theazkapack

[theazkapack]

[ID: A headshot of a wolf, the fur is dark blue with black shadows and the underside is white and pale cream, the eyes a vivid yellow. The wolf is in a 3/4 side, and looks worried. End ID.]

An ode to Zephyr, my second free custom, made during EA and deceased as of today. Sorry I never gave you the upgrade you deserved, old boy. At least Marengo is still a pretty color.

[theazkapack]

[ID: 4 images of wolves. The first one is cream colored, with black markings on the back that cover a big part of the body. Next image is a pup with 2 heads, the fur brown with white underside and holding a mouthful of colorful feathers.

Next is a brown and orange wolf, with black markings on the back and white unders. The last wolf is orange and black, with the majority covered in the white undersides. End ID.]

Family Spotlight: The Winterborns

The Winterborns are one of those families that seems to attract drama— though fortunately nothing so intense as the triple murder accusations in the Stormheart family— and the current generations are no different. While most families are quite close and supportive of one another, the three Winterborn brothers have so little in common, and have gone down such different paths in life, that they hardly seem related.

Hoot, being five years older than his half brothers, hardly considers them family. Not that he doesn’t care for them— they’re his packmates, and he treats them with the same respect and care that he does anyone else. He just never bonded with them. By the time they were born, he was considered a senior member of the pack, and as a pupsitter, taking care of them when they were young felt no different than looking after any other pup.

Rip hasn’t formed a particularly strong bond with any wolf, and certainly not his family. Having two heads— one of which does most of the talking, while the other is typically spacing out or thinking through the mysteries of the universe— and being perpetually stuck in the body of a pup while having spoken like one of the pack’s elders since birth tends to be a bit isolating, socially speaking. He’s definitely a mystery to the pack. Both his mother Breeze and the herbalist at the time insist that he was stillborn, and many of the pack’s older members can recall having a typical funeral for him the day he was born. It was a shock to them all when he came wandering back into camp a few days later, very much alive and acting many years older than his age. Shatter was the first to identify him as a Spiritborn, son of the Rukthos, the Spirit of winter and hardships. Since that day, Breeze never felt that he was really her pup, and he never treated her as a mother.

Despite being from the same litter as Rip, Ember is most certainly not a Spiritborn. He is, however, the golden boy of the family. Originally trained as a chaser and expected to become a hunting captain, Ember instead went on to act as both a scout and the pack’s second in command once his close friend Spruce was crowned leader. Unlike Hoot’s quiet patience and Rip’s strange wisdom, Ember has a bit of an arrogant streak and a tendency to be impulsive. He’s good at his job though, and has the most in common with his mother.

Hawk, the son of Hoot and his mate Emma, is following in his parents’ footsteps and becoming a pupsitter. However, his skills lie in having a keen eye and quick reflexes rather than their gentle patience. He has a decent relationship with his uncle Ember, though he treats him more like a cousin as they’re less then two years apart.

[theazkapack]

[ID: A Drawing of a wolf, the animal is half snarling, holding a dead fish on the mouth. The eyes are green, and the under of the body is a clear color, like white and cream, the body is covered in orange and the top of the back and around the eyes of the face is speckled black heavy. The background is snowed and there are speckles of snow falling in the air. End ID.]

[theazkapack]

Democracy

(Wolvden narrative)

Pointer howled, signalling to the pack that it was time to gather. He listened as they all howled in acknowledgement; everyone had heard, and they would be there soon.

He stood on the tallest hill as his pack gathered. The siblings yipped at one another, each trying to get the best spots. Pester, Pointer's brother, sat off to the side, and Spring, Pointer's mate, sat near the back. While the pack were all grown, they were still her pups, and she would always watch over them.

"I have an announcement to make," Pointer said. "And I believe this will be something you like. From now on, instead of me making every decision, I trust you all to have your say. Anyone in the pack may make a suggestion, and everyone in the pack will vote." He indicated to a pile of small rocks that he and Spring had gathered that morning. "Depending on your rank, each of us will have one, two, three, or four rocks that we may add to a pile of our choosing. I will have four rocks, my mate Spring will have three votes, all of you who are my pups have two votes, and all others have one vote."

Tails shook gently. It was an exciting idea.

"To start off, why don't we decide what sort of prey the hunters should focus on this season?" Pointer asked. "Anyone who has an idea, come up to this hill, state your reasoning, and then we will vote."

No one seemed to want to go first, so Spring stepped up. "I think the hunters should focus on smaller, easier-to-catch prey, so that we have plenty to eat in the seasons to come." She stepped back down.

With an example set, Castro of the hunting team stepped up. "It's only Summer, and we have plenty of time to get more food. I think we should focus on honing our skills with the largest prey we can find." He stepped back down.

After a few moments, Pointer asked, "Any other ideas?" No one else stood up. "Alright, one-by-one we will cast our votes." He walked down the hill toward the rocks. "All who wish to catch smaller prey like Spring suggests should put their rocks on this side of the pile." He gestured to one side. "And any who wish to catch larger prey should put their rocks on this side of the pile." He gestured to the other side. "We will vote in order from lowest-rank to highest-rank. Pester, you will begin with one rock."

And so it continued until the votes were cast. By a large margin, the wolves decided to hunt the largest prey they could find. They were happy with this decision since as a group, they made it.

---

"Everyone, this is Cherith," Chip, heir apparent of the pack, said, pointing his nose towards a female wolf. "She'll be joining the pack, and she'd like to Scout with me. Do we need to vote about this?"

"No," Sunrise, the other Scout said. "I will willingly step down. I have gained skills in my time as Scout, and would like to keep them sharp, however. I request to join the Hunting team."

"We'll gladly take you aboard," Castro said. He turned to the other Hunters. "Who's ready for an early retirement?"

The other wolves just stared at him.

"Okay," Castro said. "Do we need to vote?"

"I think we should all agree that our Hunter with the lowest skill should step down," Bushfinder said. "Honeyshine, that's you."

Honeyshine pulled her ears back. "I'm not that much less skilled."

Bushfinder and Honeyshine stared at each other, willing one another to make the first move.

"Enough!" Pointer's voice bellowed.

The wolves all turned their attention to their leader.

"Rather than fighting, let's vote," Pointer said, "that way we do what is best for everyone. Sunrise, do you have anything to formally say?"

"Exactly what I said before," Sunrise said. "I am skilled, and could use those skills as part of the Hunting team."

"Honeyshine?"

"We work well as a team. Do you really want to throw it all off by replacing me?" Honeyshine said.

"Anyone else have something to say?" Pointer asked. No one did. "Then we shall vote. Pester, you will start."

Honeyshine glared at each wolf who voted to replace her with Sunrise, and Sunrise, in turn, stared coldly at those who voted to keep Honeyshine on the team. The votes were close to even, but it was barely decided that Sunrise would replace Honeyshine on the Hunting Team. Honeyshine could remain in the pack as a Pupsitter.

"That's it?" Honeyshine asked. "Almost half the pack doesn't want this and this what we're going to do?"

"If you're going to be hostile, Honeyshine, I may have to ask you to leave," Pointer said.

Honeyshine growled, but didn't dare oppose the leader. "I will remember this," she said and started to storm off.

"Wait," Pointer said. "One more vote. Next time, perhaps, votes should be made secret."

"No way," Honeyshine said. "I'd hate not to know who voted against me."

The other wolves were silent.

"Why don't we vote now?" Pointer asked.

Honeyshine was the only one who voted to keep votes out in the open. Ears flat, she walked away once it was clear she was alone.

"Well then," Castro said. "Sunrise, why don't we show you where we hunt?"

The Hunters wandered away, but they didn't seem as friendly with one another as they had been before.

Pointer sighed, watching them go. "Perhaps I should take over again."

Spring nudged his ear. "Perhaps, for big decisions like this. I do think it was a wonderful idea, though. They just need time to get used to it."

[theazkapack]

[ID: A wolf with the scout position, the fur is dark gret, with orange and brow at the sides and the underside white.

Next wolf is in the standard position, the fur is mostly shades of brown, with black back and white underside. End ID.]

Shortly before Sequoia passed away last year, Fisher announced to the pack that her son Spruce would become the next leader. The choice has nothing to do with Spruce’s heritage, being the son of the pack’s Second and the grandson of the legendary Shrike Hailstorm. Rather, Fisher took notice of the young male’s determination and sense of fairness.

Now, with Fisher gone, Spruce Hailstorm has formally taken over leadership of the pack. There were some concerns about how young he is, with a handful of wolves saying that someone more experienced should take on the role, but Fisher had always valued personality over achievement. Spruce has so far turned out to be a fine choice, and the pack’s transition was much smoother than the last one.

As of now, late in the pack’s thirteenth summer, Spruce has no big plans to change the way things work. Instead, he is letting the pack run as it always has, smoothing out minor issues as they come up and keeping an eye out for anything bigger that might require a dose of his mentor’s brand of creative problem solving. To the younger pack members, Spruce seems quite mature for his age, but the older wolves know that he’s simply less scatterbrained and strange than their previous leader.

He has made one unconventional choice though: rather than choose one of the pack’s more experienced wolves as his Second to help guide him in the beginning of his leadership, he’s picked someone just as young as himself. While Fisher began his leadership with the aid of a steady and experienced wolf like Caleb before replacing him with Sequoia, Spruce has chosen Ember Winterborn as his Second. It’s an odd twist of fate, considering the rocky relationship between their grandparents Shrike and Salmonberry.

Ember’s confidence is bordering on arrogance, and he’s impulsive enough to have caused more than a few problems with neighboring packs as an apprentice, but his fire is the perfect balance to Spruce’s more patient style of leading. Together, they’re able to get things done while keeping each other’s flaws in check.

Unlike past Seconds, who have all been hunters, Ember chose to remain as a scout. This certainly has its downfalls, mainly with him being away from the pack’s camp so frequently, but it allows him to keep a closer eye on the surrounding area and meet more frequently with other packs, which are farther between here in the prairie than they were in the woods and the mountains. Spruce hopes to build solid relationships with Lostwood’s neighbors, and despite Ember’s opinion that outsiders can’t be trusted, he’s willing to go along with Spruce’s plans.

[theazkapack]

(Gotta write this little tidbit because it really adds to Selena’s mysteriousness!)

Sometimes she’d disappear, normally in the middle of the night. She’d come back early morning, her mate, Smoke, waiting for her. They’d speak in hushed voices, retreating to their den. 

It was truly peculiar, the way Selena would come back with a belly heavy with pups. 

Seguir leyendo

[theazkapack]

[ID: A wolvden image, the wolf is white with dark and light brown speckles. The background is a desert, and there are rocks, grass, foxes and butterflies. End ID.]

pack death

Aster passed away this morning at 7 years and 11 and a half months.

Aster joined the pack alongside Bronze, Zero, and Crow. Originally a pupsitter, she shifted into her role as a chaser in the Sabretail Hunters party, the first hunting party the pack had. Aster was one of the best hunters in the pack, and the Sabretail Hunters saved the pack from famine time and time again.

She is survived by her mate, Condor, and her two sons, Zero and Tangle, as well as her adopted daughter, Cinder.

[theazkapack]

The Ceremony

Preparing for a ceremony is… hard.

Ashlen now thinks back on their time with their original pack and wonders how they managed to make it seem so easy, when they struggled to even find a rock that was shaped correctly to hold charcoal. Of course, in their old pack, everyone was born and raised Wild, and followed the Moon Rays to the most minimal detail, having had years to learn how to do it easily. Ashlen pack, instead, was anything but Wild, most if not all having lived with humans for a significant amount of time, with the exception of them and Mosra.

The she-wolf was also Wild, although not from the same territories as them, and they were unsure as to how much she knew about the Naming Ceremony. Ashlen hadn’t been that interested in the Moon Rays' ways, preferring to spend their time sleeping or hunting or scouting, barely interacting with their family, which now they regret, being unsure of how best to do this Ceremony, memories too hazy for them. They knew the Naming Ceremony for Adults, having done one as soon as they had been recognized as an adult in their old family, but they knew the ceremony for pups and wolves was different.

They would have to talk to Mosra, no?

They groaned, and let their face fall against the dirt, huffing annoyed at the leaves that cling to their face. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to talk to Mosra, they really did! It's just… Nobody liked Ashlen a lot here, and it wasn’t their fault! They knew how rude they sometimes came across, plus, the language barrier made it all the worse. They have been wanting to talk to Mosra and Jet, see how they had been adjusting to the pack life, if everything was alright, but Glawn’s siblings had been… an obstacle, so to say. Ashlen will be the first to admit that they don’t like Honsu, but they won’t say anything. They had seen how joyful Glawn had looked like when she had seen her siblings, and Ashlen didn’t want to dampen her mood.

They shook their head and got up, it was best if they didn’t postpone the talking too much, otherwise they would run out of will to do things and would fall back onto the “say nothing, do nothing” mindset once again. Fortunately, Mosra was in the den, having recently returned from a hunt, and they approached hesitantly, waiting for the she-wolf to notice them before saying anything. The other wolf was occupied trying to brush her fur, watching with critical eye the thin and tiny patch of moss she had managed to make grow, before flinching when she noticed Ashlen was nearby.

They tried to ignore the way they felt like curling up at the flinch, they knew Mosra was wary about them. Why did they feel so strongly about it?, and barked softly as a greeting.

“I was wondering if we could talk?” They said, careful to keep their body language soft and non-threatening.

Mosra blinked, confused, probably trying to decipher what they were saying, before nodding and standing up, following Ashlen as they guided the other back to the den, sitting down behind some big rocks to have an idea of privacy.

“I was wondering what you knew about the Naming Ceremony,” They said, waiting for the other to understand it before continuing, “My old pack was very close to the Moon Ray’s ways, but I didn’t pay a lot of attention to it, so I was curious as to what you know.”

“Hmm, we were more restrained, I think? They followed the up north ways, near the sea and snow.”

Ashlen paused, trying to understand. Mosra’s speech was similar to theirs but, it was more silent, although it was understandable, although a bit weird.

Language barriers, they thought drily, nodding.

“The Clouded Moon?” They offered.

“Yes!” Mosra nodded, “Naming ceremonies for tiny?”

“I only knew the name-change Ceremony,” Ashlen said, “I am uncertain how the pup’s Naming Ceremony is different. I remember that for name-change, it was grinded Arnica, but I think the pup’s one was another herb?”

“Black rock,” Mosra said, pausing before extending a paw and drawing on the dirt a waxing moon, and then, a full Moon, “Half for growth and change, Full is life and strength.”

Black rock? They tilted their head, black rock?

“Charcoal?” They said, sighing at the nod Mosra gave, “Alright, then. Is it a full night, no? I remember mine done in Sun, but it was done during the day because it was a counterpart to the original, right?”

“Yeah,” Mosra nodded, “Moon must See, for tiny’s ritual.”

“Alright, alright,” They paused, and then hesitantly offered, “Is there anything in particular you want?”

Mosra blinked, confused.

“I just—My branch was different, and I remember how to say it, but your way’s were different, and I don’t know if you want something in particular or anything, because this is also your pack now, and I want you to feel included.” They rambled, nervous.

Mosra looked at them, and, the best word to describe it?, softened, her body relaxing as she looked at them in appreciation.

“No,” She said, “Nothing special.”

“Alright, I’m uh, thanks for the help.” They said, watching with apprehensive eyes as Mosra nodded and stood up, leaving after giving them a final nod, returning to the side of Jet, the other wolf grinning and nudging her enthusiastically.

Ashlen sighed deeply, and tried to calm their racing hearts This… This was okay, this was going good, yes, this would turn out alright.

---

Gathering the charcoal was easy enough, and while trying to find a good shaped rock took almost an entire day, Ashlen managed to surpass most of the problems.

Mosra had offered to find and dry some moss patches, so the pups could be Named on them instead of the cold floor, so that was one item less to worry about. Unfortunately, now I was left asking and they were not looking forward to it. In the Naming ceremonies, if a pup one supposed to be done, one would have to ask the parents for the names, the names a gift from the parents, and the pack as a whole, to the pups. Which, supposedly, shouldn’t be hard but… these were Glawn’s siblings. How are they supposed to talk to Glawn’s siblings?! All of them hated Ashlen, and as much as it felt rotten to think so, they didn’t think Honsu even knew which pups were hers.

They sighed and tried not to whine, it didn’t do any good to just complain about it. But, they still took their time, trying to gather enough energy to deal with the siblings, before standing up and getting to work.

First things first, Ashlen tracked Glawn down, deciding to use her help so they could talk to the siblings. They specifically needed Clower and Honsu, which was harder than it seemed. Honsu barely spent time in the den, going as far as to prefer spending time outside than even sleeping during the night in the same den as her siblings and pups, which Ashlen didn’t want to say but it rubbed them the wrong way. And Clower was practically Honsu’s shadow, always behind her or Aursa, as if afraid of everything and everyone, which made Ashlen feel a little bad because they should try to help no?, but also annoyed them right now, since it meant Clower was nowhere in sight.

Fortunately, thanks the Stars, Aursa was nearby and told them Clower had recently come back, and was in their den. Ashlen waited outside, while Glawn announced their presence, not wanting to intrude on their packmate’s space. A few moments later the wolf appeared, looking confused, half leaned towards their den, clearly listening in for the moment their pups woke up.

“Hello, I am preparing for the Naming Ceremony and was wondering what names you have chosen for your pups?”

“I have chosen?” Glawn dutifully translated, showing the same confusion Clower had.

“Yes, uhm, in a Naming Ceremony the parents choose the name they wish to give to the pups, since your ancestors can have a Name rule or similar,” Ashlen shrugged, nervous, watching their friend translate.

The siblings talked among themselves for a bit, probably trying to discuss what Name Rule could their family possibly have, before nodding seemingly satisfied, and turning to look at them.

“They say they wish for the gold one to be named Ranica, and the brown one Duars” Glawn told them, and they nodded, thanking Clower for their time and leaving the wolf to go back to their pups.

The duo walked along, Ashlen making a reminder to not forget the names, and searched for Honsu. They managed to find her, when Night had already risen, and Ashlen paused, hesitant, a few meters before the den where the Gold and Red colored wolf had retreated to.

“Can you…” They paused, “Can you ask Honsu for the names? I don’t think she will be happy to see me.”

Glawn opened her mouth, as if to protest, before nodding and sighing, entering the den of her sister, while Ashlen waited outside, a good distance apart so it didn’t seem like they were intruding on the other’s space. The Moon had moved half a sprout, when Glawn reappeared, walking slowly towards the den they shared. Confused, Ashlen followed behind, wanting to ask what happened, but they could sense it was something meant for a private place, not in the shared space the pack had.

Glawn sighed, and curled up, looking almost sad one could say. Ashlen silently sat beside her, and waited, not wanting to press their friend into talking, as family matters were always a fragile thing to talk about.

“She… She doesn’t have names,” She said, at last, lamely.

“No names? Well, we can give her time to think of some if she needs it.” They offered, pausing at the dejected look Glawn had.

“No, she… She doesn’t care,” She admitted, as if in pain, “She told me the names didn’t matter.”

Ashlen reared back, their fur bristling from the shock, as they stared at Glawn.

“What?!” They yelped, “But—But!”

“I mean, our parents named all of us,” She shrugged, lifelessly, “So, she probably doesn’t want to since… you know.”

“But! But your parents named you because you all were siblings!” Ashlen said, shock fading to let apallement and anger start to bleed in, “How—That’s not an excuse!”

Glawn shrugged, and Ashlen burned with righteous anger, almost trembling from how strong it was.

How dare she?! They thought, angry, How dare she be so rude?!

To not name your own children, that type of slight was one to be answered with a fight and no less. They thought of the tiny pups, who stumbled behind their shadow and called happily at their sight, who would nap between their paws when they were resting, and the anger burned all the more brightly. How little did she care, how much contempt could one have against your own kin, to be so indifferent as to rob them of the blessing they deserved? The pups had been strong, had managed to survive their first season, had proven their right to be Known, and this was how she answered?

But maybe, a little voice in the back of their mind whispered, maybe she doesn’t realize the weight of it. She was captive raised, she does not know of the Moon Ray’s ways, what did you expect?

But even so, she shouldn’t do this!

They sighed, body slumping as they curled around Glawn, anger leaving their body and being left with only sadness inside. They couldn’t do anything, anyways, since they knew deep inside if they dared to confront the other, the small illusion of a united pack would fall right before their eyes. And they knew how much Glawn hated the fighting, they couldn’t make her choose between them and her family, sure, they have spent almost a year together but… That compared to the lifetime of living with your family? How could they compare?

Sleep evaded them, as they stared at the Moon hanging in the sky, wishing for this to be more simple, and for life to once again be joyful bliss, instead of this trap-filled path that they were on. The Sun rose, and they watched silently, curled around Glawn, hoping the warmth of their friend could warm the coldness that had nested on their chest. They watched her wake up, and went with their morning routine in silence, accompanying her until she stood at the edge of the pack’s den, where she would leave for her Scouting duties.

“Hey,” They called, having thought it over all morning, “Can you come with me a wind before you leave?”

Glawn nodded, mutely, and they walked back, towards where Jet and Lannel were standing guard, the pups already prancing and tossing around in the rising sun. The pupsitters perked up at their sight, and Jet barked softly in greeting, relaxed and happy to see them.

“Ask them if we can speak to them about the pups.” They said, watching Glawn communicate it to them. And then, hesitantly, “Could you ask them for names for Honsu’s pups?”

Glawn’s eyes widened, and she looked at them, before nodding hesitantly.

“If you wish, you can tell them about your Family’s Name Rule, so they can have an idea of what to name them.”

Glawn nodded, and returned to the conversation, the pupsitters appearing surprised but also touched by the request. They discussed it in low voices, and Ashlen turned their sight to the pups, huffing amusedly at the sight, watching the siblings wrestle around, yipping and barking in laughter as they chased the others around.

“Uhm,” Glawn breathed in, and Ashlen looked at her, heart aching at the sadness that gathered in her face, wishing they could wipe it away, “The sand one is to be Boray, for the Boreales and the Clay-like color of the fur, the red is to be Mushet, for the Mushroom-red of the coat and the Sunset, and the last one is Sharl, for the stars and the shell-colored markings.”

Ashlen nodded, and gave a small bow at the others, “Pass them my thanks?”

She did so, and smiled at them, “They say it was no problem, and they wish the names fit them well.”

“I’m sure they will,” Ashlen assured, and nudged her affectionately on her head, “You’re free to go now, thanks Glawn.”

“No problem,” She pauses, and then, in a soft voice she tells them, “Thanks Ashlen.”

They blink, and smile as warmth fills their body from paws to tails.

“Of course, Glawn, they’re pack,” They say, and watch her nod, and leave silently.

Being a lead is hard, they think as they watch the pups play, is hard and exhausting sometimes, but they think they’re doing pretty good.

---

The Moon is gentle, with her bright rays, and Ashlen watches their pack gather around, something like a proud fire resting inside of their chest, beating peacefully along their heartbeat.

The pups are wide-eyed, watching everything around, curious as to why the pack is all here, sitting on the soft dried moss bed that Mosra had found. Everyone is here, Glawn’s family to the left, followed by Jet, and then Lannel and Shivo to their right. Mosra is beside them, claws wet with the weird mix of grinded charcoal and water, as she waits for them to begin, and Glawn is on the other side, ready to translate what they say.

“Today,” They said, trying their best to appear calm and not show the nerves filling them, “We gather before the Moon, the bright witness, to Name the pups of Honsu, bright Chaser, and Clower, Silent Stalker, and make it know that we recognize their Strength and Will, having survived their first season, the hardest of them all, the Winter.”

Glawn’s voice is almost a background noise, as she translates to everyone else, nodding to Mosra, the she-wolf standing up and approaching, the moss that clings to her fur a bright green under the pale moonlight.

“Behold upon them, as know their survival, witness their win,” Mosra advances now, and carefully, starts painting a waxing moon on the pup’s forehead, the kids blinking but letting the older wolf paint their coat, “We wish upon them growth, and fortune, so the Wilderness may love them as it loves us, and may smile on their Fate.”

“And we wish them the strength to change and Adapt to life,” They continue on, watching Mosra draw the full moon on their tiny shoulders, “May the Moon always light their path, may the Moon hear them howl and may the Moon shine their fur with the fortune of untold stories.”

“Rise and Howl, and witness Duars and Ranice, may their Fate outlive us and be as bright as the Sun itself, children of Clower, the Silent Stalker, who never fails to find the food we need to survive.” They glance at the others, giving themself a second to enjoy it before they proceed, “Rise and Howl, and witness Boray, Mushet and Sharl, children of Honsu, Bright Chaser, who never gives up.”

They tilt their head and howl, hearing everyone soon join them, the song they cry out a melody that Ashlen is sure to always hold close to their heart, a melody that sounds like family, like a Pack is meant to be, united and Strong before anything. And then, tiny and shaky, five new voices join their Howl, the pups tilting their heads and Looking at the Moon, giving their voice and joining the Pack’s Song.

The Howl feels as if it lasts forever, and then, it dies down, softly, like a dove perching on a branch. They watch their pack, and grin, happiness filling them inside in a way that makes them feel as if they could float away with the wind in any second.It feels magical, in a way any ceremony for the Moon Ray is, and Ashlen feels so happy that they can share this with their pack, watch them delight at the almost unnatural light of the Moon above their heads, at the way they grin and laugh, their eyes filled with wonder and amazement, a sight Ashlen will forever treasure.

They look at Mosra, and nod, both wild wolves feeling kinship as they watch their captive-raised packmates experience the delight that being a wild Wolf means. Ashlen can taste the change in their mouth, of bitter losses and sweet new opportunities, and they wish this marks a new beginning.

The Moon is bright above, and the pack celebrates the Naming of the pups.

[theazkapack]

[ID: A fullbody drawing of a wolf, the fur is a deep blue and is covered in stars. The paws are surrounded by a starry circle. The wolf is looking towards the viewer, with a gentle expression. End ID.]

a recent illustration of a friend's stunning wolvden lead, advesperascit! hes a beaut, and was a ton of fun to draw

[theazkapack]

[ID: Two wolves resting on top of a nest. The first one is grey, with black on the back and neck, and light grey undersides. The wolf is looking at the other with eyes half closed.

The other wolf is orange, with white undersides, and brown on the sides, leg, ears and muzzle. The wolf is also resting and looking at the other. The background is a green meadow with a clear sky. End ID.]

I play Wolvden, and here are two of my wolves: Honeysuckle and Selēnē.

[theazkapack]

[ID: A drawing of 3 wolves. The first one is at the front, looking up, the fur is beige, with brown on the sides and black on top of the head, piercings on the ead and a buttlerfly. The second one is behind the first, looking to the side, with similar coloring to the first one but darker, also looking up. The last wolf is on the back, turned away from the front and showing the back, which is dark brown. End ID.]

A pagedoll commission for my friend @yourlocalangelkin of their wolvden leads!

[theazkapack]

Summer Timeline (Year 2)

[ID: Banner of mountains. It says Timeline, The Azka Pack: Summer.

Spring Ends. Summer Starts.

Naming Ceremony: Ashlen holds a naming ceremony for the pups with the help of Mosra.

Aursa gets hurt, causing Lannel to have to replace him, leaving only Jet as pupsitter.

Pups get very attached to Ashlen and Jet.

Ashlen starts taking some of the pups with them, to help Jet, who is overwhelmed with their duties.

Summer ends, Fall starts. End ID.]

[theazkapack]

[ID: A side portrait of a beige and brown wolf, with the name Latte written on the side, with eyes closed and looking calm.

The image underneath is the wolvden image of the wolf, with beige fur, brown markings along the back and tail, and white undersides. End ID.]

my fluffy lead latte

[theazkapack]

[ID: A drawing of two wolves and puppies, on the left there is a black and white wolf, looking attently at the other older wolf, who’s on the right, the fur is white, black and orange, with greying hair the eyes and muzzle. The wolf from the right is looking at the 2 puppies that are curled against his face, between his head and pawns. End ID.]

Today, Marma has birthed @catcodings's first Slate puppies. I gave her to Cat, so I like to think she's dear to both of us. She was my first stud's - Bazalt's - daughter, making these pups his grandkids. Today, Bazalt has died. I like to think he found comfort and happiness on his last day.

[theazkapack]

[ID: 3 headshots and 1 fullbody drawing of differents wolves. The first one has fuzzy purple semi-glowing eyes, a green mist coming from the mouth, the fur covered in purple, cream, black, beige and grey. The wolf is wearing a cowboy hat, and the background has casino chips, a cow skull and a hand of cards.

Next image has the tongue out, with a piercing in it. There’s also piercings in the ear, and wears a spiky collar. The head is blue and pink, with light purple, and the rest of the neck is orange and dark purple. The background is a bunch of bright colors mixed together like spray painting.

The third wolf is a fullbody drawning reminiscent of medieval paintings, with dark purple fur, with orange on the upper thighs, tail and neck. The side has beige and the underside is white; the head has purple and pink, and the wolf is snarling.

The final drawing is a headshot, drawn like an old photo, the wolf is light brown, with white muzzle and a black band over it, the eyes are surrounded in blue and white, and the edges of the head have black, similar to clown make up. The neck is covered in a white frilly ruff. End ID.]

i used to make fun of sparklewolves now i draw them. 4 of my wolvden dogs: dead money, killjoy, ronin, and charivari!

[theazkapack]

Pack Update

Been quite busy with work to make proper timeline / update posts so here’s a quick update of where Hyacintho Luna stands:

- Most of the older / original groups of pack members have now passed away, many back-to-back, leaving Hyacintho Luna with younger, less experienced members filling spaces of those more experienced wolves, something that proved to be difficult through the Winter Season

- New wolves are being recruited and adopted into the pack if / when possible

- The countdown clock is on for King Basil, whose littermates also passed recently. He, along with the litter born after his, are the last remaining Monarchs of Nine. 

- Sorrel, First Prince of Basil, is to become Third King after Basil’s passing. He is yet to find a mate (and most likely won’t until post-Lunar Event)

- King Basil and Queen Myrkvi had a second litter of pups, consisting of Princes Fennel, Dandelion, and Chervil, and rumors of a third litter have been heard within the pack

- Second Herbalist Reykur’s life is also coming to a close, with his final days being spent preparing his predecessor, Loftstein, for his time as a full-time herbalist. Loftstein, with Reykur’s approval and guidance, has begun teaching  Rikja the ways of an Herbalist, with the young wolf to become his apprentice when the time comes. 

[theazkapack]

[ID: A realistic drawing of a wolf laying down in a field. The fur is brown, with a lighter underside. The wolf is looking directly ahead, with green eyes, and has scars on the face, one running down one eye and a scratch over the nuzzle and nose.The lighting is over the back of the wolf, and the sky is blurry. End ID.]

Wanted to practice fur, so I drew Dogblud(#24586)'s lead, Thelma