Sentinels and Kings and... Koi? [Tenshi!]
Ardyn
Master Fighter (250)
Master Hunter (240)
Knight
Bloodletter
6 Years
Male
1056
BrienaSkysong
| Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi |
Their combined invitation wasn’t left unaccepted for long before a woman came into sight. She was older, closer to Cairo’s age than Ardyn’s own, and carried herself with experience. She bore antlers upon her head, and gold markings, among other features.
He studied her, aware of his Sentinel’s similar analysis, then nodded as she spoke, indicating her choice, and with her nod, Cairo moved to observe from the sidelines, giving the woman and Ardyn plenty of space to move.
Ardyn settled into a light stance. She was as tall as he was but her build was just a tiny bit thicker, and as she barreled toward him, he watched her movements, letting his features fall quiet and steady, letting her eyes and body tell him her plans.
As she swept to his left, he held still, head tipped to keep an eye on her. Her sidestep he noted, and as she swung in with her shoulder, he danced to his own right with a long bound, letting her hopefully fall into her own momentum with the lack of impact, though he figured with how she moved, she was experienced enough not to fall for that juke method.
Her teeth missed him with his evasion - though he felt a tug as his own long mane caught in her teeth, a few hairs flaring as they parted company with his hide - and he twisted to his left as he went, aiming to bring himself back around to face her from her behind as she lurched away of her own volition, tail flicking with a brief show of fire as he balanced on his four paws upon landing, elbows and hocks bent slightly as his defenses resettled, chin slightly tucked and eyes watchful through mild slits, ears slick to his scruff.
He didn’t remain still for more than a few heartbeats before he launched forward, aiming to close on her haunches and drop his right shoulder, aiming to drive the hardened armor covered point into her lower left hip as he sought to snake his head to his right and clamp his teeth on the fur and skin of her left side, taking care not to utilize the sabers and only using his incisors.
It didn't mean much of a grip if he was successful, but a grip wasn’t ideal considering he’d likely be in a perfect position for her to twist around and maul his face if it was occupied. As it was, he kept a close eye on the woman, experience with his own mother having taught him to always be alert for a smart woman’s tactics.
Lyr balanced on the air above, waiting in the wings, as it were. If he was needed, he’d drop in for a visit, but the raven was patient enough to wait for that moment.
Ardyn vs Tenshi for Spar
Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think |
Ardyn at first glance is as black as can be imagined with a raven sheen.
Closer inspection proves that he shimmers in fire tones in every hair on his hide right down to his lashes.
More obviously, he glows like a bed of coals and flames with every movement and brush of fur. His tail is usually wagging, so blazes like a torch.
His adult teeth are in and his saber canines have grown to their full length (see profile). His mane and tail hair have grown to full length, as well as being lightweight and easily buffeted by breezes.
A look at his front paws will give the impression of hands, with his dew claw dropped low and lengthened into a functioning thumb, and his toes elongated into fingers. He has retractable, solid black cat-like claws on every paw.
Ardyn has developed a glowing mast of intricate markings in fire and ice colors over his face, symmetrical over the last seasons of Year 17 (see profile for details). During hunts or raids/sieges, he will smudge them out with black soot to cover the glow, otherwise, they are bright enough to note at first direct glance at his face. Not all his artwork currently portrays the mask markings.
He is also often bedecked in beads, small bells, feathers in blues, ribbons and braids thanks to the Ooze Event of Halloween 2021, and the Coathanger item that he got. The accessories generally are seen most in his mane and tail hair. He removes the brighter items and bells for hunts or battle.