Aurielle Adravendi

She sat, gazing out toward the south and the ocean beyond the Estuary that lined Valhalla’s south border. At the top of the hill, she meditated on the weather and the spring that refused to behave as a spring should. Soon her children would join her. They were yearlings, ready to rise in the Circles they chose, or to seek their own paths in the world. She’d had Red join her as well, as they were his children too. This was a family conversation, and Regulus was on his way up as well—she could hear the tired pants as the crimson man worked his way up the stone and gravel laid path that now led up to the tower, though this was still a foundation and tightly packed dirt ground, to be laid with stone after the tower structure was built. There was a lot to do, and she looked forward to seeing how the structure went. She hummed out a sigh, breath fogging the air, eyes roving the horizon before drifting to the path as the tread of paws, young and old drew closer. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Laoise had promised her Mother that she would meet her and the rest of the family earlier that day and now it was time. Her slender but strong russet legs carried her swiftly and surely to the structure that was being built in the center of the plains and then up. It wasn't long before she caught sight of the bright red pelt of her Grandfather, his pants heavy and tired as the old wolf made his way towards the top. Lee slowed her pace to match his once she was beside him, greeting the older man warmly, helping him when needed if the old wolf would allow. Once they were at the top Lee's dual blue eyes found both her parents waiting for her and her siblings and a bright smile glowed on her elegant features.

"Hi Mama, Papa!" she said to them after she made sure Regulus was settled ok before she found a place next to both her parents and her grandfather. She had some idea what this family chat was going to be about. She and her siblings where a year old now and it was probably time that they chose what circle they wanted to belong too. And if that was the case then Lee had little doubt of where she wanted to join. Herbs had always fascinated her and helping to heal Cairo's wound during the raid, even if it was only a minor wound, was exhilarating in its own way and only strengthened her desire to continue on this path. The brindle and coal colored girl waited eagerly for the rest fo the family to join them, her sapphire and ice blue eyes scanning the horizon nearly identical as her mother did.

They were a year old now, and she'd been testing out different things to try and figure out what she wanted to do. She wasn't quite interested in fighting too much. She didn't care much for hunting, either. She fancied exploring and herbs more, the girl coming up with her own little mixtures for perfumes and oils to make things smell nice. She hadn't quite figured out that perfect niche that she wanted, but herbology seemed like a good start so far. As she approached the hill, she spotted her sister Laoise there with her grandfather and parents. She offered them a smile, as she approached them, tail wagging. "Hello!" She greeted as she moved to sit and wait for the others to arrive.

It was shocking to Red, seated beside his mate, to think it had already been a year since their litter had come into the world. It seemed like everything had happened so quickly - leaving home, joining Valhalla, falling in love - but the years had rolled along without him fully aware of how mich time had truly past. Thoughtfully, he turned his head to gently rest his chin over Aurielle's neck, drawing her close for a moment before their children and his father in law arrived. The remonder of how much time had passed made him think again of Conall, and wish he could have introduced his children and mate to his elder twin brother. He wondered if his brother had married and had his own heir to their family's throne. Did he have nieces and nephews there, far away in his homeland? Ruaidhrí cousins for the Adravendi pups? Drawn from his far-away thoughts by his daughters' pawsteps, he turned a warm smile of welcome to them both.

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

He was burdened with the packs full of flat slate stones draped over his back, so it took him longer to reach the hillock from the stream and make the climb up the fledgling road to the top. It was both a contribution to the tower and a training exercise to strengthen his muscles and build stamina. He was finishing off a small growth spurt that put him nearly level with his father, or maybe his grandfather, and he was glad the little aches and pains of a growing body had faded for now. His tail torched briefly, by now almost as long as his mother’s, while his mane hung to his elbows at the longest around the withers. He was showing promise of the man he’d become in a year’s time. He popped into view onto the summit of the hill, tongue lolling in a steady pant and his legs feeling watery, but as he sat and unclasped the packs from his back and joined his family, he was satisfied. Not long ago he’d have just flopped to the ground and wheezed until he got his wind back. He nudged his grandfather’s shoulder affectionately, offering the same affections to each of his sisters that had arrived before him, his mother, and then his father before moving to flop on the ground, tail sweeping side to side in a trail of coal and sparks, ears perked with alert interest as he gazed at his parents. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Coran was the last to arrive.  The pale brindled wolf preferred to aim for being first but apparently one couldn’t always make that happen.  The boy had been roaming the border of the pack when he had scented trouble.  The weather made hunting harder on everyone and that meant some predators were growing bolder with more testing how close they could get to the pack land for hunting. The scent was that of a bear and had him leaving to see exactly how close it was. After a time he decided it had been moving away instead of closer so no actual fight had happened.  However, it had made him late.  The boy loped up to the group, offering each member of his family a friendly wag and dip of his head in greeting.   Heading to take a seat near Ardyn, glancing at the pack then back at his brother with a small grin, “you look tired from carrying that little ol’ thing?” A mild tease knowing how much work it would really be before turning his attention from siblings and grandfather to finally rest on both of his parents. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Aoife had been preoccupied with working on a song and lost track of time, until Anja had showed up to bully her into putting away the lute and go to the meeting with her family. Since Anja had insisted that she get there quickly and the leopard had somewhat longer legs than Aoife, Aoife in turn had insisted the leopard give her a ride. Anja in turn had punished her with a blisteringly fast pace, taken at a cat's bounding rum rather than a wolf-lope. Luckily the leopard's pale, long winter coat gave her something for her dexterous paws to grip, or she'd have been digging her own cat-like claws in to stay on. When they were within a reasonable distance Anja slid to a stop and Aoife let herself tumble off, somersaulting back to her paws gracefully and padding up the hill to join her family, the last of the litter to arrive but seemingly not at all contrite about her tardiness.

[Skipping Regulus since I need to do alpha posts and my energy leash may not be very long tonight @.@]

Aurielle Adravendi

She leaned into Red as he embraced her, eyes warm with contentment as the children began to arrive, her father among them. Their sons and daughters, all here, all healthy, each one unique and intelligent. She wasn’t certain all of them would remain here in Valhalla, and so she cherished the warm glow of looking upon them all in one place. They were yearlings, halfway to adulthood and, she admitted, she almost wished they were still tiny bundles of fur tucked at her belly. She gazed upon them with love, pressing into Red’s side as she said, “I am proud of each of you. The seasons have flown by, and here you all are, yearlings already. And so, as you know, it’s time you began to choose your paths in life.” Her eyes touched each face, from the tallest to the shortest. “I’d love to know where you’d like to go in life, whether it’s to run in the Circles of Valhalla, or explore the world. If you haven’t decided yet, you don’t have to answer right away.” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Laoise Adravendi

Lee soaked up her mother's words of praise, his charcoal tail wagging softly behind her as she smiled brightly and just as she had guessed on the way here, Aurielle wanted to know what path they wanted to take. Laoise did not need to think on it, see knew where her passion was and the goal she had in mind. It might have been a bit ambitious of her but she was determined and she would work hard to show her mother she was worthy of the spot. Lee waited a brief moment to see if her siblings would speak up first, her dual colored eyes looking over them fondly before she returned her gaze to her mother and father. "Máthair, Athair." she spoke up, using the old language before switching over to the common tongue"I have found that I have a great passion for the healing arts and herb studies. I would like to continue my knowledge of healing and herbs to help aid our pack. When I have gained enough knowledge and have earned the right, I would like to become one of Valhalla's Cures." Her ears shifted forward to catch her parents reply, her heart bounding in her chest with nerves and her blue eyes watched their faces intently to gauge their reaction. She knew her parents were always loving and supportive but that did not stop the slight nervousness that they would not approve. Lee made sure to hold her posture straight and proper like she had seen her mother do before. She could only hope it made her look strong and elegant as the older woman to portray her determination and certainty she had in her decision. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think