I think about you day and night, it's only right

 He ranged the tundra, high and low, just like he'd done all of his life. Except this time, he'd carried himself further south and east. As a younger bear, he'd kept himself to his snowy peaks and vast wilderness covered in snow. this time, he allowed himself the curiosity to venture southward rather than keeping himself to the standard of the north. He'd only let himself be ruled by his anger and aggression and his drive to survive, now he felt something softer rising within himself. Curiosity, the drive to know more rather than the drive to destroy. 

 It was what lead him towards the warmer climates, towards the mountains that held not snow but rock instead. Where the trees were not so swept by the blizzards, where the animals did not have to hunker down for the white-out conditions of the harsh tundra. It was here that he found himself, where there were cliffs all around and where he had to tread carefully. 

 His weathered face turned downwards at the trail around him, eyeing and sniffing the ground so that he did not make a wrong move as the snow still clung a bit from the split of the different climates. He could smell that there were wolves here but he couldn't quite tell their border marks. The ways of the wolf still eluded him, in years past there had been no wolves but now they were popping up all around. Building their packs and living their lives. It intrigued him and he wanted to make a good impression on his many wolven neighbors for why make enemies when you could make allies? 

 He would stop where he stood, on a patch of ground in between the vast mountains. It was relatively safe here and hopefully he wasn't trespassing. He would be respectful of those that lived here. He reclined back on his haunches, sitting down and resting as he'd come many a mile to get here. His old paws were sore and his worn face would crease into a relieved sigh as he relaxed his body. He'd raise a huge paw upwards to scratch at his chest with his eyes closed in clear bliss while he waited for the wolves to show. There was no rush, while he sat, he could recover himself a bit.

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 Had he dozed off? After he finished scratching himself, his large paw had landed back on the ground but his eyes didn't open. Instead his head seemed to tilt forward a bit, breath slowing to deep inhales and peaceful exhales. A rumbling sound had just started to come with each exhale when-- “I have seen large creatures before--" Hu--? He gave a start, eyes opening at the sudden voice in front of him. Oh! He wasn't alone anymore! The wolves had shown up! Well, wolf singular.

 The large beast opened his mouth in a cavernous yawn as he blinked, gathered his wits, and tried to replay what he'd heard upon awakening. "Eh? Huh?" It took him a bit longer nowadays to gather himself back together after a nap. "Oh! Haha!" He thought about standing up but figured it wouldn't even be worth the trouble. This was one wolf and as friendly as he looked, he doubted he was offending anyone by sitting here. Besides, it wasn't as if he was afraid of being attacked, either. He was confident enough that he'd be able to hold a whole pack of the little guys off if he felt like it. "I assume you've never seen a polar bear before, young man? I'm no impressive specimen!" Okay, he was one of the more impressive specimens for his size. Quite on the large end of the spectrum but he was being modest, despite the fact that the wolf had flattered him a bit. He liked hearing all of those compliments about his size and prowess. It tickled some long-gone war-mongering part of his psyche. "My name's Thraximundar, from the far reaches of the northern tundra." His terrifying face broke out into a grin, brightening his war-torn features as he looked at the patched wolf with kind eyes. "What of yourself, then, lad? Where have I ended up? I was hoping to find a place of wolves. Could you tell me if I've found the right spot or if my old nose has lied to me?" The older he got, the less sharp his nose was at smelling things. He knew this was wolven land but he didn't know if it was claimed wolven land or if he'd wandered onto a spot that they just frequented.

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Orlaith wasn't fond of.. Bears. Though memories seem so vague she knew a few times of the interaction with them wasn't truly pleasant. Some part of her remembered something about a bear before arriving to what was now Vanderfell Woods.. Though when she tried to think of that moment, only a headache would rise with an unease of frustration to follow. She was wary whenever there seemed to be any inkling like that of a bear, and was thorough to check whether it was them or not.. Especially now that the High Queen was with kids — she was prowling through the slopes with wide-eyes of cautiousness, much unlike the warrior who would fly down in a rage.

Bears were not something to fuck with.

It brought her a scare when she saw the King with a white one, and he looked all dandy and fine.. A race toward, like she was about to fling her body in cover from the rage it was — but instead she stopped right behind him in a still movement of what looked to be a frozen run, for it spoke. It sounded friendly.

That wasn't a bear she knew of, then.. What was it? A polar bear?

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 "Mmmhmm." The friendly man rumbled in reply to the brown and cream wolf's clear puzzlement about his species. He couldn't really provide much else, save for just being there. Exposure was the best way to help the man out with learning what sort of bear he was anyway. "Today's your lucky day then!" The old bear rumbled with a laugh. Or perhaps it was unlucky, some wolves would think so, the more timid ones. He couldn't rightly blame them; he did look fairly intimidating and mean on first glance. It was how he used to be and it sort of stuck. 

 What a polite fellow! He appreciated that, showing proper respect and kindness to his elders. "A pleasure to meet you, Mister Hieronymous. A nice name, that, does it mean anything?" He asked curiously, he was always ready to learn something new. The reason he was here, primarily. 

 Oh? What was that? Another visitor? 

 The newcomer was swathed in furs of blacks and creams and orange. Boy, she was coming down awful fast at him. As if she were prepared for a fight! He didn't even move. Just sat there without flinching, if she wanted to throw herself at him, let her. He'd dispatch of her easily, if it came down to it. Though, he would be loath to actually cause harm to any of dear Hieronymous' fellows. He was such a kind lad. 

 It didn't come down to it, fortunately, the woman stayed herself behind the first wolf and he just continued to sit there on his bear bottom with his kind eyes. "Oh yes, quite. Not here to cause any trouble, Miss Orlaith. Apologies if I might have worried you for a moment." Really, if it was any issue, he'd be happy to trundle along on his merry way if asked. He didn't want to cause any undue harm while he was here. 

 He was quite unoffended. 

 Ah, "great" polar bear, now that was a way to tickle his ego a bit. Keep going with that and he just might not leave, ha! 

 Vanderfell Woods in Fate's Summit. He nodded his head, storing the information. "Would you be offended if I said it was curiosity?" He surely hoped not. "I've noticed an uptick in wolves in the past few seasons," 'Uptick', there hadn't been any before and all of a sudden, they were showing up snow falling in the wind. "I've lived in the tundra my entire life and have seen nary hide nor hair of you fellows. Now that you are here, well, I just wanted to learn a bit more. There was always tales and legends, you see, but no polar bear --that I've known-- has ever actually talked to one of you before." Maybe he could go around, visit the packs and see who lived where to sate his own curiosity. He loved knowing what was going on here and there. When he was younger it was for necessity, now it was just a hobby.

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She was guarded — they both talked with such an ease and tried to reassure her, but she was like a cat in battle. Her fur upright and tall as tail brushed angerly behind, as if she was ready to go forth. Though, it would be a losing battle — but all for the sake of protecting another, especially a Vanderfell wolf, she was always willing to give her own life for that momentum. Dramatic as it was, she was loyal to the boot even against all odds. Forested eyes kept gazing at the beast — for he seemed far larger then the grizzly bears that plagued her mind. Bright as the snow itself, it would never be missed within the forests below, but perhaps hidden in the slight snowy peaks. Her tail continued to thrash but slightly calmed as she adjusted from her running position and stood upright. She stood behind Hiero, a huff in acknowledgement. 

There was too many beasts that spoke of her tongue, "Are you friends with the other wolfspeak bear?" She could not help but ask, as the vague memory of the mother bear who sought their mountains and met the Queen.. Different colors though, but it was rare to find any non-canines to speak the same language. For surely they knew each other — Orlaith couldn't imagine it was all but one big coincidence, for that unsettled the fireclad woman. 

Too many bears that could turn their backs and attack them.

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 The warrior behind the painted man was still electric in her tense air, ready to pounce at any given moment. Admirable, a strong warrior it seemed and something to be respected. He could always respect warriors and their resolve; it probably came from the fact that he had been one once before so that soft spot remained. 

 His attention would shift to Hieronymous, listening as he spoke the meaning of his name. Sacred name. "Ah, how interesting!" He rumbled in his deep voice, nodding to himself as he took that down in his mental tome. He wondered if he could think of anything that would shed light on the origins of such a name. He began to scratch at his chin thoughtfully, seeming to become distracted until the question was reflected back on him. "Huh? Oh, my name?" He seemed to become a bit embarrassed as he realized he opened himself up to that line of questioning. "It means 'he who paints the earth red'." A rather violent meaning to a name, he was quite aware of that fact. "Polar bear culture can be quite violent in some regards, especially for a young boar who must fight often." He knew his mother couldn't have known how fitting his name would be once he'd grown up and left the nest but it had been a wish for him to excel. "Although I'm much happier now to sit and prattle on to those who wish to listen. I've seen many things and heard many stories in my day, I only wish to learn more and share nowadays." His reassurance to the other man and woman that he had no want to cause any harm. 

 The woman behind the other man spoke then and he seemed surprised though curious at her words. "Which 'wolfspeak bear', young miss? There are many who know the Common Tongue." It would help to have it narrowed down a tad so that he could possibly find their mutual acquaintance. 

 When Hieronymous moved the conversation forward, his attention shifted back to the fellow. Ah, so no mass exodus that this one knew of. Perhaps he and his pack alone were exempt from it, or perhaps there was some other overarching mystery here. Regardless, he was more than happy to talk about it all day long if the man would have him. "Would you mind sharing those speculations, lad? I do enjoy a good mystery and a good theory." If he was able to, he'd likely have set up a table with tea for them all to sip. The large boar was all ears for as long as the wolf wanted the floor.

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Weird — too weird. They were talking like normal pack mates despite a beast before. Information thrown that she did not know, such as a 'polar bear,' which seemed to be difference than the bears she knew of. Were they more rough as he stated? Was it just their pure white pelts s difference? She couldn't deny a curiosity, and yet couldn't dare ask all these questions and act like it was all normal, even if she did manage to keep a rather stoic face — it was obvious she was wary, cautious, and wasn't sure to trust further notice. Though she didn't want to leave the King in case the bear turned on him, for not many could survive alone to it's attack.

She was also curious about names.. For Orlaith couldn't even remember her own's meaning, nor' who gave it to her. Memories were faded, family had been gone, and all she could really remember is the name 'Orlaith,' and vaguely being with a previous pack Ira had momentarily ran, before it all seemed to fade like dust. She didn't know her own, but she frowned from his. It was violent, and he commented on their culture.. 

Though she came back to senses, "There was a family of white and brown bears that visited," she thinks.. Couldn't remember if that was all their colors, nor' their names. It stickled on her tongue as the pronunciation did not come, as even Thraximundar, felt like a tongue twister. Trying to pronounce Hiero's as well was something she rarely tried to do, and cut his name short often. Though now it brought a question if that was appropriate anymore, now a crown sat on his head.. Could she even call Ira by her name?

Orlaith was not a fan of these customs.

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 He was no fool to miss the tenseness that remained with the warrioress behind the first man, he also could tell when the other was losing his patience. Not at him, mind, but at the fellow packmate. Thraximundar took no offense to the other's suspicious nature, it was only natural when confronted by someone of such a huge size difference. Although it amused him that Hieronymous was the one to get offended on his behalf. He was quick to tell the other wolf to be quiet and it was then that he realized that this must be someone in a powerful position within their pack. Perhaps a general or some sort of king. 

 Still, he didn't want anyone getting in trouble because of him. 

 "If I may interject," He didn't want to disrespect the other's authority but he also didn't want the other to feel any sort of soreness because of himself. The last thing he wanted to do was cause problems. "Orlaith is not offending me in any capacity, if that is your fear. If I were in her paws, I might be skeptical too if someone of my size lumbered through for no rhyme or reason." He said with a pleasant apologetic smile. Hopefully this wouldn't be any great offense to either of them. If he was set to guard someone in his younger years, then he might be as on edge as Orlaith was. 

 He thought then, to what had actually been said. A family of white and brown bears? Polar bears and their southern cousins... grizzlies? Was that the name? He'd never heard of their kind really intermingling all that much... Although there were rumors that some polar bears and grizzlies ended up becoming mates. He didn't say as much though, realizing that Hieronymous might not want to divulge that particular topic much longer since the warrior was the one bringing it up. He'd said his piece and would let them decide their outcome without further influence from himself.

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A stare was given at Hiero, finding it.. She wasn't really sure what she did wrong. She thought it was appropriate to protect him — to help beside if the mess turned wrong. She as well simply answered questions to what the bear asked, and as well communicated. Though an guarded stance, she thought it wasn't aggressive immediately, as many other times the warrior would fight rather then converse. With the King peacefully doing so, she had refrained..

Yet that it seemed it wasn't enough to appease them. Orlaith felt she was wronged, though a torn face wasn't shown, just a silent narrowing look at the 'King.'

She felt disrespected, "Very well. I know when I am not wanted." Though the bear interjected, she gave him a subtle nod before turning away from the two. Orlaith felt that as he gained the crown, he also gained an ego — and she couldn't determine whether he deserved it so. Though had placed a hope to the High Queen she saw something that warrior did not, and yet.. As time went on it seemed only but an unknown history would repeat, where the two would welcome a storm between their relationship.

A sour taste held onto her tongue as Orlaith walked away. A small tantrum, though even she was smart enough not to do that in front of a bear. Only but a lashing of tongue was given before her departure.

---

exit unless stopped!

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 He could see the upset and offense very clearly from where he sat. Interpack dynamics were likely just like any other social structure that he'd seen with bears, feelings could be hurt easily and misunderstandings could bring down an entire nation. He hoped negative feelings wouldn't fester between the packmates and that after this, they would be able to work everything out to keep their pack running well. Still, it was not his place to say and he wouldn't risk offending either of them further. He let things play out as the warrioress took her leave of them. He would return a nod of farewell and watch for a moment as she receded into the background. 

 His gaze returned to the man when he spoke again and he felt flattered. "I would just rather spread kindness than vitriol and pain." He felt it was a bit of common decency. You got what you gave and all of that. It was something he had learned towards the end of his reign in the north. It was something that he felt that he should have learned earlier. Just because he was a big bear and able to bully and threaten to get what he wanted, well, that didn't mean that he should. 

 "Ah yes, a mother bear's temper is legendary, especially when cubs are involved." He said with an understanding nod of his head. He could see how the hot-headed warrior might set off the temper of a mother bear with her cubs. One wrong word and things could escalate quite quickly. "One errant word can easily cause a cascade of snow. I understand, Hieronymous." Ah, an old polar bear quote, seemed to fit the situation. 

 He did hope that everything in that meeting had gone well though, even if it was stressful. Or perhaps it hadn't? He had no real way to tell beyond the shortness with which he was dealt with Orlaith... but that could just be her manner especially when someone like him was involved. His curiosity was piqued but he would not question further unless it was offered to him. He didn't want to turn from a visitor into a nuisance!

 He was knocked from his thoughts when Hieronymous offered to share his theories again. To which, one could see the instant curiosity and excitement on the old bear's face. "Oh! Oh, of course, lad. By all means," And he made a gesture with one of his massive forepaws that clearly meant "proceed". His other forepaw was tucked under his chin, clearly listening very intently as he gave the wolf the stage.

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 Woke up here. Never seen these lands. It tracked with what he thought of them just all of a sudden appearing. Good to know his old brain wasn't fooling or that wolves had been around just hidden. "How very strange... And unsettling to imagine..." He mused to himself, mostly, as he listened to Hieronymous' observations of the subject. It became even stranger when the man spoke further about them "dying" and coming here. Now that was something out of a fable! Like a story come to life... 

 And yet he didn't doubt it. 

 He closed his eyes briefly, his heavy brows coming together in a furrow as he pondered over the young man's words. A great ponderous "hmmm" rumbled out of his throat. "But what of those who die while they are here? If this is a sort of afterlife. Do you think it is an afterlife just for wolves? I and my kin were born here, unless we were from previous lives as well. Just reincarnated." Now that was an intriguing theory. A second life for all, in a way. "Do you all remember your lives before?" He asked, curiously.

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