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❁

The moon had reared its pale head once again, casting a soft glow upon this woodish patch of land. Izumi had just returned from hunting, managing to snag a nicely sized quail before dusk hit. The area was suprisingly populated with the lot of them, and it gave the crane a bit of relief to know there were some well-rounded hunting spots here. She didn't know how long she'd be settling here before she eventually dispersed, but it would be wise for her to use this to her advantage until then. Arriving at her makeshift bed of foliage and grasses, Izumi plopped herself onto her haunches with a poof, dropping the quail carcass to her feet.

A sigh came to her lips.

Where would she go from here?

Eventually, she would need to seek a form of stability before even thinking about bring the Dynasty back -- but would she join a group, in that case? Many of the groups she knew were long gone, from what she discovered while trekking towards the woodlands, and she knew not of any others. That would have to change one of these days if she planned on moving forward with her plan. For now, the crane sought comfort by her lonesome. Asking around for family and FD members would come soon after. This world was large, but her paws had taken her longer distance before.

Izumi's train of thought was cut short, however, when she'd noticed rustling in the nearby bushes. Her hackles instinctively bristled, and her head snapped around her neck to inspect who had arrived...

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Fenglan

The rustling ceased almost as soon as it began.

A tall, dark figure stepped from between the moonlit brush, charcoal fur blending so naturally with the shadows that it was easy to see how he had gone unnoticed. Feathers crowned his head and disappeared into the thick fur along his shoulders, stirring softly in the night breeze. Perched upon one shoulder sat an unusual companion—an albino crow whose pale plumage seemed to glow silver beneath the moonlight.

Fenglan immediately noticed the tension in the stranger's posture. His ears lowered slightly.

My apologies. His voice was deep and calm, carrying none of the sharpness one might expect from such an imposing wolf. I did not mean to startle you.

The prince stopped at a respectful distance, crimson eyes briefly flicking from her raised hackles to the quail resting at her paws. He had no interest in challenging her claim. Judging by the fresh scent of feathers and blood, she had earned the meal herself.

The albino crow gave a quiet croak from his shoulder, tilting its head toward the crane with open curiosity. Fenglan exhaled softly through his nose. And before she decides to investigate your dinner, he added, glancing sideways at the bird, I should assure you that neither of us intends to cause trouble. The crow ruffled its feathers indignantly, earning the faintest hint of amusement in Fenglan's otherwise stoic expression.

For a moment, he simply stood there, moonlight catching the red of his eyes.

We can leave if you'd like.

Izumi

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❁

What emerged from the shadows was a shadow of a man himself. Izumi could see the way the corded muscles in his shoulders shifted as he approached – and it did not ease the quilling of her hackles. Yet, what did manage to ease her nerves was the unexpected quell of his voice. His baritones were of a calm symphony, and he even apologized for startling her. In response, her nose dipped slightly in greeting. ”.........All is well, I suppose I’m just a bit jumpy lately…” She admitted bashfully, ears pressing against her crown.

What her eyes were really trained upon, however, was the pale avian that shifted amongst his scruff – in stark contrast with the ebony that made up his pelt. Clearly, it was not food, especially by the way the dark sire referred to them as a pair. Would it have been rude to mention his bird companion as such….or did he find the fact that she’d been eating one offensive? Alas, another discovery – it was a raven, yet she had never seen one of such a color before.

Izumi shifted, swiping a tongue over her stained maw. ”If you leave, how will I ever learn more about you or your avian friend?” she said, offering a gentle smile and an invitation for him to stay a bit longer.

In all honesty, she could really use a good distraction right about now…

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Fenglan remained still for a moment after her words, as though weighing not just her invitation, but the space between them. His crimson gaze softened slightly at her admission. Jumpy lately. He understood that more than he cared to admit. I see, he said quietly. Then I will be more careful. At the mention of leaving, something subtle shifted in him—an almost imperceptible pause, like a door half-closed but not yet latched. Minnun chose that moment to answer for herself.

The albino raven let out a clear, ringing kaw, tilting her head toward the crane as if offended by the idea of departure. Her pale feathers caught the moonlight, almost luminous against Fenglan’s dark frame. Fenglan’s expression softened further. Yes, he murmured, the faintest hint of warmth in his voice, she disagrees with me. A quiet breath left him as he finally moved again—slow, deliberate steps that carried none of the threat his size might suggest. He stopped at a respectful distance closer than before, but still careful not to intrude on her space.

Close enough now that she could see the faint movement of feathers threaded through his fur, and the way Minnun shifted her weight comfortably on his shoulder, entirely unbothered. I will not stay where I am not wanted, he said honestly, though there was no urgency in it. Just fact. His gaze flicked briefly to the quail at her feet, then back to her face. But if you are asking me to remain… then I can allow myself a little time.

Minnun gave another soft, pleased sound, as if approving the decision. Fenglan’s ears angled slightly back in something almost like restrained awkwardness—unused to invitations that weren’t tied to duty or politics. You asked about her, he continued, nodding faintly toward the bird. Her name is Minnun. She dislikes being called anything other than that.

A pause.

…and she is far more curious than I am comfortable with, most days. The last part carried the faintest edge of dry humor, barely there but real. His eyes settled on the crane again, calmer now. If you truly wish to learn about us, Fenglan said softly, you will find she is the easier one to understand.

Fenglan hated talking about himself.

Izumi

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❁

Izumi suprises herself sometimes.

Maybe it is because she grew softer with time, much to her dismay — a leader musn't become too soft. She couldn't imagine her past self ever being this open to the company of strangers — much less a man she didn't know. The sterner sex was always to be kept at a distance until proven they could be trusted. Yet Izumi couldn't seem to find the distrust thats driven her to survive for this long to keep this one at an arms length. Maybe the men that were currently in her life had allowed her to keep her guard down. Or…that were in her life.

Her freinds….the man she loved….she still hadn't found him yet.

A trilling call breifly snapped her out of her thoughts, and her lilac gaze trailed towards the pale avian on his back. 'She disagrees with me.', he says, and her crown couldn't help buut tilt inquisitively. "You…can understand them?" Color her suprised — the curious man before Izumi not only held the trust of a raven, but could also communicate with it. A light of facination lit within her gaze, and she waltz closer towards the two now. Bowing her crown to them, as two entitities. A part of her was amused that she'd even be in a situation where she'd greet a raven. Yet it was an idea that she was open too. Minnun, was her name. "Izumi.", was her own that she'd share.

"And though you are no avian like your friend Minnun, I would still like to know yours." She quipped dryly.

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