Snake eyed with a sly smile,

Vendrussel prowled through the tundra, the unfamiliar scent of another was upon the wind. Though strangely enough she felt like she knew it, but couldn't put a thought to who it may be. She knew most packs were no longer within the north despite the interest, the one she knew but never roamed to was no longer either, according to another traveller. She was more cautious of neighboring packs now, knowing that it seemed Northfall was upon the wind with allies and so — but she was firm in her ways.

Always believed allies came from the building of relationships, and gradually there was with Empyrean due to a son being one of their own — but they were not allies, only friendly. Around her though others built and she wondered about knocking on a few doors ; but never did. If fate was upon them she would meet during her rounabouts to the area, scouting of visitors and so, and who was newly claimed within the area.

She approached the vale, where her and @Tiberius saw and explored. It shouldn't have been too surprising someone claimed it so quick ; it was a bountiful land, full of protection where inside was enough so. Though Vendrussel didn't call for anyone, she observed around, carefully walking and not stumbling over their territory line.

Who claimed it?

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The man moved through the land, getting used to everything. For the most part, he was a quiet creature that preferred solitude. However, being in a pack was something that he seemed to enjoy. For the most part, it was because he had something to protect and to keep watch over. Which, today, was exactly what he was doing. He had been making the rounds, something that he found himself doing often even though it wasn't necessarily his job to do so. He didn't mind though, it kept his mind from wondering places it shouldn't. 

It was because of this that he caught wind of the new wolf quickly, moving to see what was going on. The tank of a creature walked toward the she-wolf, nose sniffing to get a good scent on her in case he needed it later. She didn't seem to be aggressive, but he also didn't know here and therefore had no trust towards her. "Can I help you?" He said simply, his voice deep with a Mongolian accent.

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A quite unusual canine came forward — larger then herself on height and even width. They did not look like a wolf in anyway, especially as their skin seemed to sag around, particulary to their face. She knew of dogs, but was most familiar with huskies and mutts then anything else.. But it was the only part where she could properly assume otherwise, and kept her cool, smiling lightly, "Hey there," she greeted, "I am Vendrussel of the Dragonford," so the woman announced, as she gaze around, before back at him.

"I only had scouted this land a week or so ago.. And was only curious on which neighbor has claimed it already." She did show hostility or true care to the land itself. It was far away from the isle, territories away where not even a hunting ground would be shared. Yet a curiosity couldn't help but rise, for she just had ventured in it with @Tiberius, and would think that he would be lingering around.. But the one approached was not him, but another altogether.

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The man would sit himself down not too far in front of him, his body relaxing as he did so. It still didn't entirely trust her, but at the same time, he wasn't too scared or worried to keep himself tense. Afterall, he was pretty sure that she wouldn't be able to overpower him. She would more than likely be able to out pace him, but if she tried to run, he wasn't one to chase her down. 

Instead, he would nod his head in greeting to her, speaking up deeply. "Nice to meet you Vendrussel. The name is Genghis of Duskguard." He would sniff at her for a moment, noting her scent and silently locking it away. He wasn't sure where exactly her pack called home, but at least he would be able to identify the scent next time. "Are you lookin for anyone in particular?" He wouldn't mind helping her out, but at the same time, he wasn't going to let her into his pack's new territory.

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"A pleasure." How interesting that they kept Genghis. Though Vendrussel wasn't one that couldn't say much, for quite a few unusual individuals roamed the isle.. Surely as well he was proving himself finely as any guard would, attending to the borders and meeting a strange individual like herself that was lurking, without even announcing herself. She was smiling lightly.

She hummed lightly in thought.. Would there be anyone she knew? There was few individuals that seemed to take a liking to the place, where it suddenly came out of no where, and was claimed just as fast, "By any chance is @Tiberius within your pack? I am a friend." A long shot indeed, but since she didn't know where the man went, and only he was within the north..

Vendrussel could try.

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He kept himself on guard and watched her, still unsure if she was trustworthy at all. However, he wouldn't snarl or growl at her, simply watching her with a neutral expression. As she spoke of @Tiberius though, he would think for a moment before nodding. "Yes, he is the King of these lands." With that, he would let out a series of barks for the man, calling him here to the borders. It was something he seemed to do often now, though he supposed it was a good way for the king to learn his calls.

Turning back to the woman, he would nod his head slightly before sitting down, his body still tense under his enormous amount of fur. "He should hopefully be here soon." With that, he would fall silent, really being a man of little words. Unless she spoke to him or asked him something else, he would simply sit there, eyes moving around them as he waited for his leader.

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There was never a time he would not come to their call. When one of his was sounding out on the wind, Tiberius would come. It was Genghis who he sought, the large man a true asset to Duskguard and never did he skip a beat -- he would need to make sure that the man hadn't made the same mistakes as Tiberius was prone to do and take some time to himself, to recharge and regroup. The titan skulked through the Vale, the sound of the caribou herd on his ears and briefly his molten gaze flickered to their silhouette's through the trees to make sure they were not in a panic. Satisfied, the beast carried on.

It was not long that he could smell her, the dragon of the sea, his blue-touched friend and Genghis. "Genghis," he rumbled in greeting, "I's see yer met Vendrussel." The man was of little words, so much like how Tiberius had been when he was a pup but he had to talk now, he had no choice. Still he did not seem to talk circles around strangers but neither of the beasts that were here were strangers. The man looked in good health, his molten gaze observing him momentarily in case he showed signs of fatigue but the man stood strong, approval glittering in Tiberius' gaze. Still, Tiberius would need to catch up with him to ensure Genghis was taking time for himself where he could.

He turned his gaze to Vendrussel, a half-smirk settling on his mangled lips, "wotcha, darlin'." He spoke playfully, lifting his chin. The last time that they had been here together, it had been unclaimed. Now they stood here, claimed by the titan. ^^

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She nodded, "thank you," and she waited ; although small talk could be given, she didn't see this mass of a man inclined to do so. At the very least there was some information gained such as the title this new vale hails to — Duskguard. It felt more at ease if they stood within a silence, her respecting their doors and a wondering if it was true that Tiberius had claimed the same vales they wandered and explored lightly together. She didn't get the chance to dwelve deeper ; it would take them days to diverge everything that this cascade of a mount haled. A lovely vale, Vendrussel thought ; it was no wonder someone would claim..

And she smiled, he surprised her. Crowned as a king no less in a short span, "I wanted to see who the new neighbors were, especially as we had only explored it recently," she chuckled lightly, "I would not think you would claim so fast under the name of Duskguard, but it is not unwelcomed." Rather if it had to be anyone, Vendrussel was quite pleased that it was him ; it meant there was a friend within the north, and if not a possible bloom for a closer once altogether. Allies of packs or not, it was always a welcomed thought to know where one's friends were. Those who she befriended who were loners, were harder to track down. Especially.. Since the one of the few friends she had, decided to move on with a new chapter.

Couldn't be denied Vendrussel was slightly lonely, especially as stress piled upon her about everything.

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The man waited in silence, not usually one to speak a lot. Thankfully, it didn't take his leader too long to show up which, effectively, relieved him of his current duty. At the recognition, the brute would simply nod in a visual yes before turning to leave. He hadn't really rested much other than sleeping when he really needed to. But, for the most part, his movements were sluggish and his vision wasn't blurred so he continued to do his job. 

With no other words, the man would move to leave, not wanting to listen in on their conversation. So, unless he was called back, he would venture off, clearly heading along the border to do more work. He hardly rested and enjoyed his job, which was enough for him.

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The silent guardian made quick work of his exit with no room for waiting as he oft did, his duty done and now he was likely off to continue his patrol. Tiberius could respect the mans diligence but hoped that in his work he was not keeping himself to himself with no way to forge relationships. He nodded to the man as he past, disappearing back into the shadows of the Vale.

Vendrussel spoke then and his attention was returned, casting his molten gaze upon the blue-tinged woman and his torn lips inched into a smirk. "I wasn't just sigh' seein'," he mused though he supposed in a way he had been but there had been a motive for it, to a find a home. "Ah well, gitta expect tha unexpected innit, luv," Tiberius teased her roughly but would roll his shoulders as he watched her. "After savin' Olive... an' wha' 'appened wit' Kuhn, wanted a safe place fer 'er. Fer 'im. Fer us," he shrugged effortlessly as he realised what in the company of friends, his voice was found and heard.

"Ain't so good at bein' a follower no more an' wit' 'er pregnant wit' m'children... ain't trust no one else ta give 'em a safe 'ome," his cheeks felt warm at the admission but it was the truth. It wasn't Kuhn's only home but it was one that the feline knew was always open to him. "Guess we some sorta neighbours now, if yer ignore tha snow between us," he mused. ^^

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Her ears twitched and she lightly cocked her head to the side, "I am unaware of what most is going on with the tundra politics.. That is my fault though, as my own has been in a long strife." She is not aware of much that happened, although knew that Tiberius left Shiroshika, and something had happened to Kuhn ; but she wasn't sure of what. It seemed much was happening around besides the own battles of the coast packs, a blood-fued that she imagined would expand for quite some time.. But her ears did perk on hearing something else was going on.

"Congratulations," Vendrussel said smiling, "I hope you and your new pack will be blessed for long, and I hope we further relations as neighbors." It was in truth, although they didn't go beyond to simple pleasantries, she would hope the two would call themselves friends on the amount of times they continued to meet. But alas, events continued to entangle that drove both of them into different paths then able to leisure around and commute properly.

The name Olive came up though.. She remembered that priestess.

But perhaps, Vendrussel thought, was the chance for Dragonford to gain true friends, then one of mystery, vagueity, or enemies overall. Although she didn't know they too were friendly with Northfall.

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He snorted, "tundra is full o'shit, luv. Fuckin' whack." Because it was, okay. Despite his mangled appearance, Tiberius did value words and his mind. He had taken the strides to understand others whilst maintaining his own personal morals. The titan would hold onto that, no matter. He eyed her when he recalled her own miseries, wondering what more had come from it. He knew that it was all... damned, really, given two sides to every story would always have differing beliefs yet he wondered if diplomacy would rule out victorious or if something else would brew in the Mountains.

To her congratulations, the titan would smile, boyish and youthful despite the mangled features and he felt the flurry of warmth in his chest due to the affection he felt for Olive at the reminder. Tiberius dipped his head in thanks, giving a pause to the latter words. Further relations as neighbours, it was a particular choice in wording and Tiberius regarded her silently, his tail giving a contemplative flick behind him.

"Above all else, m'family, m'pack -- they are my priority," the titan revealed in a rumble, watching her with molten depths. "Do yer speak of relations as in alliances, Vendrussel?" His duty as Chief was to ensure the survival of his own and he knew alliances would be vital to consider -- but he wouldn't consider them until every angle had been regarded. Vendrussel was becoming more and more of an appearance in his life and with her status as leader of her own, it was unlikely that they could go about as leaders for much longer without addressing the politics of what their friendship meant.

Tiberius' friendship with the tiger @Kuhn was a strong one, one he valued nearly above all others and yet even he hadn't had a talk of what that meant for Duskguard and the lone feline. Kuhn would likely be bored fuckin' stiff but the titan thought that if the Tundra and the Mountains continued to have issues, he might need to. He ran his tongue along his lips as he murmured, "I ain't about fancy words an' mind games. Yer tell me straight wha' yer want, luv." Because that's who he was, wasn't it? Tiberius didn't play. What you saw was often what you got and he needed her to show him her honest self, because if they were to consider progressing their friendship into an alliance -- he would need to know the depths he might dive into. ^^

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"Truly." She laughed lightly at such a way, hearing more and more of what occurs around was quite.. Perhaps a bold saying of a refresher, that it wasn't about the midsts of her own turmoils in the mixture. Although perhaps downhearted to hear she was of no help in such situations, and would like more to attend to situations when friends are within trouble ; Vendrussel has done some quite horrible things, but in the end her alignment is all but good, but by her justifications.

"My culture speaks highly on creating bonds, not to ally oneself unless we are friends. It'd be something i'd be greatly interested, especially if our own packmates intermingle more as time went on. On occasion, though rare now, we hold festivals to bond closer. Perhaps when a day is less turmoil, we could welcome Duskguard to join a feast." She didn't deny it with a smile, as the man came straight to the point through her words. Motivation lightly, that out of all the packs, at the moment they were the only one's she was interested to form a true alliance that went beyond just friendly-matters.

She was following her culture, however.. She had to lessen it, admittingly. She couldn't afford to hold everything so closely, so secretive, not when others who were not part of this lore, on the line. To be friendly at the very least was what to get, but how could she pass up to be allies with someone she considered as a friend? The day she would bring out a true festival, is what the dragoness dreamed of.

A family, was what she yearned. Maybe jealous at how Tiberius managed to find it so heavenly within a peace, but all the more wanting to be apart of it.

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She spoke and he listened, his mangled ears twisting and turning with the flow of her voice. He could respect the way her people forged alliances, friendship was a strong bond, he was learning, if his relationship with the tiger @Kuhn was of any indiction. In most cases, Tiberius would think the same. Alliances forged off of mutual trust and understanding were one of the strongest that could be made yet he knew the importance of an alliance produced from needs.

If he didn't believe in someone, he did not tie himself and subsequencely, his people, to them. Not without damn good reason. Vendrussel had been honest with him and he would nod as he eyed her, "I am Chieftain of Duskguard but @Olive is ta be m'wife. I value 'er input in all aspects of m'role," the titan revealed quietly, "I would need ta weigh things out wit' 'er." If they, after the turmoil had come and gone, put more stock into their friendship to turn it into an alliance. In the end, he made the final decision but Olive was his partner in everything and thus, she would be privy to thoughts on alliances.

"I value yer as a friend, Vendrussel. We 'ave crossed paths too many times fer me to ignore tha respect I git fer yer," the titan mused as he tilted his head, "next time we meet, Dragon Queen, we can decide our ties." ^^

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She only smiled and nodded, expecting so that there would be no immediate decision at the current time ; not when they could still build what was, "We should plan a day for our packs to formally meet, a festival of sorts, for the very least a cordial bond." She desired greatly to ensure both packs entirely, not just the leaders, felt comfortable with the presence of both. An alliance should be more then just a political facade, and Vendrussel wanted no part if it was solely used for that practice.

"Until then," she had inquired of who was here and given her words ; all too satisfied with the meeting and that someone familial had took it's claim. It was a well area, she admitted, if it wasn't for dreaming of the assumed Sepulcher, Vendrussel would be damned not to take such a place for the ford either. Although.. There was a chance if she didn't have the dream, there would be no Dragonford — it was hard to say.

Her tail swayed lightly, and she turned to leave. A nod to both Tiberius, and his loyal guard ; a stocky man before so.

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