a new soul to the old hell

He couldn’t help the slight lift of his brows as the Ivalice Alphess seemed to have difficulty in remembering him; how did you forget a giant red wolf, let alone your cousin? And how had she not heard that Celestial had been raised, when hers was a scent he had caught along the borders during one of his patrols, along with Creed’s? He may not have seen his adopted cousin, nor known that she had harbored distaste toward his mother for some inane reasons of her own, but he had certainly smelled her scent.

Nevertheless, he smiled easily, though puzzlement showed just barely in his tone as he answered, “Yes. Regulus. And Mother raised the pack ages ago. After Hellstrom was defeated. We’ve been settled for a long time… Nearly three years? This winter. Did Creed not tell you this when you met with him on our borders?” Was the woman losing her memory? A flicker of concern brushed through his eyes, but he set it aside, not wishing to give Jorrvaskr an impression that Avalon might in any way seem weak, instead adding, “Mother stepped down this past Autumn to focus on the births of my youngest siblings and enjoy retirement and family. I’m the Archangel now.”

He finished and allowed her to make her pitch to Jorrvaskr, who had been quiet, and as she tensed, he briefly did as well until Faite’s form nudged into his and he grinned, nudging gently back, mindful of his strength and larger bulk. As Avalon continued to speak to Jorrvaskr, Regulus dipped his head to murmur to Faite. Is é sin Cousin Avalon. Tá mé ag amazed nach raibh sí aithníonn dom. Baineann sé le bheith ar feadh i bhfad, ach déanann surely á dearg geal Guy níos éasca le cuimhneamh, ceart?"It was a joke made at his own self-expense, teasing his own brightly colored fur.

Despite his quiet words to his sister, he did listen with interest to his cousin’s words. Another who might speak the language as Jorrvaskr? That certainly would be good for the female. While they did need hunters, he wouldn’t begrudge her the choice to choose a place that might have more familiarity to her; someone to converse with who she could speak freely without pausing to speak words she had trouble saying. His attention turned to Jorrvaskr, gentle sapphire gaze interested, but not pressuring her for a choice, as she debated.

Finally, she apologized to Avalon, and stated that she had already chosen. Was he hearing her right? Her choice was Celestial? As she glanced to him, eyes pleading help as she tried to make a request, he nodded, smiling gently, and asking for confirmation, “You would like to meet the wolf that might speak your language?” However, another figure joined them rather abruptly; a young male who bore a rudeness in his strong approach to a wolf who had already tensed when one as sweet and friendly as Faite had approached.

A slight forward shift of Regulus’ left forepaw came as a natural, gentle warning to give Jorrvaskr more space, though his expression remained casually friendly as he stated, “I am Regulus Anatolii Adravendi. Archangel – or alpha – of Celestial, a pack in the west. It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir…” He trailed off at the end of his greeting, leaving the introductions open for the newcomer to continue and return.

This boy's scent carried the same notes as Avalon’s, and his bearing gave the impression that he carried a high rank, and a sense of arrogance, as, beyond nodding to them, he proceeded to mostly ignore the elders as he spoke to Jorrvaskr, seemingly showing off, though it could have been that he just wanted to make her feel more comfortable. The family resemblance to Avalon was there; in the features, and hinting at the markings. A son? One of her and Newol’s?

His head tipped to Jorrvaskr slightly, checking to ensure she wasn’t spooked as he asked in a soft tone, wanting to be sure he’d read into her choice correctly, “Am I right in guessing you chose Celestial? I certainly won’t begrudge you the chance to live with a pack where you could have someone to easily converse with…” The smile he cast her was sincere, and no traces of deceit pervaded his posture.