...and within the embrace of impassioned red, how could one find fault as they wandered? Brilliant hues of the woodland stretched before the visual reach of tired sights. And yet they remained parted, looking on unwavering to absorb the whole of creation as a starved thing would devour the carcass to sustain its life. And too true did she need to see the lands, engorged herself and find nourishment in possibility. Even as her body withered and autumn radiance gave way to a dull manifestation of the earth, it was all she needed to sustain her existence and give her wandering purpose; these brilliant waves of timber swaying gently.

To a mind void of thought ,the recollection of how the journey began was infinitesimal. What happened were the steps taken, the experiences had and lost therein. Within every waking moment there was but the intervals of the crescendo of the sun and moon. Perhaps the staccato of rain as it pattered upon the ground, or the wailing songs of the winds as they coursed the air. There was no beginning, nor end...only the rhythm invoked by the steady beat of one's heart. The metronome of life proceeding onward to join the measured tune of nature.

And too true did the indifference to her status wear itself upon her shoulders; a proud mantle for sickly a state. Yet, not an ounce of muscle nor trembling bone exhibited itself with anything save certainty. Each paw pressed placed as though the ground were hers to claim, each song from dwindling breath rising to solidify that her existence prevailed above the groan of the encompassing spires. Truly endowed with the spirit of life itself, she carried herself as such as the adoration of bi-colored hues returned to lavish the forests with unrequited love.

And she gave her loved with a caress upon the trunk of a willing tree, to feel its touch permeate through the shedding hide and tinkle the flesh by the rivets of its bark. It was all she needed...little more than that. Within the great family she found her company, and within their shadows, carried herself onward.

Words: 356

"Speak" | 'Sing' | 'Think' | Act

Only weeks before, Domovei had suffered the worst malady that could be afflicted upon any creature -- abandonment. The realization that he was alone, solitary, was beyond unsettling. It sent the poor wolf into a panic, his fear enveloping him as though he was being eaten whole by some beast far more powerful than himself. It painted his vision a dull grey, fogging his mind and rendering him practically useless. But Newt had saved him, delivering him from the nothingness that he knew he was bound to fall into. How vividly did the brute remember the feeling of her sharp fangs sinking deeply into his shoulder, subduing him instantly. She had cured him of the solitude that he feared so deeply, saving him, delivering him from evil through her own insanity.

Did the male realize his master was crazy? It was all relative, really, in his mind... she was fierce and protective, and had showed him nothing but kindness thus far. She had done him a favor, and he felt as though he owed her his allegiance. Her strength and power was undeniable in his eyes, and for that he was grateful, forever thankful for her deliverance.

Domovei had crept away, feeling very much like he was doing something wrong, despite his master's opposition to his brief departure from Lentajin. Grown accustomed to the protection of Newt, he felt paranoia creep into his very core the moment he'd left his pack's territories. Ears swiveled atop his small cranium, straining to catch the sound of a creature following him. Vivid emerald eyes twitched in their sockets, searching his surroundings desperately for signs of another.

It was some time before Domovei came to the realization that he was, in fact, alone. There was no threat of a creature with foul intentions nearby, nor was there the protection of his master. He was vulnerable as ever, and realized it. Slowly, one by one, his paws carried him further north from Lentajin, tail tucked protectively between his legs. Ears would pin against his skull as his wandering brought him within distance of another; a stranger's aroma found its way to his twitching nose.

He'd been hoping to find something small to bring back home for Newt, for whoever was hungry. Perhaps a fat rabbit or a few large rodents. But he hadn't expected to come across a stranger. The scent was unmarked, the female clearly not of any pack. Instinctively his hackles raised along his back, slight irritation creeping into his being.

"Abiit, excessit, evasit, erupit..." Strange words slithered effortlessly from his tongue, his tones low and barely audible. Slowly he crept forward, slinking closer to the source of the scent as though he was nothing but a rodent, hoping to go unnoticed, knowing he was unwanted.

From the recesses of solitude did life come forth in its natural state. Void of graces produced by the air of importance, she heard it creep from the rear across fallen branches and withered blades. And as existence itself she both ignored and acknowledge it, proceeding onward without care, with only a vigil ear turned back to continue on the excursion toward reaches both unknown and wanted. Her voice was but a sigh; a gentle exhale of tired breath as the wear of her limbs made themselves know. Graceful stride soon suffered the limp of fatigue as weathered paws endured their last of the unforgiving earth til her march became a crawl, and her procession a walk.

Still looking forward, she slowed her purposeless stride until each step falling behind the other stilled and the whole of her came to a definite pause. In standing she felt the throb of her muscles, the gape of her belly as it craved nourishment previously deprived. A meal would have sufficed, and yet she did not ponder on it. Her body may not have been willing in that moment, but her mind was more than ready to carry her onward. Yet she remained still, a fallen leaf yet to be stirred by the kind breath of the wind. And in her idle state she turned her head around, peering over her shoulder to what she knew lurked but could not see. To follow a predator too more than silence; it required a delve into once surroundings, the whole embrace of nature into its loving, welcoming arms. Only then could on truly be concealed from like eyes and ears primed for the assault.

Patiently she retraced her steps with pie-bald eyes looking outward, but not truly seeing, for even an existing thing, a kindred soul was hardly worth more than a passing glance. There was nothing she wished to see beyond the glory of what remained before her?.but if she were to stop if only for this moment, then she would properly acknowledge that trailed so close behind.

Simply?she did not take kindly to be stalked.

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"Speak" | 'Sing' | 'Think' | Act