Pachou was biting the end of her tail, but at least he was following her. The trek to the river would build up the young animal's endurance, hopefully. And if Malalia could breathe a little easier out here, away from the packlands, well, that was welcome, too.

She was absolutely, positively certain she'd never have kids. Ever. Ever. Azure had been an unpleasant surprise, nothing short of infuriating. But if the wolverine kit was any indication of parenting even a well-meaning child, well... she didn't want any part of it. Sure, the little devil had been sweet enough when Sirius was there, opening up to her with a little bit of coaxing. Now? The little hellion was happy to skip away when told to sit still, and plant his ass on the ground when directed elsewhere.

But then, her words had been soft-spoken, almost requests rather than what they should have been: a master's command to her charge. She sighed, darkness clouding once again at the corners of her mind, stirring in her belly. What the hell was she doing with such a precious gift? She didn't know the first thing about companions, outside of Sirius' advice.

Briefly, she wondered what it must've cost the Warlord to acquire him. Probably a lot. Probably more than she'd produce in her entire lifetime. The feeling sunk into her bones, sucking like mud at her limbs. It was only when Pachou delivered a particularly sharp bite to her tail that she realized she'd stopped in an open field, the river rushing dozens of yards ahead.

Malalia gave a whole body shake, the clouds drifting away for a bolt of anger. Ungrateful. Sirius had entrusted the animal to her. No matter how she felt about it, she couldn't let him down.

"Pachou," she called. A word for "chubby," since the only thing that bastard seemed to respond to was food. Even now, the little wolverine continued to play with her tail, giving her no notice. "Pachou," she called again, her tone firmer and ever so final. The kit squeaked and rushed over to her front side, the picture of attention. That's better... She placed the rabbit she'd been carrying far out into the field. It'd been tricky, but she'd managed to break its leg while keeping the thing alive. Mal then looked back at her companion. "Follow me. When I say so, I want you to leap on its back legs, and I'll leap onto it's front."

Pachou seemed to understand, with his wordless chitters. Maybe I can start teaching him sign language, she noted. Meanwhile, she positioned herself at the rabbit's front as it limped away, her torso lowering to the earth. "Go!" She paused briefly to watch, ensuring her companion made his move. And he certainly did, tearing across the grass to sink its little claws into the squealing prey. Malalia smiled and followed suit, quickly ending the rabbit's life with a bite to the neck.

"Excellent work," she praised, nudging the kill over to the kit, who commenced eating happily. Giving him seemingly random, useless commands had been a struggle, and the kit had a hard time paying attention... but perhaps playing to his natural instincts to attack would work better. It seemed to serve her well here. She hoped it would serve as a good foundation for fighting together. They still had much more training to do... but it was a good first step.

[Hope you don't mind me snagging this :) ]

Aurielle Adravendi

She probably should have been staying close to home, with winter settling in, and certain other revelations. Still, the smile upon her features was inescapable, full of wonder. She’d decided to venture to the Armada’s borders. It took longer than normal, with breaks taken often, though she wasn’t all that tired between each one. Still, it was good to be cautious, right? Rushing of water – a lot of water – ahead brought her attention toward the trail ahead, and a voice along with it, followed by a squeal of a dying rabbit. She pressed forward carefully, ears alert and eyes scanning the path ahead until she came around a turn in time to see the young wolf praising a young wolverine. Gradated sapphire to sky eyes studied the pair with interest before she turned to pad with her usual elegant grace to the riverside, bending to drink before she greeted gently, over the river, “Good day. Forgive my curiosity, but might your name be Malalia?” Her voice was husky and warm, lilted with an accent, and her attention was not unfriendly, merely curious as she turned toward the young wolf, head cocked slightly. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

[ Come right on innnnnnnnnnnnnn! :) ]

The yearling heard the stranger's footfalls before she saw her, and lifted her head to receive the shock of her young life. The wolves before Boreas were sorely lacking in the mutations she saw cropping up here. She'd gotten used to the strange fur colors and instances of cat claws, even Mortis' wings... but this was something else entirely. Limbs stiffened, and guard hairs rose along her back from pure surprise.

The wolf wasn't just pure white -- she actually seemed to be glowing. The young woman blinked several times, but... no, it wasn't the sunlight hitting her a certain way. The light was emanating from her. A flowing mane fell from her neck, and her tail, too, was wrapped in long white fur. The only inconsistency was the strange marking around her left eye, and her eyes, a vivid, two-toned blue that regarded her with curiosity.

It was then that Malalia realized that the being had addressed her, and she balked that she knew her name. The earth-toned girl was not particularly religious, but she wasn't an outright skeptic. She took the world as it came to her, and if there was an afterlife, she figured she'd find out eventually. So it wasn't entirely impossible that the woman before her was a sort of angel of death. Stories of the Reaper appearing to wolves as they went about their lives and escorting them to the heavens; those had made for fascinating bedtime stories.

She hadn't put any stock into the tales... but that was before she met Aurielle. And how else would the ethereal stranger know her name? Maybe she'd fallen into the river and drowned, who knew???

...But that was ridiculous, and she was staring, and staring was rude, so Malalia scrambled for words. "I -- yes -- that's me! Um... forgive mine, but you're not a ghost, are you?" The question came with a breathy laugh, an attempt at a joke, but Mal couldn't be one hundred percent certain she wasn't.

Couldn't hurt to ask.

"Speech"

Aurielle Adravendi

A grin escaped onto the Spirit’s features, partially rueful. There was no mockery in the expression as she shook her head, chuckling softly. “I get that a lot.” Her haunches lowered gently with a practiced flick of the tail to send the long hair pooling over the ground as she sat, smiling gently at the young wolf as she added, “I am Aurielle Adravendi, Spirit of Valhalla.” Her eyes lowered to the young wolverine, giving the creature a respectful nod of greeting before those eyes of hers returned to the girl, studying with interest. Her coat was simplistic, but there was beauty in the simplicity of a natural timber coat. The green eyes were a spark of verdant color, leaves in rich plainland soil. Gently, she remarked, “Cairo told me about your meeting. He had a lot of good things to say.” Were Malalia older than a yearling, Aurielle might have considered whether Cai was smitten, and perhaps he was in the way of making a new friend. But the boy was sensible, and she doubted he’d see a yearling in that light. But it was good to see him befriending wolves from outside of Valhalla, and expanding his horizons. While she hadn’t come all the way out here to find the girl, she was pleased to have encountered her. “How is winter treating you thus far?” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

A breath she didn't know she'd been holding escaped her. Oh thank the gods... Had the answer been yes, she didn't know what she would've done. Run away? Go with her willingly? If there existed some proper form concerning ghosts, or reapers. or... whatever was out there, she wouldn't know the first thing about it. "How..." Her words were steadier, now, but the girl's head tilted in curiosity. "How are you glowing, if you don't mind the question?" She huffed apologetically. "I'm sure you get that a lot, too." For gods' sakes, she looked like she'd been touched by moonlight.

But no, she was just a regular -- well. She was a wolf, anyway, and not a spirit. At least, not the otherworldly kind, as the woman soon introduced herself as the Spirit of Valhalla. "Ahh!" Her tail began to wave softly behind her. "You must know Cairo, then!" So that's how she knew her name. Mal was certainly fond of the Valhallan she'd encountered beneath the willows, though she hadn't seen her friend since then. In all honesty, she doubted she'd run into any other Valhallan soon, besides perhaps on the battlefield.

Upon Aurielle confirming, her tail only wagged faster, a small smile growing. "He did, huh? Awfully nice of him." And it was, to her. Mal wasn't sure which was worse, her dearth of experience or how she'd let herself feel about it. Still, it warmed her young heart to hear that he'd spoken well of her. "Please tell him I said hello! And thanks for everything! How is he, by the way?"

The connection made Aurielle seem a lot more approachable, the wonder at her form not quite as startling. "It's... going pretty well, thank you. I've had my paws full training this rascal." She gave an affectionate nudge to Pachou (who apparently had been just as startled, but more willing to give the glowing stranger a curious sniff). "I've never had a companion before. Sirius -- my Alpha -- thought he would be a good battle aide, especially against opponents who are bigger than me. And he has been, in the spars we've had so far. It's... certainly been interesting. It's a weird thing to own another predator, isn't it? Even now, I sometimes forget that he's mine. But we've been training a lot -- I'm sorry."

Malalia shook her head. "I'm rambling on. How are you?"


"Speech"

Aurielle Adravendi

The Spirit’s eyes sparkled with gentle amusement as Malalia stammered out another familiar question and, chuckling softly, she nodded, obliging, “Well, it started up this year. I was born white, and my coat shimmered from birth with colors like a rainbow moonstone, if you’ve ever seen one of those stones. My twin brother was black, and shimmered in blue tones and a little green thrown in.” There was a faint sadness in her voice as she mentioned Aramis, but she went on to add, “First, I started shedding very early in the year. I’ve kept most of the fur from that shed. It's good den liner. Everything shed out, from guard hairs to undercoat. My mane and tail hair, though, remained. What grew back glowed like this. It was especially notable in places where I’d been scratched from sparring, or slashed fighting bears and tigers. I’m still getting used to it.” Her grin was rueful, amused at her predicament. As her introduction brought an excited reaction, she grinned again, nodding. She could see the fondness Cairo had instilled in the Armadan girl. It reminded her a bit of her own friendship with Amos, though that had led to Amos joining her pack… and then vanishing a while later. Where was that man? Hopefully this friendship wouldn’t end the same way. “I’m sure he’ll be glad to hear from you. He’s well, working hard on his training. It helps that his missing brother has returned to Boreas.” It helped a great deal. Not just Cairo, but herself. She’d been sick with worry for the boy, not knowing what had happened, whether the volcano had killed him in the eruption. Instead, Meri had been attacked by slavers. And by the Gods, if she ever encountered those bastards, she’d be ripping them apart. She smiled, banishing the dark cloud of thought from the front of her mind as she listened to Malalia’s rambling. While the girl apologized, Aurielle shook her head, chuckling. “No need to apologize, Malalia. I enjoyed hearing it. Wolverines are known for being stubborn little creatures, and having one as a friend is a sure way to having that friend for life.” Her ears tipped back and she tilted her head to see Loshir, stalking forward, Ayodele perched on his back. “These two are my own friends. You might call them the closest friends I have beside my own family. Loshir appointed himself my guardian when I was a small pup. Ayodele, the Lemur, saw my mane and tail hair and fell in love. She enjoys braiding things, and she’d been a wonderful friend and crafting partner since.” Dele lifted a nimble-fingered hand in greeting, while the ink-black mountain lion took a seat nearby, eyes flicking to Aurielle’s middle before he gave her a pointed look, which she blithely ignored with a crooked smile. She’d been careful on her journey to the east. She’d continue being careful. “I’m well. This is an exciting winter this year. As well, I’m traveling to speak with Sirius about a festival I’m planning. Then, on to Abaven to touch bases. They’re our longest standing, and most outlying ally. And then I get to walk all the way home.” She grinned with a mock groan on the last words. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

The yearling noticed the sudden melancholy as the woman spoke of her brother, but it wasn't her place to ask. She patiently listened though, as Aurielle described the shedding and regrowth of her hair, half-smiling in wonder when the woman walked of her battles with bears and how they showed in her new, glowing pelt. So she hadn't always been that way. It was a surprise and a delight to hear that even the Spirit was getting used to the phenomenon.

She smiled when Aurielle spoke of her friend, and his brother. She was glad to hear that his sibling had returned... though she couldn't help feel a kind of faraway sadness for her own siblings. She quickly shoved down the thought, though her ears couldn't help but flatten, tail wag a little slower.

"That's good to hear. Wish him good luck in his training... though from what I hear you're already working him pretty hard," she grinned. Yes, she remembered the stories Cairo had told her of this woman and fellow warrior kicking his ass around. Outside of her puppyish fondness for the boy, it was definitely entertaining to imagine Aurielle handing his ass to him.

As Aurielle's companions came forward, Malalia took a good gander at the solid black mountain lion and the lemur that sat upon the woman's back, smiling when the lemur waved a greeting. It was interesting to hear that they weren't just friends, but that they had both come to her of their own free will. That Loshir had appointed himself to guard the Spirit. "I think I like that a bit more. Friends." It felt... way more natural than trying to act like the creature's one and only master. As far as she knew, Sirius certainly had never talked about his companions in that regard, though it was clear each had their own quirks and personalities. Perhaps that's what was missing in her relationship with the young wolverine.

The young woman's ears perked -- "A festival? That sounds exciting. I've never actually been to one myself." Though she had heard of a few that'd taken place. Mal offered up her own huff of laughter at the Spirit's observation. "Yeah, that doesn't sound like fun... but one day you'll be at home in bed, and the whole thing will be over. Still, I'm happy I ran into you. Or you ran into me."


"Speech"

Aurielle Adravendi

Aurielle, the perceptive creature that she was, hadn’t missed the slight dampening of Malalia’s features when the subject of Cairo’s brother was brought up. There was something there, and it matched some of what Cairo had mentioned. He hadn’t gone into too much detail, being respectful of the girl’s personal life, but he had mentioned that something must have happened to have someone as young as she out alone from what must have been a happy, loving family. She didn’t press on that wound. Eventually, Malalia might open up and let the festering wound in her soul drain out, and let it heal, but it would always be best if it was the girl’s choice to let it all out. She grinned as Malalia remarked on Cai’s hard training, a bit of sass sparking in her eye as she nodded. “Oh, I do. He wants to rise high, and I like his reasoning for climbing it. He’s never been one for personal gain.” Dele stroked three fingers into Rielle’s mane, nimble hands getting to work weaving a thin braid, then unweaving it. Loshir, meanwhile, had taken to scanning the surroundings of the river, which was his usual way. Aurielle smiled as Malalia admitted she’d never been to a festival, and her head tipped as she remarked, “Well, perhaps this one may be your first. It will be open to all, and I intend to hold a tournament along with it.” She chuckled, nodding as she added, “Oh, definitely in bed. I may get shouted at if I don’t go straight to the furs when I get home. But it’s worth it to get out there and meet with the alphas, and reaffirm old bonds, make new ones. I’m glad to have met you as well.” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Her tail waved softly as Aurielle spoke of her friend. It was interesting to hear about him from another perspective -- it was like gossip, but the good, clean kind. She really was glad that the man was doing well. She didn't know when she would see him next; Malalia hadn't explored that far outside of Armada territory, and certainly not to the other side of the continent. She wondered if that would change, or if perhaps he would come to the Weeping Woods again for a visit. She certainly hoped so.

"You can definitely count me in on that," she grinned. A festival. A tournament. Her first few months in Boreas was turning out to be filled with a lot of firsts. Mal felt like she hadn't gone a week, or even a day without learning something new about this place -- the trades, the battlefield, the whole volcano incident and everything surrounding that, weapons, armor... It was definitely an adjustment, but she was welcome to every change.

She might have asked more, but as Aurielle talked about meeting with other Alphas, the girl felt a small thump at her ankle, followed by an imploring chatter. She twisted her head to get a good look at Pachou, who looked up at her with big, tired brown eyes. "Okay, okay," she murmured. She couldn't carry him in her maw anymore, but the young wolverine was months away from his mature size, He was still growing, and still tired easily. "Speaking of warm beds, I think this guy deserves a nap," she murmured apologetically. "And Sirius will be expecting me for patrol soon." She nodded respectfully to the Spirit. "You're welcome to come with me if you would like?" she offered.


"Speech"
--fade after like 1-2 posts?--

Aurielle Adravendi

His side pressed into her shoulder, and she soaked in the provided support with a sigh. When he didn’t open the gift, The Spirit grinned as Malalia showed her enthusiasm for the event the Valhallan had planned. It seemed that the wolverine kit was tiring, and the woman’s features softened in gentle amusement as she rose, nodding. “I wouldn’t mind at all.” She settled into step with the girl, eyes scanning the river as she walked, though occasionally her eyes flicked to the girl, a faint smile on her features as she privately considered the friend her apprentice and likely future Sentinel had made. The girl was considerate of her companion, respectful, and had a good sense of humor. There was a drive in the girl that had flickered when she’d heard of the tournament. No wonder Cai liked her. -That works ^^- Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think