You take my photo, I fake my breaking smile,

It had been some time since @Ghost was found on the isle. Taken into Dragonford — there wasn't particularly a guardian in mind besides the isle as a whole taking care of them. They were old enough to do their own, but if the other sought for them she wouldn't reject ; especially if they needed a den partner. Though they were so silent — much unlike the children she was familiar with. There was like a void, a staring from them without a care besides curious questions every once in a while. Watching and learning..

She found his trail somewhere upon the island. Not within the forest of so but along the rims of so. She would find him somewhere upon the beach, "Hey kid," Vendrussel greeted with a grin, "want to go hunting?"

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 He knew that he was amongst "friends" here and knew that he didn't have to watch his back while amongst them. However, they were unconcerned with the light and that left him to search for her alone. That was what he did... until it lost the light's trail. It was single-minded in its efforts to find the pale wolf. Not ceasing and not pausing until--

 "Hey kid," An ear twisted around towards the sound behind him and then, slowly, his head would turn. Sickly green eyes would stare at the larger wolf. The pupils would dilate and then contract as he stared with unfocused focus. A hunt? Hmm... He wanted to find the light... but she was not around. Perhaps the light wanted alone time for he was not her favorite person... for now. Follow at a distance and focus on other efforts. Hunting could provide sustenance to his light. He needed to learn the basics. 

 After an audible pause where the young male did not even blink, he finally made a sharp motion. A jerk of his head once in a "yes". Then, it would pace over to the blue wolf. It studied her face, the strange contours of the smile... and then, he would mimic it. A smile that did not reach his eyes and performed by someone that truly did not understand how to properly do so. It was simply done to "fit in" and make his presence more tolerable to the leader of the pack. Relatability 101.

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Just an overall strange child — it brought a great curiosity to what happened before arriving to the isle. Where were their parents? Any family at all? Even how was a great question, and yet asking.. Would not achieve any results, she so knew as questions were blown off and his fascination toward who she assumed, was the tigress. Speaking only when she ran her fiery mouth, and wondered what exactly they saw within Olympia. How Vendrussel would simply like to know his thoughts.

Simply unusual, even the smile that seemed to robotically appear on his face was unlike him overall. Eyes that stared and spoke like of no emotion ; just a facade, like to blend in so. It didn't phase her too badly, was just something to adjust so. She took children with a grain of salt, for they would grow, change and adapt as so — and if she remembered rightly, within her clan as well, they were an unusual bunch compared to the ones she seen so far. It could be said that @Jósteinn seemed the most child-like out of everyone else.

"You know how to fish?" She turned toward the beach and walked a bit to it's shore, a flickering with her tail to beckon him close toward it's shores.

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He would have shaken his head in response but she'd already turned away. With annoyance the boy would walk after her, the "smile" twitching with the new sense of irritation. "No." Was the simple, emotionless response as he walked closer to the beach with her.

It stepped closer to her, finding a seat at the edge of the water. The liquid lapped at it's paws, the waves calling a gentle sound to its ears. He liked it. The smile faded quickly as it stared outwards at the waves. It liked this. The only tell was the fading smile and a subtle movement to place his paws close enough to the water so that they touched.

There was food out there, things to eat and hone his skills. He would learn and for now, he would wait for further instruction while being pulled by the water.
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"There are generally two ways — patience, and directly." Her paw waved over the waters edge, where vaguely in the distance there was fish swimming. They weren't big however, especially as they were just grazing the edge of the waves and following with each brush the ocean took. But enough for a single wolf at least to gain a meal — well, maybe for a child at the very least. Vendrussel wouldn't admit to being a bit of a glutton. Swimming uses a lot of energy, after all.

 

 

"You seem like a kid who doesn't want a fuss," as their very minimal of.. Everything. Sound, looking, generally being around overall. Having a splash around felt like it didn't suit a Ghost at the very least, but it was a method that brought a prey in directly within short time. Can get more, within the other way though — as well on occasion, bigger fish. She stepped into the sea, with slow strides while carefully trying not to disrupt the water. The fish were generally avoiding her, but not enough where they all completely swam away.

Her knees were deep in, enough that if a large wave came to, Vendrussel could very well by swept back into the sea where she lived and breathed. She smiled, at Ghost who stoodby the beach with but a lackluster look — plainly as usual, to seem without an interest. In the midst of their dark coat was such wide and light eyes ; neither yellow or green, but a mixture of a lemon-lime, or even sickly, others would point so. While observing the child though, her own blue-gaze shifted back to the water as the fish started to swim around her.. Without a care after some time passed, and herself, being so stand-still.

Before suddenly, with quick effort did her head dip deep into the water, splashing about that scared the rest — but when she-reemerged, a fish was within her maw. Patience, to the factor of an angler, as still-enough they would forget she was a moving being altogether, and slowly would one that was big enough to eat, would arrive. Vendrussel snapped her fangs into it, a crunching along it's bones as it flopped and finally — it stopped, and she threw it distances away onto the beach with a quick thrust of her neck.

"If you are patient, you can pick and choose a bigger one."

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 Patient path. Direct path. Which did he prefer? The child did not yet know for he had not learned the basics of hunting and certainly not fishing. She made an astute observation of him and he looked at her, considering in his blank way if she was correct. Didn't want a fuss? Well, things were easier if they were done so. Patiently. While watching and observing. Perhaps the annoying big one was correct. An intelligent leader? Mayhaps. 

 In any case, he should listen and learn. Something he did as he observed all her movements. One might think he was just zoning out or particularly disinterested in the lesson... but if they tracked his unfocused pupils, they would find that he was tracking her every move to an insane degree. Copying and writing everything down in his mind so that he may do what she had done. 

 Most might have lost interest or become bored at the length of time that passed. Not he. It was there, still like a statue, watching. Like the ghost he was named after, a silent observer. 

 Patience. Always. 

 It had incredible self-control for a child. In the end, it paid off as Vendrussel struck and came up with a fish. 

 She killed it and tossed it towards the shore. Ghost, impressed though he may be, never showed it. His expression didn't change, not even as he got up to go sniff the now-dead fish. His nose twitched, inhaling the fishy smell... then he sneezed before looking over at her. Perhaps... perhaps it was his turn now. 

 He canted his head to the side in a quick, bird-like motion and pointed to himself with a paw. My turn? The gesture asked. It might have been cute if not for that stare.

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"Deeper in the water it's better to use your mouth to catch. Quicker — but if you are closer to the shores, you can use your paws and throw them onto the beach." He watched, wordlessly, and she continued explaining so. There was different ways to fish — all which she experienced and knew well. Most species all hunted the same, though some found it easier then others. She knew bears in particular, with their large paws, often swatted the fish out, just as she would on a lighter side of the coast. 

She started to move toward the shore, slowly — making the least amount of ripples as possible. The smaller fish moved away, carefully as they returned back after the storm in the deeper part but the rest seemed undisturbed. Like she was a stray log within the wake ; unfamiliar with her form. So carefully moving.. Before lifting a paw ; and having the fish bounce away from it's place.

It was small though, not even enough to be a snack, much more like a chew toy or even bait. It floundered into the banks of sand for some time before Vendrussel came to dry land ; looking at Ghost with a nod. He held a paw to his chest, continuing to be wordless but a looking that was readable enough, she so thought. As she then bit to the small fish, and gulped it.

Relatively easier then some prey, she imagined.

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 Even as she walked back to shore it would study her. Silently, perceptively, never missing a singular movement. Not the way that her body glided like it was a part of the water, nor the way she so easily trapped a fish. He would need to be like that. So, when she gave him the approval, it rose to its paws. 

 Slowly, deliberately, it tried to mimic what Vendrussel had done. Carefully, with controlled movements did he go. He went into the water, noting its chill silently, but he did not allow it to change his movements. The paws could be used in the shallows but it would go to the deeper end where he could dive his muzzle into the water after one of the fish. 

 He found a spot out in the surf where he stood up to his withers in the water. His head was tilted back so that he wouldn't have his nose brushing the water while his eyes remained trained on the fish below. They'd moved out of the way of him but now were returning as he became one with the water. His claws gripped the earth beneath him tightly, anchoring him in place even as the ocean sought to rip him away. 

 It focused, in its unfocused manner. And then, a fish caught its attention. One that was about as long as its tail. The fish was curious, nibbling at one of Ghost's toes... 

 And then, the dark wolf struck. 

 It was surprisingly fast, head darting beneath the water in a strike... but it was not expecting the resistance it felt from the water. It slowed and the fish moved away while he raised his head back up. Sickly yellow eyes were bugged out of its skull as the saltwater stung, water streamed from its nose, and it coughed and sneezed. 

 Well, that was... unpleasant.

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"Hold your breath and breath out your nose to avoid the water." She laughed slightly while watching on the shore, and indulging in one of the smaller fishes. A rather easy bite where she swallowed it whole then trying to take bites ; not worrying the consequences of the bones. A crunching and grinding while watching the younger one attempt to hunt — but she didn't realize he didn't know the simple concept of water.

Some part of her assumed since he was on the isle — it was destined in the way. She mulled over lightly if the dragoness would have to teach him how to swim as well.. Wasn't a bother — but the most importance was to know how to properly survive from the whiplash of the sea-salt.

"The salt water can burn your eyes," Vendrussel stepped back into the water, "for fishing without actually diving, you want to keep them close once you breach the water. It's important to be quick so you don't miss that sight." She stepped near him in his midst of snot and coughing, a pitied smile upon him. Not many could stand the angler-like fishing within the ocean itself, it was a different game at times. It was important to precision one-self so their eyes wouldn't burn from.. All of it. Generally though swimming, one can get used to it, minus some reddy-eyes later.

Within the pace of their talking and her explaining the fish gathered again, and as an example.. She reeled another one up. A quick darting of her head to the water — as soon as she saw the shadow near her paws and the glistening of her scales, it was an immediate action. Quick and precise, where when she felt her snout pounce into it's depth and feel the droplets trinkle on, a quick shutting of the eyes.

Perhaps risky, as mindlessly dove into it's water and felt her maw clasp onto it's scaley form, and reascending it to the surface of the air. She blinked, shaking her wet top before throwing the newer fish to the shore.

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 Ah, holding your breath. That was a thing he hadn't noticed from her or thought of. He couldn't remember any prior experience with water. 

 It continued to sneeze but those lessened after a moment. Its eyes would blink until the stinging sensation would become bearable and then cease altogether. Its gaze would turn to Vendrussel, watching in that strange way that he did. The woman demonstrated again after the scaly beings had collected near them again. It almost made him... jealous. It was so easy for the large she-wolf to dive beneath and grab the fish. While it struggled to even get its head below. 

 There was irritation... but it wondered if the irritation was at itself or Vendrussel for being so good at this. 

 He wanted to do this perfectly and yet, it was a skill that needed to be developed. Perhaps then, he was angrier at himself for being unable to execute this well and for not having demonstrated the proper skills, even after trying. 

 And yet... even with the burgeoning emotions there was no tell. It simply watched her, eyes unfocused as it took in everything. Words, sights. 

 He looked down at the water, gaze trained on the fish that slowly filtered back in. Eyes, nose. Focus on the fish. Watch them. It was motionless for a while, almost like it was in fear or uninterested in the water. 

 That was far from the case. He was simply a statue, opportunistic, waiting on the perfect time to strike so that he didn't fail. Failure was not an option. 

 After several long moments, it waited until a fish had started to swim around underneath its nose. It memorized the position, eyes closed and like a cobra it struck. 

 His skill was nowhere near on par with Vendrussel's but it was still clear that his speed was excellent. He was a fast child and a fast learner, as he snagged it by the tail as it started to swim away at the movement. Triumphant, he pulled the fish from the water with a sharp tug. Okay, toss it onto the shore, and then go kill it. 

 He tossed--

 But not hard enough. 

 It fell short of the beach and before he could run over to finish it off, it had flopped back into the water. 

 Annoyance. Severe unmitigated annoyance.

 He stood in the water, staring at where the fish had disappeared. And in that moment, his lack of emotion showed more emotion than he ever had in his life. 

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She couldn't help but laugh as she approached him and gently, if he didn't move, prod his forehead with her paw like she does with @Olympia-Elune before taking it back. She had watched his successful attempt on grabbing the fish, but unfortunately did not manage the kill.. And when he threw, it simply fell back to the ocean on flailing to the sands. What a shame, she so thought, for it was quite a well catch despite the aftermath, "You did good," she would compliment toward him.

"Before throwing, bite hard for the kill." Yet it was nice to see the boy providing some sort of look, even if it was some annoyance within. He looked as if he could kill the fish, just from staring at it itself.. But took mental note for herself, that perhaps to explain all of it, rather then step by step. .. But it did bring a wonder, if he had learned any as so, or did his parents simply.. Didn't do anything?

Vendrussel didn't ask, for when she did he just stared unresponsive. So she stopped prying.

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 The woman approached and he did not move as she touched his head. It was similar, it recalled, to how the woman interacted with the light. A positive sign. A good sign if it was to be successfully integrated fully into this pack. Apparently, she was pleased at his efforts… though he was not pleased with himself. The boy wanted perfection and this had not been anywhere near perfection.

 The boy gave a small, almost imperceptible nod at her advice. Then, turned away back to the water. He was determined and would not be able to succeed just by staring at the shoreline. It had to try again, to grab a fish, to kill it.

 It would go back to the water and stand, still as a statue with eyes staring blankly at the water. It would stay there for minutes until the fish slowly filtered back in but still it waited… waited until the perfect moment and then…

 His hard darted forward, into the water, remembering every bit of advice that he was told. It grabbed the fish.

 His head reappeared with the glistening fish caught in his small jaws, it wasn’t large but this fish was his. It twitched and fought until the boy clamped down… then, it was still. Hanging limply from his jaws. Success.

 He threw the fish back to the beach, this time, it stayed there. Those blank eyes would turn towards Vendrussel, showing absolutely no emotion and no focus… yet, he wondered. Did he have her approval?

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She nodded at him in an approval, with a smile upon her face. He learned fast, not knowing he held a desire to be a perfectionist. Though a fisher in the making, always within use especially as it was one of the main meals within the bellies of Dragonford members. Fishing was most, if not always their platter due to being on an island that lacked more suitable prey. She padded back to the beach, lightly shaking off the saltwater upon her fur.

"Do you want to eat it or take it to the caches?"

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 Eat it? Or the caches? The ghost cocked its head to the side, a sharp birdlike motion as it considered for the briefest of moments. Then, its unsettling stare would land upon Vendrussel with its decision. Pity she’d force words from him for body language would not be sufficient. ”I will contribute to the caches.” And with that, he would pick up his catch. No pride was shown, no regard at all. It was simply a motion as he picked up the fish and moved away towards the communal caches so that he could make his first of many contributions.

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end here?

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She nodded, and thus would be on their way to the caches. She was proud within her smile at his choice ; though young and.. Odd, he had a good sense of duty and was well with learning. It did still bring a wonder to where he came from, and who, abandoned him to the land itself. The best she could do is shake it off, and try to help raise him.

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