Aurielle Adravendi

After her stop at the Armada, she had ventured further east, stopping over to rest and sleep in a protected spot until morning. She was up bright and early, but waited until the pink of dawn had given over to gold before she found herself at Abaven’s border. It had shifted from Shaye’s time, and the woman’s scent was nowhere to be found. She wasn’t up to date about all that had transpired in Abaven, between the deaths, the disappearances, the eruption, and the overall literal hell Abaven had been going through since she’d held a festival last Autumn. However, the scent that held that particular tinge of an Alpha was a young female that smelled familiar… Theory? She’d briefly greeted the girl at the festival. Now, she lifted her muzzle, glancing at the further bag of goods she’d lugged all the way here. Part of her reasoning for being a bit slower were the multiple heavy packs she’d carried, much to Loshir’s displeasure given her circumstances. She’d left one with Sirius before her departure from the Armada. The song she howled was polite and relaxed, a friendly call for Abaven’s alphess. After all, as far as she knew, Abaven and Valhalla were allies. Whether Theory would choose to keep it that way remained to be seen. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

After the raiders had disbanded a relative peace had come over the lands. She'd kept up with her patrols - in fact, she was patrolling more than she ever had - but she loped easily and without the anxiety that she had once carried. No matter what winter had in store, the raid was over and her packmates were safe. She'd begun to form a tenuous bond with Sirius after encountering him not far from her lands, but Theory was eager to re-establish relationships with other packs. They could all use some support for the coming harsh season. A distantly familiar call reached her ears. The light tones of Valhalla's Spirit jogged her memory from the pack's festival. It had been a while since she'd seen Aurielle. Theory headed towards the sound with an easy-going smile on her face to greet the shimmering white leader at her borders. "Hello, Aurielle! It has been some time. How is Valhalla faring?" They were a stalwart group that seemed to keep to themselves, but she found Aurielle's customs intriguing.

Aurielle Adravendi

She wasn’t left waiting long, but she took the time she did wait to enjoy the morning light touching the sea and sand. Valhalla didn’t have beaches, not yet, but she hoped to change that in the future. Her brow points nearly rose in mild surprise as Theory came into sight. My but the girl had grown since she’d come to the festival, and a new confidence had filled the girl’s movements. Aurielle’s features rose into a near grin as she looked up at Theo. “It’s good to see you again, Theory. I dare say you’ve grown a lot. We’re doing quite well these days. How is Abaven? It’s been a hell of a wild ride since last winter.” She’d worried for Abaven throughout the eruption events, but however much she might had wanted to go check on them, She’d needed to stick close to Valhalla, in case other packs were desperate for resources and had needed to raid. With the lack of scent on what used to be an Abaven territory, and the condition of the lands, she wasn’t surprised in the least if they’d abandoned the land that stood so close to the volcano. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Theory couldn't bite back a surprised laugh. Yes, she supposed she had grown a lot since she'd last seen Aurielle. Time had passed and she'd filled out almost without noticing. Other things had occupied her thoughts - mostly Abaven. Sometimes Thalia. Occasionally Noir, Verse, and others she hadn't seen since the eruption. As her mind had been turning and her paws had been busy, she'd filled out as an adult. This season was her first heat but she'd been able to ignore it for the most part beyond a mild discomfort. Samara had stepped forward as a surprising comfort. Although her and her sisters had been left motherless, she counted them lucky in the support they did have. Rhyme was looking more and more like his old self and sweet Rhythm had come to Abaven to rest her bones. They were surrounded by the comfort of family. "I suppose I have grown. I'm glad to hear you and Valhalla are well. Abaven is good," she trailed off, wondering if word of the raid had reached the maned alpha. "Winterfell came to raid last season on behalf of the Hajarrandi. I'm not sure who their next target is, but we staved them off. Acere posed it as a kind of training, but I no longer consider them the allies they once were. Trust once broken - well, it's hard to piece back together." Theory watched Aurielle closely, wondering what her reaction might be.

Aurielle Adravendi

She listened, brow points furrowing with surprise at Theory’s news of Winterfell. It was a mess, that sounded for certain. She hadn’t personally heard of the Hajarrandi—perhaps she’d been too insular. However, the raid she herself planned for Lirim was a mutually agreed raid, planned well in advance between herself and Torin. “We are allied with Winterfell, but I will keep this in mind. Valhalla’s planning a raid on Lirim, but I spoke to Torin to ask what he thought about it before I made it known to my pack at large. We’re sister packs, and it’s a good chance to see where our weaknesses lie and work on them. We may raid back and forth and make sport of it. If he hadn’t agreed I would have decided against it.” Her tail flicked, long hair flowing over the sand and her paws as she pondered. “It’s been a long time that my pack and Abaven have been allied. I’m afraid we don’t interact often enough. Can you think of any inter-pack activities Abaven and yourself would enjoy? We’re always open to joint fight training, hunting and healer training.” There was no demand in her tone, only an interested attentiveness. She wouldn’t begrudge Theory’s choice if the young woman chose to keep interactions minimal. She paused with a soft, “Oh! I brought some trade goods with me. I won’t ask anything in return—I’d just be happy not to have to lug the saddlebags all the way home.” The last words were carried on a chuckle as she turned and tugged the bags out in front of her for Theo’s perusal. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Aurielle's words provoked a bit of a smile from the younger female. Yes, it would have been nice if she'd had a choice in the matter, but Drifa had made it clear when she visited that they would be raiding regardless. "I'm afraid it wasn't posed to me as a choice. Of course, I may have looked at it differently," she said, her voice a bit strained. If Abaven had been allowed to decide whether or not to participate... well, then Acere wouldn't have been able to fulfill his bargain with the slaver. "The Hajarrandi run a market. Perhaps you visited. My sister was captured and traded like chattel among other goods." There was real venom in her voice now. Theo coughed and reeled it in. "I can see them posing problems for us all, at some point or another. Especially if someone desires an object so greatly that they would trade their fealty for it. I do not think you're the type, of course," she added quickly. From the way she spoke of Valhalla's alliance with Lirim and what she did know of the moonstone colored alpha, Aurielle conducted herself and her pack with honor.

"I would like to see you - and Valhalla - more. I know distance might make that difficult, especially with the coming winter, but perhaps we can plan something for the spring?" Theory said hopefully. "And thank you for the offer! What have you brought?" The baubles and useful items that other wolves had always enchanted her. She had such little time to play those things herself that she often felt like a puppy when perusing new wares. Brandr's creations never ceased to amaze her. What did Aurielle have to offer? Theory peered over her wares, her short tail wagging inquisitively.

Aurielle Adravendi

The Spirit didn’t miss the strain in Theo’s voice. However, a rumble started deep in her chest as the younger leader spoke of the sales. So, they were nothing more than slavers. “My mother and twin brother were taken by slavers when I was a pup. We got them back eventually, but I never got my mother back for real… Just a shell in the long run. She passed this year.” There was that sense of caverns and midnight in her voice, for all that it was calm, almost conversational. But one look into her bi-toned blue eyes was enough to chill the spine. It was poised death, a frozen, feral glaze of the eye before she, too, pulled away from that edge. “That particular band was wiped out to the last wolf, with the slaves they had captive taken to various safeties. I can only hope they’ve been able to rebuild their lives and find happiness.” Would that her mother have been able to find herself again. A smile bloomed upon her features, the ice well and truly gone now as Theory professed an interest in further interaction. “I am planning an open festival. I had meant to do it sooner, but time flies faster than one might think. I’ve spoken with the Armada about it. Perhaps late spring to early summer Valhalla and Abaven could have a celebration of continued alliance?” She grinned and nudged the bag closer. “Herbs that are common from my end of the continent, especially the desert regions. Aloe Vera gel, juice and bitters. Fragrances from the Nomads—which should be helpful during your season to cover the scent. I use peppermint, myself. Jewelry cords, baubles, stones and beads and gems. Basically, any bit and bob I could fit into a few sets of saddlebags and not collapse under. There are a few fabrics in there, too.” It was a condensed list, to be sure. She wanted to give Theory and her pack the fun of picking through the things themselves. She bent and pulled a particular necklace from one pack. The tightly woven white cord shimmered, but didn’t glow, and at the center hung an abalone shell. It was simple, and wouldn’t get in the way of day-to-day life. Pretty without being gaudy. “This in particular is for you. It’s basically a token of alliance. You are our longest standing ally. If you wear this, Valhalla will know you are welcomed at our border.” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

She listened intently as Aurielle told her a brief history of her own experience with slavers. It seemed they were more common than Theory had expected. Dreadful. Once she had believed that wolves tended towards being wholly good, but Noir had dispelled that notion quickly enough. When your own brother was capable of attempted murder - even if there was a case to be made for his youth and stupidity - the curtain that hid life's cruelty was rudely and quickly pulled back. Theory thought she knew evil, but she was constantly surprised by how easily it disguised itself. Evil wore many coats and scents. "I'm sorry," she said earnestly, her ears folding in sympathy as she mentioned her mother's passing. Aurielle was older than her, but were you ever prepared to lose your parents? Just the thought of losing Rhyme made her throat tighten and her heartbeat quicken until she felt sick.

"Motif participated in the raid recently. I really felt like I saw some of her old self - there was real light in her eyes... I have hope being home, once and for all, will help to piece back the rest of her," she confessed. It felt like a strangely intimate detail to share with a near-stranger, but Theory didn't know anyone else who could share in her experience. Both as her family and her leader, Theory cursed herself for being unable to help Mo when she needed it most. Aurielle knew her pain more intimately than some of her packmates. She'd experienced it herself.

Another smile broke through as the white female recounted the wares she had trekked across the continent. "Thank you," she said fervently. This kind of honest offer of friendship felt like an expert healer's balm to her soul after Acere's betrayal. The necklace that Aurielle offered was the final stitch to it all, binding the packs together more firmly than before. Theory whistled low at the sight of the pendant - it was simple but captivating. Just the right measure of utility and beauty. "It's lovely. These past seasons have been... very challenging. I'm grateful for your visit and our continued alliance." Bending her head low, Theory offered a moment of respect to Aurielle and an opportunity for Valhalla's alpha to string the necklace around her much-taller neck.

Aurielle Adravendi

Theo’s apology was heartfelt, and Aurielle’s muzzle dipped slightly, though she chided softly, “It isn’t your fault. Not yours, nor the taking of your sister. I envy my father for his being able to slaughter the band that took our family. But I console myself that it is one less group that will ever trouble the world.” She smiled softly as Theo spoke of her sister, Mo, and the revival that was taking place. “Being young helps, I think… Aramis surfaced. But… he’s missing again. The last we heard of him, he was leaving to find the Nomads to find a cure for our mother… but they haven’t seen him. The best I can hope for is that he found someone out there that captured his heart, as I have found.” A warm smile bloomed upon her features, a reprieve from the dark thoughts and the worry. The grin remained as Theo admired the pendant, stretching up and slipping the necklace over the younger alpha’s head and settling back, nodding in approval as it rested on the younger woman’s chest. “Good thing I made the cord long.” Amusement glinted in her voice as she sat back, tail tapping gently on the sands beneath their paws. “I hope future generations will mingle happily in times to come, including my own children.” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

The best I can hope for is that he found someone out there that captured his heart, as I have found. Theory smiled coyly at her admission of love. What a nice thing to discover. Theo wasn't sure what love would look like even if she found it, although she knew her stomach felt queasy when she spent time around certain wolves. That couldn't be love, though. That was something else entirely. She chuckled as Aurielle hung the necklace and sighed softly when she felt its weight rest gently in the intended spot. It felt like the pendant had arrived home to her after a long journey. Theory could tell that this felt right. She let out a delighted little gasp when Aurielle mentioned children on the way. Theo wasn't an experienced healer by any means, so of course any early signs were lost on her. "Yes! I'd love that, of course. How are you doing? Has it been an easy pregnancy?" she asked, fumbling awkwardly for the words. This was a dimension of womanhood that had totally eluded her - she'd only just come upon her first heat and the idea of "children" seemed so far away as to be nonexistent.

Aurielle Adravendi

His side pressed into her shoulder, and she soaked in the provided support with a sigh. When he didn’t open the gift, Theory’s stumbled question brought a bright grin to the glowing Spirit’s features, tail gently tapping the sand. “I’m just far along that I believe I felt movement on the way here from the Armada. Sirius was generous enough to escort me, though I’m more certain he wanted to be certain I wasn’t a threat than out of any sense of generosity. So far, it’s been smooth travelling. I’ve been careful, resting often.” Her lips twitched with a laugh. “Paladin would have my head if I risked them. So, no bear fights for me for a while. If all goes well, they will be old enough to attend Valhalla’s next Festival. I hope to hold it mid to late spring.” Excitement glinted in the bi-blue eyes as she dropped the words at Theo’s feet, head cocking with a grin. “I hope to see as good an attendance as last year… Hopefully the tournaments will be better than last time.” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

"Ah! Sirius... he's a fearsome fellow, but fatherhood seems to have suited him, yeah?" Theory still had difficulty reconciling the image of rough-and-tumble father Sirius with the same warlord who had held her sisters captive. The images just didn't match in her head. Offering to escort a pregnant alphess seemed just up his alley. She supposed, even if she didn't quite understand it, every wolf had their own ideas of chivalry and honor. Just because she didn't understand his particular code of honor didn't mean that he didn't abide by own. "I'm glad that everything is going well... I don't know a thing about it. Pups and all that," Theory laughed. "I mean, I have my cousins and all, but I imagine it's a bit different when they're your own." Imagining life growing inside of her made her stomach flip - not necessarily in the good way. It was more "I might taste my lunch again" and less "euphoria." She just felt like there were so many things to do between now and whenever that distant, child-bearing future might be. "Well, I'll certainly be in attendance! And I'll pass the news along to everyone. I'm sure Poem and Motif will join me." Perhaps Rhyme and Samara might join them as well. Relationships seemed to be blooming all around her. "Is there anything that we can do for you in the meantime?"