It All Starts Here, and it starts now

[Sisiliac]

The large dark grey bulk of a full-grown ess moved at quite a p ace across the lands. A monster by reputation and certainly monsterous in reality. After all, how could she not be? Sisiliac Anima had a lot to live up to. The alphess before her had been a great leader and had therefore had left a high standard to be achieved. Looking a lot like her didn't help Sisiliac's case either. Many thought their were blood ties between her and the lost alphess though there were none. Yes, she had greatness welded deep within her soul, but it was not the greatness of Katara and her family, it was very different.
Light grey pads moved at a seemingly normal pace, large steps looking average on the huge female. Acid yellows gleamed as she walked through the lands she'd always known as home, glad to at last be able to return. This was her home and always would be only now the pack was hers as well, it no longer belonged to her hero. The young warrior was taking a big step but someone had to take the step and it looked like she was the only one willing. Probably because, were Katara to show up, there would be hell to pay.
Tassel flicked only slightly, the only sign of happiness to show physically. She didn't even smile but had that look which spoke of nothing across her mug. If anything, she held the slightest hint of sorrow but it would soon pass. The sorrow caused by losing one close, or many as was the case with her. Her mother, her uncle, her sister, Katara... They were all gone now. She stopped, staring at the falls. So much had happened for the pack here and it seemed that, today, yet another momentous event would occur.
Yes, it surely would, for this would be where she brought those that remained of the Ti'khara back together. Here, she would claim leadership and start a new era. An era which would start with a re-ranking ceremony. That is if there was anyone left. She'd been split from them days ago, her determination to get here only less than her determination to make this all important step not just for herself but for the pack aswell.
Slowly, her head tipped back and a call rang out in the lands and those surrounding them. The Ti'khara were back.

[Coal*]

He stood, tall and alone on the large mound, his black pelt tossed lightly by the warm summer air. This was his home, the land he'd grown in, and belonged too. Since he was a pup, he'd been her property. The adopted son of the former Alphess. He had loved Katara as his mother, and Thorn as his father, being here reopened the hole in his heart, knowing that they where gone. But their absence did not deal the same blow then her death. The once proud, strong brute, could barely utter her name, let alone think it.

Mari-

No, his head jerked to the left painfully, as he forced down his broken heart. The white vixen had left a shell of a once brave Ti'Kharan Gamma. Now, the strong built ebonite male was dead inside. His body was still strong, every inch of his large frame covered in well toned muscle, but his once light blue, now faded grey eyes showed his true state, his heart ache.

The dark brute's muzzle lifted, as he sniffed the air. A scent filled his nostrils, but it was not the scent that still plagued his mind, that he longed for. He knew the owner of the scent was, it could belong to none other then Sisiliac. The two, while never being overly close, had known each other, Coal being a few years older then she. He lifted his pure black paws, as he heard her long howl, calling all that remained of Ti'Khara to return. The brute did not know who else was there, but began to seek her out, as he had nothing else left to live for, apart from his pack. Starting off at a slow walk, slowly, he moved himself into a run, for some unknown reason, he was eager to return to his home, his pack. He spotted her, sitting proudly, her head held high in wait. It didn't take him much to guess she was taking over the lost pack, not that he minded, Coal did not want to lead. In his mental state, he could not lead, Coal needed someone to live for again, someone to serve. He padded slowly up to her, being only slightly larger then the female herself. He stopped a bit away from her, his strong body lowering into a bow.

"Miss Sisiliac," His deep tones sounded almost foreign to himself, it had been so long since he had spoken to another. He chose to suffer alone, and in silence, the only words since she left him had been to their four children, ordering them to find their own way in life, he could no longer look at them, each one reminded him of his dead angel. "It is I, Coal. I have returned to these lands, as have you, looking for my pack."

"We've grown up knowing each other, Sisiliac, you know me, so trust when I say that I wish to serve you, as a faithful pack member. I will serve you as I did Katara, if you shall take me as your subject."

Coal preyed that she would take him, for Coal needed something to take his mind off his shattered heart, something to do, he needed an alphess to serve, and Coal preyed Sisiliac would see that he needed this.


((Whoa, I'm a little rusty, been ages since I've done this))

[Maston]

You might never know fear {ooc} Well, here goes my first Maston post in forever but that will be your weakness {ic} How long had it been since he'd walked this path? So long it seemed, the memories almost distant. But how could he forget the happiness he had found in the Ti'khara? He'd met his grandmother, made friends, met Jesique... The name sent a shiver down his spine. He worried about her, naturally he could do nothing but. She'd been so beautiful and appeared so fragile. But she was strong, he knew that, she had strong blood and she'd passed it on to her pups. Sisiliac and Fiska were the ones which stood out most in his mind. Of course they were, for they were the two which remained with the pack while their brothers went off on their adventures. Sisiliac, a brave warrior, and Fiska, a natural huntress. He'd been sorrowed to see the deceased form of Fiska in the war, but was thankful Sisiliac was alive... That young ess just had a fire in her soul that noone seemed able to kill. The large grey mountain, coloured with his great array of markings, kept moving. His pace was slow, for him. He was taking in the sights and scents of what had once been familiar territory. The floods had changed that, their were new scents mingling with the old and tidal marks, like those on a beach, underfoot which would need to be trodden down. Of course, if even a quater of the giants which had inhabited the Ti'khara returned that would not be a problem. With large pads crossing they would soon wear away. But their was a plus side to having been away for so long in the fact that prey was more bountiful than ever. It was everywhere, it seemed, and he could not help but checkle as a startled doe ran from him. He wasn't hunting today. Food was certainly not one of the things on his mind. Violet eyes gleamed as he heard a call from somewhere nearby, a call that could only be called a blessing. No, it was not Katara, but it was someone else he'd always thought would make a fine leader. Sisiliac. His friend and companion was finally taking the step that noone else seemed to want to take. She was going to claim alphaship and restart this pack and, were Katara to return, he would stand up for the young she-wolf. Someone had to lead, after all, and it may as well be a female who'd learnt by watching the best. A female who most of the pack trusted with their lives. He moved toward the source of the howl and could not help a smile brimming on his features when he saw her. How she had grown, no longer the gangly teen he had known but a full grown female who had a strange but fearsome beauty. Had he really watched this creature make such a change without realising? Did she realise she had taken her mother's build and matched it to Katara-like coloring? Did she notice the way she caught the attention of males? Probably not, to be honest, but that was all for the best. Glancing around the clearing violet orbs also set upon the form of Coal. The gamma, he was one of the most loyal members of this pack. maston had seen loyalty the day he had met this male and was glad to see he was still around. Hopefully, Sisiliac would be fairer on the black brute than Katara had been. Coal more than deserved the rank of beta, was a fine male who had been hurt and betrayed too many times. Someone needed to do something to help him back to his former glory and if anyone in this pack had that power it was now Sisiliac. Mateless, pupless Sisiliac. "It is nice to see old friends looking well." he stated, eyes gleaming. "And congratulations, Sisiliac, on your newly acquireed position. I am sure you will do a great job."

[Sisiliac]

The Ti'khara. Once they had been so large and mighty, but now they seemed small. For now, they would be no threat to the Dogan but soon, she was sure, they would grow strong. After all, never had the Ti'khara failed to regain the strength they had once had in large quantities. Whenever they fell they managed to rise again. This time, the responsibility lay on her shoulders and she had no plans of failing the expectations she held. She'd watched Katara for long enough to know how to run this place and though she would not be so constantly cruel the pack would know who was in charge.
The grey ess shifted her position, knowing well that at least a few members remained faithful. Her yellow eyes gleamed with a dark intent for she knew what this pack would be capable of and she was ready to make them reach it. They'd been so close before the flood had interrupted things and now they had no choice but to start from scratch. A small pack with no pups. For now at least. Maybe at a later date. Once the pack was settled a ittle she would do as Katara had once done and make sure pups came to the pack. After all, pups held the key to the future. She'd been a pup in this pack once, after all.
Finally, she heard pad falls and ears flicked, nares inhaling the familiar scent. Once, he had been her mentor. They'd been close and she was angry with the killers who had taken not only his mate but the black pup who'd seemed such a bright prospect for the pack. Her tassel flicked as she waited and evetualy the dark-pelted brute, brought up by great leaders, apeared from the darkness. The traitor Sachiel had seen this creature as a brother but Sisiliac knew well that Coal was no traitor. He'd been Ti'khara for a long time now and, she hoped, would be for quite a while longer.
Her cold outer exterior broke and she offered him a smile, not the softest and most welcoming thing, but something reassuring. He had been through so much, he needed friends he could rely on and she planned to be that friend. He had always been there for her so it was her turn to repay the favor. The warrior, once the gamma, was in for a promotion. She knew she could rely on him and planned to show it.
"I am pleased to see you have returned, Coal, and I would be proud to have you return to this pack. You are a strong, fierce and loyal member and we need wolves like you in these difficult times." she told him. Warmth was not something her voice possessed but if anyone would find it from her it would be the brute before her.
She let silence fall once more, not one for pointless chat at that moment, and felt another presence. This presence carried neither scent nor sound but she could feel his presence and she knew who it was before he appeared. Another presence in her life who had been almopst constant, Maston was a fierce and talented brute. She could rely on him but she had different plans for the giant beast before her. He had a much greater responsibility in the new pack than he had in the old. She'd seen his talents, his worth, and planned to make use o his training.
"Welcome back Maston, punisher, it is good to see you looking well. I hope your travels have not been too difficult." he told him. "For work on rebuilding this pack to it's former glory must soon start and I am sure it will not be easy." Yes, he wo uld do fine. He could be both their spy and recruiter in the next few moons. Soon, they would be as reknowned as once before. She rose to pads and nuzzled both brutes, affection rarely shown by the female, but these two were her only links to her past, friends she'd believed for so long she would not see again. As she moved, spiked pelt moved dangerously and then, as suddenly as she'd moved toward them she turned and stood where she had sat moments before.
"Coal, for you I have a sincere responsibility to be filled, if you would care to take it." she told him, yellow eyes fixing upon his large black form. She could not remember how the great Thorn had looked but she assumed that it was something like the brute before her. "That is, if you would, I'd like you to become my beta. You have proved yourself well over your years in service of this pack and I would like to show my appreciation. I need someone like you at my side in these difficult times." she informed him. "Please, do me this Coal." she said and then acid yellows turned onto Maston.
"You, Maston, also have a great responsibility. I have decided to make punishers an official rank within this pack. You, as head punisher, have a great responsibility. Many tasks will fall to you and I expect them done to the high standard which I know you can achieve." she paused. "Congratulations." the she fell silent and looked toward the Dogan lands.
"I am sure that out enemies are gathering, or will be soon, so I must ask you to b ready for anything. They like to pretend that they are not bad but we have all seen the savageries of their kind."

[Coal*]

His Alphess gazed upon him, offering him a welcoming smile. "I am pleased to see you have returned, Coal, and I would be proud to have you return to this pack. You are a strong, fierce and loyal member and we need wolves like you in these difficult times." She spoke with a sense of familarity and warmth. The silence sunk in, leaving the old pupil and tutor to become reaquinted withthe others pressence. Coal's audits flickered as he heard footfalls on the earth, his head twisting as he smelt the air, the scent was familar, and not a threat to his Alphess. The grey form of Maston came closer, "It is nice to see old friends looking well. And congratulations, Sisiliac, on your newly acquireed position. I am sure you will do a great job." he spoke, Coal chose to remain silent, but tipped his maw to Maston, as a greeting to the brute.

"Welcome back Maston, punisher, it is good to see you looking well. I hope your travels have not been too difficult. For work on rebuilding this pack to it's former glory must soon start and I am sure it will not be easy." Sisiliac spoke, authoritive as she should be. "If I may offer a suggestion. As much as I hate to bring her up, but Katara did instill one vital piece of information into me. Pups are the future of a pack. If we intend to build up our numbers, pup's would be a good start." He spoke, his face darkening as he spoke her name. He fell silent again, as Sisiliac continued with other pack business.

"Coal, for you I have a sincere responsibility to be filled, if you would care to take it. That is, if you would, I'd like you to become my beta. You have proved yourself well over your years in service of this pack and I would like to show my appreciation. I need someone like you at my side in these difficult times. Please, do me this Coal." Her words caught Coal more then offguard. In all his time, the idea of he, a pup who was sold away to Katara, becoming the right hand wolf to his Alphess, it had seemed so out of his grasp that it was hardly a dream, it was more then a dream come true, it was impossible.

"Miss Sisiliac, I feel this position is highly above what I deserve, but I would be honoured to serve you and this pack, as its Beta." He bowed to her, still struggling to believe that this was happening.

"You, Maston, also have a great responsibility. I have decided to make punishers an official rank within this pack. You, as head punisher, have a great responsibility. Many tasks will fall to you and I expect them done to the high standard which I know you can achieve. Congratulations." Coal couldn't think of a better rank for Maston.

Sisiliac spoke again, this time her voice darkening, Coal guessed what the topic would be. "I am sure that out enemies are gathering, or will be soon, so I must ask you to b ready for anything. They like to pretend that they are not bad but we have all seen the savageries of their kind." Coal's eyes gazed in the direction of those lands too. Funny, out of all the packs that used to live here, The Mal, the Niza, both falling apart to nothing, and the filthy shadow walking Dogan's surviving. He growled lightly at them, even though he knew they would not hear. What ever personality the Dogan had now, shadow walkers or not, his hatred for them was still there, and stronger then ever.

"Do not worry, Miss Sisiliac, any one of those wolves sets foot on our lands, I shall rip them apart and throw every single piece of them into our beautiful waterfall, and let the water carry them from our beautiful home." Coal swore to her and Maston.

[Mayelwen]

OOC: I like May. She's fun. -------------------- IC: She lay bored beneath a tree, sprawled on her side with a lazy frown settled upon her sharp features, still except for the slow rise and fall of her side with her breathing. She'd been this way for perhaps ten minutes, first fuming over the loss of a rather quick meal and now just distantly reflecting on nothing in particular. How she hated this, the want to actually communicate with others since she'd gone so very long without interaction. Things were so quiet, and there were no others just wandering around for her to watch or even annoy. It was terribly irritating and --dare she say it--lonely. But was there even anyone around? She'd yet to run into another, even when she had ventured slightly away from these lands altogether. It was just so utterly quiet that she started to wonder whether she was the only one here. Sure, a few scents popped up here and there, but they were never very strong, and tended to fade after some point or pass right through the area without a pause. She'd considered doing this, just leaving the area and searching for a different place to possibly reside, but with the decline in competition here, there was plenty to choose from as far as meals went, and she liked a variety. Unfortunately, there was only so much of that variety you could catch alone. She growled low in her throat and lifted her head, stormy grey eyes set in a hard glare while she looked straight out from where she lay, over the grasses and between the sparse trees. Nothing, not for miles she was sure. An ear twitched absently at the sound of a soft rustle nearby, but she knew already, by that same sound, that it wasn't anything to interest her. Just another small critter passing quickly by to be away and safe from her. But something she hadn't expected rose above the quiet, lingering lightly upon the air for a second before falling quiet again. In the quiet, Mayelwen lay alert, ears perked and eyes wide with surprise. Could it be? A howl? The gray-blue hued she-wolf was moving in an instant, racing through the grasses until she was within the treeline. She could tell where she'd passed the boundaries for the lands, and only hesitated and instant before pressing onward. Pack lands. Well, this should be interesting. At least she'd be kept busy if she was allowed to stay. The scents within the territory were easy to follow, and she followed one to where she figured the others were, noticing how it ended up going nearby a bit of river. Eventually the voices could be heard ahead, a small group situated next to a small falls. Was this the group? She slowed to a walk, slinking along next to the waters until she could clearly hear one of the males speak. Perhaps this was her cue to jump into the conversation. "I do hope I'm not in that group," Mayelwen stated boldly as she walked forward, carrying herself clearly into view. As an afterthought, she let her head lower slightly in a show of respect, her tail relaxed behind her, though the expression on her face was both amused and confident. Despite her little intrusion, May was certain she'd be able to find a place here, even if everything spoke against her. It was currently what she wanted, so she expected it to happen. "Sorry. I'm Mayelwen," she added with a charming grin, stopping beside the group to listen, if the Alpha decided to continue, or leave, should her arrival be unwelcome. Pack - None Rank - None Mate - None