the north provides

all are are welcome to reply <3

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The cold air whipped the man's fur around, nipped at the exposed skin of his nose and ears. Icy fingers threaded themselves in his fur, scraping their nails against his skin. It was a comfort. The Vasiliev had lived in the snow for as long as Cassian could remember, perhaps even as far back as his grandfather's grandfather. The ice was in their veins, their hearts, in their very being. They were the keepers of the ice. And forever would be, so long as he lived.

Cassian trailed his gaze over the icy peaks of The Vale, his land. In the distance, he could just make out the waves lapping at the shores. Cass did not quite recall seeing them in the past, but only the Gods knew what happened during his slumber. One thing he did notice was the absence of his cousin and, her. He wondered if she thought of him as much as he did her, or if she missed him. However, Cass knew better than to dream about things that were long gone.

The prince made his way down the eastern border, determined to find traces of the past. Would the skeletal remains of Dunja greet him? Or would even they be erased from this world? Cassian paused as a thought suddenly appeared. Was he alone once more? Once again, forced to experience the new world without a companion? Not even his beloved Sylvan awoke, her pale body frozen mid-flight in the wall of ice. The only sign of the past that he could find on his walk.

With a flick of his ears, Cass came to the edge of The Vale, azure eyes peering out into the unknown. Within his soul, he knew this would be the start of something new, but how, he did not know.

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Cold.

One step. 

Cold.

Another.

Cold.

Snow flurried, whipping and swirling from winds that howled. The frost nipped at her dark nostrils, aggravating the cloak of coal and ash. The snow numbed at dainty paws not made for such harsh conditions. And eyes of deep oceans strained, looking at the sky swollen, full of snow. Yet the horizon was peaked with pale hues of blush pink, deeper rouge as the sun began to hide behind the towering peaks. 

Where am I?

Haze, her brain clouded with blur. She could not think. A thick fog, much like the mist of morning, lay upon her mind. The last thing she could remember was....

Panic.

It squoze against her heart, her pulse galloping like a racehorse. Her throat enclosed as she tired to yell-

Then came a figure, a silhouette. Large and foreboding that made her bright eyes widen. Ash-tipped ears pinned to her dark skull. Her head turned to the right, nothing but snow- even her paw-prints had been erased. No way forward, no way back. She had no choice. Friend or foe. Fight or flight.

@Cassian

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he's mean and this was short im so sorry ;-;

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Cassian's nose twitched as a new scent suddenly filled the area. Great, a stranger. He knew he needed to recruit members, but at the same time, Cass hated strangers. Hated the forced greeting, the cogs working to figure out if they meant to fight or wanted shelter. Cass wished it was a simple interaction, like the other was, but he knew better than to dream. Without another thought, he carried himself towards the shape some feet away. Their fresh scent made his nose wrinkle. It felt almost, offensive. The Vale had a scent to it that Cassian had grown to love; snow and mint. Fresh, home.

“State your purpose.” His tone left no room for questions or lies. Cassian was forward, straight to the point. His cold gaze trailed over the stranger, their small frame making him sigh. The prince came closer, clearly enjoying the advantage his size gave him. The sense of power it gave him made his posture straighten more, his chest to puff out. To a fellow Philoi, a quick glance at the prince would have them imagining they were looking upon the old King of Philos. Cassian had even perfected the ever cold expression that fell upon his face, creating a shield between him and the stranger.

Cassian silently angled himself to block the path behind him, a wall should they decide to force their way through.

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The winds seemed to scream a larger siren song, as the figure changed forms. No longer a shadow- but a man. A beast. As he loomed closer- her mind reeled. Recalling snarls. Could she hear them in the winds? Whispers of those gone?
What is happening?
Marked in slate and frosted white. With eyes that seemed callous and as cold as the snows that nipped at her paws. Emerie felt that familiar pit in her stomach,

Breathe. 

And her throat tighten. 

Breathe.

"State your purpose."

His tone was not welcoming. One that snapped her from her spiralling thoughts, feeling like icicles had carved their way though into her chest.

"I-I'm sorry," She began. Voice soft, breaking. Quivering like a whelp. It took a lot of strength for her posture to not cower. She forced herself to show some form of confidence, so her tail did not curl, yet her head lowered, and ears swivelled. Forcing a swallow, she drew in a deep breath to steel the sudden nerves that took a hold, she noticed...

Mint. 

She had wondered into pack territory- it explained the high and mighty demeanour. And while she wanted to tuck tail and run, she had no other option. 

Nyke kostagon gaomagon bisa.- (I can do this.)

Her mother had taught her to be confident. Strong. Oh how the heart ached for her guidance here, for protection. To...
No.
She was on her own now. She had to figure out what had happened... where she was. And, while hazy and disorientated.... pieces were coming back together. With every passing moment spent, her mind began to catch up with its self. 

So Emerie, peered up at the man. Forced herself away from the nerves, and met his gaze.

"I do not mean to trespass! At all. I-I...Qrugh (Shit)"

That did not go well. Shaking her head, Emerie sighed.

"W-would you mind telling me where I am?"

Nyke daor kesīr naejot vīlībagon. (I am not here to fight.)

@Cassian

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---

Cassian simply watched the quivering woman, pale eyes mirroring the ice of Philos. He did feel some guilt at making her feel that afraid of him, but he knew a healthy amount of fear would keep her from attacking him. The man kept his distance from the woman, but he kept an almost predatory stance as he studied her. She was not entirely submissive, but her posture spoke volumes. She was not one to hide in the face of a challenge. She'd be perfect.

The prince blinked at her stuttered apology before he answered the woman's answers with a cool indifference. “You are on Philos land.” Cassian did not feel the need to be harsh to the woman, but he kept himself guarded. His eyes searched her for injuries, though he did his best to look disinterested. “What is your name?” Cass asked with a tilt of his head. The poor thing was shaking. With a sigh, he motioned behind him. “And come on, I don't want you freezing to death.”

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skill: recruiter

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You are not scared.

She forced herself. The shakes seemed not just to be the cold. And yet this figure, this unwavering force of a man simply...stood there, indifferent? Unphased.

How? 

These thoughts zoomed around her mind, rushing at a pace she could not control. She did not like it- being out of control.

You are on Philos land.

Philos. Ocean eyes blinked, forcing her attention once again to the hint of mint that swirled within the wind. It would tickle her nose every now and then, tingle upon her tongue. Small enough to focus herself, ground and calm. So she had stepped on pack grounds. "Oh... the mint!" Surprised at her own outburst, she found herself repeating;

Cool and calm. Collected and poised. Confident. 

Why say that?

And yet.. It made sense, the indifference, the...authority! That word had been on the tip of her tongue. Dancing in her mind, but not quite there- like a mist, a small block. Now the cogs were starting to turn. The glares made sense, the analytical scans. 

“What is your name?”

"E-emerie Velaryon."  She fought back the urge to clench her teeth at the stammer. And just as she opened her jaws to ask what his was-a head tilt. So he wasn't so bad? Surely, a foe... an Qrinuntys (Enemy.) Would poise to attack, now? A blink. 

And come on, I don't want you freezing to death.”

Accepted.

Ashen brows rose, her eyes would wander the expanse- no one else was there. No one seemed to be lurking. No other shadows lurked, despite the hairs upon her nape. No going back now. Only forward.

"T-thank you.."

Her dropped to more of a murmur, whether he heard her against the howling winds would be one thing. As she forced her slender paws to move, she noticed how stiff and numb her legs had become. With each step, muscle strained, chipping away. With every step taken, she was leading herself into the unknown. A new life. A fresh start. Awkwardness would dance around her as the silence befell them. 

"Y-Your name?"

She would eventually ask after falling in step behind him.

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---

Cassian nodded when the woman mentioned the mint. Despite her attempts to appear collected, her outburst betrayed her. “A pleasure, Miss Velaryon.” Cass dipped his head politely before turning his head in the direction of the center of the Vale. He'd probably have to hunt something for her to eat after her awakening, fix a place for her to rest. It'd been so long since he'd had to take care of another, Cass wasn't sure he'd do it right.

The prince blinked at her stuttered apology before he answered the woman's answers with a cool indifference. “Don't mention it.” He muttered, before pausing at her second question. “Cassian Vasiliev.” He answered, though it sounded almost pained. Cass hated having ties to his father, but there was nothing he could do to erase who and what he was. Even in these lands, Ilya haunted him. But Cassian was determined to outgrow his father's looming shadow, no matter what. “You can… stay here if you'd like.” Cassian offered as he led the way down the path. It was a risk inviting a stranger into his home, but in truth, he pitied her. He would offer her the chance to survive, and only hope that she would make it.

---

skill: recruiter

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“A pleasure, Miss Velaryon.”

Ashen laced ears swivelled forward at the polite tone. Noting the dip of his head, it was as if an invisible sigh of relief rippled along her spine. Muscles that were tense, with a wrench of her gut and tightness of chest, now faded. Despite the cold that now became more of a prevalent problem. A smile spread upon her dark lips, warming cheeks that felt flushed against the cold. Why did fear cling to her so? When he turned out to be kind. And yet still, there was a glint in her mind, a warning sign that said- no. Do not trust. 

Afterall, he could be leading her into a false sense of security.

“Don't mention it.”

And yet there was just an... indifference. An air of authority. Ocean eyes peered down to the crisp snow that satisfyingly crushed under her slender paws. Doru-borto másino- stupid question. 

“Cassian Vasiliev.”

As they continued, the winds seemed to die down as they neared closer to the mountain peeks. A brief moment of respite from the onslaught, at least. Yet, as they continued on in silence for a moment, her mind began to churn like cogs in a machine. Was there... bitterness there? A hint, of pain? She recognised it all too well, thoughts spun back to her Mother, dare her heart ache to hear her voice once more. Emerie forced herself to push forwards, doing her best to be more friendly. Her smile softened. "Pleasure to meet you, too, Cassian." Perhaps, she was foolish to do such a thing? Perhaps it would have been better to simply stay behind him and remain silent. 

“You can... stay here if you'd like.

Dark brows rose, as a small oh befell her lips. "I-if that is ok? I would like to!" What did she have to loose? She had no other option, there was nothing left for her in the past.

@Cassian

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---

Cassian could sense the woman's warring thoughts as if they were being spoken aloud. Did she not want to join him in his solitude? He merely extended the invitation as an act of goodwill, his conscience refusing to leave her to fend for herself. The Vale was unforgiving in its icy ruggedness, and he'd hate to be the reason she perished in the snowstorms that plagued the area.

But at that thought, he paused. Cass knew he should warn her of wait was waiting for her in the Vale. The danger of the ice's touch, winter's demand. Danger was ever present, but he felt she could handle it. “It's not a problem at all.” He turned to her, his pale eyes hardening beneath the shadow of his brow. “But let me be clear—Philos is not for the weak. It is a place where the brave are tested, and the unworthy fall to the relentless grip of the ice. Your survival is yours to command. Prove you belong here.”

Cassian would not sugarcoat or lie to Emerie about what awaited her, deception never worked in situations like this. But he had faith she'd survive the night and become a strong Philoi. She was strong in spirit, and he hoped being here would help her grow into the person she could be. Philos had a way of reshaping people—breaking them down, only to rebuild them stronger, sharper, and more resilient. Cassian believed she had what it took to endure the trials ahead, even if she didn’t yet know it.

---

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As they walked, Emerie focused upon the scent that dawned closer with every stride forwards. Soothing, calming. Giving her mind something to focus on, rather than the tightness in her chest, or panic in her thoughts. 

And yet, just as the relaxing wave started, no longer an ebb and flow of panic, he paused. And abruptly, she stopped too.

 “It's not a problem at all. 

And as he furrowed his brow, she blinked in response.
“But let me be clear—Philos is not for the weak. It is a place where the brave are tested, and the unworthy fall to the relentless grip of the ice. Your survival is yours to command. Prove you belong here.”

Much like the crisp, virgin snows that nipped at her two-toned paws, those words dug into her chest. Shards of ice carving its way through to her heart. And yet.. instead of a rush of panic, came a sense of something else. Determination. This was her opportunity, that golden card she was looking for. Safe. And as she met his gaze this time... she did not feel the need to panic.

 Though her gut wrenched and twisted, there was something that ignited. Something that screamed, Stay. 

Stand.


A new home.

Is this really what she wanted?

Yes. To find something new. A fresh start, one that did not have the echoes of her past. No haunting shadows. No fleeting memories. No reminders. 

Yes.

So, her ash-kissed shoulders rolled back, uplifting her dark maw.

"Noted." Her brows furrowed, despite the shudder that began to trickle along her spine. Sucking in a breath. "[font]My kindness will not be m-mistaken for weakness[/font]."
And that was a promise. A smile now formed, pearly whites daring to peak from dark lips.

"And I will prove that."

Her deep gaze cast forwards.

"Lead the way... am I to address you as my lord?"
Whether it was sheer tiredness or adrenaline, she could not quite tell of her tone. Dare part of her think it was sarcasm. 

She surely hoped that Cassian did not take it that way.

@Cassian

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