i look to you with these wings of fate

Acceptance was ice-cold. Despite all the days that ran together, Antares had found no trace of fellow Shiroshika wolves. Instead, he was left to search, and survive, then retire to the vacant solitude of the mountain's cherry blossoms in full, beautiful bloom. It didn't seem right, and though he waited, nothing inevitably changed. Would it ever? He had known loss in its many complex forms, and this proved to be yet another. Once more, he was all that was left behind.

With morose mien, he moved down the elevations into the foothills, then towards the vast steppes beyond. The basal instinct in him suggested hunting, and the rest could do well with any type of distraction.

With their peak visible on the horizon, eventually, he thought that he should visit Vanderfell Woods--just so they knew that there was nothing left of their ally, even down to their messenger starling. The emperor had his connections there in Vanderfell’s lot, however, Antares was not sure if he was ready to deliver such a weighty conversation yet. They deserved to know, though, and he kept the thought near. Just not for right now.

In such a present, he aimed to admire the rich greenery stretching for miles around him. He didn't recognize many of the scents, but there were signs of life here. So while Antares did not know this place well, despite it being so near to Tsukiishi.. this was not that unusual, ignoring the rankling it brought up beneath his skin. Still, he slung his head low and lengthened out his jog. In the open, a prowling silhouette heading northward.
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It was hard to miss the shade moving along in the grass. Rat had been in the fields for a while now, feeding itself with mice and hares and occasionally birds. Its existence was a solitary one for the most part, but it was coming to terms with the fact that companionship was sparse and difficult to keep when it did find what it sought. That, or the companion was difficult to be around, not that Rat would ever admit to it.

So, when it saw a distinctly canine-shaped figure in the distance, it couldn't help itself. A shadow to a shadow, it followed.

Did this figure have a destination in mind? Rat wondered many things as it crept along behind them. Where was the boy going? Would he mind a tagalong? Rat had questions but no answers, and had no clue how to initiate a conversation. Would a wolf wish to speak with a dog? Some did and some did not, Rat had discovered, though they supposed they were a wolf now, as well, in spite of the ear that flopped with each step.

Eventually, the following became what Rat knew to be considered creepy, and they waited for a lull in pace to bark, tail swishing in hopes of conveying that they were, in fact, friendly.

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thank u for joining!

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Though markedly different from the elevations underfoot, he admired the rolling fields. The grasses were so green with spring richness they almost hurt to look at. He could smell waterways nearby. He focused on this greater picture so he could wallow less on his own specifics, and it seemed to work. There was even half the thought of maybe I needed this... as he breathed deep someplace new. Strange, but somehow comforting.

As his vaguely northbound meander went on, the samurai flicked back an ear, though kept to his forward momentum. It was a suspicion only at first, one that he let ride a bit longer than he should have--curious to see if he could be proven wrong since it seemed to phase in and out of certainty, but no, Antares in fact did have company.

Given his unfamiliarity with this place, he did not know how much vigilance this truly warranted. There could be other nomads like him, surely. Or perhaps those who earnestly lived here. Maybe, even, he was being hunted? Though tension began to build in him, he tried not to change anything outwardly, intending to look like he was minding his business. But he was keyed in, aiming to listen as questions were in no short supply.

Eventually, he didn't want to let paranoia get any further ahead of him, so he slowed, pace by pace. Already, a cautionary ripple in his hackles, he turned on the bark, the silent snarl's grimace fading fast when he realized the culprit was only a small, mottled canine--wagging tail and all. Eyes narrowing and furs falling, confused, he pressed only a step closer to look them up and down: a peculiar stranger to him. “Who are you?” he asked, then frowned again when he heard his own coarse voice.
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I've been wanting an Antares thread for ages now! I spotted this and jumped for it

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It really should have occurred to the smaller canine that its approach would not go unnoticed. Quiet though it may be, others were watchful of their surroundings, and perhaps sneaking up on someone was not the best way to go about making a friend. Still, the initial reaction had them freezing - the swift turn, the wrinkle in his muzzle that smoothed out immediately upon spotting them. Had they frightened him?

Its head and tail lowered a little but the latter did not cease in its wagging. Rat did not mean to startle anyone, but the nuances of wolf communication were still lost on them. How should it approach? Were there specific rules for it?

Oh, well. It had not been chased away, and so this was considered some kind of victory. Rat was definitely performing the part of a wolf correctly, they were sure of it.

"This one... Rat," they said, taking a cautious step forward, head tipped to the side as they regarded the stranger. "Shadow's name?" It tipped its head to the side with a smile, hopeful and open, studying him. Their voice was hoarse and crackling from disuse, just like his. Was he on his own?

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