Word Count → 357

Vesper had grown more adroit in her optime shape, and while she still did not favor it as much as her four-legged forms, she worked at getting used to it for day-to-day tasks in addition to more complex ones. She was still not used to patrolling like this, however, and she was on edge. Luckily, her training with Ezekiel, X’yrin, and Helotes had paid off enough that she felt comfortable facing a threat on the borders long enough to be able to call for help. In addition, she need only cry out with a distinct yowl and the raven would fly overhead to help.

She wanted to be alone today, though. It wasn’t because she was mad at or avoiding anyone, and she’d overcome the worst of her grief for Blind, but she did like peace and solitude every once in a while. The loner in her never completely went away.

It seemed that fate did not want her all by herself; a coyote cry broke through the early spring birdsong. Her ears snapped up then back as she made her way toward the sound, letting out a yipping cry of her own to let the canine know that she was on her way.

When she finally came through the vegetation, carrying herself with rank and purpose, Vesper stopped and stared at the caller. It was a female coyote—pure unlike the hybrids that made up Inferni—lovely copper and marked with dozens of scars. The scars might have been hideous to another, but they only noted someone capable, experienced, and Ves found herself respecting this woman instantly.

“What business do you have with Inferni?” the Optio asked, abandoning any other silly questions for one of importance. This creature certainly looked like she could belong to the fire clan, but her scent carried the reek of crows and caves: Anathema. And yet, underneath that, in her personal scent, there was something familiar. Not just familiar, unmistakable for all the time she had spent with the young scouts. Her blue eyes widened slightly, and she questioned, “You wouldn’t happen to know a girl named Wraith Creed, would you?”

Word Count → 249

The copper-colored female pushed her dark hood back, revealing a pair of sharp golden eyes. A scar nearly bisected her angular muzzle. Age was not quite so easily revealed in canines, but she did seem older than the Optio. It was something that the paler female did not like to think about, however, and so she chose to ignore it. The number of years one had seen was only important when one was very old or very young.

The cloaked she-yote spoke quickly of her daughters, and with a blink of surprise Vesper nodded. “They’re doing great,” she replied. “Wraith is a Vigiles under my training, actually; she shows a lot of promise.” The hybrid subleader did adore the younger canines and readily took them under wing. She hit it off better with Wraith and Nathaniel than Lucilla, whom she hadn’t swapped more than a few words with, but she would kill to defend them.

Her ears twitched when she heard the Infernian title. She’d joined the clan too recently to have heard of an Aeron Ganesa, but it surprised her that she hadn’t really even heard the name from her children—although Wraith had mentioned her, she recalled now. The girl hadn’t sounded particularly fond of her mother, but no wonder if she was in Anathema now.

“I’m Vesper, the Optio,” the scarred coywolf said to get introductions out of the way. Lids fell over pale blue eyes, her expression casual but questioning. “Why did you leave Inferni?”

Word Count → 266 :: She keeps asking allll the questions. >__>

The copper she-yote seemed happy at the news, smiling slightly at her introduction. It was odd interacting with a stranger so warmly, although Vesper considered her little scouts almost like nieces and nephews. By extension, Aeron was blood of her blood although cold caves and crows ran through her veins now. It was a pity that she was no longer of Inferni; she looked like she would have been formidable, especially as a former Hydra.

Smirking, Aeron stated that she was a cold-blooded killer who didn’t belong in the fire clan. It surprised the younger coywolf, whose good ear perked up before a frown overtook her lean face. There were some in the clan that seemed they would kill mercilessly—or kill wolves mercilessly. She knew that not everyone agreed with the way Inferni worked, with its members, but it must have really been different for Aeron to abandon her daughters. She was only glad that she hadn’t stolen the pups away with her to her new pack, depending on how old they had been when she left. It wasn’t easy leaving a place you knew.

“Where you came from,” Vesper echoed, looking the other over curiously—her dark cloak, her scars, her muscles and curves and molten-gold eyes. Her naïve heart thumped a little quick beat in her chest, but she pushed it out of her mind. If she was entranced by every mysterious woman she met, she would’ve been dead already. “What was that like?” she asked, her voice softer. She knew she was likely treading on dangerous ground, bringing up such private questions.