Senka

Senka had finally figured out whee her son was and at first she had been irate with him but when she heard his words she agreed that it would be nice to reestablish the haunters as a whole and there would be no way she would be stepping down however; She told him they would meet her here. She brought her daughter Menace Tyrants sister with her as their protection as she could handle herself but Terserk was getting up there and if Velvet brought another big cat with her thee was little way that Terserk could defencd herself.

Menace sat by her mother waiting.

Velvet & Tersek

Velvet had not been keen on traveling to the Canyon without proper backup, and had anyone else set up the meeting, she would have brought further support with her. But Tyrant was a cat of his word as far as Velvet was concerned, and despite her differences with him, she did respect his integrity and honesty. Besides, he'd been willing to enter the literal lions den and bed with the Nuova Alba without any support himself, so she gambled with the belief that he was not setting her up, and that this meeting would bring about a stronger pack in the end.

Carrying herself in confidence, the lioness followed Tyrant towards their destination, her mind running through a hundred different scenarios. When at last they reached the rendezvous point, Velvet slowed and came to a stop, her mouth slightly agape as she panted to cool herself down in the summer's heat. "Senka." Came her greeting, offered in a level, cautious tone. Eyes shifted then to Tersek, "Tersek."

The aging Haunter had resented the idea that they even needed backup, and refused to believe it was because of his advancing age - even if Senka was entirely justified in her worries. He hadn't griped too much about it though, and sat on Senka's opposite side as he waited for the other party to arrive. When they did, the elderly canine immediately stood back up and expanded his ruff. "Velvet, you made it." His words weren't quite as neutral as hers, but he at least didn't growl at her.

Senka

Senka was glad that it seemed only Tyrant was with her. She glanced at her daughter who slunk back away to give them room but still able to get to their side. Before looking to Velvet. VelvetShe said calmly butting her head with her son once before focusing back on the other female.tyrant says your trying to change your ways and that you'd be interested in merging the haunters back togetherShe said calmly. Her fur was a bit ruffed up but she stood her ground .

Tyrant rubbed heads with his mother and sister before returning to Velvets side.

Velvet & Tersek

Velvet didn't let Tersek's sour attitude get to her, knowing that the aggressive canine was of little threat to her, and had been a loyal Haunter from the day he was born. Waiting patiently for mother and son to finish their greeting, the lioness's attention was directed between the two co-leads. "I've spent a good deal of time in the past few weeks considering what Tyrant has requested. I'm not keen on abandoning Risen's teachings, but I've come to the belief that we can still honor her code without stealing young." Tersek narrowed his eyes at the lioness, not fully believing her. He was mildly intrigued though, and remained quiet while she continued.

"I also believe that merging our packs back into a united Shadow Haunters, back at the Ruins where we belong, would further honor her." Velvet let that sink in before she went on, "Senka and Tersek, you've always had my respect for your dedication to the Haunters, and because of that, I would be willing to relinquish my title of leader of a united Haunters to you, and take up my mantle as Oracle once more. I would expect a degree of authority with that rank, but it would be below yours."

Tersek shifted uncomfortably on his paws and looked questioningly to Senka. "How can we be sure this isn't a trap? Because of her, we lost many Haunters to this absurd fraction. She's the reason we no longer live at the Ruins."

Senka

Senka listened to her. Her right back leg was a little cocked but nothing more of her injury really showed the whole did but the bullet had been removed. She listened to both of them. It would indeed be nice. tersek, I do not believe its a trap to harm us, if that were the case Tyrant would of been harmed from all his time already with them. Whether she is talking truth about stopping the cub napping is the only thing tha worries meSHe said her eyes on Velvet.i could agree to those terms including your position only once im sure that no pups and cubs are being stolen by you or any that follow youShe said calmly. They needed the numbers. And know that if any of those that follow you so any objection to following us especially if they disrespect us we will put them in their placeShe said. Oh she knew wht happened but she hadn't been there to stop it and she was sure Nemu might actually switch sides if something happened thsi time.

Tyrant listened calmly. His ear flick.

Velvet & Tersek

"Tyrant himself can assure you that I've kept to my word on not capturing pups, and the rest of the Nuova Alba understand the ban." Almond-hued eyes flicked to the slightly awkward position Senka's leg was in, but the lioness was smart enough not to question the big cat on what had happened. Sticking strictly to business, the lioness ventured forth, "Before we make any sort of official deal, let us make sure we are on the same paw here. I left the Haunters because of my belief that some of them had grown too morally soft in their ways, and too far from the path of Risen. If we are to reunite and reform the Haunters as a whole once more, I want us to live up to our name. No nabbing pups - that's fine by me - but we will not be afraid of war. And we will train our members, and we will fight those that oppose us." She was looking hard at Senka now, and shifting that solid eye contact with Tersek as well. "Is that something you can agree to?"

That was an easy one for Tersek, who was the spawn of Vicious himself and born into the fighting and bloodshed. "Yeah, I've got no problem with that." He side-glanced at his co-lead, then back to the lioness.

Senka

She listened calmly.we have never stopped with what Risen really wanted and we will continue to push our presence on those in this valley till they submit to usShe said calmly. The pup nabbing was the only thing they stopped. Senka saw no reason for it.

Tyrant listened to them all. He knew his mother had nothing against war and fighting. They all wanted the same thing in the end to be the main pride the leader of the valley.

Velvet & Tersek

Velvet was relieved to hear Senka's words, and her willingness to continue with the agenda of taking over the Valley. That was, above all else, her greatest reservation against bringing Senka's Haunters back into the fold, and now that fear had been alleviated. "I'm happy to hear that. You've not lost your warrior's spirit - but what about the rest of the Haunters that remain? Do they feel the same way? How many of them, exactly, are there left?" She didn't know that there were still an entire band of Haunters still missing.

"There's a few of us." Tersek responded, letting Senka fill in the names if she wished to. "And don't worry about our fighting spirit, we still have that and then some. Even used it against the humans to get Darkia back." The pride in the grizzled old wolf's face was more than enough to convince Velvet that the rest of the Haunters were in line with the old ways. Or, at the very least, willing to fight to protect their own, and that was a good enough start as far as the lioness was concerned.

Senka

Senka listened calmly. We have never lost our fighting spiritShe said. They were the true haunters through and through they only changed one thing. Senka also pushed that when fighting happened that they only attack the fighting force. Those guarding pups were left alone even if they still would not join them for the time of course. As far as we know or are concerned those that are with us all still believe in taking over the valley. She says. We have a few of the horses Darkia and Cloudbreaker included, though darkia is not up to par currently still trying to put wieght and muscle back on. Then there the wolves and my other children and father and a bull as wellOf course that bull was an odd one and she still didn't know what to think.

Tyrant wondered if Velvet might actually hold up to the no kidnapping. Cause if his mother and the rest returned just for Velvet to start up again another internal fight would occure.

Velvet & Tersek

"That truly does ease my conscience." Velvet admits, speaking the truth and feeling just a cautious slice of optimism about the whole reunification. "While we are on the note of what is and isn't tolerated, are there any other issues you want to bring up? Are you still in agreement about breeding for strength over having permanent mates?" The lioness herself was already showing something of a belly, even if her litter was destined to be a small one this season. "Not that I mind our packmates taking a lifetime partner, but I do firmly believe that breeding should be reserved for the production of stronger offspring to benefit the Haunters, and not restricted to a single mate."

Tersek shook his scarred muzzle, "Not a problem for me." The old brute had never been interested in a mate anyway, and had produced a number of powerful offspring during his time in the Haunters. For him, this was an easy agreement. "I don't have much else to add to all of this, other than to ask who all is with your Nuova now?"

Velvet smiled, "Actually, we recently invited a pride of lions in. Three adults and two cubs. Aside from that, we have Nemu and her children, Lupanare and Sunburst, and Leomar and Zanarah." Almost as a second thought, the lion added on, "We do still have Nightshade, and have been looking for Quilikham, but haven't found her."

Senka

Senka Listened. I think that those that just want their mates they should be allowedi t however; if someone does not have a mate at a time then yes they should breed with the strongest available breeding partner. As it stand us cats don't normally take mates anyways, I have no problem with thatShe says then listens to who all is there.What of Nemu twin dusqui?

Tyrant listened to them.

Velvet & Tersek

Seeing a minor conflict with her vision of the Haunters, Velvet delicately strove for a compromise, "My only proposal there would be that if one mate is physically weak or unfit for producing good offspring, their partner breed with a more fit member. Other than that, they could remain as mates." When Dusquei was brought up, Velvet went quiet for a moment. And after a second or two, the lioness furrowed her brows and answered, "I came across her remains some time ago. I'm sorry, Nemu."

Senka

She sighed at Velvet and shook her head. If the female is fine with that then I have no problem with her breeding with anyone other then that of their mate. If you force them to do so that will cause internal problems and I am against internal problems. That is what will kill us. You may deem someone weak but their mate may deem them strong and I personally believe everyone is strong in one way or anotherShe said and then frowned at the news of Nemu's twin.have you told Nemu? She asks.

Tyrant frowned about the part of Dusquei.

Velvet & Tersek

"You're right on the internal conflicts." Velvet agreed, holding steady her gaze with Senka. If there was too much tension or any disgruntled Haunters in the pack, it would only make the group weaker, and was the very reason Bandit and his group had left in the first place. That was something Velvet wanted to avoid at all costs, but only if the newly forged Haunters did not have the same weaknesses that had led her to leaving them in the first place. "We can handle that on a situational basis then, if you'll agree to that? If a mate is physically weak, but has strengths in other areas - swiftness, keen intelligence, and so on, then I would see no problem with it."

The lioness began to pant lightly again in the heat of the sun. She briefly turned her gaze out to the Valley below, imagining all of it united under the paw of one pack. Senka's question pulled Velvet back to reality, and she looked to Senka, "No, not yet. It had happened some time ago, during the conflicts, before we overtook the Ruins."

Senka

Senka believed everyone had a strength somewhere. For now I suppose that will do as I personally believe everyone has a strength somewhere any howShe said calmly. what say you Terserk?She would not do anything without him agreeing. She did turn back to Velvet. If Terserk thought it was a good idea to merge they would merge, senka would take over as high matriach of the pride/pack. Terserk by her side. Velvet could remain in a high position as advisor.

Tyrant hoped this was the right thing to do. Perhaps Velvet would hold to her no pup napping.

Menace sat in the background cleaning her paws.

Velvet & Tersek

Tersek was watching Velvet the entire time, trying to judge the lioness on her words and their sincerity. He didn't entirely trust her, but he did trust that she wanted the best for the Haunters. His keen nose also told him that she didn't have any Nuova hiding in the shadows around them, so she must have been hopeful that this merger would be a successful one. "Hmmh." The elder wolf grunted, "So far I can settle with everything that's been brought up. We'll be stronger united, and having the Ruins back will be to our advantage." He met Senka's gaze and held it, "It'll take some time for everyone to regain trust, but I think we can make this work. I say yes."

Velvet purred quietly, thus far pleased with how the negotiations had turned out. There would be a few wrinkles to iron out later, and as Tersek brought up, she didn't expect everyone to be friendly and at ease moving back into the Ruins together. There had been a lot of bloodshed and death between them after all, but... such was life of the Haunters. "Then, if you two have no further questions or concerns, when can I expect the rest of the Haunters to arrive? I'll need a bit of time to ready those at the Ruins of course, but I don't expect any of them to object to the decision."

Senka

She listened to each of them carefully weighting everything down.Give us three days and around then we shall make our way homeShe still wanted to converse with the rest of the pride first especially her father.

Tyrant listened carefully he would be going back with Velvet, he rarely left her side not because he was making sure she didn't pup nap but because of her being pregnatn with his cubs.

Velvet & Tersek

"Three days. That will be plenty of time for us to prepare." The lioness stood up as she replied, "I do appreciate you both taking the time to come here today, and I do look forward to the Haunter's return." She padded forward, closing the gap between herself and the co-leads. Tersek rumbled slightly, but did not snap or draw away when she rubbed her cheek against him, letting her scent mingle with the wolf's. She did the same with Senka, mixing the banner of the Nuova and the Haunters together before turning away from them and beginning her trek back to the Ruins.

Senka

This would be tense she knew it for both halves. She let her and watched Tyrant join her. She waited till they were gone before starting to head back.what do you think?She asked Terserk.

Menace followed.