Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Taliesyn had gladly opened his large cave to a story-telling evening once more, and Ardyn had sent Lyr and Sädir out to spread the word to Valhalla that anyone was welcome to come and lounge by the fire in Taliesyn’s grotto, feast on food and tell tales, both fictional and true. With Kairi’s children old enough to explore, he trusted his sisters, Legacy and Eramaya to guide them to the spot if they wanted to come. He’d taken on some of the parenting duties while specifics were ironed out with their father. He’d ferried several packages of meat and mild alcohols to the grotto and arrayed them, with the drink well above pup reach, just in case, and soon a fire crackled softly in the pit at the center of the grotto, where the smoke could escape, and everyone could fit around the fire without being too close. Finally, he lounged on the piles of furs, front paws crossed as he waited to see if anyone felt like joining him. Taliesyn was farther back in the grotto, though he knew the stallion would be settling in a few paces behind him soon enough. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

These whispers of a gathering had resonated with her. While she hadn’t spoken to anyone directly, she was able to pick out details by overhearing conversations in passing. While a part of her felt guilty about imposing on the customs of her hosts, the curiosity that flooded her was just too difficult to ignore. Besides, if she was not welcome, she was sure that the worst outcome would be her being asked to leave. And that, she would be respectful of.

Eventide had already set in, so she could plainly see the glow of fire reaching out from what she understood to be Taliesyn’s Grotto. Though, she had never been. Approaching the threshold, she was greeted with scents of the prepared festivities and familiar acquaintances. Cassiela had originally intended on being able to slip in unnoticed and reside near the edge of those gathered. From what she could tell, she was actually one of the first to arrive. She immediately regretted not waiting longer. Her excitement had gotten the better of her. But even still, she was here and would cause more of a disturbance turning back now. “Hello?” She offered lightly, taking a moment for her eyes to adjust to the lighting. But after a moment longer, her emerald gaze found the red and blue glow of the motif that decorated the Ard Rí’s face,  who otherwise blended into the surroundings at first glance. “Ardyn.” She offered a gentle nod in greeting, though a smirk threatened her own features. “Sorry, you blended in.” She sheepishly added, voicing her earlier thought. Normally, he would be easily picked out with his own warm glow … but here, it was a little more difficult to tell if it was his luminescence, or the actual fire’s.

The ashen fae wandered inward, finding a fur of her own at a conversational distance across from the much larger male. Her attention was briefly cast towards the entrance, checking to see if anyone had come in behind her. But at the same time, she drew a breath. “You assured me there was plenty of lore …” Cassi started, a light of amusement reflecting in her expression. “But do you have any idea as to where to start?” She asked with a friendly playfulness, as she found his mismatched gaze beneath his ornately ingrained mask.  

Taliesyn’s little grotto was tucked into the flank of the hill like a foal against its dam’s side. It was roomy, important considering the stallion that lived there when he wasn’t out patrolling the wall or walking the herds watching for animals the wolves could cull. The back of the cave was deceptive. From the mouth it looked as though there was nothing more to the back wall, but in truth there was a switchback into a private little alcove, perhaps the size of a comfortable stall if his mother had been present to put words to it. Taliesyn had ducked around to snag a few more furs for the pile by the fire. A voice from outside echoed back and he smiled to himself. The first of the story-time guests had arrived, it seemed. It wasn’t a voice he recognized, so he supposed this must be either one of the newcomers Ardyn had accepted, or the guesting lady… Cassiela, if his memory served him rightly. The stallion plucked a large bear hide up into his blunt teeth and gave his head a solid swing, swirling the hide up and over his back like a heavy cape, then repeated the process with several other furs before trundling around the corner with a dull clip clop of huge hooves on the stone floor. Pausing by the pile of furs, the stallion tipped his head around and pulled the furs to drop on the pile before smiling in welcome to the woman and settling in his preferred spot toward the back. Among the group once it was gathered, but leaving space for them to move around his rather large frame. Pups being pups, he had little doubt that if any of the younglings came to listen or tell stories, he’d be a climbing challenge. “Good evening; I am Taliesyn.” The stallion introduced himself with a dip of his horned head to Cassiela before regarding Ardyn with a smile, adding, “I’m sure there will be some good tales this evening.” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

You couldn't kill me if you tried Word of a story time at Tal's grotto reached her and Tel finished up her quick patrol before heading over to meet whoever decided to show up. It had been a while since she had heard a story, and she was curious to know what would be told around the fires today. She was always the inquisitive one, absorbing tales and information like a sponge and, of course, she loved her history. Having learned about Valhalla from Ardyn and Aurielle, she had learned there was a lot to Valhalla's history. Her own? Well...she had no idea. She was born. And her parents were missing. That's all she knew about herself. It saddened her that she might never know who they were, but at least she could pretend that they were good people and had a reason for leaving her behind. She saw the light of the fire flickering in the caves entrance up ahead, and she decided to dim her own glow enough so that it wouldn't blind anyone upon her entrance to the grotto. Stormy eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, her claws clicking slightly upon the ground before she remembered to sheath them. Ardyn's familiar form was the first in her line of sight, followed by Taliesyn, and finally, someone she did not recognize. "Hello! It's a fine night for storytelling, I think," She made her way over towards Ardyn, settling a foot or two from him, and hoped he didn't mind. Glancing toward the woman, she added "My name is Tel'Teukiira, but you can call me Tel for short, it's nice to meet you and I hope you enjoy the evening," "Speak"

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Cassiela was the first to arrive, and at first, she didn’t see him. He grinned, sabers flashing in the firelight as the ink-black fur around the solid glow of his markings flared, at her remark, and he nodded. “Always nice to blend in from time to time. Welcome to the night’s story-time. The others should be arriving soon enough. They’ll probably trickle in over the course of the evening.” His head tipped at her next words, half a nod and half a query. “Oh, many. If no one else has any stories to tell, I can start us all off.” Taliesyn’s hooves clipped on the stone floor before the furs muffled them. The furs the stallion had brought out dropped, sending a whoosh of air through the grotto as the glowing white horse lowered himself comfortably into the furs and introduced himself to Cassiela. Tel was next and Ardyn smiled at the woman, letting her make her own introduction while he watched to see if anyone else would arrive in the initial opening of the event. When none did, Ardyn straightened slightly and scanned teh small beginnings of a gathering as he stated cheerfully, “Well, I think we’ve enough to get a start while others make their way here. Do any of you have stories to tell? Legends of old? Made up tales? Maybe even dreams you had recently that you managed to remember?” His eyes flicked between each face, ears perked with interest. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think