Aurielle Adravendi

With Ardyn covering her patrol for the night—or at least the first half of the night, the Spirit had made her way from Valhallan lands, taking one of her usual circuits. Though she’d left at noon, by the time she reached the Basin the moon was on the verge of breaking over the horizon. She stood on the ridge, gazing down at the still shadow-filled basin, wondering to herself that the summer was already nearly over, and there had barely been a trace of heat. Just last year this place had been sweet with the scents of summer. She shook her head, descending the ridge, tail flicking behind her, leaving a brief light trail as the long, glowing hair whipped. Though wolves were generally blessed with good night sight, she was helped along with her own personal halo of light, and she stood out like a beacon against the dark grass. She was on the fence about holding a festival this year. With as sparse as things had been, it wouldn’t be fair to the Nomads to ask them to help with a festival, and Valhalla needed to stockpile their own supplies. If this whole year was anything to go by, the autumn and winter months were likely to be brutal. She was even reconsidering the plan for a second litter. What kind of world would her next litter be brought into if she and Red started another litter this upcoming season? Starvation? Deadly cold to freeze them even in the warmest alcove? She shuddered, lips pursing. The thought of not having more children was nigh on devastating, but if it meant they wouldn’t be born just to possibly die, she’d hold off. She blew out a breath as she circled the basin, letting her thoughts flow, while Loshir padded a ways off to one side, pausing to scan the area. The mountain lion was an ink-black shadow with watchful pale blue eyes in the darkness. In time, he’d be heading off for one of his trips—trips that usually were followed with him coming home with a well-trained big cat who might choose one of her children for his or her charge. Just as her father’s companions, Loshir’s parents, had brought Loshir and his sister to meet Aurielle and Aramis. Her chest squeezed, and she turned, as if she might finally see her twin padding up to her, an ink-black, blue-shimmering man with gentle blue eyes like their mother’s. But, as ever… he wasn’t there. "Is mian liom go dtiocfá abhaile, daor cúpla. Tá sé ró-fhada. I bhfad, i bhfad ró-fhada." Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

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It had been way too long since she had found herself lost. Anxiety pricked at her chest as she continued through the dark. She hadn’t even found a shelter yet for the night. It was beginning to stress her out, but she knew that she needed to do something. She couldn’t just lay out in the middle of the grass. It was far too dangerous, who knew who or what could just attack her in the middle of the night while she was asleep.

As she moved through the basin, the strong scent of a big cat and another canine would fill her nares. She couldn’t help but feel even more nervous, a chill running down her spine. She shuddered, mostly fearful due to the scent of another larger predator being around. Then out of the corner of her eyes, she could have sworn she saw a light moving.

“H-hello?” she inquired, even her voice was shaky as it escaped her lips.

She heard faint talking and she whipped around, seeing a glowing figure not too far off. Her ears pinned against her skull in fear. Was that… A ghost?

"speech" - thought

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Aurielle Adravendi

The thrash of paws pivoting in the grass ahead brought Aurielle’s eyes away from the ridgeline to spot the young woman now staring in her direction as the wolf stammered out an inquiring greeting. The Spirit’s ears swiveled forward as she studied the girl, padding forward to stop at a comfortable distance as she greeted, not unkindly, “Good evening, miss. Are you alright?” Her tail gave a gentle sway, offering reassurance that she wasn’t a threat or vengeful spirit wolf. It was in the girl’s eyes. That same fear that they’d found something unreal. And, silently, in the back of her mind, she cursed the glowing blue-white light she’d developed. The marking over her eye was one thing, but she’d have been quite happy to stay plain, if shimmering in moonstone hues, white. Loshir held back, beyond the reach of the Spirit’s light, sensing that the younger wolf was already spooked and not wanting to add to the terror by stepping into sight as some shadow being. He’d already assessed the girl and deemed her as less of a threat, though if she lashed out in defense, he was still within range to reach her in two bounds. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

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The glowing figure approached her, and she couldn’t help but feel cold fear creep up her spine. As she looked closer, it seemed like the glowing animal was actually one of her species. A wolf, and she greeted Cinnamon in a very gentle manner. “I-I’m okay,” she said softly, still a bit baffled. Though from what she could see, it was no ghost, it was definitely a living breathing woman.

“I just… Have never seen a wolf like you,” she admitted, were glowing wolves a normal thing here? She truly must have stumbled into some strange land if that was the case. Or perhaps she was dreaming. It was too real though, and she knew there was no way she had ended up falling asleep somewhere.

“I apologize, I hope I didn’t offend you,” she added, dipping her head slightly in a submissive manner. “I’m Cinnamon, I’m… Well I got lost and I am very far from my family. I’m not sure I can even get back to them now.” she told the stranger. She wasn’t sure why she explained, was it too much information? She was still slightly confused, but hopefully, her situation made sense to the other fae. Especially if this place truly was so different and strange than her last home.

"speech" - thought

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Aurielle Adravendi

The young woman stammered out that she was alright, though Aurielle could read that she was still spooked and caught off guard. The Spirit’s lips twitched lightly in amusement as she admitted her lack of experience with wolves like herself. That wasn’t unusual, especially with those new to the continents. Sometimes other places in the world had unusual wolves, but most other were the bog-standard, mundane and naturally colored and marked. “Before myself I’d only met one wolf who glowed. And, admittedly, I wasn’t born with this, or the eye marking. They developed a bit over a year ago. Before that I was just white, though my fur seems to shimmer under different light angles in different colors, a bit like moonstones. It’s harder to see with the glow, though.” And then she’d birthed Ardyn, and nearly died doing so. Where she was moonlight and ice, her son was all fire and sparks in ink-black fur. “No offense taken, in any case. You aren’t the first to be shocked.” Her tone was touched with a gentle amusement as she lowered her haunches to the ground, listening as Cinnamon explained, perhaps out of nerves, as to how she’d come to be here. The name suited the girl, with the ruddy earthen colors of her coat, and Aurielle returned the introduction in kind, nodding, “Pleasure. I am Aurielle Adravendi, Spirit, or alpha, of Valhalla, a pack here in the west, though to the east and a little south of this land.” She nodded to the basin around them, adding, “This is commonly called the Sweetgrass Basin. I’ve held a festival here and in the flat grassland north of it; Dancefloor of the Gods. It’s perfect for holding large gatherings with many tents and yurts. Perhaps next Spring or Summer I’ll hold a festival again.” Hopefully by then, the world would have warmed and revived itself after the frigid year they’d had. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

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The stranger explained that she wasn’t actually born glowing. Instead it was all something that had changed her about a year ago. She still thought it was strange. What could possibly cause such a phenomenon?

She slowly nodded, trying to show understanding but not exactly wrapping her head around it. She then said she took no offense, and that Cinnamon wasn’t the first to be shocked about it. She took a seat, and Cinnamon would mimic her and do the same. Slowly gaining a bit more confidence and comfort around this new woman.

She introduced herself as Aurielle Adravendi, and mentioned that she was an alpha of a pack named Valhalla. She then added what this specific place was called. Sweetgrass Basin, and she even added that she had held a festival within this area before. She noted that maybe she would even do it again. Cinnamon quietly nodded, “Wow, that sounds quite amazing. I’ve never been to a festival or anything like that.” she admitted. She wasn’t even entirely sure what a festival was but… It sounded fun.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what is Valhalla like?” she then inquired. Aurielle seemed pretty nice, but what if there was a possibility that maybe she was being tricked? She wasn’t sure, she knew that trusting blindly wasn’t good but the woman did seem pretty nice and friendly. In fact, she truly didn’t seem like a threat at all. However, Cinnamon just wanted to make sure before and learn more, just to be safe.

"speech" - thought

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Aurielle Adravendi

Aurielle’s lips twitched in a smile as the young woman remarked that she’d never been to a festival. To be fair, Aurielle hadn’t been to more than about three that she hadn’t called herself, and she’d opted out of attending the Ashen Empire’s tourney, though Ardyn and Cairo had attended and lost their first rounds. Far from shame, it was simply just one of those days where you didn’t win, and they had found places where they could improve. Cinnamon asked after what Valhalla was like, and Aurielle nodded, explaining, “Valhalla is a home. Members are expected to learn healing, and fighting, even if they don’t specialize in them. You never know what can happen when out in the freelands, whether you’re caught in a stampede of bison and get hurt, or you get attacked by a loner or an enemy wolf, or a big cat or bear. It’s good to know how to defend yourself, if only long enough to flee.” Her head tilted as she remarked, shifting easily to the Old Tongue, "Onóir, trua, aontacht, teaghlach. Honor, Compassion, Unity, Family. As long as you pull your weight and spend time with the pack, most are welcome. That’s just a simplified explanation, mind, but it frames it well enough, I hope.” Her eyes gently touched over the russet woman’s masked features as she suggested, “If you need a place to stay, you are welcome, whether you only guest with us, or choose to make a home with us. It’s your choice. Perhaps, in time, your family will find you.” She stood by her word; she wouldn’t force Cinnamon to become part of the pack. If the woman decided to follow her path elsewhere, Aurielle wouldn’t object, nor would she be insulted. A resentful pack member was a danger to Valhalla. One who was unhappy could very well choose to share details of inner pack life with another pack that might have an interest in raiding. It was always prudent to make sure that those who were part of the pack were actually happy to be there. Even if meant seeing her own children off into the world. She’d bear the heartache if it meant they were happy, and she’d be proud of them. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

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The woman explained that Valhalla was much like a home, and that sort of piqued Cinnamon’s interest. She continued on to explain that members of Valhalla were expected to learn how to fight and heal, even if those were things that they didn’t exactly specialize in. It made sense in Cinnamon’s eyes, though she wasn’t the best fighter she did assume it was probably a good idea to learn in case she ever found herself in trouble.

Aurielle then offered Cinnamon a place to stay, even if she was just a guest. “I think I would like that, if I’m being honest I don’t really feel safe by myself,” she admitted. Though if there were others around that could protect her, and even teach her some things… She would be quite grateful, and maybe… Just maybe what Aurielle said would come true, and her family would finally find their way to her. “I truly am not sure when or if my family will find me, so I am okay with joining your ranks and I can pull my weight,” she said, a small smile creeping on her lips as she spoke.


"speech" - thought

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Aurielle Adravendi

The Spirit was good at reading the eyes of others, and as she spoke, she caught the interest in the younger wolf’s gaze, and the understanding of the requirement that those of Valhalla learn to defend and heal themselves. It was always good to see someone who could see the use in having some basic knowledge of both skills. Cinnamon received the offer of a place to say with agreement, and Aurielle shifted her gaze around them, silent agreement that the world was indeed a risky place full of pitfalls and dangers, even as beautiful as it could be. She returned the girl’s smile with one of her own, nodding as she rose, turning with a tilt of her head in an invitation to walk with her. “If you would like, then I can tell you more about Valhalla.” Her eyes drifted to Loshir, and she added, “I’m not sure what your culture was like, but among Valhalla, and indeed much of the continents, Boreas and Auster, wolves often have companions, friends of another species that choose to befriend them… or, in less tasteful circumstances, the wolves bought them...” Her tone registered the distaste for the culture of purchasing animals intelligent enough to become one’s companion, before lightening to a warm affection and she went on, “I have two such friends. Aelloshir,” She nodded to the inky-black, blue-eyed mountain lion as he padded into the light she provided, posture broadcasting that he meant no threat “Is my oldest friend. He chose me as his charge when I was a pup, after his parents became my father’s companions.” His sister had chosen Aramis, and Aurielle could only hope that the two were together out there. She smiled aside to Cinnamon, as she clarified, “Having companions is not required, of course, but I wanted to prepare you for any encounters of others companions; a lot of wolves might have big cats for friends, or lemurs and monkeys, or birds. My son has a Raven friend, and… I’m hazarding a guess that Loshir must have something planned in terms of him having a feline friend at some point.” She gave the cat an arch look, brows lifting, but the mountain lion simply shrugged nonchalantly. Aurielle turned back to Cinnamon, turning the subject back to business as she asked, “Where do you feel your strengths are?” There was no pressure in her tone, only that genuine curiosity and interest. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think