"speech/hover for translations"

“Nomon?” a soft voice gently resonated against the stark silence of the woods. It was so light and delicate sounding that one would almost mistake them for voices of wandering lost faeries. However, the owner of such a melodic tune slowly revealed themselves as they crawled out from the cover of some nearby bushes. Her frame was small when compared to the local foliage and she appeared to be quite young - so why was she alone? “Nomon?” she called out again but this time with more worry - or was it sadness - in her voice. Then suddenly her cream and chocolate body began to scramble as she quickly approached the frame of another. Only this other wolf didn’t move. Instead they were completely still, laying upon the ground. Lifeless… “Gyon op nomon,” the young girl pleaded as she nosed at the body of what any onlooker would presume to be her mother. Dying light filtered through the trees as the poor girl continued to try to get her mother to wake up, before eventually she gave up. Deep down she knew that her mother had passed, but she didn’t want to believe it. She couldn’t believe it. Her mother was her only parent, her caretaker, her role model, her…everything. Tears cascaded from the girl’s teal hued eyes and stained her fur as she wept well until after the moon was high in the sky. The only thing that took her attention away from her mother’s corpse being a snap of a twig in the distance. Panicked by the sound the girl quickly gave her mother one last loving nuzzle before running off into the night with her tears catching the silvery rays of the moon as they fell away from her cheeks. Run… Breaths quickly became ragged as she ran away from what she believed to be pursuers. Her mother had died trying to escape from those that kept them prisoner. Her mother had died trying to reach freedom for both her and her daughter. And yet, here was her daughter…still running… trying her best to grasp a hold of that very freedom that her mother had failed to reach. That is until she found herself falling. Without even noticing, the girl had run straight off a cliff and plummeted to the ocean below. Fortunately for her though, she managed to land upon some sort of floating structure. As soon as she did though, her vision grew blurred and eventually everything went dark. — Groggily, teal eyes opened slowly as the girl woke up. Cold…wherever she was it was cold. It was the only thought in her mind actually. She had never felt a sensation like this. In the cave where she had spent most of her life thus far remained about the same temperature all the time. Or at least as far as she was aware it stayed the same temperature all the time. At first the girl’s vision was blurred and as it sharpened, she saw nothing but white stuff on the ground. Cream and chocolate face contorted out of confusion as she pondered what it was. She had never witnessed whatever this phenomenon was. Curious and yet cautious the girl slowly got up - pangs of stiff pain echoed about her small and underweight body. Once up though, she gently reached out a single paw to touch it. Sharp prickles of cold radiated throughout her paw once she made contact with the white substance in front of her and quickly she withdrew her paw out of surprise. What was this stuff? Lowering her nose she tried sniffing it, but she couldn’t place the scent she inhaled or the sight with any of the descriptions of things from the outside world that her mother had once told her. Just what was this stuff? Her pondering however, didn’t last long on the subject as her attention was grabbed by small white specks drifting lazily from the clouded sky. Wide eyes looked all around as she took in the sight and then froze as she noticed vaporous clouds coming from her very breaths. Not knowing what it was, she snapped at the clouds trying to catch them but found out that her attempts were futile. Needless though, she continued to snap at the mist that she now forcefully billowed from her lungs until eventually she was several steps away from where she had woken up. When she realized the cold prickle once again radiating through her paws she looked downwards only to find her eyes settling upon yet another sight she couldn’t believe. “Woda?” Her voice raspily rang against the chilled air as her head cocked. The girl knew water from the little bits they were able to get or receive within the cave, but she had never seen water rush around like this before. Until now, she had only seen small amounts in the cave and had a brief glimpse of the water she almost fell in… Suddenly remembering the water she almost fell into, her head whipped around to look at where she had woken up and saw the huge amount of water that had been behind her. Instantly her eyes grew much wider. There was no end to it! Just how much water was there? The girl stood there and wondered many questions for a few minutes before her eyes followed back to the water before her. Although, her gaze didn’t stop there. She continued following the path of the water with her eyes and eventually even began physically following the water as well. Where did it come from? How much was there? Did it ever end? Thoughts and questions filled the young girl’s mind as she curiously followed what she failed to recognize as a river. Eventually, the young girl found herself staring in complete and utter awe as she stood before many tall things. Their coloring reminded her of rocks of some sort, but the surface texture seemed off. Plus she had never seen rocks like this before. These were tall and spindly with weird tendrils coming out at all sorts of angles. She wasn’t sure what to call them, but regardless she definitely wanted a closer look. Becoming oblivious to her surroundings she began traversing into the territory unknown to her but known to many as Weeping Woods. To her the place seemed ethereal and she found herself so immersed in taking in the sights that she failed to notice the faint traces of wolves who had been here in the past…or were they there currently watching the strange girl from afar?

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

He’d ventured east, both to meet with Theory at Abaven and inform her of his rise, and to explore a bit more before winter really settled in. He’d decided to make a stop at the willows on the way, circling around the Armada border, though a casual sniff brough curious results that he’d dwell on later. For now, he padded through the willows, nose trailing a deer scent before he broke off and moved to one f the larger streams, crouching and watching the water, before a lazy shape drifted beneath the surface. He lunged, aiming ahead of the shape and sank his sabers into the fish, lifting the thrashing catch – and his whole head – from the water and splashing back to dry land, tossing the fish well away from freedom and following it as it flopped and bounced across the ground before pinning it and finishing the animal off in one of the moments it fell still. He looked up to find himself not as alone as he’d thought. A yearling, based in deep chocolate and splotched in cream stood before him, gawking around herself in naked wonder. Small, as most were to wolves his size, and teal-eyed, with marks of the same color touching her cheeks beneath them. His head cocked, tail wagging in easy greeting as he added, “H’lo, miss.” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

They would be leaving soon and there was work to do but Kotori had come out for a last look at the woods.  The woods had been where dad first took him when he’d followed him to work that day.  He had worked at learning to hunt out here.  It was a place he’d enjoyed playing.  This was also where he had spent time with Ikigai during the eternal night.  For all Kotori enjoyed traveling he was going to miss these woods.

Kotori heard a soft voice further away and quickly enough he picked up the scent of another wolf.  He thought about ignoring it with other things on his mind and a need to return home soon but his mind nagged at him and finally, he followed the scent.  Silently he had drawn in to watch, the cautious hunter knowing well how to avoid being spotted by those not being attentive.  This younger wolf seemed absolutely clueless.

Minutes passed as he waited to see if the girl would notice him, admittedly he was well hidden but it seemed like she hadn’t even thought to pay attention to danger.  Eventually, he stepped out into the open.  Kotori strode towards her, horned head up with pride and confidence in himself.  There was an expectation to be given respect by others.  Farther behind him, still behind tree a snow leopard sat in the shadows a mongoose nestled in its fur.

“Are you lost?” The dark-hued wolf’s voice was deep and got bluntly to the question at hand.  Even as he asked he spotted a wolf past her, whose scent he had somehow missed.  This one was different, clearly having caught himself food and showing natural confidence in his environment.  “You have a friend?”  If he was with her then that explained how she’d survived so long.  His greeting to her hadn’t sounded like he knew her already though.  Two wolves who didn’t know each other and both not normally in this area, at least not that Kotori had ever noticed.


“I’m Kotori Fatalis,” the horned wolf proudly putting out his name, “and you two?”


"Kotori Fatalis"

"speech/hover for translations"

The harsh sound of splashing water rang out against the chilled silence that hung in the area. Young Isara’s chocolate ears twitched in response to the break in the silence and soon her gaze followed suit by changing from the tall spindly odd looking thing in front of her to where the source of the new sound was. However once her eyes caught the sight of the rather large wolf not far from her, her entire body froze as he looked at her and spoke. Her heart began pounding within her chest as her breaths grew shallow. She didn’t know this wolf. Was he a bad wolf or a good wolf? Was he someone affiliated with those that had imprisoned her and her mother? Had they followed her to wherever this was? She wasn’t even sure of what he had said exactly. H’lo miss? What was that? What did it mean? It didn’t sound like anything she had ever heard before, which only scared her more. Questions swirled within her mind as she lowered her body to the ground and began to slowly and silently creep backwards away from the seemingly charcoal hued wolf. However before she could get very far the sound of another’s voice ricocheted against her ears. ‘Are you lost?’ Again the girl froze and slowly looked at the bearer of this voice. This time it was a smaller but still rather large wolf when compared to herself. He had some similar coloration to the girl herself but he lacked the cream and teal colors. Plus he had an added feature of horns upon his head. Once she had taken a good look at this new wolf, he spoke again and she jumped a little and began to retreat in a direction that wasn’t going towards either of the new wolves. She was almost convinced now that they had to be guards from those that imprisoned her - come to drag her back to that cave that haunted even her waking dreams. ‘I’m Kotori Fatalis,’ again strange words hit the air and young Isara hadn’t the slightest clue what was being said. He then added more strange words after that and soon after those words Isa found her cautious retreating steps falter as she tripped backwards over a root from one of the many trees that looked like weird rocks to her. With her little trip backwards she began to fear the worst. In her mind, she figured that these wolves would take advantage of her mishap to capture her - or worse, kill her like the others had her mother. As quick as she could, the young girl hustled and shied away from both of the wolves against the tree’s trunk, “B…beja, ai nou gaf kom bak op,” she stuttered as she tried pleading through her fear. She had little faith that it would work, but what else was she to do? If they really were here to drag her back, she stood absolutely no chance of fighting them off. If she ran, surely they would catch up to her quickly since it was likely they knew the terrain while she didn’t. The poor girl didn’t know what else she could do and so she remained there pressed against the tree as if this thing she thought was a rock would somehow protect her somehow.

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

His appearance gave the girl a clear fright, but what puzzled him was the confusion his greeting brought—no recognition of friendly speech registered in her eyes, so he stepped back slightly, movement and a voice bringing his eyes up as he gave the small girl space. A blunt man of similar age to himself, based in a tanned chocolate color and harnessed in darker near-black shades, dappled throughout his haunches and barrel with it as well. Blue eyes held an expectance that a more judgmental wolf might have called arrogance. The horns Ardyn only gave a brief study to – he’d seen plenty with various mutations throughout his young life. Including Eligos growing a whole new pair as a grown man. The surname, however, was very familiar and he regarded the man, splitting his attention between him and the increasingly frightened girl as she staggered backward. She still didn’t seem to recognize anything either of them had said, and it clicked that she didn’t speak the common tongue in the slightest, especially as the girl pleaded with them. He could only guess that she was begging not to be harmed, and tipped his head in acknowledgement toward the girl, offering a reassuring smile before he shifted slightly, putting himself slightly between the girl and Kotori, back toward the girl. Ardyn offered no fight stance, simply a pleasant expression as he offered in a soft voice, “Ardyn Adravendi, Ard Rí of Valhalla.” The introduction was directed to the other man, since he gathered the girl would understand none of it. Still, he shifted toward her, keeping his distance as he lifted a paw and touched his own chest, enunciating clearly, without condescension, “Ahr-din.” His tail offered another friendly, clearer wag as he looked for some recognition in her eyes, or some loosening of her muscles. If she didn’t understand the common tongue, maybe she’d understand wolf body language? Most wolves had at least a base instinctive understanding; the only wolf he’d ever met that didn’t speak at least unconsciously with their body and tone was Spark. He glanced at Kotori to see if he’d play along and give the girl room to adjust – or run away – and see they weren’t a threat… or, at the very least, that he, Ardyn, wasn’t one. Kotori’s motives were unknown yet, but while the Armada could be terse to deal with, they weren’t likely to hurt a young girl who wasn’t even trespassing in their lands. Aurielle had been steadfast in that belief, as had Cairo. He'd just have to hope that belief was rewarded. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Kotori acknowledged the terrified girl backing off and while he was interested in her Kotori had more interest in the wolf that had stepped between Kotori and the young lady.  Valhalla.  Kotori offered Ardyn a thin smile that held no warmth.  “Back off Adravendi,” the words were soft, and could be taken as to just not scare the girl but there was a clear note of warning towards Ardyn, “I do what I want,” his gaze flicked to the girl and back to Ardyn, “relax, I’m not going to harm her.”  

Kotori was a hot head and didn't care for anyone trying to stop him from an action, and this guy wasn’t even part of his pack.  If the scared girl wasn’t here the motion would have caused Kotori to just attack without a thought.  Really, he was showing self-control he didn’t want to.  “Now,” the one word looking at Ardyn but then his look turns to Isara, “Young lady,” Kotori doesn’t walk straight towards her, or shove into Ardyn whether or not that would be fun, instead walking in a straight line to be more horizontal to her instead of looking past the Valhalla wolf.  “Come here,” it was a simple statement, no point in speaking what she wouldn’t understand but hoping the note of command would register.  Kotori was damn well in charge.  His gaze turning to Ardyn.  “Kind of you to want to help her but, I have it.  My family and I can look after her.”

Kotori didn’t even know what he wanted to do with the lady but right now what he wanted was to be in control and have what someone else seemed to think they could keep from him.  She’d need food and some rest but dad would surely let her in the pack.  How useful she could be would be figured out once she was in better shape and calmed down.  

The horned wolf remained standing, his tail out even with his shoulders, ears alert leaving the only real warning to Ardyn that he’d fight for the lady in his threatening gaze.

"Kotori Fatalis"

"speech/hover for translations"

The larger of the two male wolves before her was the first to move and therefore caught her attention. However, the movement that he made wasn’t one that she had expected. Instead of moving towards her in order to capture her like she had been expecting, he had moved backwards. This made her pause as she tried to process and reason his actions. If he was a guard - or at least a guard that was affiliated with her previous residence - this wouldn’t have been a normal action. No, she had been beaten and yelled at plenty just for existing and breathing the same air. So far he was contradicting the behavior of what she had initially thought him to be. Movement again caught her attention as he moved yet again, only this time he seemed to tip his head and…was that a smile? Utter confusion now flooded Isara’s mind as she watched him move between her and the other male wolf. As he finished moving a flash of a memory surfaced in her mind. One of her mother telling one of her many tales. This particular one was of good wolves being outside of the cave and how one day one would likely save them if they waited long enough. Was this male wolf one of the good wolves? More words fell from his lips and of course she didn’t understand any of it no matter how intently she tried to listen to it. But then he turned more so to her and touched his chest while saying something rather slowly. Ardyn…she wasn’t entirely sure what it meant, but it seemed as though the male was trying to tell her something. Of that she was certain. She was also growing more and more curious about him as she watched him wag his tail. In response, the girl seemed to relax a minute amount as she began to believe that maybe what she had first thought was wrong. Then the other male started talking and even though she didn’t understand…or at least most of what he said…from watching his interaction with the larger male she felt like they weren’t exactly in the same mindset. Was the larger wolf a good wolf and this one a bad wolf? Was that why the larger wolf had stepped between her and the other wolf? Questions swirled in her head until her attention was snapped back to the brown hued wolf as he moved. He had said some weird words that she didn’t understand but she had the sense that he was talking to her since he was looking straight at her. Cautiously her gaze followed him as he moved to the side and when he spoke again, this time giving her a command, she felt her blood inside of her turn ice cold. ‘Come here,’ The words were crude in her language, but she couldn’t deny that they sounded similar. In her language, Komba raun together made the word come…and hir was here. Was this wolf trying to command her to go to him? Was her previous assumption true? Was he a bad wolf who came to take her back to the cave or kill her like she had seen them do to her own mother? Had he followed her to this place from wherever it was she had escaped? Teal eyes looked from the brown wolf and back over to the larger wolf. She didn’t know what to do. If she listened to this command and went to this brown wolf, she felt like she would likely wind up back in that cave or dead. Both of which she wanted to avoid. But if she were to put her trust into the other wolf…what would become of her then? What if he was simply just trying to trick her into trusting him? No. With a slight shake of her head, Isa tried to throw those thoughts out of her head. Her mother had died to give her freedom. Absent-mindedly a paw reached for the necklace, which laid upon her chest, that was once her mother’s. No… she had to believe in someone - even if it wasn’t herself. Eyes flitted to and fro once more and she gulped out of nerves before slowly she began to inch her way closer to the larger of the two wolves. Out of fear, she kept her eyes glued to the brown wolf in case he decided to try and stop her or get in her way. Even if he decided to attack, the girl would be aware of his approach, but as to what she would do in any of those events she had no idea. She didn’t even have any idea if the larger wolf would even be willing to help her if anything were to happen, but she had to put faith somewhere… right?

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Stay out of his way… Interesting. Ardyn’s pleasant expression remained on his features, brow points bumping upward as his head cocked at the Fatalis male, flaming light flickering through his fur with the movements. However, he did seem to have made some small calming impact on the girl with his own actions, before Kotori blew that little bit of peace out of the water and went about ordering a frightened girl around… like a slave... The King studied the girl, a brow lifting at Kotori’s words. Despite his so-called assurance that he wouldn’t hurt her, there were many ways to hurt someone. Not all of them had to involve physical harm. Despite Ardyn’s bland, pleasant expression, distaste coiled in his gut. There was some recognition in the girl’s eyes at the brusque order – maybe there were similar words that meant the same in her language? However, she didn’t obey, and he noted the brush of her paw against a pendant he’d missed in his initial look at her; her fear had ramped up and she inched… toward himself; not for a moment taking her eyes off what she clearly perceived as a threat in Kotori. His decision was one that must be made quickly; defend and protect, or allow her to be taken when she clearly didn't want anything to do with the Armadan? His mother had not raised him to stand by and let others be bullied when he could do something about it, and so, he made his choice. He accepted the clear – to him – choice with a slight nod to the girl regardless of whether she’d see it or not, before he stepped up to stand beside her; not between the two, but close enough for her to duck behind him on her own if she chose to. “She seems to think otherwise. And as such, I will be taking her to Valhalla in my capacity as its King. Normally, I wouldn’t interfere with another pack’s prospect of a willing new member, but she doesn’t seem to like you. Unless you have the authority – and the cruelty – to force her into the Armada against her will, I ask that you leave my new pack-sister be.” His tone was light – even quietly conversational and cordial – but it was firm, watching the man but letting his senses remain aware of his surroundings; he’d caught scent of what could be companions on Kotori when he’d moved to order the girl around, and if the Armada wolf decided to be a problem Ardyn didn’t fancy getting jumped from behind or the sides. Lyr rustled his wings from the willows above him, of the same mind. He didn’t like bringing someone into his pack when they couldn’t exactly make an informed choice, but he couldn’t stomach the thought of someone who wouldn’t take her feelings into consideration and be kind with her rather than pushing their weight around on someone weaker than they were. Once she was more educated in the common tongue, she would be free to make her own choices to leave or stay. Hell, even a few hours from now if she wanted to run away from him, she could. But for now, he’d do his best to ensure she could choose how she lived. Gently, he glanced at the small girl with a soft woof and tipped his head in a gesture to come with him, tail offering a comforting wag as he shifted toward the trees, intending to get her out of the situation and area to a place she could get her bearings in without having to focus on two possible threats at once. He kept half an eye on Kotori; the respect given to another warrior. Respect as to the man’s character had to be earned and so far, he wasn’t impressed. -attempted exit with Isara- Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Honestly, the girl was hardly a shining star to take home with him.  The idea had started as a good deed, saving the girl from her own ineptitude.  It had become a matter of selfishness and pride when this Valhallan stepped in to act as if he could decide what Kotori would do.  Now Kotori was the villain and cast in a bad light.  Kotori wasn’t a sweet talker and he saw no reason to be but his intentions had been good.  Now he just wanted to have his way.  The desire to coat that fanciful shimmering fur in blood was painting a very real picture in his mind.  

Ardyn had moved to stand beside the cream and brown wolf that clearly didn’t want Kotori’s help.  Ardyn’s words were like raw sandpaper on a wound and Kotori’s eyes flashed clear hate, ears flattening and distaste.  So this Adravendi was the current king of his pack?  He was going to make this official pack matters?  Logic and emotion were warring within Kotori.  Hadn’t he lost enough already by trying to do the right thing?  This was a minuscule matter but it felt like that little pebble that once loosed would create the rock slide.  

Kotori didn’t rule his pack and despite his pressing, for it dad hadn’t given him his rightfully deserved general status yet.  Hate-filled words were thought up but like a bolt of lightning Kotori’s entire stance changed as a new idea came to mind.  Kotori would get everything he wanted soon enough.  Would he get this trinket today?  Mayor or maybe not, it would be fine.  There were more important matters to focus on but still, there was one more thing he wanted to try.

“Sorry,” Kotori’s words were suddenly formally polite and a friendly smile on his features. “Afraid I’ve just been having a bad day and it rubbed off on me.  No, by pack rank I can’t formally start a match.” Not today at least.  “Look, my home is closer.  She’s scared of me now but she’d see it safe soon enough.  She’s clearly weak.  Let me take her for those reasons.  Or, set rank aside for a moment and fight me for her just as two wolves with both good intent.  If not,” Kotori shrugged, “then hey, nothing else I can do.”

Kotori’s attention stayed on Ardyn, ignoring the young woman.  Most likely Kotori wasn’t going to get his fight but he’d give Ardyn a measure of respect if the young King could step off his pedestal and prove himself wolf to wolf.


"Kotori"

"speech/hover for translations"

The young girl hadn’t taken her eyes off of Kotori until she suddenly noticed Ardyn move next to her. Quickly her heart thudded within her chest as she worried about what was going to happen. But then he seemed to stop once he was close enough for her to duck behind him - which honestly was her first instinct after realizing he wasn’t doing anything but apparently talking to Kotori. It wasn’t like hiding behind him was all that hard either considering he was much larger than she was. Cautiously she peeked around Ardyn’s side to watch the other male and see how he would react. All the while she was still trying to listen in and decipher whatever language it was that he was speaking. Some of the words here and there seemed similar to her own but nothing really that made any sense. Although as Ardyn spoke Kotori obviously didn’t seem happy as young Isa noticed his ears flattening and she couldn’t help but notice a similar but yet altogether different look in his eyes that was akin to most of the guards from her imprisonment. It made her hug the ground in a crouch, but then Ardyn looked back at her and she noticed him signal with his head pointing towards the trees. Piecing together the meaning the girl glanced to the trees and then back to Ardyn as he seemed to start heading in the direction he motioned. Since she obviously didn’t trust Kotori at this point in time of her life, she began to follow Ardyn but paused when Kotori began to speak - this time in a much different tone. This shift in tone confused her and she looked to Ardyn to see how he’d respond. If he continued walking away she would follow, if he stopped she too would stop. So far at least he hadn’t really done anything to signify being a bad wolf other than the fact that he just popped out of nowhere when she wasn’t paying attention. She didn’t know much about the world on the surface but surely there had to be other wolves - good wolves - right? She just had to have hope that she was putting what little trust she had into the right wolf.