Ara had not seen Novel for some time. A few days, a week -- she was not entirely sure. Time seemed so fluid now that she was here, settling in with her parents and her siblings, growing used to the lands of Ludicael and growing familiar with every nook and cranny. There weren't many herbs she could collect, as the season had turned the land cold and inhospitable to most vegetation, but she had salvaged a few through the beginning of the winter. Most were beginning to wilt and rot, and though she could not help but want to keep them fresh, it was growing difficult. Luckily, navigating the lands was consuming much of her time, and she found her thoughts wandering easily as she traversed the unfamiliar land.
A sound drew her from her aimless thoughts this morning, a shriek that echoed through the mangrove with alarming vigor. The voice was not canine, but it was familiar all the same. It was Novel's companion, Elohim. Something had to be wrong -- she rarely heard his voice, if at all. Quickly she would direct herself toward the sound, hoping Novel was near. As she drew closer to the girl's den, the scent of blood grew strong in the air. Was she hurt? What was wrong? Panic flooded her chest, sudden emotion overriding her normal stoic nature. She could help heal an injured wolf, and she could do so calm and professionally, but she suddenly felt overwhelmed, before even knowing what was wrong.
Though she was always polite and unwilling to intrude on anyone's space, she moved quickly through the entrance of Novel's den. If she was hurt, she had to help, and she knew she could not hesitate for even a moment. "Novel?" she asked, unable to keep fear from creeping into her voice "Are you okay? Her eyes began to adjust to the darkness as she made out Novel's shape in the dim light of the den. The scent of blood was strong here, though she was unsure what exactly was wrong, and she held herself back from bursting forth searching for whatever wound she presumed must exist. It took a long moment for her to notice her face caked in blood, and her eyes softened with worry.
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