whitw2

So you're here as well, Vargo...?

Are you implying my sense of smell is worse than yours?

What I mean is, we've found the right place—that thing is inside the ward.

Sending us wolves to search every nook and cranny of the landship just to find a little keepsake Lappland happened to misplace... do you not find it funny?

Enough grumbling, Caesar.

We agreed the pack leader has the power to issue any order.

So let's finish this quickly.

Is that... your Fang?

...Red.

(Snoring softly)

(Pained muttering)

Lappland's scent...

From the dagger in Projekt Red's hands.

How could Lappland's lost keepsake be your Fang's dagger?

Hmph. Our alpha she may be, but the white wolf is ultimately still just a pup.

Hey, Zaaro.

That cloud of dust there was just wild burdenbeasts trying to get out of Rhodes Island's way, no?

Is there a need to ask me when the barrens lie right before our eyes?

Patience, now.

Doesn't sound like something you'd say.

A landship just happens to stray off course into the depths of the wastes, and brushes by those mysterious roaming beings just as we happen to be on the deck, just so we can say hello...

You know how much effort I've put into arranging this special meeting for you and your kind, so why rush me?

You didn't have to trouble yourself.

We could've gone to Lungmen, or Acahualla. The few kin over there are far easier to track down.

Haha. Zaaro, the wolfpack's becoming more human indeed.

Hm?

I mean, I could simply invite Texas's boss to listen to underground rap, or I could meet that Duck Lord at the gambling tables. Quite a few times I've done so in Siracusa.

But they're a minority amongst the Beast Aristocrats, no?

Say your so-called 'crisis' is truly so terrible, yet your first move is to find your kin hiding within human society, and hold a meeting like mortals do?

Call the other wolves back. Your kin will come soon.

Caesar is still hunting your keepsake... wait, you didn't lose it, did you?

I never had a keepsake to begin with, Zaaro.

Then...

You intended for Caesar to meet the Fang she abandoned?

Haha, I didn't say that.

Grandma?

I see you, Grandma...

She's asleep.

All you did was to get closer and she trembles so much in her dreams... her fear of you has seeped into her bones.

Heh.

A dreamland...

Enough, Caesar. This is dull and distasteful. Just take the dagger and go.

That dagger is my gift to Red.

When she had just started to understand what was going on around her, I found a beast fang and taught her how to grind it down into the sharpest dagger ever made.

What?

You still don't get it? Lappland made me come here on purpose.

Does she want me to take the dagger back? No. She wants me to eliminate the fear and pain in this human, to rid my influence from her.

Hm, that doesn't seem like her style.

Helping a poor colleague out, or perhaps expressing goodwill to the pharmaceutical organization she affiliates herself with... it is not hard to guess her intentions.

Which is why, as I said before: Our alpha she may be, but the white wolf is ultimately still just a pup.

Wait here, Vargo. I'll finish this senseless 'mission' in the blink of an eye.

Red.

Grandma... it's really you...?

Who else could it be...? Truly, a poor child you are.

Tsk. Operator Projekt Red, this is the fifth time you've been on my tail ever since I boarded this landship.

The scent...

I smell something familiar, on you.

If you mean the wolves' scent, there's more than one on me.

Grandma...

Is Grandma here too?

Did she ask you to replace me?

It sounds like... you want to kill me?

If the Doctor and your boss who loves hiding in smoke won't be investigating, I'd be glad for a little exercise.

No... I don't want to fight you.

I don't know how to explain... Grandma found you, and you'll become like me. In the end, you'll...

Haha, thank you for your concern.

You're trembling, Red.

Grandma, she said to me...

I am like the ones I killed.

I was only—

Only winning her an insipid victory.

I listened to Grandma, and I didn't listen to Kal'tsit...

I did something wrong, and again, and again...

I am both a huntress and true wolf.

Who am I?

My heart feels so... messy.

(Pained sobbing)

Do you hate that wolf, Red?

Do you wish to forget her?

Fear not—we are on Rhodes Island. Your Rhodes Island.

I'd be glad to help you.

That's it?

That's it. How could I just ignore her while Kal'tsit's away from Rhodes Island?

Lappland, are you hoping I will praise your passion, or your kindness?

Zaaro, are you hoping I will take your words as flattery, or sarcasm?

Grandma, where are you going this time?

Grandma never left. I've been waiting for you to catch up to me.

The young red wolf subconsciously raises her foot, but quickly comes to her senses and ends up holding still.

Do not doubt me, child. Do you think there is still a need for me to fool you?

Your doubt, your pain. I will answer them both.

Come over, to Grandma's side.

A familiar voice, gentle words. A slight breeze blows through grassland, scraping a faint fishy smell from the soil... it is very safe here.

As if nothing has changed at all.

For a long time.

In the end, the young wolf cannot help but to step forward.

Is this a dream?

A dream, and yet reality.

Follow me, Red.

Why the silence? You would always pepper me with questions whenever we reunited... even when you were unable to string proper words together.

I know. You harbor hate in your heart, you blame me.