Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Ardyn padded ahead of the older wolf, keeping his pace at a level so that the much smaller wolf wouldn’t have to scamper or scuttle to keep up with him and his long legs. Now and then he checked back with a grin. Soon enough, the moorlands and their shrouds of mist faded behind and the plains with their grasses that grew taller than even himself in places. Well-worn paths and trails, some paved here and there in patterns as if different methods had been tested out for pathways. The plains were vast, mostly flat, but at their heart rose a single notable hill, and the only heavily wooded area in the land. He deviated from the path onto a narrower trail, passing into the trees, mostly deciduous, riddled with bushes and shrubs. It was full dark and he was a beacon in the night as he led the way, then cut left into the hill, down a ravine that rose higher on each side, the ground soft under paw, especially as the walls widened out abruptly after a time, leaving the ravine almost open, a latticework of vines that were dormant, waiting for spring, crisscrossing the soft, sandy spot. A trickle of clear, cold spring water fed into a pool at the base of the stone ravine wall to the right, and ahead three natural steps led up into a cave. “This is the Seat. Most of my family have alcoves here, but there’s so many the rest are open to mothers who wish to birth here, and healers. My great, great grandmother Erani found this place when she was about to birth her own litter and it became her place in the pack. She was the Lead Healer to that Valhalla, and so it also acted as an infirmary for the injured or ill.” He stepped up into the cave’s main chamber, fiery glow glinting off the veins of gold and silver in the black marble walls, touching on the white of the polar bear fur that hung over the alcove he’d been born in that his mother still shared with his father, and occasionally one of his siblings or himself if they felt the need for closeness. He gestured at the openings to alcoves that lined the chamber, and the darker entry at the back that led deeper into the hill. “Most of the ones on the left are open. Take your pick.” He grinned at Audra, stepping back and taking a seat on a bearskin rug, reaching to a stack of writing supplies as he let her decide on her own, though he was watching to see if she needed any help as he scratched out a passage of script on the parchment. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

It was dark before they set off toward the dens. Unsure of where they were going, Audra followed the younger, but taller wolf. His long glowing hair shined like an ember in front of her. Glad that he was trotting at a decent pace for her slimmer and shorter legs to keep up with, her eyes wandered. Mist rolled lazily around their ankles, a forever staple in the lands of the Druid's Moor. Not long did the murky shallows of the moors slip away into hard paths and a tall grassy plain. Their new scenery rose up around them, shrouding them in even more darkness as some patches easily stood taller than her. The grass whispered quietly sweet songs of nighttime lullabies. Falling into a sense of calm, Audra hardly noticed the varying paths in their style and make. Stone and dirt clicked under her paws as they navigated to a narrow trail through the trees. Their limbs leaned down, barren of leaves, to say hello, nearly tickling her back. Farther in, she lifted her head to notice the ravine they began to slip into. The sounds of water trickling down worn ruts made way to her. As she took in the sight of the hanging vines and sand, she noticed the natural steps ahead of them. Before Audra could take in the beautiful scenery, Ardyn was stepping past the vines and into a mazework of caves, tunnels, and well-lit dens. Inside, black marble walls shining with glistening reds and white surrounded them. Warmth washed over her as the cold of winter was left behind outside. Suddenly, Ardyn was speaking, his accent meeting her forward ears. The way he spoke was as if he had lived a thousand lives already. So intelligent for someone younger than her. With wide eyes and mouth slightly agape, Audra refrained from reaching out to touch the polar bear fur they passed by. Their history and family were interesting indeed and she hoped to be able to ask them more questions in the future. When Ardyn gestured at the alcove openings, she paused to look. She noticed there were quite a few open with dark interiors and faded scents. Glancing once more at the shimmering male, she smiled at him. A den to call her own. While he was busy scratching away at a foreign piece of material, she looked back to the array of dens. Which one would she pick? Walking up and down the options a few times, she noticed one in the middle that was the most void of any sort of scent. Peering inside, her honey-brown eyes looked around. It appeared a decent size, possibly smaller than the rest, but she was okay with that. She didn't need a lot of room. Stepping farther in, she noticed a ledge along the right. Naturally carved and only a few inches off the ground, she liked that it had a place for her to keep her herbs and plants. Toward the pack, a crack began and just a few droplets of water pushed through. Toward the left, the room seemed to narrow out a bit, making its own smaller alcove perfect for a bed. Interested, she stepped back out toward Ardyn. "C-can I have this one?" She asked hesitantly, tail swishing back and forth in anticipation.

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Ardyn’s dexterous digits had produced several lines of script with the ink-dipped writing stick before Audra’s investigations slowed before one of the alcoves that had been used the least in his knowledge. As she turned to him, he set aside his implements and rose, padding to peek inside with a grin, tail waving in brighter and brighter arcs behind him before he stepped back and turned to the tiny woman. “If it’s your pick, then it’s yours. Good choice, too. It’s cozy and a few hot stones from the fire should get it toasty quite easily.” He nodded and turned to pad to one of the alcoves farthest back toward the hallway and ducked in, gesturing with his tail for her to follow as he explained, “This is one of our stores of furs. Pick any you feel will make the best liners, and in that alcove beside it, we have hay stored for padding beds and whelping nests.” Rolls of different furs lay stacked along the walls, some shaggy bear, some soft sheep fleece from trades with the Nomads, since his mother had done away with the last of the sheep after the grizzly had tried hunting them, long before his own birth or even conception. Soft, coarse, fluffy, plushy. Textures abounded. There was a wealth of rabbit and hare pelts to pick from, badger and wolverine for lining cloak hoods. He stepped to one side to let the woman dig to her heart’s content as he went back to his writing. Far from important work, it was practice script, working on legibility and flow of stroke, but he was ready to help carry if the woman needed help. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

As the younger wolf rose, she glanced at the parchment he had been scribbling on. How had she not even noticed that his paws were not really... paws? Looking down at his elongated fingers, her eyes widened for a moment. Realizing she was being rude as he spoke, Audra looked up at him with a sheepish smile. She was sure he was used to it since wolves didn't usually have hands, but still, she hated being rude. The way his flag of a tail waved in streaming arcs while looking into her newly claimed den made her happy. Even though Ardyn had already said she could have her pick at the options, her anxiousness slipped away when he confirmed it was a good choice. Before she could say anything else, he was wandering over to a different alcove in the back. Following quickly, she picked up her pace to peer into the larger room. Her eyes widened once more to the sight of piles of different furs. Shapes, sizes, textures, and colors were in a wide variation here. It was an amazing collection. It wasn't a moment later that she was alone again. Looking over her shoulder to watch Ardyn scribble away, she smiled. How studious of him. The small she-wolf thought with a giggle before walking into the alcove. Standing in the middle of the collection, she looked around. While the dense fur of the bear pelts were incredibly soft, they were massive compared to her. Without anyone to share it with, it didn't seem like a good idea to have such a large bed. Humming quietly, she wandered around, sniffing and placing her paws on different ones. There were so many to choose from. Feeling slightly overwhelmed, she paused and closed her eyes. Which one would call out to her? Her nose wiggled a moment before one off to the side caught her attention. It smelled like dirt and flowers. Walking over toward a particularly shaggy sheep pelt, Audra smiled. It was a mousy brown like that of bighorn and was roughly forty inches in diameter. The perfect size. Not too big, but not too small either. Grabbing it gently between her teeth, she picked it up and tossed it over her shoulders. Already the warmth started to seep into her. Turning around, Audra trotted back out into the center. The quiet noise it made as it dragged on the floor around her was calming as she glanced at Ardyn on the way to her den. "D-do you like it?" She asked curiously, hoping this too would get his approval.

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

He’d scratched out two more paragraphs before Audra had finished, and he came to his paws to peek in, smiling with a nod. “Whether I like it or not doesn’t matter. If you like it, then that’s perfect. I’d suggest lining the back wall of the spot you pick out for a bed with one of the bearskins, maybe a black bear one; that way the stone wall won’t seep cold into your sleeping place. The lemurs and monkeys carved holes into the marble along the top edges of each alcove and over each entryway so hooks could be placed for hanging hides.” He nodded toward his parents’ polar bear skin with a grin, “Helps keep the warmth in during winter. While you’re setting up this hide I can get a few bushels of straw for padding if you like, then a hot stone or two from the fire.” He turned, pausing as he waited to see what she’d say. He, personally, used mounds of dried moss, lavender, peppermint, and cedar chips under his furs. The oils in the cedar repelled insects and smelled pleasant, along with the herbs. His alcove was temporary, until he became the next alpha, but he made sure to keep it comfortable for himself. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Dragging the sheep pelt into her den, she nestled it into the perfect corner that was just the right spot. As she stepped back to admire her pick, Ardyn stuck his head in. When he spoke about the holes along the top of the walls, she glanced up and smiled. Noticing all the different ones, she knew what she wanted to do with the other holes not used for the skins. It would be perfect for hanging different herbs and plants to dry out. Looking back over to her spot, she knew exactly what else she would want to be placed in her bedding with the straw. "Would it be too much if you could?" She asked, a small smile on her face as she turned to watch him. Her tail swept casually back and forth, eager to make a home for herself. Following him back outside of her den, she paused. "Do you mind if I pick a bearskin to be hung?" Audra wouldn't take more than she needed, it would be rude to think she could have whatever she wanted. While she had ideas of her own, she also wanted his input - whether he wanted it to be her own ideas or not. "Maybe afterward you can help me spruce up the place?" Her tail lifted a moment, wagging at a happier pace as she looked over to the tall raven-shaded boy. The way her words became more confident and less stuttering was a clear indicator that she was becoming comfortable with him.