#Aursa

[taehyungisminee]

STRAYKIDS - MATES [Part-5]

"We will wait for the Alpha to come." Hyunjin said in his sweet honey voice, captivating hearts of all the men present in the room. It was their weekly meeting where the Alpha and Luna discussed the important matters with five other officials of the Kingdom. Everybody was waiting for Chan to arrive and take his seat next to Hyunjin at the end of the rectangular table. The Leader was stuck in some other work, being Felix turning too needy of his cuddles after Hyunjin's heat ended a day ago.

An uncomfortable silence prevailed in the hall. Everybody was either too scared or to nervous to speak to the Luna in the room because of the rogue incident in which Hyunjin killed two wolves as if it was nothing and also there was a rumour going around in the Kingdom that threatened the Royal Omega's reputation and the Royals themselves were unknown to it which only made the environment more tense. They dare did not chit chat under his presence, even if they were all older than him. Hyunjin was able to sense the discomfort but it is not like he could do something about it. He just waited for his Alpha to come and break the silence.

"Hyunjin, there is something that we need to discuss." One of the officials, Jongsuk said. His tone was heavy and sincere. "We will wait for the Alpha." Hyunjin replied, looking at the source of the sound since he was wearing his blindfold. "We need to discuss it with you." Another official pitched in. Hyunjin's head snapped towards him. It was never happened before. There have been times when the officials have discussed matters with Chan in absence of him but the vice versa had never happened. It wasn't allowed. No matter was supposed to be solved without Chan.

"You all know that it isn't legal for us to discuss any matter without Chan Hyung's presence. We will wait for him." Hyunjin stated, his voice firm to show that it was his final decision. "It is about Felix." Jongsuk muttered and Hyunjin's expression changed within seconds. A frown made its way on his face, his lips almost turning into a straight line.

"This is about Felix. It is an Internal matter, related with the House of Affairs which is led by you. Hence, it would nit be wrong of us to discuss it with you alone." The elder explained calmly. Hyunjin gulped, thinking about it for a few moments before nodding his head.

"It is about the rogue incident from two weeks ago. A rumor has been going around. Please forgive me for what I am about to say next. Felix was kidnapped by one of the members of the rogues' pack that day who invaded the kingdom boundaries in the absence of the Blood Alpha and your other mates. There has been a talk going around which states that the Royal Omega's purity has been compromised since he was seen almost unconscious in the arms of another Alpha-" "What?" Hyunjin yelled, hands slamming on the table as he stood up and interrupted the official from speaking anymore. The others followed, standing up with the Luna. Hyunjin can't hear dirt about his own mate like that and stay silent.

"Do you know what you are talking about?" Hyunjin said in a stern tone as if he was scolding the other. "It may not sound very bad right now but it can lead to a civil war soon if ignored, especially since none of your other mates were present in the territory. This matter is just as important as another. I am sorry that I have to bring such bad news here in this court but its not a lie that no one knows if the rogue Alpha tainted the Royal Omega or not." Jongsuk said, he'd hanging low. Out of nowhere, the Luna's aursa started becoming too powerful for everyone. If if not were for the blindfold, the angry Luna would have burnt down the room with his eyes already.

'Patience.' Hyunjin reminded himself, taking in deep breathes to calm down. He knew that at his anger won't do any good. He is the Luna of their Kingdom. He has responsibilities to look after to, people to care of. He can't let his anger get the best of him in an extreme situation.

"What's wrong?" All heads looked towards the Blood Alpha who had just entered the room. The atmosphere only turned thicker when no one replied. "I want to go to my chamber." Hyunjin stated, sighing in the end. The news was too much for him. Royal Omegas have always been under a lot of pressure when it comes to their purity and devotion towards their Alphas. The rumour may do more harm to Felix than just him being expelled from his status of the Royal Omega.

"Are you okay, love?" Chan asked, concerned as towards why Hyunjin suddenly wanted to go back to his room when the meeting was not evens tasted. "I don't feel w-well." The Luna stuttered. Hyunjin wasn't feeling very good about the situation. Everything was going so well and out of nowhere, this had to happen! What were they going to do now? His hands moved to fix his collar, feeling suffocated in the tense environment. "Why? What's wrong hun?" Chan's hand moved to touch Hyunjin's forehead to check his temperature, just to make sure that Hyunjin wasn't having one of his post heat symptoms. Thankfully, he was not.

"Your temperature is fine. I will drop you to your chamber myself but please tell me what's wrong." Chan said, his voice sweet and comforting for Hyunjin who could not stop stressing. The Luna was walking bare feet on fir in his head. Would Felix be expelled from the castle? What will happen to their mate bond? They can't lose Felix! Hyunjin loved Felix dearly. How can he let his sweet little sunshine suffer like that? Will Felix be left alone in the middle of the woods like his grandmother who had to go through the same?

Hyunjin's heart dropped at the thought of Felix being left alone. What will they do now? "Hyunjin... Love.." Chan whispered, clearly scared when he noticed his Luan was sweating very badly. Chan opened his mouth to say something but stopped as soon as he witnessed Hyunjin's hand clasping against his own mouth before the Luna's body reached suddenly. His other hand reached out to touch Chan, finding comfort in his Alpha when he was overwhelmed with emotions and darkness. "Bring a bowl and empty this hall. Quick!" Chan instructed, his eyes not leaving Hyunjin even for a moment. His worry only increasing for Hyunjin with the seconds passing.

Chan's commands were quickly followed and soon the hall was empty with a bowl in front of the mates. The elder untied Hyunjin's blindfold, throwing it aside. Hyunjin retched once again before opening his eyes and throwing up in the bowl. His body shivered and his hands trembled as he vomitted again. "Hyunjin..." Chan whispered, rubbing his back slowly before holding his hair back and squeezing one of Hyunjin's hands to show him that he was there for him.

Hyunjin coughed a bit, vomiting a but more in the next moment. It went on till he was just emptily retching and his throat started to hurt a bit. Chan held him close, pulling a chair for Hyunjin so that he could sit down. "It is okay.." Chan said and gently helped Hyunjin to settle down a bit comfortably in the chair. The younger breathed with his mouth, eyes closed and body leaning on Chan for support as he refused to let the elder be away from him.

Chan just stood next to him, holding the younger close as they waited for Hyunjin's nauseous feeling to pass. "Hyunjin!" Minho yelled, almost running into the hall. The Alpha was doing his rounds when he heard the official talking about something happening to the Luna. Without wasting a moment or giving it a thought, Minho had run down to the meeting hall to check up on him.

"What happened?" He asked Chan, worry dripping from his face. "I don't know. He just vomited. Can you take him to his room?" Chan replied. The younger nodded his head in affirmation, too worried to form words in the moment. "It's okay, love. Just keep your eyes closed." Minho whispered, leaning down to pick up Hyunjin in a bridal style. The Luna obliged easily, considering the fact that he was too izzy to open his eyes anyway. His hands gripped Minho's clothes tightly afraid that he would if he let goes.

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"Hyung." Hyunjin said as soon as Chan entered his room. The Luna was resting on the bed with all his mates by his side except for the Blood Aloha who had issues to take care of. Within a blink, Chan was by his side, holding his hands tightly. "He is here. Now tell us what's wrong." Changbin stated, standing up from his place on the couch, clearly implying that fact that they were all waiting for Chan this time to hear what happened to Hyunjin.

A frown immediate formed upon Hyunjin's face, adrenaline entering his nerves. "Love. It is alright. We all are here. Please speak." Seungmin said from his place just next to Hyunjin. The Beta smiled at the Luna to encourage him. Hyunjin looked down, closing his eyes to think about the words that he was going to say to his mates. How was he supposed to tell them that their Omega has been sacrificed?

"Jinnie...." Chan said, his voice gentle as ever. "D-do you remember our c-ceremony?" Hyunjin gulped, stuttering with every word he said and his stare stuck on the Blood Alpha. His eyes turned watery as the memories of that day came into his mind. "I can't forget that day ever." Chan whispered his orbs staring at Hyunjin with the same intensity and passion. Everybody else stayed silent in the room, clearly without a clue of what's going on.

"Y-you remember why that took p-place right?" Hyunjin mumbled, voice weak and feeble as tears streamed down his cheeks. "Hyunjin, what's wrong?" Chan's aura turned dark in the very next moment. Hyunjin hates to remember that night but here he was talking about it with no hesitation.

"Y-you know Felix was kidnapped by an Alpha rogue while you all were gone." [By this time everyone was aware of what had happened with Felix when they were gone and that he was kidnapped at the time they were gone. But luckily Felix was safe now.] Hyunjin said, his tears not stopping. "Yes Hyunjin, What about it?" Chan replied, his voice desperate. He wanted answers. "There are rumors that his purity has b-been c-co-compro-mised." Hyunjin's voice broke in the end. The Blood Alpha went into a shock state and all that could be heard was Hyunjin's cries as the rest of the packnates were too confused to utter a word.

"What are we going to do now? I can't lose Felix! He can't take it now!" Hyunjin sobbed, shaking his head. Chan moved to hug the Luna tightly, his eyes blown wide and mind drowning into the ocean of thoughts. "Hyung! Please do something....I-I- it's not fair!" Hyunjin cried more but Chan remained silent. He didn't know what to say just like the rest except for the fact that he clearly understood the sensitive situation.

"I don't understand...what's happening?" Changbin asked, breaking the silence after a while. He felt scared from what Hyunjin said about losing Felix even if he did not have the slightest idea about the event. "Yes, hyung. It is confusing." Jeongin chirped on.

Minho tsked, quickly making his way to stand next to Hyunjin who was still crying. "I have told you many times that you are not allowed to cry. I hate to see you like this. Don't you get it? How many times do I have to tell you that I want to kill myself every time a tear drop leaves those beautiful eyes of yours?" Minho said in a scolding tone, bending down to look at his Omega. "Whatever it is, we will solve it together. Nothing values more that your tears for me. So, please stop crying." Minho cupped the younger cheeks as his thumbs gently wiped away the drops.

Hyunjin nodded, sniffling as he tried his best to stop crying. His mates almost cooed at how adorable he looked while trying to hold his tears in. Some people may take it a one of those toxic relationships where the abuser does not like to see the innocent person cry. However, it was far from that. Their relationship is way more that what it appears to be. If you think that their mate bond is just pure and full of devotion. You are wrong!

Their mate bond with a Blood Alpha and powerful Omega in the pack cannot be described with mere words. They can't just feel each other's pain and happiness, they go through it themselves. Their bond is different from others. They are not in love because they are mates. They are mates because they are in love. A love that can't be explained, a love that can't be imagined, a love that can't be experienced by anyone else, a love that fulfill every particle of their existence. They live forever each other, they exist for each other, they breathe for each other. They are made for each other.

It is not only in words that Minho explains how his heart breaks every time a tear escaped Luna's eyes. He feels it like no one else. His chest hurts and he wants to kill himself for letting his previous mate get hurt. "Love...." Minho whispered, leaning over Hyunjin to kiss his forehead softly. "Tell us what is wrong. I am here." He added before turning to look at Chan for answers.

"You all should sit down before I tell you. It is a long story." Chan said, sighing in the end while waiting for his mates to settle down in the room. He interviewed his fingers with Hyunjin, squeezing them gently to comfort his mate since he knew the memory wasn't a good one.

"It started with when I found that Hyunjin and I are mates-" Chan started to speak as he saw everyone settled. "I-I hid him in the forest for his protection. However, once I brought him back the officials and the citizens of our Kingdom started to doubt his purity and devotion towards me since he was left all alone in the forest while there were Alphas and Betas from other territories all around our Kingdom. They wanted to make sure that he was a good suit for me.. and that he was only devoted to me." Chan stopped speaking to close his eyes and sigh. He was overwhelmed with emotions and wanted to kill himself that day.

"How sick is that?" Felix was disgusted by even the thoughts of something like that. How can they question an Omega's reputation and purity like that? They had no right to! It is the purity of the wolf that touches them without their consent that should be considered. Why are Omega's to blame for it?

Hyunjin put a hand on Chan's shoulder, in a way asking him to continue. "It is indeed sick and unfair to Omegas. However, we could not say anything that time. The Kingdom was a chaos. The structure was very weak and questionable. The officials would only bring more damage to the remaking of the territory so we could do nothing but stay quiet." Chan explained.

The Blood Alpha stopped again. He didn't know how to say it. "Hyunjin....Hyunjin has made more sacrifices to bring peace and harmony than you all know. I have seen him suffer through it." Chan whispered lowly not liking the fact. "What do you mean?" Jisung asked, eyes not leaving Chan even for a second.

"There is this ceremony called the Mystic Ceremony which is a part of the traditions of our pack. It is rarely performed but it is there in the laws as well unfortunately." The Blood Alpha stated. "Law? I have read every law book that is present in our land. I have never read about such a ceremony ever..." Seungmin said, his brows furrowing in confusion. "It is in a book that is hidden away. Only a few royals know about it to keep it safe and away from public's eye since the law in there can be used to manipulate and disturb the nation's working. Me and Hyunjin didn't know about it until that day." Chan replied, his grip visible tightening on Hyunjin's hand. The other could only stare at the ground while he let his mates talk.

Chan did not wait for a reply this time and decided to continue what he bad to say. "It was the day after me and Hyunjin found each other. Questions were raised about his innocence. First the officials and then the locals as well. It only took a few hours before everyone in the Kingdom was talking about the Luna being tainted. The Kingdom's condition was sensitive. One major blow on the politics could have destroyed us. We were still trying to build after the terrible war. Hyunjin's reputation was only getting more damaged when the news travelled that we didn't mark each other even after we knew that we were mates. They believed that I did not want him as my mate since be was tainted." Chan said, his voice filled with pain.

"I did not want to mark Hyunjin just after the day we met. We were still figuring out ourselves and had loads of responsibilities to loom after. The public had always been skeptical about the hidden Omega prince and now they had a gossip about him. It was like affing fuel to the burning fire. We ignored the topic till the very end until there were riots and revolts going up against him in the city and even in the castle within just a day! The news was spreading like fire in a forest. Some random rogues claimed that hey have indeed touched the Omega prince and that he wasn't suit for a King anymore. It was all a vicious circle of lies and hurt for Hyunjin. It only became harder for him with every passing hour." Chan paused to take a breath. By now Felix had tears coming out of his eyes. The young boy could not even imagine being in Hyunjin's shoes at that point of time. It must have been so hard.

"What happened next?" Jeongin asked. He was somewhere scared to know the answer but was still curious as to how the situation was brought under control. "The next day was the worst. The locals and the officials had signed a petition together to have Hyunjin be a part of a ceremony to show his loyalty and devotion towards me- The Alpha. The 'Mystic Ceremony'. I don't know why it is named so. It is just there-Love" Chan turned towards Hyunjin who had started to shiver out of nowhere

"I am o-okay." Hyunjin replied, nodding his head. "You are anything but okay, Jinnie." "P-please, just continue." Hyunjin said, closing his eyes and facing at the ground. "The Ceremony is like no other. It is specially performed in situations like these when an Omega's purity is doubted to be compromised. It confirms if the Omega is suitable to be mated or to be kept as a Royal Omega or not. It has three stages apparently. Hyunjin had to go through all of them. I-" Chan stopped once again.

The others didn't say anytging, giving time to the Blood Alpha to collect his thoughts before he speaks again. "The first stage was where the Officials made sure that there were no marks of any other Alpha on Hyunjin's body. They... checked him themselves-" "Jinnie..." Changbin furrowed his brows, looking at the Luna. "It is okay if you don't want to talk about it... we understand.... it was not easy for you." He added, voice gentle and soft. The later only shook his head. "Me and Chan have been hiding it for too long. You all are my mates... you all deserve to know. It is a part of m-me." Hyunjin finally looked up, his eyes watery and red.

"T-there were f-fo-four wo-men. C-Chan was in the r-room toom I was not w-wearing anything and they d-did their pa-part." Tears dropped down Hyunjin's cheeks. It was like he could still see the memory fresh in front of his eyes even he was wearing a blindfold back then.

"Jinnie

"Jinnie..." "The second stage was where I was made to drink the Moon potion. It is a rare potion and is used to bring Alphas into unscheduled ruts." Chan interrupted, just wanting to get done with the story. He didn't want Hyunjin to hear and think about it for long. "I went into a semi-rut.... I lost myself to my wolf. I didn't know what I was doing half of the time. Alphas and Betas in ruts always refuse to mate with Omegas that are already mated or have been touched by someone else... As per the rules of the ceremony.... I had to surrender to my inner wolf so that it would decide whether to mate or not..... to decide if Hyunjin's purity had been compromised." Chan said through gritted teeth, showing his anger towards the stupid traditions and norms which forced them to do this.

"You surrendered to your inner wolf during your rut?" Jisung gasped. Chan's rut were the worst already as it is. He could not even imagine Chan losing to his wolf. "You went feral, didn't you? You surrendered to your wolf... you went feral." Minho muttered, eyes turning watery as he answered his question himself. [Yes Minho's eyes went TEARY so you can imagine the situation.] He could not believe what he was hearing he never knew that his mates and gone through something like that. "It was a semi rut... it didn't last for long. But it was my first time spending my rut with an Omega....I-I didn't know what to do. The image of Hyunjin trying to get away from me but I didn't let him.... the men in the room didn't let him." Chan's voice broke in the end.

"What men?" Jeongin almost growled. "The third stage of the ceremony." Chan closed his eyes, cheeks turning wet with tears. "As a proof that I actually mated with Hyunjin and that he was in fact pure, three officials were there in the room with us while we...mated. They were facing away form the bed but they were th-there. They had locked all the gates so no one could get in or.. get out. I-" Chan paused to take a deep breath.

"No one deserves to be a Luna as much as him... you want to know why?" Chan let out a dry laugh at the memory. "It was the worst moment of my life. I have never felt so much anger and out of control ever in my life. I still remember-' Chan smiled sat as he turned to look at Hyunjin who was staring down at the ground, body trembling. "I still remember how Hyunjin had taken me into his arms when he was able to feel my guilt and vulnerability. He was shushing me all the time...comforting me through the process while I just growled and screamed at him. I was giving him nothing but pain but he.. he was calming me down... whispering that it is alright... that the night will soon pass... that he is okay. He understood my pain and guilt even when his own bowl was full of it. On top of that I went feral on an Omega who had never done anything Ike that. I know that he wanted to run away at first but I had already surrendered to my wolf. I was touching him without his consent but none in the entire kingdom heard his voice or felt his pain except him. He stopped resisting when he felt my pain at once. It wasn't fair....not at all...till this day...I want to kill myself for doing it-" Chan was interrupted by Hyunjin keeping a hand on his mouth, shushing him immediately.

"I have told you that it is okay. It wasn't your fault that day. It grieves me to know that you still feel guilty about it. Please let it go.... please..." Hyunjin sniffles, nuzzling his head against Chan's neck as the elder pulled him into a warm hug. Chan's arms were Hyunjin's safe place. If there was a reason that he was living and breathing now...it was his mates. The elder felt the same. Hyunjin was his support, his power, his love, his everything. He pulled the younger closer, kissing his forehead softly in the process.

Silence prevailed in the room except for Hyunjin's sniffles. No one knew what to say or do. It was like everything was in a trance. An unending trance. Their minds were running fast and yet they didn't what was to be done. Felix's gaze travelled to Hyunjin and Chan silently, looking at his mates while wondering about just how many sacrifices they have made in order to bring peace and harmony in the pack. The ceremony was performed to stop the rumours, stop the chaos. It wasn't fair to his mates. They didn't deserve it!

"Lixie..." Hyunjin whispered against Chan's skin. He could feel the pain of all of his packmates but Felix's pain was different. It was anger and despair mixed with hatred and sorrow. "Hyunnie Hyung.... why?" Felix broke down, letting a sob. "It was the right thing to do at the point of time. We had to do it otherwise the whole Kingdom would have fallen. There was no other option. Lixie.... come here love...." Hyunjin said softly. Felux felt like a burden for a moment. Hyunjin was walking on egg shells too but the elder had to focus on the Omega even at such times. However, he pushed the thought aside, scared that the Luna will catch onto that as well. Hyunjin pulled Felix on his lap, wrapping his arms around the younger protectively.

"Everything is alright now. What happened in the past, stays in the past. Don't think about it too much, love." He whispered softly, kissing the Omega's head gently. Felux sniffled as he let himself be in the Luna's arms. If his Alphas' and Betas' arms made him feel protected and safe then Hyunjin's arms made him felt loved and cared for. There was a strange comfort in the Luna's arms that could not be found anywhere else in the world. Maybe it was his tight yet gentle grip or his sweet notes that he whispered in Felix's ears. The younger didn't know and he didn't care as long as he gets to be in Hyunjin's arms for the rest of his life.

"Hyung." Jeongin called out, snapping everyone out of the trance. Chan didn't say anything but looked at him, wanting him to continue. "You said that there were rumours about Felix's purity being compromised. Does it mean that the ceremony will take place again-" The youngest was interrupted by a growl from Hyunjin. "Never!" Hyunjin said sternly pulling Felux closer. His eyes shone bright blue as a white aura started to surround him.

"No one. No one is touching him till I am alive." Hyunjin's allure only increased with the passing moments and soon everyone was captivated by it. They all felt like giving into Hyunjin's lure, just give all of themselves to him. "The situation is under my care and I swear on my life that I won't let anyone harm Felix at all." Hyunjin said, tone deep and heavy.

"I will let no harm come to him."

[Just a spoiler but these words are very important for the next part of the story. Stay tuned!]

Thankyou! Hope you enjoyed reading! I will make sure to update the next part as soon as possible.

Please do give me suggestions or don't hesitate to ask me if any questions or queries. This one took ages to write!!

My masterlist if you want to read the next or previous part!!

[444names]

italian, irish and spanish forenames BUT excluding "h"

Abbe Adando Adect Adeliola Adolm Adraz Adreano Adrogen Afaoimer Agan Agell Agrán Agustale Agóina Agóisolo Aido Aillane Aimo Aina Ainoban Aito Alariz Alda Alesa Alesto Alia Alleta Alomás Amariann Ancilfra Annárdo Anta Antavion Ante Anán Aoda Aodo Aoibéad Aoila Aoilda Aoildo Aoldada Aomicon Aonait Aonn Aosa Arcia Aulisa Auracian Aursa Aurse Baolcona Batavee Bene Benicin Benzo Bera Beraco Berma Bersuna Berto Beán Bianma Blán Bongele Boria Bria Brica Bricelio Bricile Bris Brín Bualaya Caigoro Caino Calgaino Camart Cantalda Cariana Caro Casaneas Casia Cassaora Cato Ceata Cect Ciana Cietto Cina Cinerna Ciona Cisíono Clais Clanolac Clomarna Clán Cobna Cobo Coilla Coim Coimill Coina Cola Colán Cona Connala Connto Cosan Cosne Crín Crós Cundo Cyrio Dalan Dallac Dann Dardo Dastín Debecar Delicos Dena Derazia Derneste Desarinm Dessimus Deya Diantiú Disaffac Domás Donseán Dosna Dovions Dovit Duatinn Dubel Dáil Dúna Earbal Earia Ecara Ecino Edieta Efaolio Efin Eicena Eidia Eigio Eigualo Eigín Eilda Einníleo Eird Eldanaya Elia Elico Elle Emau Enceta Entin Entxa Enza Eodona Eoge Eonan Ermertia Ersa Esara Escarnán Essafia Eufeina Eugernán Eves Fabra Fabrielo Fana Fealeárd Fealiona Feancia Feanndo Fear Fedo Feilbell Feltán Ferg Fericat Fernales Ferne Fila Fildeon Filitlín Findrolò Finn Fiolfo Fion Fiosue Fiovio Flait Flantia Flas Flaulio Flor Framerio Fraodo Frio Fulimero Fulinn Fíosa Gabia Gapiegia Garcisio Gartim Gaspas Geigore Giag Giano Gianzo Gina Gionn Giulila Gius Giuseo Glias Goro Graita Greste Grianti Grietta Grio Gráilla Grán Guaito Gualego Iada Imeas Incenian Inda Indrad Iontiz Irena Ires Isilín Ióse Iúdán Javicia Jimil Jormaya Jorra Jostia Jual Juala Jualleo Juantin Laineas Laisla Lano Lejait Letta Lilín Lomelvan Lorea Lorioda Luanto Lucarna Ludio Luir Maislás Mait Maldo Mano Maoillo Maoina Maomene Mara Marelian Marna Maro Mart Maróirce Masofán Mastín Maul Mauramo Maxi Mela Melio Melix Menia Menura Micobbán Milín Mina Mine Miona Mitta Monsert Mudiado Muedear Muid Muinntan Muir Muirit Mundás Mursa Musto Mónán Mórana Naaramo Naina Nasca Nesaodo Niana Nicaorea Nicelo Nicina Nielinn Nilin Nuarcion Nórd Oilís Oina Oira Olmolò Onaito Orafra Oristeo Orna Orquato Osamirna Osca Parmila Pasildo Pata Pate Patris Paustro Pele Peoperr Peto Piel Pielia Piere Piero Pilinm Prietto Póinna Racio Raffaela Rang Raola Riano Ricoma Rict Rieli Roill Roiren Román Rual Rualven Ruan Ruannesa Ruar Ruarto Ruina Ruiria Rundria Runo Ruto Rutomard Rutoro Rídean Rídel Sabano Sabres Saelina Salia Samotan Sangon Sano Sarco Sarta Sepcia Serna Sesa Seál Siano Sila Simonia Sliane Sofella Sofán Sopoleo Sora Sorcel Sorg Stal Séadria Séalla Séario Síleas Tere Tertinn Tianm Tiara Tiguilís Tina Titlín Tivio Tobuall Torosano Torra Trid Tulin Uaitto Ualbal Ualia Uibanga Uino Ulia Ulio Ulvia Unartan Undra Ural Urdese Vaderto Vales Vannarrd Viantán Vicia Vicinn Vidia Vier Vietit Vino Vivaltán Yeta Zalo Zuliac Áino Ártoilit Éarcán Éirlo Ídín Órlacia

same thing but longer names

Abrione Adeac Afaba Agele Agóido Aitza Aldolfo Aldores Aleileo Aleogán Aleán Alome Alomenio Amormo Anarg Ancena Ancobna Andalao Andolait Andoninn Anmacayesan Aodran Aodónán Aoimona Aoirídín Aolerna Aolla Aomaellait Arcele Ariolucia Armat Aspeinna Ationaito Audio Bailíon Baltán Bandidias Baodo Baolo Barto Bascello Beandovalla Bearinn Beate Becara Beleo Bellan Benaida Benso Benzo Beppierenza Berescin Bergiulbena Berinia Berio Bermirina Beárdo Blanacquada Blandra Bliaria Brina Bréad Bríoma Bróinndo Bualia Buana Caele Cailopolcon Caime Cainerturia Cainn Caitorlo Caoiricolò Caole Caono Carcelo Carmodelia Carto Casaodo Casán Ceavia Cecarmena Cinisíonzo Cistorgi Claitlandás Clamirín Clana Clasán Cobea Cobuancecto Coistatig Colana Colmaomito Colotto Comenairgio Comin Comora Conna Consia Cores Cosca Costa Costeos Covann Creamira Crieleanza Cuinín Cuire Culta Cyriagrán Dadarse Dadra Dalia Danacia Daoilín Darinnán Dasimenzio Dassia Deacia Dearestal Denearo Denzio Deonigia Dertata Despe Detaito Dianaito Diante Didrear Digia Dintit Dolmoro Domáito Dubenegius Dubenzo Duberill Dympazio Déada Déamuire Dóill Dúnla Eablan Ealia Edeargelia Edinna Edwinne Efilaudey Eimota Eiraficoma Eirraule Elabríd Emaidiantio Ementina Emiannán Eminn Enria Enriasto Eoilín Ercona Erietta Eroxa Essael Etria Eufer Eufermatiú Eóidian Eóino Fabbán Fabra Fabranton Fabri Faelina Faeto Fanán Faola Faurosarla Feariquel Fearla Fearnestan Feartinn Fedel Felia Feliaarna Felionid Fellaurace Femico Femino Fereanuel Feriziante Fernara Ficonn Fileo Filiste Filín Finearico Finelia Flaoinn Foraffren Forgia Frafit Fraurceabia Fraxire Fromertín Fulbenzo Fulica Fulin Fullocio Féisanto Fíongarnán Fíosiminaki Gaelo Gapiomedo Garela Geppe Giannín Gianán Giltán Gioriodón Girene Grait Grina Gusto Intin Ireyag Issadeal Istefabasio Istonna Iósell Jairena Janielisa Joaquann Joaque Jonnán Jorea Jorique Jornaira Josnaoila Josnatrac Josne Jostefre Jualeo Juales Juanlaila Julil Kebeasann Kebrait Lailís Laudo Laulia Laulis Learna Lenicobele Leonne Lettoib Lewina Lianfid Lilavia Lippaoir Lislisa Lixto Loroloro Louraoine Luantonóral Luciann Lucrón Ludestero Ludion Ludoma Luina Luiristro Luision Lundréarna Lupeofing Macos Maela Maetalla Maevee Mairiona Maiton Mandoilia Mannán Maodian Maoileilín Maolavia Maonn Marafaetrio Marbríofria Marcisadro Mardoa Maricear Marinn Marlarla Marmare Marra Martín Massia Matena Matia Maulio Maurenit Mearica Melta Micann Milicis Millandrio Milvano Mireamodóir Mirgiulait Mirielicona Miril Mirna Mitto Monesta Monia Muiergia Muila Muilbia Muilicaolò Muirafro Muirseocio Mundrogena Munzo Musto Nalesuse Nicio Nicoini Niell Nieroxa Nierrayolo Ninda Nistad Nualin Olistéoda Ordromarla Oreamait Oredgarizio Ormarcolm Osceppolo Osidalmo Pabra Paoifelit Paoimona Paomóra Paquailín Paquibena Pardo Paudesego Paurodo Pazul Pergilín Pielamear Pielina Piell Pielmón Pieltian Piernaotan Pricilvesa Prigua Pádra Pádréan Póina Póinstéarto Racilda Racuiricata Ramaulina Rantimo Remirne Remmara Ricos Rinestino Rique Rogán Roimerga Rotelis Ruirceleo Réandro Rídín Sabere Saell Saidiantino Sanán Selicto Sellacano Selta Sento Seopo Sesciadro Severomán Seárdo Siania Siano Sidomeaniad Siletas Siomeata Sliarma Suina Sulis Sunzaleid Séambrinn Séana Séanni Séarla Síneon Tandra Tebon Tefin Teodalvio Teongona Tiero Tinatoro Tinebrós Tinéad Tiosalea Tornall Tricia Turea Téamiosio Téante Ualdado Uanda Uartúr Ulandea Ulbia Undán Valildo Valucaoib Vaniccia Varbaino Vermiria Vielmonil Viertúr Viodavo Viodicisto Virdganaito Vivita Xirena Zulcatre Éamaurodo Éarid Éidiono Éilta Émenán Óraffabian Órlano

[ticktockstuck-ezodiac]

AURSA Sign of the Embracing

AUR* = Auriga Sign • *SA = Derse + Heat

◈≫༻──◇──◇──༺≪◈≫༻──◇──◇──༺≪◈

#769: The sign for the hard-working and diligent, with strong arms and hugs like a vice-grip. They are generous but have had to learn to be mindful - strong arms can cause strong harm under pressure.

◈≫༻──◇──◇──༺≪◈≫༻──◇──◇──༺≪◈

Auriga Signs • Heatbound Signs • Derse Signs

[theazkapack]

Intruders

Part 1 | Part 2

After weeks of tension, the pack finally meets the responsables that have been hiding away in their territory, when Ashlen and Shivo decide to patrol the borders of their territory.

Glawn paces around the den, ignoring the pointed look that Lannel throws at her. 

She feels nervous, looking up almost every second in hopes that Ashlen and Shivo would appear in the path, the dark wolf throwing her a smile and telling her that nothing had been spotted today. Ashlen had been particularly stressed by the fact that some strangers were living in their territory, and while not as stressed, Glawn felt the same in some way, on edge all the time as she scouted or helped with the hunts.

It was difficult not to, the knowledge that there were strangers that believed themselves strong enough to simply waltz into their territory without a care, and could be anywhere, waiting for the perfect moment to ambush them? Yeah, absolutely not a good thing. Should they go find them? It was still day, but she knew that very quickly it could become night, the dusk barely a speck of time that always catches her off guard.

“Glawn, sit down, you’re gonna leave a trail in the dirt” Lannel complained, probably annoyed from watching her pace nervously. “They are gonna come back soon, don’t stress about it.”

“Oh, I know, but what if something happened?” Glawn said, her eyes fixed onto the trail where the others would come back, “What if they found the other wolves or, or some bear attacked them?”

“They will be fine, Glawn, Lead was capable of defending themself against a bear alone, they are more than capable of fencing off a bear with my brother.” 

“But it’s late, Lannel, and you know Ashlen doesn’t like staying outside when it is so close to night time,” Glawn whined, refusing to look elsewhere and missing the look Lannel threw at her.

They stayed in silence for a few more minutes, Lannel simply closing his eyes and enjoying the peace while Glawn looked and hoped for Ashlen and Shivo to come back. She sighed, and continued to wait, managing to stay down for a few minutes before getting up and continuing to pace around the den, feeling too anxious to stop moving. This continued on similarly for some time, ignoring the annoyed looks her packmate threw at her once again, when the other, finally annoyed, stood up and sighed.

“Alright, okay, let’s go find them,” Lannel said, annoyed, “I bet they just took some time looking at a river, or something.” 

Glawn nodded, and silently thanked the other for putting up with her, as she started to sniff around, following the old tracks the others had left behind. They walked in silence, following closely behind the tracks, trying to ignore the unease slowly filling them up. If asked, they wouldn’t be able to say exactly what caused it, simply on edge and uneasy as they progressed more and more into the deep of the territory, until they started to find more recent tracks.

Glawn paused, unsure, as she looked at the path. Something wasn’t right, but what? She looked around, trying to hear, but everything was silent. Silent.... Glawn looked up, perplexed, where were the birds? It was not normal for the animals to not be around the forest, normally singing up a racket everytime she or anyone of the pack passed by. Then, she heard it, in the distance, so low she could have missed it if she had not been paying attention. Barking was ahead, and she straightened up, fur instantly bristling, Lannel following suit once he also heard the noise.

They approached, making sure to not make any noise, until they could clearly hear Shivo’s voice, as he barked and growled at someone. Lannel tensed, and after sharing a brief look with her, they jumped forward, Glawn barely hiding her shock as she entered the clearing where the rest of her pack was. Shivo was injured, bleeding profusely from his face, standing close to Ashlen, who looked like a breath away from collapsing.

“Guys!” Shivo exclaimed, relieved at their arrival, “Oh, how glad I’m that you found us!”

Lannel nodded, briskly, and stood next to him, clearly shaken from how injured his brother seemed. Glawn took her time, checking Ashlen over, who scoffed and simply nudged her forward, hoping she could help them deal with the strangers. Shivo was.... Abrasive, to say the least, and not the best negotiator, so Glawn wasn’t that surprised that they had ended up fighting. And Ashlen didn’t know how to communicate with anyone, apparently, as she watched the other wolf look at her with hopes of resolving the problem. She straightened and stood up to the front.

“What are you doing here?” She asked, ignoring the shocked looks the wolves threw at her, “This is our territory, and we do not appreciate intruders here, specially, intruders who have been living here for weeks without showing any face.”

She took the time to examine the strangers, noting how similar to her own coloring they were, the three wolves in different hues of golden fur. They looked familiar, but she couldn’t pinpoint the why.

“Glawn?!” The oldest exclaimed, stepping forward and easily ignoring the warning growls her pack gave her, “You’re alive!”

She paused, unsure on how to proceed, and looked confused back at Ashlen. She… Who were these wolves? Likely sensing her confusion the wolf called her over, ignoring the guarded looks Ashlen threw her.

“It’s me, Honsu!”

Honsu? But…

Oooh,she thought internally, That’s why they are familiar.

“We thought you died! You got separated from the group in that storm and no matter what, we couldn’t find you!” Honsu exclaimed, the she-wolf looking happy at her, “Is there anyone else with you? Any of our siblings?”

“Uh, no, sorry” Glawn said, awkwardly, “Only me.”

“Oh,” Honsu deflated, looking sad before shaking it off, “No matter, I’m so glad you are okay!”

“Glawn… Who are they?” Ashlen asked, looking confused at the exchange, voice rough and with a lisp as they tried to emulate as closely as possible the words to the local dialect, and failing horribly once again.

“Oh, um. These are my siblings” Glawn said, ignoring the shocked look both Lannel and Shivo threw her, “This is Honsu, and the other two behind are Clower and Aursa.”

Honsu scoffed at the looks they threw at her, and nudged Glawn, full out ignoring how tense her sister was.

“Well, let’s get going then. We have so much to tell you.”

“What?” Glawn asked, nervously.

“Well, these guys have a problem with us being here, so let’s go. You know this place, right? You must know very good places to stay!” Honsu exclaimed, throwing a despective look at her pack, “These mutts must be bad company, come on.”

“I—Honsu, I can’t leave!” Glawn said, almost horrified and irked at the way she had referred to the others, “You can’t just, just slide in and tell me what to do!”

“Why not? I’m the oldest” Honsu huffed, offended, “And they have a problem with us, so we have to leave.”

“I—” She hesitated, “It’s going to be winter soon, we could die out there without shelter!”

“We’ll make do,” Her sister said, “We surely will find something, me and Clower need to find a good place anyways.” 

Glawn blinked, and looked closely at her sister, noticing how more rounded she looked, despite the almost skeleton way her fur clung to her body, and how Clower looked to the side, embarrassed, looking the same way as her sister.

“You’re pregnant!” She exclaimed, surprised, “I—We—No! We have to stay!”

She turned around, ignoring the protest of her sister.

“Ashlen, surely they can stay, right? My siblings are pregnant, can they stay for the winter, please?” She almost begged, “Please?”

“...Sure?” Ashlen said, shrugging, “It’s your family, and I know how much you miss them, of course they can stay with us for a while.”

“Guys?” She turned to look at Lannel and Shivo, who both shrugged, clearly confused, and she took that as an agreement.

“Glawn we will not stay with them!” Her sister demanded, ignoring the wary looks the rest of her siblings threw at her.

“Oh, please? You’re pregnant, and so is Clower! You need to rest, to eat, you look exhausted!”

“Glawn, no!” Honsu said.

“Honsu, we’re exhausted. And you cannot afford to stay outside,” Clower muttered, their voice low yet stern, “We should accept their offer, we are barely surviving as it is.”

Honsu’s face softened, as she looked at her sibling, and nodded, suddenly looking more tired than before.

“Yeah, okay. We'll stay.” She accepted, “Only for winter, but we’ll stay.”

Glawn nodded, and slowly started to guide her siblings back to her home, Ashlen trailing faithfully behind her.

Meanwhile, the brothers looked at each other in confusion at the resolution of the events, both having been prepared to continue fighting or simply leaving but not to the strangers that had been living in their territory to simply be invited into their home, no questions asked.

“Did you know she had sisters?” Lannel whisper yelled at Shivo, who shrugged confused, “What in the name of the Moon is this?”

“Dunno, Lan, dunno” Shivo said, before nudging his brother, “Come on, let’s just get back home. My legs are killing me.”

[featherfang]

Of Bones and Broken Arrows - Fenris

So this is part one of a short story told in four parts from different prospectives. A Dragon Age Inquisition after story about how after Solac leaves his lover after saving her life, The Inquisition is disbanded and She goes to Kirkwall to heal. This is a first draft so please excuse any typos as this was not Betaed! May change in the future. Enjoy~

...

Fenris had known Varric would be returning with company, the dwarf had sent a letter ahead to Aveline and the guardsmen had told the rest of his friends, the Tevinter elf counted among them. Still, when he first saw her, he was hit with an unexpected amount of emotional pain.

Pain because she had the same red hair as his sister, the sister that had sold him out and when left him with nothing but unanswered questions. The same hair color that he himself might have very well have had when he had been Leto.

Pain because the elf stand next to his friend didn’t look like someone who had saved the world from Andrasta knows what. She looked tired and hollowed out inside, amber eyes dulled to the point of looking more yellow than gold. The ghost of a smile had lingered on her lips as she met his friends, her shoulders relaxing ever so slightly when Merrill greeted her in the way of their people and then pulled her into a hug. He had nearly forgotten she was Dalish, as the hero held no tattoos upon her face.  

Pain, because as Fenris looked at her, at the missing half of her arm and the way she seemed to simply be dragging herself through hell, she looked just as Hawk had after her mother had died. Broken and tired and wanting nothing more than to stare off into space for the rest of her life, yet unable to due to the nature of her life.

It was because of that pain that the white hair elf had interjected when they started discussing where the Inquisitor would be staying. The Hanged Man? Merrill's home? His feet had moved him forward without even thinking about it.

“She can stay at the Amell Manor with me,” he stated, surprising everyone except the dwarf. “It’s what Serenity would want if she were here.”

They didn’t argue with him, knew he was right. The inquisitor had looked at him - Aursa, her name was Ausra - and given him a watered-down smile that nearly made him flinch. She was one of the last people who had seen the women he loved, who was now somewhere far off at a Gray Warden base doing hell knew what. He would have been gone, after her if she hadn’t asked him in a letter to stay where he was, to trust her.

So he stayed and now shared a too large home with another hero who’d given too much to the world and been given nothing back. Who wrapped her one hand around a jaw bone necklace around her neck every time she spoke, which wasn’t often. He found out from Varric only a few days after she’d arrived why when they’d been as the bar, his eyes carefully surveying Ausra from across the way as she nursed a drink.

She hadn’t just been broken, she’d been ripped to shreds. Solas, the man she’d loved had lied to her from the beginning, then turned his back on her, disappearing without a word. That when he’d finally shown back up it had been because he had a mission to fix what he’d done because he wasn’t just Solas, he was The Dread Wolf, a Dalish God, but not really a god at all. After everything they had been through together the male elf’s only gift to her had been to save her life by taking her arm off and then leaving her one final time. Choosing some impossible, world ending duty over the person he’d claimed to love

It made what Fenris had done to Hawke seem vastly feeble in comparison.

Now the Inquisition was gone, disbanded by its leader because how could she lead now? Fenris had seen the bow and the carving tools she kept on a table in her room, both things that required two hands.  

The jawbone she wore wasn’t even the one Solas wore. According to Varric she’d found the Wolf bone on their way here and turned it into a replica. She hadn’t given a reason and no one had questioned her on it.

The days wore on, and Fenris realized that the two residents of the house were both waiting for their lovers to return. It was one of the only things they really had in common, but he doubted after everything he’d learn that the end result would be the same.

Ausra had a lot of nightmares. He’d heard her scream from his room and then after awhile the footsteps of her wandering down to the main floor. At first, he left her alone, but after the weeks turned into a month, he approached her with two glasses and a bottle wine. She had laughed - laughed - for the first time since he’d met her and gladly accepted the company. He didn’t ask what the dreams were about, not until the month had turned into two and their glasses of wine by the burning fire had turned into one of the few times were they really talked. When he spoke of his life and she regaled adventures that seemed like myths. When he finally did ask she given him a long sad look and then had thrown back the last of her wine before answering.

“He visits me in my sleep sometimes,” she’d explained evenly. “He never speaks, just watches me, and when I try to touch him, he vanishes like smoke in the wind, every time.”

It was a form of cruelty Fenris hadn’t thought possible, and after that, he understood Ausra just a bit better.

Two more weeks passed and the bottles were starting to stack up at the house, her tab doing much the same at the Hanged Man. He had thought with time she would get better, that he might see what type of woman it took to walk out of the fade and save the world from a tear in the sky. But she wasn’t getting better, she was sinking farther and farther into the same hole Serenity had once been in.  

So during another glass of wine by the fire, Fenris finally snapped and spoke up. He nearly snarled at her to not let him win. That she was worth more than this Solas had ever even known. She’d stared at him, a frown etched into her features, making the scars that ran across her face somehow more visible. Her counter, hadn’t been what he had expected.

“It’s not that easy.”

He knew that.

Hell he’d been there, probably would still be that if not for Hawke.

He didn’t tell her that though, instead, he told her something else. Something more familiar to her.

“Did Serenity ever tell you about the time she refused to use her magic?”

The look on the redhead’s face clearly stated Hawke hadn’t. Fenris wasn’t surprised, it wasn’t exactly anything he liked to talk about either. Yet, for some reason, he felt he needed to this time.

So he told her.

Told her about what happened the Hawke’s mother and how it had taken its toll on the women he loved. She’d stopped using magic completely, convinced much like he had been at the time that nothing good could come of it. She went from being a battle mage to being a fighter, her staff always turned so that the blade part was at the ready. She started drinking more, sleeping less, got rings under her eyes like Anders but she wasn’t possessed by a demon. She started getting reckless during battles. Refused healing magic and threw out all of her lyrium potions. Everyone tried to talk sense into her, everyone but him. Fenris hadn’t felt he could, not when his own thoughts on magic were much the same, not when she’d just throw it back in his face. He’d done enough to her, he couldn’t help her.

“What changed?” Ausra asked when he paused and for the first time since he’d met her, he saw a flicker of life in those amber eyes. He smirked and poured more wine for the both of them.

“She touched my markings,” he stated, holding up a bear hand, the lyrium on it in plain sight.  “She got drunk and lost her balance, so I caught her and her hand brushed over my markings and it felt...wrong.”

“I don’t understand.” Of course, she wouldn’t. How could she?

“When we… when she was using her magic constantly, it always seemed to linger on her skin and when she’d touch me,” he remembered that first night they slept together, her hand all over him, tracing his markings. She’d asked if it had hurt and he’s smirked. Quite the opposite. “It always made my markings… hum, in a way. It was the first time I’d ever felt magic and it hadn’t hurt. When I didn’t feel it...I realized maybe I was looking at Magic the wrong way.” He explained. He didn’t like it still, not really, but suddenly it hadn’t been a black and white topic to him, it’d split into shades of gray. He’d realized it depended more on who was using the magic than the magic itself. “Hawke had never depended on her magic like most mages, but she still needed it, and I knew I was probably the only one who could make her see it.” Because even though at the time they’d both still been hurting from what he’d done, he’d known he still loved her and that she cared about him. She hadn’t moved on or shown any interest with anyone else, no matter how hard Anders tried.

“What did you do?” Ausra asked, tilting her head, her short hair - nearly at short as his own - shifting a bit, the braid in the front brushing against her cheek.

“I… well, we ended up alone at one point and I took drastic steps. Cut my wrist open right in front of her.” He watched her mouth drop open in a gawking expression and he laughed slightly. “Serenity has always been as good a healer as Anders was, as I’m sure you know after fighting with her, I figured it was the only way to push the subject and remind her of what she told me the first time we met.”

“And what was that, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Fenris smiled, looking into the fire.

“That no matter how dark something can appear, there is always a light within it.” It had worked, in the end, Serenity had cried and shouted at him, but she’d given in, healed him and then cried in his arms till there was nothing left to cry about. It was the first time he had held her in two years.

Fenris hadn’t been sure his story had help Ausra, not until a day later when she’d come down for breakfast and looked him straight in the eyes and he’d seen what he had thought he would the first time he’d met.

“I want you to teach me how to use a sword,” she’d stated and it had been the ex-slave’s turn to gawk. Her brows had furrowed, hard lines over her eyes. “If I can't shoot my bow I want to know how to fight another way. I can throw blades but I need a close combat weapon. Will you help me?”

He thought about pointing out that a bow hadn’t been a close combat weapon either, or that her style of fighting - that of a rogue - was vastly different from his own. He thought about telling her to ask one of the others because he used two handed swords and she couldn’t given the lack of one.

He didn’t.

Instead, he’d smirked and leaned back in his chair. “It won't be easy,” he warned her and watched in astonishment as she smiled. Really smiled for the first time he’d known her. He realized this was the women who had saved the world. Her hand lingered on the bone necklace, but the redhead held his gaze.

“I can handle it.”

After that, the nights by the fire were sated with tea, not wine.  

[smartseo4you]

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Rusia avertizează asupra consecinţelor unei eventuale retrageri a trupelor străine din Afganistan

O eventuală retragere a trupelor străine din Afganistan ar avea "consecinţe imprevizibile" asupra situaţiei militare din ţară, a avertizat joi reprezentantul special al Kremlinului pentru Afganistan, Zamir Kabulov. "Nu este momentul ideal pentru retragerea din Afganistan a soldaţilor străini, inclusiv a soldaţilor americani", a declarat Kabulov agenţiei TASS, preluate de AFP. "Situaţia de securitate în ţară se deteriorează, iar forţele afgane nu sunt în măsură să reziste singure opoziţiei armate", a explicat el. "Ţinând cont de situaţia actuală, o plecare grăbită a militarilor străini ar avea consecinţe imprevizibile şi ar anula complet puţinele progrese realizate în ultimii ani", a continuat oficialul rus. Potrivit lui Kabulov, numărul total de extremişti din nordul Afganistanului este de circa 15.000 şi există pericolul ca ei să încerce să se extindă pe teritoriul statelor vecine din Asia centrală. Reprezentantul Rusiei a reafirmat joi că ţara sa este gata să coopereze în privinţa Afganistanului cu Statele Unite şi cu NATO. Marţi, Moscova a anunţat că va găzdui la jumătatea lui februarie o reuniune internaţională privind problema afgană cu reprezentanţi ai statelor din regiune, dar fără participare occidentală.

Aursa – AGERPRES

Sursa articol jurnalul.ro

, sursa articol http://blogville.ro/rusia-avertizeaza-asupra-consecintelor-unei-eventuale-retrageri-a-trupelor-straine-din-afganistan/

[theazkapack]

Winter Shift

While resting from her scouting duties, Glawn takes some time to think about the recent changes in the pack and how she feels about it.

The den feels colder.

It may just be Glawn’s imagination, but it feels colder, lonelier even, as she stares at the empty space near her. Most of the pack is outside, hunting and helping, braving the fierce snow to be able to bring food and furs back here. The pack den’s is almost empty, and Glawn would think so, if not for the muted whinings of pups.

Her sister, Honsu, had given birth to 3 healthy pups a fortnight ago, the tiny kids left on the soft bed of feathers and fur while their mother left, joining the hunting party as soon as she could, as if desperate to run away from her children. Glawn couldn’t fault her, it felt weird to know less than a few meters away, tiny tiny wolves had been brought to life, when the last time she remembered so felt so long ago, in milder places where food wasn’t to be hunted and health was a given, and not a wish; when she could still sleep next to her parents, as the humans took care of their territory, a sweet melody of the past that could not be heard again.

But, Glawn thought, she couldn’t run away from it, unlike her sister. The pups were here for winter, so she knew come Spring the gangly kids would leave, stumbling behind their mother’s steps into the wild. If she strained her ears, she could hear Jet soothing them, the lone wolf having gladly taken the pupsitter role, their inexperience greatly covered by their enthusiasm and efforts. They were a great asset, especially considering how much Honsu appeared to run away from her charges, spending only the necessary time with them before leaving once again, into the harsh snow to hunt for food or to glare at Ashlen from the safety of her perch with Glawn’s other siblings.

She barely hid her whine, as she curled up, thinking about her friend. Ashlen was less and less in the den, practically living outside if not for the brief moments where they would nap at her side, before once again leaving with tired joints into the distant lands of their territory. The leader of the pack was tired, especially with winter upon them, limping from place to place, bringing food and items to amuse the wiggling pups before leaving once again, their duty too great to let themself rest for more than a few hours before bracing the wilderness once more. She missed them, oh so greatly, and for a second, she let herself feel bitter against her siblings for coming, knowing Ashlen’s absence was their fault, before she remembered herself and shook her head.

It was wrong of her to be resentful towards her siblings when they had clearly needed help, and yet, as she stared at where Ashlen should be, their presence a warm weight against her side, she couldn’t feel that remorseful. She had grown attached to her new life, waking up and playing around with Lannel or Shivo, sunning in warm afternoon with Ashlen, scouting the places that rested after the river that delimited their territory and coming back to a happy pack, not the current shade that was here, hungry and famined, tension and constraint infighting at every second.

She had given up on her siblings, having slowly come to terms with the fact that she would never see them again, and yet here she was, three of her siblings alive and whole, having survived alone out there. She knows their life there was harsh, she sees it in the way Honsu tracks almost obsessively their rations, how Clower stands to the background, ready at any moment to leave and bolt, in the way Aursa is different, scars covering the once untouched golden fur. She sees it, like a glaring mark, in the way she can count every rib in her sister’s chest, in the way Clower seems to freeze when Lannel and Shivo fight too loudly, in the way Aursa eats so fast, as if he thinks the food will be snatched from his maw.

She sees the evidence, so piled up and high it tears her open, an empty feeling that leaves her adrift in the cold winter. And Glawn knows herself, she would rather die than let her siblings leave, knowing deep within her that they would die without her pack’s help, knowing that they wouldn’t manage to adapt to the wilderness that this place is, so different yet so alike to the place that once was their home. They wouldn’t survive out there, and Glawn isn’t keen on getting kin-slayer branded on her fur, a shame pressed for everyone else to judge upon.

But, her siblings being here is a disaster, she is not yet blind to it. Ashlen leaves longer and longer, Lannel and Shivo only seem to know to snap at each other, fur always bristled, no longer the gentle wolves she had become friends with. Jet stays enclosed in the den, barely going out there, focused so much on the pups survival she is surprised they hadn’t become a stone guardian from how little they move; Mosra who only sticks to the edges, almost afraid to interact with anyone. In how Clower barely seems to talk, ignored in favor of their more abrasive sister; in how Aursa seems confused, stumbling around, not knowing how to kill the tension that keeps the pack on edge. Glawn sees it, how the change hurts them almost, leaving the pack barely hanging by a thread.

She sighs, and slowly stands up, throwing one last glance at the bed that should hold her friend, before she walks outside, the snow instantly clinging to her golden fur. So much has changed, and yet, she thinks morosely, she has a job to do. The sun rises, the Moon leaves, and Glawn is a scout, ready to fulfill her duty as it is intended.

She picks a direction and starts walking, hoping that if she walks enough, she will manage to ignore how everything seems to be crumbling around her.

[theazkapack]

Winter Timeline (1st Year)

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

Fall ends, Winter starts

Aursa joins the hunt party, to help out

Honsu’s pups are born

Jet and Mosra join the pack: Glawn comes across 2 lone wolves and offers them to join the pack.

Clower’s pups are born

Jet and Mosra take roles: Mosra joins the hunting party while Jet becomes a pupsitter

Honsu and Ashlen have a fight

Winter ends, Spring starts.

End ID.]

[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]

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]

The Siblings: Aursa

[ID: A wolf with a gold coat and a red and beige marking along the back. The underside is a faded white. End ID.]

One of the youngest of the surviving family, Aursa was stuck constantly trying to relieve tension in their small pack as they were released in the unforgiving wild.

Having been released in the beginning of winter, the family barely had any idea of what to do, and Aursa was left floundering, trying desesperatly to keep the family together, despite how difficult surviving was. His combative nature was not helpful, despite his efforts, 

Having been raised in a sanctuary, not a single one of the wolves knew how to react, and they were slowly started to be picked off, as they waltzed from danger into danger, no matter how much his sister tried, they started to lose everyone. Forced to take the difficult decisions, to continue on after their siblings got lost in the storm, the family went towards the mountains, desesperate for shelter in the incoming winter.

Famine fell onto the pack like swift vultures, and Aursa watched it all happen, as his sisters tried luck with nearby packs and getting rejected, or even worse, killed. He tried his best to help out, but prey was scarce and no matter how much he tried, everything kept running away from him.

With only Clower and Honsu left, both heavily pregnant, they ended up in the territories of the Azka pack, without a care for the claims that had been laid down already, trying their best to survive there on rotten carcasses and left overs, until they were found by the pack.

Combative and slightly aggressive, Aursa loves to fool around and spar with his new packmates, despite how sometimes they are unwilling participants. He is knwon for teasing Glawn relentlessly, and while he thinks that Ashlen is a bit young to lead the pack, he respects their position.

Aursa quickly manages to integrate into the pack, and hopes, for the sake of her sister, that they manage as well.

[theazkapack]

The Siblings: Honsu

[ID: A wolf with a golden coat, a dark red and brown markings on the back and white underside. End ID]

The oldest of the surviving siblings, Honsu took over once her family was released onto the wild.

Having been released in the beginning of winter, the family barely had any idea of what to do, and Honsu rose to the ocassion, trying her best to care for the rest of her family, as the group started to investigate the wild.

Having been raised in a sanctuary, not a single one of the wolves knew how to react, and they were slowly started to be picked off, as they waltzed from danger into danger, no matter how much Honsu tried, she started to lose everyone. Forced to take the difficult decisions, to continue on after her siblings got lost in the storm, she guided the rest towards the mountains, running herself ragged to try to keep everyone alive.

Famine fell onto the pack like swift vultures, and Honsu was witness to the winter snuffing out the life of her siblings, standing vigil before the corpses as the cold continued on. Some of her sisters had gotten pregnant with a lone wolves, or tried luck with already established packs in the territory, always ending up dead or exiled away. 

With only Clower and Aursa left, Honsu focused on doing anything to survive, stealing carcasses left behind by other predators, and guiding her siblings to whatever small clearing they could stay for the night. Having gotten pregnant by accident after trying her luck with a previous lead wolf from another pack, Honsu guided Clower, who also had gotten pregnant, and Aursa to the territories of the Azka pack, without a care for the claims that had been laid down already.

Bossy and rigid, Honsu decided to stay with the Azka pack until her pups have been born, knowing they wouldn’t survive the harsh of the winter without the protection of other wolves. She disdains the other wolves that aren’t her family, and finds Ashlen an awful lead for how young they are. 

Time will tell, if Honsu will manage to adapt to the new pack or will stay in her ways.