Looking back over life

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Feeling stifled, the High Priestess had made the impulsive decision to wander out farther than usual from Fate's Respite's secure embrace; still unknowing of her current condition, it mattered little to her. The night air still clung to winter's chill, and she breathed in to savor the frost that exhaled in soft plumes from her snout - it was freeing, liberating. As the cold set in, so much more alive did she become, eyes sparkling in the dim light of the stars that shone down upon them.

Them.

She turned, startled, and beheld Hieronymous.

“Good evening,” she would say with some confusion, thinking herself the only wolf here at such odd hours of the night. “Yes - I would say so. To see Houtu overhead is a testament to her goodness, but I do not like to take it for granted.”

Settling down comfortably some distance away, she stretched herself out along the soft flowers and gazed up toward the sky.

“It is all beautiful. What brings you here? Cannot sleep?”

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The little wolf shrugged lightly, rolling onto her side in an effort to make herself more comfortable. Ever since her return from Northfall, particularly as the weeks ran on, she’d found most positions were a great deal less enjoyable than they used to be - perhaps she should ask Harper about that sometime.

Heironymous had expressed surprise to see her out so far, and she smiled while looking back up toward the sky. “I also like to see what is beyond our borders,” she teased lightly, but then grew more solemn. “When the star-gods appeared, it was difficult to see them past the mountains - and I have been restless as of late. Something strange is happening in this world, but I do not know what its purpose is. Have you not felt it too?”

Valeska did not yet know of the portals that littered the landscape, though it was all but guaranteed if she did find one, that every creature within a twenty-mile radius would be alerted through a high-pitched scream.

“How are things with Vanderfell?” she inquired politely, shifting her gaze back toward the oddly-coated man. “I have heard many new voices and smelled strange scents on the edges of our borders. ”

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Something about his expression shifted at her question, and she wondered what he was thinking - Valeska was by no accounts a political sort of wolf, and had become rather well-known as the small-talking champion of the Mountains. She had asked how his family were doing, and she had meant it. True, she was curious at the sudden influx of heavy activity surrounding their borders, but seeing how she as yet held no knowledge of their recent war, she carried only a general nosiness regarding the bustle.
After all, they were very close neighbors. It was difficult not to notice.

The reclusive wolves of Vanderfell had a tendency to cut to the chase, from her limited experience. Hieronymous at least humored her by remaining polite, but her small efforts at well-meaning engagement were not very successful to date, and she hadn't heard anything from Orlaith since they had sheltered together during the storm.

It completely confounded her how two packs could live so close together and not be best friends! - But then, she was an idealist, and not very good at being traditional.

“The sound of little paws is delightful,” she replied merrily, still unknowing of her own current condition. “Elysium is well, and quiet - I have been venturing out farther west to see what is out there, since the Plains do not appeal to me. Altogether hot and uninteresting.”

She considered telling him of her visit to Northfall, but given the strange and admittedly rather occultic events of their stay, she thought it prudent not to have to deal with those sorts of questions. He likely thought her odd enough.

“I wished to ask how Orlaith was. We met briefly during a storm and hid within a cave together until it passed, but she expressed interest in visiting with Elysium.”

Valeska hadn't heard from her since the weather event, and given her sincerity at the time, it seemed odd that she hadn't heard from the warrior.

She was probably just busy.

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His expression told her enough even before the words reached her ears, though he didn't seem as torn up as she expected; Orlaith had been blunt, fiery, even, but she had meant well. She reminded the High Priestess of a child seeking approval, yet, not knowing how to attain it, lashed out for attention. Valeska was also a highly emotional creature at her core, however, and death - even injuries - touched her deeply. Even with one meeting, she felt genuine sorrow.

Crestfallen, she bowed her head. “I am sorry,” she said quietly, studying the small pink flowers that swayed between her paws. This was her first brush with death in the new world, and the fleeting thought had crossed her mind how it might work; if this was merely a waiting room to the afterlife, then what were the consequences of sustaining a mortal injury? She had wondered if creatures could truly pass away here - but now she had her answer.

Then where did their souls go now?

“I hope her spirit is happy,” she continued through the silence. “It is said that those who burn brightest, burn the fastest.”

A wave of nausea suddenly overtook her, and she rolled up to crouch uncomfortably in the grass. Gods, what a horrible feeling. “Well, should ever you need anything, we are always welcoming,” Valeska offered through a pained smile. “I think I shall take the long way home to enjoy the air.”

Rising to her paws, she nodded her head politely toward the man and departed slowly down the sloping fields. The stars twinkled through the clouds above her, and she suddenly felt a little better - the warm embrace of Houtu from on high would see her back.

 

{Exit Valeska}

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