Aurielle Adravendi

She drew to a stop at the border, breathing in the scents. The Armada smelled large, and strong, quite similarly to their neighboring pack, whose scent was undeniably Ashen, and still under Deathbelle’s rule. She wondered how the Empress was doing, and how her children had grown since the festival. They’d been promising looking pups, eager to fight in the test tournament. However, now her mind drifted to Sirius, the leader of this pack. She’d met him before, helped him fight off a bear in the west. She hadn’t asked, desired, or even needed anything in return from the male. It had been an instinctive act to dive headlong into a fight with a grizzly to help a stranger. She shook out her brilliantly glowing coat, sending a soft shimmer of color through the snowy white hairs. The day was waning late—evening already hung red in the sky, turning colors, and to the other horizon the sky was already dark. For politeness’ sake, she wouldn’t draw the meeting out very long. She would have preferred to call during full daylight, but it had taken much longer than usual to make it across Boreas. Finally, her muzzle tipped to the sky and she sang gently for the alpha pair, for there were two scents that held supreme over the rest as the leaders. Her let her muzzle lower as she stepped away from the border to wait in her usual patient way for the alpha, or alphas. She hadn’t come empty-pawed. A pack of trade-goods sat on the ground beside her, herbs that grew best in her area and would be a rarity here in the south. There were other items, trinkets and baubles among them. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

The Warlord of the Ashen Armada had just been finishing his patrol for the day, and was considering the bed that awaited him. Curling up with pups that were just about too big for their one bed, and his wife, Zee. He yawned into the darkening sky, and changed his course as a howl rang out for him. He recognized the voice behind the call, but could not place it, and grew concerned when he saw a lit beacon in the distance. He upped his pace, jogging until he could recognise the features behind the glow, and place them as those of the Alpha of Valhalla. He did not know what made her glow, he could only assume the affect came from a witches brew of the like. Much like what had made his feline-like claws grow. Or perhaps it was an after effect from the volcano. He only had to hope it wasn’t catchy, whatever made her glow. Sirius would chew his own arm off before becoming such a beacon. Dismissing such thoughts, the Alpha stopped before the glowing form, and squinted towards her, hiding an expression of distaste. He was going to lose his night vision if he looked at her too long. “Aurielle. Welcome to the Armada, what brings you to my borders?-" and -" You’ve done something different since we last met. It is the hair?” "Speech"

Aurielle Adravendi

His hulking frame was swift to appear. For all that Sirius was huge, he was an undeniably graceful beast, deadly in that grace. She didn’t miss the squint as he spoke. While she might be difficult to look at, he was well-lit by her presence, something she wished she could have changed. If there was a way to dim the lights, even for an hour, she’d gladly take it. Maybe it was worth looking into ways to try it, without all but rolling in the thickest mud pit she could find. A grim huff of rueful laughter escaped her and she shook her head, lifting a paw to look at it. “It is. I don’t know what triggered it, but with my shed this year, this grew in. Can’t say I’m entirely in love with the new look. Even tried shaving some of it off, but it just grows back still glowing.” She straightened elegantly as she studied the man. He seemed hale and hearty. “But my glowing fur isn’t what brought me here. I wanted to see where the Armada stands regarding trade, for one. I’ve brought with me a few trade goods as an example.” She tipped a muzzle toward the pack laying to the side. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Instead of continuing the joke about her hairdo, she went straight into an explanation of her glow. He frowned, thoughtful as she mentioned it simply ‘coming’ with her shedding season. The majority of the after-birth mutations he knew about, had been gifted rather strangely, but from one source. If she did not refer to the festival, then what brought her the glow? Perhaps he had been right, and it was an aftereffect of the volcano. Certainly since its eruption, the cases of mutations had seemed to grow. Stranger and strange wolves were afoot. Mortis was a prime example of that. “That’s very peculiar” he agreed, mentioning nothing of his own interactions with mutations. It was a mystery that felt beyond them to understand. He felt her eyes upon him, but he had taken to looking off into the distance behind her. It lessoned some of the intensity of her strange mutation. She brought them to her real reason for being there, and he did glance back towards her, and then to the bag at her feet. She wasn’t asking for an alliance, which he would not have given. As the Warlord of the Empire’s army, he may well have to go against any alliances he made one day, if his Empress ordered it of him. He liked to be a man of his word, and wouldn’t put himself in such a position. “I’m unsure what would interest us in terms of trade.” He admitted. Io ahd an elaborate set up for herbs, and had not mentioned to him about missing any particular type - but he also would not know, without consulting her. The Armada had many pelts for winter, the Warlord himself had kept their stocks high. The same went for food, with the frequent hunting trips he had taken, but it was perhaps what they had the least of. He did not have many hunters within his pack. Weapons they had plenty of, what he had not made himself, he had previously traded for. Still, he eyed Aurielle with curious, wondering what she thought might interest a Warlord. "Speech"

Skyfire had spent many days training and running long distances. So much so that her legs began to hurt. This evening, Skyfire had finished going on another run around the sand, trying to train up her cardio against the shifting sands. If she could keep her endurance on loose sand, then she could keep up her endurance and stamina on solid ground when fighting. As Skyfire reached her den, she plopped down hard and laid on her bison pelts, feeling the soft fur against her own coat. While her heart still pounded, Skyfire was at least happy that she ran some more today. In all honesty, all the running was beginning to get boring. Soon after, Skyfire slipped into sleep and felt the sun begin to fade.

The howl that arose on the air woke her up a short while later, and Skyfire noticed that it was near dark outside. With a yawn, she decided to go check it out. Skyfire figured Sirius may have gone to investigate already, but she was still curious enough to see what the howling was about. With her legs not being so sore now, it was much easier to walk and move around. Even with looking at her paws which were still slightly irritated from the sand, Skyfire felt like she could at least make it to the borders before going back to her den later to sleep.

The sight of Sirius was hard to miss, but there was something different about him. Was he glowing? It was almost like the glow of Aurielle that she had seen before when she first met the Queen of Valhalla. But as she went around him, the look of confusion changed to glee as she recognized who it was. "Aurielle!" she exclaimed in happiness, excited to see her inspiration stopping for a visit.

Azure heard the call and as he did every other wolf at the border, decided that it wasn't worth his time. He was fully prepared to continue as if he'd heard nothing though struggled to ignore that feeling that he was losing the race for heir. Sirius had already given him one strike and Az now had to be on his best behavior. Did that mean he should attend the meeting with the alpha to prove how serious he was about the responsibilities he wanted to one day hold? Or did it mean he should remain away as a pup should do and let his father handle it. It didn't take much thought. Az only had one strike, after all. If showing up to the border brought him a second he may be able to talk his way out of it, but he was growing much too curious now. He did want to see what it was like to have a day in the life of his father. The warlord would be there so Azure knew he'd be safe. To his surprise another wolf was present and Azure contorted his brow towards the student he'd not yet met, but said nothing. No more strikes, not for him. He'd already pissed his father off by being rude to Malalia, and she deserved it. From now on he'd be nice to his pack-mates even if it was fake-nice. The wolf who'd called was unlike anything Azure had seen before and the boy frowned into the bright glow. On first impression he decided she'd be very annoying to fight, like being blinded by the sun but unable to hide in the shade or adjust your positioning to lessen it. "Who invited the lamp post?" The boy asked sharply, bringing him up alongside his father's legs and glaring up at the woman. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Aurielle Adravendi

She gave a rueful grumble of an amused, “You’re telling me…” before cocking her head slightly in thought, wondering if she had anything that might interest him. Quietly, she was glad Paladin had suggested starts of the herbs she’d brought, and the bottom of the pack was damp with the water in the soil around the root balls. The other baubles were wrapped carefully in oilskins to keep the dirt, leaves and moisture off them. She smiled lightly, shrugging. “Even if you decide not to trade, I hope you won’t mind if I just give the bag to you. I mean to visit Abaven to see if our alliance still stands there and to touch bases, so this isn’t the only sack I have, and I’ve no intention of carrying them all back with me. However, feel free to look through the pack. There are many starts of herbs that grow best in our area. Your healers may like to add to their collections. Trinkets, baubles and jewelry chains.” She paused thoughtfully. However, a rustle of paws caught her attention, followed shortly by a chipper, familiar voice. An easy smile pulled at her lips as she greeted lightly, “Hello, Skyfire. It’s good to see you well.” The next arrival was a pup – huge, with curiously large, bearlike paws, and was undeniably one of Sirius’ kids, judging by the markings and large saber fangs – who was also undeniably rude. However much she loved children, she was also of the opinion that behavior like that was not to be tolerated. It was down to his father to deliver the physical discipline if he was of that sort, but her rebuke was subtle. She simply locked eyes with the boy for a long, hard moment, before looking through him as though he was suddenly gone from her sight as her eyes turned to Sirius with a smile, unflappable, and genuinely congratulatory as she remarked, “You have children. My congratulations to you; it’s always good to hear of new lives.” Her head tipped thoughtfully as she added, “I intend to hold another festival in the near future. I haven’t set a date in stone quite yet, but when I do, I’d like to extend an invitation to the packs at this end of Boreas. I hope to improve upon my last festival. Would you and yours be interested in attending? No strings attached.” There was no held breath as she waited patiently to see what he thought. She wouldn’t be insulted if he declined. After all, not all packs were into the whole festivities thing. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Sirius frowned towards Skyfire. Trainees shouldn't be answering howls at the border meant for the alphas. Especially without a mentor, and the girls training hadnt progressed very far yet. He had high hope's for the former Princess, but it seemed she would have to remember she was no longer a royalty, expected to take calls at the border. He turned his frown to Azure as the pup appeared, and made his remark. It was almost demure for the arrogant son, who had pushes seers buttons far worst in the past. 'Lamp post' indeed. Azure, as heir, could be expected to be here.

"Skyfire, check the kill stocks before you sleep tonight, and give me your report after I'm done here." It was a gentler dismissal then he would have given. She hadn't been her long, so she still had rules to learn. The possessive bastard wouldn't want her making a habit of answering alpha calls, who knew when it might be a challange or a threat.

"Indeed I do, this is Azure, one of my heirs." He introduced the boy, gently nudging the boy on the shoulder. a subtle hint for him to behave, and a much gentler rebuke then he had recieved in the past.

"Take the pack to Ashen instead, and see if they wish to make use of the gift. I have not yet decided if we should trade, but thank you for the offer. As for the festival, I would be interested in hearing further details." He did not want to take something from the alpha, and feel he owed her something. The neutrality of the Armada was important at this stage in its life. He didnt think its alpha was the sort to take offence, but he supposed you could never tell. Regardless, Sirius believed he could take the glowing wolf, despite the effects of her glowing coat, it she did decide to take dislike to his words.

Skyfire was pleased to see Aurielle and the baubles she brought, but suddenly lowered herself when she caught the glare from Sirius. What? She was close by and it wasn't like she was doing anything wrong, but perhaps she was. Both adults were alphas, and perhaps this was alpha business she was interrupting. Skyfire frowned a bit as Sirius barked his orders. Of course she was being assigned something to do before the end of the night. Skyfire wanted to say something back, but then remembered what Aurielle had talked to her about some time ago. Skyfire couldn't, and would not, bark back. She lived in a different time and place and her behavior must change. So with that, Skyfire sat taller and gave a nod in response.

"Yes, sir. It was good to see you again, Aurielle."

Skyfire smiled with some sadness, but acknowledged she had a duty to perform. With that, Skyfire headed off back in the direction she came to go check the kill stocks. If everyone had been hunting in the way that they were supposed to, they would be stocked. If they weren't, then there had to be some filling of it. Perhaps Skyfire would be responsible with restocking it later. Her gray and blackened fur faded off into the distance as she made her way back into packland, and away from the gathering.

-Skyfire dips out-

Azure sat by quietly as Sirius dismissed the student, watching her leave before turning back to the brightly glowing wolf. He'd put out the feelers, he'd been rude and from his father received no reprimand. That was a good sign, it meant this wolf was not someone he necessarily needed to respect. Not an Armada recruit nor a close friend or family member. He could work with that. When the alpha failed to acknowledge his insult Azure knew he got under her skin. It was thrilling in some way, not as good as physically bloodying something but definitely still fun. If anything it was better that she'd chosen to ignore his insult, and once she'd turned away from him without reply he barked out a sharp laugh.   "The lights are on but no one's home." Azure pointed out to his father with a grin, lifting his arm to nudge the warlord's shoulder with his elbow. "Get it? Lights?" Another cackle followed and the boy shook his head in amusement at his own joke. Whatever the repercussion Azure knew it would be absolutely worth it. At least he'd gotten another jab in before he was dismissed. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."