I was doing just fine before I met you.

Pinging @Touya

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On she went, picking her way Eastward - keen to put further distance between herself and the odd deer-worshippers she'd happened across before. The days were long and lonely, enough so that Tavra did consider turning back and taking Célnes up on her offer, but the considerations went as swiftly as they came. The elk Queen had been pleasant enough, but Tavra had been unable to shake her mistrust of her and whatever cause she sought to share.

When she felt the soft pitter-patter of a Springtime shower on her brow and snout, the young Mayfair quickened her stride. On nimble paws she trotted toward an unfamiliar forest's edge in search of shelter, and she weaved her way into its depths just in time. A ginger ear swivelled atop Tavra's crown at the sound of rainfall on the dense canopy above, and she released a breath of relief to have avoided being drenched.

There was something inviting about the woodland in which she found herself. The ground was heavily populated by blue and purple wildflowers and Tavra moved carefully between them. She was in no rush, and although she'd never been one to pause and appreciate nature, it seemed wrong to disrespect such delicate flora.

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+1 discovery

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Tagging @Aurora in case you want to throw her in <3

 The Whisperer had risen a bit early that day. Their stomach was full but the Soul felt that they needed a bit of water to soak their scales and the Body felt that they could do with a bit of a swim as well. Water was always nice but they didn't want to wake their companion for such a thing. So, they would give them an affectionate but gentle nudge of goodbye before taking their leave.

 They would head out, walking through the trails of flowers on their way to water... but they stopped after the snake scented something with their sensitive forked tongue. They would hiss and hum to each other, communicating, before the wolf would turn their head in the direction that the snake indicated. Visitors?

 Then, they would walk towards the scent that they too caught. It was a few moments later that they saw another wolf picking their way through the wildflowers. They were smaller and made up of a mixture of browns, reds, and whites. The wolf would let out a gentle bark, aiming to catch their attention as they moved closer to this other canine.

 They would stop a respectful distance away while the snake said in their whispering hiss, "Hello there... welcome to the woods..." They didn't quite know what else to say and waited to see what the other would do. Would this be one of the bad wolves that they had to try the venom on? They hoped not, they abhorred conflict.

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I hope I made the right assumptions about the snake here? PM me if anything needs changed. :D

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The deeper into the woods she ventured, the scent of wildflowers grew more concentrated. Tavra managed to stifle a sneeze, but the pollen continued to tickle her nasal cavities. It wasn't a particularly pleasant sensation, so she huffed heavily through her nostrils and blinked the sting from her vibrant eyes.

She detected the sound of another creature moving between the foliage and, distracted, the young Mayfair paused to investigate. Her eyes swept between each tree until she caught sight of a dark figure - female, with a rugged pelage kissed by warmer shades. Rooted, Tavra eyed the stranger with caution; surely she hadn't encroached on another wolf's territory already?

A voice, rasped and with a drawling 's', seemed directed at her - but she saw no mouth move. Tavra's brow furrowed in confusion and she scrutinised her newest acquaintance's face, having missed the coiled serpent in the dim light of the forest.

“Uh, thanks,” she started, and dared to look the stranger over. It was then that she spotted her unusual limbless companion that held fast around her neck. Tavra gawked, clearly concerned and even more eager to keep her distance as she took a wide step sideways. “What's with your... friend? The snake.”

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+1 discovery

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 They stood, watching the other wolf that looked back at them through the rainy environment. Were they confused? It seemed that way from the expression on their visage. They supposed that that wasn't too far out of the ordinary, when compared to those outside of The Pack, they were not at all what you would normally see.

 The wolf would give a polite nod at the "thanks" that was spoken a bit hesitantly. They didn't shy away from the look that was given over them and tried to keep themselves loose and relaxed. Like Aurora, be confident like Aurora... but not too confident that they looked aggressive. They felt as if they were doing fine, at least. Not tucking their tail or shying away from the company as they were looked over. That was a plus and a step up from their normal behavior.

 The next words caught them a little off-guard? Friend? The snake? Ah. The wolf and snake glanced at each other. Friend. They wouldn't exactly call each other "friends", their bond went so much deeper than that... but they supposed to others that it would be an easy-to-understand term. "The sssnake is our Soul..." The serpent clarified for them both after their eyes returned to the smaller wolf before them. "We will not harm you. We sssimply saw you... and wanted to give greetingsss..." It wasn't very often that they had to reassure others of their non-violent intentions. It was an interesting role reversal. **"We are The Whisperer... we live here... with a friend..." The snake's strange hissing words would stop as the onus fell to the other. Would they stay and converse or find the duo to strange to want to interact with?

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Tavra's copper gaze lingered on the face of the serpent, then the dark features of she who carried it. What was it with these wolves and their fascination with creatures outwith their own kind. First Célnes and her deer-worshippers, now this freak. It was unnatural! The young Mayfair twitched her nose, clearly disturbed and uncomfortable in her frustrated confusion, and perked a ginger lobe as the snake hissed in response.

“Okaaaay,” she drawled, and lashed her fox-like tail. The snake symbolised her soul, apparently. That was definitely a first, and Tavra furrowed her brow in a contemplative frown. “That's... unusual.”

She wanted to tell her newest acquaintance that she was crazy, but reminded herself not to be rude. Her irritation with the locals was swiftly leading her down the path to blurting out something offensive and, being alone in a strange land, that would not be wise. She tilted her muzzle a little, opting for a curious “friend? Another snake, or...?”


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 They could see the visible signs of discomfort on the other wolf. The Whisperer in turn seemed a little nervous at that, they didn't want to off-put anyone. Their tongue ran across their lips as it was almost impossible for the timid wolf to hide their emotions. Normally when they explained their Soul, the others would understand or attempt to understand. Never had they encountered this before and they weren't sure how to react. "That's... unusual." "Perhapsss..." The snake answered for them. Perhaps they were the strange ones, after all, their Pack had been the only ones to have Souls. They knew that compared to everyone else they were the strange ones; it was nothing new. Although this was their first creature that seemed so perturbed by it.

 In reply to the second series of comments, the wolf would shake their head in reply. "No," The snake hissed, adding words to their companion's silent gestures. "Our friend is a wolf. Gray in coat... Their name is Aurora." They wondered if their friend had woken up or if they were still sleeping until it was later. Most likely the latter with their nocturnal lifestyle. "There are not very many wolves like usss..." Certainly not The Pack as they didn't seem to be here. The only other wolf they could think of with a Soul was The Crow.

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She lingered, clearly unsettled, both disturbed and curious by this odd turn of events. Tavra wondered if she was dreaming and, with the swift conclusion that she was, she felt very much ready for the nightmare to end.

“Alright, well,” she chirped, done with this nonsense of wolves with their spirit animals and friends who were likely just as weird, “good luck with that shit. I'm out.”

Katavra huffed a breath, unimpressed, and circled wide around the snake-worshipper to be on her way.


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