There was a time when I was alone

 They were reunited with their loved one and things were better. Their coat and their scales were shiny once more, their bodies filled out with good health. Life once more held meaning. They were content.

 As such they had decided to partake in something that they loved. Swimming.

 They had found a lake, full of water. Ripe for swimming in the warm winds of spring. However… they noticed something peculiar. In the sky were storm clouds that didn’t seem to be approaching. The air practically crackled with electricity. If Aurora were nearby, they might have hid near them. However, they were alone and slid into the water as it made them feel much better.

 The Soul slid from The Body’s neck and slithered about in the water. The Body swam towards the center of the lake where their paws did not touch the bottom. They floated there, a wolf made for the water. Their eyes were up there, watching the storm clouds. Their Soul hissed their discontent and she gave a low hiss as well, affirming the strangeness of it all.

the staff team luvs u

With a stiffling and a desire to get away a bit, Vendrussel found herself travelling away from Dragonford. She would be back by the end of the day of course ; but did as she had done within the early days. Perhaps it wasn't the wisest of an Alpha to do so — but with the desire of exploration and freedom itself she had found often travels around. Though once war started to loom, and raged its ugly head she.. Eventually halted such ways, even if a reluctance came to it. Young and foolish, but she still knew when it was time to cease such activities.

Though the Ancients willed her so, it sometimes felt an annoyance, she would admit. But her love for her pack and wolves itself would topple that feeling anyday — just a sometimes to remind herself, to get away, and know that there was else out there besides the strife that happens within her pack, and that around.

Something brought her to the wonders of this mountain, as her legs trecked through. A good note though that it was coated within the flora of herbs, most unfamiliar but the smell was not. She could recognize a few from the days of watching others, and even her own when she was healing from her leg ; but the names would be amiss. Perhaps this would be a good time to bring a medic, whenever they properly got one. Only for the moment, Kei's knowledge was there. But the dragoness always was a warrior, then a medic.

She continued climbing, an urge of instinct that she trusted and continued to follow through. Her ears flickered, Vendrussel could hear the sound of water coming through, and within the distance even a waterfall. Perhaps this mountain housed a lake itself? She couldn't remember the last time she saw one, but knew by heart surely they were pretty.

Though a beautiful body of water may be before her, she was more distracted by.. "Whisperer?"

the staff team luvs u

 They were distracted by the sky, The Body’s golden gaze drawn high. However, The Soul was the one who’s tongue caught the scent of a disturbance. They lagged in translating the knowledge as the scent was familiar… Not Aurora but a similarly welcomed soul. The translated in their shared tongue to The Body, who turned just as the blue wolf stepped onto the scene.

 Their name was spoken and gleefully they would let out a bark while The Soul would speak. ”Vendrussssel! It is us…” The Body swam towards the shore, perfectly at home in the water as they were on land. ”We are most pleased to ssssee you.” The snake slid towards the shore, closer where their kindred soul was more easily seen. They were the wolf who’s Soul was within, unlike those who wandered here who had yet to find their own.

 The Body would let out a hoarse bark and a whine, tilting their head towards the water. The invitation was clear. Would they come to swim with them? To bond and speak more in the relaxing waves?

the staff team luvs u

Surrounding by the lovely growht of what seemed to be a herbal paradise, and a lake even more blue then herself. It was a surprise to see The Whisperer here, "don't you live in the plains?" she so questioned the obvious, but it still didn't hide her surprise delight with a smile crossing to her face. Though one that wasn't unexpected, cherished nonetheless ; she enjoyed the other who almost seemed to have similar culture.. As if their clans were branched off, and twisted to each of their own. She would like to ask the elders, but none were around to truly know more. The dragoness could only continue assuming.

"It is nice to see you again as well," her eyes took a look to the blue lake. Large as it was, surrounding by endless peaks. She could see slow waterfalls dripping from the peaks, perhaps the melting of ice.. Likewise, streams branching outwards as they descended to the mountain itself. It brought a serenity, a beauty that was unquestionable as her paws made way to the shore, and dipped into the cooling water. A shiver, firstly rippled to her fur as her body morphed to the temperature, and gently swam to where the other was.

the staff team luvs u

 They could see the evident joy on Vendrussel’s face, even after asking the question. The snake would have returned the smile if able but instead it was only reflected on the wolf’s face. Though, as per norm, the snake answered. ”We were travelling with our friend… to see what else there was… but we were separated…” It could be implied that they had wandered here to the mountains. ”Though we have since been… reunited…” A happy ending for The Whisperer thrived on the companionship of those close to them.

 The other wolf came into the waters and swam over to The Body. The snake followed languidly beside them before dipping underneath the surface of the lake briefly and reappearing moments later the other side of The Body. Both floated there in absolute bliss. One with the waves.

 The Body’s eyes closed while The Soul saw for them. ”How have you fared these past ssseasons?” The snake hissed in their low whisper.

the staff team luvs u

She sometimes wondered how they worked — a clear linking was involved as one was to speak and the other was to move. Were their minds tied to one? Did read each other? Sometimes the body would make movements and noises, a huffing of signals to the speaker of the two as one spoke for both of them. Unlike her own culture, where it was two wolves ; communication was given between the two and a bond was formed throughout that, but such supernatural methods such as mind-reading was not involved. If they were part of the same branch, when did the diverge happen?

But to them, and herself, they were of one, the body, and the soul. But there was always a curiosity to how it truly functioned. 

"Are you to wandering then?" Met within the luxury of a beautiful forest and swam into a pond, and now repeat the same action but within a lake itself. She'd like to think that fate kept binding them to the waters itself. She'd love to whisk away the other to the isle to show them what she had made and discovered through out ; even as small.. And vulnerable it has been. But The Whisperer seemed please within her travels with the other, and Vendrussel did not wish to ruin that.

Crestfallen that she was, the dragoness was truthful, "it has not been easy on myself. I was on bedrest for quite a while with a broken leg, as war looms over my pack."

the staff team luvs u

 In answer to the blue wolf's question, the snake would not respond. Instead, the brown wolf would give a low and raspy but audible "mmhmm" to affirm that they were. To expound upon this the snake would chime in with their low hiss, "Lapis Nestle is home... but so are the roadsss." It was always fun to see what was out there and to have a trusted friend at their back. It was unfortunate that they had been separated but now that they were back together, all was well again.

 Well for her... though it appeared not so for their kindred spirit.

 They spoke of war and of terrible injuries. Deep in the wolf's throat, they let out a sympathetic whine fo they would speak no words and the snake needed not to enunciate what was instinctively known. The empathy in their gaze was genuine, as if she could actually feel the other's pain.

 There were a few other sounds from the wolf's throat, soft and barely discernible, hisses and minute growls and huffs as they spoke their shared tongue with the snake. Then the serpent spoke after a few low sounds of their own, "So much has troubled you and yoursss... We are sorry to hear as much... If you wish to unburden your mind then we are hear to listen..." They would never pry and would never push. They were hear to help the other and if they so wanted to divulge their woes then they would listen and give aid as best they could.

the staff team luvs u

She closed her eyes as her head dipped further into the water, until her nose was submerged ; but else remained ontop. A calmness through the fresh, much unlike the stinging of the salt water ; and the stickiness is occasionally brought upon her pelt. Yet her fur always remained cleaned and smooth, for it gave it the extra plush that any female would adore to love — though she may not be the most feminine of wolves, Vendrussel can appreciate the finess of her own coat.

"It sometimes feels I am in the wrong, and yet I know it's not completely my own fault." she confessed, as The Whisperer offered an ear. One who wasn't within the land of the west, by the coasts who knew not of Dragonford or Northfall ; just the wolf Vendrussel, who lived elsehwere. It felt calming, like a confession to The Ancients itself who would not hear her, or listen when she called them so. As they were no Gods or Deities, they did not need to listen to the motions of simple wolven issues. 

"When I first arrived there we did not know we have neighbors, for they didn't even settle enough to smell them. Even if they did — we are separated by an ocean itself. Yet, they continued to invade our lands, where one was fine with it, but his own wolves continued to be aggressive." There was a sigh, like an olden soul retelling woes of tales from long ago — but she was tired of it. Tired of it all, and know what once she thought was certain in her path, in what she thought was righteous ; was slowly dwindling downwards. Vendrussel knew though she wasn't entirely in the wrong ; but knew where a step had been misplaced.

"They kept coming, kept fighting — to the point where in the end, one of them is now gone. They wouldn't stop, she wouldn't stop." Her paw slapped to the water itself, a frustration of anger revealed over it all. Sometimes the feeling to scream to the sky itself and she so did, when bringing back the body to them ; and screaming to their names. All with the cost of her leg itself.

the staff team luvs u

 The Whisperer would nod and would say, in a surprisingly insightful observation, ”No one ever isss… completely at fault…” Further proof that they would not judge, only listen. And then, they would fall silent so that they may listen to what Vendrussel wished to get off of their chest.

 They wove a tale of their pack, of differences that would not be fixed. Of aggression, the bane of all things. For how much easier would it be if they could all get along? If things could be solved with words and differences could be put forth to finding new and innovative solutions to problems?

 They could hear the pain, the frustration, how tired they were at all of it. The shy brown wolf was startled at the slapping of water but knew that it was a way to vent. ”Where words fail… fangss prevail.” They hissed, remembering an old adage of The Pack. They shuddered, wishing that things did not have to be so. The wolf swam closer, gently, hesitantly, and then, would attempt to place their nose against the other’s shoulder. A comforting gesture for they knew that Vendrussel was not a bad wolf. They could feel it in their bones. The regret practically radiated off of them.

 All could be pushed to doing bad things, however, when there seemed like no other way out.

 She.

 ”Death has come for She? At your own fangsss…” They guessed. ”Perhaps they too, see no other way but fangsss…” There was pain there. Sadness. ”Perhapsss the right words would prevail.” What those words were or even if there were any? They did not know but could only offer what advice they knew. Fighting was not in them, killing was not in them. Talking or running was their way… but there was no running for a pack leader. Just as there was no running from The Pack.

the staff team luvs u

She would accept the comfort, feeling the touch of the other but Vendrussel could not look at either of them within the eyes. She looked below, a blue gaze onto the blue lake itself — she didn't see much of a reflection when everything was coated in this disastrous color, and her own colors felt twisted, to more of a shine then her darkened hues, "she was young," the dragoness said.

"She was a year at the very least, and a honorable warrior. To grab at my own neck and shoulder was respectful and brave, especially when she did not have a leg." And she respected the woman who despite all that held her back, continued on as a warrior should be.

"In my land, a land I have trouble remembering — when you attack another, you are prepared for a life to end within your paws, and your own to be forfeited. You'll be granted a honorable death, and live through reincarnation. And I gave her, so many warnings to release her fangs." Even couldn't be denied, she too at times judged how barbaric her own land once was. They were brutal, caring only the toughest to survive that even children had died so during the dives itself. She didn't take that part with her ; Vendrussel honored much part of it such as The Ancients and the customs itself, and she twisted it in a leniancy, as the Dragons themselves seem to have chosen her to do so. Why else, guide her to the sepulcher? Why else, toy with her very life if not giving her what she wanted? She didn't even go through the dragon path, and yet, seemed like an exception.

"Yet the stares I get are ones that I am as evil as Dayrseroas, the death bringer, the ruler of darkness and hell itself.. Made me question all that it was — and regret, that I didn't have, now following."

the staff team luvs u

 More details were to flow from their counterpart after their bid for comfort was not rejected. A young wolf, a yearling that had gone for their friend. One who had only three legs, too? They were very brave, it seemed, a wolf that would be amongst the most lofty of warriors in their old pack.

 It was a tough situation. The Whisperer knew what they would do there, they would run… but they were no warrior. What if they could not run? What if their paws were weighted and the time dictated that they must act in another way? Would the fangs be used? The venom? Vendrussel had no venom but could they incapacitate in another way?

 ”None are evil… all have reasonsss for doing the things they do…” They didn’t even think of The Pack as evil creatures. Just… misguided or dealing out the justice they thought The Fates would want. Just as Vendrussel did.

 ”You did what you thought was right, in that moment… what would anyone else do?” For it was easy to judge when you were not in that situation. If someone kept coming for you –not matter the size or situation-- and it was you or them… what could you do? One reacted as they were provoked in tense situations. The Whisperer still held no hate or blame for their counterpart. They were not evil.

 The Body closed their eyes… thinking, and then hissed and lightly murmured in their language to the snake. ”Going forward… what would you do now… if fasssed with that same scenario..?” They were more experienced and could learn from the past, knew what life could throw at them and how to navigate such unclear waters. That was what made a bad wolf in this world, once you understood all the variables and had a chance to grow.

the staff team luvs u

The world wasn't so black and white, and she who viewed it such had made her errors. Vendrussel closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, before able to give an answer with a certainty, "No," was all that she needed to say. This was not her homeland, and these wolves she met did not have the same warrior vibe that she believed in ; and was desperate to push onto others. They were not the same, to the core of how they live and go along, to how they are within a pack. Though doubts were within the mind, slowly growing, it seemed as if Aarkon brought an enlightenment, for once it affects her own packmates.. It was time to look at what was wrong with herself.

Would she repeat her actions? Yes.

Would she go for the killing bite? No.

If she could repeat it, she would not. Her thoughts now dwelved to expose Ragnar and his signs, just as he did to her. To the way he couldn't control his own group, the way discord brought and his obvious greed everything around ; if she could change it all, that would be her set motive. Not a blood bath that now dwelved and she wanted to change — as the Dragonford wolves kept at bay within a silence.

Peace was a desire, and how to get so? A pitied smile, upon her face, for there was hurt in her soul and she only could hope that though blood was spilled ; that maybe Ynness was within a better place. For it was clear she was not happy at home, at least, so Vendrussel thought. She'd never know, only the confusion upon her face whenever they met, and the last moments she remembered.. An anger and a desire to rough it on anyone — just she, was the first to find on that path.

the staff team luvs u

 No. Such a succinct yet descriptive answer. They knew what it implied and how it would direct the course of Vendrussel's history going forth. They would nod their heads, as one. Then, they would settle back into the water. The wolf, a few inches away, as they looked up at the blue wolf with soft amber eyes. The snake didn't speak but the wolf did through her gaze... We hope that we helped. Sometimes, all that was needed was an impartial party.

 They would fall silent and still, their bodies floating in the water and their eyes half-lidded. It was nice to just soak here with a friend. They wouldn't disturb the silence and would allow Vendrussel time to think and speak if there was something more that troubled their mind.

---

crap post but they had nothing else to say... if Ven does we can continue onwards, if not we could call it here XD

the staff team luvs u

She did feel better, at the very least. With her emotions within withdrawals and in a chaos — she was growing uncertain of herself. A confidence dwindling and the desire to know if she was an Alpha to the wolves of Dragonford were all in naught.. But not with The Whisperer and others, words across that helped deliver what she had done, and what had been crossed ; Vendrussel was settling upon a different path. Couldn't be said if it was one of forgiveness or not, for she would never go to their borders and beg for that so. Not when the actions they've done led to it — but if the time came she saw them, the dragoness would apologize for that death.

Even if it meant nothing to them.`

A renewal, within her face as the dragoness smiled at the other. Newfound courage and a path that was unlocked ; an arc within her history that brought a wisdom for the eventual future that may come. Where a past, would not be repeated. 

There was a silence that fell between, like an understanding within this tranquility of silence that words, were no longer needed, until the two would depart.

the staff team luvs u