Senka

Senka did not really know what to do in this instance. Part of her did want the Makucha to pay for everything they have done but then the other part she just wanted to live her life with her pride. She crossed the moat as she was deep in thought.

Tersek & Others

The wolfdog had been resting in a dappled patch of sunlight, his eyes just closing when Senka splashed through the moat. He rose quickly, grimacing a little, then stepped down from his stony platform to meet her. "How did it.." He trailed off when he realized how deep in thought his co-commander was. "Senka, what happened there?"

Leomar, Zanarah, Lupanare, and Saulk were nearby, having been eagerly awaiting whatever news Senka would bring back from her meeting. The ever lazy Leomar even managed to pick himself up and stroll towards Senka, his bright and hungry for blood, "What's the verdict? They gonna help us take on the Makucha?"

Velvet traveled in behind Senka, where she stopped for a moment to shake her fur before continuing and taking a stand beside the larger liger. She was silent, not offering her opinion nor her advice. She had thoughts of her own, but would keep these to herself, as now her childrens' lives had become much more complicated, and Oracle's defection could easily warrant a death sentence.

"Did any of them have a say on Erathi?" Dally questioned from above, cocking his hooded head as the group converged. He had every reason to believe the Makucha had killed her along with Shadowstep and Moon Blink, but he still held out hope that his daughter might yet be alive and injured somehwere.

Lupa too had her ears trained on the conversation, hoping for news on her missing son.

Senka

She hated seeing nemu torn. Nemu wanted to fight the Makucha but the love for her sister kept her back.. "no" she responded. "But it seems the Makucha may be willing to make peace with us if it means not making nemu an enemy's?" She said

Tersek & Others

Something dark awoke in Tersek's bi-colored eyes, "Peace? With a group that murdered our own? That forcebred you and tried to steal those children away?" His anger wasn't directed at Senka, but at the audacity of the Makucha for even daring to ask for peace after all that they'd done. His grizzled fur, growing ever whiter around his muzzle and forehead, began to bristle in defiance. "The only peace I'll give them is the silence they'll find in death."

Velvet again remained silent during this, having expected such an outburst from the elder co-lead. Her mind was already running through a myriad of different scenarios, all with the goal of preserving the lives of both of her children, regardless of trail of death those routes may or may not include.

Listening to this, Saulk approached his two leaders, his own bi-colored eyes switching intently from one face to the other. He was only two months short of his first birthday, but the adolescent was already near his adult size. "If they killed Moon Blink, I will kill them." He boldly declared, while a nervous Blackmist approached from the direction of the Temple.

"Violence may not be the best option." She offered, stepping past her young cousin to stand a few feet from Senka and Tersek. She'd come to ask for permission to go on an outing with Aizen and his family, but that had to be put on paused for a moment, "Going to war with the Makucha could mean jeopardizing an alliance with Nemu; or worse, tumbling them into war too. Our pack isn't strong enough anymore to handle such enemies."

Senka

She paced. Her tail flickering now and then. She listened to each of them then looked to Saulk. "Enough, viloance isn't the key here" she said. What black said was true. "We can't afford to keep fighting them. We have to be the bigger force here. If we always resort to violence it will only proof we haven't changed. Nemu is already torn. She wants blood but she has setting a lot of us put aside for revenge and that's love and respect for her sister" she said. "I will never forgive or forget what they've done but I refuse to be what they say we are" she said

Tersek & Others

That darkness in Tersek's orbs intensified, and the whiteness of his old muzzle twisted into deep shadows as it wrinkled back in a snarl, "You're right about one thing, we do need to be the bigger force. The Haunters have never bellied up and tried to make peace with those that have wronged us. It might be Nemu's way to go soft, but that's why she's not a Haunter anymore - the Makucha will pay blood for blood." He turned to his Lupanare, "Moon Blink will have justice, and so too will Narimbi." His dual-toned eyes shot back to Senka, calling out her deceased daughter. "For Erathi, Duality, and Geinah. And for Shadowstep." The old wolf snorted, fire burning in his blood, "Today we stop letting our enemies pick us off one by one, and we stop trying to go down this path of weakness that has seen so many of our members perish!"

Lupanare nodded in solidarity, and stood up beside her father and son. She still couldn't accept that Moon may be dead, but she was practical - if Narimbi had died while searching for him, Moon and Erathi surely fell at their fangs too. "I have to agree with Tersek on this. I've been with the Haunters since I was born, and we've never suffered losses this heavy, not since the Nuova Alba. And..." The caramel wolfess grew tense as she tried to reign control over the emotions running through her, "I can't let Moon's death go with a peace offer."

Part of Velvet wanting nothing more than to tear the Makucha apart, but again she had to think of her daughter. The lioness held her tongue still, listening and gauging everyone's reactions.

Blackmist looked down at her paws. She preferred Senka's ways, but doubted so many hard-lined Haunters would sway to such ideals, giving how many Haunters had perished. Still, she stood a little closer to the ligeress, silently broadcasting her support of Senka.

Senka

Senka ears were back as she listened.you do not make the final decision here TerserkShe reminded him.Nemu is not soft, those without love perish. She is strong and thinking of her pride and whats best for them. She growled. Makucha are made solely up of Cats and big cats at that, you wolves don't stand much of a chance against them and that is what our pride is mostly made up of is wolves and the like. We do not have enough strength to take the Makucha on right nowShe growled. I do not think a peace can last with them but till we have the strength to take them peace is the best option. It will keep them from killing us when they catch any of us around. And if they go back on it then they are just prooving that they are the lower group here. And it could make Dusquei open her eyes to see how they really are and when Dusquei views of the Makucha change then Nemu stance will change and then we will have enough to take the Makucha onShe said. She would not get in a war with her pride against a force that could potentially kill them. if you want to get slaughtered then we can go to war but most of us will die toa war right nowShe growled.

Tersek & Others

"And neither do you." Tersek growled back, staring down his co-partner with all the intensity of a wolf who cared not that she was far larger and strong than him. "I won't have peace with those flea-bitten cats, and Nemu's lucky that she has you to vouch for her because I don't-"

"Father." Lupanare broke in with a soft bark, and briefly laced her auds back when he rounded on her with a contemptuous glare. Braving his ire, she raised her voice and carried on, "I want blood as much as you, but Senka has brought up a very good point. The Makucha are almost exclusively feline - we aren't. And..." Lupa braced herself as she darted a look between her leaders, "Neither of you are getting any younger. Tyrant and Velvet too are no longer in their prime, and I know I'm certainly not. Half of us can't fight as well as we once use to-"

Tersek's gaze narrowed, but he couldn't escape the truth of Senka and Lupa's words. Though fury still roiled through him, the elder wolf was still keen enough of mind to heed their warning, and to that he nodded slowly. A soft growl played in his words when he spoke next, "Then we put on a facade, pretend to be at peace with them while we build our strength back. Put the raptors on more patrols to keep an eye on the Makucha - and if we get the chance to discreetly pick any of them off as they have us, we'll take that opportunity."

Senka

She glared back daring him to say something bad about Nemu. "We all want them to pay. But doing so now will only harm us more then them. I'm not saying we make friends with them that won't happen." She said not backing down but slightly relieved when lupa spoke."we can only pick them off if there is no witnesses to it being us doing it. Tuini is the one in the makucha who will act rash and quick if they catch us doing that. And Layra can't control him like I can't control you. And I think most of the Makucha listen to him verse Layra. Layra is the more sensible in Thier group but she will attack us as soon as she catches on"

Aizen was close but out of site. Fighting that's all the older haunters wanted to do. He didn't want his pups raised in that. He slowly backed away

Tersek & Others

That terrible growl still rattled in his throat, but Tersek grudgingly conceded to Senka's idea, "Alright, fine. But this is only temporary, and they will pay with their blood before all is said and done." So focused on the topic at hand was the old wolf that he didn't notice his son slipping away with Cynical and Caritha. His fiery eyes were calming down from their rage, and he was beginning to think ahead to the future and the issue of their weakened strength as a pack. "Hmmph. Part of our problem then is our numbers. Our last two litters have been too small, and all of them canine. Senka, I know you're opposed to stealing cubs, but we need to find new recruits. This method of pacifism and peace has not helped us, and our numbers continue to fall."

Blackmist had let out a long, quiet breath of relief when her two leaders came to at least a partial compromise. An all out war had been avoided. To Tersek's next proposal though, she sought to find another compromise, "There are still some females in the pack that are of breeding age; perhaps they can travel out to find suitable studs in the Valley?" They'd done this in the past to great success, and Black herself was willing to join the cause if it could avoid a clash between Senka and Tersek, and stealing pups.

Lupa was nodding along to these ideas, satisfied with the compromise herself. "We'll need to find additional raptors then too. What about pairing Tracey and Cedarwood? Or scouting new birds to join our cause?"

Senka

Her ears go back at Terserk. "We will not steal cubs. Stealing cubs will not happen while I am here" she said. "yes all able bodies females can find a male. We have enough that can still have cubs" herself included. "We can also scout out new adults that might be homeless "

Tersek & Others

"I can help scout." Blackmist spoke up quickly, trying to distract Tersek when she saw him bristle at Senka's firm stance against taking cubs. It was another point that Blackmist agreed with, but Tersek did not, and she was keen to help avoid another argument, at least right now. "We know there are a few smaller wolf packs around, and even if we can't sway some of their members to join us, I'm sure we can entice some of the males to help out with pups."

Tersek had a mouthful to give Senka, but Black's distraction worked well enough to divert his attention. "It'd be worthwhile scouting around the human city. We haven't heard word back from the Lurkers yet, so we might as well kill two birds with one bite - see if there are any available loners, we can grab them. And if we run into Lurkers, we can get our standing sorted out with them."

Senka

Senka dared Terserk to fight her on this stance. Blackmist as usual quick to pull his attention though. then we send out scouts to this but only during the day and they must report back once every two hours and never split upShe said.

Tersek & Others

Tersek gave a grunt of acknowledgement, "Agreed, pairs will be safer. Blackmist, you and Quinn will go to the human's city then." Not realizing that Aizen was currently moving his children and relatives out of the Ruins while they spoke, he paired his grandaughters together then cast his bi-colored gaze to the rest of the Haunters that had gathered. "The rest of you, pair up and select an area to scout. Cedarwood - where is he?"

"He's out hunting." Dally reported from a perch a few feet above the ground dwellers. "I can pass word to he and Tracey if you'd like."

Senka

She nodded and let him divy everything out

Quinn was going with her uncle but would catch up later she wanted to tell blackmist

Tersek & Others

The designated Haunters began to filter away, with Blackmist seeking out Quinn, and Dally stretching his wings for the sky to track down Tracey and Cedarwood. Tersek felt to urge to join them, and perhaps pay a visit to his old stomping grounds at the Aspen Grove, but his aching joints kept him at bay. Stifling what wanted to be another grunt, the elder wolfdog eased back onto his haunches and settled in to wait for whatever news his packmates might bring back from their ventures.

Quinn

She nodded "good cause I need to talk to you in private anyways" she said.

Blackmist

While the others filtered away to their respective duties, Blackmist's gaze latched onto Quinn and sent an immediate sway to her brushy tail. "Hey, Quinn." Blackmist woofed as she approached, then frowned slightly in concern when her younger kin requested a private conversation. Glancing around to be sure there were no listening ears nearby, Black lowered her voice, "Of course, what do you have on mind?"

Quinn

She walked with blackmist she'd leave to go where her grandfather wanted them to go but she wouldn't return with her. "My uncle and mom brother we are leaving. Uncle has claimed sedge creek. We're tired of the fighting" she said averting her eyes as they crossed the moat

Blackmist

Blackmist was so stunned by the revelation that she stopped walking for a beat or two. It was only after she caught a curious glance from Lupanare nearby that she collected herself and continued after Quinn. "Momo and Azien?" 'That means Cynical and Caritha, too.' Her ears went back and her own gaze drifted downward as she paddled across the moat and emerged on the opposite end. "Have you told anyone else yet?" She asked this with her voice still low, and a note of sadness lacing her words.

Quinn

She hated leaving family but enough was enough. "Yes" she said. "No, I debated telling grandfather myself but you know how he is" she said. " You can come with us if you want"