A New Era, Calling All Kadzait Wolves-First Council

[Onyx]

The trek had far been worth the ending, Asuka had already decided as he perched a top the Sirmiq, the view stretching out before him like a glorious banquet where only he could feast and indulge in the treats of the land. Reviving himself from the tattered remains of the past had granted him this liberation, and it was with great dignity that he accepted the rebirth openly for the better of his own life, and of those now following in his paw steps. He was to lead a nation, in its own manner, toward a new dawn, to see them, his pack, reaching for ever distant skies and leaping across the horizons to meet with the gates of whatever guided life in this world. Yet, how was one to rule such a nation with a mother's affection for her pups, and with iron claw and fangs to protect the sacred lines of dominant and submissive? Where could a line be drawn, if anywhere? Was his time to see such an equal era, or would he, too, fall corrupt to only submerge himself in his new rights and privileges?

The resistance to his rising was not so much a complete disaster as he had imagined. Of course, there would always be those who would disagree with him, but that was of little matter when they only did so in their own vain pride or out of sheer stubborn refusal. He was not born with the ability to sate everyone's wishes; those opposed to his ruling would either find themselves belonging to another pack, or remaining silent and allowing the rule for their own wellbeing to remain somewhat fair.

Times had changed, yes, but the world was still a feudal place. Title was everything. You lived or died by the scent on your coat, and the way you carried yourself in the eyes of others dictated whether you were of value or not to others. As an omega, you were expendable; it was no loss for the pack to lose its weakest link. But, as a beta or, say, an alpha, you were the pack, not simply a part of it as the others. What you said or did decided the way others would live their own lives, and how generation after generation would see the world from your influence. No pressure, right?

A sigh wandered past his lips as his molten orbs once more paced across the edge of his vision, his intent stare passing absently over each and every detail set before him. Would he be the ruler he should have been? Would his word mean anything to these wolves, each of different backgrounds and beliefs, all sheltered within their own view of reality? Only time, when the last moments of his waiting faded into the eternal abyss, could say. They were each personally asked to meet him here, in this location, for none other than an occasion that deserved such surreal surroundings. Here, above the world around and so close to the might of the heavens, he would announce himself and his own ideas. Their council would be met when they arrived, their opinions each weighed and considered, and all would be brought to understand his new decision for this pack: this family. This new era would come to find more than just a new ruler. Where time had begun to ravish age old traditions, they would find their revival. None could escape the dawning of this new existence. But then, who would dare to refuse it?

[Valis]

As her paws pounded on the ground under her she thought about the first meeting. The king had called it, and since it was a first one, she had some ideas and concerns. Such concerns were little, or not urgent, and could be easily pushed aside if not found worthy of time. No matter though, she would still bring these concerns and ideas up to the meeting with her to get everyone's idea.
"Gah...my paws are going to freeze over..." she mumbled as she pounced up onto the glacier and started making her way up. After a while her feet were used to the feeling so she couldn't really feel her feet all that well, but none the less she continued up the hill.

While she continued the trek up the hill some of her more annoying thoughts came into her mind. What if they always made this place the meeting area? What if she was hurt would she still have to attend? She answered all these questions with a simple yes, and continued up. She was on the second mile, and she thought she was making really bad timing, so she picked up her speed. She was slightly jogging now instead of walking the entire way up.

To Forsi this was great training, seeing if she could make it up the hill. Now thinking about her question earlier about whether or not this would always be the meeting place, she now hoped that it would be. If not, oh well. For certain though she would be visiting this place again soon. After all who didn't love a four or five mile hike up the side of a baby glacier. All in good fun, she thought blissfully as she jumped over a rock in her way. She always looked forward to hard things and challenges, and would've liked to be a pack hunter, but since her temper got the best of her a moments she decided to not take up that position and stay as a simple pack member. After all odd jobs were fun too, right?

"I'll never make it up the hill at this rate..." she said with a sigh as she started sprinting up the side of the hill instead of jogging. Feeling the wind threading the way through her fur she smiled a bit, as she was starting to end the four mile up. She saw someone standing and looking out. She took a wild guess and bowed her head low.
"Hello. Forsi reporting for the meeting."

[Onyx]

"Take a seat, Forsi. You're a bit early; the others are yet to arrive." He settled himself down on his own haunches as he spoke, the chill of the glacier not penetrating through the thickness of his ebony coat. Indeed, they were alone for the while. Their only company being the bitter nip of the ice below them, and the wind howling across the pleasantly flat surface. "You have some questions to voice, do you not? You're radiating tension; it is not hard to understand why."

A thin frown plastered itself upon his maw, a sigh escaping him once more, though this one would be heard by another other than himself and his forever companion of the wind. "Change is inevitable, that is one of the few things we can be certain of in this day and age. Is that what you fear, or is it something more?"

[mmostly]

If you listened closely, ignoring the screaming wind, and cackling calls of the cold, you might catch another noise. It was the chatter of a set of rather sharp teeth. Occasionally, a pink tongue, would flicker in and out from between its toothy prison. And if you happened to find the source of this chattering, you would have seen the female freak Diggs. On that day she appeared especially bizarre, as she hopped across the glacier's surface. Most things she could tolerate, the various piercings and dyes splayed across her body were proof enough. But like every other creature, she had her likes and dislikes. One thing she found difficult to tolerate was the cold. It bothered her deeply, sinking down to her bones. So in an awkward dance of death (for she believed herself to be freezing) the female skirted across the glaciers slick surface. Occasionally she would slip, trip, or stumble, set back a distance or so. Then a grumble or too (not a roar, just a mumbled curse) would escape the lips of this creature. Eventually, the form reached the top of the glacier.

It had taken her twice the time (or so she believed) any other would take to reach the top. Maybe it was her slim form, her weak immune system, or maybe her thoughts were just exaggerated. Whatever it was, it did not matter. She had reached the top. It was a grumpy look that hung over her, rumbling around, rolling across her eyes, and irritating the visible parts of her spine. From behind darkened eyes, she nodded to Asuka, then to Forsi. It was best to remain silent, for if she spoke, not only would the chatter be embarrassing, but an expletive may have escaped her. So she reamined standing, and composed for now.

[Dawn]

"The glacier? Why the glacier? I mean seriously, I thought even Asuka had some more sense in him. Ah, but what does it matter. He's king now. Good for him." Storm mummbled mindlessly to himself almost as if to distract him from the cold whipping his fur around. He glanced down to the bandgage around his paw joint in pure fear it would be ripped off. Who knew what was even under that? Well, not Storm. He couldn't opperate as well as usual in the cold. Storms were hard to produce in cold. It was just one of his down falls. He even shuddered at the thought of what it would be like without his father given fur. Without his fluff, if you will.

Out of the corner of his yellow eyes, he could swear he spotted a multicolored wolf climbing, assuming it was Diggs he sped up, hoping to ask her a question about the meeting before they met Asuka. Speeking of, a flood of wonder rushed into his mind, forcing him to stop for a second. The majority of the questions involved a 'what if' type of begining, and often ended with something involving fighting. Lately Storm had detested fighting. He could sense the urge to fight coming from one of his siblings though, a brotherly connection. While he couldn't explain it. He felt it.

Storm reached the top, spotting Digg right away, then Asuka, and then Forsi. He grinned, noticing he wasn't last, and bowed graciously, "Asuka. My King." He grinned. Honestly, if he had to pick another wolf besides himself, obviously, he would've picked Asuka. Great guy. Great ideas.

[Onyx]

"Welcome, Rosalin, Storm. Have a seat while we wait for Phantomine to haul himself up the side of this lovely glacier. Speaking of which," he pivoted, his body moving with a liquid grace about them. It was almost as if he had been born on the ice from how graceful he moved about on its slippery surface. "I did not request you hike a five odd mile trek up to this location for the joy of it. This place," his tail flicked to indicate the whole of his surroundings, "has value far beyond what you can see in front of you. We are living in a rebirth now; this is a chance for the fallen to rise from the ashes and to join the standing in the splendor of unity. Kadzait shall no longer stand on the borderline of being merely a pack forgotten. We shall be heard. Anana and Tatkret shall understand that we, in our seclusion from their fickle war, are bathed in the very essence of illumination and all the advantages that brings. We hold the key, and they have yet to realize that."

[Valis]

Forsi sat and listened Asuka taking his words ot heart as she sorted through her own questions. One that popped up in her head, was about how he would lead them. Most of the others were about boundries, like should we fight for more territory? Should we try to help out one of the packs with the war? And other useless questions.

The one about how he would rule his pack she asked very quietly, as she was still lost in thought,
"How will you rule your people, Asuka...?" She addressed him directly, as to make sure there was no confusion. She hoped he didn't take this the wrong way as this was just a simple question of thought.
"Also, I have just a few questions on the boundries of our land..." she said in a little stronger of voice.

One of the things he said disturbed her deeply. Make Anana and Tatkret understand that we, hold some advantages? What Key? As these thoughts seemed to seep into her core, she didn't see Storm and Diggs arrive. Snapping back to reality, she nodded to both of them.

[Onyx]

Asuka's lips pulled into a thoughtful frown, his eyes meeting Forsi's gaze as he debated on whether or not he should wait for Phantomine to arrive or to go ahead with the meeting, considering everyone was here but the other male. Absently her shook his head, body posied regally as he addressed the smaller wolf directly in turn. "I think the questions should be held off until Phantomine arrives to hear them as well. He has his own opinions to voice just as yourself, Forsi, and I will not deny him the right. We will give him ten more minutes to get here before we start. After that, it is neither mine nor any of your concerns if he misses the chance to both speak his thoughts and to listen to a few words of mine that he should have been around to hear for himself."

Asuka's gaze departed from her own, wandering down to the path from which he had traveled up earlier that very day. Indeed, he would only wait for the male for so long before the doors would close on the opportunity, and he would have to both wait for the next meeting and deal with the consequences of his folly.

"I suppose I can answer a single question for you to contemplate. As for the boundaries, what of them? I take it you have ambitions to expand the territory, since this would not have come up other wise. Any expansion the Kadzait pack will partake in will be dealt with next summer, when we all have had a full year to understand our own lands and those around us. In the meantime, our borders will be thoroughly guarded, particularly those closest to Anana lands. I have no quarrel with either Anana or Tatkret as of now, but Anana's alphess has given me reason to be cautious. We will decide who will take what role and what shift for certain areas tonight. Does this answer your question?"

[mmostly]

The words flew back and forth through the icy air, though in a casual (and sometimes) even passionate manor. Mostly, Diggs watched. Her mind seemed numbed, as was her body. Things should be slower up on the ice. It was like her brain was freezing, turning to one solid mass. All of her thoughts were frozen in place. It was the bits and pieces of action she found humorous, that unstuck her thoughts. For one thing, she was greatly amused by Asuka's insistence on respect and properness. His using of her first given name always brought a smile (even if it was a sardonic one) flying across her lips. They now quivered, attempting to resist, but as always failed. That ridiculous grin slid itself up and down, all around her face into a beaming tooth-filled smile. There was also another action that diverted her attention from winter's bite. Storm's presence pleased her. He was pealing and emphatic. Diggs enjoyed his uncontrollable loudness, it was amusing and enjoyable. Whatever it was about him, it took her mind off the acrid cold. The female turned her head toward Storm. Her necklaces smashed together to produce a clanging noise that would carry far from up here. It was obvious her current mien was transgressing into a pleasanter one. Diggs threw a wink Storm's way, the smile still present, and then turned back to Asuka. A shiver ran through the course of her body, which shook her hair into her face further. It seemed Rosalin would occupy herself with blowing her carefully dyed bangs out of her face, until Phantomine arrived. She hoped it would be soon. It was so cold!

[Valis]

Forsi sighed, "Yes, thank you much Asuka." she then made her way closer to Diggs.
Trying to make a little different conversation she said, "Cold up here huh?"
To her she couldn't really feel her paws anymore and trying to keep the blood circulating on them she pounded one paw or another on the cold ice to see if it had finally frozen over. Well, she was able to get a little circulation going and that sent a wave of hope through her that she wasn't freezing over.

She looked over at Storm who was being very quiet...odd for him since he was usually so loud. Well, to Forsi it was a nice gift, even though it was starting to get eerie up here, with the wind, Asuka, and just some other circumstances. No matter though she would continue to stand here.

[Dawn]

Storm nodded in agreement as he listened to all the wolves speak, finding parts in there point he could go along with. When his eyes met with Digg's though, he froze. She, winked at him. How, peculiar. He grinned, showing his teeth charmingly. The ice below his paws began to feel less tense and cold, as he began to feel hotter and more comfortable. He surveyed her for a few seconds even after she had turned her head ever so delicately. Her striking features absorbing into his lightning eyes. She was pleasing to him, but it felt like she felt like an outcast. What was so wrong about being different. It made you more appealing. He took one step closer to Diggs, now only a few centimeters from her, and looked back to Asuka.

"Um, Asuka, I really hate to object..." He paused, looking to the two other pack members beside him, "But it looks as if Phantomine isn't coming yet. When he arrives we could inform him of what he missed. As you said ten minutes, and it has been around ten minutes, has it not?" Storm said, radiating respect. Any way to not get his carcus kicked would be great. Storm really wasn't up for a fight.

[Onyx]

Asuka's skull rounded, meeting Storm's gaze with a questioning challenge to them. Indeed, the time had slipped by in favor against Phantomine, and the others, especailly Rosalin, were showing signs of chill. Pity; this place was far too lovely to let the nippy air get to oneself. "No, you will do no such thing. Those are the consequences that he will have to deal with for his tardiness. He will be running blind, understood? Any mistake he makes in accordance to this lateness here is still his own misdoing. Absence does not excuse."

The ebony wolf surveyed the two femmes for a brief moment, watching the icy atmosphere seize control every now and then before his attention shifted to Storm, and then back to the lot of them as a whole. "Very well, this meeting has begun. Bring your questions; I shall answer them as best as can be done or the while. One voice at a time, please. Forsi, would you care to begin?"

[Valis]

Forsi cracked a grin and said, "Why not?"
She pawed at the ground, forming her questions so that they sounded professional.
"How will you rule us?"
"Are you going to make any changes in this pack?"
"How do you intend on acting if one of the other packs declares war on us?"
Those were most of her questions. She had many more, but decided to save those for a later date. These were the ones that bugged her mind the most.
The 'How will you rule us?' question was a simpel one to answer for him. The changes one she just wanted to know, to see if she had to change anything in her routine. Her third question was the most serious one. His answer would show how good he was at planning.

[Onyx]

Asuka was silent for some moments, taking his time to form answers that would both sate her and the other pack members. His voice was firm when he spoke, a certain voidness about him that would ruffle the fur of some in unease, but only because they did not know utter control when they saw it demonstrated before their eyes.
"How will I rule...Fairly. A bit of a democracy is needed for this pack. Your opinion will be held, heard, and then taken into account. I do not govern by my lonesome, because no one wolf could so such a thing with a pack. That is the reason why the packs around here are close to war; there is no unity.
As for changes, nothing of dire consequence will be changed. The ranks are equal as with any pack, and you will follow a routine like any other pack. If I come across any law set to Kadzait that conflicts with the pack's general welfare, I will alter it to suit our tastes, but not bend it beyond recognition.
Lastly, you ask of war? If I rule wisely enough, there is the hope it will not come to that. As far as war between other lands is seen, if it does not concern us, we are apart of it. If by some twist of fate we are to see battle on our lands, we will defend ourselves to the death for what soil we claim as our own. There is no question of that. Until that day arrives-if ever it does-no blood is to be spilled by a Kadzait wolf without just cause. Tresspassors from packs are met with hostility and caution, and the same for loners. Kadzait will, however, welcome any wolf who sees fit to conform to our ways and practices. Have I answered these to your tastes? If so, Rosalin, please state your concerns."

[mmostly]

"Very cold, Forsi."

Diggs shook out her fur a bit, which only brought the cold air beneath the layers further. It was kind of gross out here on the ice, when you were that thin. The air just sort of slapped you around, from one gust to the next. She felt both Forsi (who seemed much stronger then Diggs) and Storm (whose grin challenged her own) pull closer to her. Maybe they would bring some support against the chill. She certainly could not keep them warmer! Her fur was spent, for sure. Oh sure, it had some spots that were soft to the touch, but mostly it was one huge mess of over dyed and overworked material. But Storm's fur , the longer black pieces, looked much more appealing then her thin white strands.

"Mind if I steal some fur?"

And with that the female closed the gap (of a few centimeters) between herself and Storm. Together they could maybe (but just maybe) put up a better fight against the climate, then alone. From there on she would remain in the same spot, probably until he asked her to move or made her anyway. Only Bombazine's eyes moved voluntarily, really, though the wind blew her bangs to and fro. The mixed hues of rose and gold flitted back and forth between the speaking and the silent. When she was called upon to speak, her jaws parted to voice her only concerns

"Only one, a question. Ranks will be assigned when they are earned, and in the future? "