only angels stare

       Rays of the early morning sun branch out past the mountains, casting long shadows. There is a hint of dew among some of the surrounding plantlife. The air shimmers with reflecting light; creating small rainbows in the wind's company. The cold keeps some at bay, comforted by the dampened sounds that the fog provided them; still asleep within their very own dens. Those who do not sleep move staggered against the knee-high, golden grass. Some gracefully, others not so much. Elenora had been described as many things in her life, but elegant was not one of them. Anyone may be able to tell from the cuts and scrapes that bruised the tips of her kneecaps. But as well as how she moved. As if she had not inhabited her body long enough to know that her long legs should take strides instead of gallops. Otherwise, she would fall. That information always came a bit too late. 

      This morning was like any other. Nora had woken up here a handful of weeks ago. It hadn't been surprising in the least. As she was on the move to a new home, she just hadn't expected to wake up in an entirely new realm. Maybe her prayers to the universe, to the infinite amount of gods that might have been out there, had been answered. She hadn't questioned it. There had been little to lose from her past life. Just a rotten beginning to the innocent cervine-heart's life. The gods might have determined that this was the only way to remove her from the hands of a cult. Elenora's body raked with a shiver. Not only because the weather had not warmed, but the mere thought of the fanged tormentors of a former time.

     Her delicate body moved across the grass-lands. Her colors blended almost perfectly with the surrounding environment; as well as with the company that was provided. This land even had their very own slices of heaven within it - ones that reminded her of the small safe havens that were provided to her within her youth; the promise of a life beyond the one that she fostered now. Different types of hooved cervines moved their way through the aureate grassland. Many made their way through. Nora just watched with some sort of awe, keeping herself low to the ground not to scare them. With a crawl forwards, all attempts at being quiet were foiled. The woman tripped over a rock that she hadn't been aware of; her azure eyes set on the sight before her. "Oh, heavens." Her soft voice came to life out of the hushed area. It made the creatures very aware of her presence, and quickly, they scrambled their youth and ushered their herd on in a quick, alarmed manner. 

      She shifted, sitting up, her chest above the grass, not trying to hide herself from the startled beings anymore. Though, she still kept a hunkered position. She had met no one within the near vicinity yet, and there didn't seem to be anyone else interrupting the flow of peace through the Range, but it was only a matter of time before she came face-to-face with another. There had been scents, strong, leading around the areas of the Temperate; the very little ones she had seen. Especially those that were around the Sleeping Doe Range. It hadn't perturbed her yet.  
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      Viewing from farther and farther away as the hooved creatures trotted away, Elenora stayed. She hadn't come to disturb their peace, but she had been caught off balance and not careful enough. A flaw that she had been punished for. Something she had been born with - then again, most traits came with her, had been each of the things that forced the hand of her parents. The fleeing of her companions masked the sound of another approaching. A voice came out of nowhere, whistling through the air like an arrow on its way to the target. It plunged straight into Nora's heart. A freeze came over her, making her rigid for a moment. 'My, don't you look lost.' It had been about time for someone to catch up with her. Her chest rose with a deep breath before her head turned to make eye-contact with a strange woman's gaze lurking over her. 

      She did not seem lost. Not in the slightest. Everything about the way she stood, with pride, posture, and somewhat rounded; even though tight spots of skin are stretched in specific places. The signs all screamed that she had made herself a life here, and Nora was the odd one out. Whomever she was, the extended greeting had extended the normal expectancy for one to reply. Quickly, she searched for her words, bubbling softly within her throat and blossoming into a sentence, "Sort of, yes." Her eyes do not leave Célnes, but her heart leaves with the prey that she had been watching. They do not resinate as prey to her, little does. 

       The way the stranger moves, it does not seem as if she intends harm. It puts Elenora at ease. She stays where she was, but stood at her full height, giving a smile back to the woman. "They were the closest thing to home that I have seen." A mellow chord of words flowed from her lips, speaking truthfully. She was reminiscent of very little in her homeland, but deer had always been a constant in her life. A sign of good luck - and she too, one had been a sign of righteous faith - and specific breeding patterns, not all natural for the sake of good genetics. "But you are the first wolf of my new life." The small smile does not fade; the edges of her lips still upcurved, but her voice was still timid, soft-spoken. "Forgive me," she speaks suddenly, eyes widened as if all loss of pretense as she gives a small bow of her head; eyes closing as she leaned down, "I'm Elenora." Manners had been somewhat imprinted into her. She had to make up her lack of grace with impeccable manners, especially where she had grown up. After a suitable moment, she lifted her eyes to look at the other, the silence of the fog the only thing in between them. 
 

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ahhh don't be sorry! it's bound to happen, esp with only smell leading them at first !!
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She hummed lightly, the corner of her lips pulling a smile. They were definitely not a Deorwine, yet someone familiar with the love of them? Her gaze went toward the elk that held near the forest, they seemed content within the shade of the trees then grazing in the range. Without the flowers to munch, she saw them less on the outside as of recently. She retraced her look from them back to the other.

It was rare so see anyone like so, "I am Celnes Deorwine," she said, "within my pack we value the elk greatly, and it is forbidden to hunt them. Elk, and deer." The Queen introduced herself and gave way to her packs culture. Though it could be said more of her families, for most simply do not care and do not break such rules.. But she wouldn't know how it is outside of Elkshire claim. For all she knew they hunted — and for all they knew, neither did she. There would be a day however, to bring her young out on a hunt for a doe — the ones that used to be huntable, until the Divine came through.

"You must be a plain-walker," the elken-woman approached closer the deer-like man. A name of 'Elenora,' was rather feminine she thought, "someone who experienced death, yet lives." She could only guess when they mentioned 'new life.'

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In the distance, Elenora can hear the birds greeting the morning with a cheerful song. Their tweets and chirps are well regarded as 'nature's wake up call.' Animals writhe to life from their sleeping quarters not long after the warblers alerted those to the rising sun. Their songs reached the deer-like woman's ears, were also a factor in putting her at ease. If something was amiss, they would go silent with observatory gazes; frozen in flight or fight instincts.

The stranger's voice breaks through their song and directed Elenora's attention back to her. She could finally put a name to the face, 'Célnes Deorwine.' She ran the name through her head a few times to remember. Elenora had a hard time remembering names, places, and manners. But, after a moment's thought, she could recall them. It was always a second too late for anyone to be proud of her, to say the least. She had been working on it. Blonde ears pick up, twitching slightly, to the next words that Célnes expresses. Familiarity sparked within her chest, a place where deer (and elk) were treasured, and not hunted. "Just like the Dádýrahöfn." Her voice is soft, a whisper not truly meant to be heard by anyone. It was a thought that had slipped past the gates of her lips. Her azure eyes widened in awe, looking at the woman as if she had struck a cord. "Amazing." The look that formed on the woman's face was as if she had just seen a god, or an angel alike.

'You must be a plain-walker.' It was decreed by Célnes. Elenora's white spots above her eyes were raised as if confused by the notion. She almost repeated it, voicing her perplexity, but the darkly colored woman answered before she could even ask the question. 'Someone who experienced death, yet lives.' Death? The look of astonishment was wiped from her face and her features creased even further. It couldn't be, right? She had just fallen asleep. Then again, she can't really remember that well what happened before she woke up here. It could have been anything. It was vaguely fuzzy. The days leading up to when she appeared here. But she could remember her past just fine. Bewilderment lived behind her head, as if trying to fit pieces of a puzzle that she did not have. 'Yet lives.' The words rewound their way through her brain and a certain calm washed over her. She looked over the place she was now and realized that there was life around her. And she, too, was alive. She had been, for the past weeks, she'd spent on her own. "I see." She murmured, still trying to wrap her head around the concept, but momentarily would let it slip from her mind. Much preferring the fuzzy feeling her brain got when she looked back at the day she arrived, rather than the pain of a headache for trying to put back broken glass shards - a vase that she would never see again.

Nora pulled herself together, taking a breath as if to let it roll off her shoulders, and let her features relax, running over another question she had. "Are you not, uhm," She tried to recall the words that had sent her into an existential void, glancing back up to Célnes figure. She looked so engraved within the world around her, as if there couldn't have been a time that she existed elsewhere. Out of the back of her brain, the words came to her."A plain-walker as well?" She asked, her voice always seemed to find a softer way to speak than the time before, as if the timidness was never rid of her.

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*dádýrahöfn is the cult elenora was raised in. it means deer harbor in icelandic.
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"Is that the name of your homeland?" Nothing that she recognized, and surely must have been away from her own. Kingslend had no notable neighbors, and rather ruled their forest solely with no competitors. The only issues on occasion were the rogues and loners that came through, and yet the whole forest was technically their own as the coexisted with the other predators such as bears and lions.. Avoiding what they claimed as their den altogether. Yet, no Deorwine would admit it wasn't something that they didn't own as well. They didn't even know if there was packs beyond that forest.. Though at the same time, Celnes wasn't part of the crown, and surely they held secrets that to this day, she would never know.

But it was mighty fascinating to think there was more that cherished elk and deer like the Deorwine's do. Even though some tried not to, the Queen knew many looked down on the culture. It was a rather pleasant surprise to find someone so familiar, that she had questions that were being refrained.

"I am, though i've been here longer then most," she looked behind her, a small smile forming, "where even my young flourish in this forest now," she said, before looking back at the doe-like wolf.

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Elenora hadn't even realized she'd spoken out loud until Célnes commented on her 'thought' of the Dádýrahöfn. Nora's cerulean eyes widened ever so slightly before she shook her head. "No, that was the name of my..." Cult? That's what it had been, Nora had learned over the course of growing up, "Uhm, pack. I left shortly before I.. woke up here." She nodded her head to the surrounding area. "They followed the same values. We did not hunt deer or hooved creatures alike. If anything, they were cherished, praised. Not to be disturbed in their natural homes, as we were just the guests living on their land." She said, a small pang in her heart hoped that this woman wasn't the same way. But that would be nearly impossible. To have two separate cults within the same... Well, Nora didn't know how far she was from home, or if home was in the same existence plane as the one she found herself living in now. She then realized, in the heat of an anxious moment, that she had not really answered the full question. "No, I am from Krónur." The name of the place that she had been raised had spun from her lips, a fond smile at the name. Of course, it was awful near the ends of her time there, but it was not because of the place itself. No, she found herself most at home there. But she knew she could not stay or she would be found and put on an even harsher trial than before. 

      A soft breeze fell over the range, ruffling through Elenora's fur. The sweet smell of grass and fresh air calmed her. It reminded her of the sense of 'home.' Even if she did not have one; she knew that home was any place that she was, as long as her heart was along for the ride. It surprised Elenora. Célnes answer. That she, too, had once been a plain-walker herself. It made Nora feel somewhat better. That she was not the only stranger to this land. Maybe now, in this moment, she was, but seeing the woman before her proved it would not be strange for long. That she could adapt here. The woman glanced backwards and continued to speak. A smile formed on Nora's lips. A pang that she would probably have no kids of her own, found itself clenching her heart. But she pushed past that, the small jealousy within her, down. She should not be jealous or envious of Célnes. She worked hard to get to where she was, Nora realized, and she too had to work hard and might find herself as transformed to the land as well. "That's wonderful... How many do you have?" She asked, in amazement that she had both been here longer than a lot of others and had children roaming within the lands alongside her. 
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"Elkshire is similar," she said as she gazed to the forest, "though in my culture in particular, there was allowance to hunt those not with antlers.. But not within these forests, for some of the elk and deer are blessed with the ability to speak. They work alongside us." How surprising that others found itself cherishing and worshipping the elk itself — yet the guest before her own culture seemed far more strict then. Unlike so, she knew the forest was hers and the elk were mearly giving a benevolent way to remain without being hunted. In return protection, some of them joined the ranks itself with their ability to speak ; a pleasantry all around. Not that she hunted many elk to begin with, growing up as forbidden treat just as wolves don't indulge in cannibalization.

Celnes would like to meet the wolves of her land. A fiery gaze looking at the other in a crescent view, mind ticking and going in thoughts of planning ; but continued with a warm smile.

"More then a pawful," the queen said with a slight chuckle, "the lands are blessed with peace and lavish prey. You'll find yourself enchanted by most of the forests." Even beyond the mountains there was wysterias and fields of flowers. Though wolves with a dark heart may take hold of many parts of the temperate, it was still a factor the place was overall beautiful. Something that should've rejected the liked of Elkshire and Nightwalkers, accepting a more pleasantry within the sights.. But alas, they were some of the first, and now lay claim to it's serenity.

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The similarities in between the two made Elenora feel somewhat peaceful, whether it be short-lived or not. With some of the other thoughts in her head, if they were so closely related; did she have anything to worry about? She pushed the thoughts down, deep beneath her gut in a place she would not have to think about - or see, for a while. When Célnes spoke, she listened, with her tanned ears leaning forward, like a child intent on hearing a bedtime story. There was a tick in Elenora's tail at the mention of hunting females. The life bringers. They were frail and relied on their men to keep them safe - most of the time. Elenora had seen the power of a mother deer's kick in defense. Though, it was rare. She'd basically grown up in a deer sanctuary. They scared off any and all threats that came near. Natural disasters kept their numbers at bay. But, it seemed that had applied to those outside of the forest, so within the woman's reign, they were safe. 

Any and all bad thoughts that she had about that disappeared when Célnes mentioned actual speaking deer. Azure eyes widened out of disbelief, but then heard that they worked alongside the pack. That was extraordinary. She'd never met a deer that could talk in her life. There were only a few stags that even came near to her elders. "My gods. That must be.. an amazing experience... Do many of them speak to you? Or do they keep among their own selves?" She was in awe of the thought of it. Were they as majestic as foretold about? Everything in her wanted to speak to one, to know. To hope that they knew what she wished they did. She had endless questions, but tried to contain herself. There was no point in asking Célnes all of them. Maybe she didn't even know all their secrets. Elenora held her tongue to stop the oncoming flow of questions she had.

'More than a pawful.' The woman chuckled and continued on about the forests. It seemed her life here was perfect. A content sigh left Elenora's lips. Maybe for her, things would turn out right. The forests around here seemed lush and full, not only stocked with deer but other prey that could be hunted. Prey that would not make her sick to her stomach. "Everything here seems.. so peaceful. Like it truly is the afterlife." So what if she had died? She was in a better place now, right? Naïve as it may be, she wanted to stay blissful and unaware, even if there was the nagging feeling that nothing was ever as good as it seemed. To be good, there had to be evil. 

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"Most do, not all.. I believe there is one within the forest who speaks to my children, but yet myself." As she remembered all the elk and deer that crossed within the forest and range, most were relatively friendly. The first two that even joined Elkshire were those she would not forget ; and still wonders if they were but true Apostles of the High Elk, to guide Celnes and her children — like guardian spirits that she assumes at times, they were. So real, and yet like they arrived by the wind, they left without a word to spare..

But she also remembered the two who came with an arrogance, and left for their own. Never truly interacted with them, but it brought a sign that there may as well be many, many more out there that could speak. Celnes was greedy, and she wanted to round them all up soley for Elkshire sake ; and lull them with sweet words that this land was relatively safe. So she was hoping.

"Don't be fooled to think it's a pleasant dream," the Queen warned, "there are still dangers that lurk. A pack may help you if you desire to join one, but there are a few devils that we have chased away." The other seemed so sweet and kind — perfect for the picking to say the least, but Celnes wasn't so cruel to forcibly keep one. The best she did was with words of warmth and comfort, persuasion to stay for Elkshire. But who knows if it'd truly work, and if not, a disappointment to come.

But maybe this one would be persuaded with a scare.

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 Elenora's lisp curled into a smile, jittery with joy. Knowing that there were elk, deer that could speak their common tongue. The doe-like woman hoped that one day, she would be as so lucky as to meet one on their travels. It made sense why the deer would only speak with the youth though - for their innocent eyes and ears before their instincts and mindsets set in. Maybe Elenora could weasel her way into a conversation with one, with her knowledge and love for the cervine creatures. The woman's heart swelled and looked to the forests beyond her. 

 The woman's attention had been grasped back to Célnes within a mere second as she spoke. 'Do not be fooled into thinking it's a pleasant dream.' Elenora's chest tightened with the warning, sure she knew what was to come next. Dangers that lurked, presences of evil that still appeared in the shadows and moonlight that so carefully held them. There was a lightened haven of it all, a pack. Nora had been still licking her wounds from the age of the cult. And something in her made her even more nervous than she had been before, giving a quick look over her shoulders as if to make sure that nothing was creeping on their interaction. "I-I see..." Her voice trailed off, looking back at the woman. She held power in her stance and something about her words seemed... assuring. But it felt too much like home. For now. It felt too much like home. A sadness returned to her eyes, looking down at the ground. "I need to be careful then..." What was her heart telling her? In all the times to be silent! "...I am... still... searching. Home... I have never been so much as to know somewhere I.. belonged..." Her voice felt frail, as she hadn't even been truthful with the woman of who she was... of what she was. A burden soon to come. "It was nice meeting you, Célnes... I may come back to your door but, I fear I am more trouble than I am worth." It was not that telling her was the burden, but as in Elenora, she was the burden. 

  And then, she turned, looking back towards the way the deer had gone, and then back to the queen. Her head dipped in silence and then moved towards the path they had taken. She could be stopped if Célnes wanted her to, but her heart felt set. 

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"You are always welcome within Elkshire, if you so desire to turn." What a shame she so thought, perhaps her words had scarred the other a bit too much in the perhaps assumption that the land around, was dangerous. She wanted to make it seem beyond was a scary world, and but her own forest was like a sanctuary. She knew not that the other was a bit weary how similar their cultures were, and thought if anything, the other would find comfort in a cult that were alike. At the very least.. Though she viewed elk and deer as sacred, by no means does the Queen bow. Not to anyone, and not ever. She doesn't even say thank you, much less an apology.

She would not spot the other — her good will was there and only time would tell, if she would return as so. After all Celnes always did so, and not too many did come back.. But the word how 'nice' Elkshire was, was the hope to spread. Even if colorism may be there, there was power within numbers that she wanted so. Taking control of a land, was a greed she desired.

The Queen smiled, watching the other walk away.

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