Because I know in my heart it's not the right thing to do

@Vera I will miss u so much queen Backdated to after this thread. Minxy is welcome to post if she wants to but since this is VICIOUSLY backdated dw~

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The decision was unanimous. Though most wondered what could have caused the woman to snap as she did, there was no doubt in anyone's thoughts that she had proven herself far too dangerous to be a part of Shiroshika any longer. It made the empress' heart heavy to have to do such a thing, but unfortunately what came with the crown also came difficult decisions. Decisions that no matter how difficult they may be, had to be done.

Once the meeting had come to an end - she sought @Tiberius and Vera wherever he was holding her after the transgression had occurred. Gyrfalcon was stable and simply resting after what had to be a traumatic, and exhausting event. Blood still stained the porcelain coat of the woman as she found the two, approaching with as neutral of a face as she could muster during a time like this.

“Vera... A decision has been made.” She would ask to gain Vera's audience. Waiting for the woman to collect herself before continuing.

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She felt like she's been here forever when barely much time had passed at all. It was true what they said, eternity could only be reached in the darkest crevices of your mind. The large wolf laid on the ground, fur a mess with blood still all over her. Most was not her own. Most of her actual blood came from her face, especially her snout. The scratches she inflicted upon her face were fairly light, but the nose had been the cliff to the remaining sanity she had held onto. Thus her paw had gripped it ever-so-tightly. Large ugly gashes were carved into her nose, the exact damage was hard to tell due to all the blood that still seemed to slightly ooze down her muzzle. Yet it didn't take a doctor to note A LOT of her nose was missing now, this was not a 'scratch' but a gash, multiple.

Even in her dazed state, her body was always working, she could detect light paw-steps heading her way. Yet she did not move to face the visitor. Instead like a child, she covered her face with her large paws in hopes that the situation would simply end, credits roll. Life seldom worked how we wanted it to. The visitor arrived, normally she would be able to smell the wolf but all the blood coating her nose camouflaged the guest in iron. Her voice was what led Vera to learn of the identity, even though she could have easily made an educated guess.

“Vera... A decision has been made.” 

She heard and felt her heart dropped, the shame coming in waves.There was no Vera here, she had thought to herself. She already knew the answer, knew her leader was far too forgiving. She would not be executed, and instead be bestowed a FAR worse fate; which was life, likely away from here. Vera did not answer the other or acknowledge her in the slightest. She merely laid where she was, still as an ice sculpture, paws continuously trying to hide her away from it all. It was a childish and pathetic but desperate sight. She hoped the other would just leave.
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Vera did not move as Reiko approached. The once so proud and full of life Vera was now nothing but a scared woman trying to hide from the fate that was unfortunately inevitable. Her heart ached for Vera, wanting to assure her that her home was here and there was no need to fear.

But sadly that wasn't the case... and to bring Vera's world down on her like that weighed on the Empress heavier than perhaps anyone could imagine. Izumi and Antares were right, what had brought Vera to have such a violent reaction toward Gyrfalcon? Sadly... it didn't matter. Gyrfalcon was missing a leg, and such a thing was not acceptable.

What if it was Hotaru who had somehow triggered Vera in the same way? Or Izumi? Gyrfalcon didn't deserve it either, but had it been her daughter... “I am very sorry to inform you... that you must leave.” She would speak softly, trying to make the words sting as little as possible no matter how futile that attempt may be.

Vera obviously regretted the event, knew the wrong that had been done; and now she had to reap what she sowed. “You are welcome to eat something before you go, and I can look at those wounds on your nose as well.” She would do all that was possible to make it a comfortable transition as possible... as possible for such a horrible one it was.

Of course, she would ask @Tiberius to remain should she look at Vera's wounds. As much as she would love to trust the woman, it was shattered - and she could not feel comfortable placing her fate on hope that she would not trigger the woman as Gyrfalcon had earlier.

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Vera wanted desperately to freeze time. She wasn't prepared for this, but nothing would silence the other. Reiko continued to speak and with each word she uttered, Vera could feel her own heart grow colder and colder. Until it was nothing but an icy rock, useless and no longer needed. She herself was no longer needed. There was an odd mixture forming in her veins, grief and numbness. With it, this allowed Vera to no longer fear and ultimately...to no longer care.

She slowly, carefully, took her large paws off her face and opened her eyes. Bright, the world was disgustingly bright on such an occasion. Silently, Vera gathered her paws beneath her and stood up. Despite this all, Vera was a soldier, a survivor. She only knew how to keep moving forward. It was why in a way she silently resented how Reiko would not kill her. She didn't have the guts to off herself, this was all she knew how to do. Take one step at a time, take each beating a step at a time, take each death a step at a time, take her suffering with all or no steps... all the time.

Getting out of her daze, she slowly turned her head to look at Reiko, her sadness apparent. This was not only Vera's burden it seemed. That hot anger that caused her so much trouble, it could be felt burning the more she stared at the other. And yet this anger was only directed at Vera herself. Confusing, she would never understand that this feeling was raw regret at its finest.

With a slow and shaky breath, Vera faced the situation. "Nah I'm good. I will not take anything else from here, even your time. Thank you, I will never forget your hospitality..." She said with a voice that could send shivers down one's spine before following with one of her polite bows. It was cold, mechanical. "But...you should have killed me when you had the chance. YA sushchestvuyu tol'ko dlya togo, chtoby ubivat' mechty. — I exist only to kill dreams" She spoke the first sentence as she slowly looked up and stared at Reiko with her bright amber eye. The Russian flowing from her lips afterwards was there to slice and sever herself away from the culture she had been eager to become a part of. Words that were said around her in her past life. And then just like that, the stiff and tired wolf began to wander her way to the border. If they followed her to escort her, which she expected, then she would not bat an eye or react to anything else said or done. Merely change her path if insisted. Her lips were frozen shut as she left this empire of light.
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It was difficult to remain steady in this moment. How she wanted to coddle the wounded woman and assure that everything would be alright - but it wouldn't be. The fact was a horrible incident had occurred, and trust had been shattered. Though Reiko wouldn't see Vera as the monster she saw within herself, she still had to protect the members that remained - and to do so, the agreement was that Vera had to go.

Heartbreakingly enough, the woman stood. No tears, no words for a moment. Reiko's heartbeat a rhythm for her, mourning the silent pain she must feel to be cast out so suddenly. One mistake... all for one terrible mistake that she was obviously sorry for. Sorry, unfortunately, would not bring Gyrfalcon's leg back.

She would refuse the offer for food and medical aid on the wounds that still smelled of blood from where the Empress stood. With a solemn bow of her head, Reiko would offer mute respect to the woman to have taken the decision in stride. No whining, no arguing. At the very least she could give an honourable farewell.

Of course, they would escort Vera out. Not only for the safety of the pack but also to see her out. That she would not be alone during a difficult time. Reiko couldn't be certain what Vera meant by her final words, but she was certain the decision to not kill the woman would be ultimately the right one. As Vera walked off without another word, the Empress would offer a final goodbye with a song just for her. Howling a long, sorrowful song to mourn what had been lost this day.

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