Talyssa was no stranger to the dangers that lurked within Boreas, particularly the wicked quicksand concealed by the deceptive scrubland at the base of Mount Volkan. She knew all too well how the land could ensnare even the most seasoned explorers, its deadly grasp tightening around them until they were swallowed whole by its sandy maw. When the fog rolled in from the Soulless Forest at night, it was a perilous nightmare that left many a traveler lost and forsaken.

The chill of the winter had left the scrubland lifeless and bare, creating an even more deceitful façade. The quicksand laid in wait under an innocent layer of frost, camouflaging its treacherous snare perfectly with the surrounding terrain. Talyssa knew the lessons that this land could teach were invaluable; a terrible yet effective tutor for those who dared to tread upon it.

As midday approached, Talyssa gathered her group by the edge of the infamous area. Her heart thumped wildly against her chest, not out of fear, but from anticipation. "Before we begin, remember," she said, her voice echoing across the frosty expanse, "This land doesn't forgive easily. One wrong step and it would swallow you whole. But that's why we're here. We're here to learn. To understand it." With a quick glance around those who had gathered, she waited until she saw comprehension in each indivdual’s gaze. Once satisfied, she’d clear her throat to begin. “And the thing that this land is going to teach us, is the benefit of strategy and planning.” She began, offering a friendly grin.

"Talyssa Carpathius"

Rakia stood a little apart from the rest, her gaze focused on the treacherous terrain before them. Her skin prickled with unease, not at Talyssa's words, but rather the biting cold that gnawed at her bones. The dew-speckled expanse of deceptive scrubland stretched before her like a blanket of obsidian glass, seeming to swallow the sharp midday light within its icy grasp.

Talyssa's words floated back to her over the icy silence, a serpentine whisper on the wind. Rakia watched as Talyssa pointed out the spots where the ground was more likely to give away beneath them, her voice a stark contrast against the eerie stillness of the scrubland. Oh? But of course, there was a greater point to this. A lesson of strategy and planning. Rakia was intimately familiar with such. Her entire life had revolved around planning. Not always her own plan- but a plan that applied to her. Even her being here now, gaining insight of the new world. It was all part of the plan.

"Rakia Perreau"

Illusion was silent, her mind sharp and focused. The nature of the scrubland beneath Mount Volkan was quite intimidating to the girl. The chill of winter had only made the land more deceitful, the frost and snow creating a false sense of security over the perilous ground. One wrong step, and she'd go under. At least that's what their teacher said.

As Talyssa spoke, Illusion felt a surge of adrenaline, mingling with a cold determination. The girl knew that every step needed to be calculated, every decision meticulously planned. But gods, she would have avoided quicksand all together were it not for this lesson. There was no room for error.

Stepping forward, she met Talyssa’s eyes with a determined look, ready to face the challenge head-on Illusion’s resolve hardened -- the land might be unforgiving, but so was she.


illu

Setekh stood silently at the edge of the scrubland, watching, waiting. Talyssa's words drifted through the cold air, clear and resolute, carrying a weight that told of the serious nature of her lesson. His molten eyes scanned the terrain, noting the deceptive calm that concealed the deadly quicksand beneath. Mother nature was a feisty one, that was certain.

As Talyssa spoke of strategy and planning, Setekh's thoughts turned inward. He'd hardly spoken since the first gathering, and there was no need to change that fact now. The landscape before them was a perfect metaphor for his own life: filled with hidden dangers and traps, where survival depended on cunning and foresight. Her anticipation mirrored his own; the thrill of the unknown, the excitement of mastering an environment that could so easily turn lethal.

In the silence of his mind, he contemplated the lesson ahead. Strategy and planning were indeed vital, but so was understanding one's environment intimately, knowing when to tread lightly and when to strike decisively. These were the basic laws of survival.

"speaking" | voices

Annwyn watched from a nearby thicket, her form barely visible against the stark winter landscape. Her light blue-gray fur blended seamlessly with the frost-kissed scrubland, making her appear almost ghostly. She knew well the perils of underestimating the land, and the importance of strategy and foresight. Annwyn moved closer to the group, her presence like a shadow passing over the frost. She took her place among them, her demeanor serious and her gaze unwavering. It was easy to remain silent, her gaze flitting over the group carefully.

As Talyssa spoke of the unforgiving nature of the land and the necessity of strategy, Annwyn's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of approval in her gaze. She knew that the lessons learned here would be invaluable, a crucible in which the weak would either be forged into something stronger or perish. It was a reminder that survival was not just about brute strength or quick reflexes, but also about cunning, foresight, and the ability to read the land and its hidden dangers. And Annwyn knew that the land would teach them well, but only if they were willing to listen and learn as her people did. More often than not however, they were deaf to its words.

the selfish

Danger. This woman had brought them to a dangerous location and that thrilled Ely. She could barely contain the thrill she felt as her eyes roamed along the ground wondering just why this location was so dangerous. She had never visited it before today. But she’d been following this rag tag group for the lessons Talyssa was handing out. Simply to gain the knowledge to ensure that she was useful to her sultan.

Strategy and Planning. Her favorite type of topic. It was one she was semi familiar with because of her mother. Because of her family. They were often always planning something and using whatever strategies they needed to get the job done.

Elysia was more interested in what the woman had to say now than she had ever been before. Focusing her full attention to the class at present.


"Ely & Ezekiel"

Talyssa’s words had Nila on edge, anxiety running its finger up and down her spine as she now looked around their surroundings. She already had to live in fear of the people around her, the last thing she wanted to have to consider was the dangers of the land they dwelled on too.

Shifting uncomfortably she tried not to think about the possible dangers that lurked around them. But now her brain couldn’t let it go. It sat there in the back of her brain like a broken record. She could help her eyes from flickering away from Talyssa to keep looking around her.

Strategy and planning was the lesson she offered today. And while only part of it was something she would find use for when she was finally returned home she did her best to listen to the woman’s words despite her eyes constantly darting around.

“Every aspect of life involves some degree of planning,” Talyssa continued, her voice strong and earnest against the cool winter’s chill. “In this land of ours, to tread without caution or forethought is a death sentence. Just like this quicksand, life will swallow you if you act impulsively. The goal isn't to avoid the dangers around you completely. It's to navigate them with wisdom and cunning.” She pointed to the dormant quicksand, her expression serious. "This isn't an enemy that can be defeated by strength or speed. You can't intimidate it or reason with it - its nature is to consume whatever steps into its grasp. The only way to survive is through planning and strategy." With an added pause, Talyssa looked around, checking in with all of those who gathered. “But of course, that’s easy to say. How do you plan? Well, there is certainly a method.” She continued. “Observation, contemplation, and execution. Observation: don't take this terrain at face value. Learn about it. Look for signs that can tell you what's beneath your feet. Contemplation: think about these signs. Assess them from every angle." She paused, searching the group to make sure she had some sembalance of recognition of everyone gathered.

"Talyssa Carpathius"

Rakia absorbed Talyssa's words, feeling each one resonate within her. Her gaze never left the expanse in front of them, the deadly beauty that lay beneath the frosty veneer. Rakia was no stranger to planning or strategy, but this...this was a different kind of battle altogether. It held an entirely different type of danger, a silent killer that you could not see coming. A foe that gave neither warning nor mercy.

She realized now why they were here, why Talyssa had brought them to this forsaken land: to teach them the true nature of planning and survival. This wasn’t just about memorizing paths or outmaneuvering physical threats. It was about understanding and respecting the way of things, deciphering silent cues, and answering unspoken challenges with knowledge and tactical precision.

"Rakia Perreau"

Annwyn felt the cold winter air seep into her fur as she listened to Talyssa’s words. The teacher's voice cut through the chill, speaking with a truth Annwyn knew all too well. Planning was essential for survival. Instinct alone would not offer you the full benefits of a sharp mind.

As Talyssa pointed to the dormant quicksand, Annwyn’s gaze followed, her mind drawn to the analogy. Lurking dangers, unseen threats. Quicksand was one of nature's finest killers. Silent, near impossible to escape once her cold grip caressed you. Strength and speed were useless against her. Instead, wisdom and cunning were the tools needed to survive. If you could spot it before you fell in.

She had spent her life learning to read the land, to discern the subtle signs so easily missed. It was a skill honed through years of experience, and it wasn’t enough to see; one had to think, to understand.


the selfish

Elysia nodded along. Finally agreeing with something this woman was teaching. She used planning regularly as a syndicate wolf. Plans to keep herself useful, plans to ensure her family’s empire stood strong. Every part of her life was controlled by constant planning. To some such a life would seem exhausting. To her it was a pride and joy.

She couldn’t help her mind from wandering to her uncle Rhaz. He would certainly agree with her sentiments on wisdom and cunning. He was a political man. And he used his own wisdom and cunning to help their family navigate through life. He was on the flip side of the coin. Where most of her family was quick to act impulsively, he was always more rational.

As Talyssa continued her lesson Ely drank it all in. She would likely return home to discuss this with her uncle. To see if he had any other points to add to such a lesson.


"Ely & Ezekiel"

Planning. The one part of the lesson she knew she could use back home. Planning could help her to gather herbs for storage and to help Kaino in life. Planning was a limited resource to her however. So she would only be allowed to apply it where Kaino was gracious enough to allow it.

Nope, nope, nope. She would like to avoid them all together. She would much rather have that kind of lesson, she wondered if one day she could seek this woman out and ask for such a lesson.

So it was like the Saxe’s then she thought to herself flatly. If only this woman knew how ironic her wording was to her. Because she wouldn’t stand a chance against them if she fought or ran, both weren’t an option for her. And she certainly was going to be intimidating or reasoning with them any time soon either. Her eyes briefly flickered towards her escort. Yeah, no, try not in this life time. Nila wanted to scream ‘or by just doing as they want’. But she knew this woman was speaking of the land and not of her lovers kin. It would do no good to draw attention to herself.

So she stayed silent and continued to listen to the woman’s words, swirling around her an unintentional mockery. No one here knew that she was a slave. So it wasn’t like this lesson was made to embarrass her. Though it did.

Her gaze turned towards the disguised quicksand, her eyes narrowing with focus. "And execution: Act based on your observations and thoughts. Not hastily or impulsively, but calmly and decisively.” With those words hanging in the air, Talyssa began to demonstrate. She moved forward slowly, letting her foot hover a moment over the sandy surface. She stepped down lightly and pulled back immediately as she felt the sand give away beneath her foot. "It's here," she declared, pointing out the almost invisible dip in the landscape where the quicksand lay in wait. "And now that we know it's here, we plan our way around it."

Turning back to her group, she added, "But remember, every situation is different. You must be flexible in your strategies and willing to change them if they are not working. Just as with this quicksand, we must be prepared to adapt. Never become so fixated on one approach that you are blindsided by a sudden shift in the trajectory." Talyssa finished, offering a brightened grin as she shook the tension out of her shoulder. And with that, she would conclude her lesson on planning.

"Talyssa Carpathius"

Rakia stood still, her eyes lingering on the patch of deadly quicksand before shifting to Talyssa. The words hung in the air, mingling with the frigid winter chill. Observing, contemplating, executing – those were the steps, simple yet profound. Rakia's mind was already observing and contemplating, piecing together the carefully woven knowledge that Talyssa had shared with them.

With Talyssa's words reverberating in her mind, Rakia answered with an acknowledging nod. The icy chill of the winter's air pricked her cheeks and tingled in her lungs, grounding her in the moment. She breathed it in like a mantra. Observe, contemplate, execute. Observe, contemplate, execute. That was the plan. The foundation of all plans. And it was something she could easily grasp and easily apply.

"Rakia Perreau"

Illusion listened intently to Talyssa's words, the winter air sharpening her focus as it whipped across her face and into her lungs. Talyssa's voice ran clear, the kind of tone you could listen to indefinitely. Illusion knew that every aspect of life indeed required planning, and in this treacherous land, a misstep could be fatal. She understood that strength and speed were useless against an enemy like this. Kind of like how outrunning death was impossible, nor bargaining with it. The quicksand's nature was to consume, indifferent to any display of power or emotion.

Illusion absorbed the lesson recognizing its broader implications. Talyssa’s method -- observation, contemplation, and execution -- was not just for navigating the scrubland but for life itself. The terrain couldn't be taken at face value; it required careful study and thoughtful analysis. Easy enough to understand.

Illusion’s gaze shifted to the disguised quicksand, her eyes narrowing with focus. Talyssa's words about execution echoed in her mind: calm and decisive action based on thorough observation and thoughtful contemplation.... right? God. Big words.

As Talyssa demonstrated, Illusion watched intently, noting the subtle dip in the landscape. Talyssa’s caution and precision in testing the ground impressed upon her the importance of these lessons. Seeing the sand give way, she saw the need for careful planning and adaptation. Why hadn't anyone tried to teach her these things before?


illu

Setekh was passively standing among the group, absorbing Talyssa's words as they cut through the winter air. Watching her gesture toward the dormant quicksand, he recognized the truth in her assertion: strength and speed alone could not conquer every challenge. Fools did not live long, unless by blind luck.

Her approach -- observation, contemplation, and execution; key principles. Observation required looking beyond the surface, seeing signs that indicated hidden dangers. Contemplation involved assessing information and weighing options, a skill Setekh valued for its role in careful planning. Execution was about precision and decisiveness, ensuring survival through calculated actions. Yes, yes... The Ivory God fixed his gaze on the woman's face, wondering if this land held more old souls like herself. How wonderful. Intelligence was quite... attractive.

As Talyssa continued to instruct the group, Setekh remained silent, absorbing her words.

Her demonstration of calm, decisive execution ran through his mind. Her foot hovered, testing the ground, before she deftly identified the hidden quicksand. Her words about flexibility and adaptability, her emphasis on changing strategies when needed -- he listened intently. Transfixed.

As Talyssa concluded her lesson with a grin and a relaxed stance, Setekh remained a perfect student. Though this was more of a refresh to knowledge long imparted to him. Her teachings on observation, contemplation, and execution were not new to him, but her method of conveying them was compelling. He stored this moment in his memory, which was an honor in and of itself. "Such a sharp mind you have. Did you know, this lesson could also be applied to other souls? Quite unsettling when you think about it; the quicksand being replaced by an enemy."

"speaking" | voices

Annwyn’s gaze shifted toward the disguised quicksand, her eyes narrowing with focus. She watched intently as Talyssa demonstrated, noting the precise moment the sand gave way beneath her foot. The almost invisible dip in the landscape, now pointed out, proved nature's hidden dangers. A fine example to make. As Talyssa continued, Annwyn's mind mused through the implications of adaptability and flexibility. She reflected on her own experiences, where rigid strategies had sometimes led to peril. Especially her own choices.

The woman sucked in a deep breath, icy blue eyes peering up towards the sky, before they dropped back to the scholar woman. She offered only a stare, maybe an acknowledgement laid bare in the gleam of her eyes, and she took her leave.

the selfish

She watched as the woman stuck her paw onto what should be solid ground from an initial glance but instead began to swallow her paw before she quickly pulled it out. Ely continued to stare at the ground long after Talyssa had pulled herself free, and continued teaching. Trying to determine the difference in appearance between the firm land she sat on and the land that had tried to eat the teacher.

Fascinating. This whole lesson and experience had been by far her favorite lesson so far. It gave her a new sense of appreciation for how Rhazien’s mind worked. He was calm and collected a smooth talking if you would. But if that didn’t not work he could be just as lethal with his teeth. Which was basically the same thing as not becoming fixated on one strategy, wasn’t it?

Ely left as the lesson continued to repeat in her mind. She had many new things to consider.


"Ely & Ezekiel"

To this part of the lesson she agreed. She knew better than to act irrationally. To remain as calm as she could to handle the situations in her life. She nodded at the woman’s words before watching in horror as the ground tried to swallow her leg. Nila couldn’t help her reflex to inch closer to her escort at the sight. At least she knew Ely would return her safely back to Kaino. And wouldn’t let the ground eat her… right?

She sighed in relief as the teacher yanked her leg free and continued to talk to them as if she hadn’t almost lost her damn foot. Nila wondered how she could be so carefree about that but also how she herself, would be able to apply the lesson to her own life.

Her mind raced at the possibilities that this lesson could present to her.

As Setekh's words hung heavy in the air, Talyssa considered the multi-layered analogy. His observation was astute; they had indeed been discussing survival skills pertinent to more than just the physical terrain. From the corner of her slate grey eyes, she observed his frosty countenance. His eyes seemed to hold a chill that matched the winter atmosphere, yet she couldn't help but notice the spark of intrigue that danced within them. A spark that she had not expected from someone like him.

"Indeed." She started, turning to face him fully, her pale steel gaze meeting his unwaveringly. "The same principles can equally be applied to situations of conflict with others - observation of the opponent, contemplation of their weaknesses and strengths, and then decisive execution of a carefully planned strategy. It is quite unsettling to think of oneself as being the potential quick sand, but it is a crucial perspective to consider. To understand how you can be outmaneuvered by a foe is a key step towards formulating an effective defence." She finished, her shoulders shifting in a silent sigh. The world was a complicated weave of power-struggles and shifting alliances, where strengths become weaknesses under the right - or wrong - circumstances. She admired that this man recognized the bigger picture than the little discussion she led.

"Talyssa Carpathius"