Talyssa stood at the base of the foreboding mountain, a sinking feeling in her chest as she gazed up at its sheer magnitude. The air was heavy with the scent of volcanic ash, a reminder of the most-recent eruption that had ravaged the landscape- however long ago it had taken place. The ashen ground crunched beneath her paws as she cautiously made her way toward a level spot near the foundation. Despite the apparent calmness, Talyssa couldn't shake off the feeling of impending danger that hung in the air like a thick fog.

With a deep breath, Talyssa called out to anyone nearby, her voice echoing off the rocky slopes. She knew there were several familiar faces nearby- she had been traveling alongside Chimera and his family as they sought out one of their allies. While she had veered off the path a ways, she still felt like she had a lesson topic worth mentioning for those interested in listening. Perhaps it would resonate with the unpredictability and challenges of their current environment.

"Talyssa Carpathius"

Cadaver traversed the rough expanse of the terrain, always seeking out new paths and uncharted territories. The looming mountain drew his attention, its daunting presence beckoning him closer. As he neared, the echoes of a voice reverberated off the jagged cliffs. Intrigued, Cadaver followed the sound until he came upon a lightly colored lady standing at the base of the mountain.

He studied her for a moment, noting her calculated movements and confident demeanor. Despite being a stranger in this unfamiliar land, she seemed to hold her own. A spark of curiosity ignited within Cadaver - what could she possibly have to say in this desolate place?

With effortless grace, Cadaver approached, his steps measured and poised. He stopped just out of arm's reach, his mismatched eyes locked onto the woman’s figure.

"Cadaver Nightwing"

Well, her life had become a freaking shit show. Just as she was starting to get used to living with Chimera and his brood of kids, he got sick and they had to move somewhere else. Into a whole new freaking pack. It left a disgusting, bitter taste in her mouth, because it made her feel so powerless. She couldn’t help but take off for a bit, wanting to take any inkling of control back that she could.

Walking near the base of a huge mountain, she’s lost in thought, content with her solitude until a howl breaks the silence. This lady again? That woman Talyssa followed them to Elysium too, but she wandered off for a bit. Now she was calling for an audience again? Hmpf. She thought about ignoring it, but hell, might as well check it out.

Arriving to the small group, she recognizes both of the wolves; one being Talyssa, and the other, a dude she’s fought large predators with. “What do you want now?” She’d say, staring up at Talyssa expectantly.  

"Speech"

Barghest had been in thought, wondering how to apply herself to this new pack and new social standing. She had to make something of herself, but where to start? That was when the call rang out, and the girl knew it. It was the pretty scholar! The one her brother Quill kept making goo-goo eyes at!

With haste, the mottled girl took off towards the source of the howl. Stopping once she was within sight and casually padding up with a nod to Talyssa once she was closer. Nimue was here too, and Estie nonchalantly gravitated towards her as she looked at the woman expectantly. There was also that boy here from the giraffe and the hippo… and the elephant… and rhino… huh.

""

Quill had taken quite a shine to the pretty little Carpathian. While the rest of his family went to join Elysium after his father's returning illness, Quill decided to follow Talyssa instead. He was a true-blooded Klein, that was for sure. The man couldn't deny that he wanted to get under her tail and do all sorts of unmentionable things to her, but he was playing nice. Besides, wanting to do dirty things with someone was a sign of attraction, right?

As Tal called forth for an audience, ever the teacher, Quill rested nearby, watching and waiting for the lesson. He'd also be there in case anyone got a little froggy. No one was going to touch a golden hair on Talyssa's sweet little head while he was around.

"Speech"

Talyssa inhaled deeply, her gaze sweeping over the gathering audience before her. Each member was met with a polite nod and a smile, as if the tension in the air was physically affecting her. She could feel it crawling along her fur, prickling at her skin. Nimue's sharp question cut through the stillness, causing Talyssa to let out a heavy sigh. She knew she wasn't well-liked by the girl, but she pushed away the sting of that realization; after all, she hadn't come here for popularity. As she stood there, the buzzing energy around her reminded her of a hive on the brink of swarming, ready to burst forth at any moment. Her attention lingered with Quill for a moment longer before continuing.

She stepped forward, her soft gaze resting on each member of the group before her eyes found the mountain once again. "I've called you all here because there's one more thing I thought might be worth talking about," she began, her voice echoing off the rockfaces. "Today, we're going to talk about adaptability. It's a skill that's crucial for survival, especially in environments like this." She gestured to the barren landscape around them, a stark reminder of the mountain's violent past. "What exactly is adaptability?" she asked the group rhetorically, not really waiting for them to answer her. "Adaptability is the ability to adjust to new conditions and changes in your environment," she explained. "It's about being flexible and open-minded, ready to change your approach when faced with obstacles."

"Talyssa Carpathius"

Nimue snapped in her brash, abrasive manner and a low growl rumbled in Quill's chest. A reminder to mind her god damn manners. Talyssa was sweet and kind and entirely undeserving of such vehemence. The man had a mind to squash the little brown terror beneath his bulk so that she couldn't breathe. If she couldn't breathe, she couldn't speak. The world would be better for it.

Talyssa gave him a long look and the monochromatic man gave her a supportive smile. She began speaking about adaptability. An important lesson. An important skill to possess. One had to be ready for any situation and had to be able to change their approach or tactics to come out on top. He hoped Nimue would get that one through her thick skull. She could definitely be more adaptable.

"Speech"

Cadaver nods, his intense gaze fixed on Talyssa as she speaks. Her words evoke a certain curiosity within him, stirring memories of his own struggles with adaptability in this unforgiving world. His eyes drift towards the wretched landscape surrounding them, the barren ground and withered trees a stark contrast to the lively lessons being taught.

As he listens, a pensive expression crosses his face, deep in thought about the numerous obstacles they have faced and will continue to face in this ever-changing world. The word "obstacles" came time mind. Cadaver's mismatched eyes scanning each wolf present, taking in their reactions to their teacher’s thought-provoking words.

"Cadaver Nightwing"

Nimue heard Quill’s rumbling growl, but she ignored it; what, did he think he was her big brother, and could boss her around? That would never happen. Rolling her eyes, she kept her attention on Talyssa, waiting for her to explain why she called everyone here in the first place. Was she really that bored? Couldn’t she find something better to do?

Ahh, another lesson. She could have known. This time, she was talking about adaptability. She'd explain what it was, and the attributes associated with it- primarily, flexibility and open-mindedness. Nimue knew she wasn’t flexible, or open-minded; she could certainly work on both of those, and not be so stand-offish. But what fun would that be?  

"Speech"

Barghest's skull inclined slightly as Talyssa spoke, her mind pocketing the term 'adaptability' that the golden-haired woman had just used. Adaptation was a concept she was familiar with, so perhaps adaptability simply meant... the ability to adapt? The same thing, just dressed in different words. She maintained her silence as Talyssa continued to talk, a single brow arching in response to the lesson on flexibility. Open-mindedness? That was something she could certainly embrace. The mottled girl nodded, taking a moment to glance around herself at her fellow students. Her brother still head over heels for the Hallows scholar. Nothing new there.

""

Talyssa observed the reactions of her audience, noting the varying degrees of interest and understanding. "Adaptability is not just about survival; it's about thriving in the face of adversity," she explained, her voice carrying conviction. "In this ever-changing world, we must learn to embrace change, to see it as an opportunity rather than a threat. Those who are adaptable are more likely to succeed, to find new paths when old ones are blocked."

She paused, letting her words linger in the air before continuing. "Think of the volcano," she gestured to the towering mountain behind her. "It's a symbol of nature's unpredictability. One day it's calm, the next it could erupt. Those who live in its shadow must be adaptable, ready to evacuate at a moment's notice, ready to rebuild when the danger has passed. As wolves, we face our own volcanoes," she continued, her gaze sweeping over the rugged landscape. "Whether it's a sudden change in weather, a shift in pack dynamics, or a new predator encroaching on our territory, we must be ready to adapt, to change our strategies, to find new ways to survive and thrive."

She looked at each wolf in turn, her gaze steady. "Today, I want you all to think about how you can be more adaptable in your own lives. How can you embrace change? How can you learn from it, and grow stronger because of it? Adaptability is not just a skill; it's a mindset, a way of approaching life with resilience and determination. I hope you'll take this lesson to heart and find ways to apply it in your own lives." Hopefully they would walk away from this little impromptu lesson with something different on their mind. A new sort of resourcefulness that anyone could benefit from having in their arsenal.

"Talyssa Carpathius"

Talyssa's words drifted across the desolate landscape, her voice carrying a sense of gravity that matched the looming presence of the volcano behind her. Cadaver absorbed her analogies with a detached calmness, his gaze fixed on the unpredictable terrain before him. As she spoke of adaptability, he found himself nodding in silent agreement, understanding the crucial role it played in their harsh world. The volcano was a constant reminder of the ever-changing nature of their surroundings, and Cadaver knew he must always be prepared to face any challenge that came his way. He listened attentively as Talyssa encouraged them to embrace adaptability in their own lives, her words igniting a cool determination within him. He promised himself to remain resilient and adaptable, ready for whatever obstacles may come his way.

"Cadaver Nightwing"

But supposedly, adaptability wasn’t just about being open-minded; Talyssa started talking about thriving in the face of adversity, and Nimue was lost at first, until she continued her explanation. The world was ever-changing, that was a given; and they needed to be able to adjust in the face of new challenges, and perceive things as an opportunity instead of a threat. Nimue slightly cocked her head, thinking the concept over a few times while musing internally. Adaptable wolves were more likely to succeed, huh? Maybe she’d have to try it after all.

Talyssa used a metaphor to better explain herself; a volcano, and what it represented. It was an interesting metaphor, no doubt- it made the topic of conversation more relatable, and Nimue understood it better now. Nodding her head, she silently vows to heed Talyssa's challenge to think of how she can become more adaptable. Maybe she can start by trying to get to know all these new wolves she was expected to live with. If only to see how they could benefit herself or Chimera in his recovery.  

"Speech"

Barghest's ears perked up at Talyssa's words, her gaze fixed on the Hallows scholar with rapt attention. The concept of adaptability, once again, took center stage in her thoughts. Talyssa spoke of thriving amidst adversity. The notion that adaptability was not merely about survival, but about flourishing in the face of challenges. It was a philosophy she could wholeheartedly embrace.

The analogy of the volcano drew Barghest's focus to the towering peak looming in the distance, its huge and ominous presence serving as a reminder of nature's capriciousness. She nodded in silent agreement as Talyssa painted a vivid picture of the need for adaptability in the face of unpredictability.

Her gaze swept over her fellow wolves, her mind stirring with contemplation.
""

Just like the others, Quill continued to listen to Talyssa's mellifluous tones. He absorbed her words, looking towards the volcano when it was mentioned. They would have no choice but to show their resilience and adaptability, should the volcano suddenly come to life. Quill found himself wondering what he might do if the earth suddenly began to rumble beneath his paws. Surprisingly, the first thing that his mind fell upon was saving his obnoxious little sister, Barghest. He would force Talyssa to follow. Nimue would be an afterthought but he supposed he could save her as well. The others could fend for themselves. He wasn't a saint, after all.

"Speech"