Askan's stomach rumbled as he waded through the knee-deep snow, with an ever present grimace tugging at his lips. Despite how much of a mess he'd made of his life he couldn't say that he'd taken a shining to being a loner just yet. In the heat of the moment, with fire blazing in his eyes, it had been easy to proclaim that he'd go it alone, that he didn't need his family. But now that he was cold and hungry, well yeah... He'd rather munch on his tail than admit he'd been too rash but... Well, he wasn't going to finish that train of thought, the tracks ended right there.

Had he been younger Askan would have no doubt been tempted to scale the trees, to scurry along like an overweight squirrel, but now he simply regarded them with a dismissive glance. In all honestly he hadn't really been keeping a track of where he was going, or how long he'd been on his paws. The days and months all melded together into a hazy, and rather unpleasant blur. At this point he wasn't even sure what he wanted anymore, he'd left his homeland and that was all well and dandy, but now his mind was drawing a blank. What else was there? Was the world even ready for him; for his iffy temperament and horrendous social skills? Probably not.

For the hundredth time that day, the Selwyn let out a dramatic puff, the air clouding from his lips as he planted his arse at the base of a lopsided tree. He supposed at the very least he ought to figure out where he was and whether he'd gone far enough

Aurielle Adravendi

She had ventured northward. Perhaps the dead of winter wasn’t the most ideal time of the year to go to the northlands of Boreas, but she’d had an adventurous hair. She was half a mind to visit the glowing lake she’d been so intrigued by during Winterfell’s festival. A scent brushed her nose, that of a male who bore no pack scent, and she breathed in, analyzing, and noted that her way of going had become much easier—the man was ahead of her, and she’d fallen into the trench he’d left in the snow. There was little sign of belly dragging, so he must not be overly small, but the paw-prints said he wasn’t massive, either. She padded easily along, no longer forced to forge her own path—tiring as hell these days. Eventually a dark figure stood out against the bright snowdrifts and she paused, calling out while she was well behind him, rather than close enough to be attacked if he took offense or was simply one who acted out when startled. “Good day, stranger. I hope I’m not intruding…” Her husky mezzosoprano voice was lilted and pleasant, lacking hostility or snark, and she stayed stood where she’d halted, head cocking to see how he’d respond. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Very seldom did the Warlord venture so far from home. To the icy reaches of the North, where winter held its claws most firmly into the world. He had not been able to for some time now, but with the promotion of a leader in his pack, he allowed himself some freedoms. He had not forgotten the Alpha of Abavens words, that Acere might one day turn his eyes to the Warlords pack.

He scouted along the Northern territories, keeping far from Winterfell. He determined how often the wolves of these lands moved about, how many loners strayed the icy north. The cold clung to his coat, to the air he breathed, until he missed the milder temperatures of home.

With that in mind, the Warlord would begin the long journey home, intel gathered, before he caught the familiar sight or Aurielle, and the less familiar one of the stranger. Stepping into view, and towering over both wolves, the dark Warlord let his eyes drift from one, to the other. “Aurelle, hello, I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” he said, before turning his attention more solidly towards the stranger. Amusingly, the tawny coat of him reminded him of a mix between both his little healers. “I’m Sirius, Warlord of the Ashen Armada, and who might you be?” he asked of Askan, recognizing that Aurielle had never seen this man before either.

"Speech"

Askan wasn't in the mood for company but it seemed as though the world didn't give two shits about what he wanted. His ears flicked back, eyes narrowing as he took in the sight of the stranger. Against all the snow what a sight she was. She was a little too white for his liking and it made him want to squint, not that he already wasn't. And what was with those purple markings around her eyes? They might have been pretty but Askan didn't have a taste for these sorts of things, and if anything it was a blatant reminder that yeah, he was really really far from home.

He probably should have followed suit and been polite in return but Askan very rarely did things the right way. Tucking his legs in a little tighter, he licked his lips, savouring the snide taste of his words upon his tongue.

"No, you're bothering me."

He would have said more if another, darker figure, hadn't entered the fray. It was then he realised that he'd inadvertently cornered himself against a tree. His gaze flicked between the two, back and forth between light and dark. The newcomer was far larger than Askan could ever dream of being, and to say that it didn't piss him off a little would be a lie. He conjured up a whole narrative in his mind, that uh-what was his name- Sirius was a brute, all brawn and no brain with thumping footsteps and a haughty attitude. It was completely unfair and uncalled for, of course, but Askan wasn't always a rational man. Least of all when he was hungry, tired and in the damn middle of nowhere. He was tempted to tell the man to stuff it, why'd he need to know his name anyway? Wasn't like he wasn't supposed to be here, right? Askan had a functioning nose, he'd caught the scent of a pack on the wind but he knew he wasn't stepping on anyone's paws in being there. If anything they were stomping all over his. Buuut it wasn't like he was ashamed of his name either. It was the only thing of merit he held onto these days, without it he would truly be no one, a nobody.

"Askan Selwyn" he said, as abrasive as ever."Why?"

He stood then, shaking off his coat a little as he-as causally as he could manage- took a step or two away to give himself some space. Or more of it rather; it wasn't as if they were really up in his grill, breathing down his neck. He was just being dramatic, just usual Askan things.

Aurielle Adravendi

If there was anything to say about the shimmering, glowing white Spirit of Valhalla, it was that she was one without end to her patience. Her lips twitched in faint amusement at the snarky, snide response, half turning to leave with a smooth, “My apologies. Be well, then.” when a wholly unexpected form came into sight. A brow lifted as she studied Sirius, head cocking as she looked up at him. If anyone was to be unexpected to be encountered up here it was Sirius, given the Armada’s eastern location. Then again, perhaps he’d been to speak with Acere, as most alphas did make circuits like herself. Her long-haired tail flicked, buffeting on the breeze as it stroked fingers through the mane from her scruff. “I must admit the same about you, Sirius… How is he?” The question was laced with concern for her young apprentice. It had been a week since Cairo had been taken in by the Armada to heal until he was ready to travel so far. However, she waited only long enough for an answer before she took her leave, nodding to the grouchy man—Askan, as he’d introduced himself, still with as much salt as an ocean. She did have to wonder what had happened to the younger wolf to make him so caustic and defensive. -Exit unless stopped?- Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Sirius’s muzzle twitched in amusement at the man's snarky words. It seemed he had no intention of being bothered today. His attention moved back to Aurielle at her words, and he gave a polite nod to her. Of course she was worried about her apprentice. “You would have to ask my healer for details, but I believe there's nothing to be concerned about” he promised the Valhalla leader.

He turned a moment to watch her leave, squinting against the brightness of her coat, before turning his attention back to the stranger. He would hardly be the first wolf to offer a biting retort to the Warlord. Sirius understood, he looked hungry and out of his luck. “Well, Askan, you look like you could use a bite to eat, and a place to rest up. My pack is some distance from here, but I'm heading back there now. If you wish to accompany me, I can see you get a decent meal… and the weather isn’t nearly as cold” he added with a wry smile.

From there, they could decide if the man wanted a more permanent home, or to go about his way. Of course, the Warlord was always recruiting, and hoped to win over a warrior to join his ranks.

"Speech"

Askan was a little taken back by how well the lady had taken his snark. He'd expected some sort of response, after all not many people let his bad attitude just slide like that. She was the dignified, calm, and Askan didn't find it nearly as pretentious as he probably should. He wasn't looking to get under her skin of course, but the fact that he didn't regardless was a little jarring. Like watching a wolf walk on its hind legs. The two strangers exchanged polite conversation and that's when they lost him. It was clear they already knew one another and the fact that they were talking as though Askan wasn't there made him feel a little left out. He didn't want an explanation either though, he was jumping between annoyance and indifference, yet again much like a yearling who hadn't yet gotten their emotions under control.

The woman went to leave and Askan made no move to stop her. If she decided she was done here then fine, whatever. It wasn't like he was out to impress anyone-or at least that's what he thought, very loudly to drown out any doubts he might have.

Sirus on the other paw...Askan regarded the man with a long stare, his tail hanging loosely against his back leg, as he contemplated his offer. His stomach certainly found it tempting.He hadn't had a proper meal in a long while and if he kept this up his strength would soon start to wane, but it was also more than a little insulting too. Did he really look so feeble, so pathetic that he needed handouts?The man was being kind, there was no denying that but an insecure, distant voice in the back of Askan's mind told him that he was unworthy, that if he accepted the mans offer he'd never live it down.

Askan pursed his lips, his ears flicking back and forth. If there was a time to show some tact it'd be now.

"I'm fine."He grumbled, squinting off into the distance as if that helped his case. "What is this place anyway?"He then asked, flicking his tail in a wide, waving gesture, referring to the bigger picture and not just these slanted woods.

He regarded Askan for a time as he thought over the Warlords words. When the younger wolf spoke, Sirius gave his head a soft nod, understanding what wasn’t spoken. He didn’t want charity from a stranger. Not that it would have been charity, not truly. Sirius would have used the time to convince this stranger to join him. To show him the might of the Ashen Armada and see if joining them would be in his future. In the Armada there were so many chances for advancement and learning, that many had taken him up on the offer.
Alas, not all lost souls could be saved.

“You're standing on the continent of Boreas, in the Northern parts of the world, closest to the pack of Winterfell” Who’s Alpha had recently attacked their allies at the behest of a band of vikings. Weak, was what Acere was. “Further East lies Abaven, South from that lies the Ashen Armada - my home, and beside us our greatest Allies, Ashen. Two packs live near the center of the land, Valhalla lives South-West. You just met their Alpha” He explained, nodding his head after her departing form. “The eighth pack is their neighbors” he nodded his head in the general direction of each pack as he spoke. Listing the lay of the land by who claimed it. “I assume your new to Boreas?”

"Speech"

Regardless of what Sirius said Askan intended to stand his ground but he was quietly relieved that the Warlord left it at that. There was nothing else to be said so they moved on and Askan couldn't help but respect him for that. He still couldn't claim to be the dark wolf's number one fan but maybe, just maybe he'd been a bit testy in his initial assumptions. The Warlord began to explain and Askan's ears flicked forward as his tail hung a little looser as he focused on what was being said. It was a whole lot of information to take in at once but the Selwyn was quick to pick apart the man's speech. None of the locations or packs rang any bells but that was exactly what he'd been hoping for, this was his fresh start and if anywhere sounded even vaguely familiar he would have turned tail and left.

And then Sirius  went onto introduce himself as the leader of The Ashen Armada and yeah... it made sense. But if the Warlord thought that changed anything then he was well mistaken, Askan wasn't gonna roll over and flash his belly, or lick at his chin. Sure, he'd concluded that Sirius probably wasn't someone to hate but he wasn't someone the Selwyn regarded as a friend either. Before Askan could work himself up into a huff the man continued on and made a rather natural assumption. It was pretty obvious, wasn't it? Askan was more or less flapping around like a fish out of water, aimless and lost but stubbornly intent on staying that way. He hadn't left his birth pack to just jump headfirst into another, he wanted- he didn't know what but he wasn't ready to be smushed down beneath another wolf's paw yet.

"Yeah." He admitted, his brows smushed together. He knew it was very unlikely but a niggling voice in the back of his mind insisted that made sure that... Hmph. "Have you heard of The Arcadian Emirate?" He tried and failed to phrase it as a casual question, but his words were a little to heavy for that and his voice a little too terse.

The Warlord let his tail sway gently in the air behind him. Feeling the chill of winter settling into his nose, and the pads of his feet. He hadn’t intended to remain for much longer in the North, but he was also curious about this stranger. The grumpy part of him considered simply claiming the wolf as his own, fighting him for that right, and then leaving. Much quicker than standing here, and the exercise would warm him. But not he was turning a new leaf. His Wife had been angry enough with him the last time he had done such a thing.

His breath clouding the air before him, he shook his head. “No, never heard of it. That's where you call home?” he clarified. He turned his head to the sky, searching for a sign of his winged companion. He and the others had left on a hunt, well the Warlord scouted. He expected them to have returned to him by now.

“Do you want to take a walk? It’ll warm the both of us” he suggested, though he hadn’t seen any sign that the man was taking to the chill as he was. Perhaps his home had also been a frigid place.

"Speech"

Askan's hackles bristled, defensive, like a pup who'd been caught stealing from a cache. His knee jerk reaction was to deny it with a snap of his jaws but he bit down the urge and ground his teeth together. They wouldn't stay sharp if he made that into a habit. And then he deflated as the air rushed from his lungs in a long sigh. Once again he had backed himself into another corner, the sort he was awfully uncomfortable with. More than ever it was blatantly clear he wasn't good at this socialising milarky, he'd be better off as a recluse probably. Or so he liked to think.

"I guess." And that's all he was gonna say on the matter. Home was a touchy topic for him, that much was clear.

With a roll of his shoulders, Askan shrugged, as it to say 'sure, whatever.' He didn't want to admit that he was cold but he didn't see the harm in walking a little further today either. Falling into step behind the Warlord, Askan found himself scowling once again. What did Sirius' want? Askan doubted the man was trying to fill his social quota, so he couldn't help but suspect that the had a hidden agenda, that he was trying to sneak past Askan's thorny defences. Earlier he'd offered sanctuary and some food to fill his rumbling stomach but surely he didn't think a walk and a talk would make him change his mind. Askan really didn't come across as that obtuse, right? The thought was insulting and the corners of his lips twitched into a sneer, if the Warlord wanted to be rude then Askan was more than willing to give him a taste of his own medicine. Maybe he wasn't as okay as Askan had thought.

"What about you? That desperate for recruits you have to wander this far from home?" It was a petty little dig, but Askan sure felt better saying it aloud.

The Warlord raised a brow, seeing plain as day the discomfort the question left in the boy. He did not like to speak of home, it seemed he had not left on good footing. Perhaps that was why he was out here, scarcely holding the skills to fend for himself. Not that that had stopped him. Seer had to admire the tenacity of the man, so determined to pull his own weight, to shake his head to handouts.

As he walked, he searched for signs of his companions' trail, hoping trouble hadn’t found them well he had stopped to speak with strangers. The words of the man distracted him, and he turned back to look at the grey-coated wolf with a snort. “Be glad I’m not, or I would happily claim you by force” he said, a small smile pushing past his elongated fangs as the Warlord regarded him with a calm sort of menace. He wasn’t known as a Warlord for nothing. There were few battles he did not win.

Luckily for Askan, he was more interested in finding his companions then taking offence, or he would make the man rinse his mouth out with his own blood.

"Speech"

Askan snorted, indignant and perhaps a little taken back at the Warlords words. At first he'd put on an amiable show; acted all schmoozey and polite, but as soon as Askan showed him a page from his own book his true colours came to light. And they were bright and glaring, like the full moon in the starless night sky.

The idea of being claimed was laughable, preposterous, as if Askan would allow such a thing to happen. He'd sooner choke on his own tongue than endure such a fate but more insulting than that- oh and lordy Askan was mighty insulted- was the fact that Sirius thought that such a threat would subdue him. In Askan's not so humble opinion, the Warlord's arrogance levels were off the charts, veering skywards and off into the atmosphere. There was so much Askan wanted to say and none of it was nice.

Stomping to a halt Askan stood his ground, denying Sirius of his little walk. Askan knew that if it came to blows he'd lose- after all he wasn't blind nor was he stupid- but the thought of just letting all those affronts slide was an impossibility. His pride was a fragile, fickle thing, and if it took a hit like that it would surely shatter and crumble to pieces.

"I ain't no bitch to be claimed." He rumbled, his teeth bared and gnashing. Vulgarities came to him as naturally as breathing, much to his mother's shame he was sure.

The Warlord heard the silence of the other wolfs steps, and turned to look at the man as he stopped, glaring up at the Warlord. Sirius concealed an eye roll. He could see the man would take offense, no matter where he went with this. At this point, the question was, did he want such a prideful beast in his pack? A wolf that was all bark without the bite? If he thought Askan had any strength to match his words, he might have been interested. Instead, he simply saw a young wolf too stubborn to care if he could hold his own or not. A wolf that would just be a trouble to teach, and a pain to subdue… as much as doing so might have amused the Warlord.

“Aren’t you? You're sounding like one. All bark, and no bite. ‘Woe be me, the world is against me” The Warlord rolled his eyes. “If something isn’t to your liking, seize it, change it. All I see is a skinny little wolf who doesn't want to learn to protect themselves” The Warlord shook his head, almost sadly, and turned to leave Askan behind in the cold winter snow. He had considered teaching the man to be a warrior of war, but he would not help a wolf that would not help themselves.

"Speech"

Askan was surprised that Sirus could hear him from all the way up there, atop his pedestal high up in the clouds. To say that they'd gotten off on the wrong paw was an understatement and perhaps if Askan could swallow his pride the situation could be salvaged. But as things stood he wasn't going to do that anytime soon, it was too bitter of a pill, and Askan just wasn't- he couldn't- Well fuck this noise. He snorted boorishly and made a pointed effort to block out every word that passed the Warlord's lips. There was some truth to what he was saying but Askan couldn't afford to even give it a moment of contemplation, if he let doubt seep through the cracks then there would be no stopping the oncoming flood. It was all a bunch of bullshit, it had to be.

Sirius had clearly said his piece and was thankfully buggering off. The weight of what was said and unsaid lingered in the air, it's choke hold tightening around Askan's throat as he stood there, glowering ,tense and alone in the snow. Of all the packs in this land, at least now he knew there was one to avoid. One that he'd sooner die than join.

Exit unless stopped.