Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

He was coming off his patrol and padding across the plains under a late-morning sun. Summer had risen at last and he couldn’t help but feel as though the air carried hope on its wings. The herds were healthy, the plants and herbs were plentiful, and no strange fireflies or forever nights plagued the land. He drew in a breath and let it out in a soft sigh, smiling faintly as he crossed the scent trails of the pups. Out exploring. His path shifted and he followed their trail, watching from afar as they ventured out. Eventually Ardyn diverted his path to make his way to the Hill, climbing the graveled path as it wound up the hillside to the tower. His pace was lazy, and once he reached the top, he bounded to the top of the wall up the scaffolding he’d rigged with the primates’ help. The wall was thick – it would have to be if it was ever to reach the height his mother had envisioned. He lounged at the top, watching the plains, front paws crossed as he took in the lands below before a scuff of paws and movement turned his attention to the base of the wall with a friendly smile since he knew the tread. “Good morning.” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

It had been awhile since he had been home. The aired lack of humidity filtered with dust and familiar scents brought a sensation of comfort as he strolled through the gates of Valhalla. His own threadbare paws falling into step with the worn tracks that had come before him, as he followed the common path to the heart of the territory. He had spent longer than usual away as he made a tour of eastern and northern Boreas. Not out of intention- it never was. But time truly does have a habit of getting away from you when wanderlust fills your core. It just seemed that there had always been something. A stranger encounter that required assistance. A place where he thought he could pitch a helping hand. It seemed as if the universe just simply had plans that required him to be away a little longer. Just a little longer. Adventure had called, and Coran had answered.

But now it was time to answer a different call. Picking out the scent trail of his brother was second nature- even bringing on a feeling of nostalgia as he set to the track. While fatigued from his journey, he bounded the grassy plains with ease. Quickly sorting out in his mind the destination before he arrived. The hillside spire at the centerfold of the territory loomed in the distance. It would make sense for Ardyn to be observing the plains from its vantage, as it provided a nearly uninterrupted view- within reason of course. He wouldn’t be surprised if his own arrival was anticipated. Unless of course, he could catch the Ard Rí sleeping on the job.

He wasn’t though. Just as Coran came into earshot, he heard the tones of his brother’s voice. A pleasant greeting, but he had quite a while of missed opportunities and antagonizing to make up for to allow this to pass. “Up there on your ivory tower, I see.” Coran prodded. His crystalline blue gaze twinkled in amusement as he craned his neck back to see. Deciding that he didn’t need any less of a lower vantage point than what he already had, the pale brute quickly moved to ascend the scaffolding to the top to join Ardyn at his lookout. Once at the top, he drew his own weather hoarse voice once more “And a good morning it has been.” He playfully assured a little louder than necessary as he shook the desert dust from his hide.

Getting himself together, he came to casually recline near his sibling at a conversational distance as he really looked him up and down for the first time. He looked good. “How are you, brother? It’s been too long.”

Ardyn Adravendi

He grinned down at his second-born sibling, and only brother, eyes twinkling as they followed the snow-brindled cream man up the scaffolding until Coran joined him. “It was mother’s idea from the start, and you know it. I just have the paws to get some of the stuff she can’t do dealt with.” His deep tones were equally teasing as he nudged Coran’s shoulder with his own, closing the distance with a scooch and flop. “I’ve been alright. We’ve had a few new faces join, and one disappeared. I heard him call for me, but he was gone by the time I arrived where he’d called. Haven’t seen him since. I was expecting it. It’s hard to miss eyes that question your decisions at every turn.” His tone was unaffected, accepting Torben’s choice to leave. The man had, at least, howled and the tone of voice had told Ardyn all he’d needed to know. He’d been meaning to track Torben down one day anyways and point blank tell the man he could tell he wasn’t happy in Valhalla. “How about you? See any fascinating sights on your trip? Any neat stories to bring to the next story time?” He leaned a little closer, a toothy grin flickering over his features as he added, clearly joking, “Any pretty women or men?” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ----  "Hear" ---- Think

As Ardyn was quick to remind him that it was their mother's project and not his alone, Coran was quick to concede in a lightly mocking voice as he dipped his head and extended his arm in a sweeping motion with his paw pad up. "Of course, you'll have to forgive me." His tone was every bit of teasing- until he had to catch himself with the playful shove he received in the shoulder. His own cheshire grin spreading across his features as he settled to the floor.

Though as the Ard Rí went on to explain the current state of things, he adopted a more serious intent. Nodding along as he described this man that had come and gone in his absence. With a slow shake of his head, he found his own voice in the lull. "Ahh, if his doubt was that obvious then we didn't need him anyways. Can't trust someone not to balk in a serious situation when they get hung up in the small stuff as it is." He had no appreciation for disloyalty. It was best the stranger left in time before building false trust. Choosing not to dwell on that sour thought, his expression softened as he conveyed contentment at the earlier bit of information. "But good that we have had new blood that can be counted on," Coran responded earnestly. It seemed that everything had been generally peaceful and that he was happy for.

But in the question of what had happened to him, he answered with the truth. "There wasn't a specific event that was the catalyst. It just seemed that I kept getting detoured further and further north for one reason or another." Little things here and there from assistance dealing with a predator, to escorting strangers, mercenary work, and weather systems to be avoided. The list could go on. "But I'm sure I can come up with something to share at the bonfire." Even if he had to fabricate a detail here and there for entertainment purposes. But then another thought crossed his mind he felt worth mentioning. "I didn't interact or interfere with any pack wolves, did my best to skirt their territories and stay out of the way." Not that he had anything to hide or be afraid of. He just didn't want to chance fate- he was notorious for having bad luck. If anything could have gone wrong, it certainly would have.

But when Ardyn leaned closer for a more intimate question, Coran made no effort to conceal his laughter. "There were quite a few- maybe a dozen or so damsels in distress I was able to aid." He said in obvious exaggeration, as it simply was not his style to take advantage of someone like that. However, between his brother and himself, he would not be outdone in the quip. "But they all kinda blended together in the end." The brindle brute followed his loose implication with an amused wink and a twinkle to his sapphire gaze.

It was good to laugh. Good to be back with family. And as he looked away, the sigh escaped his lips. He couldn't help but put the thought into words as he traced the surrounding plains with genuine appreciation. "It's really good to be home, I'll tell you that."

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Ardyn nodded slowly at his brother’s agreement, adding, ”Indeed. It’s always good to add new life to the pack. Be it newborns or newcomers. Aoife’s gone a lot. You know her, always on the chase for inspiration for new songs.” His ears flicked forward with interest as Coran detailed a little of his travels, and grinned, remarking, “I’ll have to call one soon, then.” To Coran’s assurance, he chuckled, nodding, “I’d think you would know better than to cause a ruckus with other packs.” Laughter rewarded his teasing questions, and his long-haired tail swayed in amusement as Coran joked back. If any of that was true, he’d had more experience than himself, that was for certain. “If ever a lady or gentleman catches your eye and your heart, I’d love to meet them. Give them the talkin’ to about treating my little brother right.” The tip of his tongue poked out in a teasing flick, eyes twinkling, before he joined the sigh. “It’s good to have you home again. I love our sisters dearly, but I missed having you around.” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think