"Not much farther, my adore." There was a certain eagerness in his voice, notes that hadn't been heard for some time. There was a spring in his step, a wiggle in his tail, and a pride that flowed through every one of his veins. A smile creeped across his features as he walked alongside his wife, leading her to the land that he'd discovered by accident - and had fallen in love with. It was hot here, but it was no hotter than in the South. He knew that Raisa was a kind and capable leader, and though her pack was small - it was well provided for. As he neared the place where he'd fallen immobile before he lifted his cranium, tilting it back and letting loose a beckoning howl. When he was through the smile returned to his face, as he quickly lay down in precisely the same spot he'd been in before, doing his best to look haphazard and worn out, though he was anything but. "It's an inside joke," he murmured, laughter on his lips. "You'll see." He placed his chin neatly on his forepaws, resuming the position she'd found him in before, hoping she'd recognize the similarity and look past the fact that he'd purposely crossed her borders this time. She was friendly enough, and who could pass up a good joke?




"Speech,"

ooc; Pip first, pls. Then Raisa <3

Epiphron couldn't help but feel nervous about this new chapter in their lives. While daunting, it was also rather exciting; she was leaving so much behind, and yet the possibilities ahead of them were so vast. She had gone through so much in Seracvia. She'd become Maverick's wife there, and given birth to two litters of children. She had heard of her father's death there; and she was tired of darkness, and of bad news. There was so much potential joy ahead of them -- all they had to do was take ownership of it. And they had, finally leaving their home behind and setting out in search of a new one. Maverick assured her that he found a place for them to reside in, whether it be a temporary arrangement or not, and she trusted his judgment fully. She would follow him to the ends of the earth, and so she did the same today, venturing into lands she had not yet explored before, eager at what they might find together. A laugh escaped her jaws, however, when he flopped to the ground, quite a goofy sight. All around them was the scent of unfamiliar wolves, and it was obvious a pack resided here. "I do hope so," she noted with a gentle smile, leaning to nuzzle him so lovingly, before reclining to her hindquarters to wait beside him.

Raisa could not mistake Maverick's beckoning call, nor could she deny her pleasure. The day had finally come that she might see her fellow royal once more. She let a breathy chuckle slip through her lips as the memory of their first encounter came unbidden to the forefront of her mind. He had seemed such a sorry creature at first, until she had gotten him talking. His vow to return, perhaps with family in tow or to visit at the least, quickened her paws as she made her way out of her den. The queen loped through the stony moorland, wondering under what circumstance he called her. The sooty fae steadied her emotions, preparing herself for the fact that his might very well be a rejection of her offer to a new home, and she swallowed that sour thought with a sort of grim acceptance. All things were possible, were they not? Her fears were soon set aside, replaced by mirth. Raisa came upon the pair quite suddenly, and stopped her tracks. He queen's sides shook with poorly restrained laughter, and she tried her best to keep the giggles from bubbling up and out of her maw. Maverick made quite the picture, slumped and clearly feigning exhaustion. A lovely woman stood at his side, and she assumed she could only be the man's mate. A slow shake of her head accompanied her quaking ribs as she began her advance once more. Raisa did not address the man at first, but instead his wife. Her eyes bore mock sorrow as she said, "My sorrows for yours, to be paired with such a mummer. Truly, I cannot imagine the strains of your time with him." Another peal of laughter bubbled forth and leaked into the air around them, and her muzzle crinkled with a smile for them both. "It is good to see you again, my lord." She offered them both a small bow, and upon rising asked the question that burned in the forefront of her mind. "What might I do for you?" "Talk" "You" Think

He had kept to his vow, in however a humorous way he'd chosen - and now he would see if she would keep to hers. Epiphron stood at the ready, clearly not understanding the inside joke, but how could she? He relished in her quick nuzzle before she took her seat at his side, where he wished she would remain always. Time ticked by, but not too much, before Raisa made her appearance. To his surprise her initial remarks were quite candid, and directed to his wife instead of him. "I assure you, I got the better end of the deal in our marriage." He had received the most beautiful and wonderful creature in the world, and she had gotten a flawed once-King who had yet to find his true self. He would allow a lilting laugh to trickle from his lips, the kind he hadn't known since his youth, before he stood to his paws and bowed his head and neck low to the Queen. "And you, Your Grace." An ear twitched idly as she asked of their purpose. Eyes sideswept to his wife for a mere second before he began. "I wonder if your previous offer of a home for my wife, my children, and myself still stands? This is Epiphron Adravendi-Mathias, the wife I have spoken of. My children, should they choose to come, will be traveling and requesting acceptance in their own time." He had not volunteered to carry them here, nor to assist them in their endeavors. Perhaps it was tough love, or perhaps it was a father making something of his children. In due time he would give the Queen all of the children's names, so she might know them when the came - if they came. He doubted Caeto would join them, and he knew Arian would not. Cassius was likely to come along, though he had been reluctant to leave the home he knew. Quintus was also likely to come, but he too had seemed unsure. He would wait, hoping that her mind hadn't been changed in his short absence.






"Speech,"

She was the epitome of strength and composure, even as she stood here, her fate in the hands of a strange. Epiphron could not help but feel vaguely guilty for leaving her children -- many had decided to take their own paths, and Celeste seemed to have grown bitter over her parents' departure. As the woman Maverick had spoke of came into view, she watched her carefully, her expression guarded for a long moment. But as the woman began to speak, an amused smile would tease her lips. Of course, the joke was lost upon her -- but seemed quite comical nonetheless. "It is a pleasure," she offered so sweetly, dipping her head gently in greeting. Quickly Maverick spoke, introducing her to Raisa, and explaining they sought a home here. She still knew little of these lands, but she had no reason to question her husband's judgment without due reason. She nodded in agreement with Maverick's words, simply waiting for her to either accept or deny their offer.

Both wolves seemed relatively at ease, even if Maverick's mate carried a more formal air about her. It seemed that the woman was as well mannered and noble minded as her husband, and this too thrilled the sooty queen. The way her alliance talks had gone so far, she knew that those of a more delicate, refined sensibility were much in need. Raisa smiled at them both, pleased that the man had indeed returned to her lands. When prompted, he told her that they had come seeking a home, as he had proposed they might do upon his last 'visit,' if you could truly call it that. Raisa's tail wagged lightly from side to side of it's own accord, and her ears perked. "Of course, there is always room in Ebony for any seeking a home. Particularly for those of noble blood. I would be remiss to say wisdom and guidance were not needed, especially in these early days." Raisa cast a glance over her shoulder at the lands that spread out behind them. They had quickly become a home to the grey woman, and it pleased her to no end to know her pack was growing further yet. Turning back she raised a brow. "I'm of a mind to induct you both into the nobility of the court, as High Lord and Lady. Do you have any questions for me? I would be happy to answer them." Raisa cocked her head to the side and examined them. Maverick had quizzed her to a degree the day they had met, but she was uncertain if his wife shared this knowledge, or if either would request something more. Certainly, she did not want either to feel deceived or duped, should they find themselves in an unexpected situation. "Talk" "You" Think

He was so much like a child, at least his personality was at this very moment. Maverick had never had the opportunity to be youthful, to be young and act silly and just have fun. All of his life he'd been groomed to be a King, and he had run that course already. This was different, and it felt good. He nodded as she mentioned she would be in need of wisdom and guidance. He wasn't certain how much he had of either, but anything he did have he would willingly offer her. Seracia might have changed forever, but that didn't mean that Ebony wouldn't remain as it had been designed. She quickly inducted them into the court, naming them both as High Lord and Lady. Maverick's eyes widened, the green optics sparkled with surprise. "I would be inclined to accept," he smiled and glanced at Epiphron. "I'll let you say for yourself." It was high time he stop making every decision for them, even if he felt it was his very purpose in life. "How many are in the pack, and how far do the borders span?" These things were essential to know, he didn't want to stray too far. His russet tail flickered behind him, twitching with excitement and possibilities.




"Speech,"

Epiphron Adravendi-Mathias was never known for being particularly loud or boisterous; and today would be no exception to that rule. She was quiet for some time as Maverick and Raisa spoke, considering what this place might mean for her and her family. Her gaze was judging, but not harsh. Though she trusted her husband's judgment, she would not give her loyalty to anyone so readily. In due time, she would come to trust the wolves of Ebony, but she could not help but feel slightly wary. It was not a complete surprise when Raisa offered the two of them a place within the ranks. She recognized the noble blood that ran through their veins and she could not help but smile. The Adravendis had always been fated for greatness, and mixed with the Mathias line? She could hardly imagine the things their children might come to do someday. Her expression was grateful at best, and she dipped her head in a respectful not. "I will join my husband in accepting your offer," she stated, leaning to press her nose briefly into the side of his throat. Maverick seemed remarkably more relaxed, and this made her heart flutter silently in her chest. They had been weighed down with an invisible burden for far too long -- it was about time they rid themselves of it and start anew. "And thank you humbly for your kindness and good sense." They would be positive assets to the pack, this was something of which she was certain. She could only home they would grow to view this place as home, or at least fondly for however long they were able to remain

The man's acceptance was quick, and bouyed Raisa's spirits. He turned to his wife, awaiting her response, and the sooty queen turned with him. One down, she thought, smiling and remembering their chance encounter not so long ago. How odd, that the spiderweb of fate could be so played, that the smallest actions like and offer of water, could lead to a thing like this. "I will join my husband in accepting your offer," she said. Raisa smiled at the brief exchange of affection between them. Maverick spoke then, questioning after the strength of numbers within the ranks. The soot, snow, and cinder fae chuckled, briefly looking over her shoulder, back into her homelands. "Well, you two make fifteen. We're growing quite fast now. We've noted several rogues in the area that we suspect me call upon us soon." In truth, Raisa hoped they might number at least twenty five before winter was upon them. Where many small packs weakened in the cold, she did not wish Ebony to be among them. The first winter would be the hardest, of that she was certain. Epiphron's gratitude was returned with a respectful bow from the queen, and Raisa decided she quite liked the woman's calm, level headed demeanor. She would do well as an advisor, of that Raisa was quite certain. Bot seemed to veritably seep experience, and the queen marked just how lucky she had become. "Unless you have any more questions, I could show you around if you like? I'm sure you'll love it here, we all do." "Talk" "You" Think OOC: End?