Bandit & Valian
Bandit had been pleased with the outcome of Velvet’s plan, and the result was they had fresh blood in the family, and had started their campaign to take the valley by making their first mark. Now, the Commander stood atop a giant rock, watching his Family with a small rare smile on his face.
---
The funny thing was that from a distance, he would look like Saydin. The same black coat, the same lithe and agile gait, but as he came nearer, the size and muscle would show him to be not the notorious alphess of Sedge Creek, but her equally as deadly other-half.
Valian, Cerberus; a monster that few would dare to provoke, his pitch black coat, with it single white patch over his chest, and those eyes: those eyes of power, of danger, of nightmares, ominously yellow, haunting and eerie and piercing. Everything about Valian screamed danger. He approached the basin entrance like a wraith, like the Grim Reaper himself, his muscular body dancing like a serpent, so calm, so charming, but always with that promise of striking mercilessly. A true hunter; an unforgiving killer. Beside him walked his two sons, flanking their father in the center, Jackal, the black wolvern-looking hybrid, and Morrigan, the white Doberman mix. Valian and his sons halted a respectful distance from the basin entrance, and waited. The Sedge Creek alpha knew he need not howl, for he knew someone would see him and sense him.
---
Sure enough, it was Vaermina who spotted Valian, and with a sharp bark she alerted the Family. "Oracle Velvet! Commander Bandit!" Bandit turned, and noticed their visitors. Indicating to the Coalition to form a guard wall, the Commander approached the strangers. "You are gaining quite a reputation in this Valley." Valian’s eerie mask cracked, and a sinister smile spread over his jaws. "As are you Bandit, Velvet. The Nuova Alba are generating quite a buzz, and so I come to you with an offer. An alliance would benefit us both. And to show you my sincerity, I offer you my daughter, as a token of my loyalty, honesty and friendship." From behind the three males stepped a female, small and lithe, as pure white as snow, but with soft lilac eyes. Kinshasa moved to stand beside her father, ready to do his will.
Velvet & Coaltion
Channentile and Ginger had voluntarily taken up the task of watching over their new young charges, and the future of the Nuova Alba. Together, the wolfdog and stocky lioness provided warmth for the young cubs and did their best to calm their fears and address the obvious questions that they may be asking. One of the more talkative pups was Arocheae, a tiny female with a mostly white coat and two golden yellow eyes. "It's cold here..." She whimpered in complaint, and was promptly nuzzled by Ginger, who's head alone was larger than the tiny wolfdog. "It is colder here, but spring is fast on its way. Look up, Arocheae; see those stars?" And the pup looked up at the lion's suggestion, opening her eyes wide as she gazed up at the heavens. A smile tugged at Ginger's muzzle when she saw the wonder in the pup's eyes, "Ah, this is your first time seeing the stars, isn't it? Back there, you were stuck in the musty basement, but out here... you have more freedom. Try to put your fears aside, and open your eyes to all the new experiences around you." Apart from trying to assure and comfort their new young ones, Ginger's words were also to encourage them and slowly get the cubs acclimated to living here and to despise their old home. A call from nearby temporarily disrupted the conversation, and like a flash, both Ginger and Channentile were on their feet and looking to where Vaermina - the canine had spotted something.
Velvet moved as softly and smoothly as her namesake, rising up from where she'd been resting on a low rock outcropping. In seconds, she was padding up beside Bandit, with the Coaltion quickly closing in around them in a wall of thick muscle, claws and fangs. "You are the first to seek us out as an alliance." The lioness' voice rumbled out in a note as sweet as it was unnerving, "And you make a very bold, and very respectable offer." Of course, most packs might be repulsed by the idea of trading off their offspring like disposable gifts, but the Nuova Alba obviously had a different way of looking at things, and the pleased smile that formed over Velvet's muzzle showed that she appreciated the offer of Valian's own daughter. "If you are prepared to aid us in battle and in times of need, I would be most honored to call you a friend and ally of our Family." Since she only represented half of the Family's leadership, the lion cast her dark eyes to the side, landing on Bandit questioningly to await his response on the matter.
Nemu
Nemu kept herself away from her Nephew. She had prayed he would of not followed her back then but he did and now he was stuck here away from the rest of his family. Her cubs were now two months old and growing. She sat there most likely with her twin sister by her side as she watched her cubs.
Zuko the only male. He had the build of a siberian tiger, the tan of the lion and spots of the jaquar. He was the biggest of his siblings. He looked more like a four month old then a two month old. He heard the commotion and looked toward the entrance having just woken up.
Katara who wass the smallest of the three sat up and yawned.
Azula the last of the three had the build of the lion, she is orangish like her jaquar father. with both stripes and spots. She growled.
Tyrant kept his distance still refusing to accept this. Being probably the oldest of the stolen he was a little bit knowledgable.
Madusa meanwhile stayed close to her siblings.
Gargoyle stood with the coalition outside with the outsiders.
Paranoia was with her cubs nursing them for she just gave birth the night before.
Bandit & Valian
Valian’s bright yellow eyes flashed briefly, obviously pleased this new band were as open-minded as he about offering children as peace-bargains between packs. These were the kind of allies he needed, strong, like-minded, and enemies of Lurker and Haunter alike. Bandit and Velvet seemed to have similar mindsets to himself and his beloved Saydin, and he was impressed by the reputation they had already built, considering their small size in numbers and already notorious bounty on their heads.
He studied the lioness and the wolf, examining them. He seemed happy enough, and that sinister smile returned, just gently curling the edges of his jaws, as enticingly dangerous as a serpent, and obviously just as vicious. With an alliance almost sealed, Valian looked to Bandit as Velvet did, both canines making eye contact that would usually have had both lunging for the others throat, but something was different this time. The darkness that manifested in Valian was infectious, and Bandit seemed like the perfect new host, and as their eyes connected, the pair seemed to bristle momentarily, before finding themselves kin in mind and body, and relaxing once more. Everyone who came into contact with Valian (who wasn’t on the receiving end of those teeth) could not help but get drawn in by him. Something about him was captivating, and he already had members of Sedge Creek delving into sin without remorse.
Bandit took but a moment to decide what he thought was best. "With Velvet in agreement, we accept your alliance with our Family. Your daughter will be well looked after, Valian, do not worry. Perhaps you would be interested in an exchange?" At this point, his eyes travelled to Velvet, seeking her approval on that point.
Velvet & Others
Martimoor shuffled slightly to the side, making room for the newest recruit privileged enough to join the elite ranks of the Coalition - Goliath. Leopeson gave the older male only a passing glance that betrayed little in emotion, but deeper down, he was pleased with Goliath's prompt and timely response in assembling with the others. He'd been somewhat skeptical and uncertain if he'd made a good choice in allowing Gargoyle into their ranks, unsure if the male would slack off in his duties or be troublesome, but now he was pleased to note that he'd made the right choice. Of course... there was still the issue of seeing him in battle and how well he held out, but Leo wasn't concerned about that at all; Gargoyle was older than the rest of them, and big enough that he would be a force to be reckoned with.
Velvet was more concerned with Valian at the moment, leaving her brother to silently scrutinize Goliath. She was weighing the wolf's worth right now, even though she'd already agreed to the alliance, so long as Bandit also voted for it. Very quickly, she could see that their new ally was just the right candidate for them; he seemed to embody the sort of morals that the Nuova Alba did, and radiated a sense of darkness and power that would make most wolves think twice before crossing his path. Even the lioness, who by virtue of species was stronger and more than him, felt a small rush run through her when she briefly locked eyes with Valian. Oh yes, he would make as good of an ally for them, as they would be for him. "An exchange would be fitting, I agree." Immediately, she returned the favor of offering a member of their own Family, after Bandit made the suggestion. It would further seal the bond between the two packs, as much as it proved that they were loyal to one another's cause.
As she said this, Velvet extended her muzzle forward, giving Kinshasa a sniff over as if to determine the wolf's worth in the Nuova Alba. What she heard from Valian was good enough for her, and in any case, she wasn't going to dismiss Kinshasa as unworthy, "We would do well to have another tactician in our ranks." This was said to Valian, and next her words were directed to the submissive daughter, "Welcome to the Family, Kinshasa. I will have Aerial show you around momentarily, and introduce you to the others."
Gargoyle
Gargoyle had plenty scars across his body from fights. He had never lost a fight well against another lion or even a hyena. He had a nice sized scar on his right shoulder where a hyena had managed to get her fangs in him but not long after he had killed her. He watched the new allies carefully.
Nemu was sleeping while her cubs ran around playing.
Madusa watched Nemu's cubs with little interest before curling up to sleep.
Tyrant was tempted to play with the younger cubs and thats what he did he was careful to not harm them but started to play chase.
Bandit & Valian
With Velvet’s agreement, Bandit turned his head momentarily to face the gathered Family. Who to send in exchange for Kinshasa, Valian’s own daughter? As he had no offspring of his own, Bandit could not respond equally. However, he could send someone of his own blood. "Assari!" he barked, calling forward his niece. Vaermina flinched, moving forward in protest as her daughter cautiously approached her uncle Bandit, but Bandit did not meet Vae's gaze. "Assari is my niece, part of a powerful bloodline. I assure you, you will not be disappointed with her." Vaermina whined quietly, but she did not question her half-brother's decision. She knew it was for the good of the Family, to seal a bond with their new allies, but it was her daughter. Still, Valian seemed like he commanded a great pack, and she knew Assari would be safe there.
Assari, a very wolvern looking black and tan hybrid, moved towards Valian, but was quick to adopt a posture similar to that of Kinshasa, and couldn’t help but feel unnerved by Valian's eyes, who travelled over her, the smile fading as he valued her. Seemingly satisfied, his eyes lifted back to Velvet and Bandit, and Morrigan indicated for Assari to take a place behind him, and out of Valian's way.
Kinshasa did not lift her eyes to meet Velvet's, and did not lift from her submissive bow, but she did now raise her voice, "Thank you, Oracle Velvet. I will not disappoint you." Bandit reached his muzzle forward to sniff at her also, before using it to nudge her towards the Coalition wall, indicating for her to be let through into the Basin. Then, the Commander turned back to his ally. "If there is nothing else Velvet wishes to say, then we must return to our business. We are preparing for a possible attack by the Shadow Haunters. Perhaps you could spare some soldiers for us?"
Valian considered his allies for a moment, "A few soldiers I could spare, my friends. Should you see a possible threat, we will come to your aid, or would you prefer if I sent some troops to you now, in anticipation of an attack?"
Velvet & Others
Velvet was in the same boat as Bandit, as far as not having any offspring of her own to offer, if indeed Valian would have wanted any felines in his otherwise wolven pack. Her mind was currently at work thinking over which wolves they had, and whether an adult should be sent, or whether he might want one of their newest recruits - but on second thought, she realized that might be a bad idea, as the Shadow Haunters would almost certainly attack the Sedge Creek next if they found one of their cubs in that land. Before she could pick out a potential nominee, Bandit had already made a choice, and had Assari moving to the front.
Ever so subtly, the lioness turned her dark eyes over to Vaermina when the other started forward and gave a whine that said she didn't entirely agree with this. The look Velvet gave was a silent reprimand, and a quiet but very firm reminder that Vae needed to step back and not interfere with the current relations with the leaders. After that, her attention was flickering between the words of Valian and Bandit, and watching as Kinshasa moved towards the Coalition, "If it doesn't burden you too much, having a few troops stay here for the night would be most appreciated. We have some meat left over from a kill earlier this morning that they can help themselves to." The lioness wasn't going to admit it, but she was just a little nervous right now... it had been a very bold move to send in a raid party like she had when they didn't have nearly as many fighters as the Haunters, but then she hadn't expected to get Nemu on their side like that, and didn't want to pass up the rare opportunity that the ligeress presented. Now, they only had to wait and see just what kind of retaliation they would be getting, and if their naturally fortified home would protect them.
Leopeson shuffled aside, leaving space for Kinshasa to pass by him, and into the basin beyond. "Welcome, Kinshasha." And just behind Leo and the wall of lions that made up the Coalition was Aerial, the 125 pound hybrid with a set of teeth that didn't quite fit well in her mouth, and sometimes made her speech a bit off. "I hear you've got the shkills to be a shtrategist?"
Some distance from where the leaders were talking, Ginger was still speaking quietly to Arocheae and whatever pups remained awake still. Lupa was not paying attention though; her initial fear and confusion was starting to give way to curiosity, and when she say Tyrant, she gave a soft woof to him, "Why don't you come over here?"
Nemu
Nemu cubs had returned to her to sleep.
Tyrant looked over at Lupa. Because, they kidnapped us! I want nothing to do with them!He spoke. He laid down shivering where he was and placed his head up side down tucking it into himself as he soon fell asleep. He was cold but he would deal.
Gargoyle watched the others carefuly quiet ready to burst forth.
Bandit & Valian
Valian nodded but once, his face and tone serious, unnerving. "Very well, Jackal and Morrigan will remain here. I will also contact an ally of mine, and request some of her soldiers for you. They should arrive before nightfall." Then, he turned, clearly signalling that unless the Nuova Alba had something else to say, the conversation was effectively over. Bandit had nothing further to add, and so nodded his head to his ally, and Velvet, before turning back to wander into the base.
Kinshasa smiled briefly to Leopeson, "Thank you," before coming face to face with Aerial. The unusual set of teeth unnerved her ever so slightly, but the other seemed friendly enough, so the smile remained, "I have learned strategy from my parents. They rely a lot on tricks of the mind, as well as brute force. I believe I would be of more use for this, than for fighting."
Velvet & Others
With the meeting adjourning, Velvet mimicked the mutual nods of Valian and Bandit, her way of silently bidding their new ally farewell. As she turned to pace back into the the heart of the basin, she lingered near Bandit long enough to speak a few quick words to him, "I have most of the felines guarding our entrances. The Haunters my outnumber us, but if we can hold them back at the entrances and stop them from getting in here, numbers will not matter." And that was the key to it, forcing all the fighters into three small choke-points; Velvet could only hope that their fighters held out.
"The mind is a powerful tool in its own right. Just as mighty as fangs and claws, if used right." Aerial returned, happy to have another Strategist amongst the group, and a canine at that. The hybrids turned about, beckoning Kinshasa to follow her, "Mind that you don't drink the water in here; if you're thirsty, there is a stream a few hundred yards past the basin." Her lean muzzle was pointed towards the south, where glaciers higher up in the mountains fed a stream of pure water, unlike the tainted stuff the seeped into the toxic basin.
Tyrant certainly gave Lupa something to think about. Arocheae was being lured in by the stories that Ginger was telling, and even Lupa was listening with some fascination, but now she was reminded that this wasn't quite the outing that she thought it was going to be. Sorely confused, the little pup curled a little closer to Channentile and tried to find sleep. But the ground here was much colder than the Ruins, and the howling of wind through the steep cliffs and trees made sleep very hard for her to come by.
Nemu
She looked over at Tyrant. She knew that even if he was mad with her he would still trust her. So she silently got up from her cubs and picked him up and brought her to her spot with her cubs. She yawned and cleaned all of them including Tyrant. She knew the haunters would come and she was for the first time scared..
Madusa would stick with Lupa threw and threw how ever she was more leaning toward neither side. She moved over to Lupa and curled up with her.
gargoyle listened and yawned.