,Wishing on a Shooting Star, :MB:

Balthier was ready. He knew the battle would have started, or will be in a few moments. His mouth was full of his more potent herbs. In war, he knew it best to bring the best, as the lesser plants for minor injuries could be found anywhere. There was one normal leaf further away from the other herbs, and he was careful that it didn't touch anything except the leaf encasing it. He ignored any wolves he might had passed on his dash out, his destination being Jabbar...

Vaarak smiled at Liar. "I haven't seen the sea before. My brother might have... Midnight wolves? Are those... the huge wolves? I think some came here some time ago when those others from Jabbar were here. None of them looked nice at all..." He titled his head, "Yeah, I like it here, but I'm still used to traveling with my brother, so it's a bit weird to actually be with a pack. Balthier tells me we used to be in a pack, but that was before I could remember. Something about out home being in danger and no one would listen to his proposition of retreating to regroup. He said in the middle of the night, he took me from our mother's den and ran away. He didn't say anything about what happened to the pack after that, but I think he's just not telling me." Vaarak wanted to see his parents, not realizing they were both dead.

The wolves here were so nice. She smiled as the alpha came and then left quickly, she understood, having Jabbar wolves here, knowing they were going to fight, it was much needed to stand ground as an alpha in these times. She thought of Jack and wondered how he would fair with her gone, if he would be upset when she returned... Her eyes trained on her young one for a moment when Fran spoke but then she too was off, this was her pack also, she needed to attend to the alpha's call. Her attention was then called forward to another wolf and she smiled at him. Balthier and Vaarak. She nodded towards him staying still then her eyes trained on the one dubbed Vaarak when he spoke. "I'm Liar. I hail from the pack of the Black Pearl. I just went on a nice little journey to get my daughter back, some Midnight wolves stole her, though some cared very well for her, I fear the one who took her though. Harmi... what a nasty male." she sighed and then smiled. "I would have been with them, but...though a strange series of events I was taken from Jabbar and brought to the pearl... strange huh?" she shrugged then looked at her daughter then back to Vaarak. "Your pack is very lovely... I wish I had traveled here once sooner it's beautiful here, though I'm used to sand and salty air, this is a nice change" she smiled to him letting her tail drag back and forth across the ground...

Guilt slightly passed through her though... Khalon...

Damean gave a soft laugh when she only knew her as mom. "I don't have a mom, well. Akiko would be my mom I think... and Petra... and any one else who wanted to be in Jabbar I think... And a dad? I think Rawbones, and Blade, oh and Crow! He's the one with the weird face markings, but... I don't think I have parents like you." It didn't seem to bother him, maybe because he didn't quite know and there had been no real explaining about what had happened to his parents...yet. "Okay. First, we have to get Navi, she's my... sister, I think" he shrugged and walked just a little ways where Navi was just laying out of the den. "Get up lazy bones, I'm teaching you and Daija how to scout. Rawbones showed me how, now you have to learn, because I'm bigger and I say so" he nudged her in the shoulder softly and stepped away, he was joking and he felt bad if he hurt her feelings. "Okay, first things first, you have to smell around... and..." he was stumped for a minute, his eyes were trained on all the wolves and how busy they were. "Awww, they're all really leaving! How lame..." he sighed and sat down looking at the Jabbar wolves and the Midnight wolves gather around and start leaving...

Balthier glanced at Vaarak, shaking his head at him after Mogan tried to settle his younger brother. When he left, Balthier walked over to Vaarak, saying, "Come on. Hang out with the ladies for a while." He turned to walk to Fran, Vaarak in tow, and said, "Fran, stay with the pack. We still need at least one healer more experienced than my brother. I'm assisting with Jabbar's healing, so I won't be here if anything were to occur in my absence." His eyes darted to Liar's, saying, "This is rushed, but my name is Balthier, and this is my little brother, Vaarak. Perhaps you can help Fran keep these two occupied in the time you're here?" he nodded towards both Braeden and Vaarak, smiling at bit seeing the former watching the pups. "I apologize I can't stay and chat with you." Now addressing Fran, he said, "Tell Rodion you and Vaarak are staying here, but stay alert here, for Cinder's sake and for Jabbar's little one."

With a reassuring grin, he turned to Braeden, but noticed her concentration towards the pups. He briefly wondered if she had seen any before, but couldn't dwell on it. Balthier glanced at Vaarak and said, "Stay with Fran and Braeden." When the younger protested, he said in almost a tired voice, making him sound older then he would have liked, "Vaarak. Please. Stay here. Stay here so you can protect the children with Fran. This is more important than the fight itself. Do you understand?" He could see the care the Jabbar wolves had for their young eventually-to-be-alpha. They left him to the pack to protect, and he guessed even they would hold him in higher priority than regaining their lands if given the choice.

Getting an affirmative, he nodded towards them and turned away, heading for his herb stocks. He had to be selective, knowing he might be able to find some in Jabbar, too.

Vaarak nodded, and said, "Ok, Morgan. I'll see you later?" as he watched him leave with the other wolf. Then, his brother came up to him, leading him towards the pups and Fran and an unfamiliar wolf. Balthier spoke to them before addressing him. He heard his older brother tell him to stay here while he was going, and said, "But I want to stay with you and help you." He was going to say more when he was interrupted again, his brother sounding different. He heard this tone a few times in situations where Balthier couldn't hide it anymore, and quieted to listen. He perked up when his older brother was apparently giving him a very important task. "Ok brother, I'll be right here when you get back," he responded with a small smile. He was worried, remembering the last time Balthier left and came back injured, but this time, there was a large group of wolves, and he said he wasn't fighting.

He turned to Liar and said, "Hi. You don't seem like you came with them. Where are you from?"

Fran smiled at Rodion as he approached Liar before excusing himself to summon the pack. A bit later, Balthier and Vaarak approached, introducing themselves to Liar and giving her instructions. She nodded, glad that she was remaining behind. All that was left was to tell Rodion this decision and said, "Don't worry, Balthier. We'll be fine." Turning to Liar, she said, "Excuse me while I tell Rodion I'm staying here." She got up and walked over to Rodion. "Balthier told me to remain behind. He also forbade Vaarak from leaving the pack while he's, gone giving him the impression that he's going to protect the pups since some of the others are helping Jabbar." She didn't leave yet, in case he had news for the pack.

Gladiator watched Akiko seeing her eyes as they changed Only to be snapped back into reality. He cared not about timing. All his life his timing had always been off but if this was the right timing it wouldn't be him. He knew in some way he wouldn't make his journey home. He had a feeling he was the target only because he was the last elder. He watched her run into the shadows of the forest and he to stepped his pace up to a small trot. He wanted her to know he still loved her regardless of anything. Before his life was taken from him. Before he could not speak anymore. Even if the outcome was to become different he still wanted his love to know his heart was hers. Forever and Always.

Cinder
Cinder came to the mouth of the den and settled. It was somewhat unnerving for her to let Damean from her sight. In every way she felt that he was her son even if he was not born from her womb. She sighed as she watched him walk about with his pack and the strangers. So many wolves that she didn't know. It made her hair want to bristle and it made her want to grab Damean by the scruff and drag him back into the den. She sighed softly and looked to Link and tried to put on a brave face.


Navi


Navi's small silver form came slipping from the den. She shook out her pelt and nosed her mother softly as she slipped by and sat upon her haunches and looked for Damean. He was always out and about now and Navi pinned her ears thinking about it. He was always too busy for her now it seemed. Her black nosed twitched taking in the scents of all the others. New scents trickled in them and she licked her nose and huffed. It wasn't fair. Damean always got to go off and adventure with the other wolves. She didn't get to go anywhere but right outside the den. She huffed and flopped on the ground.

Blade looked up at Akiko's call as she sprinted into the forest, towards Jabbar. He smirked, and started to jog after her, taking long strides to expend less energy. He wanted them all to come out alive, but he knew in a war, it was unlikely one side will come out unscathed. Part of his attention was on Akiko and the land he traveled, while the rest ran over what-ifs over and over until he was sure he could react to most troubles.


Vaarak looked even more excited, if possible, but held it back from his tone of Morgan's words and Rodion's glance, "That's even cooler than painting, then." It looked like he was about to say more until a paw was placed on his snout before getting pushed back. Not wanting to argue, he slunk away, ears back in disappointment. He knew his brother didn't want him to listen to the conversation by his actions, and turned his focus to everyone else, wondering who he could talk to.

Balthier watched Braeden wander towards the pups, hoping there wouldn't be an incident and that Fran could handle it. Quickly, he turned towards his brother, who was clearly getting excited about one of the wolves. He'd normally let him be, but he'd figured his brother would have moved away by now, not engage even more. Silently, he stalked over and brought his paw down on his younger brother's snout before he could fire off another statement. Removing his paw and nudging his brother behind him with an apologetic look, he said, "I do hope you pardon my younger, hyper-active brother... although it looks like you're pack is moving. May you regain your lands and tear through your enemies, wolves of Jabbar." He glanced at Morgan, although Crow would, too, hear the words, "If you're going with them, please let them know I'll be by as a healer first, situated just outside the range of the battle. I'll only fight if needed, or to carry out the injured." He turned his attention to the wolves who were starting to leave, watching for a bit, before turning away. He'd have to go to his stores. If wolves of that midnight clan were there, those herbs would be needed.

Rawbones kneaded the ground with his claws, digging up the sod as he did so. He was getting very impatient. He itched to be home, back in the territory that held all of his precious memories and kept him somewhat sane. He glanced over his packmates, seeing the readiness in their taught muscles and eager expressions. Most of them had gathered now, including a couple from the Meadows who would aid them. The others came and went, tending to their own pack business. He spotted Gladiator close to Akiko, who spoke lowly so that nobody could hear him, until he let out his howl. Rawbones sighed. He knew the brute adored the ivory femme, but now was not the time to try and woo her nor dwell on such things at all. At last, Akiko rejoined her packmates. His cricked tail swayed and he trotted right over to her, coming to her side. "We all grow impatient.." he murmured, trying not to make it sound like he blamed her, "I think we should go. Are you ready?" He cocked his head to the side, wondering what she would do.


The creamy-pelted femme paced eagerly, twining in and out of the gathered wolves, watching their expressions. Some were good at hiding it, but she could see the eagerness in all of them. Her eyes followed a male as he briefly spoke with Akiko and then raced off in the direction of Jabbar, with the intention of scouting things out first. Her pace increased as she moved around, and when she saw the wolves begin to gather, she felt the peak of her excitement boil over, and she could no longer hang around. She raced over to Akiko. "I'm going ahead," she announced, swinging her tail, "I need to get warmed up. And I'll see who is still hanging around in Jabbar, and give one last warning to any who might want to change sides.."

She didn't wait for confirmation, for she was too full of energy to wait around. She glanced over to Eris, and kept an eye out for Zai. She hadn't seen him in these lands yet, but maybe he hadn't wanted to travel here. Even Eris looked uncomfortable being here, and she couldn't blame them. With her tail flicking high into the air, Bloodeye tore off and made her way towards Jabbar Junayd, unafraid of what faced her now. There were many wolves gathered and ready now, and they would be able to drive out anyone who was unwelcome in Jabbar. Soon her frame was out of sight, and she was well on her way to crossing the border...

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Fran smiled, saying, "I'm glad you found her, then. At least she seems to be well taken care of." She considered Liar's words and said while glancing at Rodion and turning back to her, "I've seen a sea while I was travelling. It was a nice change, although I'm not sure I could deal with the saltiness of the water on my pelt. Perhaps it's because I'm more used to living in forests with tall trees. Rodion has been kind to the wolves of Jabbar. I think he intends to uphold the alliance and help them. You should be able to catch him if he asks us if we want to aid them, or right now. He's just over there," she nodded her head in the direction of Crow, Morgan, and Rodion. "Are you in need of any herbs? It looks like an older wound, but Balthier has quite a collection scattered about the lands if you need anything."

There were many wolves now, the Jabbar wolves looking as if they were itching for a fight, which he didn't doubt. He would be, too, if he could get his paws on his so-called father. Balthier glanced at Braeden, wondering how she was faring. They weren't that close to any of the others, but he was still concerned, and this wasn't a good time to help her adjust to pack life. Part of his attention turned to his younger brother, who was looking around, curious. He held back a sigh, and watched, making sure he was going to be fine. From the impression he got of Petra and Blade, he guessed the others would be able to deal with Vaarak calmly enough, but couldn't be certain this is the case.

Vaarak was walking around, careful not to get too close to the Jabbar wolves who talked amongst themselves. Then, he spotted Morgan with Rodion and another odd wolf with markings. Curious, he quickly walked over, ignoring his brother's glances and said said, "Hi Morgan!" he said excitedly, not knowing they had been in the middle of talking of battle. "What are you guys doing?" His attention now turned to Crow. "Did you paint those lines? I've seen this one pack once where all the wolves had some weird markings. Nothing like yours, though." The younger wolf didn't seem the least bit scared, not did he seem to consider he might be interrupting anything.

It was all getting geared up to go, they all were. His orbs were full of reason and wait but there was something he had to do before he left. His hind legs pushed off the ground and the white brute stood before all the wolves next to him, the wolves of Jabbar and Midnight Meadows. They were brave to go this far and yet, he didn't feel brave enough alone. His body turned and he walked away from them all seating himself farther away from the group as he could without looking like he was leaving. The massive white cranium bent down-ward as he began to whisper softly to someone, talking to a friend as if that were possible without anyone around. His lyrics fell from his maw in a fluid sound, hitting the ground and bouncing out vanishing for no one else but his intended wolf's ears to hear. He was praying. His mother had taught him this a long time ago, to talk to a friend, one that's not there, and talk like it were anything normal, and yet, ask for as much guidence from this friend that there was possible to ask from someone not there.

His words were whispers of thanks and they were filled with despiration. He needed the help of some higher power out there to guide him back home. He knew his mother wouldn't make it very much longer, and regretted having let her take Damean's children home to Muerta if she were killed by a dark there that was on their paws, her innocent carefree loving blood would stain their lands, and if she were to die of natural causes, well that was just a higher shame on his part for he had said goodbye but it hadn't felt like enough. Auds pulled back against his skull while he breathed in deeply trying not to let tears fall for his mother she had asked him not to cry in memory of her with sadness but cry with happiness for what they had done together for so long. "I love you momma" he whispered, knowing she couldn't hear him but knew that 'momma' had been his only way to get what he wanted with her, it was her soft point and he knew it.

Next his voice reached out to Damean. He asked the unknown uncle to watch over his family, to help provide any means possible for them to get their home back. He didn't know these wolves, and he couldn't love them, but they had asked for his help thanks to a physically known wolf only known by the name of Legend and his acts around fire and ice.

Serenity looked up, letting his voice turn into the softest howl he could manage and ended his words there as he sang softly to the sky. Golden orbs looked down at his massive white paws, knowing they would lead him to his father in moments time and knowing that these pays would inflict some damage soon to that very man for a many uncountable reasons. He only hoped that when the time came, he would find her... that solid little girl he knew so long ago whome he had told to come here when she was ready, he hoped she'd show, for he loved her like nothing else possible, and he knew it couldn't happen cause she was dead, but he still wanted her to show. This was the things no one knew about him, his past...

The broad wolf stood and walked back over to the group, nodding to Blade as he came and sat down, letting his eyes fall on Akiko and nodding to her too letting her know she had his full attention, letting her know he was all but ready to go slay anyone assigned to him...

Liar pursed her lips slightly watching the pups talk to eachother and smile. Daija smiled, she loved seeing her smile, she had missed so much. When the echo of steps came towards them she turned and smiled as a fem introduced herself and spoke a sorry for Akiko. "Oh, it's okay, she must have alot on her mind. I wish them the best of luck though. I know how bad it is to want something back and have to fight heaven and hell to get it" she looked over to the side where Daija still talked to Damean Jr.

"I'm Liar, and that's my daughter Daija, thank you for your kind words. I have just gotten her back from some wolves who had taken her awhile ago from our home in the Black Pearl when she was a pup, it feels amazing to have her back with me." She turned her attention back to Fran. "Your home is lovely, I'm so used to the sea salt in my face all the time that this... this is an amazingly different feeling to have dirt and not sand under my feet" she gave the female a smile and continued. "I was hoping to ask permission from your king if we may rest here a night, get some food and water before the last little bit of our journey home. I wouldn't need to stop if I still wasn't slightly injured from the previous invasion of our homelands" she sighed and shook her head looking down, part out of shame, part out of a sense of failure.

Blade watched wolves come and go, but his attention was to Akiko, waiting for her signal. She spoke to a wolf who came in with a pup, and seemed to dismiss her in a hurry. As she approached them, he stood, wondering if the time had finally arrived.


Fran noted Exodus talking to one of the wolves who accompanied the Jabbar pack. Cinder and Link were together watching their pup, and probably Jabbar's pup soon. Balthier seemed to be curious, Zelda and Rodion had been talking with the small, white Jabbar wolf who seemed to be leading them. A new wolf came in to talk to her, bearing a pup, but was soon walked away from. There were many wolves, so the den was well protected until their guest pack left to fight, so she walked over to Liar, smiling at the sight of the two pups talking. "I think you caught her at a bad time, maybe after they finish with their fight," she commented when she was within earshot. "You look like you traveled far. My name is Fran. You have a beautiful daughter, there."

Liar had wanted to say good luck, she had wanted to say they were stopping for food and shelter and to wish them luck by chance that they had shown up when they were about to leave but Akiko had left. Always on edge, always in need to get what was hers... that's the talk of the lands but that was her, and Liar didn't care. She turned towards Daija and smiled watching as her daughter spoke to the familiar looking pup but she couldn't place where she had seen his features before. "Well. We shall wait till Rodion comes over, he must grant me permission to hunt here in his lands to feed us before our last of the journey home" she smiled to herself for though she spoke aloud it was mainly to confirm why she was already here.

Liar looked down at Daija. So she wanted to walk to spare her mom, but at the same time Liar couldn't and didn't want to let her out of her sight let alone not feel her next to her constantly. Her eyes flashed to Gladiator when he let out a growl and she instantly became defensive only to hold back her own return battle growl and smile at him when he wagged his tail. "How fare the both of you?" she asked softly, looking at them with a soft expression, light and dark wolves don't mix right... only what was a light and dark wolf today...

Damean watched as a mother and another pup came into the picture. He left the entrance of the den and came up to her wagging his tail playfully. "I only can scout though, nothing more yet, not till they teach me" he signaled to all the wolves gathered around in a big group waiting to leave to get back their home. "That's my family, cause I guess the wolves that are there took my family away for good, so they have to get our home back, and I have to stay here" He said it slightly downhearted and gave a slight sigh for a second before smiling up at her. "I like your name!" he said with enthusiasm. "Mines Damean, like my...father" again it was with slight confusion he said the word for his 'father' was someone like Rawbones to him. "That's your mom huh?" he asked looking at the small female that was near them.
"Do you wanna learn how to scout, we'll stay right here. I'll teach you!" his voice grew excited as he waited for her answer, his little black tail wagged as he looked her over. She was so much lighter then him, obviously he was younger but it was just weird to see another pup...