hot blood on cold ground

 Perhaps it was the growing sense of not giving a fuck, or the lack of larger prey within the veils but, the pale colored wolf crept into the Everfrost he had sworn against before. Seeking anything larger than a hare, his nose sniffing and close to the ground. Sure, he could hide fairly well against the snow, and sure his sheer mass could take down a deer or an elk with relative ease but, such size made him slow. If he messed up in the slightest, there would be no way he could ever chase it down.
 The scent of reindeer lingered in the air, though Campion didn't pursue it too heavily. It was times like these that made him long for a companionship, even just in hunting. He could run a long distance, sure, but never fast enough to keep up with and tire out a large herbivore. But if he was part of a band, a hunting party, Camp was confident in taking the final blow. His massive size a heavy and tiring weight on just about any creature if held onto too long.
 Campion could just vaguely recall his brother, whom all shared a similar size. They were all just as massive as their father, though their mother wasn't too small herself. Rowdy the lot of them, sure but, capable in a hunt or a fight. Those days were gone and faded, however. In the memories of being 1-2 years old, before he left the pack to be on his own like most of them did.
 It was just custom, his mother, Nevooma, was not a wolf who took lightly her traditions. And their father, well, he hadn't much say from within the ground.
 Their nose was picking up a scent, just up ahead. A scent unlike the piney groves or smell of reindeer. Perhaps Camp's nose was a bit frozen or, perhaps it was a sign he was actually getting old but, he had to get closer to figure out just what the source was. Snow making soft crunches under his massive paws as he slowly made his way closer.
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She was not aware of the brawl that went down within the Everfrost, or the claim that was around before. There was the faint smell of one, but it seemed like some time had passed since anyone re-did so and assumed, perhaps, a pack that was once attempted and then abandoned. She would've liked to meet those who dwelled in this forest, as it seemed a well area to take a claim. Vendrussel didn't know she in-fact did meet one.

But it seems she wasn't only one within the forest ; and didn't know someone.. Just woke up. She could smell him, and barely just see him. A tall man who was blending within the arctic itself, white with blondes and almost just could blend within the surroundings if it were not the few slices of gray upon his pelt.

"Hey there," she greeted so casually to the stranger, with a smile upon her face.

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 And surely enough, within the white of snow and pine, a slender and complimenting figure rose into his pale blue vision. Their dark color an otherwise sharp contrast to the pale whites and sparkling blues of the snow. Through leaves of pine, he caught the refraction of both of their light in the mirror of icicles, just barely holding onto the branches. They held a scent on their fur that was unique and perhaps even a bit salty, like the ocean.
 She spoke, a friendly but, strong voice. His eyes squinted as they looked her over, inspecting for any signs of alternate intentions.
 "Mornin'" The large male returned, obliging her hello with his own. His sultry deep voice came with western accents and tones.
 "Ya look a bit out of place for bein in tha snow." He continued, head and eyes gesturing towards her whole body. Hinting towards her darker pelt.
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There was always a thankful notion that most wolves of the region were overall friendly. There was only very few individuals she met with a more anger to their tone and body, where brawls seemed to rage — but she could count those individuals upon her paw, and most were Northfall wolves. An enemy to the North, she so deemed. Her tail though high, and posture in a proudness did not give an aggression. She only grinned lightly, "A bit,"

"I'm not unfamiliar to the north, though the sea is only a distances away." Her eyes shifted to west, where a large body of salt-water stood. She was an off-shoot of the tundra, and not exactly within the cold embrace, but enough to feel their winds.

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 "A sea dog?" He questioned with a more matter-of-fact sounding tone. It was more an assumption and a personal confirmation rather than an inquiry. The white and pale toned wolf returned to moving, slowly. Stepping to her side yet keeping the same distance.
 She wasn't tiny no, not for a woman. Let alone the bravery she showed to stand ground against such a large male as he. She was respectful in her pride, as well, which Camp took as good faith.
 "I like to go back an forth ma'self, between the mountains and tha snow." The male finally lifted his squinted gaze from her and gazed it around the forest. The peaks of mountains rising just beyond, towards the direction he was headed. 
 "I've come down to hunt, that pack that was here before seems to have cleared out." He explained, figuring that the woman would wonder where he was from and if he was with that old group. The older man was careful not to come too close to this region, always keeping on the outskirts. He may be huge and foreboding on his own but, he was only one wolf. A whole pack would make swift work of him if they grouped up on him.
 Perhaps they would come back, perhaps they were only following their food but, Camp took advantage of the dwindling scent borders and lack of any whereabouts. Food wasn't nonexistent further north but, it was more abundant the more south you go.
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"The northern seas are always my home," she said with an affirming nod. It wasn't the same if it didn't have some cold to it, but she could survive without the ice. The isle was gated away from the true tundra, as the mountain of Northfall stood dauntingly within the way and blocking those icy winds. Nonetheless the water though was still relatively like one, cold and chilling at times ; Vendrussel would not desire any time soon to go lower to it's depths into a more hotter region. She was only glad that the Ancients guided her to somewhere relatively alright.

"I as well, it feels awfully quiet.." She took note of such a desolate silence within that it was unnerving, but there was no signs of anything that happened. Where once a war had raged, the tracks of so and even the blood was covered by a blizzard itself, and the bodies fallen, dragged away to respectful packs itself. All unknown to the two who stood where it once happened, blissfully unaware and only smelling fragmented remains of a group who laid within..

"Perhaps the tundra was too much for them."

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 He let out a bit of a scoff. "Weakness." The wolf chuffed. His thick, double coated fur made the tundra more-or-less easy for him. Though he did stay further south, for sake of hunting.
 There wasn't even a breeze about the place, which was surprising due to the geographical location. The mountains that surrounded it on either side made Camp think that it would be windier here. Astonished at the fact that it was peaceful, quiet, almost meditative.
 "Shame, too. This seems like a fair but o' territory." Finally his intensely pale blue eyes peeled off of her, to gaze at the tranquil Everfrost. Though, he did not know it was called that. The trees heavy with snow were a mere foot or so from the ground, making the forest of pine appear thick and mysterious. Camp was curious to explore but, cautious to what he might find.
 There were creatures here that resembled ones he had seen before but, looked different. As if God decided to paint them all a different color. Also beasts he had never seen before, entirely new and alien. This fact was not the only thing that told him he was far from home but, it certainly stuck out among the rest.
 "If only I didn't hate people coming to me for their problems, perhaps I would claim this spot for m'self." The smile that crept on his maw hinted the fact that he was joking. Even if he was the only one that thought it was funny. He gave the female a side-eyed and coy gaze, wondering if she, too, would find any humor in it.
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"It can be quiet awful in winter for those who are not prepared." Winter was a save grace, as she barely remembered the moments — relatively safe from hunger or the cold. Though idle during the time as she remembered in the midst of so, was she tossed off of the cliff and given only a broken leg. At the very least the pack provided, even if the waters were especially chilling. The stones would give pathway through. But their land was only a bounce off of the tundra itself, and she knew well from her homeland of its terrors.

But it seemed like the man before her knew well enough. Large and strong — a true arctic wolf. Their heritage was made for such a land. She smiled and chuckled faintly, "I would think the same if not already in one," though born by the ocean-side.. She wouldn't mind a change of pace within the true north. Though the dream from The Ancients, had led her to a haven within the Sepulcher itself. She wouldn't simply abandon it for but a whim.

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 Camp's lips briefly curled into an eager grin, pleased greatly when someone laughed at his jokes. Especially such a beautiful figure as this one, as peaceful as most women were. He corrected his face to one more serious again, not wanting it to become too apparent that he found such joy in her subtle laughter. 
 The large wolf was intrigued by her words and his ears perked effortlessly forward to listen to her speak. "More sea wolves?" He asked when she finished, again more of a personal conformation than a question. The beast maybe would enjoy such culture but, feared his thick fur would soak up too much sea water. Though he had his fair share of moments falling through questionable ice, only to be saved by a family member in the past. He was a pup then, so he wondered how different it would be now.
 "Well if you ever reconsider, I'll be here~" He winked one blue eye, stroking his ego a bit in suggesting she had any interest in him. Camp rarely found any doubt that he was a handsome and formidable creature so, assumptions such as that were easy for him to make. Be it a fact or not.
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"More or less," she wouldn't say they all were like a sea-wolf, and more just forced to the ocean by the way they desired to join. No one complained, at the very least — anyone who did would most likely find an issue with Vendrussel. To join and to argue of location.. Seemed rather silly, but any who did could smell the thick salt upon her pelt, "we live right off the tundra. A bit of ice within the mix," she said with a slight chuckle to it. At the very least they were directly off of the tundra's waters, where it was more bearable for those who were not used to it.

"Afraid you'll always find me near the coast, but i'll visit to see whether someone tries to take your forest." As the obvious stated by the agreement it was a beloved land — it wouldn't be surprising to find someone else attempting to take claim to it. Would he join it, or be run off? She thought about it and to offer refuge at Dragonford ; but he didn't seem like someone who would be willing to join a pack.

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 "Sounds nice." Camp tried to imagine the place and figured he would perhaps one day see it with his own eyes. He was due for a much exploratory journey, mostly to get himself accustomed to the land.
 The man smiled at her comment, a bit of a chuckle coming with it as well. "Ah nah, I probably won't. I prefer to be a part of a pack, not lead them." He admitted with true honesty. Perhaps it was the responsibility or the pressure one would be under but, being the leader never really did fit him. Not that he wouldn't, say, lead a hunting part but, a whole group? Nope, he was too lazy.
 It was his older brother that led the band when they were younger, though most of the other boys saw Camp as the guardian. Which was fitting, though, it did end up with him growing to be rather lazy. They only ever needed him when something was wrong or when somebody needed to be escorted. 
 "Your pack treat you well?" He asked, rather curious.
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"Being a leader can be troublesome," for the actions of one, tends to reputation as a whole. Which she couldn't deny doing as well, for the actions spoke of other packs, that Vendrussel viewed them all by those leaders ambitions. It was the burden one would take on claiming a stake within the land — naming it, honing it and creating what they wanted as so. In return, they would always be looked at far more, then another. From strangers and packmates alike. Even as a leaders daughter, Vendrussel couldn't say it was anyway similar to the burdens she felt upon her shoulders.

"I'd like to think so," even with strifes and battles.. She would hope, at the very least ; they trust her, "but it's my home. I wouldn't trade it." She said, with an honest smile.

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 Her words spoke familiar, and that flash of an ambitious flame only further made him think fondly of his brother. This woman was growing kind and fond thoughts in old Camp's brain as they conversated and interacted. He was quite warmed, to say the least.
 The old man could remember like it was yesterday, him and the three others being wild and crazy as lost boys might be. Only to be reeled and rangled back in by the nobleness of his brother whom, though not older, was always referred to as the 'older brother'. Oh those times made him miss home, miss Alaska, and his mother and father especially. One might catch a peek at such softness in the normally stoic-faced man, though he made quick to move on from the subject.
 "Are you letting more wolves in? I haven't made any agreements with any packs yet, and you seem like a fine leader to get behind." He thought best to ask, even if he later decided it wasn't something he wanted to do yet. The large wolf still had a journey across the tundra to make but, if nothing else hooked his collar like this young lady, he would be sure to find her and ask to join officially.
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She chuckled lightly, "Is it that obvious i'm the Alpha?" At least, it brought a slight warmth within her heart if it seemed like she was more leader-like. She often wayfared around the land, and though no one protested.. After everything happened she locked herself more ; a serious tone within the mixture and overall 'oh,' of a moment where she had paws within her hands. Some not pleased, others uncaring and some simply sympathize with her so.

A smile of pleasement, "we are always looking for wolves," though sunken within look, her eyes drifted to the west. A gazing toward the mountains far away that through the evergreens should could not see. Her tail flickered, and ears flattened slightly as she narrowed a look and gazed back to him, "Yet, I must warn my pack is also with odds with another. I would not bring wolves who do not know about our battles. Nor' hold it against those who would not want to participate."

She was honest. A war that he did not need to go into, even if it was just an interest.

It was too fresh to really say 'they just dislike each other,' for now it goes further then that.

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 "If you weren't, I'd be surprised." He chuckled along with her, warmed by her character and friendliness.
 "Only a leader has your kind of wisdom." Camp couldn't help but see that image of his brother within his mind. A true leader, a man he would've defended and remained loyal to - siblings or not.
 Camp's face matched her own as it shifted to being more serious. He observed the look in her eyes and known their group had seen death, it was a look he was not unfamiliar to.
 The man stood tall and strong, showing her his true size, with no flicker of fear in his eyes as she warned him.
 "Give me a week or so." The wolf began, stepping forward but, not so close as to be disrespectful of her boundaries. "Give me some time to explore these lands, then I will go to the water to find your pack."
 He was built to protect his tribe, a wall to be beat upon while the brains of the group figure a proper strategy and he was more than okay with that. Camp needed to be in that position again, for it was his purpose.
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"We learn from our mistakes, and I have made a some since coming to this land." It felt pleasing that someone called her so, because she thought she was far from it. If maybe she was — if just maybe she had her heard on more, she wouldn't have done the deed. Perhaps another wouldn't be dead, and the occasional scowl upon her like that of a murderer itself. Her Clan, would've praised and cheered, and yet here ; she was given looks of questioning. It was, different..

And she didn't like it.

"You may find us at the coast, within the beach covered in a thick fog," her snout pointed behind her to the west where it laid. They would not be able to see her home where she so was, but at the very least — no one could miss the brim and it's mysterious, but haunting way, "call for me when you do." 

If the word of battle did not draw him away, perhaps she will see him soon.

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 "I'm Campion, and you?" The male questioned when prompted to call for her. He had been so wrapped up in their conversation that he had forgotten to ask her name before. He stepped back and a bit to the side, preparing to turn to leave. Honestly a bit excited, he wanted to get on the trail soon so he can get back to the shoreline and join this woman in her endeavors. Fight this war she spoke of that sounded most intriguing.
 Perhaps he would head northmost first, get a good vantage on atop a mountain, then move on. She had directed him west so; he assumed the ocean can be found that way. He had never seen it himself, though he had seen another in his lifetime and knew what to expect. Camp wondered to himself what the name of the ocean was but, perhaps he would learn it another day.
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"I am Vendrussel." She greeted with a friendly smile, and mentally noted his name and face. Like many cultures she was used to a certain type of naming and coming to the land had been visited be all sorts of wolves and their cultures itself. She did wonder what he would bring to the table, where did he come from and what languages did he speak? Though, she supposed that could be saved for another day.

"I will wait for your visit," did the dragoness said as she too turned, and roamed back to the sepulcher.

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