Rasiel Adravendi

Being a pup was complicated. There were so many things that one needed to learn. So naturally with that sort of problem facing her Rasiel had only one strategy to gain as much knowledge as possible. “Why”. Why did this exist, why did they call this that, why did other creatures live so differently? Rasiel was excited to learn about other things, to learn, and to grow. So far she felt like she didn’t know much, but she’d learn more with every coming day! She burst from the den with a flurry of energy, limbs pretty much just going wild as she nearly fell flat on her face. Rasiel straightened herself, breathing in as she looked around the lands of Celestial. The long grasses were interesting to the youth. Why did they grow so tall? Would she be that big someday? Wiggling her little butt excitedly the child walked over some of the tall grass and pounced within. It wiggled and swayed as she moved through it, a giggle escaping Ras’ maw. Over her should the girl would glance. Was Regulus about? Mother? Father? One of her other siblings? Throwing her head back Rasiel let out a short puppy howl. She wanted to play! Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

-::-

He was settling well into his new position as the Archangel, and as he finished off his patrol with a casual lift of his hind leg against a boulder on the border, finishing the gesture with a deep raking of the ground with his hind claws, he ran his mind over some of the ideas he was having. Surreal had requested to be made a Legionary once his young siblings were weaned and she was ready to return to work and patrols. He already knew her skills were adequate for the rank; she had taught him just about everything he knew of fighting… Pretty much, she had taught him all he knew. His grandmother, too, had taught him much; like how to travel lightly on one’s paws, making nearly no sound With how large he was, and how bright his fur was, it had taken a bit longer to master those skills, but he’d managed it. It was exceedingly difficult in winter, when everything was desaturated, or covered in snow. He absolutely popped against the snow. Didn’t stop him from loving the stuff, though. He was padding back into the territory when his ears caught a squeaky howl. He paused, ears perking, before his thickly furred tail began waving slowly over his hips. So, Rasiel was out, the little scamp. He took off at a floating trot, tail waving behind him, jaws parted in a happy pant, his tongue lolling out one side. He slowed to a stealthy walk as he neared the nearly two-acre sized chunk of hilly woods that contained the family’s den, sniffing to track his little sister down. He treaded carefully, light on his paws, picking his way through the woods along the edge before he spotted her tiny dark form, wiggling and giggling ahead. She was looking over her shoulder, so he grinned, hunkering down and sneaking forward, almost on his belly. He finished the last of the distance in a huge leap, aiming to plant his paws squarely on either side of his little sister, uttering a loud “Boo!” along with a warm laugh, rumbling deep in his chest.

Rasiel Adravendi

Rasiel wagged her tail happily after her little howl. She felt proud; surely someone heard that, right? So someone would be here to play soon! She was bouncing on her paws by the large grass, unaware that her older brother was indeed near and stalking closer by the moment. Ras kept looking around excitedly, hoping to see one of her siblings especially. Playing was a serious matter in her eyes... Even if she did scurry out of the den when she might not have been allowed to. Oops. But the next thing Ras knew there was a burst of wind and a loud “Boo!” as her brother’s paw landed on either side of her. She was startled at first, bi-colored eyes going wide as saucers as she looked up at her older brother. But as she looked upon Regulus, hearing that warm laugh coming from him, she couldn’t help but laugh too. She nuzzled up to his right foreleg, tail wagging wildly back and forth. “Reeeeeeeeg~” She beamed up at him. She wanted to grow as tall as him someday! He was the biggest wolf ever! Let’s play! Please?” She hopped on her front pause, practically wiggling in place. She hoped he wasn’t too busy! She wanted to have some fun with her big brother! Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

-::-

He grinned as he caught sight of her face, the dual shades of blue showing the whites of her eyes quite clearly before her piping laugh joined the crimson male’s thunder. He ducked his head to give her a gentle, full face nuzzle into her side, swiping a big, sloppy, brotherly kiss across her face by way of greeting, his tail waving almost as fast as hers. At her pleading for play, he grinned, head cocking as one ear dropped in a mock stern expression, a brow point rising as he queried. “Did mom say you could come out alone?” But he lowered into a play bow, hips waving in the air below a windmilling red blur – his tail – teeth baring in a play growl. “Would you like to learn a little about fighting today, Rassie?” It’d do her good to learn a bit about defenses at the very least, and if he mixed play with it, hopefully it’d stick in her memories long into life.

Rasiel Adravendi

Rasiel frowned as Regulus took on a mock stern expression, shuffling her front right paw in the dirt. Well no but... “I wasn’t going to go far! I promise!” She flashed him an innocent smile. She couldn’t get in trouble, right? Seeing her brother lower to the ground in a play bow brought her playful side back, and she dropped to the earth as well, her little butt wiggling in the air like a cat who was getting ready to pounce on an unsuspecting mouse. At his question the little girl paused, head cocking to the side. ‘Why do wolves fight, Reg?” She asked, her voice soft. She had a curious look in her mis-matched blue hues now as she looked into his own sapphire ones. “Why can’t everyone get along? Is it really necessary?” For a youth the plump little girl was rather smart, learning all she could and asking questions to learn even more. Rasiel rose from the play position, her expression becoming serious {at least for the moment} as she sought out the answers to her questions. When it came to learning the young girl took things much more seriously. She wanted to make sure she didn’t have to be retaught the lessons she was given after all! Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

-::-

Yep. He’d thought so. Her frown and shuffling paws told it all. His little sister had snuck out, and he’d better let his mother know Rasiel was with him. He uttered a bark to announce it, before turning his attention to his sister as she asked her question. Ah, sis. “Not every wolf is nice, Rassie. There are wolves out there that like to hurt others. I wish we could all get along, too, but until we can, we need to know how to protect ourselves. Just like how we need to know the basics of healing our own cuts and bruises.” He liked that when it came to learning a lesson, Rasiel was focused. She asked serious questions for a pup her age, and it kept him on his toes. He grinned down at her, tail waving slowly, before he started the lesson. “Now, the most basic method of setting your defenses is to widen out your stance, and stay squared; like this.” He demonstrated, settling slowly into the squared, ready stance that set his paws into a balanced stance, paws just a hair’s breadth outside his shoulders and hips, while he watched his sister, ready for the next line of questions. He had no doubt they’d be good ones. From the vicinity of the den, his mother’s bark answered, acknowledging his call. He could hear the sense of relief on her voice. No doubt she’d be grabbing a nap now that at least one of the two more adventurous of his siblings was occupied by her big brother.

Rasiel Adravendi

Rasiel listened to her brother, sure she could expect a scolding later from their mother for sneaking out. But for now she was going to pay attention to what Regulus could teach her. She furrowed her brow at his words, trying to imagine the wolves that her brother spoke of. Those who liked to hurt others. The thought seemed beyond absurd... Yet... Regulus would not lie to her. Surely those sick type of creatures had to exist. “Not just wolves though, right? Any creature can be good or bad?” At least when it came to cuts and bruises Rassie knew that those could obtained even during play if one wasn’t careful. She was admittedly a bit curious about herbs, but they seemed strange too. Was she in for a shock when spring came around and herbs were more plentiful! There was going to be so much more to learn. Rasiel blinked her bi-colored eyes as Regulus started the lesson. She examined him, speaking as she started to try to mimic his stance. “So... Defenses are a big part of fighting?” He hadn’t said such, but considering he was talking about fighting at first and then mentioned them had Rassie thinking. Her stance wasn’t perfect, not with being as young as she was and this being her first time practicing. Her legs were spread too far apart for a start and she was certainly not squared. “Mrgh..” The plump girl tried to adjust her position by spreading her paws out even farther. Now she just looked awkward. She felt awkward too. Rasiel gave a soft whine, looking up at Regulus with her ears tilted back. “What am I doing wrong?” She had widened her stance like he said! But she wouldn’t be able to move very well like this. The problem was following one direction at not the other; staying squared was something she hadn’t understood very well. But between looking at Regulus and knowing what her own stance was like she knew she was doing this wrong. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

-::-

Rasiel was definitely a quick study. Regulus nodded at her question. “Any creature. There is a mountain lion that grandmother befriended and allowed to remain in the pack territory, back when she ruled and Valhalla owned these lands. Just the same, most big cats would find little pups like you to be a tasty snack, and even someone as big as me would be a good meal for the biggest of them.” He nodded solemnly. He watched as his small sister tried to mimic his stance, biting back a grin as she went a bit too wide. “Defenses can be what saves you in a fight. You can block and counter attacks with a good defense.” When she asked what she was doing wrong, the Crimson giant stepped forward, lowering his head to nudge her paws into proper position. “You were too wide, and this front paw was too far forward. Try to keep your paws just a tiny bit beyond your shoulders and hips, to the sides.” He stepped back, slowly retaking his stance. “Does that feel better?” He asked, then added, “Another very good defense is to lower your head to the level of your shoulders, and hold your tail out, level with your back. This helps protect your throat a little bit.” He demonstrated, adding the defenses stated to his squared stance, watching his little sister, ready to correct and praise where needed.

Rasiel Adravendi

Rassie gave a small nod as her older brother spoke. Any creature could be good or bad... A friend or a foe. That meant she had to be more careful with what she interacted with. It would be good to be curious, yet cautious at the same time. Especially if there were creatures out there that could try to make a good meal out of her brother! Not that they would succeed, but the thought still unsettled the young girl a little. Regulus helped her once she asked what she was doing wrong, stating that her stance had been too wide. She felt better once he had nudged them into the proper positions, her gaze shining brightly as she looked towards her big brother with a thoughtful expression. “Much better.” She answered her question simply, the wheels in her mind turning. Defenses were important and could be what saved her during a fight... This was a key detail that she noted. At the mention of another set of defenses Rasiel worked to move her head into place, more mindful of the positioning that her brother mentioned before doing the same with her tail. This came a bit more easily, and Rassie wiggled once everything seemed to be in place. The little girl peered up at her brother, speaking in an excited voice. “Like this, Reg? Is this good?” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think