Gwen & Others

Gwen was in relatively high spirits by the time she made it back to the Aegis Den, slipping in through the rusted metal doors and making her way across the leaf and litter strewn floor. Her belly was round with food, the Lurkers had three new members, and they had just completed their first successful hunt together. Her only concern at the moment was for Zeus, who'd been wounded during the hunt. As she settled in at the foot of a dusty metal desk, her eyes and ears remained alert, watching each pack member as they entered the den. She was sure they hadn't been detected or followed, but an alpha could never let their guard down.

Argolis and the others were soon filing in through the same door, each with happily filled bellies and various amounts of gore still coloring their fur. Equiss had been quick to set a hunk of meat down and give a yip, calling for Pirqua and her daughter Darkwing to come share in the feast, while Windcaller found herself a pile of old towels to curl up in for a much needed nap.

Honz, Zeus and Psychotic

Honz followed her in depositing his stash of food and sitting down next to her and moved to groom her.

Zeus got there and found a place to lay down wincing as he did so he places his head gently down on her legs.

Psychotic finds a corner to lay down.

Patch, Ebony & Stormchaser

The den had been relatively quiet when the aging Patch returned from his scavenging at the dump with his daughters. The black-and-white brute, already engorged with the remnants of human leftovers, lay near one of the sunspots at the fringes of the Den's room. His eyes blue blink open as their packmates return, Patch's tail thumping weakly when he sights Equiss amongst them. A little yawn escapes his mouth as he lifts his head, a little woof extending in Equiss's direction to invite her over to him.

Ebony and Stormchaser sat as a pair closer to the entrance. The mutli-colored fae and her blind sister sit as undeclared guards to the Den. Ebony raises her head when Gwen enters, eyes narrowing for a brief moment until she decides there's no threat in the air. Beside her, Stormchaser's nose wiggles a bit. She leans into her sister, aware of Honz, Zeus and Psychotic amongst the group. "They smell new," the blind wolfess murmurs. To which Ebony nods, agreeing, "We must've missed something while we were out."

Stormchaser rises to her paws, gently and cautiously. The blind she-wolf points her head towards Psychotic, a little smile crossing her lips as she pads a few steps towards the she-wolf. "I don't think we've met," Stormchaser addresses Psychotic, her tail wagging a little to display her welcomeness. "I'm Stormchaser...and, that over there is my sister, Ebony."

Gwen & Others

Two falcons swoop down from the metal rafters high above, dark wings flashing in rapid beats to control their rapid decent. Equiss squints her eyes and steps back to allow room for the mother and daughter to land, eager to get out of the way of those razor sharp talons and hooked beaks. Her tail wags anew at the familiar and welcome call from her mate, leading Equiss to turn quickly and lope towards his resting spot. "Patch." Her murmured notes are spoken with affection as she nuzzles the top of her mate's head before settling down beside him. A single sniff told her that he'd taken the family to the dump, and judging by his own rounded sides, he'd found his fill there. "I take it hunting went well for you?"

Gwen settles into the grooming session with her own mate, working on his face and neck first to clean the crimson from his fur. As Stormchaser begins to cross the room a short ways, she pauses and nods in the blind fae's direction. "That's Stormchaser. Ebony there, at the door, is her sister." Another few swipes of her tongue were turned against Honz's cheek, "Equiss and Patch, over there- those are their parents."

Psychotic

She lay there yawning.PsychoticSHe said softly. Daughter of KahviShe said.

Honz worked on cleaning gwen watching the others out of the corner of his eyes.

Zeus tried to groom back but the pain was too much.He just nodded when told who each was.

Patch, Ebony & Stormchaser

The male's tail thumps as his mate approaches, nodding softly to her query. While the remnants of human trash wasn't as fresh as a hunt, Patch still finds himself perfectly satiated. The brute observes the trio of newcomers interacting, honing in on the fidgeting discomfort of Honz. "Did the hunt go well?" He asks Equiss, flicking a knowing glance at Honz. While a returning pack member was always a positive sign, an injured pack member still meant an err in their mission.

Stormchaser smiles softly at Psychotic, her tail swishing a bit as she pads a bit closer, taking a gentle seat. "Well, I'm sure you've received a warm welcome, but, welcome to our family, nonetheless," Stormchaser gently greets. Her tail thumps once more, the white she-wolf cocking her head as she listens to the soft interactions of a feeding pack. Over the way, she can hear Gwen explaining them to the two new brutes. It had been a while since the Lurkers incorporated new faces amongst their ranks. While they had never been selective, the recent times had brought relative silence in the Alleys when it came to the canine folk. "May I ask where you came from?" Stormchaser prompts Psychotic. "I've lived in my Alleys my whole life...and, well, if you couldn't tell, I haven't seen much beyond it." A cynical chuckle ripples through her chest as she cocks her head towards Psychotic now, a good-natured smile still playing on her face. "And I love to hear about the beautiful places others have come from and been."

Ebony remains situated where her sister had left her, grooming along one of her forelegs. She glances over at the two brutes, curiously wondering what happened to Honz, but minds her own business.

Gwen & Others

Equiss took a moment to nose over her mate's fur, turning her teeth carefully against a small patch of grime that clung to his pelt. A few licks were given to smooth out the newly cleaned patch, all while one brown ear was tilted in the direction of her partner's words. "For the most part. The pets didn't interfere, and the kill was fairly smooth - Psychotic is an efficient hunter." Turning her nose away from Patch's coat, she directed it towards the massive coywolf that their daughter was currently engaged with. It was then shifted in Zeus' direction, where little Coyota was now helping to new Lurker with his own grooming. "Zeus there was injured in the fight though... we don't know how bad yet, but hopefully rest will heal him." Equiss didn't mention that she too got tagged by the angry cow, with sheer luck saving her from all but a few minor bruises for her toss through the air.

Coyota was diligent in her duties to look after Zeus. With no open wounds to lick clean, she turned her efforts to his fur, cleaning and picking out any debris. "Hey now, leave the cleaning to me. You rest your head, and I'll make sure your coat is shinier than a beetle's shell." Whether he agree to it or not, she used her lean little muzzle to carefully poke about his hide, taking extra caution around his injured ribs.

Honz

Honz listened to everyone around them as he worked on cleaning Gwen.

Zeus smiled a little but then lowered his head to his front paws though moer on his left one then his injured right.

Psychotic if she could blush she would of at the compliment.I grew up in the wild, but I studied how big cats like to hunt to try and improve my hunting, especially when I lost track of my familyShe said.

Patch, Ebony & Stormchaser

The black-and-white wolfdog studies the new faces for a little bit longer before turning his face back with Equiss with a faint smile. "Never a dull day for the Lurkers, hmm?" Patch muses with a soft, grim chuckle. He catches a bit of wistfulness in his tone, the aging wolfdog well aware of the chaos both his mate and him had seen over the years. While it was a stretch to say everything had been peaceful the last few seasons, it was a drastic change than when Patch was much younger. A good difference. A little thought passes Patch's mind, a comment from a scrappy stray he'd encountered several days ago in the human dwelling places. His ears twitch with a bit of concern. "Have you heard of the tensions out in the wild lands?" Patch asks Equiss quietly, his voice a controlled whisper as to not draw attention, especially from the younger pack members. "It might just be ill-informed word traveling from scrappy strays...but I can't help but worry. What happens in the Wild Lands always comes back to the Lurkers."

Stormchaser smiles as she listens to Psychotic. She's a bit astounded that as a loner, Psychotic, dared to come within close proximity of the big cats. It's wholly brave. The she-wolf considers the Lurkers lucky to have Psychotic amongst them now. "Wow," Stormchaser comments, blinking her eyes. "I'm sorry you lost your family...have you been able to find any of them?"

Gwen & Others

Satisfied with the new level of cleanliness in her mate's pelt, Equiss settled herself more comfortably against him and released a deep, heavy breath that ended in a short yawn. It always felt good to be back home, with a source of familiar warmth at her side, and the scent of family surrounding her. "Never, around here. You'll have to have Windcaller tell you how we saved Psychotic from the humans when she returns." A small grin tugged at her features, but she left that tale for their great-granddaughter to tell. She was content then to go silent for a while, simply watching the other Lurkers while her over-stuffed belly dealt with the their latest meal. When Patch spoke again, prompting a new question, Equiss's brows pinched together subtly, "I've heard some." Truth be told, the old wolfdog had heard more than she wanted to admit, but now that her mate had brought it up, those worries began to bubble anew in her mind. Her gaze switched to Gwen, and her voice dropped into a similar whisper. "I was thinking the same thing. We had a lot of allies and enemies out there, but Gwen has kept us to ourselves since taking over... I don't know if our old acquaintances will remember those old ties or not, if tensions keep rising out there."

Coyota didn't miss the way Zuess favored that one paw. Pressing her ears forward, she nosed gently at the wounded appendage, "You were limping pretty good on the way back." She gave the paw a few licks, just to make sure there were no open wounds hidden beneath the fur, then looked matter of factly back at her big friend. "You might be relegated to scrap hunting for a bit, I'm afraid. That, or I'll just have to go out myself and bring you back your meals until that wing of yours is healed up."

Honz & Zeus

Honz stood up after finishing groom Gwen and moved to his old friend.I think it wise if he just relaxes we can bring him food. Only thing he should be getting up for is waterHe said.zeus is known to over do it and won't stop unless told by a direct orderHe said nudging Zeus head before returning to Gwen.

Zeus listened to them.I don't know if its broke or sprainedhe said. He then looks up at Honz and snorts. Speak for yourselfHe said

Psychotic shook her head.No luck noShe said.

Patch, Ebony & Stormchaser

Brows furrow as Patch intently listens to his mate confirms his fear. Drearily, his head falls to rest upon his paws as he gazes out over his family. "I guess we can't count the chicks before they hatch, though," Patch tries to console, both himself and Equiss, "So far our only problems are..intrusive humans and some annoying rats." Black ears flick as Patch tries to slide humor into a bleak situation, a little smile passing across his lips. He reaches up to nuzzle Equiss gently under her chin, trying his best not to be a downer in such a time of peace. Right now, no matter what happened in this Den, Patch knew it was best to savor each and every moment of peace.

Stormchaser cocks her head, frowning a bit. "Again, I'm sorry to hear that," Stormchaser murmurs softly, afraid her excessive apology might annoy Psychotic than console her. "I hope...that you might see all of us as family. I might be bias, since I've lived with them my whole life, but...we're pretty great." A lopsided smile steals away across Storm's face.

Gwen & Others

Equiss closed her eyes in a brief moment of happiness when Patch nuzzled up under her chin, and she returned the gesture along with a comforting lick to the side of his cheek. "You're right, no sense in fretting over what may not come to pass. Besides," Equiss shifted, laying onto her side with her back pressed against her mate, and her legs sprawled out across the floor, "-despite how irksome the humans can be at times, it does help keep the wild packs away. And..." she yawned as she laid her head down on Patch's limbs, using her mate as a pillow, "...maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to try and revisit old allies? I don't know what's become of Aaka's old stomping grounds, but it might be worth a visit."

Gwen watched as her mate crossed the room to check on his comrade. Hearing what was exchanged between them and Coyota, she nodded to Honz and turned a quasi-serious look to Zeus, "Those are orders then, from both of your alphas. No hunting duties for you until that paw is in better shape." She glanced across the Den, her eyes falling on the black and white hybrid at the door while she lifted her voice enough for all to hear, "If you go out, I want either Coyota or Ebony to escort you."

Coyota dipped her lean muzzle in a nod, "I'm on it, Gwen." She nodded to Honz as well, making sure to include both the leaders.

Honz

Honz rejoined his mate laying down and slightly leaning into her. His mind had now moved on to pups. But he was quiet for the moment.

Zeus sighed but nodded as he laid his head down and soon fell asleep.

Psychotic. im sure you all will become family. I still hope to find my biological onesshe said.

Patch, Ebony & Stormchaser

Patch smiles, resting his nose against Equiss's forehead as she leans into him. He contemplates her thoughts, recognizing the slight eagerness to venture beyond the city limits. It had been a while since he'd gone into the wilderness, mostly because there was very little reason to trek out there. The city, despite its intense human dwelling, was safe and provided for the Lurkers. "I don't know, these legs of mine are so old," Patch jests, a deep laugh rumbling in his chest. "Not all of us age like you do, Equiss," he continues with a gleam in his azure eyes, "You might have to deal with making it a scenic travel to allow me to keep up." He's still a capable adult, and most of what he speaks is purely humor. But amongst the new wave of Lurkers taking control of the pack, Patch has been promoted to an elder in their ranks. Still hunting and fighting ready, but definitely not the first choice to protect and provide for the pack.

From across the room, Ebony hears her alphess speak her name. Ears twitch as she only mutely nods, not quite sure what she committed herself to, but nonetheless committed to her pack.

"I'm sure you will find someone," Stormchaser optimistically mentions to Psychotic, her tail wagging a bit.

Gwen & Others

The wolfdog chuckles, "I just know how to hide it well." She couldn't deny though that age was becoming more and more of a factor, and as the years and months slipped by, she found herself less inclined to travel as far from the heart of their territory. "A scenic trip though..." Another yawn stole her, and Equiss gave into a hearty stretch, flexing all four legs outward before before going completely and utterly lax once more, comfortable and cozy snuggled against her mate. "A scenic trip does sound nice. Maybe if we have a mild day before winter sets its grip too hard, we can make a day of it." Her eyes had closed now, and her words had grown light and almost murmured.

Gwen's thoughts weren't too far off from Honz'. She'd been so focused on keeping the Lurkers going and preserving their territory that starting a family had been a secondary concern. But now, with Honz curled up against her side, and the pack settling in with full bellies and new members, her attention began to shift. It was a thought she would entertain soon, perhaps after a much needed nap.

Coyota curled up against Zeus, though her bright eyes remained open and alert. The coydog wasn't all that tired, but she wasn't against resting either, and keeping an eye on things will the majority of the pack took a siesta.

Honz

He slept for a good amount of time before waking up. He sniffs his mate over before heading upstairs hoping she'd find him soon after. He yawned as he got to the roof and stretched.

Zeus was sleeping

Psychotic soon fell asleep.