As the group gathered at the base of the slate grey cliffs, Talyssa stood before them, the bleak mountain looming overhead. The air was crisp with the chill of early winter, and the sound of the waterfall cascading down the rocks provided a soothing backdrop to the scene. Talyssa's keen eyes scanned the group, noting their anticipation and perhaps a hint of apprehension.

"Welcome, everyone," she began, her voice carrying a reassuring tone. "Today, we're going to learn the basics of cliff climbing. These cliffs may seem daunting, but with the right technique and mindset, you'll find that they're not as challenging as they appear." She gestured towards the rock face, where a few safe routes had been marked out with chalk. "Our first lesson will be about foot placement and balance. It's crucial to find secure footholds and distribute your weight evenly to prevent slipping."

"Talyssa Carpathius"

Quietly observant, Arachne listened to Talyssa's words as she glanced up at the formidable cliff, her eyes tracing the chalk-marked routes. "Foot placement and balance," she muttered under her breath, committing it to memory. Her silver-grey coat blended into the landscape, making her almost seem part of it.

Having found a flat stone to sit upon, she took a few moments to watch and absorb as Talyssa demonstrated the right technique. She observed her mentor's actions with a focused gaze, noting how Talyssa shifted her weight and placed her feet on the rocky surface. Her blue-silver eyes reflected the determination and resolve that glinted in Talyssa's own, a tender testament to her studious nature.

"Arachne Klein"

Wild eyed and excited, Björn was glad to have company at the Peak today. He’d been haunting the area more lately, the peace and quiet drawing him off the mountain and away from his family. Thank fuck, in the long run. Tired, worn from the things transpiring. At least out on the Peak, he can clear his head.

While he wouldn’t usually take direction from anyone, a pretty girl? Maybe that’s okay. She was talking about safety, and Björn fought the urge to glaze over and time her out. Already peering at the marked routes eagerly, he nosed at the lower foot holds, marking the distance between them before stepping up. Putting his weight into the wall and scrambling for only a moment before pushing himself up. Triumphant, though it’s not a huge deal in his mind— he’s used to the Maw.

What was this, some impromptu lesson on cliff climbing? Azoula almost wanted to laugh, because a wolf was trying to teach other wolves how to climb. Could she be content with the fact that dogs were meant to stay on the ground? Azoula didn’t spend her days wishing she could fly in the heavens like an eagle.

Still, Azoula was intrigued. Like they say, curiosity killed the cat. Maybe she’d watch a wolf or two fall from the rock face, and could bring their corpses home to Sephiran to scatter at the borders. Emerging from the sidelines, Azoula takes a seat in front of the girl, listening with an unwavering gaze as Taly explains the importance of securing their footing and distrusting their weight.

Wolves weren’t as agile as felines; their tails didn’t help center their gravity, as well as hers did. The tigress almost laughed.

"Azoula Davati"

He knew what needed to be done. No more lounging around in the confinements with his Sidi. There would be plenty of time for that to take place. Now? Cifarelli placed all focus on growing his knowledge and furthering his skills in navigation. He wanted to prove to his brother that he was not a walking corpse just talking up space amongst the Syndicates. It was why he'd come here. Her offering to teach him became too juicy not to take a bite out of and so he did. The large Saxe male easily fell into step where the tanned woman now stood speaking to the others.  No words left him as he gave a nod that he was indeed listening. Cliff climbing, huh? His blooded gaze, one still a dull pink tint, took in the depth of the structure itself. Taking note of the paths that were pointed out.  "Speaks"

"Good job, Björn!" Talyssa called out, her voice carrying encouragement as she watched the wild-eyed wolf scramble up the cliff with enthusiasm. She turned her attention to the rest of the group, noting Azoula's skeptical gaze and Cifarelli's focused stance. "Remember, the key to cliff climbing is not just physical strength, but also mental focus and strategy," she continued, addressing the group as a whole. "Each climb is like solving a puzzle, finding the best path to the top while ensuring your safety."

She pointed to a particularly tricky section of the cliff, where the footholds were sparse and the rock face steep. "Let's try a more challenging route," she suggested. "Focus on finding stable footholds and maintaining your balance. Use your claws to grip the rock, but be mindful not to rely on them too heavily. Before you put your full weight into one hold- test it first by slowly increasing the pressure you apply to it."

Talyssa demonstrated the route, carefully placing her feet and using her claws to anchor herself as she ascended. "Take your time, and don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it," she added, casting a reassuring glance at the group. "Cliff climbing is as much about teamwork as it is about individual skill."

"Talyssa Carpathius"

Rainy had watched from the sidelines, her blue-silver eyes quietly observing the others. She took note of Talyssa's demonstration and the reactions of the others - Björn’s confidence, Azoula's skepticism, and Cifarelli's attentive silence. The cliff loomed in front of her, a tower of rocky challenges waiting to be conquered. The points Talyssa had highlighted glared back at her, footholds glaring like a dare. "Alright," she said, her voice a soft murmur against the backdrop of nature's symphony. Approaching the foot of the cliff, she examined the first few footholds, adjusting her stance accordingly.

Her gaze, sharp and focused, scanned the rock wall’s surface in detail. She saw rough patches, tiny protrusions that could be used as leverage, and likely loose stones that needed to be avoided. Arachne took a deep breath as she placed her paw lightly on the lowest foothold, testing its stability as Talyssa had instructed. After confirming its sturdiness, she carefully ascended, using her claws as anchors and her lithe body as a measure of balance.

"Arachne Klein"

That didn't sound so hard. Cifa looked over to the more trickier path. Shifting his weight to choose the challenge. His left paw tested the sturdiness of a rock closest to him. Dismissing the idea that it may crumble beneath him as he pressed down to ensure there would be no further problem. When nothing happened, nails gripped the edge to pull himself up with the right paw. It didn't take long until the rock itself gave way. Making him think fast to catch onto a nearby one that showed promise of keeping him in place.  Perfect. The Saxe male gave a low growl of slight frustration. But, chose to continue on with the words given on his climb. Rock after rock proved to either be untrustworthy or trustworthy as he found himself getting used to the idea of cliff climbing.  "Speaks"

Talyssa's praise is enough to send a grin across Björn's face. Showing off to a degree, the young man reaches up and takes another step, pushing off hard with his long legs. There are too many pretty girls for him to be expected to behave, alright? Hugging the wall, at least until they have their next set of instructions. As he lands at the bottom, his tail wags easily. A more challenging route? Hell yeah. Gaze intent on the wall before him, he watches as Talyssa demonstrates. Teamwork, teamwork too, okay. Björn takes the opportunity to close in behind Arachne, close enough to spot the shorter girl on the low footholds. "It's like figuring out a puzzle," an enthusiastic nod, grinning as the she makes her way up. Still wanting to show off, Björn's turn is... maybe over confident. An ambitious leap between lower holds leaves him scrambling against the wall with a growl and a grunt, nails skittering against the sheer face. Slipping back down to his last hold, grumbling, and forcing himself to a point closer than the one he'd botched. Listen, if he'd made it, Björn would have looked really cool. No guts no glory. BJÖRN Ragnarök awaits.

She didn’t recognize any of the wolves who arrived, except for one. Cifarelli. Sephiran’s brother who recently earned an onslaught of rage from their Sultan. Azoula can’t help but eye him, wondering if he’s here to increase his navigational knowledge. Last she heard, the pack still needed a lead navigator - Effendi Gayad, they called it - and Azoula couldn’t take the position because she was the Effendi Kole. Was he finally ready to step up to the task?

Turning her attention back to the girl speaking, she listens with interest Prompting them to try a more challenging route. She simply sits back and watches, listening with interest, wondering if any of these wolves would slip and fall to their death. 
 
"Azoula Davati"

"Great effort, everyone," Talyssa praised, her voice carrying over the sound of rushing water and the occasional scrape of claws against rock. She observed Björn's ambitious attempt and subsequent recovery with a supportive smile, acknowledging the determination in his approach. "Remember, it's okay to take risks, but always prioritize safety. Assess the situation and make calculated decisions."

She glanced at Azoula, noting the tigress's watchful gaze, and then turned her attention to Cifa, who seemed to be navigating the challenges with growing confidence. "You're doing well, Cifarelli," she remarked, her tone encouraging. "Keep focusing on your technique and trusting your instincts."

Turning back to the cliff, Talyssa pointed out another section of the rock face, where the footholds became narrower and the ascent more vertical. "Now, let's try a section that requires more precision and agility," she suggested, her eyes scanning the group for any signs of hesitation. "Remember to stay calm and take it one step at a time. Trust in your abilities, and don't be afraid to push yourself out of your comfort zone."

With a reassuring nod to the group, Talyssa led the way, demonstrating the route with practiced ease. As she ascended, she made sure to highlight key techniques, such as using leverage and maintaining a steady rhythm. "You've got this," she called back to the group, her voice filled with confidence. "Just keep focused and take it slow. We're all in this together."

"Talyssa Carpathius"

With the others climbing the more challenging route, Rainy stayed focused on her own path. She could hear the sounds of their struggles mingling with the rustle of leaves and the chirping of birds in the distance. She took a moment, steeling herself before she took her next step, digging her claws into a firm, reliable grip. Her blue-silver eyes flashed with determination as she lifted herself higher.

One paw at a time, one breath at a time.

Every movement was deliberate, every choice carefully made. The higher she climbed, the more she felt her nerves settle into calm resolve. Being careful didn't mean she was slow – rather, it meant she was mindful. She didn't rush herself, but took her time to examine each notch and crevice that could serve as a foothold. She didn't proceed until she was sure it wasn't loose or crumbling. To others, it might have seemed too careful, too tedious even, but to her, it was necessary.

"Arachne Klein"

Paws hit the ground with an audible thud following the next instructions. So she had another side of the cliff in mind for them all to perfect their technique it seemed. Her praise from earlier was simply ignored as he felt like a pup learning to hunt for the first time. The only difference, no wolf here would end the day bleeding or dead.  His gaze slipped along the length of the cliff before him. Noticing that some areas revealed a few reachable rocks. While others looked to be quite narrow for a good grip. It didn't diminish him in the slightest as he chose this time to step back a bit. Launching his body with front paws spread wide. Nails were quick to take hold of two openings within the cliff itself. Finding his footing shortly after. The large Saxe male refused to be one-up by any of the others. Or have Azoula go back to have something to laugh about. This alone was already humiliating to him. However, he had no choice. It was the only way for him to show Sephiran that he belonged back home. His leaving was not for absolutely anything. A few more inches up, he ensured to check the distance of how far he'd jumped. Not realizing that he surely took a true leap of faith. "Speaks"

Safety, ugh. She was starting to sound like Erik, calling him out for pulling dangerous shit on the rocks. She's not wrong, and Björn is careful as he lowers himself back down the route. Calculated risks were one thing, he's just shit at math. Still, he grits his teeth and holds his tongue, not talking back to the nice lady that had taken her time to help. Björn takes a step back, watching as Talyssa demonstrates the hardest route they'd be working on today. She made it look easy, remaining light on her feet and careful as she scales the cliff. For a boy who's all raw power and little precision, this one would be rough. Ah, fuck it. Time to give it a shot. Clumsily mirroring her movements, Björn makes a run at the cliff. Leverage, rhythm, it's a good time. If it looked like the boy was working his ass off, that's because he was. Shit is a little tougher when you're not as practiced, but he's having a good time all the same. BJÖRN Ragnarök awaits.