Sage's morning had been spent in recreation, spending some time to try to bring back her desire for art and creative activities. She had sketched, but got quickly annoyed with her work as it failed to turn out just right. With a frustrated sigh, she had eventually risen from her bed and gathered her bag to head out for the day. If she couldn't be productive doing this, she would at least be productive doing something else.

With a fresh stash of rolled smokes and a sketchbook (just in case she found inspiration outside of the borders), Sage shouldered her nicely packed back and pushed open the door of her second floor room. Making her way towards the stairs, she found an odd scent tingling her nose, and the sudden intrusion of a voice into the normally fairly silent air of the still mansion. Halo and Cotl were the only ones who she frequently saw lurking around D'Neville, and they rarely exchanged words. The voice she heard now, though, was neither of those.

Moving to peer over the balcony, golden eyes glanced downward. Inferni's stench clung to the stranger's fur gently, and it was clear to the Optio that she was a fresh recruit. A woman with coyote stature and the fur of a wolf stood below, looking meek and unsure. "Hello!" she replied in a happy chirp; if no one else would welcome their new blood, then she most certainly would. "It's not quite so busy around here today, I'm afraid..." she trailed off, pulling out a joint and lighting it with a quick, deft flick of her thumb. The smoke rose to meet the ceiling, but dissipated several feet above her head.

it's no problem feel free to pp them exploring the mansion a bit. they can go into the ballroom or kitchen or something and explore it too if you want. :] here're the maps!

The girl was almost timid, Sage noted, as she glanced around the old building. The Optio watched her with a contented smile until the darker hybrid finally set eyes upon her. She gave her name, Aysun, and confirmed herself as a new recruit to Inferni. Black-lined lips parted to exhale a cloud, and Sage's expression brightened. "I'd love to show you around, love," she called down brightly, "I'll be right down."

Sage moved quickly from the balcony to the stairwell, taking each stair with the confident steps of someone who had done it daily. She came out on the first floor, and moved towards her new company with a friendly stride. "So nice to meet you, Aysun; my name is Sage." She held her cigarette in one hand and extended the other for a gentle handshake. "There are plenty of open rooms here; I'm sure you'll find something to your liking," she said, motioning around the bottom floor and then again upstairs, where she lived. "I'll take you around, if you'll follow me. Be careful, though; this building is quite old, after all," she warned gently. Rust and decay took over much of the building, but it still retained a sturdy, handsome interior.

Sage began to move around the bottom floor, golden eyes flickering back to be sure her company was following. As she walked, Sage pointed out Kaena's quarters, with a brief, heartfelt anecdote about her grandmother's history with the clan.

seriously, a day is no wait at all! i frequently take a few days and sometimes longer to reply to threads... as you can see, lol. so, i don't mind waiting. :]

Sage was impressed right away by the girl's courtesies; she wasn't used to those anymore, living here. Apart from Valkyrie and one or two others, Sage rarely saw smiles or heard laughter. The coyote couldn't help but beam back, moving with familiar ease as she guided Inferni's newest recruit around her home. The Optio knew a lot about the building, having lived many months now in and around the lovely Mansion. At the girl's question she took a quick breath, pausing to search her memories for a moment. "I'm not certain," she said honestly, but shrugged, "but I'd guess it's just about nearing a century... But it's held up well." A creamy hand patted the cool wooden walls; the paint there was jagged and peeling, and several flakes fell to the floor at her touch. Brushing her hands off, the girl chuckled, moving on through the Mansion.

They paused in the kitchen, where Aysun expressed her concerns about her new life. Sage nodded sympathetically, brows lightly furrowed in friendly concern. "I know how you feel... but I wouldn't worry so much about it, love. It'll come easily with time," she encouraged. Sage hoped, for the girl's sake, that she would in fact fit in with the coyotes of Inferni. Many had, did, and would in the future, the Optio knew; but many had also since gone again. Clearing her throat, Sage placed a gentle hand on the girl's shoulder with an comforting smile. "You're still young, there's plenty of time to worry about perfecting your skills, love. You'll learn a lot, here, and fast; Inferni is home to some good teachers." It was true; Sage could not deny the cunning and expertise of her family. Ezekiel's lessons in self-defense lingered in the back of her mind at all times now when she wandered the quiet woods alone.