[Tomi]

Afoot and light-hearted she took to the open road, healthy and free. The entire world lay before her, and she asked nothing more than what she was given. Tomi’s friends and family would hear no more complaints, quarrels, conflicts. She asked not for good fortune, for it had already found its way into her life. She begged not for the stars to shine closer to earth, she knew they were perfectly fine the way they are. One must deal the cards they were dealt.

Still, she carried her old wistful burdens far beyond the distance she expected herself to go. They did not follow her or haunt her as much as they lived with her. Although, she was sure it was impossible to destroy them. She was filled with burdens, and she filled them in return. This was how she lived. And it was all okay.

Until it wasn’t. The young dog, ruffled and confused, had finally grown tired of wandering. Where had she even ended up? Every direction she turned, she saw nothing but more and more grass. There must be something among this sea of green and earth that she was missing. A home and a will to live would be preferable.

The aroma of wolves lingered close, and instinct immediately took over as she backed up a few paces and stood there, contemplating her next move. Was it really such a good idea to be this close to territory and inhabitants unknown? Last she checked, she clearly had no other options. What stranger has gone the farthest? Tomi would go farther.

Knowing she would regret this, Tomi sat and waited for one to show. If none appeared by the time her stomach growled, she would move onward cautiously but briskly as to not attract any unnecessary attention.

[Harriette]

ooc: writing this up on my phone - will format later, sorry for any typos!!

It had been a long while since Harriette had found herself near the borders of Gemini. Typically tucked away in her little comfort zone of the Living Tree, Harriette rarely found reason to wander.

However, today was a day that she felt the need to stretch her legs and really take in the smells of Gemini. It was quiet today, and she needed something to stimulate her mind.

As the pale girl wandered, she found herself coming closer and closer to the border - which was, apparently, not vacant. Cocking her head to side, she studied the call figure sitting right along the border markers, and Harriette smiled.

She walked toward the foreign girl and nodded her head. “Hello,” she offered, her voice calm and smooth. “Do you know where you are?” She’d ask, keeping a fair distance from the girl.

Sure, Harriette was, at times, a bit ignorant. But she did know to at least keep her distance from strangers. She’d remain on her feet and wait for the girl to answer her.

A E S T H E T I C

[Tomi]

Her eyes had just began to droop until a rather small, dainty wolf wearing a fur mask approached. At first sight, Tomi involuntarily jumped backwards, surprised by how quickly it took for someone to notice she was here. But she quickly recuperated, straightening out and clearing her throat, glancing around to see if this one brought more company along. No, thank sweet buttery jesus, it was just her. Tomi had been this close to a wolf before. Closer, even. She had lived with a few. But to see another again after such a long journey was... a bit nerve wracking. But she couldn't let this wolf know that. No one can know. No one.

"Ah, who, wha, me? Oh, yeahhh, yeah I'm all good. I'm, uh, in the middle of nowhere! That's where I'm at," she said nonchalantly, failing to appear comfortable and poised like normal. She had traveled far, as far as possible. If she were to ever settle down somewhere new, it was crucial that no one would know her name or where she came from. She must sacrifice her old ways for a new life. This was the only way to secure herself, because she knew for a fact that she'd croak on her own. So get them to fucking trust you, Tomi.

"Unless this isn't nowhere...In which case, I apologize if you live here. Do you know where I am? I've come a really long way, so I'm a bit... fatigued. Confused, you could say. Lost, maybe." She wasn't lost. Better to be stuck out here not knowing where the hell to go than back home wondering when the day would come where wolf's teeth would seize her throat. She prayed that this wolf was just as oblivious as her family. What she doesn't know can't hurt her. Right?

"I'm actually glad you happened to be nearby. I'm pure dog, but I've had the luxury of being free and running with wolves just like you. Damn, I miss them. You got family around here?"

[Harriette]

Harriette blinked slowly as the dog jumped backward in surprise at her mere presence. She didn’t intend to startle her, she actually thought she would have seen her coming. Smiling sheepishly as the stranger composed herself, Harriette listened to her words.

She thought she was in the middle of nowhere, and Harriette laughed lightly. At her next comment, asking if Harriette knew where they were, she simply nodded. “Not in the middle of nowhere, no.” She said with a slight upturn of her lips. “This is Gemini.” She motioned with her head, indicating the land behind her belonged to the pack. “We’re a pack - a pretty big one actually.” She considered all the puppies that constantly ran around the packland and the castle.

Harriette listened as the dog spoke on, explaining her breed and her past experience with wolves. The pale girl nodded as she spoke, indicating she was listening. “Well, wolves sure can be a lot of fun!” She laughed. “We’re not so different from those like you, I don’t think.” It was an honest statement - besides size, they were all dogs deep down.

“I have plenty of family here - all of my family is here. I was born in Gemini. It’s my home.” She’d offer another small smile before remembering that she was to be acting as a ranger right now, protecting the pack and ensuring this girl had no ill intent.

Clearing her throat, Harriette cut to the chase. She’d partake in friendly conversation all day long if she didn’t keep herself in check. “What’s your name? And what’s your business around here? Were you meaning to go somewhere else?”

A E S T H E T I C