easy morning

first post ever here! :D haven't rp'ed for a few years, anyone welcome!

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 Crisp, fresh dewy air filled the femmes’ nostrils, as she trailed haphazardly around the forests edges, nearing a quiet stream. The sun was just about breaking dawn, its rays illuminating & accentuating the champagne hues adorning her furry frame. Having spent the whole night roaming aimlessly, and successfully hunting down a hare, Aurora took this peaceful opportunity to quench her thirst at the babbling edges of the creek. Very aware of her solitary life, she paused to crane her neck, looking behind her toward the gently rustling trees, cautious of any unexpected visitors. Content with her situation, she stretched out into a downward dog stance and when rising, a quick ruffle of her dense pelt, and she was ready to find somewhere to give herself a quick groom and rest for the day. Walking over to a perfect looking sunbathing spot, direct in the suns intensifying rays, was a nice smooth large rock aside the brook, where she lay down. Assuming her usual grooming ritual, she started on her elongated toned legs of hers, until reaching each paw where, individually, would receive most attention from her bathing licks. 

 The avid explorer was unsure of the new grounds she’d encroached upon. For months she’d travelled so far from the acquainted & familiar lands she was brought up around, so distant were they in miles as they were in her mind too. They were now all long forgotten about. Her primary focus an uncertainty; merely delighting in her adventures towards the unknown.

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 They were on the move. With paws that were anything but graceful, they blundered through the thick vegetation with dull eyes. The snake's tongue would flicker out, testing the air, and sensing things that the wolf's nose would not catch and the wolf would sniff to catch things that the snake would not. Their transfer of information to each other was subtle, the shifting of the scales, a gentle coil or uncoil, a hissing of the wolf. Almost all imperceptible to the untrained eye. Even in this life, it was natural to them. The Body and The Soul, bound even after death, it seemed. 

 Good, they would have it no other way. 

 It was unclear which, but one of them scented the water first and the information was exchanged. The wolf's paws turned towards the babbling brook. Their clumsy paws brought them to the edge as they looked down. Staring back was the sunken in face, the unkempt pelt, and the snake's dull eyes. They stared for only a moment before lowering their head down to drink and then stepping back once their thirst was quenched. 

 Then, they would turn and began to wander away, subconsciously following the smell of the other. They stood in the undergrowth, golden eyes watching the other as they groomed themselves. They were unaware how rude they might be being. Societal norms were not what they were used to. The Pack was all they knew and by normal wolf standards, they were anything but normal. They wanted to speak but they were unsure how to go about intruding upon another, so they just stood back in the undergrowth... watching.

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 With the charming, sweet songs of the abundant birds echoing and chorusing throughout the woodlands, and the ripples and babbling of the water beside her; these were natures soothing melodies. After the audacious night she’d endured, and now completing her customary grooming, Aurora gradually eased her head atop her outstretched frontal limbs. The melodies surrounding her were a lullaby to coerce her into a deep deserved slumber. 

 Alas, this was shortly endured, as the graceful creatures nares widened and constricted rapidly, an involuntary reflex signalling a new pheromone was within her proximity. Her lucent lavender eyes abruptly opened, followed by raising her head, optimising her view of the surrounding area. Attempting to pinpoint in which direction the novel essence was coming from, but principally who it belonged to. 

 After a few rather unsuccessful moments passing with glancing around, Aurora remained calm and stationary, calling out, ‘If someone is here…’, pausing to turn her head in another direction, cautiously eyeing the array of vegetation before her, ‘…Then please do reveal yourself. I’m no threat to you, I promise’. As she finished speaking, the graceful one nonchalantly arose to a seated poise, curling her luscious train around her. She awaited for an acknowledgment or perhaps the aroma to dissipate, implying the wanderer had moved on.
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 They stood there, watching, noticing the beautiful fur of the other wolf. That they had a mixture of soft grays and browns, quite fetching to the eye. The lavender eyes that seemed to round off their entire appearance, they had never seen eyes of such a shade before. They thought of their own fur, the matted coarseness of it and the dirt that clung to their pelt. Their own, dull eyes... The wolf's ear twitched back, uncertainty in that single silent expression. Perhaps they should just go, disappear like a silent shadow and not disturb the pretty wolf's grooming.

 "If someone is here," They twitched, ear turning back around to listen to the words that were tossed onto the air. "…Then please do reveal yourself. I’m no threat to you, I promise." They had been noticed but they could still leave... But the curiosity. They didn't sound unkind, their voice was pleasant. The wolf looked down at the ground, gathering their courage and then they took a joint breath as they stepped out into the open.

 Their tail was tucked, head down as both pairs of eyes regarded the pale wolf. They were here, the wolf's tail tucked indicating that they too were no threat. One ear tilted back in a physical manifestation of their nervousness of the situation. Their eyes did not meet the other's, in some far off fear that they might ignite some primal anger. There they waited, several paces away, to see what the other would say now that they were no longer hidden.

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 Auroras luminous eyes danced to and fro across the various openings of the woodlands. Seeking any traces of movement, or any rousing creatures emerging from the obscure density. Patiently waiting, her curled up flocculent train, gently flicking up and down, perhaps in slight apprehension of the situation. 

 But all of a sudden she froze, as her eyes zoned in abruptly upon the dark form materialising. A Wolf. Realisation setting in, Auroras ears promptly fell to each side, a visible placid indication to the newcomer of her unthreatening demeanour. Mimicking the others stance, she too dipped her head in submission to encourage the other forward. 

 Aurora observed the wolf as they enclosed their proximity. Their dishevelled appearance was blatant, their pelt a mixture of browns and obsidians with gold tinges here and there. Although, it became very apparent something was very unconventional with the appearance before her, as the elegant dames lavender orbs urgently scrutinised the coil around the other wolfs’ neck. Instantly raising her head again, and tilting it to one side. What... has that snake got itself tangled up on her? Auroras mind began to race, attempting to make sense of what was occurring before her. A squeak of a whine escaped her maws, and then, naively, she tempted, ‘Gosh, are you meant to have that snake attached to you?’. Her brows furrowed slightly, speculating if they perhaps needed help, or if this were the newcomers companion?
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 The other did not react with aggression, instead the pale wolf began to mimic their own posture. Showing further that they would cause no harm. The dark wolf relaxed slightly, though their tail was still firmly tucked. They could tell that those lavender eyes were searching them just as much as they were searching the other wolf. They did not shy away but instead stood there. Were they confused? Their was something about the tilt of the other's head that put them in the mind of an uncertain pup. They did not know why but they were always ready to answer any question.

 The snake attached to them... Oh, right. Wolves not of The Pack did not have the physical manifestation of their souls. No companions to speak of. They wondered how lonely that must be. "The snake is our ssssoul." The wolf did not sneak but the snake, with their head raised a couple of inches above the wolf's. The snake's dull eyes would look without blinking at the pale wolf before them. The wolf no longer used their voice, not since that terrible day. "We are one." They concluded.

 He... had called he The Pack strange in their beliefs but had admired it all the same. They knew nothing else and thought what they spoke was completely normal. How else would the wolf live without the comforting coils of their soul? They tried to imagine how much more unbearable life would be without their constant support.

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 Instantaneously, Auroras' head inclined further to the side, involuntarily, as the snake was the one who enunciated the response, and not the Wolf as anticipated. Her ears now adjusted, pricked up intrigued. Auroral lavender eyes widening, as they considered the serpent; completely unexpected. 

 With her brief excursions, she'd come across few creatures, profusely and mainly wolves, and this was certainly a novelty for her. But perhaps naivety was present in this situation, that perhaps there were more wolves who carried a/their soul.

 Regaining her composure, the elegant dame straightened her head, her lips curling into a reassuring smile. 'That's amazing!', she astonished, 'And do you have separate names, or do you share one?'. Quite forward and curious she was with her response. Elevating her paw delicately, she placed it upon her ashen chest, 'My name is Aurora', she offered. Placing her paw back down, and uncurling her bushy train, letting it wag softly.
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 The wolf before her, seemed even more surprised when it was not the wolf that answered but instead the hissing voice of the snake. It was another facet of their world that was different. Although, they were expecting a remark about how weird and/or strange it was... not that it was "amazing". It was their turn to be surprised as the wolf's head canted to one side. That smile, it was so sincere, that they felt a glow of warmth through them. This one was quite kind... This one they liked a lot. "It was simply the way of our Pack." Although the snake's voice didn't carry very much emotion, the smile on the wolf's face showed that they were very pleased and humbled by the wolf's words. 

 Separate names? Or shared? It was a little confusing to think about anything that was separate between them. They simply were. The scales, the fur, the paws, the forked tongue. It belonged to them as one being, linked forever in life and in death. To have anything separate would feel so very wrong. "We are The Whisperer." The snake hissed in their quiet voice. Unsure if they would be able to explain it further beyond, "Just as you are Aurora." Perhaps that would make things a little clearer. "There is no... ssseparate. The Soul and The Body are connected." Forever, always, just as it was all meant to be. 

 They were very limited, however, in their interactions with those that were different. With those that carried their souls inside of them. They were always so infinitely curious about their lives. He had been their only link to that strange outside world... but now, it appeared that they would have another chance to learn, to adventure, that which was denied them in their previous life.

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 Mesmerised by the sight before her, Aurora attentively listened to the snakes voice, her ears twitched as they accustomed to the remarkable hissing-whisper addressing her. Eyes drifting between the consolidated pair before her, gazing back down to the she-wolf as a smile broadened across her maw. Auroras still carrying hers. When the serpent spoke again, she looked away from the wolfs golden orbs back to the coils own. 

 'Delighted to make your acquaintance!', the elegant belle returned; a genuine & sincere declaration. Tentatively, Aurora rose from her seated posture, swaying her luscious train gently from side to side. Nimble elongated legs of hers would tower her over most wolves, particularly the same sex as her. Conscientious of this, she didn't approach the other in case it intimidated them. 'You mentioned your Pack, does this mean there are more like you?', uncertain of how to word her curious question without insulting or displeasing her new acquaintance.
 Inquisitiveness was getting the better of her as Aurora desperately wanted to inspect the inseparable duo closer, she took a very small stride forward, head dipping lower as an attempt to minimise her appearance. The graceful beauty paused, to assess the others reaction to this before proceeding or receding.

 'I have to be honest... I've never met someone with a snake around them as their soul', as she spoke, Aurora opted to sit on back down on her haunches, head craned to one side; a look portraying her naivety. Nevertheless, an alluring and warm smile still adorned her lips. 

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 "Delighted to make your acquaintance!" The snake did not reply this time but instead the wolf dipped their head. Likewise. The motion seemed to say. Then, their eyes slipped past the other wolf's face to their long tail. After watching for a moment, their own tail was coaxed out of hiding in favor of tentatively mimicking the other's motion. Then, their eyes would return to the pretty, pale wolf. As if asking if that was okay to do, that simple repeated gesture which The Whisperer figured would show that they were attempting to relax and be more open.

 But then, when questioned about The Pack, the tail stilled. The Whisperer's eyes widened, fear flickering across both sets of eyes for a moment before they remembered to breath. "Yes..." Was the halting reply from the snake. The wolf's gaze flicked left and right, as if their Pack would pop out at any moment to bare fangs. They knew it was an unreasonable fear. That it was likely that they'd moved on... but it was hard to move past the anger and the abandonment. They shivered.

 The snake lifted itself higher, tongue flickering out to taste the wind. There was a brief moment where the wolf let out a quiet hiss, the snake returned their own, and then settled back down to their former position. Only then did the dark wolf begin to relax again where they mirrored the other wolf by sitting on their own haunches. The other's smile was so relaxing, so kind... The awkward wolf found themselves staring a bit, the snake built off of this and hesitated in their words until the wolf's gaze returned to Aurora's. "It was not uncommon... In The Pack. Different animals can be a wolf's chosen soul." Then, the wolf tilted their head to the side. A curiosity and thoughtfulness flickering in their gaze. Miniscule shifting of the snake's coils, twitching of the wolf's fur, as they silently communicated in the blink of an eye. "Maybe... those outside of The Pack just haven't found theirs. It lies within until it is found without."

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 Aurora observed the plethora of emotions that overcame the mahogany dame. Fear was notably one, undeniable really, with the petrified stance. Emitting a small whine, it was an acknowledgment of this but additionally a comforting one; prompting the she-wolf to settle from the concerns she was experiencing at that moment. 

 'I'm ever so sorry. I didn't mean to cause you any distress', the ashen belle apologised, her voice soothing & consoling. Aurora took note of the former tense used in her answers, assuming the Pack she spoke of was no longer, or perhaps she'd lost her way from them? 

 The incandescent sun pursued its ascent, clearing the humidity from the dewy morning; it's rays increasingly warmer. Inviting rousing diurnal critters & creatures alike to commence their daily habits. After the serpent delivered their answers, Auroras gaze and head titled skyward, mindful of the sunshine now casting at a mid-morning angle. 
 Returning her lucent eyes to the she-wolf, Aurora raised herself up off her haunches & sauntered daintily, practically cat-like, over to the umber other. Halting merely a couple of metres away, she was now close enough to admire the combination: the way the coil embraced & naturally appended itself to the Wolf; its two-toned scales dull, very much akin to its host, with their unkempt fur. Aurora amended her poise, her excessively tall stature diminishing as she lay down, subdued, next to the femme. Her raised head, however, was eye level to The Whisperers' own. 

 'You don't look like you've had a good meal in a while...', the champagne beauty was acutely aware of their companions anorectic torso, regarding this when she'd approximated her. A tinge of guilt overwhelmed her, knowing she'd enjoyed her fresh kill only recently.
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 The wolf shook their head, silently showing that there was no reason for Aurora to feel so admonished for having brought up something that they knew nothing about. Even so, the wolf was so sincere in her actions and how she apologized. It soothed their heartache, their distress, they just wanted to believe anything that the pale wolf told to them.

 Their eyes lifted, heads turned towards the blossoming sun. Their eyes closed, reveling in the warmth that was afforded to them from the kind sun. It felt so nice again their fur and scales. Their eyes would briefly open as the other wolf came closer. There was a brief moment where they tensed but then they relaxed, trusting that this wolf would cause them no harm. Besides, up closer, it gave them more of a chance to view the other up close. Without thinking, they spoke, "Your fur... it is pretty." And they were all grace and health, where they were not. Should they lay too? They decided against it, as it was easier to speak from this angle.

 As if on cue, their poor stomach --empty for countless ages-- gave a rumble. "We are not used to hunting alone. Without The Pack... surviving is hard." Would they die again? Cursed to fall victim to hunger once more? What a cruel fate... The wolf's pink tongue ran around their lips nervously, fretting over what the future would bring. They'd already woken in this world to aggression. What more would they encounter?

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 Such a balletic vision was Aurora, taking such pride & revelling in the grandeur of her luxurious pelage; of course her immediate reaction to the flattery, that was very well received, was a beaming smile & a twinkling in her eyes. Indubitably, how could one not marvel at the unspoiled & impeccable pelt?

 'Thank you', she purred, voice flowing like the gentle stream adjacent to them. The aura projected from the mahogany lady was that of benign, non-threatening. Auroras own serenity was portrayed, as she deftly crossed her left front limb across the other. She was at ease with the stranger, even in this exquisite scenario including the coiled snake. 

 We are not used to hunting alone. Without The Pack... surviving is hard. She could not fathom this herself, being the ardent huntress this was something she'd thrive from frequently. It would seem she were purposely built for that very same sport. The ashen femmes' solitary life was undoubtedly lonely at times, but survival wasn't an obstacle --- thus far. 

 'My dears, if you are to reside here, I shall bring you something at nightfall', this was always her prime time, to hunt & resume her haphazardly journey, alas tonight it seemed she pursued a diversion in her routine. 'Have you been around here long?', Auroras eyes drifted from the serpent & wolf, to the surrounding nature, as if she were intruding and looking around someones abode. 'It is quite pleasant here, is it not?', the eloquent dame observed.
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 The compliment was received well and The Whisperer was pleased that their companion was pleased. Their tail thumped the ground a few times, displaying that emotion visibly for all to see. They were relaxed, just like their companion who radiated kindness and peace. They would find no harm here, they could be stress-free. It was a relief.

 Then, the other wolf said something that nearly brought tears to their eyes. Food. Oh, glorious food. It had been far too long since they'd tasted something of substance. Berries and mushrooms only did so much to their aching body. "Yesss... Yesss please. We will wait here." The snake hissed, monotone voice just with a glimmer of that hidden joy. Although, they didn't really have to show it in their voice as the gratitude was plastered all over the wolf's face. "What do we owe you? We... do not have much." Or anything, really, but they'd pay off their debt in any way that they could.

 "Have you been here long?" The wolf shook their head, answering the question easily themselves... and then the next question... they flinched and thought about the rude awakening they'd gotten. Placed onto another pack's doorstep and forced to flee before the fangs were bared. She didn't want to be contrary, however, and simply nodded their head. "It is... pretty." Because they couldn't deny that fact. It was a nice territory. Prime pack grounds. "We do not live here. We do not live anywhere." A clarification in case the other believed that they were of this place. They were of nowhere. A nobody, that awoke for no rhyme or reason. "Do you?" They asked, the wolf's head tilting slightly to the side. Their nose told them that they did not belong to that group of wolves which set their mind completely at ease.

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 Bounteous things brought joy to Aurora, and one of them was helping others; a burning need inherited from her ancestry. Eyebrows raised, an expression of perplex draped her features, surprised by the others slight eagerness, albeit only shown by the wolf. Concreting her concerns of her new companions malnourished frame. That settled her plans, then - she would remain within this pocket of the forest for one more day & night. 

 Auroras surprised countenance quickly changed to one of warmth; like a cosy cup of hot chocolate on a Winters day. 'That's very kind of you. There will be no need for that', a smile framed her lips, 'Consider it a gift from me'. 

 She was pensive for a moment, patiently listening to The Whisperers' answers, coming from the serpent. It was fascinating, the way the snake curled & moved subtly around its host, minute communication between the duo, it was their very own dialect. Aurora briefly pondered if it were possible for herself to have a devoted consort in form of another species? Most likely not, she accepted. 
 Bringing herself away from her trailed considerations, she shook her head slightly in answer, 'No, it seems we have that in common.', Aurora hesitated, before extending her answer, 'I left my family many moons ago. I'm not sure what I'm out here to seek. Maybe I'll find out one day'. She relished the thought of venturing the expansive terrains. 

 'What is your plan?'.
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 A gift. Such kindness she hadn't known in so long. "Thank-you... We have not had sssuch niceness shown in many moons." Was it Him? Was He the one who had shown them that kindness before?

 The other wolf was not from here, it seemed. The pale being having something in common with being out here for no particular reason. Maybe fate had it that their paths would cross on this day. Whisperer would likely consider it fate, as how would they have continued on without help for long? Carrion was no good meal for a snake... not that they'd found any, anyway. "The Fates work in mysteriousss ways. Mayhaps they'll reveal a path to you in time." The Fates, destiny. Their Pack had been a firm believer in such things. The supernatural, the great beyond... did they still have a place amongst the Fates now that they were excommunicated? It made them shiver to think about their soul wandering endlessly among the material plane, never to find rest.

 They didn't want to think on that any longer...

 "No." The snake answered while the wolf dipped their head a bit lower, eyes downcast and ears splayed to the shame in slight embarrassment. "Without The Pack there is no plan." There was almost no life, part of the reason they couldn't hunt. They had been utterly dependent upon them. "We will just... wander... until purpose is found." Or until someone was found that they could ally themselves with. Living by themselves was not a thing they could do forever, nor something that they wanted to do for any extended period of time. In fact...

 Those dull golden eyes of the wolf looked to the pale wolf, almost hopefully. They had nowhere to go, either of them, could they be hopeful that they could travel with the kind stranger for a while?

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 That is such a shame..., she reflected on her companions misfortunate of generosity from others. Maybe Aurora needed to tread gingerly around these terrains, if this was how the locals interacted with foreigners. While this sumptuous lady was blessed with her height, curtesy of her tall, elongating toned legs, she was not fortunate however on the combat side; this was her downfall, thus that long stride of hers would hastily evade her of any unwanted confrontation. 

 The Fates. Would the fates reward her for her endeavours? She was skeptical, dubious of their existence really. Aurora was a firm believer in composing her own destiny; even if it were spontaneous. The ashen beauty didn't want to offend her new acquaintance, therefore she offered a nod in agreement to the statement. 

 It seemed the duo before her were in a compromised situation, Aurora had assessed. No Pack, no meals, no plan. And of course the hopeful eyes of the other hadn't gone unnoticed. The nurturing nature of the champagne damsel thus came to fruition. 'You're more than welcome to travel with me, if you'd like? I could teach you to hunt', she offered with her gleaming smile. Her flocculent train delicately padding beside her in eagerness, 'I prefer to move and hunt at night, my plan was to head North', craning her head around, she glanced over her shoulder to the horizon where faded gargantuan mountains stood, 'Towards those Mountains over there. They're quite something aren't they?', turning back round to assess the wolf & serpents reaction to this.
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 They heaved a sigh of relief, releasing that breath that they didn't know that they'd held. A traveling companion. Someone that could help them to take care of themselves and to get back on their feet, so to speak. "That would be most welcome. Thank-you... Aurora." The snake enunciated for the both of them while the wolf dipped her head graciously. Their brows and face were curved into soft lines that told of the deep feelings of their happiness at the other wolf's kindness.

 Hunting lessons. So that they may survive on their own and not be so helpless. What more could they ask for? Not anything, as far as they were concerned.

 The snake and wolf's head turned towards the direction that the kind stranger had indicated. North. The Body nodded their head in understanding. That direction. She'd go to the ends of the earth if the stranger so dictated. They would broker no arguments. They were loyal, submissive, and all too happy to do what was asked.

 There was a brief moment, as they both turned back to the other wolf where The Whisperer could be seen exchanging some sort of communication with each other. It was a millisecond after that the snake spoke. "Yes, we are curious what secrets they hide." Now, they both decided to lie down, inching ever close to the other wolf as they grew in comfort around their new travel companion. Their own tail would wrap partially around their rear legs and their golden eyes would blink kindly at the stranger. "Tonight will we travel? After we eat? Do we sleep during the day?" Like owls? They travelled at night too. Those bonded to them would also pick up the same nocturnal routines.

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 Auroras ears twitched as the serpent spoke, their answers brought her such felicity; an ally and feasibly a friend was made just now. The hushed whispers of the snakes' tongue was something this dame would need to get used to, as they accepted her invite to reside together. Still, whether their company was assumably temporary, it would make a nice change to her daily routine.

 The ambience was then shifted, into one of comfort & tranquility, as the umber-hued duo visibly relaxed, joining Aurora and laying down near her. 'I do prefer to travel at night. When the sun begins to fade, we shall hunt, we need to get your energy reserves back up and you'll be needing them at the pace I trek!', she softly chuckled, 'But for now, we can rest for the day''.

 She already liked this one, she was quiet but there was something alluring about her. Aurora was content in this moment. Deftly placing her head onto her front paws, she closed her eyelids, still wallowing in the sublime sun rays. Ears still attentive to her surroundings and the snakes reply.

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are you happy to finish here? :D i'll add/tag on future threads that you can join at any time as they'll be travelling together

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 There was the confirmation, that they would be like the owl-souls and move at night while resting during the day. They nodded their head, realizing a moment later that the other had made a joke. They extended their smile into a soft laugh, feeling light and airy. Happy. They lowered their head onto their paws while the snake uncoiled themselves from the wolf's neck. The serpent stretched out along the wolf's body, allowing the sun to warm most of their scales while they rested.

 Rest, it sounded lovely. Their eyes closed as they listened to the sounds around them. They all grew steadily dimmer as the reserved wolf faded away into slumber.

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Yes! We can close it here! Sounds good to me <3 I'll do the same if Whisperer gets into other threads.

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