ardent

Cast your Eye Afar [Cassiela]



Ardyn

Loner

Master Fighter (250)

Master Hunter (240)

An icon representing the specialty Knight Knight

An icon representing the specialty Bloodletter Bloodletter

age
6 Years
gender
Male
gems
1056
size
Dire wolf
build
Balanced
posts
501

Samhain 2022The Ooze ParticipantThe Ooze - Variation 3
10-10-2022, 12:50 AM
Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Cassiela had been guesting with them for quite some time. His gut suggested she may become much like Drachen had. The man had joined out of a sense of debt payment for Aurielle’s help when he’d washed up in the east and stayed in the end.

The man was now out on a mission, scouting the outlying lands of other packs and scouting prey in the local lands as well. It meant Cassiela wouldn’t be able to get in touch with him until he returned, but perhaps, should she be willing, he’d send her on her own little missions.

He padded lazily across the plains to the mouth of her den, testing the scents. She wasn’t in, so he settled to wait patiently with a flick of his tail and a pleasant smile on his features.

Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ardyn's family (Red, Aurielle, Siblings, Valhalla) are allowed to crash threads, regardless of private tags.

Ardyn at first glance is as black as can be imagined with a raven sheen.

Closer inspection proves that he shimmers in fire tones in every hair on his hide right down to his lashes.

More obviously, he glows like a bed of coals and flames with every movement and brush of fur. His tail is usually wagging, so blazes like a torch.

His adult teeth are in and his saber canines have grown to their full length (see profile). His mane and tail hair have grown to full length, as well as being lightweight and easily buffeted by breezes.

A look at his front paws will give the impression of hands, with his dew claw dropped low and lengthened into a functioning thumb, and his toes elongated into fingers. He has retractable, solid black cat-like claws on every paw.

Ardyn has developed a glowing mast of intricate markings in fire and ice colors over his face, symmetrical over the last seasons of Year 17 (see profile for details). During hunts or raids/sieges, he will smudge them out with black soot to cover the glow, otherwise, they are bright enough to note at first direct glance at his face. Not all his artwork currently portrays the mask markings.

He is also often bedecked in beads, small bells, feathers in blues, ribbons and braids thanks to the Ooze Event of Halloween 2021, and the Coathanger item that he got. The accessories generally are seen most in his mane and tail hair. He removes the brighter items and bells for hunts or battle.






Cassiela

Loner

age
2 Years
gender
Female
gems
29
size
Small
build
Light
posts
51
player

Samhain 2022
10-10-2022, 08:12 PM

Normally she would have been out longer than she had been this time around, but there had been an important development. Ethyria. A new pack had formed practically on a shared border, and Ardyn needed to know about it. The ashen fae crossed the threshold of Valhalla's entrance at an even-paced jog. She was going to deposit the leather flask that she wore across her shoulder now courtesy of some of the craftsmen that had made it for her. It was still full- she hadn't had time to drink any. But once it was put away, she could go find the Ard Rí for discussion.

Come to her surprise though, the large firelight brute was there at her den waiting for her. Heat immediately flushed to her face ever so slightly at the surprise. As she hadn't been expecting to cross paths with him so soon- and she was sure she looked pretty rough from traversing the desert. Windswept and caked in dust and sand was about the gist of it. Her subconscious took over as she made her best attempt to shake some of it out of her coat before approaching a conversational distance. "Ardyn," she dipped her head in greeting, before looking to meet his gaze. "Just the man I was looking for, " she said in a playful light. "I have news to share." The thought as to why he was waiting for her just vaguely crossing the back of her mind as she went on.

All the way home she had wondered how she would address the subject, but all the forethought went out the window as she just went for it. "A new pack has established just northwest of here," Cassiela said ever so calmly. She studied his face to try and read him as what she had said sunk in.



Ardyn

Loner

Master Fighter (250)

Master Hunter (240)

An icon representing the specialty Knight Knight

An icon representing the specialty Bloodletter Bloodletter

age
6 Years
gender
Male
gems
1056
size
Dire wolf
build
Balanced
posts
501

Samhain 2022The Ooze ParticipantThe Ooze - Variation 3
10-15-2022, 09:37 PM
Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

It didn’t take very long for him to spot a rather windswept and travel-dusted Cassiela padding toward her den. Her eyes flicked up to find him and the stutter in her steps that turned into a dust-rattling shake of her coat told him she’d possibly been looking for him, or was simply surprised to see his tall figure parked at the entrance to her den.

Perhaps it was both, and his lips twitched in a bemused smile, head tilting as she told him she had news to share. He wasn’t left long in suspense as she told him of a new pack settling nearby.

“Oh? Do tell.”

Apparently she was well ahead of him in gathering intelligence on other packs, and a faint grin tugged his features as he considered that he might very well be spot on about her being suited for tasks such as these.

He settled on his belly, front paws crossing idly at the wrists, long digits drumming absently over the dirt as he listened closely to what she could tell him. It was always nice when he could learn about packs before their alpha stopped by to do the usual political meet and greets.


Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ardyn's family (Red, Aurielle, Siblings, Valhalla) are allowed to crash threads, regardless of private tags.

Ardyn at first glance is as black as can be imagined with a raven sheen.

Closer inspection proves that he shimmers in fire tones in every hair on his hide right down to his lashes.

More obviously, he glows like a bed of coals and flames with every movement and brush of fur. His tail is usually wagging, so blazes like a torch.

His adult teeth are in and his saber canines have grown to their full length (see profile). His mane and tail hair have grown to full length, as well as being lightweight and easily buffeted by breezes.

A look at his front paws will give the impression of hands, with his dew claw dropped low and lengthened into a functioning thumb, and his toes elongated into fingers. He has retractable, solid black cat-like claws on every paw.

Ardyn has developed a glowing mast of intricate markings in fire and ice colors over his face, symmetrical over the last seasons of Year 17 (see profile for details). During hunts or raids/sieges, he will smudge them out with black soot to cover the glow, otherwise, they are bright enough to note at first direct glance at his face. Not all his artwork currently portrays the mask markings.

He is also often bedecked in beads, small bells, feathers in blues, ribbons and braids thanks to the Ooze Event of Halloween 2021, and the Coathanger item that he got. The accessories generally are seen most in his mane and tail hair. He removes the brighter items and bells for hunts or battle.






Cassiela

Loner

age
2 Years
gender
Female
gems
29
size
Small
build
Light
posts
51
player

Samhain 2022
10-16-2022, 07:07 PM

The intricate designs that edge his features in fire and ice were painted with amusement- and unfortunately, that didn't help her flush. However, she met his grin with one of her own as he prompted her to go on with the information she had to share. "It's called Ethyria, led by a woman that introduced herself to me as Celeste." Cassiela started, but her thoughts quickly turned to the Ethyrian alpha's title. "Or Mistress Celeste, rather." She corrected.

She briefly watched as he reclined at the entrance of her den, which she would join him momentarily. However, she slipped around him so she could discard the leather flask that she carried over her shoulder. As she put it away, she continued. "She wanted you to know that her doors are always open if you ever wish to visit. Though, she has intentions of hosting a festival of sorts once they get more settled." Cassi said with a little more volume as she returned her attention to the fire glow at the opening of her accommodations.

She drew closer to the Ard Rí , coming to settle nearby, with her shoulder leaning against the wall. "Anyone in Boreas and Auster is welcome to attend, she said." Emerald gaze flashing as she finished the thought on the aforementioned festival. Out of everything she had divulged thus far, she realized that she hadn't yet given him her perceived impression of Celeste. With her attention drifting slightly off to the side, she shifted through her memory for a moment before continuing. "She was very kind- polite." Cassi started. "Also said if we ever need to stop for water or rest at the oasis, we were welcome to do so." She felt that was also important to know in the event that any of them found themselves back out that way.



Ardyn

Loner

Master Fighter (250)

Master Hunter (240)

An icon representing the specialty Knight Knight

An icon representing the specialty Bloodletter Bloodletter

age
6 Years
gender
Male
gems
1056
size
Dire wolf
build
Balanced
posts
501

Samhain 2022The Ooze ParticipantThe Ooze - Variation 3
10-17-2022, 11:18 PM
Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

He listened as she described the woman, letting her slip by into her den and get unpacked while she spoke, though his head tipped to curve one ear toward the moth of Cassiela’s den as he listened.

Interesting, and he gave a soft hum of acknowledgement to show he was listening to the report before the small stone and silver woman returned to the opening of the den and reclined. Celeste wasn’t a name he’d heard before, but most newly founded packs weren’t led by familiar names.

“I may have to pay a social call at some point, then. It could always be beneficial to found a trade agreement with a close neighbor.”

Certainly better than having an enemy for one. He nodded and kept note of the possibility of a festival coming in the future tucked away at the back of his mind.

He listened to the assessment of the woman’s character, head tilting thoughtfully. “What does your gut say?”

The question was frank, but his expression was interested as he regarded Cassiela with his mismatched glacier and firebrand gaze. He’d reserve a full judgement of the Ethyrian Mistress’s character for when he met her himself, but it would be interesting to see if the small woman could pinpoint whether the woman was truly benevolent or just putting on a mask.



Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ardyn's family (Red, Aurielle, Siblings, Valhalla) are allowed to crash threads, regardless of private tags.

Ardyn at first glance is as black as can be imagined with a raven sheen.

Closer inspection proves that he shimmers in fire tones in every hair on his hide right down to his lashes.

More obviously, he glows like a bed of coals and flames with every movement and brush of fur. His tail is usually wagging, so blazes like a torch.

His adult teeth are in and his saber canines have grown to their full length (see profile). His mane and tail hair have grown to full length, as well as being lightweight and easily buffeted by breezes.

A look at his front paws will give the impression of hands, with his dew claw dropped low and lengthened into a functioning thumb, and his toes elongated into fingers. He has retractable, solid black cat-like claws on every paw.

Ardyn has developed a glowing mast of intricate markings in fire and ice colors over his face, symmetrical over the last seasons of Year 17 (see profile for details). During hunts or raids/sieges, he will smudge them out with black soot to cover the glow, otherwise, they are bright enough to note at first direct glance at his face. Not all his artwork currently portrays the mask markings.

He is also often bedecked in beads, small bells, feathers in blues, ribbons and braids thanks to the Ooze Event of Halloween 2021, and the Coathanger item that he got. The accessories generally are seen most in his mane and tail hair. He removes the brighter items and bells for hunts or battle.






Cassiela

Loner

age
2 Years
gender
Female
gems
29
size
Small
build
Light
posts
51
player

Samhain 2022
10-19-2022, 07:26 AM

Upon his prompt of her own personal take away in her greeting with the Ethyrian alphess, Cassi was quick to continue. "I would say there is potential to establish a positive relationship with them. Honestly, she seemed a little skeptical of us." She hesitated, allowing that bit of information to sink in before elaborating further. "She was curious as to why she had never heard of a western pack before." Of course, Cassiela had only just been around for about a season now. So she wasn't able to give as clear of a response as she would have liked. The ashen fae felt there was no need to be dishonest in the response she have given. So she was as open as she felt she could be.

She also hadn't really been able to spend a lot of time making an evaluation. Which, brought her train of thought back around to the supposed gathering they were planning. "Since they are having a festival that's an open invitational, political alignment doesn't seem to be of concern to them. I would suspect that makes them more neutral than anything else." Cassi mused. But as the lull grew bigger, she felt it necessary to make an addendum. "-or independent might be a better way to put it." If you had nothing to hide, an open door certainly made that sentiment clear. "But by going to that festival, and seeing how Mistress Celeste interacts with other leaders present, you'd be able to gain a lot more insight. Perhaps just as much if not more from talking to her yourself." If one just paid attention to another's interaction, it should be fairly simple to tell if different stories were being spun for different audiences.

The problem with that though, being have to wait for the gathering. Withdrawing into her mind a moment, she worked out how she wanted to express the second option as she saw it. "But of course, they aren't too far off- practically sharing a border with us. A one-on-one introduction would be far simpler to arrange, and could be done in a timely fashion," She paused, refocusing on the intricate mask that the larger brute wore so well. "You would just have to figure out if she was tailoring the conversation to what she thought you'd want to hear, or not." Which in some ways could be easier said than done. Celeste was pretty good about not sharing too much and keeping a consistent expression. Blinking back to her recollection, she moved to finish her assessment in a bright tone. "So I guess it would boil down to how quickly you want to get to know your new neighbors." She finished, a one-sided grin tugging at the corner of her lips as she allowed a moment for her case to rest before moving on to a different subject altogether.

It took a moment to gather the courage, but she found her voice once more, equipping a more somber tone as she went. "There is something else I wanted to talk about ..." Cassi started, glancing away for a moment as she tried to figure out where to start. "When that woman challenged you-" she hesitated, before finally admitting the emotion that she was caught on. "I couldn't help it. I was so afraid." She finally broke, returning her attention to him. As she got going, things began coming a little easier. "Afraid for you. Afraid for Valhalla. Not because I didn't have complete faith in you and your abilities. I'm just a worrier, I guess- please don't be offended by it. But I just couldn't stand the thought of something bad happening." She admitted. Cassiela wanted to maintain eye contact, but it was far easier to talk to the walls in this instance. "I just kept thinking ... what are we going to do if this doesn't resolve ..." Not that it was a concern of her's. After all, she was just a guest. But in the back of her mind, she knew it ran deeper than that now. And with her next sentiment, she would put the thought into words. "It was then that I made the realization how important Valhalla was to me. I couldn't imagine having that ripped away."

Finally looking back one more, she watched him closely as her conclusion rolled off her tongue. "So, with your permission, I would like to officially join Valhalla."



Ardyn

Loner

Master Fighter (250)

Master Hunter (240)

An icon representing the specialty Knight Knight

An icon representing the specialty Bloodletter Bloodletter

age
6 Years
gender
Male
gems
1056
size
Dire wolf
build
Balanced
posts
501

Samhain 2022The Ooze ParticipantThe Ooze - Variation 3
11-14-2022, 12:40 AM
Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Ardyn listened as Cassiela gave her impressions of the newly minted desert Mistress, nodding slightly at the assessment. A soft huff of amusement answered the small woman’s elaboration. “Perhaps she’s new or hasn’t asked the right wolves.”

He took in the information about the gathering the other pack had in mind, nodding again. It was a good way to investigate. The general bustle of festival atmospheres tended to blend things together into a swirl of colors, chatter and sound. Unless you were looking closely, an observer might go unnoticed.

Given his own appearance, it was unlikely he’d be able to sit back and watch from afar for very long without catching the eyes of others.

He tucked the thought away for further consideration accepting Cassiela’s own suggestion with a nodded grin. “Bumping into her outside of an event or political visit probably won’t be too unlikely. Should be interesting to see if her eyes let anything slip.”

The pause in Cassiela’s words came with a sense of trepidation, and he studied her with interest as the woman started out, tone serious. Ahh. Here it came. A decision.

He let her explain herself, nodding in agreement with her fear. He’d have done his best to pull the pack back together had he lost, and had the fight not been dissolved before it really began. It was a pity the woman had eluded his attacks and gotten away with no reminder of her poor choices, but in the end, Valhalla was safe for now, and that was what mattered most.

“Fear in such a time is natural. I would have done my best to pull together those willing to rebuild Valhalla, had I lost. As Erani rebuilt after her adopted daughter was defeated in a challenge. We always tend to rise from the ashes one way or another.” A soft chuckle rode that last statement before he let her continue.

A soft smile rested on his features at the end of Cassiela’s speech, and her request. It was always nice when your gut feelings proved you right.

“Welcome home. You’ve proven yourself well, especially with your initiative in gathering and bringing back information. With that in mind, what path are you wishing to take in Valhalla? You have a knack for diplomacy from what I’ve noticed.”

He sat back, head cocking as he regarded her with a faint grin, waiting to see what her response would be.

Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ardyn's family (Red, Aurielle, Siblings, Valhalla) are allowed to crash threads, regardless of private tags.

Ardyn at first glance is as black as can be imagined with a raven sheen.

Closer inspection proves that he shimmers in fire tones in every hair on his hide right down to his lashes.

More obviously, he glows like a bed of coals and flames with every movement and brush of fur. His tail is usually wagging, so blazes like a torch.

His adult teeth are in and his saber canines have grown to their full length (see profile). His mane and tail hair have grown to full length, as well as being lightweight and easily buffeted by breezes.

A look at his front paws will give the impression of hands, with his dew claw dropped low and lengthened into a functioning thumb, and his toes elongated into fingers. He has retractable, solid black cat-like claws on every paw.

Ardyn has developed a glowing mast of intricate markings in fire and ice colors over his face, symmetrical over the last seasons of Year 17 (see profile for details). During hunts or raids/sieges, he will smudge them out with black soot to cover the glow, otherwise, they are bright enough to note at first direct glance at his face. Not all his artwork currently portrays the mask markings.

He is also often bedecked in beads, small bells, feathers in blues, ribbons and braids thanks to the Ooze Event of Halloween 2021, and the Coathanger item that he got. The accessories generally are seen most in his mane and tail hair. He removes the brighter items and bells for hunts or battle.