PACK MEETING - Ring the Alarm

[[Midnight]]

Relief was certain, now that there were other wolves appearing. Sayuri, Astra, and now a face that made her heart feel a little less heavier - her brother Kade. The three of them, Akiko felt, were all very reliable in their own ways. Surely they'd be of much use. There was more wolf power behind the Star's. Perhaps a different approach could now be taken. Akiko looked from each wolf to the next, and adressed them. She was feeling hyper with anxiety, and spoke very loud and quickly.

"Astra, it's okay! But Caden has caught by the Falling Moon pack. He needs our help!"
Vivid green eyes turned their attention to Kade, who was off in the distance and apparently hadn't gotten the memo that they were all needed. Akiko seemed to dance on her paws as she turned her whole body in his direction. "KADE!" she called loudly, perring at him as he lay on his back across the clearing. "GET OVER HERE!"

[Paint]

Things appeared to accelerate very quickly. Bandit's head rose substantially as Akiko's hyperactivity strung through the air. Bandit assessed Astra, who she knew of but had never actually met before. She watched a mother's recognition as Esmerelda glanced over to where her son appeared to be ambling about. Oberon was standing, tensed as if about to run.

"Silence."

Bandit nearly snarled the word but there was no hostility in her tone, just authority. She looked at each wolf in turn, staring pointedly at Akiko. Energy they needed, hyperactivity they did not.

"I need everyone to remain calm. This is a very serious matter and will affect all of our lives in unimaginable ways," she paused, looking around again, casting her burnt amber eyes around to ensure that everyone was listening to her. "Sit, take deep breaths, and we will discuss this maturely."

She herself sat, to set an example. Oberon followed suit, slightly hesitant as his adrenalin was also pumping. Esmerelda sat as well and glanced at Akiko as if asking her to do the same. She tried to see Kade as well but from where she was she couldn't, and didn't feel as if she could shout for him with Bandit's commands. She swallowed and continued in silence.

"Hello Astra," Bandit dipped her head ever so slightly. "Yes, Caden has gone missing. But I am convinced that he is not dead. He is much more valuable to them alive than dead, but I saw blood upon the ground. We cannot rush in but we must move swiftly. If anyone has anything to say you may speak up now but don't interrupt each other. Anyone?"

[Ashara]

When her fears were confirmed Astra did for a second almost panic but upon hearing Bandit's words she calmed herself by doing as Bandit had said sitting down and taking deep breaths. *Thank god he's not dead* she thought wondering what she would be doing if she had been told he was dead, that would probably be panicking or running towards the Falling Moon packs territory planning revenge.
She nodded her head towards Bandit in return to her greeting then not really having anything to say on the matter she looked around at the other wolves that were assembled around the clearing seeing if one of them might say anything.

[Fire]

Kidnapped.

Panic grabbed her immediately by the throat and for a few horrifying moments she felt like she was choking. She hauled a deep breath and looked at the ground, her mind buzzing as she tried to fight back tears and stop her stomach churning. The urge to turn, run and take her brother back by force was almost overwhelming, but there was enough rational sense left beneath the booming confusion in her head for her to stop and regain control. Sayuri looked away briefly to regain composure, and when she looked back at Bandit there was nothing but determination spread across her features, as forced as it was.

She nodded calmly at Bandit. Calm was the last thing she felt but if she wanted Caden back, she knew that she couldn't waste time panicking. As the Beta continued, she couldn't help but feel incredibly grateful toward her. The way she took charge reminded her so much of their alpha that it would have made her grin in any other circumstances.

It was a relief when more wolves appeared, some she knew and others she didn't. The brown dappled female watched the events unfold, a little apprehensive when the threat of confusion arose. Thankfully Bandit took charge again and Sayuri followed her example, although it was frustratingly difficult to stay still with all the adrenaline pumping through her blood.

She glanced around at the others to make sure she didn't interrupt, before asking: "If I may?" and waited a few moments before continuing. "I think they'll be expecting us to take Caden back by force. Seeing as we don't know exactly where he is or how many wolves are guarding him, perhaps we should try and find out. A few of us, the fastest and quietest, could disguise our smell with...well, I'm not sure what exactly, but there must be something we can use, and scout around to find where Caden is being held." She paused again, and tried to keep the desperation out of her voice. "I don't know. It's just a suggestion. I don't want to lose anyone if it goes wrong."

Sayuri glanced around, eager for other suggestions so that they could formulate a plan and find her brother as quickly as possible.

[Paint]

Bandit's ears swivelled towards Sayuri, glad to see she had regained composure and not broken down. She seemed to have a brain on her as well, which helped. Bandit listened carefully, glancing at the other wolves to see their facial expressions and thus their response. When the Alpha's sister had finished, Bandit set her eyes upon her and considered her idea.

"We had been discussing the need to gather new information," Bandit nodded in agreement.

"But what could we disguise our scents with?" Oberon queried.

"I'm not entirely sure if that will be necessary. I'm not allowing anyone to cross that border, disguised or not," the black and white wolf spoke again, lifting her head and raising her voice. She needed everyone to know this. "Above all we must heed self-preservation. No one is allowed to cross that border unless we are staging a full on attack."

Esmerelda sat rather uncomfortably, frowning, glancing over at her daughter and wondering again where her son was. She could feel the tension running within her again, loyalty and her innate need for freedom tearing against each other.

"Um," she spoke up a little, waiting in the hope that she wouldn't interrupt anyone. Bandit gestured for her to go on. "As I said before, I know No Man's Land very well. I could take some of the quickest and quietest, as Sayuri said, and try to seek information. Not only from Bion or Taya, but we could report back anything that we see or smell or hear."

"Sounds as if you're both on the same track," Bandit replied. She looked back at Sayuri. "You two could be in charge of gathering intel. I know I'm not fast enough. Would anyone else be willing to join them?"

[[Midnight]]

Akiko struggled to keep her impatience under control. She wanted to get up and pace around them, but she knew that Bandit wouldn't appreciate any more hysterics or wasting of energies. Caden was counting on them keeping their cools. She knew that now. Disbelief had been replaced with determination. Her green eyes sparkled as she looked to Sayuri and Esmerelda, new leaders of intel gathering. She stood up again, tail curled.

"I could join them," she volunteered, her ears flicking forward. "If you'll let me."

She could see it in her mind - the three of them would sweep No Man's Land and the outskirts of the territories, while running from possible enemies. It sounded so easy when thinking of it in such simple terms. She felt her confidence seeping back into her. In her mind, Caden was already won back.

[Fire]

Sayuri nodded in response. She didn't care what her job was, as long as she was helping. The longer they were sitting and discussing, the longer her brother would be with those monsters. Her stomach lurched dangerously when she thought of what they might be doing to him, and it took all of her will-power and concentration to focus in on the conversation at hand. The pup.

The pup? Sayuri turned her gaze to Akiko, replaying the words she'd just said to try and make sense of them. I could join them. If you'll let me. She considered the request carefully, breathing in slowly and huffing a short breath out. Considering what had happened to Caden when he'd last wandered into No Man's Land, taking Akiko with them probably wasn't the best idea. In normal circumstances she would have declined, but she understood the need for pups to prove themselves. By taking Caden, the Falling Moons had effectively declared war on them, and she wouldn't stop Akiko from helping their cause. After all, they needed all the help they could get.

"Of course," Sayuri said with a warm smile. "I have no qualms with that. We'll probably need someone to look after us in No Man's Land anyway. Won't we, Esmerelda?" She looked over at Akiko's mother, giving her a window of opportunity to protest if she wanted.

[Paint]

Bandit's ears flicked towards Akiko, and then Sayuri. She felt sorry for the sister of the Alpha. This wasn't just a pack matter to her, this was her family. Bandit believed that she was taking it incredibly well. She nodded at Akiko but also looked at Esmerelda in case of protest.

"I suppose," she frowned a little as she looked at her daughter. Yes, she was growing older, in one more season or so she'd be a fully-fledged adult. But she wasn't there yet. Ice struck into her belly as she considered that thought. They couldn't wait for the pups to grow into adults. That would be spring again, and they'd be expected to be having new pups, which would lead to vulnerability. No, if they were going to get Caden back, they would have to use all of the force they had. Before the snow set in, and nature's biological clock.

"Yes, of course," she corrected herself and offered Akiko a worried smile. "We'll need you."

Meanwhile Oberon was frowning as he considered all of the wolves around him. Surely they could defeat the Moons. If they found all of them, surely there'd be an opportunity somehow for them to storm in there and give those dogs a taste of their own medicine? His blood boiled. Bandit saw the determination in his eyes and took a deep, calming breath as she faced the group and raised her head so she was standing tall.

"Our time is now, Stars. We have been backed into a corner but we will not unleash teeth and claw just yet. That's what they expect us to do. Surprise is our best option. So use your strengths. I want you either tearing across our land and finding pack members to rally, or gathering information as best you can in No Man's Land. We must be brave. Our Alpha is behind enemy lines and we will get him back or die trying!"

[Bre]

Jhene

Jhene had been sitting a couple tail lengths away from Bandit watching as the chaos unfolded and then began to become re-contained. Her brilliant pale blue eyes were filled with rage,fear and sadness. Her Alpha taken by force? What crazy non-sense. What use would they have with him anyway?
After everyone seemed to quiet down she took the opportunity to speak.

"Well if you don't mind me tagging along with the spy party I will be happy to join. I'm new to the pack and if they see us or hear us I can always lead them away pretending to be a loner and my stalking skills and speed could be useful but more likely my stalking skills. Beside the fact that none of them know of me, it would be impossible I joined a mere 2 days before he was kidnapped and even then I had never been hunting with the pack. But that is if you will have me, If need back here I will understand completely."

Her tone was soft but loud and she held herself with such respect as she sat. She looked at everyone until her eyes rested upon Bandit who was clearly in charge. She waited for her answer silently.

[Malo]

Jasmyne had been resting in the dens when she heard the call. Worried, urgent, frightened? Yes, that was what she heard. She got up and took off in the direction of Bandit, Oberon, and Esmeralda's calls. The young female could hear much of the conversation before she ever laid eyes on her pack mates; their frantic, rising voices produced a cacophony of sounds through the forest, sending the birds flying and smaller mammals scampering for cover. Lucky for them, no one was hungry for anything but vengeance.

She approached calmly bowing her head to Bandit, glad to see her Beta was taking charge and seemed to have some sort of plan. She looked at the assembly of faces around her, taking in everyone's expression one by one. There was a range of emotions; anxious, calm, worried, impatience, defiance. Pups and adults alike were gathered, uniting as a pack, everyone wanting to play a part in the rescue of their leader. Jasmyne knew that Duke and Justyn were cruel, but she never thought they would stoop so low as to actually attack and drag Caden back to Moons territory when he was alone. She snorted in disgust. Cowards, that's what they were.

She waited for a lull in the conversation before speaking. "I can go with Esmeralda, Sayuri and the pup. The more eyes, the better. It'll be easier to gather information and look out for trouble; I can add my speed to relay news between the other spies, as well as the pack." She looked to Jhene, a newcomer and gave a warm smile. She was glad to see someone so new to the pack take initiative and lend her services. Looking at Sayuri, she gave a comforting look. Jasmyne personally did not know what it was like to have siblings, but she wanted to let her comrade know this act, what could essentially be a declaration of war, would not go unpunished. They would get Caden back, at all costs.

[Ashara]

Astra sat listening quietly waiting for a silence in which she could speak up. She feared that by the time a few wolves had offered that she would no longer be needed to go, she wanted to go, to do it for her pack. She was a small agile fae, light on her paws and darkly coloured to blend in with her surroundings. After a while of listening and seeing others offer to go she finally spoke up. "I would like to come too for this spying in no mans land, I'm swift on my paws and due to my small size and dark colour I'm hard to spot." she said giving a look around for approval. She was still sitting but barely, she was ready to leap to her feet and get ready to leave. It had been a long time since she had last been in No Mans Land and she was eager to see it once again. She had spent a few weeks maybe months there as a lone wolf but then she had joined the pack and not gone back there.  

[Bre]

Jhene

She sighed maybe she shouldn't go. Too many wolves wanted to go it annoyed her a little bit. She was new and wanted to prove herself; she felt the need to but with all these older members of the wolf pack suggesting they go she knew her chances had slimmed to none. She tried not to show her silent frustration same more wolves volunteered they just wanted to get their leader back as bad as she.

"Actually I change my mind, I'll stay behind seeing how there are many that wish to go."

She spoke quietly almost in a hush but just loud enough for everyone to catch. She flicked her tail annoyed, but her expression on her face was sweet and calm. Her pale blue eyes seemed clouded and unreadable to anyone that seem to notice her.

"Bandit, not to be rude or anything but if I may suggest it should just be a party of 4. If too many go there will be problem and our wolves will be more likely to get spotted out. So it would seem best to take 2-3 fast and stealth skilled wolves and one brutal strength just in case you have to fight your way out. But then again it is just a suggestion..."

She trailed off trying not to sound like a know it all. What do I know anyways? Last time I was in a pack.. She didn't finish the thought not ready to look back on that again. She watched the wolves tense and fearful. You could see it in everyone eyes not matter how hard they tried to conceal it their eyes were not as bright as they use to be when their leader was still around of course.

[Ashara]

A quite voice to her left caused Astra to turn her head. A new wolf who's name she didn't even know had spoken offered to stay behind. She herself would have never done such a thing too eager was she to do something for her pack too willing to go and explore No Mans Land. She felt curious why the she wolf had come to the decision to stay behind but she didn't question her. Instead she sat quietly hoping someone else might or that the wolf might offer an explanation.

When the wolf spoke to Bandit Astra pricked her ears listening, hoping that if Bandit agreed to the wolfs suggestion that she herself would be choosen to go and not be left behind.

(Quick post might edit later have to run now)

[Paint]

Bandit felt a surge of pride in seeing the bravery around her. They were all living proof that you didn't have to be evil to be strong. It made her feel stronger too, as a leader and a pack member, and it was apparent on her features. She was no less urgent about the matter at hand but it was clear that she felt hope.

"Sayuri, you should be with the party. It's your brother behind those lines and that ranks you highly in my opinion. Jhene, I appreciate your ideas, and very much agree with most of it. Small, and swift. But no fighters. You can all hold your own but I do not want any fights now. I can guarantee there won't be bands of Moons wolves ready to block you into an all-or-nothing brawl, they'll probably be keeping that behind their borders for Caden."

She paused, considering Oberon and the other wolves. Esmerelda wondered if Bandit was to choose the other wolves. The black and white female looked as if she might be.

"Esmerelda should go because of her history with Bion. Taya has clearly followed her strongest bond in the pack," Bandit began, reminded herself that they were no longer part of the pack, and disregarded this before continuing. "Sayuri, you should choose one or two others to go with you. I don't mind who, however..."

She turned her attention on Oberon now, and then assessed the group more. She didn't waste much time looking around; she was not a dramatic wolf.

"Everyone who is not a confident fighter, regardless of whether they are fast, should stay here. Oberon and I are going to have to teach some basics to those of you who have been lucky enough to not be in a kill-or-be-killed situation. We will search the lands, gather people and then we must all begin preparing ourselves. Does anybody have anything else to say before I send you all to your tasks? Whether it be spying, learning or searching for pack members, I need you all to know where you are going and what you are doing. If there are any changes, or if you have any striking ideas of what we can do, come directly to me. Directly."

[Bre]

Jhene

She nodded at Bandits words but disagreed with the fighters part. If Falling Moons were ruthless enough to take their leader they would be patrolling their boards carefully. It was only a smart choice and they seem to be smart any evil. She didn't speak though as clearly that part of her suggestion was dismissed.

"When will we be leaving? Day break..? Night fall..?"

(coming back to add more later lol in a Run)