pick a star
on the dark horizon
and follow the light

Mila hadn’t expected the brute to blush at her compliment, but his gruffness still took her somewhat aback; the young lass had grown up bubbly and energetic - surrounded by her hyper siblings - and she still wasn’t used to the almost militaristic vibe Uyaruat upheld. Although no one had ever met her with aggression, wolves in Uyaraut were not exactly… warm. They loved their territory, they supported each other, and Lyudmila understood without a doubt that if a threat crossed the border every single wolf here would react within seconds. Perhaps it was this harsh dedication that roughened their edges. Or maybe this gunmetal gladiator in particular had little patience for pointless chatter. Regardless, the white damsel found herself standing a little straighter, not wanting to appear too childish in case the fighter decided she wasn’t worth his valuable time.

When he stated his title as Akkunak, her jaw fell open a little. The Warrior King! If anyone could train Lyudmila to be stronger - to shed her pitiful weaknesses and defeat the nightmares that plagued her - then surely this iron-casted wolf could! The King glanced around them, probably waiting to see if anyone else felt up to training, but when no others parted the grass into the clearing he fixed his attention back on the exicted teen. She puffed her chest out, rather proud that she’d been brave enough to heed his call. Imagine… one-on-one time with an experienced soldier. Her muscles felt bigger already.

Until Grey Wind asked her point blank what her skillset was.

“Skills…” Lyudmila said, suddenly not meeting the brute’s serious gaze. Her left forepaw traced meaningless circles in the dirt. “Right. I have many skills. And they’re all useful. Um…” Now she was the one in danger of blushing, her pallid fur prickling. “I can… hunt small game?” The girl’s voice curved into a high-pitched question and she immediately coughed, trying to get her nerves under control. “I used to go after lizards in Crith Thalmhainn. Quick, tiny things. I like to hunt the shore birds on the beach here. I’ve never taken down big game, though. And as far as self-defense…”

Ruthless teal eyes. Black and white fur spattered by blood. Agony drawn like a map over one side of her body. Lyudmila cringed from the memory, snowflake lanterns closing briefly as she collected herself. She took a deep breath - and then threw herself full-force at Grey Wind, snapping her jaws like a demon and slashing her paws through the air. There was no rhyme or reason to her actions; everything was purely instinct, purely panic, not planning on how to land a hit but just hoping that she did.

Teen | Kershov x Nimueh | Uyaraut | xathira