Break down (open)

After the pack had gone to sleep, Blitz rose from his den, exiting it and making his was quietly through the den area towards the Moonlight Meadow. It had been a long time since he had spoken with the spirits last, and he was in desperate need of their guidance. With Inferno's desertion and all of the changes in the pack, he could barely tell right from wrong anymore. But he knew that he needed to do what was best for the pack, regardless of what that was. But that was what he was here in hopes of finding out.

He approached the fog-filled meadow slowly, his eyes up on the stars, praying that the spirits speak to him in one way or another. But even as he reached the center of the meadow, he was greeted with nothing but silence. He sat down, staring at the stars and contemplating the pack happenings and the potential for growth or failure in the future. The pack was in a delicate time, and he desperately needed guidance to find a way through the darkness and into a new beginning.

In his den, Coven lay curled around Molly, eyes open even though there was nothing to see in the darkness. Sleepless nights were turning out to be the norm ever since he and Molly had fought and almost separated forever. There were just too many things on his mind...too many things that couldn't even be sorted out into specific items. It was like a tornado of blurred worries, regrets, and misgivings was swirling around in his head, making him crazy. Slowly, the black wolf untangled himself from Molly, who was sleeping deep and peacefully. He wouldn't be gone long, but he had to get out and moving about, something to calm his mind, perhaps even resolve a few things.

'Where to go now?' he thought, standing outside the den. Without consciously making the decision, the wolf started trotting in the direction of the meadow, the one place in Silverlight where he felt utter peace and belonging. Perhaps he'd even see a spirit. That could have some good implications. Hardly distinguishable in the darkness, Coven moved along silently, slowing down to a walk as he broke the trees and entered the meadow. It took half a second for him to notice that he wasn't alone. A large white figure sat in the middle of the meadow, looking up. It had to be Blitz, the master of the meadow. Coven pulled back his ears a bit and narrowed his eyes, swaying slightly as he weighed the options of heading in a different direction or going into the meadow anyway. In the end, the wolf moved forward, refusing to back off as if Blitz owned the entire meadow. There was more than enough room for two, and Coven needed to be here.

Blitz stared up at the stars, silently begging to the spirit's guidance for what seemed like hours, the sudden presence of the black male pulling him back to earth. He lowered his gaze, turning and looking over at Coven as he approached. He noted the male's hesitation, and the gleam of what he interpreted as defiance in his eyes, but he said nothing. He wished that words would come, but his mind and mouth were silent, and he found himself looking back up at the stars, staring at that as if they were about to speak to him any moment.

But he was only greeted with silence, and the large male slowly let his gaze fall to the thick grasses at his feet, unsure of the reasoning behind the spirits's utter ignorance of him. It was probably because he had done such a poor job at leading this pack, and he bet Coven would like to elaborate on that one. But right now, he said nothing to the black male, and instead stared off into the trees, his eyes blank and confused at the same time. Although the alpha did a fairly good job at hiding his stress, worry, exhaustion, and fears in front of the pack, he found his walls crumbling as he looked back up at the stars, his expression creased with worry, fear, uncertainty, and confusion. Where the hell did the pack go from here?

Unlike Blitz, Coven was here to move around, get his blood moving in a rhythm that he could hopefully sync his thoughts with. The black wolf caught the white one looking at him, but both effectively ignored each other after that for a while. But as Coven once more passed near Blitz, he felt the waves of negative emotions rolling off the alpha, causing the black wolf to look over and read Blitz's face. There, the feelings were even more clear, etched like words into the white wolf's face.

He probably should have stayed quiet, but lack of sleep, his own storm of issues clouding his head, and his natural tendency to insolence released from his mouth what was supposed to stay in his head, "In over your head, Blitz? Perhaps you should work more on your swimming skills than your star-gazing..." He snorted and continued to walk past, comparing the results of action versus the results of contemplation. He'd been in a pack consumed by action, but Blitz, in Coven's opinion, veered too far in the other direction. He was talking to lights in the sky instead of breathing, brain-bearing pack members!

Initially, the black male's words angered the alpha, but he wasn't an idiot. He knew why Coven was hanging around, and he wasn't about to get into another arguement that would end up just like the fight with Inferno. "Coven, when I want your opinion, I'll ask for it." He said, ignoring his usual goal of maturity and calm to growl at the other male. He didn't have patience or the energy to deal with his insolence, so he was determined not to. But even as he spoke the words to the black male, his eyes abandoned the skies and returned to the trees. It was obvious that the spirits would not be speaking to him tonight, and he simply needed to accept that. Slowly he got to his feet, ignoring the black form that skirted back and forth across the meadow and headed in the direction of the hot springs. He didn't need sleep right now, nor did he need a little Inferno clone humming around him. He needed peace. The stress was eating at him, and that on top of his lonliness and his climbing age, was slowly killing the alpha, something that he had hidden very well and continued to do so. He was still strong and sturdy, but age was catching up with him, and all of the stress in the pack was starting to take it's toll.

"Perhaps we'd all be better off if you asked for opinions when you need them, not when you want them. In my opinion, you definitely need them. Why else are you hanging around here?" he smirked at Blitz's retreating back, ending in a soft, scoffing chuckle. The black form continued making tracks in the grass of the meadow, enjoying the swishing of the grass against his sides and the feel of the soft soil beneath his paws. The meadow certainly was much more soothing now than it had been in the winter, but it apparently wasn't doing enough to chill the black wolf out. It was poor timing that Blitzen was the wolf around while Coven was having his own break down...the same one pretty much that had continued on for days, ever since he'd snapped with Molly.

Blitz finally turned and faced Coven as he spoke, his ears flicking backwards in annoyance. "I will ask opinions from the wolves that I trust, like Pravin, Molly or Fallon. You, on the other hand, can keep your arrogance to yourself." He said, narrowing his eyes as he watched the black form. "And it doesn't look like you've got everything figured out either." He said, easily picking up on the other male's own personal breakdown. He had seen him leave with Molly and come back hours later. It had obviously been a long talk, and Molly's influence had won over once more. He silently thanked the spirits for the white healer, after all, she had done so much for this pack, even found a place for Coven in the midst, although, with his behavior, Blitz didn't see that place as welcome for him for much longer.

Coven stopped and tilted his head at Blitz, gaze hard and serious now. "I don't have everything figured out, but I'm not responsible for the lives of every wolf in this entire pack! Putting on that 'I'm-the-high-and-mighty-perfect-patient-wise-Blitz' face around everyone doesn't mean things are getting fixed. There have been problems for so long, and instead of rallying the pack and fighting them, you come out here alone and expect little ghosts to give you answers, while hiding from your trusting pack the fact that things aren't ok? Half the pack at least is completely oblivious, all because you think you can handle this on your own, maybe with the help of a few choice members. Way to unite the pack," he finished with a sarcastic sneer, digging his claws into the ground in frustration. Not talking and sharing what was going on had been what almost destroyed his and Molly's relationship. At least they had been able to figure out that part, which was more than Blitz obviously had been able to do.

Even though still glaring, Coven moved back a step, thinking over his words again (because he agreed with them, of course) and realizing that he should have shut up a while ago. Like Inferno, he was sure he was right, but unlike Inferno, Coven had a reason to want to stay in the pack...well, he had a reason not to get kicked out of the pack. It was a grim hope that he had silenced himself early enough to avoid the get-ripped-up-by-your-angry-alpha part, too.

Blitz growled threateningly as Coven's words openly challenged his leadership. He knew that this male had no intention of taking over the pack, but he also knew that he saw a lot of Inferno's opinions in the black wolf. "You, Coven, are lucky that I don't kick you out of this pack altogether. If it weren't for Molly, I would not be so patient with you." He said, his posture dominant, but his body not moving threatening towards the male like he had with Inferno. Instead, he sat down, taking a deep breath and forcing his anger down his throat and to the pit of his stomach. Then he spoke again. "If you have opinions and suggestions, I will hear them. However, if you intend to 'reprimand' me for failing or insult my leadership, you can keep your words to yourself." He said, flicking his ears back in annoyance.

No, he wouldn't be kicking Coven out of the pack tonight, if not only for the sake of Molly then the truth that he knew was in the black wolf's words. It was the lack of respect and humility in their delivery that angered the alpha. Inferno had crossed the same line, and had found himself unwelcome in Blitz's eyes in their pack. But he had left on his own. Coven, he noted, had stepped back at the end of his speech, unlike Inferno who had stepped forward. It was obvious that the black male was frustrated with his leadership, and Blitz wasn't sure that he blamed him, but as alpha male, he still deserved respect from his pack members, regardless of their opinion. He was larger than Coven, and he had no problem tearing him a new one, but for the sake of the white female they all adored so much, he avoided violence tonight.

Already having realized his mistake, Coven lowered his ears and eyes - it required a few punches to his pride to do so - as Blitz reprimanded him. Molly (and the unfortunate event of stress flipping off the 'on' switch to Coven's brain) was the reason he had to endure this right now, while Molly was additionally the reason he was getting a second chance, yet again. Hm...perhaps this walk was ending up helpful after all. Molly really was what mattered, and he was figuring out right now that with her, things naturally seemed to be working out everywhere else, too. As for his apprehension about the future of his relationship with Molly, letting that all go was an option. All doubts about being with her now vanished completely. It appeared that one small piece fit correctly was all it took to allow the others to lock into place.

Coven kind of didn't hear any of the last part of Blitz's speech, though speaking out again wasn't on his agenda anyway. "Mmhm, sure, Blitz," he agreed vaguely with a fervent, yet completely ignorant, nod. "Thanks." That was kind of sincere, as if Blitz hadn't said...whatever he said before, then Coven wouldn't have been able to walk away at least ready to try to sleep. A little conflict with Blitz didn't phase him (especially with Molly on his side), but getting over the conflict with Molly was monumental. It was time to go. Trying to get out before Blitz - or Coven himself - could say anything else, the black wolf backed off, taking what the alpha had said as a solid dismissal, and loped out of the meadow and to the dens, ready to try to sleep now.

Pravin had been sleepless for quite a while, although he was almost sure he'd be tired even if he wasn't. Maybe a walk would take his mind to sleep, which in turn would take him. Rising from the ground in front of the warrior's den, he debated which way to go. Maybe he'd take a patrol while he was at it, he needed to confirm his fears about the extreme loner presence to the East. But as he walked, he passed a defeated Coven, and became curious as to what events had just occurred.

Walking calmly into the Moonlight Meadow, Pravin took a deep breath, forgetting how great this place could be at night. He almost made a run across the field, but stopped himself after realizing Blitz was there. Debating for a quick second, he decided to walk up in front of the alpha, nodding his hello.

Blitz wasn't at all surprised when Coven pretended to listen and then took off as soon as possible. But if he were to be honest, he was grateful for the black male's speedy exit. He didn't want to deal with the little Inferno-clone right now. When he finally disappeared, the white male sighed, sitting down in the center of the meadow again and closing his eyes. With a deep breath and a soft sigh, his eyes opened and were greeted with Pravin, who was approaching him slowly. "Couldn't sleep?" He asked, watching the new beta without the slightest bit of surprise. He had figured that Pravin would have a lot on his mind, and since Coven had been out here as well, he could honestly say he was glad to see the beta out here.

Pravin sat down in the tall grasses as Blitz greeted him. He shook his head to answer the question. "Not really. No." He almost questioned what had happened with Coven, but decided against it; it was none of his business. He had other things to think of anyway. This new beta position had him thinking about the pack a lot. Maybe he really was getting attached, loyalty was finally beginning to set in, even though he hadn't interacted with most of the pack. But he'd seen them, he knew this pack, he felt.

He took a deep breath, breaking his gaze at Blitz to look around the meadow. The nighttime illuminated the grasses and the forest, the fog that seemed to set. He could tell why the alpha enjoyed coming here, although he knew about the spirits. Was he looking for the spirits today? Pravin couldn't tell. Looking back to the large white male, he had to question, "What are you thinking, Blitz??"

Blitz wasn't surprised with the other male's answer, and his eyes found their way back to the stars as he sat quietly for a few more moments. Pravin's voice broke through his thoughts, asking him what he was thinking. "The pack is falling apart. I'm losing control. First Inferno, and now Coven." He said softly, looking back in the direction that the black male had narrowly escaped his anger and frustration. He felt his grip on leadership slipping, and he looked down at the grass with a soft sigh. "I don't know what to do, and the spirits seem to enjoy being absent from me." He said, looking back up at the sky miserably. What to do now?

Pravin wasn't entirely sure how Blitz felt on the whole spirits thing. Had he been depending on them this entire time? It didn't seem sensible, but Pravin knew that the alpha had been at this for a while; it must be working. These spirits didn't seem to do much, but they did seem to give real spirit to the wolves who started out here. Which did very well for the time being. Maybe the spirits were upset? Well, whatever it was, Pravin was becoming determined to fix it. For the sake of Blitz. "Well Blitz. I know your a strong wolf. Maybe the spirits are waiting for you to do something." Pravin had no idea where that came from.

KiRae had said his farewells to the trio of wolves, and now found himself on this quiet night, He walked through the dens, many of the wolves already asleep. He shook his head slightly, he felt the tiredness grip him, but didn't want to sleep, not yet. The silver wolf felt that he should be up now. Catching small glimpses of wolves leaving the den area, walking out to the meadows. KiRae flattened his ears slightly and quietly walked after them, He listened to the conversations between the wolves. He flattened his ears, tucking himself behind whatever cover he was able to find as another wolf came across the field, walking up to Blitz, this one seemingly more calm, He gave a soft, nearly silent whine as he began debating with himself as to just go back to the dens, or join the wolves.

Blitz listened to Pravin's words silently. As the beta finished speaking, he found that he was extremely grateful for the respectful, and even encouraging tone. It was a nice change from Inferno - and now Coven as well - and he found he enjoyed the choice he had made for beta. But soon his thoughts were interrupted by a new scent. He recognized it immediately, as he would any of his pack members. "KiRae, please come out. You're welcome in this meadow, and I do not appreciate the hiding around in the shadows. Come join us." He said softly, not sure where the male was, but wanting him out in the open, unsure of how much he had overheard. He hoped it wasn't much, for he needed the pack to believe that he and Pravin had everything under control. There was no need for panic, and it would only make matters worse for the pack.

The silver wolf jumped slightly as he heard Blitz's voice calling out to him, he flattened his ears and waited momentarily, thinking that he could manage away before the male could find him. But he decided against it. He couldn't get away since he knew who it was. He breathed in deeply before finally standing up in the meadow. He stepped forward, his ears pinned to his head and his tail tucked close to him. He instantly felt guilty about having eavsdropping on their convesation. "S-sorry alpha." he said softly and lowered his head as he stepped up infront of the wolf. KiRae attempted to keep eye contact but couldn't.

Finally the younger male came into view, and Blitz felt his annoyance soften. How could he be annoyed with KiRae? What right did he have? He found himself smiling and shaking his head as the silver male approached and submitted. It was refreshing to have a submissive male in the pack, and a respectful one at that. "It's Blitz, KiRae. There's no need for formal titles. Nor is there need to eavesdrop." He said softly, nudging the other male as he came over. "Relax. Couldn't sleep?" He asked, tilting his head to the side and glancing over at Pravin, hoping to see less worry on the beta's face than the last time he had looked over at him.

Pravin nodded at his own statement, finding that he agreed to it; even if he didn't quite believe in the spirits. If he did, they had to be waiting, right? Wasn't it they wanted this pack to grow and be strong, and isn't that what they are? Maybe they're not waiting, maybe they're just satisfied at the moment, not sure of what's to come. Pravin couldn't decide, when his thoughts were interrupted by a new scent that Blitz picked out. Out from the shadows came KiRae, and the beta gave him a respectful nod. Pravin noted that many wolves seemed to be out tonight...

The wolf looked over at Pravin before returning his attention to Blitz. "Thank you Blitz." He paused and nodded slightly. He pawed the ground a little and thought about his words. "I'm sorry Blitz...It won't happen again." He said soflty, bowing his head in apology, ears pinned back against his head. After a moment, he lifted his head again, and met Blitz's eyes. "I saw some other wolves come down here...and I just...Was curious." KiRae said softly in explination, his ears flicking slightly from their position

Blitz smiled at the smaller male, not at all upset that he had wandered over. "It seems that it's difficult for most of the pack to sleep. At least the males." He said, glancing over at Pravin and figuring he had come to the same solution. While they sat there, under the stars, Blitz let his mind wander, thinking over the past, the present, and most of all, the future. They had a lot of hardships coming up, and looking over at Pravin and then KiRae, he hoped they could all make it through. It wasn't going to be easy, and the alpha understood that he had to stop relying on the spirits to tell him what to do. He needed to be more involved in his pack, to lead them like he should have been this whole time. He wasn't sure how he was going to do it, but it needed to be done.

The Silver wolf looked around, Flicking his light colored as he looked up with the alpha, watching the stars. "Y-yeah, It seems So much more....Odd of late." he said and looked down, shaking his head as he did so. He'd noticed that a lot of the males, especially the older and higher ranked males, were more busy with pack ordeals. He looked around the meadow, a smile across his muzzle. It was quite nice being here, so quiet and peaceful. In his heart he wished that all the problems would go away and become like this. He chuckled and shook his head before standing up. "I'm...Going to try to sleep." he paused, stretching a little. "Good night." he said before walking off, heading to a quiet place not to far from the meadow.

Pravin nodded, agreeing with Blitz that lately, none of the males could sleep. How the females weren't disturbed was a mystery. The trio was left to silence and Pravin saw Blitz worrying for the pack. Pravin himself was questioning what he should do, especially with the growing loner presence not too far from here. But he forgot his worry when he saw the slow smile forming on KiRae's face. KiRae seemed so innocent, the pack worries didn't seem to hit him. Pravin was glad there were wolves like that here. His thoughts were stopped when KiRae stretched and walked away to sleep. "Goodnight." He called out, quickly. Looking back to Blitz, he almost asked if he thought Inferno was right about the pack falling apart. He decided against it, knowing that it was still a bruise on the Alpha's mind.

Blitz nodded as KiRae left, calling out his own 'goodnight' as Pravin did. The he looked over at the beta, frowning as he realized that Pravin knew what he was thinking. "I'll never stop worrying about this pack, even when times are good." He said, sighing softly and finally letting himsel lie down in the meadow. The grass was soft and comfortable, maybe even soothing as the cool breeze blew it to brush against his fur.

"What else can we do to keep this place from falling apart?" He asked, almost a rhetorical question because he couldn't even think of an answer for it. He wasn't sure if Pravin (or anyone) could either. It was frustrating and worrying, and it was all he could think about. All he would think about, until it was all over and the pack was strong and secure.