WHAT'S DONE - open; stranger

[imperia]

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In spite of the sweltering summer heat, the ocean waves are cold. They lap at Imperia's paws, chilling her ankles and her toes. She is too afraid to go much deeper, but this is enough. It is the smell of salt on the breeze that captivates her. Or maybe it's the sapphire water whose hue seems to shift depending on the angle and the lighting. Before arriving at the Ascendants only two days prior, the young she-wolf only knew the ocean through stories. Pierre always confiscated picture books and fiction novels, so the only books she had around the den were all educational works of literature that only focused the facts. No scholarly depiction of the ocean could ever truly capture the magnificence of the real thing. Imperia likes to visit in the mornings, if only to stand ankle-deep and feel the pebbles beneath her paws and smell the salt in the air. It reminds her that she made it—that she is free from the place that used to be her home. She knows now that her birthplace never was a real home. It was cold and cruel and unforgiving. There was no room for someone as gentle as she. But here? Here, she belongs. Here, she can be who she truly is. No pretending necessary.

A playful breeze tugs at argentine fur as the petite canine turns away from the rolling waves. It is time to return home—there are more herbs to collect before the day is done and she wants to have time remaining to make more jerky to share with Agent Washington. He will not admit it directly, but Imperia knows that he cannot stand the prospect of eating raw meat. Peri never liked it either, but probably for different reasons. Consuming flesh that is still bloody makes her uncomfortable. She needs meat to fuel her body, but she was a softhearted child and she could not bear the thought of eating those cute rabbits and squirrels. Peri is more mature now and is actually a decent huntress, but old habits die hard. Her mother is the one who taught her how to cook and dry meats so she would not have to eat them raw. Maker bless her soul. So, first on the list is organizing and labeling her herbs. Then, if she has time, she will begin preparing some care packages for her friend, if she can even call him that. Peri hopes so, at least. As much as she values her freedom, she could really use some friends.

Slender limbs carry the elegant wolf up the beach towards the plains with the grace of a deer, unknowingly moving in the same direction as the unfamiliar wildcat. Imperia is too lost in her thoughts, quietly humming to herself, to notice the strange scent before cresting the small hill. It is then that sterling silver eyes fall upon both the stranger and Agent Washington. She blinks once, twice. Perhaps this is the Maker's doing? Surely this place is far too large for the exact person she was just thinking about to be in the same place at the same time as she. "Oh, hello," she greets, warily slinking around the other female to stand beside the armored smilodon. A friendly smile paints her lovely visage, a genuine one, at that, but she is cautious around people she does not know. As mentioned before: old habits die hard. A glimmer of amusement flickers across her face at Wash's rather tragic attempt at talking to the ginger she-cat. "My name is Imperia Arceneau," she introduces with a friendly dip of her head. Wash is right, that lady seems a bit confused. Maybe a lot confused. Hopefully they will be able to help. "This is the Ascendants' territory, in case you are unaware. Can we help you?"