Leomar, Tersek, Zanarah, Lupanare, & Others

The sun had just begun to rise, chasing the stars from the sky, and transfusing a beautiful mix of dark purples and deep pinks into the horizon. Though most of this was obscured by the density of trees and stone, the growing light wasn't missed by Leomar. He'd already eaten his fill of Charn, and after a short rest to digest the meat, was now pacing with excitement across the stone forum. The lion stretched his neck forward and roared, calling the Shadow Haunters to him.

Zanarah, Shadowstep, and Starbane were already lounging around in the open ground around the base of the temple, each of them grooming their coats and resting after filling their own bellies. Oracle was the only one not to respond, having ignored the call for food in protest of her brother and parents.

Tersek had likewise enjoyed the rare bit of horse meat, and even Cavan had stalked out of solitude to take a few meager bites before retreating back into the Temple.

Newly released from the Basement, if just to eat before going back down, Moon Blink and Saulk were wrestling with a scrap of horse hide while Lupanare watched. The pair of youngsters were young to go on any sort of outing, but their mother Lupe was eager to stretch her legs and get back out on duty.

Silver Fyre

As per her usual self, Silver Fyre arrived a little later than the others. She was just in time to snag a few bites of less than choice meat, and made a mental note to track down the rest of the carcass later and fully fill her belly then. She gnawed on a bone in the meantime, and surveyed the area for any signs of her favorite comrade; Aizen.

Aizen & Quinn

Aizen had come forsome food with his niece. He was nearly always with silver. Lately hes been wanting to ask her if she wanted to start a family but hed been too chicken. His eyes find her just as the call goes up and he responds

Quinn too responds

Leomar & Others

"Haunters!" Leomar's voice echoed loudly as he called those gathered to attention. For a brief moment, he felt almost kingly addressing everyone, and couldn't help but puff his chest out just a little bit. "I'm putting together a task force to secure a source of food for our pack. We'll be traveling to the Golden Rose Canyon, where a herd of deer and horses reside." The lion gazed across the various faces that met him, and tried to recall all that his aunt had told him about the old cervid farm. "We're going to be rounded them up and driving them back into the confines of an abandoned human... place. Now, I'll need a number of members who are quick and can corral our prey, and a few to take down any that resist. And, ahh... oh! We'll need at least one who is good with words. To convince them that staying in confinement is best for them - you know, kind of brainwash them?"

Lupanare stood and stretched, "Count me in, Leo." She shook her caramel-streaked coat and perked her head up. "Momo? Mind watching my sons for me? I think I need a good run, and a bit of sightseeing."

Zanarah and Shadowstep were quick to step forward, with Starbane close behind. The former spoke on their behalf, "We can lend our claws to the task."

In the background, having not joined in the equine feast, Nightshade watched the proceedings without saying a word. The elderly buck remembered clearly the day in which he and the other yearlings were collected by the Haunters, and brought into the ruins. He remembered the 'chosen' youngsters who were brought inside the Temple... and never came back out. The deer turned his eyes away from Leomar, and chewed quietly at a clump of lichen he'd idly scraped from a stone pillar. Of all those deer brought in, and of the rarer few that earned a guardian role within the pack, he was the only one left still alive.

Silver Fyre

"Count me in!" Silver Fyre made no hesitation before casting her voice into the mix. She was about to plant her haunches to the stone and wait for whatever else had to be said, but something familiar caught her eye. A three-legged something familiar.

"Aizen!" Silver all but yipped and sprinted through the crowd towards Aizen and his niece. He was given a playful bump of her snout, while Quinn was offered a gentle lick on the top of her head. "You coming along for this raid, or whatever it is Leo's doing?"

Aizen

Aizen was listening to them.Of courseHe said.

Quinn.Im goingShe said.

Momo missed going out and stretching her legs but she knew the others wouldn't let her come. ah hawas all she said to lupanare.. She wanted to tell quinn she couldn't go but no that wouldn't be fair.

Silver Fyre

While the other Haunters were gathering themselves up, Silver Fyre hung back by Aizen, a thoughtful look coming to her expressive eyes. She was never one to be shy, though she was careful in her deliberations. What hung in her mind now had been there for some time, being mulled over for the past several weeks. "I've actually got another question for you, Aizen." She gave him a nudge, trying to guide him a few paces from Quinn. In a quieter voice, but by no means hesitant or uncertain, the shewolf spoke again, "Lupa's young have got me thinking of starting a family. I know things are a little different here, with mates and all, but-" Silver paused, glancing in Leomar's direction to make sure she hadn't gotten his attention, or anyone else's but Aizen's, "-I would like to start a family, with you."

Leomar & Others

Leomar's eyes bounced from one Haunter to the next as they offered their services. From Zanarah to Quinn, he made no qualms about those who wanted to join in. Honestly, the big cat was not great at putting together any sort of strategic group, so he was happy to accept whoever wanted to join in, even if some of them, like Quinn, had little experience out in the field. "Good! That's a good start - do we have anyone else that wants to join us? If not, we'll be leaving shortly, so ready yourselves."

Lupanare smiled at Momo, "Thank you. And don't be afraid to give them a good nip if they don't mind." She turned a furrowed brow at Saulk and Moon Blink, who scowled right back. Saulk even stuck his tongue out at his mom before trotting towards Momo and sizing up his soon-to-be babysitter. Lupa sighed, "I'll help keep an eye on Quinn for you while we're out there, okay?" She wasn't sure if Momo was worried or not, but she figured fair was fair - Momo was looking after her kids, so the least Lupa could do was help keep an eye on Quinn.

Momo

She snorted a bit. "I rather go with my daughter. Aizen will keep an eye on her" apparently lupe couldnt hear in her voice that she didnt really want to babysit. She was tired of staying in the ruins. It was making her start to hate the haunters. She turned away. Giving lupes pups a warning to stay put and quiet and do nothing. Otherwise she ignored lupas pups.

Quinn wanted to learn and the only way to do that was to go on outtings like these

Aizen paused he listened to her. At her words he wanted to wag his tail. But he refrained. "Of course" he said licking her muzzle

Silver Fyre

She blinked, partially distracted by the friction that had sparked between the two packmates. She'd heard the clear discontent in Momo's voice, but Lupa either hadn't, or hadn't taken it to heart, and the den mother wasn't about to be sidelined. Spotting a good opportunity for herself and Aizen, Silver Fyre raised her voice, "If I might suggest- I wouldn't mind staying back with Aizen, to help watch the pups. Four eyes are better than two after all, especially with the threat of the Makucha?" Watching pups really wasn't her interest here - it was some alone time with Aizen that she was after. And she wasn't above trying to pawn them off on Quillikham once the rest of the Haunters left.

Leomar & Others

Leomar canvased the grounds one last time, just to make sure he hadn't missed anyone who'd shown up late to join the mission. He'd heard snippets of words between Lupanare and Momo, but didn't bother getting between the two females over their disagreement - that was most certainly not his job, even if he technically had been handed the reigns of leadership over this particular outing. He also didn't bother with designating a pup sitter, deciding that that too was above his proverbial pay-grade.

The African lion shook his great mane and lifted his head, "Everyone settled? Follow me then, we're moving out." He swung around and set out at a brisk pace across the stone floor, and then through the moat, before leading his brigade northeast across the Valley. Their destination would be the Golden Rose Canyon.

While Zanarah and the others filed out after him, Lupanare raised a single fang at Momo, as a warning against her behavior. "You're the pup-sitter Momo, our brother isn't." Her eyes narrowed a little further when Momo warned her young pups off, and she offered a feigned snap at her half-sister. If these hadn't been her pups, she wouldn't have cared so much about Momo not staying. "I will keep an on Quinn during our mission."

Saulk had actually bared his own little fangs at Momo warned them to stay back and stay quiet, "I don't have to listen to you!." He challenged, which of course encouraged his brother to bristle his own little hackles and stand up beside him.

"Yeah, we don't have to listen to anybody!" Moon Blink chimed in with a rumble that sounded more excitable than it did defiant. He was looking at Silver Fyre as he said this, ready to be the thorn in her paw if she became their temporary babysitter.

Momo

Momo was tired of pupsitting it was boring.I think i will go im tired of sitting and watching pups. She growled right on back at her. Ill watch my daughterShe said now moving to follow the big cat. Pupsitting was only fun on occasions and she was tired of being stuck here at the ruins. She hadn't left th ruins since her rescue.

Aizen listened to them.Momo go on you go silver and i will stay behindHe said calmly. If it had been urse urging to go he would tell her no only because she had poor eye site and her jaw... well. Mom jaw may be messed up but Ursa had it worse.

Silver Fyre

The silvered and black fae wasn't about to step between the two sisters and their squabble, and she also wasn't easily ruffled by the show of adorable defiance by little Moon Blink. She merely raised an amused brow at the youngster, then swiveled her dial back to Aizen, "I was actually thinking of staying behind, to help you with the pups." She explained, hoping for a bit of alone time with the brute, but not wanting to say that part out loud.

Lupanare

Lupa narrowed her eyes, whilst controlling her strong vocals, "I'm not going to stand here and argue with you Momo, but if you go I will tell our Leaders that you've neglected your duties." Her muzzle darted to the side and her eyes leapt from Momo to the big cats that were now filing out of the temple grounds and past the moat. Lupanare cursed under her breath at Leomar's haste and shot a quick, final look of warning back to her sibling, "Do your job, Momo." After that, the wolfdog bolted after the rest of the group, loping at a swift pace to catch up to the cats.

Momo

Aizen huffed. "I will defend momo choice to go even mothers deserve a break. Momo hasnt had one since she returned. Plus the last i heard if a mother needs a break as long as they find a suitable replacement they are free to take a break and help in other areas. She has found one" he said

Momo growled and at her brothers words she nuzzled him and silver before following the big cats.

Quinn also followed the big cats