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 Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:29 am
Her heart pounded with excitement as she finally caught sight of the first of the dens that was to be there home from now on. Within the very center of all the dens was the Queens den, her den. It was much larger than the others and during the more active times of the pack was often decorated with antlers, bones, feathers and anything else that the pack members may have found. Right now however it looked just as any of the other dens did. That didn't bother Penthesilea one bit. What did matter was that the pack had returned and that they would finally have a chance to start their lives again.
Coming to a stop she turned and looked back at her pack members. It had been a long journey for them all but in the end she knew it would be worth it. A day's rest would all do them some good and then they would need to attend to their specific duties such as hunting and scouting. "It has been a long journey for all of us, but now that we are home we can rest our weary muscles. For those of you who are returning from before you may take your old dens. For those newer members we will make sure an appropriate den is chosen for you." A slight smile crossed her maw as her eyes moved over those who stood before her. "Welcome home."
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:13 am
 Glacier was tired, Penthesilea had kept up a pace that seemed to get harder the closer they got to their destination - he could understand why sh wanted to get home, everyone wanted to go home right? And he'd certainly tried to keep up, but he was just a puppy and his paws hurt and his jaw hurt.
Of course the jaw bit was his fault and he probably wouldn't be nearly as tired as he was if he hadn't insisted in keeping hold of the deer antler he'd found one day while Pen and the others were of hunting, the dratted thing hadn't been very heavy at first but as time wore on and the journey got longer it had become more of a pain. It would be worth it though he thought - Penthesilea had told him a story about how the pack members had decorated the Queens den and Pen's homecoming certainly seemed like it deserved a bit of decoration to him, besides he wanted to make her happy - so he'd kept dragging the blasted antler along with him until they arrived, eying the dens and recalling from the stories which one was the queens he wearily dragged the antler to it's doorway and arranged it to what his puppy eyes took to be an artful fashion. Pleased as punch with this he turned about tail wagging to see Penthesilea's response.
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 6:46 pm
Iosef was restless; for the duration of their journey, he had shifted his position, first dragging behind the others, then speeding up to circle the flanks, ears and nose constantly twitching and on the look out, expecting apparently to be attacked at any moment. Clearly, that had not happened, but the slave had not loosened up at all.
His eyes flicked to the pup and he could not help but smile. It would be nice to have a young slave in his company, someone that could grow into the role and be loyal to the pack. And the child certainly did not lack for enthusiasm.
Amused, but not quite calmed, Iosef cast his eyes across the pack, taking mental notes of each wolf he saw there. Some, he recognized; some, were strangers to him, and he lingered over these the longest.
"My Queen," he said, at length, coming to Penthesilea's side, "Is there any work that you would have me do tonight, to see to the comfort of the pack?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 6:57 pm
Taiyou followed a little ways behind Penthesilea, feeling energetic and excited despite the long journey. The whole time she'd heard over and over how wonderful the Pack's dens were, and she couldn't help but have a bounce in her step as they finally came to them. She wagged her tail slightly when she saw them, standing a respectful distance away from the Queen as she surveyed them.
The pup amused her, the little blue bundle of fur had been dragging the antler he'd found the whole time. her heart melted at the sight, and she'd wanted to help him but didn't dare with all the females around. She glanced over at Iosef when he spoke, her gaze lingering longer than usual on him before she snapped her eyes back to Penthesilea, her tail and head low to show her respect. She stayed in her spot for a moment, then padded forward to inspect the dens herself. "Thank you my Queen, they are beautiful." She says, bowing her head slightly before going to give a few of them a curious sniff, wondering where she might stay.
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 7:13 pm
Penthesilea's eyes followed glacier as he dragged the antler towards the dens. She had had a pretty good idea of why he had brought it with him but watching him place it carefully near the entrance of her den made the Queen smile. "Thank you Glacier." She said quietly to the pup, now was not the time to be overly affectionate to him. There was much work to do and even Glacier would need to help out in order to make sure everything was once again running smoothly.
Attention turned to Iosef as the male came up to her. "Iosef there is something you can do. Please check all the dens to make sure they are clean. We don't want anyone uncomfortable in their new homes." Then lowering her head a little to speak more directly to him. "And make sure you get some rest." She told him in a quiet tone before lifting her head back up.
Her gaze turned to Taiyou, she did not at all miss that longer than necessary look that she gave Iosef but decided not to address that now. "I am glad you like them Taiyou." Swinging her head back to the rest of the group, she looked them over until she found the green warrior she was looking for. "Thealia I would like a word with you later, once everyone is settled into their dens."
Thealia was always in a foul mood even before this happened. When they finally reached the dens her body was screaming for a nice long nap, though she could do with a large meal as well - but a nap was certainly high on her priority list. In fact she was about to go off to her den when Penthesilea asked to speak with her. Well deer dung there goes that nap she was going to have. Inclining her head slightly towards Penthesilea she shuddered inwardly. "Yes, my Queen."
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Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 8:36 pm
She watched the pup, as she was sure several of the other females did, struggle his way to the dens, but didn't move to help him. In Antianeira one had to learn to make it on their own, and if the pup was resolute in bringing that antler all the way back, then it was up to him to learn to carry his weight.
And the smile on his face and the excited wagging of his tail when he had set up his gift for Penthesilea was enough of a balm for the part of Hippolyta that had wanted to help the baby and scolded her for not taking the antler for him. It was an endeavor for him to be proud of, and now he could be proud he had done it on his own, no paw-holding. A smile flickered across her face, one she wasn't ashamed to show, before she returned her focus to Penthesilea's instructions. Her old den would be that of her mother, and although her heart constricted, she nodded slowly. Where else would she go? It was her right to reclaim her family's den, and she should be happy with that gift. The pack was new enough that there could-- and would-- be no challenge of it. Besides, if they wanted to fight her for it, she would win. There was no doubt in her mind.
Iosef's slumped form got the benefit of her assessing eye as he went to the Queen and was ordered to clear out the dens. Her heart briefly jumped as she thought of the ornaments her mother wore, but remembered that she would have worn them to battle the day she died. They were all surely lost. This was a fresh start for Antianeira. Entirely fresh. Another smile came to her lips and stayed as she surveyed the Queen's den and the general area and considered that it would now live again, and blossom more when the sisters Penthesilea had sent out returned.
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Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 9:56 pm
The whole way there she had tried her best to keep smiles on everyone's faces. Well, let's not weigh her failure too heavily. For any who weren't, she was sure to have made up for them, for that was how she was; Always there, always caring. So this would be her home from now on,.. Ezperanza thought as her eyes scanned the area joyfully, tail wagging softly. She had no memory of her home before meeting Penthesilea and the others, and she really didn't let it bother her. This was home now. This was the pack she owed her life to.
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Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 10:01 pm
Iosef nodded his agreement to Penthesilea, smiling a private smile on hearing her whispered order; it warmed his heart that his new Queen was so kind to him. He wasn't sure that he deserved such warm treatment, but would do his part to earn it.
He glanced around, searching to see if any other slaves needed to be put to task, and then set to work immediately, darting into the first den to his left. He remembered, as though it had been yesterday, whose dens were whose...remembered them, with sorrow for all those who would not be returning.
But no matter; he had a task at hand, and he would see that it was done. Now determined, the wolf began clearing away at cobwebs and mouse-nests, working to assure the comfort of his Sisters.
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Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 8:38 am
Hippolyta followed Iosef to the first den, keeping an eye on him while he cleaned. She didn't remember who lived in all of the dens, but they were lost warriors. For the old members of the pack, that had to sting. As she watched the slave clean with a focused desire to please, her face fell into thoughtful distraction.
The new members would probably receive smaller dens to start, since they had no consort and no family to share with, then would have to impress Penthesilea to earn new accomodations. However, perhaps as many warriors as possible should remain close to the Queen's den for now. Besides, it would save Iosef a long journey tonight.
She glanced off in the direction of her familial cave and considered the distance. It was close to main dens, but still probably farther off than most of the others. After so many months alone she wasn't sure that was a good thing, but it might help more than a warm male or needing to be cheerful with her packmates would.
She was happier now that she was home and back with her strong pack, but it couldn't kill her other emotions entirely, and she would need to handle them on her own at some point. How could she do that if she was never alone? Yes, the space would be good.
Pol nodded to herself and looked back to Iosef. He had almost finished this den. Impressive. Their males were worthy to be in the pack. That was good.
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Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 12:39 pm
Glacier practically glowed when Penthesilea said thank you, suddenly his trek through the woods with the annoying antler had been completely worth it. His paws still hurt - but he'd be allowed to sleep soon right? Apparently not right away and he was suddenly just a little bit afraid - during the trip he'd shared a den with Penthesilea and the others, but now that he was here where would he sleep? He wasn't sure if he would still be allowed to share a den with his adoptive feathered 'mother' or be expected to sleep elsewhere. Alone.
Glacier hated being alone...was almost phobic of it, which wasn't surprising considering the days he spent alone after his mother abandoned him to starve. Well perhaps if he helped out he'd be allowed to sleep in the same den with her still...it was a thought that made sense to his puppy mind and despite his sore paws and weary body he squared himself "I'll go and help Iosef" He volunteered and scurried after the spotted male who was already hard a work. He made sure to give the fierce looking red and black female a wide berth while he joined him - he couldn't help it but she was scary looking.
Busying himself in the far corner of the den he was trying to clear out some gathered leaves when his paw landed on something that certainly wasn't a leaf and when the snake - a harmless variety moved beneath the leaves, irritated no doubt at his intrusion and hissed at him Glacier let out the ear splitting yips of a scared puppy and back pedaled out of the den a fast as he could! "Snake!" He yelled and in his terror he quite forgot that Hippolyta was sitting outside and practically barreled straight into her. Side's heaving in fear of the snake and now eyes wide as he realized who he'd run into Glacier gathered his feet and zipped off in a dead run towards Penthesilea in terror - which in hindsight might be an odd choice..but she had rescued him from the woods in the first place.
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Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 8:36 pm
Hippolyta stared after the frightened pup like he was crazy, which he seemed to be at the moment. She moved swiftly into the den after a moment, pushing the rest aside until the problem had been resolved. The leaves hiding Glacier's little surprise rustled again and Pol moved around Iosef and carefully approached them. A small head stuck itself out from under the leaves and Pol froze. Some snakes in these woods were hazardous, as well she knew, and could fell even a larger warrior-- and she was certainly not over-large.
But the tense pause soon passed into relaxation, for Pol at least, as the small garter slipped fully out from under the leaves and stopped to glare suspiciously at her. She smiled and stepped aside, moving slowly behind the snake to startle it out of the cave.
"Stay there, please, Iosef," she ordered, and then nudged the snake with her nose.
It was off like a shot and vanished soon after into the leaves outside the cave, its rustles soon lost to Pol's hearing and vision. Just to be sure, she double checked the back of the cave for any more snake-surprises and was only satisfied once she was done. She smiled fleetingly at Iosef on her way back out of the cave, then turned to look for Glacier and Penthesilea, one to give assurance and the other to explain. That the two were right next to each other helped keep it simple.
"It's safe now. No more snakes that I could find, and I scared the other one off." She turned her eyes down to Glacier, focusing solely on him. "You can enter without fearing you'll go running into your packmates again." The last comment was a rare show of bemused dry humor on her part, but the situation-- in her mind-- seemed to warrant it.
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Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 4:32 pm
Iosef, who had lived on small game since the death of his companions, was tensed and prepared to pounce on the snake when Hippolyta dispatched of it. He could not help but smile at the pup; it was nice to have a youngster in their midst, it helped to raise the spirits of the pack.
He peered around Hippolyta to look at the pup, curious as to his reaction -- and a little curious about Penthesilea's reaction as well.
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Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 2:03 pm
It was good to see that some of her old pack members were taking up jobs without her having to instruct them to do so. Right now Hippolyta was busying herself with overseeing Iosef as he cleaned out the dens. That was good, Iosef may be a dedicated and loyal slave but sometimes having a sister watching you as you work made them work faster and more efficiently. Watching Glacier take the initiative to go help Iosef was another good sign that he would one day become a good slave for the pack - perhaps he could even become an attendant if he worked hard at it.
When she heard Glacier yell out Penthesilea nearly raced over to the den to see what was wrong, but she stood her ground, Hippolyta was nearby and could easily handle any issue. As he came rushing towards her she frowned a bit, sure he was a pup but to show fear of one of the pack sisters was a bit disappointing. "Running away from a snake can cause them to lash out at you. Please be more careful next time." Using her paw she pushed him back towards the den. "Return to your duties, watch Iosef closely he will teach you what to do."
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Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 12:51 pm
Glacier peered up at the fierce looking red and black wolf as she approached - sure her voice sounded friendly enough but he still wanted to wiggle closer to Pen as she loomed over the top of him and he might have - had not Pen shoved him forward with one paw, causing him to stumble and roll head over heels nearly into Hippolyta again.
He would have scrambled onto his feet and slunk back to Pen even then but she wished for him to return to the den. There were snakes in there! Didn't they understand? Well he could hardly refuse..that would just get him into trouble. "Yes ma'am" He told Pen before giving Pol a quick glance and whispered "sorry" before skittering back to the den with his tail tucked and his ears flattened.
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Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 9:43 am
Penthsilea watched as Glacier returned to his duties and from the looks of it even stopped and apologized to Hippolyta as well. Inside she was a beaming proud mother, but outside her appearance was stern and commanding. Returning her gaze to the others gathered around her Penthesilea spoke once more. "There is a lot of work to be done to get the dens back to the way they were and we are few on slaves. We must all do our part to help out with cleaning them up for now. I will leave you to that now. If you have anything you wish to speak to me about you may find me here."
Turning she padded over to Hippolyta. "I need you to make sure the others don't push their work onto Iosef and Zeke. Two slaves cannot possibly clean out all the dens by nightfall themselves. If anyone gives you any issues about the work let me know."
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