Mortis was a go-to wolf for his father. His oldest child, and easily one of the most obedient. So it didn’t really surprise the boy when he was ordered to grab a new wolf that had just joined and show her the ropes. Apparently, he would also be taking on some of her training. But first, introductions and showing her important locations. It was early hours of the morning, and he gave a light knock at the door, pausing to listen for her answer. His wings were pulled tight to his body so the large wolf didn’t take up too much space in the doorway. “Adelina? I’m Mortis Fatalis. My father asked me to show you around” He called out softly. "Mortis"

Since she had been left to settle in, she actually hadn't left much unless given express instruction to do so. She knew the freedom to exist among the pack lands was there and open for the taking, but it was still a difficult truth to accept. It was just simply more comfortable for her to be out of sight until someone came looking for her.

When a knock sounded at the threshold of her space, she couldn't help the pang of anxiety as she was greeted by an unfamiliar voice. Even still, she was quick to respond. There was no need for her introduction, as he was already aware.

Even if he didn't identify himself as one of Sirius' sons, it would have been an easy guess. Of course, there were differences, but the resemblance was there from what she could tell- as long as she dared to look. "H-Hello." Adelina greeted, adverting her gaze to the side. She was caught in a difficult headspace of trying to force herself to be more conversational, but at the same time, trying to answer with trained responses. Needless to say, it left words difficult to come by. "Thank you ..." She started. "For taking the time, I mean." A sentiment that seemed appropriate for the given address.

He gave her a sympathetic smile as she came into view. She didn’t seem willing to meet his eyes, and her voice was hesitant and uncertain when she spoke. He knew transitioning into a big change like pack life could be a hard one. She didn’t know the space or the people. Suddenly, he was glad for his fathers order. He had a strong feeling this little one could do with a friend. “Of course, It’s my pleasure. DId you want to start with the Cole, or the woods?” he asked her as he moved out of her doorway and allowed her to exit properly. As he did so, he let his wings peel away from his sides a little. It was automatic to use this as a little extra balance, and he was very expressive with his wings. Already, he was itching to place one around the poor girl in a hug. "Mortis"

As he stepped back away from the doorway, she pushed herself through it- careful to give Mortis as much space as he needed with his wings. When he offered her the choice of where she wanted to start their tour, she hesitated a moment. Matters of opinion or personal taste were still difficult for her to master. Questions in general that didn't have a clear answer were difficult. Her ingrained response would have been, 'I don't know' or 'Whichever you'd prefer'. However, that's not what he asked, and she didn't feel like there was a wrong answer. So after a little more deliberation than what was necessary, she eventually responded "The Cole?" Repeating her first option back to him in a questioning tone.

Mortis was patient with her as she thought it through. Showing no signs of impatience as he shook out his wings and smiled at the small girl. When she answered at last, he gave a nod of his head. “The Cole it is. Let's head towards the Obelisk first, then” He suggested, baking further away from his fathers front down, turning and heading down the path. The trip led them straight towards the obelisk. “My father moved this from the Plains - that’s in the South, and where I was born. It was no small feat, but he was stubborn” He said with a grin. Letting her look her full at the Obelisk as he made his way towards the firepit. Fanning out his wings to their full height as he enjoyed the feeling of warmth on them. Once she was done, he started heading towards the East, where their supply cache and heated waters were. “There's a large geyser to the West of us, and we believe the magma runs under the mountain. It means the caves are heated, and more so in some places than others. There is an underground water system in this tunnel, which washes over the area we use for bathing. It means we get heated water, even in the middle of winter.” He explained as he led her inside. "Mortis"

Mortis seemed satisfied with her answer, and she couldn't help the silent exhale of relief as he offered a nod of approval. Though, once he declared the obelisk would be their first stop, she perked up ever so slightly. From her first day, she had wanted the opportunity to examine it a little more thoroughly. However, she hadn't been willing to go out on her own. So this seemed to be her chance to do so.

On their journey there, Mortis explained that this location was not the Obelisk's first resting place. She was left silently blinking in surprise as she tried to imagine having the stone monolith moved anywhere, let alone territories away. But when he attributed it to his father's stubbornness, it absolved any doubt that she might have had. Examining it in detail- reading the words that had been etched into it, she offered what lingered in the back of her mind. "I didn't realize that this wasn't Armada's first home." Adelina observed. Of course, it didn't matter at the time of her initial introduction. But she was curious to know as much as she could.

When she got her fill of the Obelisk, Mortis led her off further east, explaining on the way why the cave systems here provided an unrecognized heat source, and that there were other caverns that had water features in them- also heated from the ground. "That's nice." She agreed, however, didn't really have much of a grasp for what that meant until she saw it for herself, having never encountered such a thing before. The warmth and humidity in the air that filled the space once inside was a very nice change from the winter's chill outside. The surprise was evident on her face as the recognition dawned on her, and she realized just what heated water meant. It really was nice.

Mortis shook his head, hoping none of the homesickness he felt showed in his expression. “No. The Armada was formed in the Plains, it’s a decent trip from here and lived there for years. But a lot of packs started popping up around it, and the Warlord decided the Armada needed more space to grow. I guess this place will feel like home eventually.” but here, there was no Zee. His memories of the Plains would always contain her. As they entered the caves, he grinned at her. Seeing the surprise on her face. “I know. It's great, right?” He said, breathing in the warmth of it. There was always a bit of a bite to the air in the North. All the cold that came off the mountains. Here, the air was pleasant. Tropical. “There are three different bathing rooms. One is more of a paddle pool, safe for pups. The second gets a little warmer, and the last is pretty hot” He cautioned her. Pausing to see if she would request to see any of it for herself, but when she didn’t, he continued. “In the room closest to the entry we keep all of our stores. If you need any extra coats, help yourself.” He said, before leading the way back out into the cold. “Our blacksmith lives just next door to here” He said, pointing the way with his nose, "and, then theres the pathway to the First Light Point, then the exit into the woods. Did you want to head up to the point, or shall I take you around the cave warrens?” He offered. Selected "Mortis"

While he went on to explain the place where Armada was originally founded, she could hear the hint of longing in his tone- and for that, she was sympathetic. Not that it was her place to assume so, but she felt that it was a normal thing to long for the feeling of home. It just varied from individual to individual. She wanted to offer him comfort but didn't know what she could say to accomplish that. Instead, she offered him a quiet nod and committed the information he had to offer to memory in the event she ever needed it.

But once they entered the grottos, the mood shifted. Her observation was met with a genuinely enthusiastic response just as he went on to explain a little more in detail what each room contained. As she was warned with the increased intensity of what the last room held, her attention lingered on it a moment before continuing on with her escort as he went on to introduce the stores. Mortis mentioned additional bedding could be found there in the event that they were ever needed- though she couldn't imagine taking more for herself. Even still, she was grateful for the implication.

After gesturing toward the blacksmith, he then went on to offer her another choice. Should they explore First Light Point? Or the Warrens?  "Your father was right, there are a lot of nooks and crannies to Armada." Adelina echoed softly while she thought. Not that she knew for sure, but she assumed that the warrens were just the living spaces of others who called Armada home. Not wanting to disturb anyone, she came to her answer.  "How about First Light Point?" She asked, her tone light as she glanced up to him for a moment while she offered her decision.

“The space here is definitely a lot more compact, with different levels of elevation and all sorts of places squirrelled away. The Plains was a wide open field in comparison” He said, offering her another smile. He caught the moment she glanced up, mentioning her choice. He smiled at her and on impulse, reached over with a soft feathered wing to nudge her side. “First Light it is” He said in easy agreement, before leading the way. Taking them past the blacksmith, but not as far as the newly constructed wall that separated Cole from the woods. He started them up the path, keeping his pace nice and easy for her. “I’m sorry if this is a tough question, but what happened to your paw?” He asked her gently as they ascended. "Mortis"

While he went on to explain the differences in Armada's past and present territories, she nodded along. There were advantages and disadvantages to both. But if you had expressed fondness for one over the other, she imagined it would make it far more difficult to think with your head over your heart- and it was plainly clear where Mortis' heart was.

When she was able to answer, she was met with Mortis' outpouring of warmth. It was appreciated, but would take her some practice to figure out how to receive it. When he offered her a friendly touch before moving to the pathway to First Light Point, her frame went rigid- but at the same time, she made the effort to force herself into remaining still. She knew he likely didn't mean anything by it other than an attempt at comfort in a friendly welcome ... it was just something that needed time.

As they worked their way up, he asked a different kind of question. One that caused a sudden pang of anxiety, but she did her absolute best to quell it. Adelina took a steadying breath, before struggling for an answer.  "It was the consequence of taking off my tethers on my own." She answered softly with apparent reluctance and shame. That wasn't the whole story, but it was the gist of it. It simply wasn't in her to outright hide information, but at the same time, she didn't want Mortis to feel like he had to pity her either. So, she was quick to offer reassurance in an attempt to avoid it.  "It doesn't hurt, though." Adelina added, looking a her misshaped toes on her right paw. They were flattened for the most part. Not perfectly straightened, but fused together so her knuckles could no longer bend.  "It doesn't feel like much at all, really." The girl assured him as her attention shifted to the path ahead.  "Just not very useful, which was the intended purpose, I guess." While it no longer hurt now, her previous captors went to a lot of trouble to ensure that it was nothing but useless. Though, she didn't want to talk about the details of it, nor plague Mortis with the knowledge.