Absinth stood at the center of the clearing she usually made use of for lessons, her sharp eyes scanning her surroundings with a shake of her monochromatic coat. The morning sun filtered through the pine canopy above, the air was crisp too, carrying the scent of the wilds and earth. Even the decay of the border was filtered out here.

She would call her brood, and any others who wished to hear her pretty little words. And once they came, she would begin her lesson with a snout pointed to the sky. Watching her ravens as they circled and called to each other. Perhaps she’d be able to incorporate the poor things into today's lesson; they did seem to have a vested interest in the complexities of wolves combat.

Her chin tilted back down to face her students, a smirk plastered on her inky lips. "I’d like to believe I’m getting the hang of these lessons, so listen up or you’ll hurt my feelings." Absinth began, her voice commanding, her teeth poking out from her lips as a warning to any unruly participants. "Today, we delve into the principles of combat. The basics. With a couple of pointers thrown in, if you will. Consider this a reminder, or maybe new ideas to incorporate into your fighting style, hm?" Either which way, this was what she would give them.

She smiled slowly, her emerald orbs shimmering in the shifting light of the sunlight. "First, stance and balance. Your stance is your foundation. A wide and stable stance allows you to react quickly, to shift your weight seamlessly. Keep your center of gravity low, your muscles taut but not stiff.” At this point she was demonstrating, her feet spread, her disciplined bodice low while she swayed to and fro while remaining in the same spot. “Joints must never lock, always keep them loose. Wiggle your toes. That is loose.” Absinth herself wiggles her toes in the ground, all the while she flexes her muscles and sways to show her flexibility in subtle ways to serve as an example. “Balance is key; without it, you are vulnerable, easily toppled." True, this lesson was more suited to younger wolves, but her lessons wouldnt always be so.

"Absinth Artemisia Inferos"

Another call from Absinth, another lesson. His new Alpha’s words still rang in his thoughts. He had come far, but he had further yet to travel. He needed to prove his worth if he was to be anything within this pack. So he came to her lesson, to see what wisdom he could take from the words of his childhood friend.

Chagrined at the knowledge that most of those that attended would likely be her children. Alas, it couldn’t be helped. When she began her lesson, he couldn’t help a twitch of amusement at her words. He was tempted to chime back, but held his tongue. She was already moving on.

The basics of combat was perhaps a little too basic for him, but perhaps he could still glean something from her words. He settled down to listen as she spoke of the foundations.


"Speech"

Another call from Mother Absinth rang out within the Polar Sound, her voice reverberating through the valley with purpose, summoning those who wished to learn. Another day, another lesson. It was early morning, and Zagan had just emerged from the den, laying in the springtime sun to warm his body. His fur was finally starting to come in, but it was thin and wispy- a wool coat came in handy, but nothing could beat the sun's warmth. He was enjoying his sunbathing, but it was mundane in comparison to attaining knowledge- so, he was quick to his feet when Absinth called, following her scent until he reached the clearing she claimed as her classroom.

She looked up at the sky, observing the pack’s ravens circling above. Zagan looked up too, pinpointing his raven as it blended into the abyss of black feathers and cawing melodies. Absinth’s voice drew his attention to her, and Zagan listened with purpose, absorbing her words and eager to learn from her teachings. She was teaching the principles of combat, and creating your fighting style. Stance and balance were important, acting as a foundation. He followed along with Absinth’s demonstration, spreading his paws out, bending at his knees, and centering his gravity. He wiggled his toes, digging his claws into the soft soil.

"Zagan Saxe"

Abyss was practicing their stalking skills, crouched down in a nearby meadow and trailing a pheasant when Mother’s call echoed through the pines. They didn’t hesitate to heed the summons, rising from the grasses and scaring their quarry into the sky, abandoning the hunt to follow her voice. Abyss was not necessarily obedient- instead, they were militant and disciplined, eager to learn and grow if it meant being able to protect the ones they loved. And eventually, obsessed over.

Entering the clearing, Abyss is pleased to find they are the third participant to arrive. Flare and Zagan are sitting near Mother, and Abyss takes a seat near them, ready to absorb the lesson.

Today, Mother is teaching her students about the principles of combat, starting with the proper stance. Abyss watches as Absinth demonstrates, then, they rise to their paws, mimicking her actions. Their paws spread out, knees bending slightly, but not locking. They felt more centered this way, their weight evenly distributed, their tail raising to align with their spine.

Then, they waited for Mothers next instruction.

"Speech"

Sitting on top of a large boulder, Sephiran is… content. His presence commands attention, though, there is no one around to grovel at his paws in awe. He’s surveying his domain, but his eyes are glazed over and unfocused, drifting around aimlessly, searching for something engaging. His muscles are related, yet poised, ready to grow taught in the face of excitement. But lately, his life had been lacking just that - his world plunged into the mundane cycle of alpha duties.

Absinth’s voice is a welcomed change in the atmosphere- she was summoning the Khalif for a lesson, hellbent on expanding their minds and morphing them into battle-ready heathens. Leaping down from his perch, Sephiran saunters through the Polar Sound, lazily gravitating towards her makeshift classroom. He emerges from the treeline unannounced, but the palpable shift in the atmosphere declares his arrival. He is not here to participate. He is here to observe.

"Sephiran Saxe"

ooc- Sephrian is observing, skip him in the posting order