A Leader's Questions...

Rain dipped her head briefly, silent for several heartbeats. "I've been through many hardships in my days, seen death, disease, and misfortune, even before I ruled. I'm not a coward like my father, and refuse to step down or even think of abandoning my pack, no matter how hard things get." She spoke with authority, and certainty, when she mentioned her father it seemed to leave a bad taste in her mouth. "The only condition I can see myself stepping down is if I am physically incapable of preforming my duties, whether that be by age or disability, in which case one of my daughters would take my place." It seemed Rain had thought about this many times before, and now seemed very certain in her answer.

Rain realized she apparently cut off another wolf, she awkwardly cleared her throat and decided to also answer the other's question. "Pups are important members of the pack for sure, they are the new life after all. Though, the code has standards, and if a pup fails to meet them, they get stripped of their name and are discarded. Either by chasing them out, or taking their life, the nameless do not stay." She knew it sounded rather morbid, but that's just how it was. "Those who pass get to stay, and are treated and raised with care, love, and respect. They are the future of the pack, and should be treated as such."  

Rain flicked her blue gaze towards another wolf, looking them in the eye. "While we're on the topic, have you been through hardships in your life, that shaped you into who you are today? We're all somebody because of our experiences, what are yours?" The shewolf was curious, her voice steady and head tipped slightly. 

(Edit: Ugh not again.)

It was a rather morbid question to Scathos, though he didn't mind it. Meeting Rain's gaze he allowed his expression to blank. "I'm the only survivor of my parent's first litter. I lost two siblings to sickness, one before they were weaned off our mother's milk, and another when we were about seven months of age. The last of my litter-mates were killed by a lone wolf, who intended to take over the pack."  His claws dug into the dirt beneath him. "Because of that, My herbalist knows that some sickness or injuries, take president over others. We have a quarantine den set aside in case something happens. And every wolf of the age of one is taught to chase out or kill all intruders."

Dark eyes flickered around the group before landing on another wolf, seemingly glaring at them. "And What about you? What has happened in your life that's shaped you? Good or bad. Younger siblings? Love? the death of a loved one?"

Ash sighed. This was a particularly hard question for her. "Before I founded my pack, I lived in another. I had a mate and one young pup. Then, I was caught showing kindness to a wolf in a lower rank and was exiled. I had to leave them both behind. Later, an adolescent pup who looked just like my Ember joined. Recently, my old mate Onyx had been exiled and has joined my pack. I had another litter of pups. I loved them so much... only one survived the night. Sky." She felt a lump in her throat as she thought about all the wolves she had loved- and lost.

"On a happier note, what does your camp look like, and where is it?" She asked another wolf sitting near her.

Rain tipped her head, and briefly scratched at the dirt. "Our camp is in the peaks of the mountains, not far from the grasslands. It's a ledge nestled between two ridges, with several caves. Around the edges are thick conifers I planted there when we first settled here, and they have been weaved into a thick wall." She sounded thoughtful, and mildly proud as she detailed her handy-work. "Several caves have been carved into the rock and dirt, the main den where most of us sleep, the code den for adolescents and others who violate the code, and a couple for storage." She had marked out a basic layout in the dust. "It took moons to make them, but it keeps us safe and that's what matters."

Rain looked up, and glanced around at the group for a moment, before settling on one in particular. "Do you have any exciting tales you would like to share?" She wanted to keep the positive tone the conversation had shifted to. "Acts of bravery? Myths? Proud moments? Please tell." 

Now that Blossoming Flower grew bored of the sky, she was listening closely to the questions. The latest question excited her the most, even managing to make her wag her tail. "Yes, yes! Recently, we've spotted a bear around the riparian woodland. It's massive, larger than any of our elders have seen. We believe it's magical or an omen from the stars, since it's not in hibernation this far into winter." It was huge, large enough to take a pack of wolves, even in the summer. Blossoming Flower wouldn't dare take on a challenge with it.

A quick scan of the looking wolves and she asked her question. "Has your pack ever believed something was an omen?"

Rain perked her ears, and tipped her head slightly. "Yes, of course. Many times. A recent example would probably be the ashes." She glanced around absentmindedly, recalling the incident. "The first day of winter, I woke up to the smell of smoke, and thrashing winds. Several others, including Crystal, had been woken up by it too. In the middle of the camp was a branch from a nearby tree, it was on fire, strangely enough. The wind whipped it around and quickly reduced the branch to ashes. Crystal said it was an omen of bad times ahead, and we had to be on guard or be snuffed out like the flames." It was a rather heavy note to end on, but she finished with one line. "The stars may be warning more than just us, so I suppose be on guard." 

Rain caught the eye of another wolf, sitting nearby. "These times seem to be uncertain for many, how are you fairing?" The shewolf flicked her ear, and raised her head as she spoke. 

The new wolf looked at Rain warily. “I’m Rose, and we’re doing just fine. I seriously see no problem with the current conditions, except that my scout Jaydla injured her own pup today.”

Rose turned to look at another wolf. “Your stance on humans?”

Nyx's expression changes to a thoughtful, reminiscent one; it has been many months since the last time someone had asked about her feelings towards the two-legged creatures. And while the female's relationship with them has been scarce at best, it's not as if she is fully indifferent or hateful towards them. The youth hums softly and looks at the ground for a moment before her eyes rise again to spare a quick, fleeting glimpse at Rose. "I was born near humans; in a way, they are responsible for my existence," she begins, choosing her words carefully as she goes deeper into her own story, debating how much she can reveal to the gathered wolves; not all of them would look kindly at a wolfdog and, for a moment, she decides to keep it a secret. "They have not been a danger to my pack and until that happens, I have no reason to hate them or deem them as an enemy of mine," her wolves did encounter a lost tourist or two, but the humans were often more afraid of her hunters; it was almost amusing to watch them scamper away hastily once they saw a member of the Lycans. "But if they were to pose a threat to me or my wolves, I would not hesitate to protect my family," her shoulders roll in a shrug at the answer.

A brief silence falls onto the clearing as Nyx ponders her next question; so far, she has managed to gather quite a bit of information about the wolves gathered under the moon. And yet, she's greedy for more; her late mother, one of the wisest wolves Nyx has ever known, always told her daughter to know her friends well, but know strangers even better, after all. "Have you lost any pups or young wolves recently?"

Rain tipped her head, a thoughtful look on to her behaviour as she glanced around briefly. "Yes, several. Some by our own paws, others by natural means." She decided to choose her words carefully, answering this particular question. Out of caution of the more aggressive packs she'd noticed. "As I've stated before, pups who don't pass the test, have failed the code and are disposed of. Usually, we just cast them out and let nature take it's course, other times.. More direct means are necessary." The shewolf slightly bared her teeth on the last remark, making her point clear. "The other day, however, almost an entire litter was killed mercilessly by a pack of coyotes. We found their little bodies mangled and broken in the lowlands." It seems their loss was mourned by the pack, even Rain, clear by her lowered ears and voice. 

Rain raised her head and shook it briefly, before scanning for a moment to pick another wolf. She was slightly unsure about what to ask, but it came soon enough. "While we're on the topic, what kind of leader are you? Merciless at times? Strict but caring? Does your pack love you or are you a tyrant in their eyes? Do tell." Her head tipped slightly, as it so often was, as she looked the wolf in the eye.

An interesting question, one with many answers. How would his answer change how his fellow pack leaders look at him? In a way, it didn't matter to him, though it would matter to his pack. The slightest change here could mean harsh change for them as a pack. "I think, in the beginning, I was loved and respected. But things change, and drastic times call for drastic measures. After being forced to kill a small group of challengers,  I think that what love and respect, pack felt for me, was tinged with fear.  Thankfully, I do know that I'd get at least one warning sign that I'm heading into tyrant territory." His mind wandered to Judro, the older male would leave long before Scathos ever became a bonified tyrant. 

The male let out a hum, ears flickering as he thought. "What is the worst thing you've seen happen? A flood? A raging fire burning a forest to the ground? The weak being forced to do unspeakable acts?" He met the random wolf's gaze as he spoke, eyes burning with curiosity.