As they came around the Alabaster Shrine and towards the Tall Grass Plains, Azure moved up alongside the slave to catch his attention. "That is the Shrine, belonging to the Ashen Empire whom are some of our closest allies. You may see Ashen wolves come and go from our territory on occasion, as Armada wolves are welcome in theirs as well, but their lands are out of bounds for you." Whilst Azure and Venom had somewhat of a strained relationship currently, he would not recklessly allow a headstrong servant freedom into their territory, not when he might injure or otherwise insult her wolves.

He led the man through the tall grasses toward their communal area, gesturing half-heartedly with a paw towards each feature as he spoke of it. "Cellar for food and pelts, bonfire for warmth, etcetera etcetera. Into the obelisk our rules are etched - break them, and you will be punished. Stay." With one curved claw he pointed firmly at the ground beneath the man's paws, then disappeared into the cellar below to grab for him a scrap of meat. Ideally he would have commanded the slave to grab one for them both, but, it was his first day and Azure did not trust him as far as he could throw him. Allow him into the cellar and he might set the damn thing on fire to prove a point. "Eat this." He insisted as he came up aboveground, tossing the meat chunk towards the man into the snow. "It's time for you to meet my father. I expect you to behave and be respectful, or that will be the last scrap of meat you ever see." With that, he threw back his head and howled to the Warlord.  

"Speech"

Theron was sure to pay attention as the man pointed out landmarks, making a mental note to read the rules when Azure wasn't breathing down his neck. He wasn't concerned about obedience, but knowing where he could step his paws without losing an ear would be useful. What rules were set in place was also a good way to judge the character of a pack, but considering he had been brought against his will through servitude, he doubted he would find any surprises. He was ready to write off everyone here as a bunch of arrogant rats and call it a day.

He sat down pointedly as he was told to stay, attempting to portray sass through action alone. Running now was such an obviously bad choice, so the order was redundant and unnecessary and he hated it. Or maybe he just hated the mouth it came from. That didn't matter though as soon enough Azure returned with something edible, Theron snatching it with a paw and dragging it close to him the moment it hit the ground. He wasn't giving the brute the chance to change his mind now that it was given, he'd have to reach down his throat to take it back.

"Yeah, I'll be quiet," he said stiffly, not trusting his tongue to remain still if he ventured away from simple sentences. He was surprised he still had one from all the chewing it had endured since his capture. However, the threat to future meals was enough to buy his continued cooperation for now. He didn't waste much time tucking into the chunk of meat while he waited for Azure's father to arrive.

"Speech"

The Warlord was down by the ocean, examining the moon and debating the continguinces he could set up for the safety of the Armada when Azure’s howl called out for him. He glared upwards at the sky once more time, before shaking his head and turning away. Trotting up the beach and hopping over the back onto the grassy territory.

From there it was a straight shot to the center of the Plains and his son. He arrived to find a stranger seated, chewing silently, and his son looking for his arrival. “Azure, what can I do for you?” he asked, glancing towards the stranger. Hmmm. a new member? Or the slave he had tasked his son with procuring and training as a chance to model his teaching techniques?


"Speech"

The amount of sass this wolf could portray in posture alone brought a grin to Azure's maw and he reached over to give the man a disparaging pat on the shoulder as he acknowledged Az's command. "Good, you're learning." More than likely it was simply a combination of the exhaustion and hunger subduing the slave, but Azure enjoyed it nonetheless.

His father arrived and Azure dipped his head in greeting. "Father, this is Theron. Theron, your Warlord Sirius Fatalis." It was very difficult to keep the smile out of his words as he gestured to the chewing wolf, but Az knew Sirius would not take kindly to how much enjoyment he got out of making the man suffer. "As you've requested, I've found us a new servant. He's certainly got the fire to become a warrior, though he's not quite thrilled with being claimed as one." To the slave he raised a brow, glancing him up and down before returning his eye to the Warlord. "Seems to domesticate easily though with a little food. Theron, come say hello."

"Speech"

Theron shifted away from the man's touch, an irritated growl rising from his throat. "Maybe you should follow my example." 'and be quiet' was omitted from his sentence, but still heavily implied. He didn't want or need Azure's comments, they just made compliance harder. Every command spawned the visceral urge to do the opposite if for no other reason than to piss the alpha off, yet knowing he couldn't just made the feeling ferment in his gut.

The sound of pawsteps brought his attention up from his meal, glancing up to see another approaching. The family resemblance was evident. Large, saber fangs, the claw-like markings over their eyes. Theron had no doubts this was the wolf Azure wanted him to meet. Again, he had to swallow down more jeers and retorts as Azure spoke. Not quite thrilled was the understatement of the year and he was NOT being domesticated! His lips twitched as they threatened to pull into a snarl, but he managed to control himself. Making a scene would not be worth the starvation that followed if Azure kept true to his warning.

Theron gave a brief bow of his head and a "hello" as he was prompted, but not much else. If they were anticipating a whole song and dance from him, they should have dragged someone else out of the swamp.

"Speech"

The Warlord brought his attention to the stranger - the newest member of the Armada. He was indeed, as Sirius had hypothesized, a slave for his son to train. He was short, skinny, and there was something brewing behind his eyes. Despite this, he bowed his head and made a terse greeting. The Warlord finished his studying of the boy, and spoke. “You’ll find plenty of meals in the Armada - but they come at the cost of hard work. Listen well to Azure, for you’re his charge. Play your cards right, and you may find yourself in the warrior rank of the Armada one day.” he said, voice stern but not cruel.

He turned his gaze back to his son. “Mold him, shape him to the values of the Armada. I will leave the how up to your discretion. If I find you abusing it however, there will be consequences. You’ve done well, my son.”

"Speech"

As far as Azure could tell, Sirius had no qualms about the wolf he'd drug through the swamp to meet him. Of course, the Warlord was much kinder then Azure might have liked. Theron was already difficult enough and he'd known the man a whole handful of hours - it was as if his father insisted on making his job harder for him.

He gave his father the silent equivalent of 'why???' and a terse sigh, then turned to Theron. "There is a lot of wiggle room in 'abuse' - remember that." The last thing he needed was the new slave thinking Azure could not punish him before his first twenty-four hours were done. "Finish your food, then we'll find you a den." To his father - his tone bordering on dismissive - Azure said, "Thank you, Father." Perhaps if he could shoo the Warlord away now, he could still salvage some semblance of fearful respect from the slave.  

"Speech"

Theron blinked. This was unexpected. There was no teasing tone in the warlord's tone, no insults, just a simple laydown of what was expected of him. He seemed to care a bit for his wellbeing as well, judging by the little comment about abuse to his son. It was almost relieving. The two seemed to have differing opinions on how he should be treated, and that was something he would gladly take advantage of... carefully though. Azure still held control.

Eating was the one order he had no issue in fulfilling, silently returning to his meal. While today hasn't been the greatest, meeting the warlord wasn't as terrible as he thought it would be. He was given a lot to think about though, his mind resting mostly on the small mention of freedom if he 'played his cards right.'

"Speech"