Surreal Adravendi

Surreal padded along the edge of the stream that passed through the willows that currently made up her family?s home. Cael, Imena, their children, Erani, Alsander, Castiel, Amia, Falk, and Deviant occupied this grove. Soon enough, she would bring them home. Or claim a place to start a new home in. She paused, gazing down into the rippling, shattered reflection of her face in the water. Her heart ached for her Uncle, who had died back on the island they had sheltered in. He had died peacefully enough, in a bed of soft grasses and aromatic flowers, with a happy smile on his face. She had no doubts that his beloved Akana had greeted him as the last breath left his lungs. He should have died on the plains. Should have been buried where he would have always been close to them. But, he had not. Thanks to one vengeful red bitch who, she had heard, was the very wolf that had brought the cure for that sickness. Surreal forced her raised hackles to flatten again. It was no use dwelling on the past, when the future held so much. There was planning to be done, preparations to be made. She hadn?t told anyone but Falk, beyond her closest family, of her plans to rebuild, again, the family that had been scattered. She frowned. Why was it that no one could leave her pack alone, and allow them to thrive? They harmed no one, kept to their own business, and helped others when they could. And yet, wolves declared war, challenged for their home, scattered them to the winds. Her head lowered, tongue lapping at the cool water. When her thirst was quenched, she lifted her head, her mind returning to the night previous. It had been a glorious night. Falk having found her again, and their following hours of passion. Knowing how females bodies worked, she was pretty sure a litter would come of those hours. This bothered her not a jot. In fact, it brought great joy to her heart. But she wanted badly for the litter, should there be one, to be born on land that belonged to family and friends. She wanted her mother to be able to visit Cairo?s resting place as often as she wished. Which meant taking back Vericona Plains. Her thoughts returned to brooding, haunches slowly falling to rest on the ground beneath her. There would be spars, many of them. She needed to hone her skills to a deadly edge if she wanted to keep a pack safe in the event of another challenge. There was no doubt more challengers would come. No doubt of more vultures coming to soil the happiness of those who lived so peacefully. Her eyes hardened. This pack would be strong. Tests would ascertain the worth of those willing to join. While her mother had often had trouble turning wolves away, this would be something Surreal would make easier. If they did not pass the test set for them, a spar, a hunt, a riddle set by Erani herself, if need be? Then they would not set paw across the borders. Her tail tapped a light rhythm against the ground as her thoughts meandered. There would be a great deal different in the pack she intended to raise from the ashes. And yet the fact that it would be a family unit as well as a strong force, that would not change. The great chocolate male with sapphire eyes that had seen much in his life would not be made disappointed by this pack. She wished she could have known Cairo more than the glimpses and one meeting with him. He?d been a fun old male, to a pup who had managed to scamper out of her mothers sight for an hour. She wanted his essence to radiate from her pack. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

The whistling willows were a perfect place for gathering certain herbs that did not grow within the ethereal pack lands. So that was the main reason she was here, her fluttering emotions distracted her from every scent and noise she came across for the most part. Though while she was alone, thoughts of epiphron her mother did come to the newly mature girls head. If her mother or any of the other family members found out she was with azalea, what would they do. Arian wasn't sure how she wood handle the rejection, the hatred, after all she just didn't see anything wrong with azalea now that the ice king had gone away. Everyone was happy, yet his spawn remained, that striking some fear. For others the children were allies, like Taurig as she had heard stories of before. But arian was not evil, she just wanted to be herself after losing so much. After placing her faith on so many others only for them to leave her behind. The female wanted to finally find a little bit of independence for herself.

It wasn't until far into these thoughts that she spotted surreal, but arian did not know that this girl was her cousin. Instead her hackles would raise then fall realizing how horrible her first heat was, considering she felt vulnerable while distracted. At least she knew what it was since azalea had told her, but she had never felt anything like it that was for sure. Approaching arian kept a smile on her face, maybe she would figure it out. Figure out that this is here Valhalla remains were. "Hi, I'm sorry if this is your home. It's just some good herbs grow here for me to gather" arian explained. Completely unaware of what interaction would come next.

Surreal Adravendi

Her musings were broken as a new scent, mingled with Azalea?s, crossed her nose. There was also the musky tang of female in heat. As she looked up from the water that she hadn?t really been seeing, her mismatched eyes fell on a young female, only a year her junior, really, judging by her scent. A white patch decorated on eye out of the pair of crystal blue orbs. They held anxiety, and vulnerability for a moment, as she saw the younger female?s hackles rise and fall. ?Don?t worry. I won?t hurt you.? So long as the female was no threat to the family ensconced within the shade of the willows. Surreal had only ever met Quintus out of Epiphrons children. Had indeed, only pup-hood memories of her sister by adoption. Epiphron had been wed, and then gone to Seracia, now a fallen, forgotten Kingdom of the past, and Surreal hadn?t seen her sister since. This female didn?t look, or smell like a blood relative, but something in Surreal recognized her as kin. So as the younger female approached with an explanation, she was greeted with a warm smile. ?Oh I wouldn?t say I own this patch of willows. My family has taken up temporary residence here, however. My Cousin and his mate are both healers. They may have plants of interest, or be able to help you find good patches.? She rose gently to her paws. ?I?m Surreal Adravendi, by the way. Not an Adravendi by blood, mind, but Cairo gave my mother the surname before his death.? It was a delicate invitation to share a name, and to see if her instinct was telling true. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Hatred was an emotion arian was easily afraid of, she acted like she didn't care. But within her first memory was a man coming to slaughter her real father, then watching her siblings starve before her crippled mother took her to sectarian borders. Arians father had been friends with epiphron within Valhalla before she left, and so the woman took it upon herself to adopt arian and she would never forget that moment. So as she was, not an arraigned by blood just as surreal was. Yet still when her name was spoken a bunch of questions rose in her mind. Had she chosen wrong? Should she have searched for different family other than azalea. But it was too late now, and with the ice king gone she was certain things would turn out for the better if anything. Arian feeling a little more comfortable sat on her launches, tail curling worund her back paws. "I am the same then, arian adravendi daughter of epiphron, heir of the fallen kingdom seracia. But I was adopted, and now I'm a healer in the northern kingdom ethereal run by azalea." Arian wouldn't be afraid to share. As her smile kept true on her maw. Whatever happened would be fate and she would always bounce back from it.

"Surreal, I.... I am sorry for what happened to Valhalla. My biological family had places there before they died. The kingdom itself was magnificent, I only wish I could have saved seracia. But now I'm with azalea, my mother probably will deem me a traitor of the family next time she she's me. Ever since Isardis left alacritis, epiphron tried to maim azalea because she was with him. Sorry I feel I'm sharing too much with a stranger even if you are family. I'm new to this whole heat thing I didn't know I would become a story teller." Arian laughed a little a sigh dragging onto the end of it. Her tails white tip would flick as she looked around. Maybe her mother would forgive her? She really didn't see herself as doing anything wrong. She hadn't harmed anyone in her lifetime only healed. Broken bones, delivered children, and even more severe trauma. Arian gave life, not took it away.

Her introduction seemed to set the younger female at ease, as Arian settled onto her haunches, introducing herself in return. Surreal smiled softly. ?Hm. Ethereal. I?ll have to keep it in mind. Your mother is like you as well, you know. My mother raised her and her siblings, and their adopted siblings when their real mother, Guinevere, passed away. They may not be blood sisters, but I view Epiphron and Chrysanthe as such. Syrinx, Eos, and Neo had gone their separate ways. They were there when I was born, so my mother says. My mother has a knack for adopting wolves.? A grin creased her maw, setting her eyes to sparking. Arian spoke next, and Surreal listened quietly. A sad smile crossed her face. ?Things happen. However, I don?t see Epiphron maiming a member of the family merely because they were in the presence of an enemy. What truly happened? I?m afraid I?m a bit behind on things. Isardis is gone?? That was good. No tyrant riling up old wrongs that he had caused in the first place. However, she could imagine there were those loyal to him who would loved to continue making problems. So she asked with a gentle voice that still held a note of command. ?Tell me from the start. I don?t mind long stories. They often have good morals.?

Arian would listen to surreal and the mentioning of Syrinx made her bristle. She was partly angry at him, but most of all upset. The death match she understood, but she had bent her life on following him. She promised to help raise his children in Olympus, only for Virgil and him to just leave her behind. She was just being a jealous child she knew, but that was where her feelings had centered. Though she knew perfectly well what had happened between Epiphron and Azalea. She had heard what they said, and she dare say Arian had a hunch considering what had happened within the past between the two. So Surreal asked for a story. That was as good as anything, Arian loved speaking, if anything.
"I was actually traveling with Syrinx, he gained a new mate in Olympus, but they both kind of fell out of my view. I bent my spine on serving Syrinx, but now I realize I need to start working on myself as a healer now. Regardless, I heard what my mother said, Azalea was siding with Isardis and the northern kingdoms of his, there was a time when she birthed Isardis' bastard sons. Azalea had actually been in Isardis' daughters pack for some time with Sarak's children she birthed a season or so ago. It was at the death match, the death match between Isardis and Syrinx, Syrinx called the ice king out. My mother attacked Azalea saying she betrayed the family, and naturally Azalea only fought back and ended up winning. But I figure it was in the past, I honestly try not to get myself caught up in one family. I've always been moving around, just seems normal. But yes, Isardis is gone, and Azalea owns a northern pack which I'm a healer for." Arian said, trying to make sure the story wasn't too compacted, or even too long. She was nervous regardless, but speaking was something she enjoyed, just as much as listening.

As Arian began speaking, telling her tale, Surreal sat back, listening closely, eyes watching the younger female?s face as she spoke. So that answered a small question in the back of her mind that she?d been wondering. Where Azalea had gone when they had all gone to the Island. Her ears perked at the story of the death match, and exactly why Epiphron had attacked a family member. Hm. Well, given how the entire family had felt when Azalea had been taken back in the war, and how they had reacted when they had learned that Isardis had taken Azalea like a broodmare, out of spite, she could understand how Epiphron might feel betrayed. She listened on, and as Arian finished speaking, she smiled gently. ?Well, I can see why your mother felt as though Azalea was turning her back on the family. Siding with the male who caused the family, and Valhalla so much trouble could do that. But that should be no reason for her to turn her back on you. Not if she?s a true mother who loves her children. My own mate, is, in fact, one of Isardis? sons. They don?t get along at all. Or didn?t. He and his siblings grew up with their mother, instead of under their fathers influence. Falk is a true gentleman, honorable, brave, and smart.? One could tell by how her eyes grew dreamy, and a smile blossomed on her face, that the silver female was smitten, and quite happy about it. She gave her mind a mental jab, and looked back to Arian. ?I do intend on rebuilding the pack again. And I?d like to try to take back the old Valhallan lands. But perhaps under a new, but similar name. ?Valhalla? seems to be a target for troublemakers. Thank you for telling me what happened, Arian. However, you didn?t say if Syrinx was alright? I assume Isardis being gone means Syrinx won?? Or had her distant brother lost, and the pale bastard had just left?