The sunlight filtering through the delicate canopy of birch leaves created a dappled mosaic across the forest floor as the young Morningstar trotted through the birch woods. His cyan eyes flicked between the white trunks, scanning for any signs of disturbances. The woods were eerily quiet, save for the occassional rustle of a bird hopping between branches or the distant murmur of the river that fed the dam.

Oath paused beside a particularly large birch tree, its bark peeling in paper-thin layers. He pressed his nose to the ground, inhaling deeply. The faint scent of unfamiliar wolves lingered, mingled with the earth aroma of decaying leaves. His nostrils flared as he rose to his full height, his horns catching the light and reflecting it in sharp glints.

The easternmost edge of the dam had always felt wilder, less trodden. Here, The Hallows' territory seemed to hum with an almost tangible tension, a line he respected but patrolled diligently during their time occupying the dam. His ears twitched, golden earrings making soft clinks as he caught the faintest snap of a twig in the distance.

"Speech"

Oath Morningstar

CODE BY SIN

She took off from the safety of the bamboo in a bid to explore a little further out once more. After the strange plant worm, she had returned to the safety of the bamboo and remained there until the skies began to slowly return to normal. She wasn't sure if it was still safe or not, but she couldn't hide forever. The Dragon Princess made her way toward Boreas, stopping around the Aspen Dam for some rest and a drink. Her slender muzzle reached toward the water as she listened for any sign of danger. Her cat perched on her back in alert as she silently scanned their surroundings. She seldom left Tojo lands...preferring to remain among the familiar koi family she was so used to. But at the same time, fate tugged her away and the feeling was getting harder to ignore. When she finished drinking, nostrils flared as she realized she was close to the borders of The Hallows. She knew little about them, didn't quite care to get to know them, so she kept away from their borders and went the other way toward the coast.

Slender paws walked delicately through the trees, the silver fae careful where she stepped. Though not careful enough, apparently, as she stepped on a twig with an audible snap. She froze for a moment, though unsure why. Perhaps paranoia. What if another monstrous creature erupted from nowhere right then and there? She waited in silence for a few heartbeats with bated breath, but when no signs of another worm came, she breathed a quiet sigh of relief and continued forward. At least, until someone unfamiliar came into view where she once again, froze where she was. An exotic looking male several yards away, his scent unfamiliar to her and she was unsure if he'd be friend or foe. Her hackles bristled slightly as the reclusive princess kept her distance. Watching. Waiting.

"Speech"

The Morningstar froze, his cyan eyes narrowing as the silver figure moved into view. For a moment, his mind sharpened with instinct, his muscles coiling as he assessed the unfamiliar wolf that had walked into their makeshift home. But then recognition flickered in his gaze; he remembered her - her silver coat, her graceful movements, and the way she held her ground during the chaos of that day on The Forgotten Isle. The day they faced the monstrous worm.

"You," Oath called softly, his voice cutting through the quiet of the birch woods. His reflective horns caught a shard of sunlight as he took a cautious step forward. "We fought together. The worm..." His words trailed off, the memory vivid despite the haze that had overtaken him after being struck down.

He paused, watching her closely. She looked different now, perhaps less battle-worn, but still carrying the same intensity of someone who had seen too much. His tail twitched as he gauged her reaction.

"You were there until the end, weren't you?" he asked, his tone softer now, curiosity mingling with faint gratitude. "I didn't get the chance to thank everyone who fought it off.. I lost a brother that day, but we could have lost so many more if it wasn't for those that fought. I remember you before that.. thing.. struck me down."

Though his stance remained cautious, there was no mistaking the glimmer of sincerity and respect in his gaze.

"Speech"

Oath Morningstar

CODE BY SIN