after the festival of fireflies, Heloise moved west. like Banshee said, there was a heavy pack presence in the area now. Ashen, Valhalla... not only two, but three she'd guess. though she had not yet met Lirim wolves. wondering if there was enough room for them all, she'd press onward. never did she guess to meet anyone on the moore. most were quite busy with the festivities to come this far, and she wasn't keen to get back anyway. the alabaster woman decided to explore beyond Winterfell for the time being. her pack did not keep her prisoner, after all. she could come and go as she liked. the amount of wolves walking upon Winterfellian soil these days was staggering. she recalled her chat with Ser Dragon, wondering if there was a way to cut down on the population while there was still time. Heloise kept these thoughts inside mostly, her ambition growing better of her ego. as she walked, Kresnik flew in the air above her. he'd shriek, alerting her to the presence of another nearby. she slowed her pace, eyes scanning the moorland. yet she saw no one, only smelt their foreign scent upon the breeze. not one to bother others, she waited for them to reveal themselves or carry on before she, too, carried on. "SPEECH"

art + code by Kara

Aurielle Adravendi

The weather had dropped to a winterlike chill already, and winter was still half a season away, she pondered as she padded across a truly frosty plains land, bi-hued sapphire and sky gaze sweeping the Plains as she studied the signs of prey. Her long-haired tail flicked, long hairs bannering through the air on the breeze as she came to the wall, padding up one of the ramps to stride along the top of the wall, scanning outward over the lands beyond Valhalla’s territory. Several hours later, she completed her patrol at the southern edge of the territory. With a short howl letting her pack know where she was off to, she leapt neatly from the wall and slid into the moorland that Druid’s Moor melded into, rolling heather fading to a dangerous bog. In some ways it was an extended patrol, investigating the outlying lands beyond her own. She paused when she came across a recent trail of a strange pack wolf. A female, but the scent of the alpha of the pack that clung to the traces was familiar. Acere. So, this was one of those who joined him after his unanswered challenge for Fyri. Had this woman been among those that came to the challenge? A shriek from the sky above brought her eyes upward, though her head didn’t lift, giving the impression that she hadn’t noticed the bird. It was a gyrfalcon, if she was correct in her glance’s appraisal. A glint of white ahead brought her gaze back down as she slowed her stride slightly to a polite walk, circling slightly to come in facing the woman, rather than from behind. As she stepped into full sight, she studied the other wolf, never staring too long as she took in the other’s features. In many ways, the two wolves matched each other. Both were a snowy white, though Aurielle differed in that she bore the subtle shimmer in her coat, uncannily like a moonstone’s shifting colors under light, primarily blues, violets, and pinks, with touches of yellow and a faint touch of pewter. Both were blue of eye, her own a vertical gradient from deepest sapphire to brilliant sky at the bottom of her irises. Aurielle noted that she was level with the woman’s height as, barely four heartbeats after she stepped into sight, fleeting appraisal finished, she dipped her muzzle, stance easy and relaxed as she greeted, “Good day to you.” Her voice was a lilting, velvet and silk mezzosoprano, easy and warm, even if she was mostly neutral in expression, a faint smile on her lips and glinting in her eyes. For all that Acere had challenged for Ignatius’ home and won it, and she wasn’t certain how to feel as a friend of the former Fyri alpha, she bore no ill will for Acere or his pack wolves. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Heloise's eyes soon found the other - a woman and similiar in coat. yet long bangs cascaded from the other's head, reminding her of the mane of a lion. her own head bore nothing remarkable, yet her necklace she still wore as a reminder of her fight with a big cat weeks ago. the leather string hung securely, the large cougar fang waving idly with her movements. the other woman would offer greetings, causing her to drop her head with a curt nod. "and to you" she knew not who this wolf was; she had never met a Valhalla being before. the name of the pack was unknown and foreign to her. but there was pack scent. Kresnik gave another shriek, diving to rest on Heloise's shoulder. he'd peer at the other canine before his eyes sought elsewhere; this wolf was no threat to his mistress. "may I know the name of the wolf I am speaking with?" she'd lift her head to stare at the woman. "SPEECH"

art + code by Kara

Aurielle Adravendi

The woman responded with a nod of her own, though a briefer gesture than Aurielle’s own, and the shimmering Spirit smiled slightly. As the other asked her name, her head dipped lightly once more as she obliged. “I am Aurielle Adravendi, Spirit of Valhalla—or its Alpha. My pack lies north of here. I take it you are part of Acere’s new pack?” Casual, conversational, and mildly curious were what her tone conveyed, her head lightly tilting as she took in the woman again, nodding politely to her bird as he settled upon the other’s shoulders. Her eyes flicked away briefly to the trees and underbrush for her own companions. No doubt Aelloshir and Ayodele would be scouting around nearby, an early warning against other predators. Aurielle didn’t sit as she might have on her own lands—this area was notorious for dangerous predators that loved to use the muck and bog for camouflage. She didn’t fancy being an alligator’s lunch. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

"a pleasure, Lady Aurielle" the woman would respond to her introduction. alphas had various titles to give themselves; King for Acere, Empress for Deathbelle and Spirit for this one. she wondered briefly what title she could gift herself if she got the pack she so sought. yet she pushed that from her mind immediately, else she grow flustered from her growing ambition. instead, she placed her shoulders back and her head high and proud. "yes; I am Heloise cel Mare, Squire of Winterfell." for now she thought, worried her swirling ideas and aspirations would corrupt her. she focused on Aurielle entirely, shifting her body to stand more comfortably. the rank of a squire was not one she would wish to linger long on, however. Heloise had trained her body and mind to keep up with the growing number of fighters in the land. "is Valhalla well this season?" the woman asked the other, focusing on polite idle chat over very vast questions. "SPEECH"

art + code by Kara

Aurielle Adravendi

As the woman introduced herself, Aurielle noted the shift in stance, the surge of visible pride in her words, and she nodded respectfully. Ambition shone there, and the white Spirit mused that if Squire was a low rank in Winterfell, then Heloise wouldn’t be in that rank for long. She thought of her own pack wolves, and bit back a mental sigh. Ambition would be nice to see in her own numbers. As yet, none had truly striven to prove themselves as active, reliable wolves worthy of high ranks and honors. But everyone had shown except Aramis, for the pack hunt, and for that she was thankful. “All is well.” Easily, she spoke her response, a smile on her features. Thus far, Winterfell was not an ally to Valhalla. Too much information given would not be an asset to her pack with a wolf whose intentions for the other packs around his own. “What brings you this way, Heloise?” Curiosity flavored her words as she tipped her head, eyes interested as she flicked an ear back at a slight plopping sound—Ayodele dropped muddily onto her haunch with a grumble, having leapt out of the bog. The Spirit smiled, tipping her head back toward the Ringtailed Lemur, introducing, “This is one of my companions, Ayodele.” The lemur gave a grumpy salute with a muddy paw-hand, glancing regretfully at the mud she’d smeared on Aurielle’s coat, though the woman obviously didn’t mind. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Heloise learned that leaders were people too. they shared the same worries and concern, the same hopes and fears, as other people. so she would not be averse to speaking normally with one. she welcomed it. never one to use another's emotions against them, the alabaster woman would carry on without intention in mind. "I am glad" she replied smoothly, not ever wishing a pack's downfall or trouble despite her lack of knowledge of them. Aurielle would ask what brought her here, causing the woman to smile slightly. "I met with some wolves at a festival that lived near here. I only wished to see if they traveled safely back." she had no way of knowing the Valhalla Spirit's caution about Ashen. before either could speak further, a beast appeared. the lemur leapt confidently on the alpha as she introduced them to Heloise. the squire eyed her falcon, who was busy preening himself. "this is Kresnik, my familiar" the gyrfalcon looked up, around and gave a shriek of greeting before continuing with his grooming. "one? you have another?" though she knew that some wolves had two companions, it was still a bit shocking. she wondered where the other one was. nearby? back at Valhalla? "SPEECH"

art + code by Kara

Aurielle Adravendi

A smile graced her features at Heloise’s response, but as the woman mentioned a festival, her head cocked curiously, ears perked. Had those wolves been members of her own pack or some from the neighbors? Her curiosity abated as Heloise introduced her gyrfalcon, and she nodded to the bird, respectful as ever of the creatures that chose to be wolves’ companions. Her eyes shifted from the woman as Heloise inquired as to her other companion, a smile upon her lips and eyes. “I do. A black mountain lion. He’s been my companion since I was a small pup. Should I have children, it is likely that his offspring will become their companions—family guardians.” A rumble uttered from the shadows as said cat slid from the muck, looking annoyed at the filth on his night-black coat, but pleased at his ability to go undetected for so long. He slunk to stand at his moon-child’s hip, nodding briefly – gruffly – to the Winterfellian wolf before his ice-colored eyes shifted to continually scan the surroundings for danger. “Heloise, this is Aelloshir, my companion and guardian, the ever grumpy mudcat.” Her eyes twinkled as she danced her haunches out of reach of the muddy paw that swatted out for her rump, the cat huffing at her indirect teasing, eyes rolling before they returned to their ceaseless scanning. Aurielle glinted a toothy grin at her guardian before turning her eyes to Heloise as she asked easily, “How do you find the west? Many find it too warm, especially in summer.” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

the black beast rose from seemingly nowhere, but it was only by Aurielle's admission it was her ally that Heloise did not raise a paw to it. she shot the lion a look of veiled wariness before looking back to the Valhalla woman. "what an unique tradition you may start" she would say, hearing nothing of companions blessing their masters with their own offspring. the bond between the alpha and her companion must be strong, a blood oath almost. Heloise was not aware if other wolves did the same. she chose not to mention the slave market, only the festival of fireflies. Heloise did not want to rile Aurielle up - she felt the other woman was an honorable one and would be appalled hearing about the Hjarrandi's tactics. it was also not her place to inform her; it was up to her people should they get involved. "yes" she breathed, tipping her head to the east "there was a festival days prior. they called it the Firefly Festival. there was fishing, a race and a few other events." had Aurielle not been aware? she knew even alphas had to have fun at times. "the west holds beauty, so I cannot complain much" the woman chuckled softly "though I do miss the north terribly." "SPEECH"

art + code by Kara