat beside to seclude herself and her brooding thoughts. It wouldn't do for the whole group to know she was upset over everything that had happened. She needed to show them they could survive, that they could go on despite being homeless, be the leader they looked up to. She let her russet eyes look over the small group as she approached, unsure where the rest of them had gone off to. It hardly mattered, since there weren't any rooted, strong ties like they'd had within the pack holding them together anymore, but she did find herself wondering. "So nice to see the sun again," she muttered to no one in particular, the hint of a smile settling on her face as she stopped to stretch.

[Surimayi]

Suri was dozing a little way away. He put his sudden tendency for power naps down to the recent stresses in his life. No sooner was he in the pack, then they were at war. Suri had joined Veren at the same time as two others, where were they? Was he all that was left? Personally he felt that far worthier wolves could have survived than he, but here he was.

His hearing brought him from his half sleep, Nierra was approaching. Suri surprised even himself in sticking around though the nasty pup snatching/terra taking business. It must have been a terrible blow for his alphas, and with pups on the way and everything. You start a family, thinking you can give them the world, and then it all changes. He felt it would be an act too low, even for his flighty standards, to leave now, when they were at their lowest ebb. They’d taken him in, least he could do was stay for a while.

He opened his eyes to Nierra’s voice and went to respond before a great yawn over took him. He wagged his tail in agreement instead. He wasn’t even sure she’d been talking to him in the first place. Thinking he’d napped long enough the tall youth got to his feet, stretching his legs in turn, bluish eyes still vague with sleep.

[Nierra]

Well, at least there was still someone left to talk to. It was impossible for Nierra to miss the fact her numbers had decreased greatly, though it was really hard to tell. Everyone could come and go as the pleased, so she hadn't been keeping track as well as she had been before, when they had been able to consider themselves a pack. Still, it didn't go unnoticed, but all she could do was sigh about it. She couldn't really get mad at anyone either. There had been that large battle, so many could have been lost there. It was still hard to know who had and who hadn't, but she didn't wish to really bring down her good mood over the weather with depressing thoughts. They could be saved for a later time, when she gave herself another chance to be alone.

Red-brown eyes shifted up and over to Surimayi as he yawned, wagged his tail, and stood to stretch. She smiled a little. He had surprised her. He had been one of the newer wolves to have joined the pack when it was still that, and considering all they had been through she wouldn't have been angered or let down had he or the other two decided to leave. She hadn't seen either other female who had joined with him, but he had stayed and remained even then with the ex-Veren. If anything, his loyalty seemed strong enough, or at least appeared so.

"Suri, you do realize there isn't a pack to tie you down here," she spoke, teasing the younger wolf a little. Nierra hadn't once come out and asked why it was he stayed, though she was thrilled he had, and found herself rather curious about it now that she was given the chance to bring it up. She changed subjects anyway."What do you make of the packs joining together?" Her own thoughts on the matter weren't even clear, except for one. The Caladur were traitors, and the Zehr were monsters. As for the other two, she wasn't so certain.

[Surimayi]

Suri’s sleepiness cleared at the sound of his name, Suri, you do realize there isn't a pack to tie you down here, Nierra teased. Suri smiled bashfully and shrugged. No where to go, who’d have a whelp like me? he said with a grin. Flippancy and self depreciation where Suri’s greatest talents. His smile and twinkling eyes hid a glance at her pregantness, he may as well join the likes of Calazehr if he was going to leave her on her own. He would at least wait until she was alright.

What do you make of the packs joining together? Suri paused to think, glancing to the sky for inspiration, ’Caladur and Zehr deserve each other,’ he said at last. It had been his home too, if only briefly. ’The others … well it’s the logical out come isn’t it? And we were … the odd ones out.’ His bluish eyes took on the colour tone of rain clouds. The other packs were not blameless in Veren’s defeat. It was Da’Lith and Erkini that chose their pups over Nierras. And it was good and just Tyerhl, and holy Lai’no that had agreed with them, despite having no pups of their own. The packs could have fought, could have aided Veren, instead of feeding them almost literally to the dogs. He could at least understand the motives of Da’Lith, Erkini and even Caladur. But those who thought themselves most pure had corrupted themselves with inaction, in his view.

A shadow of these bitter thoughts showed a moment, but he didn’t voice them. Nierra did not seem like she wanted to vent and so he wouldn’t either. They had to be practical, there was no time for anger. He wanted to ask what they were going to do, where they were going to go, but he just smiled a smile of commiseration.

[Nierra]

The little smile on Nierra's muzzle stretched to a smirk as Suri replied. She shrugged her shoulders in a way that said 'point taken,' since he was probably right in that. The packs that were newly formed now would be doing quite well as far as numbers went, combining what was left of the packs that had once been. No doubt quite a few of those numbers would be pups for one, but a young wolf looking to prove himself probably wouldn't get the respect one gained from already being part of the merger. Ties would be deep and very defined. New meat would take a long time to be processesed into the group and find its place among the others.

She sat as the younger wolf thought, glancing with a small yawn at him as he looked to the skies. It was so nice to see them clear of snow clouds, and a shade of blue that complimented the green returning to the lands. When Suri did speak, she quietly listened. He was right about the Caladur and Zehr, and about the other two as well. It was the logical route that had been taken after the whole spirit mess. Those who valued strength, be it of mind or body, joined, and those who valued peace and tranquility did the same. It just wasn't fair to her that her pack had to be taken out in the process. What was it about her lands that Tadec just had to have?

No comment was made in response to her once pack mate right away. Nierra turned and looked off into the trees, momentarily letting her thoughts wonder about where the rest of the group was. Mainly Milleno. She kept a watchful eye out for him, considering time spent in his absence always felt much longer than it really was. And she still needed to run her plan by him, see what he felt about it. "Do you suppose the Lairehl might welcome in a pregnant wolf for a time?" she mused aloud, figuring there would be no harm in getting Surimayi's opinion. Besides, he was the only one she could mention it to at the moment, and she was curious to see if someone, for now Suri, agreed.

[Surimayi]

Having finished speaking he watched Nierra’s attention drift. Unoffended, he thought he could guess who she was looking for. It couldn’t really be just them, could it? How could it be that he was here, and not the truer wolves, like Milleno. But, they were scattered, no doubt, they would come. His ears perked upwards with slight surprise when the fae spoke again, Do you suppose the Lairehl might welcome in a pregnant wolf for a time?

Considering his recent, uncharitable thoughts towards Lairehl he did not spring immediately to an answer. With his eyes still the stormier side of grey he replied, I think you could argue they owe you the courtesy. They helped put us in this mess.’ If Nierra did go to them for help, it would mean he would have to go there too, and he’d have to be polite to those hypocritical fools. No matter, he’d been civil to worse wolves in the past. He could see the practicality in the plan, indeed he was learning Nierra was a practical kind of wolf. Even in this time of abundance, it would be hard work to feed a litter of pups without a fully fledged pack behind you.

Part of Suri would like Nierra and her soon-to-be pups with Lairehl, or Milleno, or anyone in fact beside him. Not out of resentment, but rather a deep seated mistrust in his own character. If he wasn’t responsible he couldn’t mess it up. He’d messed so many things up before. He even knew it wasn’t his place to claim responsibility in the first instance, but in the absence of anyone else too …

’I think it’s a sound plan, considering our circumstances.’

[Milleno]

Ooc: sorry for the delay and I hope this topic is still active.

Ic:

it is through the hardest times that our loyalty and integrity are tested, weeding out those weak of heart from those who stand through it all regardless...

The tall slender male thought to himself as he followed the trail from what use to be the lands of the guardian pack. The former alpha did not know what to do or think. All he knew was that nierra was out here somewhere and she was close to bring due with their pups. Though through all that had happened, with the battle of the spirits and the battle for their lands. Would the stress have harmed them? A chill ran down his back at the thought and he felt the caramel due begin to prickle. Shaking his head he tried to rid himself of such thoughts. It didn't matter anymore that the veren was no more. The only this on his mind was their family.

Her scent was growing stronger to him and he could feel a sense of urgency in his step as he felt her aroma engulf him. Voices made his ears prick as he listened upon his approach. He took in what was being passed between the two as he approached. A slightly nervous smile gracing his slips as he looked to her, turning momentarily to nod to suri. He reached her and paused before craning his neck over hers and burying his crown in her fur. Her scent filling his lungs, his nerves where set at ease for a moment. She was here living and breathing right here in front of him. Pulling away he sat down realizing just how tired he really was as his leg ached and begged for rest. Yet he knew how she felt must put him to shame for even thinking of rest at a time like this.

If it is the comfort of a pack you seek and require, then that is where we will go to whichever you are fit... he spoke in his deep baritone vocals, his voice sounding even odd to himself as he had been trapped in his thoughts on the way here. Who knew how long he had walked, hours, days perhaps longer. He looked to her with his deep caramel eyes searching her as he waited.

[Nierra]

Suri's words sounded over a soft rustle off in the trees, splitting the Ex-Alpha's attention clean in two. She tried to make sense of his agreement with her plan as she attempted to place the noise with a name, be it paw steps, a small critter, or a particularly strong gust of wind. It's continuance and the faint yet increasing volume immediately labeled them as steps, and part of her pack member's words were entirely forgotten as she inhaled sharply, hoping to identify who was approaching. There was an odd familiarity to the sound of the creature's movement, and she was inclined to believe it a fellow member of her pack, though she tried not to let herself raise her hopes too high. She would have loved to see Milleno, but he could have very well been busy with something or other.

But, happily enough, it did happen to be him, and her demeanor made a slight change the instant she saw him coming through the trees. It wasn't so much that Surimayi was forgotten, but her attention did fully rest upon her mate as he made his way towards her, her usual, customary smirk softening around its edges just for him. Her bright, russet eyes met his warm brown ones before closing as she accepted his nuzzle, pressing her face into the soft fur of his chest. For a moment, things were okay, and she felt confident that their small group, diminished by the events that had transpired, would somehow overcome and strive for a better future.

Of course, she sort of stumbled from this promising, optimistic view when Milleno made his own agreement to her plan, having been close enough to hear through the trees she supposed. That was good; they were his children too, and she really wanted his backing on how things went, from where they were born to where and how they were raised. "Thank you," she responded, turning her head with a glance towards Suri to include them both in her gratitude of feedback. Now that the plan had been seconded, it just needed to be put into action, though she felt horrible just leaving the roaming lands when other pack members who hadn't yet shown up might stumble upon their site after they were gone. They would need some way to detour them towards the Lairehl lands when the time came.

"I think the sooner, the better, before this-" she gestured with her muzzle towards her stomach, "becomes a problem." Here she stopped thoughtfully, frowning gently then turning to ask curiously of her mate, "What if the others show up here after we're gone though? Will they know to just follow our trail?" Well, if they wish to stick with us anyway, she mentally amended, knowing full well the other packs, with territories, posed a great temptation to what used to be her pack.

[Surimayi]

Suri’d barely finished his sentence when the sounds of approach reached his ears. Initially he was torn between hope and worry, and was trying to work out how to feel both these things and still look as if in control of himself. As he was unfamiliar with Milleno’s stride he didn’t recognise it was the brute, but instead took his cue from Nierra.

Once Milleno came into view he wagged his tail amiably and then looked politely into the tree line while the couple greeted each other. Suri was probably the happiest third wheel you were ever going to meet. Having Milleno here was a definite improvement on things; the sense of relief was enormous. He didn’t even mind having to go to Lairehl for help. He’d lick the Lairehl alpha full on the face if it meant not being in charge of other people’s safety. However, in the interests of seeming mature and normal he kept his joy to friendly sort of smile.

It seemed Milleno would go where Nierra thought best, which meant Suri would go with them, for now. It seemed settled then. Nierra voiced her concerns about other pack members still looking for them. Suri wondered if this was a clue for him, was he to stay and wait? Direct them on? If so, she had greater faith in him than he did. If he left now, he wasn’t sure he could make himself go back. Then again, he’d avoid contact with Lairehl.

‘I think if they wish to find you, they will,’ he said, managing to keep the skepticism that there was anyone left to look for them out of his voice. Hoping for the best simply was not in Suri’s nature. ‘But if you wish, I will wander a little more.’ His tone was simple and serious, oddly matched with his painted markings and generally clownish appearance. Only his eyes saved him from looking a tad ridiculous, his eyes were smart and distant, and a little sad.

[Milleno]

The way her smile softened and her russet eyes looked at him made his heart flutter. Even now after all they had been through he found that she meant more to him than life itself. More than the sun. The sky. The lady or the night and the waters of the ocean. She was the love of his life and the idea of leaving her alone in this world, or harm befalling her was something that he feared. Truely feared. And now. As his eyes followed her gesture to her growing stomach, he realized that very soon there would be others that dominated his life as well. Though it stood that the wolves of the Veren where like family, the love he felt for Nierra and their unborn pups was something he didn't completely understand. Finally the caramel colored male pulled his gaze from Nierra and he looked to Suri as he spoke. For a moment he thought about the situation. What if the others came looking for them? It seemed plausible that they might dispite the fact that they no longer had a home. Yet the idea that their pups, possibly the future of the Veren, would be born in the uncertainty of the neutral lands, with little protection, it made him very nervous. With a subconcious flick of his feathered tassle he looked to the male, the only remaining member of the Veren pack and he smiled. Truely and sincerely smiled, which was rather unlike him but he was a little out of himself right now. Pregnant mate, pups on the way, lost lands, lost pack members, going to be a father. There where many thoughts going through his mind, but right now the safety of Nierra and the pups seemed to take presidence. "I believe if they are truely looking for the Veren, they will know that there are pups on the way and that we would have sought refuge from a pack. The most plausible being the Lairhel, we all know they won't turn away a pregant mother close to birth. It would be against their pack values. Therefore I think it is best that we, the Veren, or whats left of it should stay together." Milleno's baritone vocals flowed smoothly, confidance in his pack evident. If they wanted to find them, they would know the circumstances and the most likely place to find them. Caramel eyes looked from Suri to Nierra for a moment before another smile slipped through his grasp. He couldn't help it, soon he would be a father. Nierra would be a mother, he looked to her with a slightly dazed expression at the thought. She would be a good mother, she was already more than many. She was the perfect mate and a good leader. Milleno himself felt blessed by the lady of the night for guiding him to these lands where he had met her, come to the Veren and was ultimately where he was now. A soon to be father, a alpha of a homeless pack. Yet things always seemed to have a way of turning around and for now they would have to lay low until the pups where alittle olders. Then perhaps they would gain lands of their own back again. Or take over the neutral lands. either worked in his mind, if they had enough wolves to challenge for their lands back he would like that path more than any other. "Shall we?" Caramel gaze looked to them questionably for a moment before he offered Nierra a nuzzle to encourage her to come. The sooner they got to the Lairhel packlands the sooner they could relax. After she was on her feet he turned with a smile and trotted off at a rather slow pace, making sure to keep stride with her. -Exit Milleno "speech color"

[Nierra]

The pregnant female's attention shifted from her mate to their once pack member, listening as he offered his opinion, along with service of guiding the rest of the pack in the direction they were to travel. Appreciatively, she sent him a smile, grateful that he would step up and throw out the offer, though she felt uncertain to accept it. Splitting the pack up, when they were so short on numbers as it was, didn't sound the like the best of ideas, despite her worries those seeking them out might not find them. Milleno seemed to reach a decisive outcome before she did, one that she was willing to go along with. Maybe later she could work up some deal with Surimayi to scout the roaming lands to check for stragglers once they were all comfortably settled within Lairehl lands.

"Sounds like a set plan to me," Nierra commented, sharing a confident glance between both males present. All they needed to do now would be set it into motion, meaning taking off for the Lairehl lands now. Milleno was already on top of the idea, however, and she chuckled as he, in an almost eager manner, coaxed them to go. She sighed as he nuzzled her, slowly rising to her paws and stretching slightly before moving to follow. "Coming, Suri?" she asked over her shoulder, quite positive the rather comical looking youth would be tagging along until he decided on something else to do.

OOC: Not the longest post, but it works I think. xP To Lairehl lands now? I can't wait for Nierra and Celestia to meet up again. ^^ Sisters reunited!

[Surimayi]

Suri’s tail flipped over gratefully as his offer was rejected. But now that it had, the realisation of where they were going sunk in further. Perhaps Nierra and Milleno were forgiving out of necessity, but in Suri’s mind, those that hadn’t lifted a paw were nearly as bad as Calazehr. He would have play nice though, he really didn’t have many options. He’d stick with his alpha’s, he owed them that at least.

Milleno made to leave and Nierra shortly followed. Suri was slower, weighed down by apprehension. Never mind trusting the Lairehl, what about himself? He was bound to say something rude but truthful. He had a knack for that.

Coming, Suri? came Nierra’s voice and he jerked back to the matter at hand. He got to his feet, tall and fast filling out into a full grown male, unknowingly like his father who was equally unknowingly waiting at Lairehl.

‘Sure thing,’ he said gloomily and took up rear guard behind his alphess, struck again at how rather pregnant she was. What a rough start in life for those pups, Suri had to admire Milleno and Nierra’s cheerfulness, given the situation.

-Suri out-