Welcome to Gaia! ::

Cruor is now officially open! We're still a test tribe, but let's put in the hard work to change that, yeah? Right now the setting is at the beginning of fall (middle of September) and the tribe has just gone through a Blood Moon. It's been about half a week since then and everyone is still enjoying the spoils a few foxes returned with (food and soft cloths, specifically).

Foxes are preparing for a large feast in the upcoming days to celebrate the finalization of the tribe grounds lands -- everyone had been hard at work terraforming the ground to accommodate everyone's specific needs and now it's time to spend a few nights together and enjoy some food. Balor had been previously missing from sight, having been focused on other things, but he's finally come back into view and is checking in on his members and how the preparation is going.

With Cruor resettling down, there's a lot of foxes from the old Cruor iteration still lingering about, as well as family to the Cruor originators. Those foxes were given invites by Balor himself and can show up and join Cruor without problem (Guards even know who they are and will let them onto the lands and bring them to Balor safely). Players of these foxes still need to send in a notice to Nym that their fox is rejoining!

Note: Raa is not yet known to be a part of the tribe!

Sin was currently drowning in nostalgia -- not that he disliked it, no, but it was odd. When Balor had, as a kit, stated they would resurrect the tribe he had laughed, amused at the sentiment and persistence of the small kit. That determination had persisted and grown into this -- an actuality. The tribe lands grew and cleaned up nicely, unfolding before Balor's every whim and touch easily. Easier than it had been for Sin, way back in the day. Truthfully, Sin had been bitter at first, wearing down his teeth as he grit and ground them against one another; white ivories clamping to chew away at something. Anything.

But, as time continued on as it is wont to do he witnessed Ichor's blessing begin to seep into the lands. What was once a desolate and blood-rotten forest was now slowly growing life, although the stench of decay still lingered at times. Particularly where his family had rooted, unlikely to clean easily. Balor had tamed what he hadn't, and Sin had come to accept it. Embrace it, even. Cruor lands had always been a home to Sin, and the ways of Cruor had never left the dark pits of his cold heart; now it could try again. Their way of life could grow, and it was thanks to a pesky blue child he had stolen on an impulsive night.

Sin had been aware of Balor's recent ploy; he had seen the 'Phim get dragged in and even had access to Balor's den for a time. Being the original founder came with perks, and while Sin shrugged off the offer to be the Beta (he was tired of politics -- let that be a game for the young), he still reaped the rewards of being the first. He still couldn't pinpoint why Balor seemed so keen on the strange man tucked away in Balor's den, but he bet it had something to do with the book the 'Phim kept clutched under his arm.

Whatever it was, it had distracted Balor for some time. Now, celebrations were to be had, and Sin was eager to see what would occur and who might return in time for the feast. Balor had sent out invitations to members of Sin's time -- relics who might stumble back into Sin's life, complete with whiplash and more. God, it had been ages ago; was this really happening?

While Balor tended to the members and oversaw the preparations, Sin had taken it upon himself to throttle a few stragglers. Some of his kind didn't like socializing, and he could think of a specific granddaughter who definitely was playing hooky.

"Murmur," he called once he met the Shamans quarters, clicking his tongue with a sharp snap. The sound of shuffling echoed from within the ground-built dwelling, mixed with the scent of fresh herbs.

"I'm busy," the soft and fragile voice of one of his youngest grandchildren called. Within the darkness, Sin spotted two glowing eyes, which blinked owlishly back at him. His spine shivered in response, head snapping to the side like a bird -- creepy. He hated her eyes.

"You're not. Not busy enough to avoid tending to your other duty; showing up at tribe meetings. Get out or I'll drag you out myself, child." His tone radiated a firmness he knew often worked with his own brood, but Murmur wasn't his child. She respected him, sure, but he wasn't the most frightening authoritative figure in her life.

"Papa said I didn't have to go," she answered. Sin scowled; of course Judas had -- he likely also was hiding away somewhere. Sin would have to rip his ear off, too. Sin bared his teeth, sauntering into the den and bee-lining for the glowing orbs. A shriek emitted from the Shaman as she barrelled past him and into the light, stomping her paws the entire way.

"Okay! Okay! I'll go!" She whined, brushing against him apologetically. Good -- one family member down; now where was her father?

Ithel was currently circling around the tribe lands and heading back inward. He had found a few members of his family but there were several who he didn’t offer to come back to the tribe. Yavie seemed happy where she was and her grandchild Machlah seemed well rather overly optimistic and living with the members who were already in the tribe might be hard. Sending word to the existing members of other tribes was unlikely to have results as they were also happy where they were. He never mentioned the tribe directly just mentioning that home was busy and they could come home if they wanted to. He had brought his own child and new mate to the tribe with it’s resurgence. Family and loyalty had been ingrained into him from a young age and when he heard that Balor had been reforming he came with his father to meet the new leader and finding the home rather nice and safe he was here to stay.

Ithica was dragging a branch along clearing a path and working on clean up. She wasn’t a strong hunter and would rather just chat then do the whole ‘tribe’ chore thing but cleaning was pretty nice. She already volunteered for clean up duty after the feast. It wasn’t so bad to deal with the bones and blood as others thought it would be on her considering her cheerful and helpful personality. She heard some yelping and saw another fox coming out of a den. “Ello.” She didn’t comment on the shriek or anything figuring the other wouldn’t want to comment on it if she didn’t want to. Some of the foxes in the tribe had a goodness of a temper and Ithica couldn’t quite remember if this was one of them. Besides she had a mouthful of branch. She kept cleaning but was open ear if the other wanted to talk.

Chey grumbled softly as she dropped her latest kill into the pile, mouth frozen into a scowl. Someone had asked specifically for rabbit for the dinner tonight, and she still had complaints to spill about them. Adding more work instead of getting it themselves -- yeah, that sounded like the guy. Spoiled, pampered, and frail, the fox in question had always been one of the softer delicacies of the family. They had wondered at first why he was so special, but Abraxas had told her the story eventually. She hadn't cared much for it, honestly; the Cruor family was a complicated tale she couldn't keep straight for the life of her, but she knew they were close.

Maybe that's what had drawn her to them in the first place, tugged along into their home and now tribe almost against her will. With Abraxas now gone she could leave, but as much as Chey internally complained she also had grown fond of the massive family. They had accepted her, even when her boyfriend had vanished, and Cheyenne wasn't going to turn her back on that.

She was going to complain, however.

Her ear flicked when she heard Ixen's voice, head snapping up to loudly huff in his direction. "That husband of yours is lazing by the river, making requests he can satisfy himself if he'd get off his butt." Her nails dug into the earth and she tossed her hair off her forehead, rolling her tail over the rabbit to indicate her frustrations.


Reoakee

Life in Cruor was a new and foreign twist to his tale, but Miles didn't mind. Ava was happy -- truly happy. He had always held a strong belief in doing the right thing, and at first, it complicated their relationship. She was a thief in her blood, but she was a good person. Miles hadn't seen that at first, choosing to judge and recoil from the woman who had caught his eye. He had suffocated her with his own ideas about life, but Ava had persisted. She kept returning into his life, and Miles kept exposing himself to a different way of being. Life was complicated; it was more than the white and black of his morals. It had taken time, and plenty of it, but Miles had grown to accept and understand his wife and their children, who also found interest in sticky paws.

But Ava was unhappy, especially in the recent few years. She had even tried to stiffen her paw and turn away from her truest passion, hoping to be the fox she knew others wanted her to be. It was a hard journey to be had, especially from Mile's point of view. He had been relieved when she choose to drop the less-than-innocent hobby, but she wasn't happy. That's what he wanted; her happiness. Her honest to goodness happiness.

So, when he heard of Cruor he had urged her to join -- no, pleaded. Somewhere she could be herself; somewhere she could be around others like her. Ava had resisted at first, believing it too good to be true and doubtful of the darker foxes who had also flocked to the idea, but somewhere along the line she had caved. He was glad she did; for as nervous the both of them had been about the tribe and their patrons they had begun to make a happy home there -- together.

Miles had begun recruiting to help those like his wife. It had been uneventful so far, only due to them just joining the tribe and Miles sticking around to ensure Ava settled in nicely, but he had prepared to launch off for a week or so after the feast. Having packed his necessities, Miles had taken the evening to stretch his wings and ensure he had everything settle. It was then he saw the vibrant red on the forest floor, catching his eye and causing him to land nearby, throat clearing.

Ah, it was the partner of Ithel -- someone Balor had warned the Guards and Scouts was on the lands while she figured out her path. They were instructed to bring her to Balor if she made her decision. Normally, foxes would be brought to a Guard and then Balor, but Frostflame had privileges -- something Miles was sure was due to her relation to the family.

"Frostflame," he called gently, bowing his head in greeting. "You're out further than usual; I take it you're ready?"


Reoakee

Frostflame dipped her head in a deep bow in return. “Greetings.” She nodded her head with her ruby eyes peeking out from her mane of red hair. A decision had indeed been reached. “I’d like to speak to Balor p-please.” She tried to keep her voice calm though it was as quite as it had always been. The one who was picking her up was a scout. She knew that much from Ithel talking to her and letting her know who she could speak to if she needed help or assistance with anything. “ah.. Ithel said you joined the tribe with your mate. Is it hard to be here if they are busy with other things?” It was the final question she had as she knew she would be here in tribe lands while Ithel was gone for days for their job. She knew the trip to Balor would be fairly short since they could fly but she had a feeling of nervousness that would make the flight feel miles longer then it was.


Ixen smiled at the complaining vixen. “Thank you Cheyenne.” The only thing that could get under his skin was someone insulting his family but especially his mate. He stood before Sin himself for Yuki and gladly place any fox who put harm toward Yuki in the soil. Still the complaints of Cheyenne were never fully heartfelt just mild annoyance. “You know the reason he asks it of you is because you are such an excellent hunter who never ruins the best parts. That and with your skill you are quicker then most.” He meant every word and was sincere in his compliments toward her. No matter how much she complained she did do her work and get it done well. “I know he’ll want a snack but lets make Yuki wait for the feast so he can savor all your hard work and appreciate it.” He winked at the female in a conspiratorial manner and moved the rabbit to the side with a small mark to it to show it was a requested kill for the feast. That way it wouldn’t be eaten by mistake by another fox. With that done he looked around and seeing thing slowing down he decided he was going to head to the river to see his mate.


Itchica smiled and nodded before setting down the branch. “Oh it certainly is more work but I want everyone who comes for the feast to feel the place feels like home and is picked up not a mess.” She cold smell the herbs on the coat of the other fox. “Like clearing a workspace before your work takes place. Wouldn’t want to mix up the wrong things right?” She had pride in her home and from what little she could remember about this fox they were similar. Well when she saw them which was rare they had all kinds of plants and things before disappearing again. “Oh speaking of. You play with all the plant things did you want a specific area of the tribe homes set aside for your plants? I know some of them are likely picky so if you show me how to care for them I will assist you in care for the area, but you’ll have to show me what to touch and what not to touch since plants aren’t my thing.”

Ithica talked way more than Murmur did, and for five seconds she found it irritating. Her owlish eyes blinked back at the vixen, wondering when the obligated chatter would end. Then, Ithica said the one thing to snap Murmur's interest into focus, her head tilting sharply to one side.

"Hmmmm?" she hummed for an unnecessarily long moment, debating the offer. Oh, her plants were growing quickly, and while she had a garden on the edge of Cruor lands she would like another -- maybe so she could organize her plants better. Replanting would take some time, but....

"A second garden would be nice," she admitted, nodding faintly. "Yes, I'll let you help. They are very fragile -- you'll need to treat them like children, yes?"

Pleased with the offer and thus now immediately warmed to the vixen, Murmur snapped her head upright and padded towards the feast, flicking her tail idly for Ithica to follow. "Do you like plants, Ithy?"


Reoakee

Doku stood in the shadows of the forest with ease. He was not worried in the least well... at least for himself. Cruor was the first place he had ever called home. When he first managed to have two BCR's and no mate. The tribe and its members were fierce and viscous in the past. Blood being shed wasn't an issue and it was a place where he knew his kids would be safe. He just wanted to go back and melt back into home.

But there was a slight tug on his body. His mate's tail which was wrapped around him in a manner that he knew she was seeking his strength and protection. He could go into Cruor and not wait for the guard but she was with him and he wouldn't do anything to put her in danger or up her nerves. She was nervous to see two of her brothers who Doku was on at least decent terms with both Sin and Yuki. So there he stood for he had to much energy to sit as a black and white splashed male approached.

He had his head tilted slightly to the side. A show of interest in the new male but no fear could be read on Doku for what did he have to fear? "I suppose," he said nochalantly as he followed making sure his mate was by his side. He took a deep breath of air to get the others males scent before a smirk crossed his muzzle. "Your Sin's offspring aren't you?" he asked. Even if the other male said no Doku knew that scent and knew the truth.