Members:
@ApacheWolf
@Kova
@Rook
@Leora
@Kaia
@Shakira

Pledges:
+ Nameless

Guests:
Seraphim
Jestir
Niamh
Xenon

Beginning Meeting on Discord

Kova Evening had settled over the territory, painting the sky in fading shades of gold and violet as the last warmth of daylight slipped beyond the trees. Kova reached the Alpha’s stone, and there stood upon a familiar rise, watching the shadows lengthen across the land below. The day had been quiet, but there was a sense of anticipation lingering in the air.  It was time. She lifted her muzzle toward the darkening sky and drew in a deep breath. Then she howled.

Her voice carried across the territory, strong and steady, rolling through the trees and valleys. It was not a warning. Not an alarm.

It was the call of the pack.

Come. Gather. Be together.

Kova let the first howl fade into the evening before calling once more, giving every wolf the chance to hear and answer. There were things to discuss. Things that could no longer simply wait for another day. But there was something else beneath it all, too. A feeling that perhaps they were finally moving forward.

Kova turned toward the place where the pack would gather, her paws carrying her there at an unhurried pace.

She would wait for them. Tonight, they would come together. They would speak, listen, and decide what came next.

Leora There was something different about today. Perhaps it was simply the promise of a meeting, the knowledge that soon the pack would gather together and voices would fill the air with plans, questions, and all the little things that made tomorrow feel less uncertain. Or perhaps it was something she could not quite put a name to. Whatever it was, Leora felt it in her paws. Excitement! When the howl reached her ears, she knew it to be true! New days meant new paths. New meetings meant new ideas. And perhaps, if she was lucky, new beginnings. Leora lifted her muzzle toward the air, her tail giving an unmistakably happy flick behind her before she leapt from the eastern woods into the clearing. She bowed her head in respect to Kova, then found herself a nice, cozy spot near the front. From there, she quietly observed who else had heeded the call.

Xenon Previously, after seeing no activity in the Clearing, Xenon had wandered some yards along the southern edge before finding a spot to curl up and doze off for a while. The only thing that woke him was the sound of a howl, a particularly close one that made him jolt from his resting place. Blinking his bleary eyes, the brute squinted toward the open field ahead of him. So now there are wolves, eh? he thought, spotting a silver-coated figure by the stone, followed by a light golden figure moving in from the eastern treeline. Xenon shook out his ruffled coat before calmly sitting back down to simply watch and observe. Surely that howl wasn’t for him to answer anyway… right?

Nameless If she noticed Shakira, Seraphim, or Jestir, she’d likely offer a nod to each of them. Perhaps there was a thoughtful glint in her gaze, but she wouldn’t halt upon hearing the howl. No time, she deduced. Not when Kova was calling for… a meeting? She could only assume that was the case, having witnessed something similar when she became a pledge. Regardless, her direction would shift to accommodate such, heading directly toward the Alpha Stone now.

Shakira Upon hearing the tones of her Alpha, the choice would be made for her as her paws turned instinctively to heed the call. Her tawny form broke into the Clearing from the southeastern treeline, moving swiftly toward the center stone. Her gaze swept over the expanse, noting several others making their way there as well.

Jestir would’ve had a momentary pause upon hearing the howl, old instincts kicking in. Upon noticing Nameless and Seraphim both still moving, he followed his mate. It’d take him time to adjust to the fact that things worked differently now than they had weeks before. Something about the air felt… oddly energetic. Maybe it was his own excitement. His thoughts wandered back to his first meeting with Nameless. Perhaps this was the meeting he had heard about.

Seraphim The white fae flicked her ears toward the sound of the meeting, but made no returning howl. She wasn’t sure if she was meant to answer it, and wondered almost in passing what the howl was even for. She had no clue, and instead simply kept moving, ears lowering as she hesitantly glanced around. She spotted a few other wolves in the Clearing as she passed Nameless, along with a few familiar faces, though most remained unfamiliar to her. She only barely made it to the center stone before settling anxiously onto her haunches. Her ears flattened slightly, instinctively muffling the surrounding sounds as she waited quietly for the meeting to begin.

Kova waited until the pack had settled, her gaze moving across the gathered wolves before she finally spoke. A smile was given to each and a nod of acknowledgement to their presence. She saw Shakira and smiled warmly to her sister, dipping her head and ensuring she knew she could take a close place. She saw Leora and gestured for her to stand close, too.

“Let us begin with our first announcement.”

Her attention turned toward Nameless.

“Nameless, please come forward.”

Leora the sweet fae would swing her tail happily back and forth as she sensed so many wolves! One, two, three! More and more. She ruuuued and turned her ears toward Kova, responding to her gesture to come closer. She would’ve bowed her head and settled herself beside the Alpha’s stone, but not before giving Shakira a warm, passing nuzzle of hello! She turned then toward Nameless as her name was called forward.

Nameless Oh! She was first? Well, she glanced towards the gathered wolves, shaking out her frame as she forced herself to calm down. Her brother wasn’t here, oh she wished he was. Nameless wished he would pledge, but maybe he’ll have the chance to do so later on. Nameless stepped forward, head lowered before she lifted her gaze to Kova, curious for a moment to hear what the alphess had to say.

Jestir watched with rapt attention, he had settled himself just beside his mate, briefly nuzzling her, meant to be a calming gesture, but didn’t make a noise, it wasn’t his place, nor his time to do so.

Seraphim The soft nuzzle of her mate against her cheek did comfort her, and she relaxed only briefly, watching the grey she-wolf with rapt attention, finding herself filled with a strange sort of pride. She wasn’t sure why, the fae wasn’t her family, but yet there was that pride, still in her heart towards a wolf she knew nothing of.

Kova she would smile to Nameless and as the fae approached, she dipped her nose in a welcome. “Nameless, you have spent time among us, learning the territory, observing the pack, and beginning to find your place within it. Today, I am pleased to ask, is this still your desired path? To join WolfSpirits as one.”

Shakira she would as well give a wave of her tail to see many gathering, a warm nuzzle returned to Leora as she moved to seat herself where her sister gestured near the front, a respectful nod given to her as she called forth the first wolf, Nameless. What was in store for this she-wolf tonight?

Leora her hues fell to Nameless, and her tail eagerly swung back and forth as she looked toward the fae, the pledge, now on her journey to join WolfSpirits.

Nameless lowered her muzzle, tail slowly swaying behind her, her ears tilted backwards slightly as she raised her head again. “I must say, I was rather unsure of my place among you all,” Nameless began, glancing over her shoulder and then back towards Kova. “But, today, I am happy to inform you that it is still my desired path to walk through this territory. To carve my own path among you all.”

Kova allowed a moment for the words to settle and for Nameless to make her answer. “A place within a pack is not something that should be chosen for you. It is something you must choose for yourself, just as you said.” Her tail gave a slow, approving sweep behind her.

“If this is the path you wish to walk, then we will walk it with you. There is still much to learn, and much for you to discover about us, but you have made your intentions clear.” She smiled and dipped her head, appreciating the honesty.

“This is the next step toward becoming a full member of the pack. During your time as Assessment, you will have the opportunity to learn our ways more intimately, to take on greater responsibilities, and to build the bonds that come with being part of a pack.”

Kova gave a small nod.

“You will also be given a mentor who will walk alongside you through this stage, offering guidance as you continue to learn and find your place among us.” Her expression softened as she looked to Nameless. She turned for a moment, finding only Leora and Shakira of the pack present currently, and that was just fine. She wondered quietly if there might be a task for Shakira to give Nameless. That was a thought to be spared in the silence between two sisters.

“As all have witnessed your pledge to continue, I welcome you to the next step of your journey. May you grow, learn, and walk the way of WolfSpirits.” She raised her paw, then brought it down firmly upon the Alpha’s Stone.

Niamh was late – but shehad* heard the howl. Her paws had been too distant – too far to make it before all had commenced but it would be better late than never and she slip in – perhaps near the end, with a glance around at who was within as she ghosted out from the northwestern trees, and loped towards the stone, for a place to land quietly to listen, panting slightly.*

Leora would look toward Nameless as the fae spoke her heart. She knew well the paths of uncertainty, and she was glad the fae had found her paws among them. How exciting it was to know she had been reunited with her brother, certainly a rare but very beautiful thing. When Nameless was officially named an Assessment, Leora lifted her muzzle and gave a quick, happy yap/waooooooo!

Shakira would listen to the words shared between Alpha and Pledge, the naming of one seeking to join the fold, though only time would tell if this journey would end and rest here. She would note the gaze of her sister at the mention of a mentor, a slight nod given as she too glanced to Leora, another fine option. When the newest Assessment was named, she would follow suit with the pack’s chosen silent language of celebration, stomping a paw to the earth before emitting a low, “gruff ruff,” in congratulations!

Xenon sat and watched quietly as both pack and wanderers alike gathered near the stone where the Alpha had taken her place. While some words escaped his ears or caused him to tilt his head in question, he could still make out what was happening for the most part. Nameless was called forth, and it seemed like a ceremony regarding her role in the pack. He didn’t fully understand it, being a stranger himself to the pack’s customs, but he could only assume it was a good thing. Though he wasn’t quite sure what the deal with all the paw stomps was. Must be another foreign tradition, he told himself. He’d have to save that new question for later.

Nameless took one step closer to becoming something, one step closer…

Nameless straightened slightly. This is serious, get a grip. She would certainly pay more attention upon realizing what was happening. She was one step closer to becoming a member of this pack. WolfSpirits.

Nameless did wish to walk this path, more than ever. There was a certain determination in her olive gaze. She was honest, but determined nonetheless.

“A mentor?” Nameless muttered, loud enough that all would hear. She hadn’t heard who that mentor was, but she would be sure to respect them regardless. Once Kova’s paw was stamped onto the stone, Nameless lowered her head slightly. She understood.

If Kova was finished with her, she’d settle back into the gathered crowd, her new position as an Assessment weighing on her.

Kova gave Nameless a final nod before turning her attention back toward the gathered pack. Her gaze swept over the wolves for a moment, taking in the quiet anticipation before settling upon another familiar face. One that had slipped into the meeting at just the right moment, if you asked her. “Now, for our next announcement, I would ask Niamh to come forward.” She shifted her paws, giving the she-wolf room to approach.

Niamh had barely stopped panting from her long distance jog and settled her mind to the goings on when it seemed her name was on the roster as well? Her paws lifted her before she quite realized it and she had moved from the outskirts through the gathered and toward the stone where she peered at Kova after giving a low sweep of her head and tale, making sure to respect the rank, as well as the wisdom. “I am here..” she answered, head tilting and eyes questioning even as her tail gave a light swing.

Leora‘s bright eyes would follow Nameless, a happy and quiet contentment settling over her at the new advancement. She was glad to see another wolf finding their place among the pack! Her attention soon turned back toward Kova, then to the other fae, Niamh. Ooo! She was growing quite fond of each wolf she met. Now she waited with bated breath, eager to hear what would come next.

Kova would dip her head, welcoming the fae with a warm expression and a knowing smile. “Niamh, you have been a Pledge of WolfSpirits for some time now, and I would now ask you the same as I did Nameless. Your next journey and step is to become an Assessment of WolfSpirits. You will grow, learn, and find your path within WolfSpirits, discovering whether this is truly the path meant for you. Are you prepared to take that next step? To learn from your mentor?”

Niamh felt the earth beneath her seem to drop for a moment, but then just as quickly she realized she was still on solid ground. Standing before the Alphess of the pack she was growing to deeply admire who had welcomed her with wisdom and words and a friendship she hadn’t deserved, she found she was more ready than she ever thought she would be – and her answer came easily. “Yes. I truly desire to keep drinking from the deep wells of wisdom I have found here, to keep learning the voices of this pack – and to keep studying the land and the paths to the best places.” Here she glanced toward Leora with her own flicker of fondness, and then let her eyes find Kova again. “Thank you for allowing me to walk this path.”

Kova would watch Niamh for a quiet moment before offering another warm smile. There was no need to draw the moment out. She had seen enough to know the fae was ready to take this next step. “From this evening forward, you will walk among us as an Assessment of WolfSpirits. Take this time to learn, to grow, and to discover the place you wish to carve for yourself within the pack. Your mentor will help guide you along that path, but the steps you take will be your own.” She would then lift one paw and gently stamp it against the Alpha Stone, marking the advancement before giving Niamh a small, approving nod. “Welcome to your next step, Niamh.” She would stomp the stone with a firm paw and smile, dipping her head proudly to the fae. She would turn then to the other wolves gathered and allow the moment to settle before she spoke. “Does any wish to come forward with any requests?” She waited for any others to step forward, knowing there were those who wished to pledge.

Kova As no others would approach she would dip her head before she rose up to all fours and stood tall on the stone. “Thank you for attending this evening’s meeting.” she smiled. “I’m proud to welcome so many into our fold.” Once more she dipped her head.
“Rest, and enjoy the evening’s breath of renwened spirit.” and with that she would stomp the stone once more, concluding the meeting’s end.