Goodbye Blitzen (Continued from Pack Split Thread)

(( Pack continued from here: https://incendio.rpg-board.net/t143p75-the-beginning-of-the-end-pack-split-thread#2495 ))

Bleu licked Rayne's neck affectionately as she helped the alpha female guide the pack to the graveyard for Blitz's burial, her tail low and her ears respectfully flat as she urged the white wolf onward. She knew that if Rayne stopped, she was unlikely to continue, so she needed to keep things moving. Plus, the males behind them carrying Blitz's body couldn't afford to slow down - the deceased alpha was a large wolf, after all. She did her best to hold in her emotions as they moved, her eyes flicking ahead to the quickly disappearing forms of her fellow young wolves as they joined their parents and KiRae in digging the alpha's grave.

Cas led his family to the graveyard quickly, immediately choosing the spot in the center beneath a beautiful tree for their alpha's resting place. He started to dig quickly, wanting the grave to be neat and ready when the rest of the pack arrived with Blitz's body. He barely glanced up as Dakota joined him, his eyes focused on the ground beneath him as he dug and tossed the dirt into a neat pile on the side.

Dakota joined her father immediately in the digging process, finding that it was a wonderful way to calm her nerves about everything that had happened. She managed to dig faster than her father, but only because of her youth and desire to block out the events that were the reason of this dig in the first place. She'd have to face them soon, but for now, she could focus on just digging.

Xerxses was grateful for all of the help he was offered from the other large wolves in the pack, and when Bleu and Rayne began to lead the slow procession, he began to walk slowly, careful to keep in step with the other wolves carrying his brother's body. It would be no good to drop him, so he wanted to make sure they were all together in their movements. It would be a long walk to the graveyard, but hopefully by the time they reached it, the other wolves would have a nice, neat grave dug for Blitzen's body. He was still falling apart inside, but focusing on carrying his brother's large form helped him keep it all together, at least for now.

As the procession began, Tessa fell in behind the wolves carrying Blitz. She was much too small to be of any help, but she wanted to be there for the burial. So she followed. There were already plenty of wolves ahead to dig the grave, so she kept an eye on her daughter and her sister-in-law, grateful for the amazing maturity that she saw in Bleu. She couldn't be more proud - now if only this didn't have to be the reason she was realizing it.

KiRae followed close behind the small group of wolves, his tail waving as he walked. He couldn't help but look at Cas and his family, The wolves carrying their leader and their families. He lowered his head as they made their way to the tree, the place where Blitzen would rest for the rest of time. He quickly made his way around Xerxses and the other wolves and began helping Cas and Dakota to dig the grave. He moved a little slower than the two, He tried to keep himself calm through the moment.

Bandit did not help lead the pack alongside his sister, father and mother. Instead he was dwindling behind, following the others through his trance. He was thinking back on Coven and Molly, how him and his sister had left the pregnant female with males when she was just about to drop a litter of pups. It was starting to get to him and he felt guilty for leaving the now former healer without an help. He wasn't sure if what he had done was right for him and Bleu or just plain selfish to keep from being outcasts from the wolves of Silverlight. Surely their parents would have been devastated, so it wouldn't just have been for their, or his, benefit. Still, he wouldn't be feeling guilty if what he had done was right, right?

Bandit shook his head as he felt a pressure on his left side and he looked over to find Sicily trying to bury herself in his body. He blinked back his thoughts for the time being, but was at a loss for words. He let the pup sitter, who was like a second mother to him, use him for comfort and actually found relief in it as well. He tried to smile for her, but couldn't get himself to do it and instead a broken expression settled on his face. Bandit's face crinkled in disarray then he settled into a somber look again and glanced up at the clouds. The gray canopy was a good fit for the mood, and better to look at then the white lifeless form of his alpha.

Side-by-side with Pravin, and right behind Xerxses, Inferno assisted in moving Blitz to his body's final resting place in the same introspective silence as everyone else in the pack...not his pack, though. The wolf had felt it immediately upon entering the den site, that with Blitz gone, there was nothing left for him here; was there nothing left for Silverlight, either? He couldn't even conceive of the presentation Blitz was giving to Khalessi concerning the future of this land, and so not only had Blitzen been lost, but everything the alpha, pack, and former beta had worked for here would soon be gone as well. Inferno had ended up coming back just for a final 'goodbye' after all...

It really wasn't that long before the walk of mournful, perplexed silence was over and the coppery wolf was rolling his shoulders free of the shared dead weight of Blitz's body. The wolves who'd run ahead had quickly and thoroughly finished excavating a grave site for the white wolf, and it was with finality that Inferno stepped away and stood back, head held level with his shoulders in his usual stance, stoically contemplating the sad fact that death and life was not defined solely by heartbeats and breath. Knowing Blitz, he'd find life again wherever he was; Inferno had buried himself in the out-land cliffs of the Northern Ridge and emptiness of the Banished Plains...How contorted that the day Inferno climbed out of his grave was the day Blitz entered his.

Fallon lay for a long time alone in the clearing once the rest of the pack had left for the short trek to the graveyard. Ears hugging her skull as she mused, shriveled up into herself, the female whined softly. She'd never been good at dealing with hugely traumatic events, as Fallon was prone to emotional whiplash, which was just as painful to her psychologically as actual whiplash would be physically. Blitz, Coven, Molly, Pravin, Sibirskiy, Xerxses, Inferno, Khalessi - every single on of them had supercharged some emotion in the red and black wolfess.

Trying to remember something Pravin had said once about breathing (though Fallon wasn't yelling today, she was still having a hard time getting enough oxygen), the wolf gulped in a few halting breaths and got wearily to her feet to slowly meander after the others. Though it scared her to be alone in this state right now, it was even more horrifying to imagine standing with the pack and feeling the sickeningly prominent absence of Blitz among them. At the pace she was going, Blitz would be completely buried when she got there, and that was alright with her, because it would be impossible for him to pop up from under all that dirt; wolves coming back from the dead were almost as traumatizing as wolves dying, and Fallon just wanted Blitz to have peace. Trudging almost against her will down the path toward the graves, the hunter wondered if Blitz was happy now, or if he'd be mourning as well. She certainly had no clue - and probably never would - but she resolved that lots of flowers might cheer him up if he needed it.

Terah, Laek, and her son Dante all followed Casanova and Dakota to the graveyard. Terah and Dante took their spots beside Cas and began to dig. Laek saw that there wasn't too much room and went to organizing the dirt into a neat pile for easy access later on. They were all lucky to have a job to do; it sort of distracted them from reality. It all came crashing down again when they finished up and saw the rest of the procession arriving. Laek backed away and looked at Inferno. He wasn't part of the pack, but she still thought it was fitting that he was here to see Blitz off. She remembered how they had been before their fight; Blitz would have wanted Inferno to be here.

Terah helped finish up the hole but then trotted beside Laek. Nudging her female companion out of her trance, Terah went back to watching the others. Maybe after a good night's sleep, everyone would be okay, she thought. It was scary to see them all so sad and all at the same time. Dante was thinking the same thing when he simply backed up to sit beside the tree they were under. He was close to the grave but not too close, he couldn't stop looking at the body.

Pravin walked slowly behind Xerxses, matching step to both the white brother of the alpha, and to the old beta beside him. It was interesting the three wolves carrying Blitz. Blitz was always the one to bring all the wolves together. Pravin wasn't sure how to react as he placed the body back onto ground in front of the grave. He backed away and blended back into the crowd of wolves. The pack sure had gotten big. The strong wolf looked to Xerxses and Inferno, not wanting to be the one to start the 'ceremony.'

Xerxses carried his brother in silence as they made their way to the gravesite, his eyes glued to the form of his sister in law in front of him. Although he hadn't shown much of it, he did care about Rayne, especially since she had been so important to his brother. He was glad that Bleu was so helpful because he couldn't be there to help her himself. But soon his thoughts returned to the burial as they reached the grave, and as the other two males set Blitz's body down, he carefully took his brother's scruff into his teeth and slid him into the grave as gently as possible. Then he jumped out, sitting at the head of the grave and looking down at his deceased relative. It was obvious that no one else wanted to start this, so he felt the pressure on himself, since he knew Rayne would never manage to muster any type of ceremonial goodbye or anything right now. With a deep breath, the silent male opened his jaws to speak. "Honestly, I've never been one to talk much, as you all know. Usually I just leave that to Fallon." He said, looking around for the female who had not yet arrived. "But today the loss of a brother, a friend, a mentor, a mate, and a father has brought us all here. Even in death, Blitzen has brought us all back together," He paused, looking over at Inferno before continuing, "And he wouldn't want us to mourn his death forever. Blitzen loved each and every one of you, and I know he would rather have us celebrate his life instead of loose ourselves in his death." He glanced over at Rayne, taking a deep breath before continuing. "My brother adored you, Rayne. There was nothing he wouldn't do for you or for this pack. I know he's watching over you and your pups, as well as everyone here, even if we can't see him or speak to him. He wouldn't want this to be the end for us, he would want this to be a beginning." He said, frowning as he looked down at his brother's body, unsure of what to say now. He wasn't sure that anything he had said so far had made any sense at all, but he hoped it was good enough. After all, he could never do his brother justice at a moment's notice like this. Or even with notice. He sighed, looking around at the wolves that surrounded the grave, leaning against each other and mourning the loss of their alpha. "Now I've always been a bit skeptical of the spirits of Silverlight that Blitz was always going on about, but I know that if they do exist, there's no way that they aren't taking care of him right now. So we now leave him in their hands, saying goodbye for now, and knowing that he's watching over us all." He did his best not to wince at his own words, feeling like an idiot for saying anything. He had never had a way with words, but he knew someone had to say the final goodbye to his brother. He only hoped taht he made sense and didn't ruin the funeral with his lack of ability. Finally, deciding that it was only natural and right, he closed the ceremony with a howl, drawing it out and waiting for the rest of the wolves around him to join in a final goodbye to Blitzen.

Bleu helped Rayne to the gravesite and sat down beside her, looking up as Xerxses began to speak. Yes, she had known the alpha, and she had heard stories of the spirits, but she wasn't sure what she really believed about them. Although she didn't really understand much of Xerxses's speech, she lifted her nose and joined in the final goodbye howl with the white male, hoping that the former alpha was now at peace and that the wolves would soon find peace as well. It was upsetting to see so many depressed and broken faces around her, and maybe after the final goodbye they could all get back to rebuilding their lives and hold onto his memory instead of the pain of his loss.

She had been leaving Silverlight for good, though she had stuck around just long enough to know what had happened. She was now just outside of the pack territory and her black ears perked, hearing the sound of Xerxses's goodbye howl. Blitzen had been her alpha and friend, and although she had already said her goodbyes, she lifted her head and joined in the final howl as well. Before disappearing from Silverlight forever.

Dakota sat down near the grave close to her brother and watched Xerxses as he spoke, unsure of what to feel or think right now. She felt like she was numb, lost in the chaos of everything that had happened that day. But even in her confusion and sadness, she joined in the goodbye howl, hoping that things would soon get better.

Cas moved close to Laek's side as the wolves finally arrived with Blitzen's body, and he watched Xerxses place him in the grave and start to speak. The alpha had saved his life, and he would never forget that. Plus, he had allowed him to stay with Laek and their pups, which was only another thing he was grateful to Blitz for. Now that he was gone, he felt lost, vulnerable and unsure as he looked around at the other wolves present. Sure, they had put up with him for Blitz and Laek's sake, but he knew that they didn't want him there. His eyes moved to Inferno's form and then down to Blitz's, remembering the first fight with a pack member that Blitz had endured before Inferno's departure. But he had won that one, although he had been weaker when Coven had done the same. Although he was angry at Coven for taking Blitzen away, there was nothing he could do about it. Coven could easy kill him as well, and all he could do now as join in the howl and pray that somehow life would go on.

Tessa came to sit beside Sib as they reached the gravesite, her eyes on the other wolves and avoiding the sight of the alpha laying in the grave. She joined in the howl as it started, saying her final goodbye to the alpha who had changed the lives of the wolves all around her. She could help but let her eyes wander over to Inferno's form, remembering her arrival in Silverlight such a long time ago. She had nearly drowned, and Inferno had saved her life and brought her to Blitz and the pack. She was grateful for not only the fact he had saved her, but the fact that he had brought her here. But now wasn't the time for thank-you's, and she joined in the howl as well, saying a final goodbye to their alpha and friend.

Inferno smiled a little as Xerxses finished speaking. He knew some old pack members would not be found among the spirits residing here, such as Eve who'd had a loving family and home that surely she'd be returning to, but Blitzen was definitely around. The male turned his head to gaze in the direction of the meadow, not far off, to where he was pretty sure Khalessi had returned in order to mourn her own way. Inferno had no doubt that the old alpha now resided there among the ranks of Silverlight spirits. So when the copper-hued wolf raised his head and howled, his low voice didn't join the others in 'good bye'; the tall wolf had said good bye to Blitz already, a long time ago, and now it was the opposite. Inferno had no clue whether or not Blitz could hear, but he decided to pretend he could anyway.

His howl was brief and over before everyone else's, and so he walked over to the grave once more and shoveled in a few paw-fuls of dirt.

Fallon reached the grave site just as Xerxses began his mourning howl. Her voice rose up with Tessa's in a final, sorrowful good bye. She didn't want to quit, because in the silence that would follow, the arguing would commence once more as the wolves began to move on. Drowning out the thought with the sound of her howl, Fallon tuned out the world and just let herself miss Blitz and, yet again, the world as she knew it.

Terah smiled softly at Xerxses' voice and his words. She knew the male was not the most talkative, or the most friendly, but he knew his brother. He knew how his brother loved and cared for every wolf here. Even though he almost doesn't believe in the spirits, Terah knew that Blitz would always be there, no matter if spirits existed or not. He existed in every one of their hearts, because he'd just done so much good to them. Terah threw back her muzzle and joined in their long, meaningful howl.

Laek sat there and remembered how Blitz had welcomed her here. She had been injured, having fell down from the western mountains. She helped out and he welcomed her into the pack as a hunter. She'd gotten to choose her rank, which was a new concept. He'd been a great leader for as long as Laek had been there. He'd even welcomed Cas and her pups. She was grateful for that as she remembered him. She looked at her mate and joined the howl.

Dante hadn't been in the pack for very long, only having been around for a year. But he knew what Blitz meant to everyone; that is, he meant the world as their alpha and their friend. Dante himself looked up to the great male, admiring his bravery and his welcoming to all the wolves. He joined the others' song with his own, his almost deep voice intertwining with those around him.

Pravin was relieved when Xerxses took over. He watched as the large white male dragged the body himself into the grave, and begin to speak words. Xerxses meant all the words he said, and although Pravin didn't really believe in the spirits himself, he knew that Blitz would try his best to watch over his beloved pack. Pravin's ears perked up when Xerxses began the howl, and everyone began to join. All these voices wound together to both mourn and remember Blitz. But then in the distance, Pravin heard another voice in the mix. It was then that he realized another goodbye was in place, that they weren't only losing Blitz. With Blitz gone, Pravin knew Chaos had no other reason to stay. His own deep voice arose with the others, meaning his own goodbye to Blitzen, but also calling out to the farther voice. It wasn't calling her back, it was merely recognizing her presence, letting her know that he knew she was there and that he knew she wouldn't be any longer.

Finally, as the pack joined the howl and it swirled up into the sky above them, Xerxses let his own song slowly die until he was silent, watching Inferno brush some dirt into the grave and doing the same before returning to his position at the head of the hole they had dug for their leader. He would stay until his brother was completely buried, even if he had to do it all by himself. Though he doubted that the pack would leave until it was finished.

Chaos's howl was brief, and as she finished she left the packlands, but not before she heard Pravin's howl in response to hers. Well, at least someone knew she was leaving forever. Not that she cared, after all. And with that, she left, never to return to Silverlight, or it's pack.

Tessa's howl was brief, and she copied Inferno and Xerxses in burying their alpha before returning to Sib's side and sitting silently. She didn't know what else to do, so instead, she looked to Sib for direction. She didn't know what was expected of her, or of anyone, so she waited silently, watching the rest of the pack aid in the burial of their beloved leader.

Cas shoveled a few paws of dirt into the hole and returned to his spot, determined to help finish the job even if it meant staying out here all night. But for now, he'd let the rest of the pack have their chance to say their own, single and silent goodbyes to Blitzen. Then he would help finish the burial.

Bleu remained sitting beside Rayne as if glued to the alpha female throughout the whole ordeal. She couldn't bring herself to leave the other female's side until Inferno shoveled dirt into the hole. Finally she pulled herself away from Rayne and mimicked the former Beta, then moved to Bandit's side, her nose brushing gently against his fur as she sat down close to him. Rayne seemed to be coping a bit better now, and she needed the chance to mourn on her own for her mate's loss. So she let her do just that, but kept an eye on her from afar, just in case.

Dakota waited silently as the pack took turns slowly burying the alpha, her eyes on each member as they shoveled in dirt to the hole. But for some reason, she couldn't help wonder where the white female had disappeared to. She remembered being surprised and even a bit awed by Khalessi's appearance, but she had said nothing when the white female walked off and left the pack how they had been when she had arrived. But now she wondered where the white wolf had gone, and even found herself wishing she could go off and find her, even if it were just to talk to her. But it was clear she wasn't returning, so the young female's eyes moved to Inferno's face, unsure of what was going through his head. He didn't mourn like the rest of the pack. It was as if he had said goodbye to Blitzen a long time ago. But soon she herself got up to push some dirt into the grave, and after she did so, she moved over to Inferno, sitting down a few feet away and glancing at him curiously. But she knew enough to keep her distance, and wonder from afar, her eyes trained on her brother, but watching the large wolf on her side out of the corner of her eye.

By the time Fallon joined the pack's loose circle around the grave, Blitzen was completely buried. Ears laying back limply, the female made her way to Inferno's side, eyes still on the dark mound of dirt piled over the once-alpha's body. The last words seemed to have been spoken already, so it was time to force her gaze from the grave. First she looked over at Inferno and sighed, nostalgic and wistful almost, but not hopeful. Not that it had been clear whether or not the coppery wolf had wandered in to stay, but it definitely didn't look like he'd be staying. She gave his scarred, bony shoulder a lick and then moved her eyes to Pravin, Xerxses, and Sibirskiy, each in turn. "What now?" she couldn't help but ask, her voice croaky from mourning. The apprehension in her expression was from uncertainty and worry, though; not for Buck, but for the pack as Fallon remembered the disagreement that had flared up before.

Inferno finally turned his head toward Fallon as she spoke, and his eyes narrowed slightly at the look on her face. Glancing between her and the males, he decided to hold off his departure for just a few moments as curiosity got the better of him. Something beyond Blitz was causing this tension in Fallon...the magnitude was just because nothing went over lightly with the female, but the cause was real.

Terah followed everyone's actions, walking forward and pushing some dirt into the hole. Dante and Laek did the same, walking beside each other as a mother-son pair. They watched in silence as the wolves took their own turn burying their beloved alpha.

Pravin waited for the howl to end, and for everyone to take their turn, before stepping up himself and pushing a pile of dirt over the already covered Blitzen. He pressed it down with his paws, and then fell back into his place in the circle. He didn't speak or move in the eerie silence that followed the group howl. In fact, he forgot everyone was there for a moment. The silence was broken finally when Fallon spoke. Pravin's ears twitched when he noticed her uncertain voice. It was a true question about them all. What with Blitz's death and with the tensions in the pack, things needed to be settled. Pravin looked at Fallon, then at Xerxses and Sibirskiy, Inferno as well. Then he turned and looked at the rest of the wolves around. He had no decision; he would leave it up to them. He slightly shook his head, and looked expectantly at the others. He was worried he might offend and anger again if he spoke.

It only took a few seconds for Inferno to figure out what the problem was. Apparently, a year had changed very little around here. The wolf made eye contact with Pravin again, but this time he didn't let the other's gaze slide by. Inferno's amber eyes narrowed, expressing his dissatisfaction concerning Pravin's indecisiveness. The constantly calculating wolf had put this together already, that though Rayne technically should maintain her position as alpha, she just wasn't cut out for it, especially in this delicate, emotional state. Rayne looked like a whisper could kill her. Pravin was beta here, and it was time for him to step up, not wait for someone else to take over here; that's what was fueling Fallon's worries, the pack's actual leader would not take charge.

Snorting softly, the male closed his eyes briefly and then opened them to stare back at Blitz's grave, unable to help thinking that this pack was not going to last a day without Blitzen. Why was there a question as to what needed to happen here? It was like their heads had suddenly become voided of all common sense. Or perhaps it wasn't so sudden. Either way, his path was already decided. With a final, almost encouraging, nod to Pravin, Inferno turned and disappeared into the trees. The Meadow, the Eastern Forest, and then the Northern Ridge. He'd continue his journey where he'd left off those years ago. Silverlight's end was imminent, and that knowledge released the hope that tied him here. It was time to move on as Chaos had, even from Fallon and Khalessi.

Xerxses had nothing to say, not as he had before. He had done his part here, speaking on behaf of his brother. Now he was silent, looking at Pravin expectantly and waiting for someone else to speak. Fallon's words were a wakeup call for the pack, but it seemed like everyone was afraid to actually say what was on their minds. His brother trusted Pravin enough to make him Beta, and even though Blitz was gone, Xerxses would follow and support him no matter what happened next.

Tessa frowned as Inferno got up and left. She wasn't sure if he had any intention of coming back, but she wasn't exactly surprised that he was leaving. It was clear that he was through with Silverlight, at least what was left of it. She sat quietly for a few moments, her eyes moving slowly between Pravin and Rayne, before settling on her mate's form. She knew who she'd follow if they had to make choices, but she kept her mouth shut for now.

Cas knew that if he spoke up, he wouldn't be greeted with open friendliness from the pack, even though Inferno got up to leave. He knew that he wasn't everyone's favorite member, so he kept quiet, knowing what his choice would be if he had to decide who he would stick with and support.

Sure, she was just a young female, but that didn't mean that she didn't have an opinion. Bleu frowned as not even Pravin spoke to answer Fallon's question, her ears flicking backwards as she looked around at all the adults. Were they really all too afraid to speak their opinions? "No offense, Rayne, but I don't think it's the best thing for the pack if you try to lead. Especially since your pups are due any day now." She said, looking over at her aunt. She loved her aunt, but she knew that she wouldn't be able to handle leading a pack, she just wasn't that kind of wolf. It wasn't a bad thing, and leading the pack would only cause more hurt and pain for the female than it would do good.

Dakota frowned as the copper male looked around, easily reading his expression of dislike and disappointment. When he got up and walked away, she almost followed him, but instead stayed put, looking over at her brother and deciding to wander off after Inferno and Khalessi later. They intruiged her, and she wanted to find out more about them, maybe even learn a thing or two. But for now, she remained still and silent, listening to Bleu speak and looking around at the pack.

((Khalessi continued from: https://incendio.rpg-board.net/t148-to-each-his-own-spirit-sighting#2479 ))

The white wolfess entered the grave yard with slight feelings of disbelief. Her practiced strides slowed to a walk as she looked ahead at the group of wolves gathered around Blitzens grave. It was quite surreal, seeing as she couldn't deem the alpha completely gone. Though his body was no longer occupied his spirit still lived and that had to count for something. At least it helped her to lessen the mourning and pain she felt at having not been there for him. With a soft sigh she scanned the pack for the pregnant one, and found the female sitting by herself. There would be no easy way to explain the message she had came to give Rayne, so Khalessi decided she would have to be a bit rude. As Khalessi approached cautiously, so as not to frighten the others, she noticed Inferno walking away. There was a certain look about him that she didn't exactly like; something that told her he was done. Her eyes fell into slits at his receding form, but she couldn't do anything without giving Rayne the message first. By the looks of things the alpha didn't have much time.

Without acknowledging the others Khalessi approached Rayne from behind, easing herself into a siting position beside the female. Her movements were fluid, as she didn't expect to make this into a conversation. "Blitzen would like to have a word with you. Meet him in the meadow" she whispered so that the others would not hear. Her eyes did not meet with the females, but she kept them on the spot where Inferno had disappeared. "And before you question what I'm telling you, I suggest you consider you don't have much time left". With that Khalessi stood, but hesitated for a moment "Oh, and bring your brother" she added before walking off. Hopefully that would be enough to snap the female out of her feelings, but if not there wasn't much else she could do. Khalessi could not force Rayne to go, and even if she tried, by the time she would manage to succeed she was sure her time would already be up.

Calmly the white female followed after Inferno. Only until she was out of sight did she enter an easy lope, her eyes, ears, and nose working together to track him down. It didn't take much effort. He hadn't gotten very far. Though she was relieved to see his image getting closer, you wouldn't have been able to tell by the low rumble forming in her gut. Khalessi was growling as she came up behind him, slowing down just enough so that she could still catch up and pass him. Her growl grew into a snarl as she circled in front of the large male, bearing her teeth and locking his gaze with an aggressive stare. Just as quickly as the threat had come; it died. Her expression turned calm and her posture passive. She stepped forward to him with a loving nuzzle as her greeting and offered one lick to the chin with lowered ears before pushing into him slightly. The push was in the direction where they had both just came and a suggestion for him to follow as she walked forward. It had been both a warning and a plea as Khalessi wasn't willing to lose both Blitzen and Inferno at the same time. Though she wasn't quite willing to admit that in words, she would let her actions speak for her. Badly did she want to turn and see if he would come back with her, but she decided it was best not to watch. If Inferno decided against it she would be heartbroken, but she understood that he needed to do what was best for him. As for herself, well, she had one more thing to tend to. Hopefully when she got there Inferno would be by her side.

When Khalessi returned to the grave site the broken pack was still there, the same look of confusion plastered on their uncertain faces. They seemed lost, and though this irritated her, she couldn't exactly blame them for it. She had felt the exact same way when she had been talking to herself in the meadow. She had just been lucky enough to encounter a spirit or have an epiphany; whichever was the case. As she approached once more she found herself catching the last few words of a younger looking female in the pack. Whatever had been said sounded serious and suddenly Khalessi felt like she had no right to be here. Fortunately, the wolfess knew this would be no easy task and was quick to put all emotions aside. Respectfully she sat so as to seem less threatening to the crowd. Facing the beta Pravin, who she had meet before, she spoke up, her proud stature and persona standing true.

"My name is not Alli" she admitted firstly to the male, her eyes calm yet bearing into his in search of something, anything, that would give away what he was thinking. "I am Khalessi, one of the few original members of the Silverlight pack. Gone just before your own welcoming, but never far" she started then allowed her voice to become a little quieter. "There is no easy way to say this, so I'm just going to be blunt about it. I'm taking the Eastern Forest for myself. Blitzen was a dear friend of mine and wanted me to have it" she spoke clearly then finally shifted her gaze to the rest of the wolves gathered around. "Of course as pack members I will not deny you the right to it. If you join me I can promise food, protection, and with a little work and practice, the ability to navigate what you would think is almost impossible". Khalessi paused for a moment spotting Fallon and smiling slightly at the sight of an old friend. "I can tell some of you look lost and uncertain about the future. I for one know where my journey goes from here, and I'll be happy to help you discover your own".

Finally she returned her gaze to the beta, eyes warm and inviting. Though she didn't exactly sound like it Khalessi meant well. "This is not something you can't prevent, so I would appreciate it if you didn't try" the words came out nonthreatening, but behind them one could tell the female was confident and willing to prove them if need be. After so much time, she didn't think she would ever be able to leave Silverlight. This was her home, and always would be. There was nothing else beyond these borders and so, she would fight.

Inferno's mind had already miles ahead of his body, days ahead even, far past Silverlight. It was just easier to get out quickly, which his mind could actually manage, while his body resisted. This place may have brought peace to his body, but his mind had suffered for a long time here. Pessimistically anticipating the pack's failure, this was a move to cut his losses.

Even if he had been paying any real attention to the world around him, Inferno probably wouldn't have caught Khalessi's approach. Stalking deer or tracking down wolves, the white wolfess was ever the silent-stepping hunter. The growl behind him alerted him to another's presence, but Khalessi was in front of him, blocking his way before he had time to do anything other than snarl back defensively in return. Then...Khalessi? He no longer bared his teeth. And then again, before anything else could register, the female surprised him again and completely flipped her greeting around. Inferno could do nothing but stand there and listen as Khalessi silently spoke to him with her movements. Then she was off, with Inferno watching her over his shoulder, paws twitching forward and then rocking deeper into the dirt as he fought the urge to follow her. He just had to think for a second. His ears flipped back as he watched her leave. Why did she want to go back there...actually, that was a really good question. There had been something different about her, now that he thought about it...something more purposeful, if that was possible. The purpose in her staying intrigued him. The purpose in her fetching him was uplifting. Who'd ever done that before? For the first time, it wasn't curiosity that made Inferno move.

The wolf made it back in time to catch Khalessi's claim to the Eastern Forest. Still standing right at the edge of the trees, back from the pack, Inferno looked over in the direction of the meadow, speculating what Khalessi had encountered there. Because he knew for a fact that she had not seen Blitzen in quite a while, long before anyone had fathomed splitting up Silverlight.

Whatever had happened, Inferno believed that somehow Blitz really did want Khalessi to have the Eastern Forest. Inferno could think of no one better to not only head a pack, but to take care of a precious piece of Silverlight as well. The lean wolf turned his amber eyes back to the pack, warily searching each of their faces for their reaction, especially Xerxses. Of course Pravin didn't fight this, but the protective and volatile Xerxses could be another issue, not to mention any of the other emotionally unstable wolves here. If Khal needed help defending this, Inferno would be right there. It was obvious that he was back only to follow her.

Fallon rose to her feet as her old leader and friend stepped up to address Pravin. Khalessi's declaration was incredible, but Fallon had no reason nor want to challenge it. With her quivering ears pricked forward, the hunter looked between both Pravin and Khalessi and almost whined in wist. Khalessi's offer was beautiful, especially for Fallon who loved the wolfess immensely, had missed her terribly, and who knew that under Kali's instruction, she could become an even greater huntress. But she'd already promised to stand with Pravin and support him as her future alpha. Going back on that was unthinkable, in more than one respect.

So Fallon didn't move, but once she resolved to stay loyal to her previous promise, nothing was going to keep her from basking once more in the almost supernatural presence of Khalessi, who was not dead! Gently waving her tail, the female smiled at Khalessi and nodded supportively, though her eyes conveyed sedate heartache at her having to say no. But Fallon was positive they would remain friends no matter what pack they were in. She'd make it happen.

The huntress looked upon the beta as he stepped forward, tensing ever so slightly. As she listened to his words she relaxed and offered a rare and kind smile in thanks. He would never know how grateful she was for the cooperation. It's funny how things worked out when fate called you into action.

Finally her eyes settled on her replacement and dearest friend. She smiled to Fallon and stepped forward without hesitation. She was not so lost as to reject a happy reunion with the female. Without bothering to decipher what the wolfess was trying to tell her Khalessi greeted Fallon with a loving nudge then licked the top of her head in thanks for her duties. She was proud that Fallon had achieved what she could not, and was eternally grateful that she had stepped up to takeover when it came time to. What she had once thought was a selfish act of injustice now seemed like a favor; one that Khalessi would be forever indebted to. Inferno had helped her to realize that.

The huntress looked up as Pravin pulled her attention away yet again, and she couldn't help but give a mischievous and playful look to the beta. "He told me" she started simply while noting Inferno's scent in the air. She turned to see him standing by the edge of the clearing and she went to join him, standing by his side, secretly relieved that he had showed. She wanted to know what he was thinking, his opinion on her takeover of the forest. She made a mental note to ask him later once all of this was over with. In his presence she became completely relaxed then looked back to Pravin with a slight tilt of her head.

In fact, he had a message for you as well. I'll be glad to tell you, privately of course. Just meet me in the meadow tonight" she said firmly, careful to allow Rayne and her brother ample time to converse with Blitzen themselves. Of course she wouldn't actually meet him in the meadow, but he had no way of knowing that, and it seemed a discreet way to get him there. He had seemed curious enough in her claim.


ooc: You guys can use the 'To Each His Own' thread to do the whole blitzen encounter thing. That way Buck doesn't have to roleplay in a whole bunch of threads.

Bleu found herself tensing again as Khalessi returned to the circle, but she kept her mouth shut for the time being as Khal spoke to Pravin and claimed the forest. When Pravin didn't contest her, she knew what was happening. The pack was falling apart, they were splitting up the lands of Silverlight now. She wasn't old enough to claim a pack, nor did she want to do so. But who would she follow? She had to admit, she wasn't really fond of how Pravin was handling things, and she didn't particularly like how this Khalessi wolf came in and just decided to take over the forest. Then the thought crossed her mind to return to Molly and Coven at the caves. But then her eyes moved to her brother's face. Could she ever convince him to come with her? She knew she'd never be able to go without him.

Tessa looked up at Sib when he spoke to her, confused at why he wanted to leave all of a sudden. But when she looked at Rayne's face, she frowned. "I think it would be better if I waited here for you. Don't worry, I'll be here when you come back. Rayne needs you now." She said softly. She wanted to go, but something was telling her that this was something that she needed to stay out of.

Dakota nearly jumped to her feet when Khalessi and Inferno returned, but she managed to stand still, watching the group that centered around Khal curiously. It took all of her self control to keep from wandering over there, but she figured that Fallon would catch her curious stare after a while.

Xerxses growled when Khalessi spoke, claiming the eastern forest for herself. Who the hell did she think she was??? But when she said that Blitz had spoken to her, his growl ceased and his head tilted in surprise and confusion. Had his brother seriously spoken to Khalessi? Before he died? Or after? That just wasn't possible. But somehow, it felt almost right, which frustrated him, and left him thinking hard to himself and kept him quiet about it all for the time being while he tried to figure things out.

Cas found himself quiet still, observing everything that was happening without surprise or even confusion. By this point, nothing much surprised him about these wolves. Plus, speaking up wouldn't do him any good, so he just sat there beside Laek and waited.

He sighed a bit as Tessa said that she'd wait instead... grinning and turning to Rayne. He didn't really want to just go alone, without Tessa... but, he wasn't going to argue the point. "Alright, then.... I'll be back soon, I promise." He said softly before walking off with Rayne. He was still a bit confused as to why Rayne wanted to go so bad, sure, he understood why she wouldn't want to be here and all, it was her mate after-all, but, it made sense to stay since it was in fact, his burial... but that wasn't his concern, he said he'd take her, so he was. It wasn't long before he and Rayne were away from the rest of the wolves, now going towards the meadow. At least it was a lot more calmer out here, away from all them. The rest of the small trip was silent, both of them completely silent as they walked. The only thing going through Rayne's head was if this other wolf spoke the truth or not... and if she wasn't, and Rayne came all the way out here for nothing... there would be hell to pay... even if she was pregnant right now.

(blehh, lame post... but wanted to get both of them at the same time.... d:)

(( Sib and Rayne Continued Here: https://incendio.rpg-board.net/t159-a-final-farewell-spirit-sighting#2604 ))