Lore Night Begins

* Kamai had been long left behind by the others she was with and had journeyed back the way they came towards the clearing. she had skirted the cougar territory with no trouble. she had just passed into the hunting grounds when she heard a summoning howl by the alpha. curious, she would pick up her speed
* Kamai and make her way towards the howl
* Fianna would look a bit chagrined at that. How silly of her, of course it wasn’t. Still she felt a pang of disappointment within her heart that her mother had not in fact miraculously regained her sight. She’d perk up a bit at the idea of a lote night, and nod, nosing her mother fondly before backing up to give the Alphess space, settling several feet away and loosely observing the goings on around her. She’d chuff softly to Rook as he neared, an ear pricking in his direction. How had he been? She wondered. Was he getting reacquainted with the territory? Perhaps he’d fall in love with again and want to stay.. But those questions would have to wait, for she’d rather ask them in solitude rather than at the forefront of a gathering.

* Rook ‘s own tail would abide by the growing comfort and happiness at being near family, regardless of plans he had been hatching within the scheming mind of his. He had come as close to Atraya and Fianna to have heard the promise of lore and tale, and he knew then that the promise he felt in the air had been true. Good enough then…good enough. In his muse, he set a stone’s weight upon
* Rook the cut»»
<Rook> cont»» metaphorical scale and see what lore he would gain in turn. Such was the currency of a ‘teller. A chuff received was one that would be returned in kind once he was near enough to offer it after all the howling had been done. He, of course, was quiet. ’twas not his place to call for kin that was not quite his.
<Calder> He would move along the chosen path through the hunting grounds – taking note of all the smells therein. Those who had kept close to the injured fae and moving in and out of the hunting grounds as well. For now, and for the most part, all the trails led in and out and back to the clearing. It was there he would move. Hearing a howl arrive across the expanse of the hunting grounds he would now follow after at a slow pace.
* Kova would nose Shakira once more before the pair would start to make their way back to the clearing. They weren’t that far off. Eventually after a few minutes they would appear from the South East. She would pause at the edge of the forest, allowing herself to rest but also take stock of who was present. A good turn out, she thought, and swung her tail before she’d continue to limp into the clearing and seat herself halfway in.
* Kamai would make her way into the clearing now at a quick pace. she would notice a few wolves gathered near the rock and would make her way to them. the scents brought on the wind told her the alphas were there, and she made quick as she wanted to know how they were doing.
* Atraya would shift her paws once more as she tore off another chunk then ate it rather quickly. She could sense the presence of others. She would nose Fianna who was near and if Rook would get close enough, she’d offer a nuzzle to him as well before she would call out to the rest. “Well met wolves of WolfSpirits. Tonight I would like to call a gathering for a Lore Night. I would like to open it »»
<Atraya> »» to those here, who desires to share?”
* Kamai reaching the group she would let out a chuff. she heard atrayas words and she tilted her head “excuse me alpha im sorry, but what is a lore night? what does it entail?” she said sitting down acknowledging all the others she has and haven’t met yet
* Fianna would remain equally quiet after her soft chuff, and she’d watch every wolf arrive, excited about the prospect of a story. She had few of her own to offer, for what she’d experienced in her lifetime the other’s of her pack had seen and observed as well. She was keen to glean the other’s wisdom however, and her fanning tail would show. When her mother asked who’d like to share, she’d look around expectantly.
* Shakira moved alongside Kova most of the way, only breaking away if the she-wolf seated herself near the middle of the group, her own preference being to move to the side of the group and as far from the ‘spotlight’ as possible. At the mention of a lore night, her tail would begin a slight motion, it had been quite some time since she had last sat in on a lore night with the pack, it was good to hear that they had at
* Shakira least a night to spare for some light-hearted storytelling and time together.
* Fianna shifted, getting more comfortable as the others piled in and got cozy. She’d remembered something she could share, but didn’t want to start the night off, so she held her tongue and waited for a later moment, anticipating what the other’s might share. She sunk down onto her belly, and licked at a paw, an ear flicking to the evening sounds around her.
* Fianna would think idly of Kwa`ani, wondering where her sister was.. Probably off in the mountains. She seemed to have a wanderlust nearly as addictive as Rook’s, while Fianna herself found that while the distant peaks drew her eyes, her heart kept her paws grounded wherever the pack was.
* Atraya would shift her ‘gaze’ to those who where gathered before she would offer a gentle swing of her tail and curled it about her haunches. She would start off. “I will offer words of lore to those who would enjoy to hear it.” her tones equal and light. It was there she turned to Kamai and offered “Stay and listen and you will know of what our Lore Nights entail” she added
* Atraya she would slowly rise to all fours, feeling the stones firm grip to her paw pads as she stood atop the Alphas rock to offer her lore. Her tones would be subtle, light, but as well filled with the emotion that any story could tell or offer.
* Rook was happy to sit in the growing shade of the Alpha’s stone and listen to what would be offered. Certainly a tale or two would gleam amongst the stone and grass that composed the clearing and the packland…certainly, the rustle of leaves on the forest’s trees would whisper a bardic tune.

<Atraya> Why does thou sit upon my grave
<Atraya> And will dead lips to speak?
<Atraya> Why does thou weep upon my grave
<Atraya> And will not let me sleep?
<Atraya> My Body it is as cold as clay
<Atraya> My breath is earthly strong
<Atraya> How oft on yonder grave, sweetheart
<Atraya> Where we were won’t to walk
<Atraya> The fairest flower that e’er I saw
<Atraya> Has withered to a stalk
<Atraya> When will we meet again, sweetheart?
<Atraya> When will we meet again?
<Atraya> When the Autumn leaves that fall from trees
<Atraya> Are green and spring up again
<Atraya> How oft on yonder grave, sweetheart
<Atraya> Where we were won’t to walk
<Atraya> The fairest flower that e’er I saw
<Atraya> Has withered to a stalk
* Atraya the last word would echo off the tip of her tongue as she recanted a small story and lore driven from the small threads of her heart, still tangled and unwoven to one another. She felt the stone beneath her feel as cold as clay. She gave a slow dip of her head indicating the end of her shared lore. Words from the heart and the soul, albeit a loft, still held truth and emotion. She hoped to share with her family.
* Kova would have arrived at the clearings edge and into the clearing about halfway when her Alpha had begun a Lore Night. Catching the invitation she couldn’t help but contain her excitment. She recalled the stories shared and given to herself and Rook, even to the story teller pack. It was something she relished and enjoyed and so, when she seated herself she looked around to those wolves »»
<Kova> »» present. Seeing the Alpha’s son among them, she swished her tail softly. Eyes refocused now to Atraya and to the offered lore of heart and of soul. She offered a light stomp of her paw at the ending tones. A fine and strong piece to start off with, she thought. One of heart.
* Fianna would feel her emotion seem to wax and wane with the tempo of what her mother had chosen to share. “Beautiful.” She would whisper. She wondered if the choice had anything to do with the mate of her heart being beyond the grave.. Or just as far. She would feel her own lore would flow well on the heels of her mother’s and so, taking a deep breath against her sudden onset of nerves she’d rise and wave her tail to
* Fianna share her own piece :
* Fianna ‘s voice began softly, but would rise and fall with her own creation.
<Fianna> Standing in a barren plain,
<Fianna> Empty but for me,
<Fianna> I listen…
<Fianna> A grain of sand amidst a vast desert,
<Fianna> I am small,
<Fianna> And I listen…
<Fianna> Ages past and ages gone,
<Fianna> I have stood,
<Fianna> And I listened…
<Fianna> My comrades fell one by one,
<Fianna> Standing unnoticed,
<Fianna> I listened…
<Fianna> Until I was the last one,
<Fianna> Forgotten by time,
<Fianna> I listened…
<Fianna> Now tall and strong yet,
<Fianna> Old and beaten,
<Fianna> Still I listen…
<Fianna> Comes an agent of death,
<Fianna> With fatal bite,
<Fianna> I listen…Falling to the ground my vision fades,
<Fianna> But for an instant more,
<Fianna> I listen…
<Fianna> The woodsman sighs gazing at,
<Fianna> The very place,
<Fianna> I listened…
<Fianna> In tranquil quiet the time has come,
<Fianna> As the woodsman listens,
<Fianna> I tell…
<Fianna> Of memories gleaned while standing still,
<Fianna> Of pain and joy,
<Fianna> I tell…
<Fianna> Life and death I know,
<Fianna> And all of it,
<Fianna> I tell…
<Fianna> As the woodsman listens and reads my story,
<Fianna> Until there is no more,
<Fianna> I tell.

* Fianna finished her short tale of the trees within the ancient forest she had gleaned, the winds had whispered it to her. Ancient and wise they were and she truly wondered what tales they had to share. She’d sit back down, upright and gazing around to see who would share next.
* Kamai would listen to all the recitements and would be thinking of her own. hers werent as good as theirs but she would still take a few moments maybe not a poem, but a story she had heard long ago. she would let someone else go as she focused on how the story went
* Atraya ‘s frame would shift only slightly as she seemed transfixed to listen to the words of Fianna and the tune she wove for the rest to hear. She imagined it in her dark vision the stories playing just before her. Both strength and wisdom in the gleaming words, all to which would be inspiring. She offered a gentle pawing to the earth and stone she sat upon. “A wise lore indeed. Beautiful and »»
<Atraya> »» heartfelt. Thank you Fianna.” her tones would match the heartfelt inspiration she to felt from it.
* Kova would close her eyes allowing Fianna’s story to recant in her mind. Playing out the vision of what a lore would look like, and how it would be told and relived in their minds. When the story was finished she would swing her tail and dip her head. A fine story indeed. Full of wisdom and thought. She would perhaps hold her story for now, she too waiting to see if any others would speak their lore.
<Calder> He would have seated himself just to the outskirts of the clearing itself, paws placed between himself as he remained seated. He would listen to the first set of Lore before he turned to Fianna when she went to share. He took in the words offered by both fae’s and felt the emotion in the pair. Curious eyes of amber leered across the gathered and he’d wait for the next teller to tell their tale.
<Rook> A few stones had been added to the opposing scale, but there were plenty more wolves in this pack and plenty more tales or prose to share. He remained fixed upon the grass he sat and did not move other than to offer two rounds of paw stamps against the ground for his mother and sister.
* Fianna would scan those present, happy to see so many of her pack and family around her. She’d catch sight of Calder in the distance and she’d tilt her head a moment in curiosity before looking back to the other’s, the silence for a moment stretching.
* Kamai would stand up “if you dont mind i would love to share a story. she would then stand and with a deep breath she began her tale. her voice falling and rising with the flow.
<Kamai> I lay here trapped, no song to sing
<Kamai> wondering what tomorrow will bring.
<Kamai> my spirit lost, perhaps never found
<Kamai> no music here, not one little sound.
<Kamai> i must break free, i know for sure
<Kamai> though i never thought to do it before
<Kamai> these chains that bind me will not break
<Kamai> but they must, for my lifes at stake
<Kamai> running free is my only dream
<Kamai> but that seems far from me it seems
<Kamai> the years go by, and as i fall asleep
<Kamai> i dream of forests dark and deep
<Kamai> no chains to hold me, im finally free
<Kamai> though i think to myself “can this really be?”
<Kamai> my spirits alive, i have found my song
<Kamai> ive finally found where i belong.
<Kamai> i howl my song for all to hear
<Kamai> i see my family, its too much to bear
<Kamai> they guide me home, among the stars
<Kamai> my home is near and yet so far.
<Kamai> below me somewhere a white wolf lies
<Kamai> in chains but never to wake again
<Kamai> for its soul is free no longer bound
<Kamai> her freedom has finally been found.
* Kamai as she ended her tale, a tear would fall from her eye, it was about her, but not about her, she had gotten her freedom finally, and she was happy where she was today. she would then sit and let someone else go. if she could blush she would be bright pink

* Atraya when Kamai finished her thoughtful tale of woven words and rythmic lore, she gave a grateful nod and stomp of her own paw. Much to be held in said words, and much to sing to the telling of a tale. She gave a dip of her head to Kamai “Thank you for sharing, Kamai.” her ‘gaze’ continued to look outward to those she could sense gathered. Some familiar others, passing.
* Kova took Kamai’s words and woven lore to heart as well. She thought quietly upon the offered tones and the meaning behind each lyric. She would stomp a paw slowly before she kept her tail about her haunches carefully. Finding it uncomfortable to be seated for long she quietly lowered herself down into the grass and took stalk of who was within and any who desired to share.
<Calder> When the new fae, Kamai, approached and shared her story he gave a quiet nod. All interesting, he thought. He’d never think that a pack ever held such a ceremonial type of gathering where they shared story and lore. To him, this made the most sense. Why not gather and share lore of wisdom and of history. What better way to keep the past and present alive then through story. He felt inspiration »»
<Calder> »» well within him, and perhaps his own lore he wanted to share with the pack for sometime but found no other time to do so…. until now.

* Shakira listened intently to the various story’s and snippets, poems and heartsongs spilled into the open for others to hear, a vulnerability that held a strength not many possessed. As yet another story came to an end, she suddenly felt a slight pang in her heart, a story that wasn’t hers but one that deserved to be shared nonetheless. With a deep breath, she stood and without announcing herself, began; “Some say the
* Shakira world will end in fire, some say in ice. From what I have tasted of desire, I hold with those who favor fire. Though, I think, I know enough of hate, to know that ice, is also great. And would suffice.” She finished quietly, seating herself once more and staring out ahead, trying to remember where it was she had heard such a forlorn tale.

* Fianna would have listened intently to Kamai’s tale, nodding as it fell to a close. It had depth to it as well and she’d offer a beat of her paw and a wag of her tail toward the fae, her gaze moving then to the next who would speak. Shakira’s words were brief but intriguing. She’d ponder them, savor them before giving another stamp of her paw and a wag. Good words shared by all. She had missed lore nights, the last ones
* Fianna being when she was but a wee pup and she didn’t remember those stories shared. A pang of sorrow shot through her as she thought of Faolan, of her father who had always seemed to have the best tales to tell, and she missed him.
* Atraya turned an ear and then her head to Shakira as she offered her thoughtful tones. Forlorn and thoughtful. She gave a slow rise of her paw before stomping the earth. A well spun tale of wisdom, thought and insight. “Thank you Kamai… and thank you Shakira. Beautiful tales and beautiful lore.” her tones light and equal in appreciation to those shared tales.
* Kova turned to Kamai and gave a thoughtful nod to her words and then to Shakira. It was short but she to found the meaning behind those shared words powerful. She thought quietly on her own inner monolouges and lore. It was there she tried to recall a story but she found her memory slightly blocked. Dark just like the hunt had ended her. She furrowed a brow now trying to recall her own story. »»
<Kova> »» Another chapter to a book well written with lesson and lore.
<Rook> Sobering and frightfully dark stories and prose suggested that it was not only he and a few others who had seen a wellspring of sorrow. He quite liked the prospect of wagering how the world would end, but he had the prvilege of a broader horizon…mayhaps just something other than both, he thought to himself. The sway of his tail betrayed his otherwise quiet demeanor and told of his
<Rook> own cut»»
<Rook> cont»» appreciation at hearing what would be offered. His father’s stories were always a treat, and he was sure to have a few readied for such moments as this; however, they were slightly convoluted and long. He’d wait in quiet observation of what some would call, the “right time.”
<Calder> Quietly gazed around the gathered from his backseat in the pine. Rising to all fours slowly, he would make his way into the clearing proper and giving enough space so that hopefully the others might hear him. “If I may, I would like to share a piece of lore, but only if the Alpha permits…”
* Atraya ‘s ear turned in the direction of another voice. This one was deep and belonged to a male. It was not Kajika or her son and so she would pick up the temper and tone. Calder. She recalled the male desired to linger around the territory and quietly wondered if he happen to find what he was looking for. Regardless, it was a lore night, and it was a time to share a story or a piece of inner »»
<Atraya> »» literature. It was something she extended to all, and so, she’d do so. “Please share, Calder.” her head turned in ‘his direction’.
* Kova would be caught off guard slightly by Calder as he appeared out of the shadow. She would flick an ear to the brute as he announced his desire to share something. He was an elusive male and so, she could imagine his stories might be something of interest. So.. in the favor of interest she’d eagerly await what the male had to offer.

<Calder> would be slow in his movements towards the gathered group as he walked closer, weighing what was offered by the pack before he dare to cast his voice to the gathered. He knew that he belonged not, but he also wouldn’t pass the opportunity to share a story, nae, a poem from the heart. One he felt perhaps the pack needed to hear. Some more than others. He began to offer his lore in the subtle timber and deep balk tones of his voice. (( This is him speaking the poem – The artist reading the poem is what Calders voice would sound like https://youtu.be/BRLX8y3uka0 )) “Old age hath yet his honour and his toil; Death closes all: but something ere the end, Some work of noble note, may yet be done, Not unbecoming wolves that strove with Gods. The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks: The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends,’Tis not too late to seek a newer world. Push off, and sitting well in order smite the sounding furrows; for my purpose holds to sail beyond the sunset, and the baths, Of all the western stars, until I die. It may be that the gulfs will wash us down: It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles, And see the great Achilles, whom we knew. Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and tho’ we are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.” would allow his tones to temper the mood of his shared lore. Perhaps a course of truth would be had within those words. The pack had a great deal of turmoil, tempted by the dark depths of a fate they knew not they held, but as he’s seen before, they would not yield and nor would he. He reclined back and would seat himself among the tree’s, allowing his lore to be received as it would. In hopes to inspire and offer light to the other sorrow-felt words and tones.

* Fianna would glance at Calder in some surprise as the male moved forward, asking to share. Even as the surprise waned she’d find herself intrigued. What lore would he share? Would it be an answer to the request of a tale she’d asked of him a few days ago? She would listen, calming her questioning mind as his words would speak for themselves.
* Fianna would take to heart the words, the voice which spoke them not detracting in the slightest to their import and validity, neigh the deep voice rather made the words arc through te gathering gloom in a way that seemed to cause each word to linger on in her mind. The tale was a true one, she thought, and it struck a chord within her that resounded with the struggles her pack had been dealt of late. She would not
* Fianna yield either, though many times she’d felt on the Brink of doing so. She’d stamp her paw for Calder and offer a wave of her tail to him as he passed, making his way to settle a ways off again. She was glad he’d chosen to share. She would work her gaze around the other’s again, wondering who would brave the air next.
<Fianna> (.. Nay* XD)
* Kova found herself once more cast aloft in the lore of word and thought. Carefully she would pick apart the words and the meaning behind them. She felt her chest begin to fill with the lore of all shared. Each one special and each one tempering her heart to yearn for more and to learn from it as well. She offered a stomp of her paw in the wake of Calder’s words and lore. Her gaze now cast to those wolves still present, her heart yearning more.
* Atraya shifted her paws against the stone. Old age had yet it’s honor, she thought. Much stirred within her, but it was thoughtfulness. The words, all of them, shared and given were all of noble note and she would give a stomp of her paw to Calder’s offered tale. “Thank you for sharing, Calder” her tones light and equal, perhaps keeping that light tempo to her own tune.
<Rook> Death and time; the equalizers of all things. Save for his father and Ayaka, the mortal coil ended after the expanse of the later into the former. No amount of nobility or cause circumnavigated the finality of death save for memory. He, the wolf, had little care who Achilles was, but Achilles lived on if not for just a moment–the flicker of light in an otherwise limitless inkwell of
<Rook> the cut»»
<Rook> cont»» forgotten. He had to admit, Calder addition to lore night was fine indeed. Perhaps he had underestimated the other male? Still, darker hues clung to the words like soot to the chimney. His tales would be a tone-deaf addition at best.
* Kova would look out across the gathered. She had been relaxed within the grasses, well enough to enjoy the woven words of all those who shared. Each striking a chourd and each plucking a new feather to be added to her cap. She looked to Rook for a moment and wondered curiously if he was to also add to the lore night. She admired his lore and much like his father, he spun it beautifully. Her tail »»
<Kova> »» hushed across the grasses before stilling and allowed the peace of the night mixed with the thoughtful words shared sink in to all who would absorb it.
* Atraya continued to ‘look’ out across the gathered allowing time to pass in silence and the words offered by all be shared among quiet thoughts. She felt her paws kneed the stone if only to feel its familiarity. She would continue to look out and see if there were others who desired to share but it wouldn’t be an obvious thing to her unless words were spoken. “Does anyone else desire to add to our Lore Night?”
* Fianna would find her mind going back to her father, to Ayaka. What lore would they tell now? Should they be there to tell it? Oh how she wished to know what Aya was doing, how she fared, and lands her papa was now traversing. Her heart ached then, and she felt her muzzle drop to look at the earth at her paws. A long silence seemed to echo out after Calder spoke, as if no one had anything else to add. So she rose and
* Fianna with a sigh, would offer quietly. “Ayaka offer many words of wisdom to me before she left. She told me her story, of the pack that took her in and taught her so much, a pack before ours. She told me of how they died.. Or many of them. She wanted to become a better, stronger fae than the one who ran away. And she did. She blossomed here under you, Alphess, with her sister’s. I know that wherever she is now,.. She
* Fianna is doing what she must. I hope to be a strong as she is one day. And I miss her, I miss father, and because of that I will strive to grow as well.”
* Fianna would shift her paws and settle back down, curling her tail around her. She’d had to offer at least some remnant of the ones not there into the night of wisdom and sharing.
* Atraya an ear turned to Fianna now and when she spoke her head would give a knowing nod. A paw rose up and stomped the stone for Ayaka and Faolan. “They will always live on, breathe on, in our story and our memory, for as long as I have breath left to give. That is why these gatherings of lore, and of story shared among family and friends is important. So that their story will continue to be »»
<Atraya> »» woven in all our threads. Of each of our stories…” her tones light and hopeful. It would be hard for her to sometimes feel that way with her mate among those tied to the veil of something greater then themselves, but she hoped. “Past, present and future… they are ours to keep and protect…”
* Kova would feel the stretches of her mind try to finger across old dusty shelves laden with books. Ready to be plucked for the reading. When Fianna and Atraya spoke she was withdrawn out of her mind and into the present. Her eyes light as she looked to the two fae’s and gave a firm and knowing nod. She pictured herself firmly wraped around scrolls of knowledge and lore, protecting every inch of »»
<Kova> »» their paper. Yes, she would ensure they lived on…always. Especially her sister and Faolan.
<Calder> Listened to the recant of thought and emotion from the wolves who offered it. He remained quietly seated in the back near the timber pines. He took note and observed all who were present and those shared words. He knew not of what happened to Ayaka or Faolan, but it sounded as though they too were lost to the Morrigans last tendrils of shadows. A fate which brought a frown upon his face.
* Rook would rise to his paws to offer a few words on his observations, but wisdom made him think the better of his choice. There was an ichor here that clung thickly upon the pages of tales that were not ready to be heard or shared. It was best to let them languish if languish they must. He felt sorrow for them, not for his father or Ayaka. Nuggets of wisdom or happy tales in languid
* Rook pools of cut»»
<Rook> cont»» sadness just did not sit well on his tongue. No, sometimes wisdom was in simply listening, and that is what he had done until the weight was a bit too heavy to cary any longer. Instead of speaking, he would quietly venture out towards his father’s knoll.
* Atraya would give a gentle nod of her head. Somber tones of wisdom, thoughtfulness, even some sadness she would take it all in before offering a gentle stomp of her paw, seemingly ending the night of Lore. “Thank you all for sharing, I look forward to our next tale of tales to be shared” happy or sad, it was all woven into their lore and she too would garner what wisdom and knowledge.