Having just settled into The Polar Sound, Azoula hadn’t had the time to explore the territory in more detail. She could smell the salty tinge of ocean water in the air- could hear the crashing of waves against a rocky beach down in the valley- but she hadn’t seen it for herself yet. And the mountain range that rose on both sides of the valley, it looked expansive and well-adorned in greenery and towering trees. She’d need to locate an appropriate location to create an enclosure for their herd of goats. Tsk, so many tasks.

In the early morning hours, before the sun had risen in the east and The Polar Sound was lit in early twilight colors, Azoula would gather Delaeni. Instructing the girl to accompany her, while most of the pack members were still asleep. Once the girl emerged from the Sidi dens, Azoula would embrace her with intricate physicalities- running the length of their bodies together, engulfing Laney until she’d rubbed her scent all over the girl. Another reminder of who she belonged to. She’d motion for her to follow her then, making their way through the territory at a slow, even pace.

They’d navigate the valley first- weaving in and out of the forest, stopping to admire the towering pines that harbored small prey and birds alike. On the forest floor, was an array of short grasses, lichens coating the trunks of the pines in an array of colors and patterns. "What do you think of your new home, Laney?" She’d purr, as they continued on.


"Speech"

Delaeni's heart swelled with a mixture of awe and gratitude as she followed Azoula through the breathtaking landscape of The Polar Sound. The early morning air was crisp and invigorating, carrying with it the tangy scent of saltwater and pine. As they ventured deeper into the valley, Delaeni's senses were overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of their surroundings. The towering rock faces on either side of the valley seemed to reach up to the heavens, their rugged slopes adorned with patches of vibrant greenery and cascading waterfalls that sparkled like diamonds in the soft light of dawn. Delaeni couldn't help but marvel at the sight, her teal eyes wide with wonder as she took in every detail of the awe-inspiring scenery. The forest was alive with the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves, and Delaeni found herself entranced by the tranquil melody of nature. Tall pine trees stretched towards the sky, their branches swaying gently in the breeze as shafts of golden sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor below.

When Azoula spoke, her voice broke through the tranquil silence like a gentle breeze, pulling Delaeni out of her reverie. She turned to look at the tigress, a soft smile playing on her lips. "It's... it's beautiful, Azoula," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Was Sephiran happy to see you?" Her words were timid, but curious as to how well their reception had been. Delaeni having not seen Sephiran yet herself.

"Delaeni Terblanche"

In the trees, an array of wildlife was rummaging through the pine needles- using the canopy of greenery as their home, working in tandem to create a symphony of sounds. Chirping birds, chattering squirrels, mammals scuttling, and even the buzzing of insects. And the scent in the air, it was quite charming- a salty mix of ocean water and the sharp tinge of pine needle, with undertones of churned-up soil. In the distance, waterfalls poured down with fresh water, creating rivers and streams throughout the domain. The soft roar of the rumbling falls enhancing the forest symphony. Sephiran had truly picked a flourishing territory where they would thrive. Leading Laney to the end of the forest, they headed toward the rocky beach of the ocean inlet.

An ear flicked towards the girl out of reflex, a smile tugging at her lips. Laney thought it was beautiful, which made Azoula…. Happy. But at the mention of Sephiran, she was overcome with a more serious expression. “Mmm, Sephiran. He received us, in agreement that I will be his EFFENDI- KÖLE.” She’d muse aloud, as they emerged from the tree line and onto the beach. The oceanside here was truly magnificent- a harbor with unknown depths spread for miles between the rock faces, creating a sanctuary for an array of sea life. Slowly, they’d walk along the shore, navigating it for all of its worth. "Avoid him, Laney. I feel he’s... worse than Apollyon.” She was blunt with her warning, eyes shifting to Laney, as she wanted the weight of this to be known. He’s a monster.

"Speech"

Delaeni's eyes widened in shock at Azoula's words, her heart sinking at the mention of what she believed Sephiran to be capable of. Apollyon had been cruel, she couldn’t fathom anyone possibly being worse than that. It set her on edge and caused genuine fear to taint her heart. “How do we avoid the Sultan, Azoula!?” She whined as the advice she was beginning contradicted everything she was conditioned to do. Her paniced breaths increasing the more she thought about it. “We can’t defy him. It’ll just make things worse. W-w-what do we do?” There was very little that could be done. "What do we do, Azoula!? Her tone one of desperation.

As they strolled along the shore, Delaeni was struck by a sense of foreboding that seemed to cling to the air. The rocky beach stretched out before them, with sharp and jagged rocks littered across the sand, as if guarding against intruders. The waves crashed aggressively against the shore, their powerful rhythm echoing in her ears. Despite the tranquility of the ocean's vast expanse, there was an underlying threat that lingered beneath the surface. She gazed out at the boundless blue waters, mesmerized by its unpredictable nature. In the distance, seabirds glided gracefully above the waves, their haunting calls carrying over the tranquil scene. As she took in the sights and sounds around her, Delaeni couldn't help but feel a mixture of fear and wonder for this untamed place. She was filled with an overwhelming sense of dread, and all she could do was gawk at their surroundings, praying Azoula had a solution.

"Delaeni Terblanche"

The girl spiraled into a panic, unable to fathom the idea of avoiding the Sultan. Any other pack member would rejoice this, as it was a testament to her through conditioning. But to Azoula, it was a nuisance- bevies Dalaeni would purposely put herself in harms way, because she’d been trained to do so. “Shhh, calm yourself.” She purred, stopping suddenly and turning her body into Laney, to press their sides together. “Avoiding him is not defying him.”  She said, correcting Laney, and trying to soothe her with the comfort of her closeness. “When he comes to the Sidi dens, you keep your head low. Don’t draw attention to yourself- let him pick someone else.” Don’t stand out, and don’t offer yourself to him. It would be a hard concept for Laney to swallow, but it would help keep her safe.

And once she’d calmed Laney down, Azoula would motion for her to continue their journey. Pulling herself away, and prowling along the rocky shoreline until they reach the end. Out in the distance, Azoula saw the formation of a massive, dome-shaped island- a volcano that had sunken into itself, creating a treacherous mountain range that reached up into the heavens. Towards the crown of the dome, there was a forest. But beyond that, she couldn’t see much without visiting it themselves. “We will go there next, Daelaeni.” She says, turning to look back at the girl. “But not today- the tides are too strong at this time of the day.” She’d seen it at the beach, right? How the waves crashed aggressively against the shore, indicating the high tide and treacherous undercurrents.

After gazing upon the island, Azoula felt content with her journey through The Polar Sound. She’d seen all the major landmarks, found all the clearings in the forest, navigated the beach and found the closest access point to the island. And so, she’d find a comfortable spot on the beach, reclining down onto her belly and motioning for Laney to do the same. Azoula would talk with Laney for the rest of the afternoon, simply enjoying the company of her… friend.  

"Speech"

As Azoula comforted her, Delaeni felt a sense of relief wash over her. She tried to calm her racing heart, focusing on Azoula's words. Avoiding Sephiran didn't mean defying him, it meant staying safe. She nodded, trying to steady her breathing as she absorbed the tigress's instructions. Keep her head low, don't draw attention, let him pick someone else. It went against everything she had been taught, but she trusted Azoula's guidance. She needed to blend in, to survive. "Okay, Azoula. I ... I'll try my best to avoid him." She wasn't entire sure how she was going to manage that just yet. But she would try.

Once she had regained her composure, Delaeni followed Azoula as they continued their journey along the shoreline. She marveled at the rugged beauty of the rocky beach, the waves crashing against the shore with a powerful force that resonated deep within her. The seabirds circled overhead, their cries echoing in the air as they searched for food among the rocks. Delaeni couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the untamed nature of their surroundings.

As they reached the end of the shoreline, Delaeni's gaze was drawn to the massive dome-shaped island in the distance. The volcano that had sunken into itself, creating a towering mountain range that seemed to pierce the sky. She shivered at the thought of venturing into such a treacherous place, but she trusted Azoula to keep her safe. When Azoula mentioned that they would visit the island next, but not today due to the strong tides, Delaeni nodded in agreement. She was content to explore the beach for now, to bask in the warmth of the sun and enjoy the company of her friend.

-End thread-

"Delaeni Terblanche"