WC:: 389 Drin’s still in optime till further notice. I think your wolfer is the only one that’s four legged the entire time, but when Samantha posts we’ll know for sure. But maybe secui training would be pretty cool? Drin would be nervous to shift because she hasn’t gotten the go ahead yet healing-wise but she’d do it for the sake of training.

Casa di Cavalieri was nothing like Palaydrian had seen before. She had heard about wolves living in human dwellings and utilizing more than just found wind chimes and knives, but she had not been expecting an entire village of canines that fully embraced the Optime form and used it to their advantage. It was amazing really, all the things they could do, all the clothes she had seen on wolves and hybrids, and pretty much most things she came in contact here were foreign to her but incredibly interesting. She knew she’d never be able to live such a humanized lifestyle, but she was happy to realize it didn’t make her feel too uncomfortable. Drin decided long before she Fayne and Tharin made their journey here, that she’d have to remain the strong and optimistic one for her brother and sister. Where she felt okay and at ease within this new territory, she was sure they struggled with some forms of anxiety over all the “newness”, especially Tharin, whom Drin knew did not carry the Luperci virus.

Drin was practically revelling in it all, determined to learn as much as she could and to meet as many Casa members as possible. Everyone so far had been so welcoming and kind, she hoped her own pack could repay the courtesy shown to them someday as well. Today Fayne and Drin were hanging out together while Tharin went his own way. The woman had meant to take him aside to see how he was doing, but she left him to his own devices, thinking it better to ask him at another time, once the trio were actually alone and didn’t feel so different from their surroundings. The optime woman had just finished fishtail braiding her hair and tying it back with the leather thong Zeitgeist had given her when a friendly bark greeted her ears. Hello! She called with a friendly smile painted on her muzzle and a wave. She had never seen a canine with such peculiar fur. Her tail matched the stranger’s wag as the female approached the two. My name is Palaydrian, she said, offering a hand as she had learned the other day was called a handshake, a humanized form of greeting Casa members seemed to be fond of.

WC:: 327

Palaydrian’s grin widened, pleased with herself as she had obviously chosen the correct greeting as the canine named Adelle took it and began to shake it. It felt awkward at first, but as the clasped hands moved through the air, the woman realized the natural feel to it. Nice to meet you Adelle, she began before Fayne rushed to her side and was nuzzling the stranger. Drin chuckled, happy to see her sister in a lighter mood having seen a familiar face. The angel wondered how the two had met, but she allowed them to greet one another and could ask questions later. Right, Palay answered Adelle’s question before Fayne could. That is what we’re here for, to make this one, she affectionately grasped the silver wolf’s shoulder, and myself, females to not be messed with. She gave her head a strong nod, smile still in place.

It seemed Adelle had a lot to offer the two New Dawners. Though the fae truly wanted to learn hand to hand, the mention of secui had also grabbed her attention. Perhaps learning in such a robust form would be useful as well. Only one problem, Deuce hadn’t given her the permission to shift yet, but Drin had a feeling secui would be less daunting than launching straight into optime fighting styles for her sister. That was all she had to think about, others feelings and needs over her own, and it was settled, the woman would “take one for the team”. Her ribs weren’t hurting anymore, and after her mishap with Jiva in the lake, she had taken great caution in allowing them to set correctly. What say you Fayne? She asked, turning her attention back to her silver sister, knowing full well that she’d most likely be shifting in a few minutes, but she was okay with that and would willingly do so for Fayne.

WC:: 386 ::Wing it haha?

The silver fae surprised Palaydrian as she thought her sister would surely prefer being on four legs than two, but she was happy to begin training in general and Adelle seemed eager to show the two what she knew. The sudden optimism and raring-to-go enthusiasm exuding from Fayne was infectious, Drin was pumped up as well. She wasn’t sure how the training would go, or even if she’d be coordinated enough to do anything with her arms let alone flail about, but she was willing to give hand to hand fighting a shot even if she looked a complete fool. She had to take something from the knights of Casa, the woman wasn’t willing to go home empty handed, but even more so, not willing to allow someone to take advantage of her once again and she wished the same strength upon her packmate. Whatever happened from here on out, Drin would have the tools and discipline to defend herself. Failure wasn’t an option.

As the golden girl put on a warrior’s mentality, she fell in line behind Adelle and followed the woman towards the sparring ring. She had no business in fighting but enough was enough. Always one to avoid confrontation, Drin was dead set on learning how to defend herself. She’d not go out looking for a fight, but trouble always had a weird way of finding her and she wanted to be prepared. This would better her future with Jiva, for her future children, and for her pack in general. The more the two New Dawn women knew, the better, and Drin knew this would take some of the anxiety off of Zalen’s shoulders. Even their mates could rest a little easier, as it was simply foolish to think they could always be around to protect their women.

As the trio approached the entrance of the ring, Drin’s jaw began to drop. Never had she seen such a structure or so many canines wielding weapons shiny things and wearing clothes. This obviously was a integral part of life in Casa di Cavalieri as the ring was full of sparring partners. This is amazing, she muttered once she found her voice filled with awe and fear at the same time. What were they getting themselves into?

So sorry for the wait! -_- WC:: 422 ::

Fear was something both Palaydrian and Fayne had to fight to overcome. It would be tough, but by the end of the trip, the woman was determined to squash out the poisonous emotion and put her doubts behind her once and for all. She need to be ready for a next time, if a next time would come that is, but more importantly, the woman just wanted peace of mind. Drin needed to know she could defend herself if it came down to her being attacked once more or having to fight for her loved ones. She was sick of being the invalid in the pack while she had been healing, and she was sick of feeling that way now. The men couldn’t always be the only ones to drive the fangs and claws behind New Dawn. The women needed to be a force to be reckoned with as well, and Drin had been so thankful that Fayne had agreed to come along. They both were petite wolves, but they were both very capable of holding their own, and this trip was meant to prove that intuition.

Drin felt Fayne’s hands move away from her arm as the silver fae adjusted to their new surroundings. So far so good... she thought to herself as Adelle addressed another unknown face. Drin curtsied with fake skirts as she had seen some of the female knights do when their trainer introduced them. She might as well get used to their customs here while she stayed a few nights. Her ocean eyes turned back to the black and gold dog as she explained the importance of fighting stances. Drin hungrily absorbed the knowledge offered and began to mimic what Adelle had showed them. She bent her knees, spread her feet apart, and straightened her back as though she were getting ready to sit down. The position felt awkward at first, but once she really allowed herself to get into the squat, something about it started to feel natural.

She smiled and allowed Adelle to adjust her position and help her out with her arms which she had clumsily held out in front of her. Drin allowed them to be bent at the elbows and relaxed. She imagined she looked like one of the praying mantises that frequented her garden back home and couldn’t help but giggle. Like this she asked? She asked as she naturally balled her hands into fists floating above her chest and chin.