The seasons had changed from summer to fall, bringing with it a crispness that could not be found any other time. Silent was open to enjoying all seasons, but the cooler ones helped her realize the warmer seasons were not all about the hype. She preferred to shiver than sweat. The chance to get herself warm always came with better opportunities, whether it be hunting or curling in a small space to enjoy the warmth that would eventually arrive. Her mind was focused on the positive notes of autumn when she was found.

Dark paws had carried her towards an uninhabited island, full of wildlife and cool temperatures. The present prey were able to survive with slightly chiller temps and she found herself impressed that they were satisfied with their climate. Silent had gone to the island earlier that day, taking advantage of the sun to soak up any rays that could dry out her fur. When she was ready to explore, the majority of her coat was dry and back to its normal buoyancy.

Green eyes scanned the island’s beach with vivid curiosity and she walked along the sidelines of the vast forest that seemed to stretch beyond her vision. It was not long before she found an opening through some trees that beckoned her close. After not finding anything suspicious either by nose, vision, or hearing, she shrugged to herself and proceeded to enter the wildness that lived within.

She tried to give her paws more free reign, Venom felt a need to see the lands around her home. For so long she lived where Ashen now stood and never went anywhere, but she was given a taste of travel and she knew she wanted more. It was good for her troubled soul and she didn’t have to dwell on the thoughts that weighed so heavily on her heart.

She made her way through the sea and over to the unknown island. Another place she had not been to before. There were more places that she hadn’t seen than she had seen, which was pitiful considering her age and status. So slowly the Empress would rectify that failure.

White gloved paws brought her to the shore of a silvery white beach and she pulled her thin frame from the salty water. She shook herself, ridding her coat of most of the water as a chill wind blew through. Venom needed to get into the forest and out of the wind until she was dried. She pressed on into the forest and it didn’t take long for her to realize she was not alone. Part of her was sure it would be Duchess, here to meet her on yet another island, but the scent of her was wrong.

"Who’s there?” She asked softly into the trees around her.

"Venom"

The atmosphere of the unclaimed island was what first caught Silent's attention. The way the sun's rays slipped through the branches, reaching the ground and warming random patches as she walked past. The soft rustling of small prey within the depths of the woods, followed by occasional noises that signaled predators nearby. The latter chose to ignore Silent, as she did them. She was not there to mess with their game, nor was she interested in starting a fight that would cause her life to end on an early note. No, Silent was there to explore; whatever she found, she meant to leave untouched and unmoved.

Silent's attention was probably what caused her to lose track of where she was going. The sounds of the beach was gone and all she could hear was the occasional grunt or groan from the surrounding trees. Everything had slowly become eerily quiet...until she heard the sound of paws nearby. Black ears perked and moved in their direction, catching the weight of each step that seemed to be coming from her left. An unfamiliar scent, mixed with dampness and salt, reached her nose and caused it to quiver twice. Her senses started to feel on high alert, yet she tried to keep a calm demeanor. When the question softly rose in the air, she was polite enough to comply.

"Umm, Silent?" she answered the bodiless voice, eyes searching the nearby grove for colors that stood out against the various shades of green. "I, uh, mean no harm?" She continued to watch the grove, hoping to see something that would give the other being away. "Who is there?" she asked in return, hoping that the answer would come as easily as hers.

It was a peaceful morning, something that Venom had come to appreciate and savor whenever she could, her outlook on each day was so much different now than even a year ago. The quiet woods, the warm sun, and the gentle autumn breeze soothed her troubled soul. This was an island to be remembered if only for its appearance of paradise. Of course Venom was never really alone with her thoughts though. Even here on this secluded island she had company, and she wasn’t so sure it was friendly at first. Even with the picturesque landscapes, you didn’t know who was around the corner.

Venom had always been a serious and wary woman, and she needed to be especially so now as she navigated her days alone. Sunset eyes searched the forest and barely glimpsed the young she wolf through the trees, but her voice pinpointed her more clearly. Venom emerged from the foliage, the girl looking quite perplexed as her eyes darted around the clearing. "I am Venom,” she answered in return as she revealed herself in full and stood before the dark pelted wolf. Her eyes glancing over her as her royal features tilted curiously.

She was an Empress, but right now she could just be any other wolf and that was slightly relieving. "I offer no threat in return.

"Venom"

When the woman appeared out of nowhere, Silent was almost caught off guard. She blinked a couple of times in surprise at the new apparition, but her recovery time was impressive. Bright green eyes watched the face of the other female as she presented herself in a proper stance, carrying herself with an air that held more than confidence. At least, that's what Silent assumed when she first laid eyes on her. Maybe she was just imagining it; after all, how many other females had she met since appearing on this continent? Hardly any.

Her introduction carried an addendum of a non-threatening nature and Silent's ears perked in interest. She could not help but have a smile grow across her previously puzzled face. "Hello, Venom," she greeted in return. "That's good, because I don't pose a threat, either." Though their body types were different and Silent was still growing into hers, she did not want to have the older woman getting an incorrect idea. "That kind of puts a damper on the whole mood for the day." She had seen her fair share of angered wolves that resulted in spars, something she would not mind staying away from if she could help it. "Is this your first time on this island?" A good conversation starter, fueled by Silent's natural curiosity.

The surprise was obvious on the strangers features as Venom appeared from the foliage of the forest. The young she wolf blinked in surprise but was swift to regain her composure. She wasn’t very old, but she was a pretty little thing. Silent greeted her in return, a polie curiosity taking over the startled beginning. She seemed to take on her manners well as she drew herself up and spoke in return.

"Oh, don’t say that.” She chuckled softly as she smiled up at the dark pelted girl. "A good spar can be great fun.” Venom was no threat, but she very obviously could be. Maybe down the line if the girl trusted her and herself well enough. "This is my first time, I don’t get out very much.” She admitted, wondering if there was any reason to be cryptic. She likely wouldn’t ever meet the curious girl again.

"Venom"

'Oh, don't say that.' A smile followed, along with, 'A good spar can be great fun.' Silent reciprocated, showing an ease in Venom's presence. She laughed then, a soft one that matched her aura, before replying. "I would rather be the one watching than participating. I will admit, I have zero skills and can be quite clumsy." Silent was never one to hide anything; maybe it would be better for her in the future, but she was not a distrustful person to begin with.

Venom then admitted that coming to the island was a first time visit for her, adding that she doesn't get out very much. Silent's ears perked at the mention of being home a lot and she picked up the conversation. "Sounds like your home has you busy." Her black tail flicked behind her as she began to walk, hoping that Venom would step into place beside her. "Mine ceases to exist; I move around so much, I barely sleep in the same place two nights in a row." Silent may have been revealing more than she intended, but with Venom, she felt as if it was all right. Until the black-and-white pelted woman gave her any reason of doubt, she would not mind sharing. "Do you have a lot of jungle where you live?"

The young girl didn’t hesitate to return Venom’s smile, nor did she hide her true opinion as she noted her enthusiasm was with watching instead of participating. Venom shouldn’t have been surprised, her own eldest daughter shared similar sentiments and the woman would not judge too harshly. "All it takes is determination and practice. My… daughter,” she almost said heir but that would have revealed too much. "Is nearing her second birthday and she still struggles with her paws getting caught up beneath her, but she has a strength and determination that all of the clumsiness cannot blot out.”

Silent gave her quiet opinion on the subtle hints Venom gave, she nodded at the assessment. Venom was very much busy with everything in her pack. "But still, there is no excuse not to learn.” So she was doing. Venom’s features shifted to one of pity as Silent told her she did not linger anywhere more than a night, she had no home, it did not exist. "Are you looking for a permanent place?” Silent gave her another question, "There is, a beautiful white forest as lush islands.”

"Venom"