wc: 512
The collie siblings had been granted safe passage through the pack that followed the coastline, which they had now been told was named Vinátta. The name meant nothing to them, some foreign tongue they must speak here in the north. Cosette in particular missed the south, where she understood and recognized all of the cities and landmarks, but they had too many reasons to turn back. It seemed they had finally reached the northern outpost of wolves that their father had spoken of -- all the tales he spun about his kingdom on the beach, his loyal subjects both dog and wolf and everything in between, and even the real Ruri Aceline -- Cosette was highly curious to see just how many of the rum-soaked words had any truth behind them.
Today was not for dwelling in the past, though, today was a simple victory. The black and tan wolf had willingly led them through to the other side without any suspicions, and the two siblings were still lingering around the border after the scout departed. They were curious. Cosette and Clopin had never spent any significant time around wolves, especially not those with an actual pack in the wilderness like their feral ancestors. The brother's good eye skimmed the pine trees anxiously, watching for any signs of movement in case the black wolf returned with the knowledge of their encounter with his packmate. They still bore the bruises from that altercation, a heist gone awry. The sister, however, was cheerfully sniffing at the scent markers, dark eyes gleaming with intense fascination. They were not trespassing, and if questioned, they could always say they were interested in joining. That was how it worked, wasn't it? New Orleans was less... structured.
"There are a lot of wolves here," Cosette commented idly, stalking along the treeline. "The further north we come, the less dogs we see... they must think we're exotic." Her bells jingled as she paced, peering curiously past the tree trunks to try and catch a glimpse of dwellings. She had no wish to settle down, and the young female might never desire that sort of mundane life. She did like to pretend, though... Perhaps that would be a fun trick, convincing some wolf that she wanted to join them. Her deaf brother would simply follow her wherever she went, regardless of his own feelings. She turned to face Clopin, a mischievous grin alighted on her lean muzzle, plumed tail waving. "Let's use our cards for another wolf, the next one that comes along!" The masked male sighed slowly, but found a seat upon a nearby stump and began shuffling the deck. He was not driven by the same chaotic need for excitement as his sister, but rather a sense of filial piety, one that made it his duty to remain at her side. He worried about her, especially with this obviously risky stunt; what if the white wolf returned with her stick? Cosette began to hum a song as she waited impatiently, hoping her voice might carry to anyone nearby...
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