All of the fur about Valeska's neck stood at attention at once, giving her the appearance of a startled porcupine. She froze on the spot as her mind struggled to reboot, having thought she was fully alone in this place - the sound of a stranger's voice was the last thing she expected.

With a wide, owlish stare, she turned to look.

A small, fine-boned she-wolf stood off to the side, her expression relaxed but curious as she looked back at the Priestess. Valeska struggled to swallow the lump in her throat as she fought the hammering of her own heart threatening to burst out of her chest.

Yes, she croaked. Hells. YES. I AM WELL.

That didn't sound well at all.

I mean - yes, I am fine, thank you, she said quickly, forcing the fluffed-out fur around her nape to settle. Just... missing an old friend. There is life after this, and I will see him again, but it makes the sting of his loss no less painful.

Valeska leaned forward and took a cursory sniff.

You do not smell of Northfall. You are new, here?