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Gonna back date this around a day or two after this thread!

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❁

That rainy day, she had returned to Queen's Rest with the pair  she'd sought shelter with — or should she say couple? Izumi could not tell, as the man was so hellbent on denying it, one would think he was still in the friendzone. Yet the chemistry between them was something painfully hard to ignore and her intuition never failed her. Alas, the status of their relationship was none of Izumi's business — but did that necessarily mean a woman couldn't be curious?

Speaking of said couple, she sought out Makara and Pasithea that morning. They had agreed to follow her back to the island, yet now there was the discussion of their roles within the Dynasty. A lot of which needed to be filled if the clan was to flow in functioning order.

It was Makara who she'd run into first, already  wide awake by the looks of things. "Good morning, Makara." The Empress greeted, waltzing up to the sea faring man with purpose.

"I was just looking for you. We have a few things to discuss."

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OOC

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The journey back West felt familiar, as if he were tracking the ghost of his own pawsteps. He recalled a time, many moons ago, when he first awoke on this continent — in this body. His paws had drawn him West then, too ... but 'then' was a different time, with a different family ... a family that he missed very much.

It was with soft recollection and an aching heart that he thought of them: Syrena and Octavius. Huā and Selenite.

A soft sigh slipped past dark lips as he turned his head toward the morning sun. Of course, he knew life was like the tide. It would give, and it would take; such was the cyclical nature of all living things. He had experienced it himself many times. Eventually, all things became as they once were born: a part of the ocean's cycle. But it did not stop his aching heart from missing them.

And being here ... this close to what he once called home ... well, it awakened those memories and those feelings, tearing those scars open as if they were fresh wounds.

"Good morning, Makara."

The voice stirred him from quiet contemplation. The stiffness of his lips softened, eyes brightening as he turned his pink-hued gaze toward Izumi — Empress Izumi. Makara was still adjusting to the proper call and hierarchy of wolves. Halló Izumi. Good morning, he returned with a polite nod of his head. She had been kind, offering them shelter on this island. And an island surrounded by sea, nonetheless.

"I was just looking for you. We have a few things to discuss."

His head would tilt curiously, ears flicking forward as his tail waved gently behind him. Oh! He wondered what she wanted to discuss. The beauty of the island? The unique tide patterns? Did she want to go exploring and look for some good cliffs that would make proper diving spots and ceremonial landmarks? Of course, he'd begin gently, taking a few swaying steps as the heat of the day began to press down from above.

To Πασιθεα, he'd offer her a gentle nod, as if quietly dismissing himself from their pensive morning. He would be back for her before she knew it.

Would you like to walk with me? The dragon's lips would spread into a friendly smile, tail waving just a few paces faster than before.

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The man named Makara was a time capsule of the past — of a pack that used to neighbor the dynasty. Yet their time on those shores were brief, and it soon turned into hunting grounds for them to fill up their Caches. If it weren’t for her younger cousin scouting out the neighboring territories during that time, Ciren probably wouldn’t have been known to Izumi other than it’s existence, but besides name and former affiliation, the woman knew virtually nothing of him.

Nor his girlfriend.

She would speak to them individually, thinking it would be easier to speak to Makara and Πασιθεα on separate terms. He had greeted her readily, and it made Izumi apparent of one thing. These two were….extremely friendly. Overwhelmingly so — the Empress had never met a happier pair of individuals, and she quietly wondered if the rest of Ciren was like that in the past. They made her look miserable, when comparing them to her constant deadpan expression she just couldn’t seem to get rid of.

She bowed lightly in agreement to the Sea faring man’s request, nodding her head in acknowledgment of his partner before turning to join his side. The two of them walked through the wisteria-covered forests, the sound of skyward gulls and rustling branches wiping throughout the territory. A faint smile came to her lips at the symphony. She missed her home dearly, and she couldn’t wait to make it hers once more.

I'm assuming you and Lady Pasithea have chosen to seek hearth with us? I wish to know more about you and your skill sets as a pack wolf since we’re hardly acquainted yet.

OOC

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The shore grew more distant as the two traveled toward the Rest's heart. Makara's gaze would lift, lingering on the gentle boughs of purple wisteria that danced in the summer breeze. A sweet scent drifted, twisting in the wind and causing a soft smile to pull at the edges of his lips. The beauty of the land could sometimes offer as much as the beauty of the sea.

"I'm assuming you and Lady Pasithea have chosen to seek hearth with us? I wish to know more about you and your skill sets as a pack wolf since we’re hardly acquainted yet."

If you will have us, he would start, flicking his ears forward and turning a bright gaze toward the monochrome woman. The island is beautiful. Pasi and I ... we look for a place to feel ... heima (truly at home (a place rooted in safety)). At home. A true home. We have ... lost a lot. His bright disposition darkened, a hiccup in his stride for just a moment as the thought of loss plagued him. Ever-emotional, the water-rooted dragon would writhe within himself, but he would smile, still, through the sigh.

He realized after a soft moment that he hadn't answered her question.

Ah, sorry, he'd continue, gathering his thoughts. I am a proficient hunter — fishing, especially, he would begin, shaking loose the shackles of his previous sadness as he attempted to secure himself a place in Fujiwara's ranks. I am also adept at reading the tides, the moon, and the weather. A pause. Though this island is quite strange. His words mingled with a soft chuckle, the soft melody of his baritone voice filling the air.

His gaze turned back toward Izumi, curiosity now lacing the pink edges of his irises. He wanted to know more about Fujiwara, too, but he would patiently wait for the right time to ask.

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Skill: Orator (1/5)

Her lilac gaze never left his face when he began speaking, noticing the slight change in tone, as well.

It was Izumi's duty as leader to remain level headed and observant, which is probably why she'd developed such an icy exterior throughout all these years. Yet that did not mean the empress was a heartless individual, and she emphisized deeply with the sea dragon's woe's. Losing a home was a feeling she knew of too well — needing to flee from her home clan during an attack as a teenager, and leaving her freind's pack when their hearts slowly became estranged from one another. Home had been lost a third time; when she'd been rehabilitated within the northern clan after an attack. Yet now it was being rebuilt — and Izumi couldn't have been more at peace with the knowledge that no matter where she'd went, her path would always lead her here.

There are times where the Kami (gods) will put us mortals through hardships to test our grit and see if we are worthy of the mortality granted to us. Those who give up will perish with an unfufilled destiny they have yet to figure out…. A slight breeze flows over the land from the ocean tides, flowwing through the sweeping purple flowers and carring the scent of brine with it. —and those who chose to move forward with the living, it is them who tread towards the pursuit of happiness. You and Pasithea have chosen the latter, and i'm honored to make my clan your home. — or heima, as he called it. Izumi had yet to figure out what tougne escaped his lips every once in a while.

After offering Makara a warm smile, she nods approvingly at the qualifications he offers her. Surely, his athletic build was not acquired out of nowhere, and she's glad to find out the reason as to why. A hunter — that is perfect, and so is your intuition of the tides, moon and weather. Izumi….unfortunately did not eat fish, and often strayed away to hunt on her own because she couldn't stand the smell. Yet the ocean dwelling wolves of these lands were thankfully not as picky as she was. Our caches need to be regulated to ensure the clan doesn't go hungry for a single season. Not one. Perhaps you could help keep track of our food caches? I could lead you towards them so you can show me what you know…