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Description

Soren

Concern brewed in the red wolf's mind as he returned to the heart of Chandor. The sun was lowering in the sky, giving off a golden glow that illuminated the ground. The leaves on the trees would soon change colour and then fall, much like when Soren had first come to Chandor, though it felt so long ago now.

His heart dropped as he caught sight of the brown-furred Alaka'i he'd been searching for. "Nadia," he called, and his throat immediately went dry, swallowing down the unspoken I'm home that he longed so much to say. But there was no backing out. He had to do this. "I... need to talk to you," And yet the words were to hard to get out.

Nadia

She turned, ears pricked to attention at the sound of the familiar voice. Her tail kinked over her back and her expression glowed, a wide smile accenting her features. She paced towards him with no hesitation, movements eager and staccato. "Soren!" Her voice was breathless. The she-wolf's paws slid as she met him, skidding on the dead leaves that littered the forest floor.

She would have embraced him if she had not picked up on the melancholy demeanor. Her eyes dimmed slightly. He was clearly troubled by something, and despite her delight at having him home, she let the emotions flutter aside. Concern bubbled in her chest as she lifted her chin, curious and empathetic. "I'm here," She encouraged. "Talk to me."

Soren

A rush of guilt shot through Soren as Nadia's excited voice rang out and she hurtled towards him, slowing just short of him. At her encouragement to speak, he brought his golden eyes up to meet hers, inhaling and steadying himself. "I met with Impala, her and her daughter Lucia. They were both doing well," he began, "Impala accepted my apology, but..." His voice caught in his throat, and he coughed in attempt to clear it. The urge to tear his gaze away was ever-present, but he wouldn't.

"I think... I need to leave. I've been reflecting on it, and there's so much I need to learn, to change. But I worry that if I stay here I'll never be able to. I felt like I was home here, and it was thanks to you and everyone else that I've come a long way from how I was," he sucked in a deep breath, pausing. "But... I keep doubting myself. Doubting everyone around me. Even... sometimes, even you. I'm scared to think if I stay here, I might keep doing this forever." Soren admitted, the words feeling like a heavy weight being lifted from his chest despite his fear of Nadia's reaction.

Nadia

A weak smile tugged at her maw at the mention of her former beta. How she would love to see Impala again - and Oden, and their children. She nodded slowly, comfortingly, eyes wide with every intent on giving him the reassurance he might need. The hesitation made her ears twitch back, and she felt a bitter sensation rise in her chest. She didn't think she wanted to hear his next words. Soren...

She was right. It was like someone had stuck a thorn in her chest; it felt so physical. A soft breath left her partly-opened jaws as her mind whirled, processing. She didn't understand. Her gaze dropped to the leaves. He'd just come home. He couldn't leave. Nadia's limbs shuddered slightly and she fought the urge to sit down, to fall. A shaky breath pulled inwards, attempting to cool the shock that had flooded her body.

She knew he wouldn't have told her if he hadn't been completely certain of his choice. Or that it was so very hard to admit even so. And she wouldn't beg or demand. She trusted him. Always. Her breath hitched in her throat as she lifted her head. "You were always good in my eyes." She murmured. "There's nothing I can say to change your mind, is there?"

Soren

A rush of concern ran through Soren as Nadia's gaze left him, but he stood still and waited for her response, forcing his face to remain even. He needed to remain resolute. Soren had stayed away to ensure he was certain of this, and he wouldn't allow himself to waver now.

When she looked up at him once more and spoke, he nodded. "I'm sorry, Nadia." He couldn't stop the crack of emotion in his voice, but his gaze was certain. He'd known it would be painful to leave her, but all the times he'd spent going through the scenario in his mind before he returned could never compare to the ache in his chest he felt actually doing it. He inhaled deeply, closing the gap between them and pressing his muzzle against her fur, relaxing in the comfort she had always provided to him for one last time.

"Even if I'm not there by your side, I know you'll be great, Nadia," he murmured, his tone softening as the words left him. "We'll always be under the same sky, no matter how far apart we might be."

Nadia

Her chest was too tight. She closed her jaws, clamping almost, and then shut her eyes. And suddenly Soren was right there, his scent wreathing around her and the weight of his head over her neck. She drew in a sharp breath, feeling wetness prick the corners of her eyes. No, no, no... Claws dug into the dead leaves and dirt below, resisting.

She couldn't. His words sealed the reality and Nadia felt the warmth of tears streak down her fur. This was so hard. It hurt so bad. She pressed her nose against his shoulder, wondering if she could preserve the way this felt in her mind forever. Why did so many leave? She'd thought it had hurt when packmates vanished without a word, but this, actually having to say goodbye, was worse.

But... she was glad, too. She knew she would have been angry if Soren had left without telling her or anyone. This was how she wanted it to be, if it had to be at all. Her mind still ran through countless pitiful ideas of how to beg him to stay, but she knew she could not convince him. She would not disrespect his decision.

"I'll miss you...so much."

Soren

Soren allowed his eyes to fall shut as he took in a deep breath. He wanted to always remember the gentle press of her nose against his fur, her comforting scent that made him feel at home. Her eyes that sparkled like the stars in the night sky and her bright, friendly smile.

"I'll miss you, too," Soren murmured, nuzzling her fur softly before forcing himself to pull away. He felt a pang of regret as he noticed her eyes shone with tears, and he fought hard to keep his emotions from bubbling over. He wished there was a way to leave without hurting Nadia, but he'd experienced being left behind before. He could never do that to her. At the least, Soren hoped she knew how much he hated to leave her.

He pressed his nose against Nadia's, golden eyes rising to look into hers. "Thank you for everything, Nadia," Soren said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm glad I met you," He pulled away as the words left his lips, his heart feeling as though it had torn into two even as he stepped away despite his convictions.

"Goodbye."

Nadia

All too soon he pulled back, letting cool air dance across the warm spot he'd just pressed against. A weak breath shuddered from her chest as she held herself still, fighting the tremor that pulsed down her spine. Her eyes dared not leave Soren, as though she could hold him there forever in her golden sights, blurry as they were from tears.

Then he was near again, and his nose touched her's. She met his gaze, gold on gold, and trembled fiercely. A sharp inhale set her body calm again, fervently holding to the remaining strength she had. "Always," Nadia managed, her voice just as quiet. She blinked rapidly as the threat of more tears pricked the corners of her eyes. She breathed in and out slowly, watching as he backed away again and turned for the final time.

She resisted the urge to step after him, nearly tearing the ground with one paw in struggle. Lifting her head, she let her features relax a little, and the tears ran freely down her cheeks. "Goodbye, Soren." She breathed out, before his red-and-cream pelt vanished among the trees, to be nothing more than a memory in her mind, cherished forever.

--

Soren retires with 31 bones.

Collab + RP with Zoketi ! I did the sketch+lines and background, Zoketi coloured and shaded! <33
I keep thinking of Ailee's I Will Go to You Like the First Snow for this ;-; it's in Korean but here is the lyrics + song if anyone wants to check it out!

Soren's story will continue outside the Domain one day, but he'll never forget his first love, Nadia, nor all his time in Chandor. <3 He's learned a lot, including the pain of letting go. I'm sure the day will come where Soren can truly be happy.

Description

Soren

Concern brewed in the red wolf's mind as he returned to the heart of Chandor. The sun was lowering in the sky, giving off a golden glow that illuminated the ground. The leaves on the trees would soon change colour and then fall, much like when Soren had first come to Chandor, though it felt so long ago now.

His heart dropped as he caught sight of the brown-furred Alaka'i he'd been searching for. "Nadia," he called, and his throat immediately went dry, swallowing down the unspoken I'm home that he longed so much to say. But there was no backing out. He had to do this. "I... need to talk to you," And yet the words were to hard to get out.

Nadia

She turned, ears pricked to attention at the sound of the familiar voice. Her tail kinked over her back and her expression glowed, a wide smile accenting her features. She paced towards him with no hesitation, movements eager and staccato. "Soren!" Her voice was breathless. The she-wolf's paws slid as she met him, skidding on the dead leaves that littered the forest floor.

She would have embraced him if she had not picked up on the melancholy demeanor. Her eyes dimmed slightly. He was clearly troubled by something, and despite her delight at having him home, she let the emotions flutter aside. Concern bubbled in her chest as she lifted her chin, curious and empathetic. "I'm here," She encouraged. "Talk to me."

Soren

A rush of guilt shot through Soren as Nadia's excited voice rang out and she hurtled towards him, slowing just short of him. At her encouragement to speak, he brought his golden eyes up to meet hers, inhaling and steadying himself. "I met with Impala, her and her daughter Lucia. They were both doing well," he began, "Impala accepted my apology, but..." His voice caught in his throat, and he coughed in attempt to clear it. The urge to tear his gaze away was ever-present, but he wouldn't.

"I think... I need to leave. I've been reflecting on it, and there's so much I need to learn, to change. But I worry that if I stay here I'll never be able to. I felt like I was home here, and it was thanks to you and everyone else that I've come a long way from how I was," he sucked in a deep breath, pausing. "But... I keep doubting myself. Doubting everyone around me. Even... sometimes, even you. I'm scared to think if I stay here, I might keep doing this forever." Soren admitted, the words feeling like a heavy weight being lifted from his chest despite his fear of Nadia's reaction.

Nadia

A weak smile tugged at her maw at the mention of her former beta. How she would love to see Impala again - and Oden, and their children. She nodded slowly, comfortingly, eyes wide with every intent on giving him the reassurance he might need. The hesitation made her ears twitch back, and she felt a bitter sensation rise in her chest. She didn't think she wanted to hear his next words. Soren...

She was right. It was like someone had stuck a thorn in her chest; it felt so physical. A soft breath left her partly-opened jaws as her mind whirled, processing. She didn't understand. Her gaze dropped to the leaves. He'd just come home. He couldn't leave. Nadia's limbs shuddered slightly and she fought the urge to sit down, to fall. A shaky breath pulled inwards, attempting to cool the shock that had flooded her body.

She knew he wouldn't have told her if he hadn't been completely certain of his choice. Or that it was so very hard to admit even so. And she wouldn't beg or demand. She trusted him. Always. Her breath hitched in her throat as she lifted her head. "You were always good in my eyes." She murmured. "There's nothing I can say to change your mind, is there?"

Soren

A rush of concern ran through Soren as Nadia's gaze left him, but he stood still and waited for her response, forcing his face to remain even. He needed to remain resolute. Soren had stayed away to ensure he was certain of this, and he wouldn't allow himself to waver now.

When she looked up at him once more and spoke, he nodded. "I'm sorry, Nadia." He couldn't stop the crack of emotion in his voice, but his gaze was certain. He'd known it would be painful to leave her, but all the times he'd spent going through the scenario in his mind before he returned could never compare to the ache in his chest he felt actually doing it. He inhaled deeply, closing the gap between them and pressing his muzzle against her fur, relaxing in the comfort she had always provided to him for one last time.

"Even if I'm not there by your side, I know you'll be great, Nadia," he murmured, his tone softening as the words left him. "We'll always be under the same sky, no matter how far apart we might be."

Nadia

Her chest was too tight. She closed her jaws, clamping almost, and then shut her eyes. And suddenly Soren was right there, his scent wreathing around her and the weight of his head over her neck. She drew in a sharp breath, feeling wetness prick the corners of her eyes. No, no, no... Claws dug into the dead leaves and dirt below, resisting.

She couldn't. His words sealed the reality and Nadia felt the warmth of tears streak down her fur. This was so hard. It hurt so bad. She pressed her nose against his shoulder, wondering if she could preserve the way this felt in her mind forever. Why did so many leave? She'd thought it had hurt when packmates vanished without a word, but this, actually having to say goodbye, was worse.

But... she was glad, too. She knew she would have been angry if Soren had left without telling her or anyone. This was how she wanted it to be, if it had to be at all. Her mind still ran through countless pitiful ideas of how to beg him to stay, but she knew she could not convince him. She would not disrespect his decision.

"I'll miss you...so much."

Soren

Soren allowed his eyes to fall shut as he took in a deep breath. He wanted to always remember the gentle press of her nose against his fur, her comforting scent that made him feel at home. Her eyes that sparkled like the stars in the night sky and her bright, friendly smile.

"I'll miss you, too," Soren murmured, nuzzling her fur softly before forcing himself to pull away. He felt a pang of regret as he noticed her eyes shone with tears, and he fought hard to keep his emotions from bubbling over. He wished there was a way to leave without hurting Nadia, but he'd experienced being left behind before. He could never do that to her. At the least, Soren hoped she knew how much he hated to leave her.

He pressed his nose against Nadia's, golden eyes rising to look into hers. "Thank you for everything, Nadia," Soren said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm glad I met you," He pulled away as the words left his lips, his heart feeling as though it had torn into two even as he stepped away despite his convictions.

"Goodbye."

Nadia

All too soon he pulled back, letting cool air dance across the warm spot he'd just pressed against. A weak breath shuddered from her chest as she held herself still, fighting the tremor that pulsed down her spine. Her eyes dared not leave Soren, as though she could hold him there forever in her golden sights, blurry as they were from tears.

Then he was near again, and his nose touched her's. She met his gaze, gold on gold, and trembled fiercely. A sharp inhale set her body calm again, fervently holding to the remaining strength she had. "Always," Nadia managed, her voice just as quiet. She blinked rapidly as the threat of more tears pricked the corners of her eyes. She breathed in and out slowly, watching as he backed away again and turned for the final time.

She resisted the urge to step after him, nearly tearing the ground with one paw in struggle. Lifting her head, she let her features relax a little, and the tears ran freely down her cheeks. "Goodbye, Soren." She breathed out, before his red-and-cream pelt vanished among the trees, to be nothing more than a memory in her mind, cherished forever.

--

Soren retires with 31 bones.

Collab + RP with Zoketi ! I did the sketch+lines and background, Zoketi coloured and shaded! <33
I keep thinking of Ailee's I Will Go to You Like the First Snow for this ;-; it's in Korean but here is the lyrics + song if anyone wants to check it out!

Soren's story will continue outside the Domain one day, but he'll never forget his first love, Nadia, nor all his time in Chandor. <3 He's learned a lot, including the pain of letting go. I'm sure the day will come where Soren can truly be happy.