After some time it'd become clear Vaella may end up alone in these lands. She had been living in a Valley not far from here as a loner for almost two seasons and with Winter rolling in she felt it was time to take matters into her own paws. Originally the former Princess hadn't wished to join a pack, or even to mingle with these strangers. But, her picky nature was waning as the temperature began to drop and her the loneliness started kicking in. Vaella was use to having siblings, cousins, parents, and guards around her at all times. Now she was completely alone, more often then not the only conversations she had for days on a time were with herself. Thus, the lithe babe found herself at the borders of what seemed to be an established pack. Tendrils of mist licked at her inky limbs as Vaella moved to the border. Careful not to cross the invisible scented line. Blue eyes took in the territory before her but it was impossible to get much information due to the mist. Honestly, it was an incredible natural line of defense. If those within the pack learned out the use their senses properly in the mist their enemies would likely be struck down with ease. After but a moment of hesitation the Velennis fae tossed her slender head into the air and howled for leadership. Hopefully this would not be a waste of her efforts. ""

Ardyn Adravendi

Another patrol, another night of relative peace. He padded along the wall, cloak brushing against his hocks as he scanned the no man’s land between Valhalla and the Ashen border. Where the mists ended, the other border began, but it left a relatively large space that let loners, prey, and predators roam without interfering unless they wanted to. The other border would be just beyond the range of sight during the day. Valhalla made a point of laying a scent border a bit of distance beyond the wall as a mild alert that a pack territory was ahead. The wall itself was tall enough to be just barely visible through the mists from a wolf’s height at that distance. He spotted the wolf before she called for a leader, and watched as she came upon the scent border and chose to stop there to call. Ardyn descended the wall on the inner edge down a ramp and slid through one of the smaller passages that were a recent addition to the wall. The wall split and intercrossed, giving the appearance of an unbroken barrier, but in truth offering a spot for a wolf to slip through quickly. It was watched closely by the flighted companions of the pack in shifts, owls by night, ravens and hawks by day. To the uninitiated eye, it might have appeared that he popped through the wall itself, a blacker-than-black figure flickering with flame and coal as he padded forward to greet the yearling, light-motifed features curious as he spoke. “Good evening, lady. What brings you to Valhalla?” Mismatched fire and ice gradated eyes studied her in a quick sweep before returning to meet the blue gaze masked in a chocolate-toned face. She was swathed in earthen tones, points darkest save for her tail-tip. Her scent bore no pack’s claim over the natural smells that were her own, so he wondered idly if this was a wolf seeking a home. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ----  "Hear" ---- Think

It did not take long for movement to catch her attention. Blue eyes squinted slightly as she searched the mist. Within moments she was able to make out a figure seemingly moving her way. It resembled that of a Wolf but dark shadows and fire seemed to be slipping through the air around them. Tendrils of dark and light fighting for space in the Wolves atmosphere. Vaella couldn't help but to stare as her heart rate increased, 'Is this a demon?' The former Princess was not very spiritual but she what else was she meant to think? As a polite distance between them was reached the obsidian beast offered rather pleasant tones. Vaella, so caught up in observing this phantom, suddenly remembered her manners and spread a sweet smile across her lips. "Greetings." She cleared her throat gently, trying to hide her nerves with gentle tones. "I am Vaella Velennis." Her slender head dipped downward in a rather elegant bow. Upon standing straight once more she continuied, "I've come to inquire about your pack here. Are you accepting more into your ranks currently?" Vaella did not want to reveal too much information about herself just yet. She needed to get a feel for this fantastical beast. ""

Ardyn Adravendi

His appearance unnerved the girl, though she managed to compose her features after a few beats of staring and greeted him, introducing herself and stating her reasons for coming. To her query, Ardyn nodded an affirmative with a smile. “We are. Any with an ambition to improve themselves and work for the betterment of the pack are welcome to stay, and we don’t force anyone to stay if their heart is called elsewhere in the end. I am Ardyn Adravendi, Ard Rí – or High King – of Valhalla. May I ask what skills you have?” She was young, but age didn’t necessarily decide the level of prowess or skill in an individual. With good parents dedicated to being present and good teachers, even a pup could be highly skilled at something. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ----  "Hear" ---- Think

Ardyn offered a fang filled smile before explaining his rank and the basis of Valhalla. Vaella listened with obvious interest, his words sent the fae into a swirl of thought. The majestic male seemed pleasant enough and the premise to his pack was simple enough. She was familiar with more traditional Monarchy so High King did resonate with her some. What she was primarily looking for was a nice enough group to offer her shelter in the exchange for some work. Her focus would likely be in the realm of healing until she knew the pack a bit better. As the Ard Rí finished Vaella lifted her own sweet tones into the air, "I've gone through some formal healing training and I am a capable hunter." She trained beneath her Mother who was a talented healer in the Amberguard. Vaella and her sister were good students but their lessons came to a halt with the fall of their Kingdom. "I've also received teachings in subjects such as diplomacy, scouting, and politics." Vaella was on the path of becoming quite the diplomat for the Amberguard. She always enjoyed healing but her real passion was for the secrets and inner workings of pack relations. The babe had a way with words and a mind for strategy. "Valhalla sounds like an ideal home. I am curious, though. Do you often receive new members such as myself or are you primarily a family pack?" There was a lot less room to grow in packs that mainly revolved around kin. ""

Ardyn Adravendi

He listened to Vaella’s words, watching her features as she spoke. He found no deceit – or conceit, for that matter – in her tone or eyes as she detailed what she’d experienced in terms of teachings, and he nodded slightly in mute approval. Healers and Hunters were always needed, and one could never have too many diplomats or scouts, especially with the rising number of packs in the two continents. Her own query was regarded with interest, and he considered the numbers of his pack. “I’d say family, blood and adoptive. That doesn’t prevent the unrelated from rising. Even my blood family are expected to work for their promotions and keep, or I’d have to send them off in the interest of the pack’s welfare. The exceptions are my parents, since they already worked their due and are retired.” His eyes twinkled at the last words, a smile twitching his lips. He rose, head tipping inward toward the wall behind him. “If you’re sure, then welcome home. I can show you around and get you settled.” _____________________________________________________________________ Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ----  "Hear" ---- Think

The Alpha seemed receptive of Vaella's verbiage. She enjoyed his calm demeanor and the sincerity of his tones. She couldn't seem to find any sort of darkness lying beneath the surface of this leader, despite his appearance. Ardyn offered his own baritone vocals, laying out his expectations of each member of his pack. All members had to pull their weight with some elders being exempt. This was what she wished to hear. Vaella offered a nod of her own, a gentle smile pulling at her lips. Next came the verbal invitation to Vahalla. Her smile grew as she offered a more firm nod this time. "I am sure, thank you for accepting me. I am excited for the opportunity." The babe took a step forward as to follow him beyond the wall. Her mind swam with curiosity and wonder. The earthen gal silently hoped she had made the right decision. ""

Ardyn Adravendi

Ardyn smiled gently and led the way through the moorland mists. As he walked, he explained more in depth about how Valhalla and its ranks worked. He made it clear that she should work hard to pull her weight once she was settled. “We have three options of housing—natural dens, either dug previously, or dug yourself, or something you find in the hillock in the Plains to the east west of here. Huts built by myself and some of the pack members, in the moors here and in the Plains, or in the Alcoves in the Plains. Ostensibly the Alcoves are the Seat of my family, but they’re open to the pack for use, especially by healers and their patients. It’s a communal living space, essentially.” In time, the standing stones loomed from the mists, dark pillars against a starry sky. “This is one of a few places the pack might meet for gatherings and training. The primary location for pack meetings is in the Plains. A large boulder, beneath two old oak trees, one dead, one living.” _____________________________________________________________________ Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ----  "Hear" ---- Think