Even though the gates are open, the assassin halts before them. A sign of grace, respect even, for what the owners had done for this city. In the past, and in the present.

She hadn’t been there to see chaos descend upon Sootopolis, duty needed her elsewhere for reasons she’d never divulge. But she’d heard of the sacrifices made, or the losses… of the miracles, if one could call it that.

And now curiosity had brought her here. Kyrenai had heard the councilwoman had remained tethered to her city, and currently resided here. So she’d been told this morning, at least.

Crux hoovers behind her, the scent of another of its kin fresh in the air. Its middle head raised high, searching for it.

It takes another moment before Kyrenai moves once more, a casual strut towards the main building. She’ll find the woman of the hour soon enough.

freya morningstar

☉

"nothing but ghosts," freya says, but wolfe is insistent, so she's no choice but to follow the levitating hydra. if anything, she supposes, it might help her reconnect with the old dens by way of becoming a self-proclaimed sentinel. 

the hallways are covered in a fine layer of dust, disturbed with the imprints of harried footsteps. her own footfalls follow in their wake, though she drags her heels somewhat as one more measly attempt at feeling some sense of ownership to these hallways. 

they come out to the training yards - the enormous cavern is the central point to every other facet of the estate. a low growl rumbles in wolfe's throat and freya skirts around her bulk to peer down at the fields. 

another hydreigon. and a woman. 

"ifpesp," she murmurs and raises a hand to the newcomer. 

Kyrenai Black

☉

It’s only proper to wave back after inviting oneself to one’s estate without prior notice. Even moreso upon noticing how large the cavern is, and how far it stretches. Even with her set of skills she’d have a tough time navigating the place.

But that was not why she was here. The lady of the house, Freya Morningstar, however was. Putting a bit more fire in her step, Kyrenai crosses the training grounds, when she gets close she still keeps a respectable distance from both woman and Hydreigon.

After all, she’s the one encrouching on their territory.

With a foreign Hydreigon to boot, too. Although Crux does well to stay behind Kyrenai, albeit curious of the draconid and her own partner.

”Miss Morningstar,” The assassin bows her head in greeting. ”I hope I’m not interrupting anything? If so I can return another time if that better fits?”

freya morningstar

☉

the downy feathers on wolfe's mane fluff despite freya's hissed request. the draconid smiles and presses her palm against the dragon's side, grasping the soft plumage in a comforting gesture. if the woman's come to cause trouble, wolfe will have her carnage. 

she considers her after the introduction and then walks the rest of the way down to the landing, wolfe at a respectable distance behind her. 

"now's as good a time as any. you'll forgive me if i'm not familiar with who you are?" she nods to the dragon, crux, behind her. "here to train?"

Kyrenai Black

☉

"Of course. If anything I'd consider it a compliment. Means I'm doing my job well." There's a hint of a smile tugging at her lips as she extends a hand in greeting.

"Kyrenai Black, pleased to meet you," She keeps her eyes trained on the draconid, undaunting. Any other she'd let her eyes wander ever so subtly and take in anything that could serve as a hint to the puzzle that was a stranger.

The draconid however deserved more respect. Especially since they tugged at the same end of the political rope. She's no enemy. Not as of yet.

"More or less, yes," she gestures at Crux, who's still floating close behind her, one head staring at the draconid with odd intensity. The other holds its gaze at Wolfe in the distance. "This might be presumptious, but I would like to get Hoenn's leading dragon expert's insights on ways to improve Crux's training regimen. I cannot afford the time to return to Blackthorn for it. Not during these times. And it provides the opportunity to meet the person behind the name, too."

freya morningstar

☉

one thin brow arches. she tucks the name away for later; she's too blunt with her words to finesse information out of someone who speaks in cautious enigmas. no matter, though; she appreciates the sharp ends of a hardened woman and that she remains undaunted in her presence, horns and all, is somewhat of a comfort. 

"blackthorn," she repeats. "another draconid city. i'd like to see it someday."

she smiles. "my family used to teach the public about taming dragons. i grew up surrounded by the sounds of claw clashing against scale. we had trainings every day. one day, i'd like to restore this place to its former glory."

her words echo down empty halls and emptier caverns. 

"so yes, if you'd like to be the first, if you'd like to help me rebuild, i'd be happy to work with you and your dragon."

Kyrenai Black

☉

Draconid. Right, that's what they called it. "The mountain view is definitely worth it." she agrees. Maybe she should go home for a while, after this is all over. If it ever ends.

When Freya explains, it's as if she can hear the echoes of man and dragon training vibrate through the caves. She wonders if it was the same way she watched the dragon tamers of Blackthorn train when she was little.

"If you'll have me, it'd be my honor. I've got several, if you're parched for trainees." she smiles, then averts her gaze to look at the cavern ceiling stretching above them. "We'll let those sounds echo again soon enough."

Crux too lets one of his heads' gaze wander, then slowly nod its head before it turns back to look at the Draconid, more curious this time. "You might like the little one, Miss Morningstar," As her focus moves back towards Freya, she reaches out to scratch Crux's plumed chest, feeling it shudder happily against her palm. "A handful, but the good kind of energy."

freya morningstar

☉