The Final Phase

[Eztli]

[[This thread will be for members already accepted into the pack. If you're seeking acceptance, you can wait for me to start a thread, or you can start your own! <3]]

Night had passed surprisingly quickly, considering that the Coya found sleep out of her grasp. A multitude of thoughts whipped around through her head, a maelstrom of decisions and questions yet to be answered roaring silently within her mind. However, through the hours of darkness, the Goddess remained the picture of calm and collected, frame silhouetted against the moon as she sat atop the peaks of Khuno.

It was her one place for solitude. Not that she came seeking such a thing often, for she loved her home, and her slowly growing family that resided there. But it was time for them to grow, for them to open arms to others seeking a home's warm embrace. At times, being so closed off to the world, nestled within Khuno's high elevation, bothered Eztli. Others were always welcome, but sometimes, an invitation was needed.

Only when the moon stepped down to make room for the sun did Eztli move from her perch upon the mountaintops, stirring for the first time in hours. Large paws moved lengthy legs with delicate ease, and the wolfess descended from the peaks easily, orange eyes glowing with the warmth that was yet to come from the sun.

Her thoughts had subsided, leaving her at a final decision. It was time their pack grew, time for her to send out an invitation. But first, she would need to speak with her current members. An alphess that acted without consulting her family was doomed to one day lose their respect, and thus she would be replaced. Whether by the hands of the very Gods that created her, or by those that she gave shelter to now. Either way, Eztli knew her family to have a voice, and the right to express it as well.

Decision having been made, the Goddess slipped back down to the lower levels of Khuno, pelt of creams and browns heavily shaded by the stark shadows the still-rising sun was creating. She stepped slowly, watching the shadows shrink to expose great sloped fields of dewy grass, and illuminated old stone buildings now well-covered by vines and other vegetation. It was a beautiful sight. And it was home.

Though dawn was only just breaking, Eztli found herself hardly able to restrain her wish to call them all to her. But no noise was uttered from her as she padded silently through the streets of her homeland. Orange eyes peered at buildings, heavily pierced ears perked for sounds of stirring. But sleep still reigned, even as she reached her own den.

Stepping inside, Eztli shivered slightly. The sun had not yet reached her shelter, and her mate was still curled up in the farthest corner. Of course, it would have been foolish for her to assume him still sleeping. With her gone all night, she suspected that he had found very little rest, much like her.

"Acacitli..." She tested the air with a gentle voice, and watched him stir almost immediately. Without waiting for him to speak, Eztli stepped to where he lay, nuzzling a bone-ridged nose against the thick fur of his neck. "Wipe the sleep from your eyes, love. I think a meeting is in order."

Her words, almost whispered, seemed to drive away any other hopes for sleep for the male, and Eztli tried her very best not to chuckle at his half-asleep grunting. Stepping away from him, she ventured back outside, where the sun still fiercly chased the shadows away from the land. Standing out in the middle of the old, worn cobble-stone street, the Coya tilted her head back, trinkets and piercings jingling briefly before the sound was lost beneath a howl.

It was a powerful sound, yet easy on the ears. There was no great sense of urgency, or any undeniably command. It was more of a request of presence, and an attempt not to startle everyone out of sleep. And as the last warm notes died away, Eztli took her seat upon the still-chilled stones of the street, and she waited. She had called, eventually they would all come.

The meeting would begin shortly, and her decision would go underway. Their home would grow.

[Sam]

Although Eztli had not meant to startle anyone, she had startled Samuel. Her howl pierced the air, pleasant and strong, echoing through the valley. It stalked its way through massive buildings and into Sam’s own burrow, a small niche at the base of one of the walls with a fallen slab of stone over it. Underneath it, Sam had been sleeping peacefully for once. When the sound of howl woke him, his legs flailed in the air and he rolled over onto his stomach. It took a few seconds to get his bearings. Grumbling, he stood and shook himself. “Can’t a dog ever get some rest?” This was indeed the third time he had been woken up in a single night. As one of the official Tlalli, it was his duty to be a medic to reckless pups and idiots who thought they were dying when they really just had indigestion. Regardless of the time of night it was or if it was freezing cold outside.

With some difficulty, Sammy squeezed out of the opening to his home; it seemed to have miraculously shrunk. “Gotta make that bigger,” he muttered to himself once he had exited. This morning was chilly. Each breathe he expelled appeared as a plume of vapor, disappearing after a second or two. He paused before setting off, taking in all that surrounded him and shivering a bit.

It was a beautiful morning. Pity he had to miss it. Official meetings were usually long and laborious. There always seemed to be lengthy debates and arguments. Members snapped at each other and at times were even hostile, bringing up long-held grudges and unrelated issues. He dreaded what would happen today. Hopefully they atleast tried to tolerate each other. Sam had nothing against his fellow members, but sometimes they could act downright uncivilized.

“Oh, bother pack meetings and everything to do with them.”

Still greatly bothered by the lack of sleep and the missing of another beautiful meeting, he scurried away from his home. Despite the distance and being rather chubby, Sam still made it to Eztli in good time provided he was a bit winded. Huffing and puffing, he bowed to the Goddess as best he could in his present condition. After taking a seat, his emerald eyes moved from the Goddess clad in her many trinkets and jewels to the rest of the approaching members. Most of them, too, were adorned in jewelry or other accessories. And most appeared also tired but there were some who actually seemed alert. A few looked excited, others disinterested, and a few annoyed. After greeting the Goddess, the majority of the pack planted themselves onto the street or stood nearby, all awaiting the beginning of the meeting.

[Ringo]

A gray hued pelt rose and fell gently to the slow rhythm of sleep. The den in which it slept was still swathed in shadow, despite the efforts of the early morning sun. The crawling vines that cloaked the walls waited impatiently for the sun to breech the high barriers. The moss and ferns that covered the den’s floor stirred lightly as the other occupants drifted back from their dreams. Ringo nuzzled his way deeper into the moss. His sleep was calm and dreamless, and the most decent slumber this wolf had obtained in a while.

He was finally back home in Khuno after a number of suns out patrolling with a Scout. Ringo spent a lot of time away from his new mountaintop home. He always appreciated being able to rest in his established den. Some wolf had a say otherwise, however.

A howl floated through the dens of Khuno, arousing the other pack members in to full consciousness. It was a meeting call, in Eztli’s voice. The gray male’s eyes fluttered open, his sleep fleeing. Ringo figured it must be something important, seeing as she woke them all up at the crack of dawn.

He snorted. Drawing his body out of his nest, he shook scraps of moss out of his fur. A large, loud yawn exposed his white teeth. He gave his head a final shake, causing the many piercing on his ears to rattle against each other. Ringo looked lazily over at Koji. That big lug had managed to sleep through the Coya’s meeting call…or fell back asleep after hearing it.

Ringo jabbed his friend in the ribs with a paw. “Oi, Koj, get up. We have somewhere to be.”

The gray male padded out into the increasing sunlight. He squinted at the change in light and waited for Koji to join him in the doorway. Ringo flicked his tail and started to trot down the street. The sun warmed his back and he smiled, letting his paws carry him around Khuno on memory. He trotted down the worn cobblestone path, toward the place where the howl resonated.

Sitting in the middle of one of Khuno’s streets, the Coya sat, patiently waiting for the other members of the pack to congregate. Ringo bowed his head in respect and sat on the cold stone, a shiver creeping up his spine. He coiled his tail around his paws and waited to hear Eztli’s reason for calling them together.

[Koji]

Koji’s leg back twitched in his sleep. He could sense the dawn coming up quickly, he guessed that his lord Yaotl would wake him up soon. But Koji fought to keep his eyes closed, wanting to sleep some more, seeing this was the best sleep he would get in a while. He heard water dripping from a vine into his and Ringo’s den, birds of paradise singing their morning song. He buried his face in the moist moss. His body was sore due to his training. He stretched out and curled his busy tail around his body.

Soon after a howl was added to the sound of the morning. He could tell that it was the Coya’s howl and knew that he should wake up and see what this was about. But his body said no. He could hear the sounds of lethargic canines waking up, ready to answer the call. He heard Ringo snort and the sound of him getting up, his accessories clanging together.

He felt a nudge at his side, “Oi, Koj, get up. We have somewhere to be.” Koji’s ear twitched. “Eh, five more minutes miss Axomamma,” he moaned while swatting at Ringo’s paw.

He heard he’s friend’s paws shuffle in the moss and stone. He decided that he should get up. He stood up, moss that clung to his thick fur fluttered to the floor. He stretched his front legs infront of him, putting his bum in the air, and extended his claws. He gave a yawn and padded to where his accessories were at. He slowly picked up his goggles and threw them atop his head. Then he lowed his neck where his color sat, lightly illuminating the room. It attached to him with a click. He trudged where Ringo waited for him, his squinted at the bright morning sun.

Ringo started trotting down the street, Koji followed. The sun hit his back, even though it was only dawn he already started complaining about the heat to himself. He followed Ringo on the stone streets of Khuno, toward Eztli.

They ran to a street surrounded by old buildings. In the middle sat Eztli, the Coya. Her head high, her back straight, and her tail slowly swishing behind her. He bowed his head, and followed Ringo to a stone. They both sat, the cold rock felt good on his warm belly. He waited to hear what the Coya had to say.

[Eztli]

[[I'm going to wait for a few more replies, see if everyone shows up first, and then I'll reply. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you! <3

Edit: Changed my mind. Figured it'd be kind of me to reply since I seem to have woken everyone from their first decent sleep in ages. XP]]

Perhaps it wasn't fair of her to make such a call at such an early hour. Her members deserved their rest, after how hard each individual worked during the day, or played in the youngsters' cases. Just because she could not find sleep did not mean that everyone had suffered the same fate, which gradually became more apparent as members filed in as her call faded into the heavens.

She sat in silence, orange eyes watching as her already established members gathered, some still wiping the sleep from their eyes. With a gentle smirk, Eztli waited and watched. Samuel came running, his short legs seeming to have to work double time in order to make his arrival timely. As he approached and bowed, Eztli lowered her head in a respectful and acknowledging nod, flashing a smile his way before turning her attention to the others that came trickling towards them.

Koji and Ringo, never seen without the other, came up soon after Sam's arrival, and Eztli too smiled at them as they each bowed their head together and then found their respective seats around her. Such respect did not go unnoticed, and the Coya smiled fondly at all three. Her members were not just individuals she lead. She loved them, for they were family, and seeing them all come so quickly, Eztli felt a twinge of guilt for waking them all up so early.

A few more moments passed, and the steady trickle of members seemed to slow. Some members made their homes further out in the outskirts of Khuno, others completing their duties before responding to her call. For the moment, those that were present was the audience she would have. It was enough. Though she would have liked to have Acacitli join them swiftly.

...He always took a long time waking up, though.

"Firstly, I apologize to all of you for waking you up at the crack of dawn..." The bubbling laughter in her voice was apparent as she threw an apologetic smile towards the small gathering. "Perhaps I was a little hasty, but I do appreciate those of you who came so quickly. You're all allowed to have the day to yourself, when our meeting is finished."

Hopefully, that would dispell some of the grumblings, and lighten some moods. Either way, they deserved such a reward. Most of them would probably find some time to grasp whatever amount of sleep she had stolen from them. That was fine with Eztli.

"I do not expect this meeting to be held for very long. The worst part will be waiting for everyone to arrive, because I cannot start until I have all ears within Khuno." A pierced ear flicked idly as the Coya rose and stretched, orange eyes slipping from one familiar face to the other.

"The reason for my call will be announced then. However, until everyone arrives, I feel compelled to ask. How is everyone this fine morning?" Her tone was almost playful as she stood up, gazing at the small gathering. And an additional sarcastic note was added before anyone had the opportunity to answer.

"Besides irritated from being woken up so early, of course."

[Sam]

Ooc; Writers block. >> Sorry.

Sam surveyed the group before him. He was familiar with most of the members that had arrived. The dog mix gave a friendly nod, directed at Ringo and Koji. His attention was brought back to their leader as she spoke up. The Coya’s apology made Samuel feel a bit better. Atleast she knew that her members we tired and didn’t appreciate being woken up at the break of dawn. “A day to myself,” the dog muttered ruefully. "If only." That wasn’t possible as a Tlalli. It wasn’t like the members were going to stop getting hurt just because Eztli gave Sammy the day off. Frowning, he shifted position, wondering what kind of trouble others would get themselves into today. Of course, he’d be the one to clean up the mess.

So how was he today? Well, he had been woken up at the break of dawn, not allowed to have any breakfast (oh, the horror), it was cold, the and he’d have to sit through a pack meeting on the hard, uncomfortable ground. Oh he was just dandy. So, Sam decided to join in with the chorus of voices. “Just fine, Mizz Eztli.” It was a complete lie, but he didn’t see any reason to burden the Coya even more than she already was.

Still rather annoyed, the chubby dog shifted into a lying position. He rested his head on his paws, trying with much difficulty to keep his eyes open. More waiting… what fun…

[Acacitli]

His paws were as heavy as his mind. His ears drooped lazily and his muscles were tense beneath his skin, taught and joints ready to pop. But he continued to walk, moving slowly along. He was the smallest creature in the camp, easily crushed beneath any feline's paw, but none seemed bothered by him. In fact, they seemed to respect him, those injured, those fixing injuries sitting up a little straighter when he passed and stealing glances his direction. He made sure to bow his head right back to them and offer half-hearted smiles. He didn't mean to be rude if he was... but he was, if you'll forgive the pun, dog tired, and ready for sleeping.

But that was certainly a far off dream, as now the king approached him.
"Good work Acacitli. The packs have been driven off, and only a few members were lost." He said it was such ease, as if asking him to fetch something for him. Acacitli shivered a little and glanced around slowly. His friends and fellow warriors had died in the line of battle, alongside him to the very end. He would make sure they had their proper burials.
One paw in front of the other, Acacitli followed behind the king, and when they reached his quarters (many branches and low hanging trees), the large creature turned to the canine and bowed his head in respect. Acacitli returned the gesture.
"Now Acacitli, I want you to wake up, love."

"... Wha'?" he grunted. His ears lowered and his toes wiggled, feeling the dirt beneath him shift. His eyelids lifted slowly and he looked up to see the face of his mate nuzzling against him.
"Wipe the sleep from your eyes, love. I think a meeting is in order."
It earned a little grunt from the male settled in the corner. His head lifted and he returned the nuzzle gently for her and grumbled quietly despite himself, curling down a little further. He knew he wouldn't be able to get to sleep again... but he was quite warm and content where he was, might as well wake up there. His painted chin rested on his folded paws and his tail wrapped a little tighter around himself as he watched Eztli walk away from him.
The morning air was chilly. He could feel the breeze playing with the thick fur on his neck and down his back, making him shiver and grow that much more uncomfortable. It was so warm in his corner and he had a real problem with getting up and away from it...

But... he was the Tlatoani now. And he had a responsibility to the pack. To Eztli and to the land and to... everybody, really. And if he could respect that as a warrior he could do it as a leader.
He stood up on shaky paws and stretched, shaking his fur out and knocking clouds of dust here and there. He even turned his head to lick a bit of dust from his pelt before finally sighing a little and walking outside. He looked tired, but he was certainly alive, a spark to his lilac eyes and a smile to his maw.
He joined the congregating group of wolves and took his place beside his Coya, sitting down in silence and lifting his head to study the others in the circle. He greeted each of them in silence and turned his head to Eztli, offering a little brighter smile and tilting his head.
"Good morning my Coya." Realized he'd taken awhile in waking up though, and his eyes seemed to apologize for that as well... hadn't intended to assist in holding their meeting up.

[Teyacapan]

"I sense quite an amount of pessimistic energy," her azure eyes fell on Samuel as she passed, "Perhaps that energy should be focused on preparing for what could be brought forward in this meeting."
She was quite the stern, serious wolfess but a dry humour was never too far away.
It was as if she appeared from no where to step with graceful legs and trailing long, bushy tail into the meeting. Teyacapan was a mysterious wolfess and often found a form of amusement in making others curious about it. Living the part of the wise Shaman of Tlaloc always had it's perks.

Teyacapan had journeyed from her unique den near the higher areas of Khuno. A trail leading away from the city of ruins lead to an giant and ancient tree, a large split at the bas of the trunk providing the Shaman Cheveyo with a suitable home to set up her practise. Odd symbols and different coloured pawprints of many sizes were scattered about the edges of her home. Some trinkets, powders and herbs lay within the den aswell as around the outside as if she were some sort of magpie for strange things. These were all ingedients of her communcation with the Great Gods and many spirits linguering around the land.

The earthy-toned wolfess had journeyed down and slipped in to the meeting awaiting she and Acacitli's presence.
"I apoligise Coya. As you are aware, my station is of some distance," she bowed her head with a small respectful smile to Eztli. She was fond of and loyal to the Demi-God. She was less familiar with her other packmates due to her isolating rank and purpose but she still acknowledged them with a firm nod.
Teyacapan had already been awake before the sun had risen. It was just before dawn when the Spirits whispered to her.
"I hear the night spirits had the honour of your company Eztli."