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[Aku Ambirfyn-Exultare]

It was a rare occasion, the boy decided, that the day was flourishing into something rather splendid. In the midst of the Vargo he wandered, his direction aimless, but his joy and desire for adventure was prevalent. The moons of this New Year seemed to hold the young Prince within his home realm, but he did not appear to mind. Although he did wander north and at times south, he was rather content exploring every crevice and unturned stone within the Vargo. Spring was on its way, this he could feel in his bones, but the cold was still in existence, and it penetrated every creature in the dead of night. However, this late-January day offered a hint of sunshine and a gentle breeze. Each step that the boy took, he lunged twice, and he did this for a few kilometers. The scent of a rabbit trailed all along the snow-covered earth, but the wolf knew better than to run along and track it. He required quiet and patience for this duty, but his impatience toyed with him, hence his lunging. As he neared a cluster of pine, his body sunk to the earth and he began stalking. His pale blue eyes were filled with the form of the phased-white bunny, and his belly bellowed its battle cry. His last attempt ended horribly, when the rabbit soared through the air and plummeted down right on his head. Its powerful legs had kicked and flailed, and the long nails had actually left a small wound on the boy’s head. Now, it was pay back, even if this was not the same rabbit. The rolling hills of the Vargo offered a vast plain for rabbits to burrow, and a perfect place to lead a chase. Lucky for the young wolf, the rabbit lay nestled beneath the tree in what appeared to be a half dug hole. Without a second thought, or to run through his strategy, the beast lunged forward with all of the speed he could muster. In a matter of seconds the rabbit jumped up, and the boy hit the earth, only to have the creature land on his backside and spring off of him. Quickly, he maneuvered his body so he was facing the beast’s direction, and again he launched himself at it with gaping jaws. ’Mine! Mine!’ he though desperately, and a menacing growl left his open lips in a thunderous pitch. And then there he lay, with the rabbit squirming between his powerful jaws, only four feet from the pine tree. All it would take to end the feeble creature’s life was a tightening of his grip, but Aku seemed to cackle at the animal’s fear and attempts at escape.

[Nahrus Exultare]

ooc:

These grounds that had become her own some time ago still did not fell as though they were, and yet she perused them as if to make any none the wiser to this inner turmoil. They were not the great mountains of the North, but neither were the Lemures and for a time, they had been made into a home. But it truth it was the company that made that land a home, her beloved sibling and the pack she tended to. They were what made that lone range of treacherous mountains a home when they lacked the true appearance of the lands ruled by the Exultare lineage.

Some would look to this gap of homely affection as an opportunity to alter that status. It was an awarded opportunity to take what was given and make it into the longed for home that had been destroyed. But the autumn woman would contest in her own silent language, was that even possible? Without her sister’s guiding paw, without that same bond and adoration for the pack she led, could she make these lands into the Heiroja that was her sibling’s vision? With the abundant disconnect of ruler to subordinate, of fickle minding serfs and the loyal knights, it was difficult to discern. Yet… she hadn’t given up yet. She walked these lands in her somber gait, but in her heart and mind she felt herself trying each day to turn this place into the home she longed for. Into the strong, formidable fortress the Northern Mountains were known to be in her memory.

But no fortress could be made without first a single stone. Heiroja would not see its fruition without the guidance and continuation of its respected bloodline. And she could hear the voice of the son of the first brood upon this new land, the true future of an entire bloodline set in his veins. For him, what he could do for their namesake, she could smile in hearing his determined voice, the cackling of success and capture despite its gruesome origin. She walked swiftly toward the inhabited pine, waving both head and tail in greeting before proceeding with the welcome of their bloodline; a delicate kiss to the crown as a sign of favor and acknowledgement, regardless of the rank of this new land. The frantic cries of the rabbit was but noise that had fallen deep into the background of the quiet as she eyes and full attention was set lovingly on the child below her.

“Aku...”

"Speak", Think, Do

Table by Sie and Header by Zyn

[Aku Ambirfyn-Exultare]

The taste of the rabbit’s blood was tangy and sweet, and it was as if the boy could not get enough. In an attempt to suckle and keep the beast in his jaws, Aku lowered his head and laid both forearms on the rabbit’s body. Perhaps it was the pressure applied to either side of the rabbit, or the fear pumping through its veins, for the puncture wounds split further. The scream of the rabbit sent a shudder up the boy’s back, but as a kiss descended upon his head, he jumped to his paws. ”Aunt Nahrus!” the boy exclaimed, and his tail flapped at his side in excitement, even though his fur stood on end. Without a second thought, Aku jumped at the female and rubbed himself against her affectionately. The feel of the woman’s silken fur, and her own sweet scent, drew soft whines from the boy, even as he pulled away. ”Sorry. It’s been so long since.. Since, well, since I’ve seen anyone.” A big, toothy grin plastered itself upon his face, and a low, awkward laugh left him. Quickly, he seated himself in front of the woman, and his adolescent features fell serious. ”Is there something you require of me, Auntie?” he asked bluntly, before biting his lip. ”I mean, my queen.” with her formal title spoken, Aku’s mind was suddenly filled with questions about Azren, the King. ”Did I do something to displease his Majesty?” As he blurted out his assumption, the blue of Aku’s eyes seemed to blanch and grow wide with fear. ”I spoke to a woman.. A witch! She was called Athena..,” his voice rose immediately as he started speaking, but before he could say more, he stopped himself and frowned. After a moment of pondering, weighing the consequences of admitting to anything, he continued slowly. ”Was I not to speak to her? Of course, if I was not to, I can see why. She spoke fondly of another man who called himself a King, when I spoke of Azren..”

[Nahrus Exultare]

ooc:

She cared little for the formalities of engaging another packmate. All the pomp and ascension of the head and tail as show of rank was pointless when set against the importance of family; the true family birthed from their ancestor’s name. The queen was heartened by the adorations of her nephew even though the touch was brief and in him reined the teachings of rank and proper conduct. Smiling, she lowered her front to the ground in a playful bow before lifting a paw to touch his crown. Were they not beyond these silly facets that he would not look to her as family? What of the days when he was a pup always gnawing at her tail and crying for his mother when she was away on the hunt? What of the boy that rekindled the desire for her own wayward brood?

Then from his playful bout came the fear in his voice. Such a sound invoked a whine of confusion and tilt of her auburn crown as she brought her form to lie fully on the ground. Why would be assume to be in trouble? What transgression had he committed that warranted this fear? Nahrus looked to the boy and whined in assurance, fanning her tail mildly to convey her contentment. Still a woman of few spoken words, she preserved the title as the boy continued still, speaking of the deranged Athena as if to confess what wrong the pack may have heard of. Shaking her head, she woofed softly for his calm and silence, procuring not the role of Alphess but as caretaker, surrogate… mother.

“…your crime is that you have neglected your caretaker,” her voice was soft, but a hint of the spring to follow this dreadful winter. “What duty is there for her to fulfill if her charge remains absent from his lessons?”

"Speak", Think, Do

Table by Sie and Header by Zyn

[Aku Ambirfyn-Exultare]

Every little movement from Nahrus startled the boy. As if in an instant he would be prepared to dart away, he looked as if he were about to partake of a sacred dance. Would she find his acts treasonous? An odd, ethereal feeling washed over the boy, and his flesh and coat twitched violently as he shuddered. Athena may have put a curse on him. The idea struck him funny when the woman who resembled his mother so much finally spoke, silencing his rambling; her voice entirely silenced the nagging of displeasure and fear. She was not violent with rage, nor did she show the fear that anger was so often mistaken for. Perhaps she knew of the odd behavior that the old hag possessed? For whatever reason, the young beast was thankful. Feeling blessed, he smiled politely and inched closer to the woman. However, when she spoke of a crime, he froze instantly. “…your crime is that you have neglected your caretaker,” A whine of confusion escaped the boy, but it quickly merged with a huff of false indignation. ”Sorry,” he managed to sneak in, before she finished speaking. “What duty is there for her to fulfill if her charge remains absent from his lessons?” Her. She spoke of herself being in charge of him, and the fear was almost overwhelming. So somebody did notice the lack of his presence. Instinctively, his tail lay pinned at his backside, against his hind leg, and wagged. ”Well, I, uh.. I was exploring!” he announced, almost matter-of-factly. A grin stretched across his face as he nudged her playfully, and jumped back nimbly. ”Besides,” he barked happily, puffing out his chest in a dramatic show. ”I helped somebody in need.” Proudly, he stood tall and allowed his tail to wave above his back like a banner in the wind. The name of the pretty female was on his tongue, and as he blinked, he spoke fondly of her, ”Her name is Terramorn. She’s love—,“ he stopped himself right there, and his gaze snapped open. ”She likes to fish!” he blurted suddenly, smiling awkwardly.