[ AW ] Three meals a day, for which you didn’t pay

Destiny had a way of tickling the ivories for Ashira, playing a different tune that she would dance to without question. Her world was always changing and the world around her was changing as well. From being a native whose background remained a mystery for so long, to discovering that there was an upcoming war between many parties, one could be flustered and try to hide. Ashira was not one to take kindly to cowardice. She went with the flow, but she refrained from admitting she wanted to hide from what was meant to happen.

After her recent reunion with Sinclair, she knew that her road in life was taking a new turn. She went along the winding path, taking with her new memories that would hold on for as long as she let them. Leaving a friend was something many would whine over; Ashira accepted it and kept on moving.

Her silvery paws carried her towards the barracks, the point in her journey that she was meant to meet. There was no nerves, fear, or anticipation through her frame. She glanced at the guards before they advanced forward, inspecting her before she was allowed entry. A soldier walked with her, silent and focused, as they proceeded towards the initial wolf that would grant her destined course.

-Two Hours Later-

The fact that she had survived speaking with the appropriate ranked officer about her future was interesting. She had not expected the man to assign her as a medic, given that she had been at college for such a short time. ‘There is much for you to learn,’ he has said, ‘for you to become a proper medic in this army.’ Ashira had nodded and accepted her tasks without an argument, knowing that her path was still going to be full of curves and bumps. Glancing around, she took note of all the many wolves that kept themselves busy. So many characters in one place, it could make a person unhinge! Not Ashira. She looked around and began to walk towards the medic’s tent, having a feeling that she was meant to start there.

O

bsidian had been enlisted in the army for many years by this point. The young male was made for this type of position. When news of the draft rang through the streets, he was shocked to hear it. But then he thought about the turmoil of the events that took place in the streets. How many of these treasonous would they be forcing to join the forces against those that would want them to do harm? They obviously did not care for the crown or their country, or they would have had more soldiers during those terrible times. Still, Obsidian knew he could not accuse them all of such bad ideals. There had to be some in the bunch that were of higher intelligence and maybe were trying to think of what they could do for the Imperial Army? He saw the new gathering of recruits and made his way towards them. Already they had others who were telling them what they would do and how they would do it. Obsidian watched in silence, moving slowly through.

Many of the young wolves got settled in their new tasks. If they would know how to do their positions well - that would be another story. One such wolf caught his eye. She was a mute-colored female of average height and weight. He approached her, as she was making her way towards the healer's place. "And what do you bring for the crown, what are your set of skills?"

@Ashira

code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Ashira was always open-minded, even if she did not openly express it. She wasn’t one to outrightly share information about herself. Among all of the numerous things she had learned growing up, she knew that it was a potentially harmful thing to make herself vulnerable to strangers. That tactic had kept her on the right road all of these years and she intended to keep it that way.

Now, when the possibility of a conversation showed up in its own, that was slightly different. In order to have a successful chat, Ashira had to give a little and take a little in turn. She was not the kind to oppose a genuinely interesting interaction with another. Manners were ingrained in her genetics and showed themselves whenever they were needed. Politeness could take you a long way.

She was approached by a male of white and black, bi-colored eyes standing out against his pelt. She took note of his blue and deep orange eyes before ears perked to his automatic inquiry. ‘And what do you bring to the crown, what are your set of skills?’ A newly joining civilian would have cowered under his deep tones and squawked at the question. Ashira was not a regular new recruit.

Silvery gray eyes met those that danced different colors in their sockets, ears remaining perked as she honestly answered his questions. There was no rudeness, no fear, no quivering in her voice as she said, “I bring my own body and mind for the crown. My set of skills include protecting and promoting the health of the soldiers. If all I will do for our soldiers is not enough to keep them alive and thriving, then comfort will be my mission for their final breaths.” It did not matter to her if her answer did not suffice the male’s burning questions. Ashira knew that whatever happened going forward, she would be going on the path that was meant to be walked.

T

urning to face him, Obsidian watched as the female looked him up and down. She stared into his eyes, which he knew were a rather interesting combination, not many wolves had eyes like he did. He waited for her to answer him, and when she did, he could tell she was not scared. He listened to the tone of her voice, looked to her eyes, and watched for any other cues of nerves or unease. The way that she spoke told him that she was well-read, or at least a very bright intellectual. When she finished he gave a respectful bow of his head. "Then we will be very glad to have you join us, for however long that will be." He gave her a smile, trying to lighten the mood. "My name is Corrus, Obisidian. But you may call me Obsidian. Just don't do that around other soldiers, yes?" He needed to keep his professional image up, anyways. He knew there were those who would flee from the draft, so he felt a need to say what he was about to. "Thank you, regardless if you truly wanted to or not."

He looked around the pair of them for a second, then looked back to her. "Has anyone given you the tour yet? I know you were about to go in there, and I stopped you... but if you would like, I can show you everything."

@Ashira

code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Ashira’s honesty usually paid off, a consequence that worked in her favor more than once. Even when it didn’t, she took it as proof it was meant to happen and continued on through life. Destiny was a fickle thing and she knew fighting it would lead to potentially disastrous outcomes. The conversation she was having with this soldier was proof that she was where she was meant to be.

As soon as she gave her honest answer, the soldier dipped his maw respectfully and began to speak in turn. ‘Then we will be very glad to have you join us, for however long that will be.’ A smile was given and he continued with an introduction. ‘My name is Corrus, Obisidian. But you may call me Obsidian. Just don't do that around other soldiers, yes?’ Ashira gave him a whisper of a smile, though her stance slightly relaxed. “Ashira, it’s a pleasure, Obsidian.” Since they were the only two around at the moment, there was no one to hear her voice his name.

An unexpected greeting of thanks was also given, to which she easily replied, “Such circumstances require those whom are meant to participate. Only time will tell whose presence truly makes a difference.” She didn’t brush off his thanks, for in the future, she was sure she would return it.

At that time, Obsidian began to look around before turning his attention back to her. ‘Has anyone given you the tour yet? I know you were about to go in there, and I stopped you... but if you would like, I can show you everything.’ Ashira’s eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t falter from Obsidian’s offer. “No, I have only just stepped into the barracks…” She turned her gaze towards the medic tent before looking back at Obsidian. “Your offer has come at an opportune time. How much is there to see?”

B

i-colored eyes watched as the female seemed to be taking in what he had said. His smile grew slightly. "You speak with a wisdom that is beyond your years, and yet, I too think of the same things." He looked around them to make sure nobody was coming closer. "I feel some only joined to avoid the chance of jail time. You have to wonder if the army would do well to have such types in their employ?" Obsidian had been a long standing member in the army, and he would probably die a soldier, but he hoped he would at least get promoted a few times. With his offer of escorting her around the area, he gave a gentle nod of his head. "There's the barracks, as you already saw, the mess hall where food is served, the training grounds where the fighting usually happens. There is a blacksmith on the grounds, which is interesting to watch if you've never seen it. "

"There's also the gardens. It's a quiet place, I often use for thought. I can show you these places, if you wish?" He was friendly and he wanted to make the time others experienced just as nice. "I have been here for many years, so it all just feels like home to me."

@Ashira

code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

‘You speak with a wisdom that is beyond your years, and yet, I too think of the same things.’ Ashira was not used to compliments, but she politely dipped her head in response as Obsidian leaned forward to express his opinion. ‘I feel some only joined to avoid the chance of jail time. You have to wonder if the army would do well to have such types in their employ?’ Ashira continued to meet Obsidian’s gaze and she added, “There is no need to wonder. Those whom truly are needed here will flourish.”

The tour officially started with an oral introduction, Obsidian easily pointing out the sections of the barracks that would be Ashira’s temporary housing for the not-so-distant future. ‘There's the barracks, as you already saw, the mess hall where food is served, the training grounds where the fighting usually happens. There is a blacksmith on the grounds, which is interesting to watch if you've never seen it.’

A brief pause, then: ‘There's also the gardens. It's a quiet place, I often use for thought. I can show you these places, if you wish?’ Ashira’s eyes had fallen upon each part that Obsidian had mentioned and destiny wove another decision into her pathway. “That would be best, I appreciate the offer.”

‘I have been here for many years, so it all just feels like home to me.’ Ashira waited for Obsidian to lead and she fell into step with him as the four physically began. “Many years?” She asked. She didn’t want to prod into his personal life; that was just not her way. If he decided to relay more of his past to her, Ashira would know she was meant to listen.

G

iving a nod of agreement, Obsidian waited to hear the response from her. It seemed that she did want to see the tour, which he was completely happy with helping her out in that regard. Hopefully it would help her form getting lost in the future. The male point his nose to the right. "Right this way," he said as they moved past the barracks and towards the mess hall. "Most of the meals are served here, though you don't necessarily have to eat here. You can take food to your quarters or somewhere else, just as long as you clean up after yourself." He led the way and stopped to speak of where they were each time they got to somewhere new. "As we enter the training grounds, be careful where you step. There have been a few accidental blood spills, but they usually get cleaned up pretty quickly."

He stopped the pair of them, allowing some sparring wolves to move on before them, fighting and rolling with each other as they practiced their techniques against each other. "Also, be sure your head is on a swivel here," he said as he waited before wandering from the area. Next step on the list was the Blacksmith, the place where weapons and armor were forged, along with other things they might need. "This is the armorer, if you need anything. They can fix just about anything made from steel or iron." When he figured she had seen enough, he led her to the garden area. Flowers were in bloom and there was a large oak tree to sit in the shade beneath. "This is the best spot - to me, anyway."

@Ashira

code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

‘Right this way.’ The tour began and it didn’t take long for Obsidian to comfortably fall into the steps he took on a regular basis. Ashira calmly fell into the same rhythm as her tour guide, feeling destiny tickle her spine as they came to the first of few locations. ‘Most of the meals are served here, though you don't necessarily have to eat here. You can take food to your quarters or somewhere else, just as long as you clean up after yourself.’ Her eyes roved over the general area before they continued.

‘As we enter the training grounds, be careful where you step. There have been a few accidental blood spills, but they usually get cleaned up pretty quickly.’ Blood didn’t bother Ashira; rarely anything did. She was not one to faint at the sight and smell of bodily fluids. Everyone had them, even when they wanted to deny such things. They came upon two wolves practicing combat and Obsidian briefly suggested, ‘Also, be sure your head is on a swivel here.’ She gave a whisper of a smile before they pressed on.

‘This is the armorer, if you need anything. They can fix just about anything made from steel or iron.’ The blacksmith continued to work and Ashira’s focus honed in on his current project. The way he worked on ensuring his masterpiece was successful spoke in his actions and barely in any words. As the sound of the hammer sung once it hit the metal, she felt the vibration in her paws. A tiny, invisible prick at her left ear gave her the thought she would be there again soon. Obsidian began to move away from the armorer and she followed.

The garden came into view and a massive oak tree caused Obsidian to increase his pace. ‘This is the best spot - to me, anyway.’ She watched as he relaxed beneath the shade and she reclined on her haunches. “The best spot?” She felt as if he had a reason for the tree being his favorite place.

W

hile resting beneath the tree, he looked to her with a nod of his head. "All of my life, I knew I was going to be a soldier. My father was a soldier, and his father, and his father before him. It was my path, my destiny - if you will. But it is not all that makes me who I am." He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "Being hated by most of the citizens is not an easy thing to live by. I serve for the crown, to protect the throne and all it stands for. But I am also an individual, one who lives the peace and serenity of being alone." He opened his eyes and gave her aa soft smile. "I come here, and appreciate it here, because at the end of the day - this is where I find my peace. This is where I can think and dream of my future - whatever it may be. It is my favorite place, beneath this tree."

@Ashira

code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck