Hold my hand and float back to the summertime,

The fog was neverending, upon entering the behemoths brim it always loomed through. She wondered why it kept like this, for now as the unnerving sounds of a monster called through the mist — she was no longer phased. It never approached, and she never knew if it was truly something beyond, or just the water playing games. For it wasn't only herself that could hear, Vendrussel was aware others knew of it's presence.

But such a curious thought.. For what could it be? She held a nose to the ground, inhaling nothing but sea and salt, the occasional wanderer leaving a trail and yet nothing else could truly be smelled through — besides the mixture of Dragonford wolves. But the wolf kept her ears and eyes opened, constantly twitching and wondering, any signs of catching what could be within the fog itself. She couldn't smell, she couldn't see, but she could hear it.

When she heard the quaking sound of a low rumble, Vendrussel charged through to find.

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 She'd travelled northward, following the promising smell of something tasty. Her nose never usually lied to her but she didn't know if there was something amiss here... As she wandered forward, a mist seemed to grow stronger and stronger. It wreathed her blue body, curled around her fur, made it difficult to see. She didn't quite need to see though, she needed to listen and to smell. 

 What she heard, had her pausing. 

 There was a rumbling noise, a groaning in the distance. She wracked her brain, trying to figure out what it was. There was nothing she could put the sound to, nothing save for moose and no moose would make that noise. Her in-tact ear twitched back uncertainly as she prepared to leave while the leavin' was good. 

 Except she smelled... her. 

 The woman who she'd hunted with before. She had been pleasant enough company and the temptation of her pack had rang throughout her mind for days. She thought of it now briefly as she debating following and then did. Not for the promise of the pack but because she was curious about this place and wondered if the lady had answers. She remembered last time that Vendrussel had been behind her and now the claw was on the other paw. 

 She could hear the rumbling but could see the shape of the wolf in the distance. The blue coat was distinctive in the mist, a lovely contrast to the monochrome grays. She was hesitant to say words for the atmosphere was foreboding and instead offered something more primitive, a chuff. It was low, nothing compared to the ambiance already around them, but hopefully it was enough to get the attention of the oceanic lady.

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She halted to a stop, her charging ceased and ears pointed upward in flickering with an alarm. A cautious look around as the sound continued, so familiar and yet unfamiliar. Louder, then usual that it brought the slight caution to the wind with a flicker of her tail. Vendrussel chilled, the fur on her spine rising as it continued on — but within view, she thought she saw something.

There was the smell that was not there before, and a shadow she did not know. Some part of her hoped that perhaps it was the infamous beast the continued to call through this beach, and yet at the same time knew it couldn't be true, but only had to find out. A dive into the dog, fearless that she was there was still a caution that glinted from her ocean eye, and maybe a hope, it was something that her imagination currently was conjuring.

Yet at her leap of faith, she stopped.. "Blackfoot?" even the sounds that she so tried to hunt, seemed to have ceased at their encounter.

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 The haunting noise rose above her, setting her fur on end. Her seafoam gaze lifted from the shape in the distance and instead searched around her. Would some behemoth step out of the mists and attack? She couldn't smell anything else, just wolf but the melody was not to be ignored. 

 Her gaze drifted back to the other wolf, she could see that she was running towards her. Blackfoot readied herself for some sort of assault. Her weight balanced back to quickly try to dodge out of the away of any attack. Except it never came. The other stopped short and Blackfoot relaxed. The atmosphere must be getting to the other she-wolf as well. 

 "Vendrussel." The blue woman responded, the greeting a confirmation that she was correct. The woman stepped forward, closer so that they may properly see each other though still were they wreathed in fog. Her green eyes pierced through the fog as she stood before the other. "Good to see you." And not some other terrible beast of the night. It was even better now that she had another here that they could face something down together as wolves should do.

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"Nice to see you again as well. It seems you found yourself in my hunting grounds," as she approached too in a closer range, Vendrussel laughed lightly without malice within. Though words may intent otherwise, all hostility that was from hunting that beast of mystery now fell through in a relaxed posture. Her tail slightly moved within the background as she crossed her paws, a friendly smile upon her face with the lightest amusement to their situation at hand. In fairness, as well, the scent of the ford was rather weak upon this border that many passed through. That wouldn't be a bother as long as a hunt didn't come through, and yet the passing of the unwanted, has been rampant. 

"These beaches are home to unknown beasts, it's best to be careful." Surely Blackfoot, had heard their moaning in the distance.. Her blue eyes glanced around, as a silence continued to hang.

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 Her hunting grounds? The blue woman dipped her head apologetically, not having realized and would never have intruded if she'd known. "Apologies." The last thing she wanted was to cause sour relations, that would make her and her pack's lives more difficult.

 And admittedly, she didn't want to get on Vendrussel's bad side. The other she-wolf seemed like a good sort. 

 "Prefer I leave?" She was straight to the point and prepared to depart if the she-wolf didn't want her here. It was completely on her for intruding and she would like to stay in the woman's good graces. Even if Ven didn't sound particularly upset --and indeed had laughed-- and the smell was weak upon this particular patch of territory, it was still good to ask. 

 At the warning of the strange beasts, Blackfoot would nod once. "Noted." She was not pleased at not knowing what sort of creatures these were. It felt like she was dumped here in some strange alien world. "Strange lands we've found ourselves." From waking up with no trace of memory to those waking up from death. She knew not where this place was and was sure she'd never get an answer.

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Vendrussel shook her head, "I do not mind," with the other getting upon her good side, she would rather not sour the relationship. It wasn't as if there was a grand strife to hide, and not many would even attempt to claim a land to this bleak sands. That was the one advantage of the brim, for such fogs blocked any love for it. Yet, there was still a beauty, for pines hung heavily in the background — with elk and boar roaming it's woods.

"But be careful, for there are wolves that also live near here that are greedy for everything they touch. Already, have I fought them more then once." Northfall wolves were a greedy and haughty bunch, believing they own more then their fair share of mountain. Despite such a small group, they not only tried their large mountain, but even the waters itself, and her island! There was no claim upon the beach, but Vendrussel took hold of that regardless. The ocean can only provide so much food to the land-walkers, that at times they needed a pull of other mammals.

"it does bring a question why we fight over this strange land," yet, she couldn't help but slightly chuckle at the situation and nod at her last statement, making the most in this more.. Desolate times, in a more jovial humor. Vendrussel wasn't one to continue moping. But at least she would give an awareness of others upon their doing, and greed.

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 She was glad to hear that she had not caused offense and the blue woman gave an appreciative dip of her head to her counterpart. That was one less thing to worry about although in the future she would remember this patch of land and know to call before she stepped onto it... or better yet, avoid it altogether. She was still unsure how she felt about this mystery moaner in the distance. It might be best to avoid this place out of sheer principle. She didn't like unnecessary risks. 

 Unnecessary risks like the wolves she was being warned about. Blackfoot's brow furrowed as she absorbed this information, it was likely something to take back to Mal. The way she spoke, it sounded like a pack. "Who?" She questioned and then peered into the mists as if she could parse them out. "Where?" So that she knew to avoid that place. 

 She couldn't tell if Vendrussel was speaking lightly or not but the words weighed on her as she thought of her own mother. "Could be our nature." She wasn't quite waxing poetic but she remembered how Amelia behaved and how the woman described other wolves. A lot of it seemed to be bull... but what if some of it were actually true? Greediness. Savagery. She knew when it came down to it, they were all not above it if it meant survival. It was why she knew a pack was the best way to live. To mitigate the damage done to you by nature... or your own kind.

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Her paw moved lightly to point at the direction to where Northfall is, "the wolves on those mountains to the north, barely into the tundra." She found them like the border to the permafrost, a large mountainscape that was protecting the ocean from it's more chilling breeze. Most likely those of dragonford would be facing a harsher cold if not for the landscape, and yet Vendrussel couldn't help but feeling spite against it, for holding her enemies.. She must remember, it is not the land that is greedy, but those who hold it.

"Northfall is dangerous," she so declared, "it's a shame to be fighting for our lives to simply live near this beach." A blue gaze slowly drifting downwards, just further away from Blackfoot.. She would not forget the first life that Vendrussel had taken here, and even this realm altogether. However if she didn't bring down the other — surely it would've been her body on the sandy floor. She gave her an honorable death, no pity to be given to a wolf who was lightly crippled, and to treat her like the warrior she was. She would not lay her own life down just because of so.

However, it was still a shame, that a life had ended so early.

But she would learn. She didn't want to rely on others for help but Vendrussel knew they were more powerless then they realized. Even with wolves to arm, it still wouldn't be enough to keep it down — and a possibility to lose it all. For the time being, the only moment that the wolves could do strategy-wise, was wait. Secure themselves, and while so.. Warning others, of their deeds.

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 Blackfoot followed the direction of Ven's point with her eyes, there was nothing to see beyond the all-encompassing fog but she would remember the distance and the fact that it was a range in that direction. The blue wolf couldn't even remember if she'd actually been that far north and it was likely that their members never would have any reason to range so far, but still, it was nice to know where to avoid. 

 Her gaze would come back to Vendrussel after the warning. Northfall. That was the pack. Fitting, she supposed, for wolves that lived so far north. "Will tell mine." So that they could be all clear on the dangers. "Thank-you." She said, voice enunciating her thankfulness. One of the few emotions she would allow herself to enunciate, beyond indifference and anger. 

 She snorted, not amused at the news of what all they tried to take. "Want all of the beach?" She wondered if they'd get so greedy that they would venture down south towards her own territory. Hopefully not, it was quite the trek... but what if they grew powerful? Her brow furrowed as she thought of these things. Concerning things... "Small pack?" It was clear she was thinking of Northfall and their uncertain future with them as distant neighbors

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"They are small," as far as she could tell when going to the mountains for her first time.. As well as most likely last — only two had shown themselves, and she remembered vaguely there was about two others as well, both, including the leader. She would say about as many pads there are upon her paw, for all she known they held quite a weak scent, and were like that for quite some time ; even with Dragonford fully marked their territory. .. But how much has it changed, since then?

"They were displeased we took to the ocean, and took this place as a hunting ground," she glanced around the fog, still nothing to be scene, "a forest connects to it. My wolves cannot survive on fish every season.. Yet they purposely antagonized, despite already claiming a large mountain for their food source."

It would've been fine if this place was passing by for others — and warned to keep off a hunt. There was only so much prey to go around, especially as the seasons grow harder.. Yet, time and time again, she was challenged on this very same one, and often mocked by them. All came to the end where death came to be ; not one she wished for by any means, but still would do it again.

She was a warrior, till' the end.

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That was good, at least. A small pack was less likely to go invading and conquering. Although such a fact apparently didn't stop them from harrassing Ven's pack. Foolish? Or was there something more? Likely they had their own story but she felt it better to play it safe.

"Some prefer violence." Over negotiating. The law of claw and fang ruled many. It was a harsh law but viable if it could be backed up. It was why she chose to not go it alone, despite her mother's teachings. "They shun talks?" Even a violent pack must know more could be gained through alliances than fighting.
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"It's strange, their leader came to talk, and yet his wolves shown otherwise." Vendrussel could only shrug with a lighthearted smile. She could assume it was some kind of power struggle and difference within their core — and yet enough where it affected the outside of their claim. It still brought a wonder of the 'what ifs,' but she knew it not on her side causing the issues, and thus, didn't hold true regretful qualms about it.

"It seems their talking is more throwing insults," she tried to keep it light and laughed lightly, yet it was voided of warmth. Despite the seriousness of the situation, she couldn't always.. Be about it. It affected her mood for so many months while bed-bound to the isle. Now was the time to try and show a smile, to everyone. Showing, they're not weak.

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 Hmph! How very strange indeed. "Implies insubordination... or miscommunication." Either way, it wasn't good for a pack. Especially if the leader really did want one thing and his pack tried to do something else. Actively working against the good of the group. If she were alpha it would not stand. Granted, she could never see herself being an alpha. It wasn't something that she felt she would particularly like. 

 "Immaturity." The she-wolf said with an implied "tsk" in her tone. It made no sense to her. Why cause trouble and strife and war with your neighbors? There was no need for such things when peace brokered a better existence for all. Granted, they all had fangs to fight but why do so if it were not necessary? Why make survival harder for yourself and those you love? They had enough to worry about with the state of this strange land without adding more strife!

 Granted, she knew only one side of the story but from what she could tell, Vendrussel seemed level-headed enough. It was probably why she liked her, to be honest. "Foolish behavior breeds misfortune." Who's misfortune? Well, hopefully the one being foolish but time would tell if they brought everyone around them down.

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"I would stay away from the area otherwise, as war looms around." She offered a pitied smile. As much as she would like Blackfoots company, there was always blood upon these beaches — she wouldn't put it past Northfall to come for anyone she knew. They already sent their children so many times ; even if it wasn't in-subornation, how could they simply let their young run amock like so?

She would blame Ragnar for Ynness's deaths, because otherwise it would be Vendrussel who would be upon the floor. At the time.. They were only about a year apart after all. Yet in the terms of wolf, that would mean their maturity was so, so different. The dragoness, was still so young and foolish, that she rushed to the fangs of death.

"I wouldn't want you to be caught up in it."

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 She didn't have to be told twice; she would avoid the place to keep from any sort of violence. Fighting was something she could do but not what she would want to do, if she could avoid it. She nodded to the other blue woman's words, finding them sensible enough. She'd warn hers to make sure they would stay away from these lands that Northfall liked to frequent. Otherwise, it could be more trouble than it was worth.

 "Should warn those I'm with." The woman said, glancing back over her shoulder the way she'd come. It would be a good idea to head back with this information. "Thank-you. For providing it."

---

Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to wrap this one up since it's so old now... I'M SORRY!

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"Be safe on your travels," Vendrussel wholeheartedly wished. She enjoyed Blackfoot, and hopefully she was someone to count as a friend beyond that of the pack-life. Even if they were companions within the sepulcher, at the very least beyond they would meet once more for a hopeful meal, and maybe, on better terms. Cautiously looking around and assuring that no enemy was a-foot, before bidding the other a safe farewell.

They would meet again.

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