until next time

@Hydra

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Finding somewhere safe to rest seemed more difficult than the climb itself. They’d been climbing since sunset with hopes of traveling through until day, but by dawn, Ying knew that they wouldn’t make it much further without a break. More importantly, there was a scent barrier here; if they hoped to continue climbing later, they would need to address whoever had claimed this peak.

@Qiuyue motioned quietly toward a break in the tree line, then waltzed toward it, ignoring Ying’s warning to wait. “This is not our home”, Ying scolded her child, “You will get yourself killed, and I cannot stop them here.” She bent her neck down, keeping her body on high alert, and began examining the border to see if any of the scents stood out.

There was a strange familiarity here that Ying admittedly could not place, but it was striking enough to warrant an immediate call. Qiuyue could see the clear look of confusion on her mother’s face, one which she had seen more often since awakening, and so remained silent while Ying sounded the call. 

I am Yingyue, it said, I need help.
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It was not often that some would call for the Queen, or even the wolves of the mountain. Perhaps it was due to the new-land, and many were trying to stake a claim for themselves, before an overpopulation begun. Though that was a simple assumption, as Desdemona has rarely left the mountain, and is unware of most groups location, or if there is any. Though those she came across seemed to almost 'appear' within thin air these lands, and there wasn't many signs of any wolves within.

Her ears perked upwards, curiously so venturing to the caller in a haste. A help of call the other gave, and so she followed down and approaching what was looked to be a mother, with her daughter. They looked much alike, though almost opposite in coloring as one held a black patch on her nape, and the other upon her upper neck, "This is Empyrean, you have called?"

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i’ll be alternating between ying and qiuyue so you can go ahead and post lolol

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Ever obedient (under most circumstances), Qiuyue silently corrected herself and waited for Yingyue’s next command. “We may already be dead”, she remarked with a grin. Since being reunited, neither Jiang had spoken about their experience awakening here despite its obvious prominence in both of their minds.

Qiuyue thought it was strange that her mother called for these wolves with such familiarity. She turned a skeptical eye to Ying, allowing her thoughts to remain unspoken, while they waited for a response.

It didn’t take long for someone to greet them, much to Qiuyue’s preference. She waited for Ying to introduce herself as Jiang Yingyue, commander, before adding her own heavily accented introduction: “Jiang Qiuyue. No commander for me.” She was just another one of her mother’s pawns, even here.. wherever this was.
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Hydra knew that voice.

Knew that name. 

And she was swift to meet it, though not swift enough; grateful, she noted Desdemona there, and the matriarch stepped toward the older of the two with some measure of caution. By now, the matriarch had come to learn that those she knew might not know her. What made the memories of some intact and others in disrepair, Hydra did not know. But Ying, Hydra knew, was a warrior. Hydra felt certain in combat she could best her, namely here of all places, but Hydra hardly desired to harm the other... nor to incur any unnecessary wounds in the process of bringing such a thing to fruition. 

Desdemona would have been rid of any threat, real or otherwise, but still she found herself responding to instinct as her vision swept to beyond the other, having heard the call for help. It seemed hell was not at their heels, though, there was another... a nonthreat to Ying, if there was no blood on them. Her eyes remained cool in their brief assessment, where she evaluated the other to determine that was so (among other things, sussing for weak points with that astute gaze of hers), but once finished her attention shifted quickly, and seemed to soften a measure. All this, in the span of a second or so, when she breathed in and—

“Ying,” she drawled, stopping short of the other by several feet and looking back to her. An ear flicked, and she regarded the other there through this way alone for now (beyond the passing look of interest. Their presence was acknowledged, but it was Ying who had been an old friend to her. Perhaps her latest one, of those whose company she had truly enjoyed. And then, she had gone. Where, Hydra did not know... 

But perhaps it had been here. An ear backturned now, as she listened for Desdemona wondering if she might have missed anything critical.

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Though name was unfamiliar, what was interesting was how one was introduced. A commander, though white in appearance, was like a opposite of Hydra in the sense of black and white, the other baring a striking resemblance on how she presented herself and stood so. A warrior, though child, claimed to not be. If it was another wolf surely there would be a laugh, but as Desdemona held lil' humor due to upbringing, she held a nod, "I am Desdemona, guard."

And nothing more needed to be said, as the rightful Queen descended from her throne and from the shadows of the mountain. Respectfully so did Desdemona dip her head, a step back in the usual shadow of her so ; there was nothing to truly note and report to the other as all was given was but introductions. Though so, it seemed the two may have known each other.. Perhaps when it was the time they still were claiming as Moonspear, though that name was long dead, and a new name brought forth.

---

skippable

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Yingyue turned to her daughter with a slight nod to acknowledge a half-whispered statement; “She knows you from a past life”, the nymphet drawled in their coastal tongue. The commander bared only the tips of her fangs with a quiet rumble to warn her daughter that she ought to mind her manners and speak only the common tongue. She’d made a point of teaching her children early on that a lack of understanding could (and often did) lead to violence which the pair were in no place to incite.

Turning back to the shadow of a woman, Ying tilted her head downward and spoke: “You call me Ying, not Yingyue or Yinglong, so my daughter sees that you know me well.” She frowned, shaking out the fur lining her shoulders with a frustrated sigh. “I know you”, Ying continued, “but I do not know why, and this makes me…” She searched her mind for the correct word, making brief eye contact with the alpha, hoping that what was understood need not be said.
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It was difficult to decipher their coastal tongue; it was not the same as her natal one, that her mother had spoken to she and her sisters when they were cubs, but there were similarities in sounds. Conclusions could be drawn, but Hydra was uncertain if they were right ones... and she would not assume. Her gaze fell to the girl, and she noted the mothers silent reprimand. The matriarch could guess at why, and it would certainly have been true then had Hydra not known the woman at her proverbial doorstep so well. 

But it seemed once more that it was not the same for Ying. There was familiarity at least, which was more than most who could not remember... and Hydra would take what she could there. It was a win—a small one, but a win nonetheless. Hydra glanced to Desdemona as Ying (unbeknownst to Hydra) sought to make eye contact, concern only apparent to one who did know and remember her so well. It was a passing look, brief as she then once more regarded the others daughter, considering things quietly before she turned her gaze back to her old friend. It was not for the first time Hydra had heard this... and she did not expect it to be the last.

Hydra knew what Ying felt. She felt it, too.

Lowly, Hydra spoke: “Many have arrived to this place and have forgotten many things. Of themselves... of others they have known,” she revealed openly, licking her chops. Hydra had forgotten Ying, too, up until this very day when she had heard her. It was as though a bell tolled within her mind, the vibrations of it unlocking several things. 

“You called for help,” she acknowledged then, allowing Ying room to elaborate. Hydra was uncertain if Ying wanted to get into all that she did and did not remember in front of her child, and so if that was why Ying had come Hydra would let her guide their conversation that direction. But perhaps she and her daughter sought a home now, presumably alone in this world... she supposed she would find that much out, too, now.

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Qiuyue heeded her mother’s warning with a submissive wince as she turned away from the Shadow, embarrassed by her apparent rudeness. She knew of her own tendency to lose herself in the moment; Yingyue knew this too, and it was one of her daughter’s traits which she favored least. Not wanting to create further tension, the leaf settled herself into a squatting position, not quite seated, and lowered her head to her chest.

Her mother’s voice came at a slow drawl as she explained their predicament. The women had woken up separate from one another in locations unclear, then had somehow crossed paths once more only some days beforehand. They’d travelled together until coming to this mountain and being drawn up by some unknowable urge. Qiuyue nodded along to the story, adding her own piece at the end: “It is spirit brings us all one.”

Meaning, we are being reunited for a purpose.

Yingyue smiled at her child, a small, half-hidden grin, then explained to Hydra their need for a home. Somewhere to rest in exchange for work, she continued, whatever work they might have needed done.
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Hydra listened in silence, firstly feeling relief that there was no near and present danger (despite wanting to sink her teeth into something in answer to her own frustrations). The daughter spoke of spirit, and Hydra was not of the mind to dwell on that much then and there. If spirit was to thank for this, then what was to blame for all that was still missing... her mothers memories, among that count? The matriarch was not a spiritual woman, but had hardly considered the things she did or did not believe in at great length. It seemed a colossal waste of time when one could focus on what was real.

This. Here and now. 

What she could provide for them. What they could give to the family they soon would become a part of.

Hydra knew Ying could hunt, and was willing to bet her daughter would become capable at the craft given more teaching if she was not already. “What memories cannot be restored will be remade,” she drawled, deciding that they would make the best of what life had put before them, “and for the better. You and your daughter both shall become family now,” she drawled in welcome with a small grin of her own, gaze turning to the youngest among them, “and perhaps you can teach me more of the language you spoke, if you would like,” she offered, tail swaying as she then looked back to Ying. 

A woman who, in the past, had become a true friend amidst the many she had lost due to death, or circumstance. Hydra had not forgotten that much, and her own loyalty toward their friendship remained. Stepping backward, Hydra looked to Desdemona in thanks. She would meet her once more to patrol with her, but firstly, “come, I will take you to the rendezvous,” she says lowly, circling to begin to pick her way into Empyrean's depths.

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Yingyue might have praised Qiuyue for her proud mention of their beliefs, were it made at a more appropriate time than this. Instead, she gave her yearling a disapproving glare and shook her head, then turning her attention back to Hydra. “We are grateful”, Ying replied, turning her gaze downward, “and I…”

Much to her surprise, Hydra’s attention returned to Qiuyue with a question carrying more unfamiliar familiarity. Will you teach me more of that language? the Alpha asked. Qiuyue, being a woman with some superiority complex regarding their culture, responded with an excited nod, stuttering through a response that would ask the same of Hydra. Something like: You yours, too.

Assuming their permission to cross had been granted, Ying beckoned for her daughter to follow as they headed inside toward the rendezvous site.

Fade here? Let me know.. I’ll wrap in a couple days if not :)

---

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More bodies to the mixture, one a warlord in name, but skills yet proven.. The other much younger, smaller and less like a guard. Though bodies were always appreciated regardless of the skills they take, as already Empyrean held many that were warriors and the like. She nodded at the trio, and the Queen accepting the other and would guide them to the stars itself. She too would dip back into the shadows, awaiting for another summons, and idly patrolling by.

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