His small protest didn't last long as the voice caused him to stand again. He was almost taken back by the sight of such a fiery figure. Moose was pretty positive he might have been hallucinating but he was lonely enough to accept the company of just about anything.
Uh, sorta? I mean, I'm like really damn lost but not dying or anything.
A weak laugh followed his words and he awkwardly cut it off as he gazed around the place. Where had she come from anyway? Moose had been pretty positive he had been alone but obviously, he wasn't. Not anymore.
He didn't know if she was actually going to be helpful but he had to put faith in the stranger unless he wanted to wither away in this place. I wanna get out of here.
He admitted despite the fact that rest sounded really good. I'm not really sure where I'm going but anything would be better than staying here, you know?
Moose wasn't sure who would even want to stay in a place like this.
Oh, uh, I'm Moose by the way.
It only felt right that he gave an introduction to the stranger who was about to (hopefully) help him.
He tried to keep up with her directions, eyes following as she pointed the directions. By the end of it all, he realized that maybe not anywhere else was better than here. A island and a plateau sound like the best decisions.
A small chuckle escaped him. Although I take it that if you live on the plateau it might not be free for visitors?
Moose raised a brow slightly. She smelled enough like others for him to guess she was apart of a pack.
Maybe the island will be more forgiving than here.
He mused out loud as he settled down onto his rear.
A cheeky grin crossed his features. Moose had no interest in stirring up trouble with protective families and surely snappish mothers. So he'd take the stranger's warning in stride.
His head gave a short nod. Ready.
He stood back up again showing he was keen to follow. His tail even gave a few eager sways. It was about time he found a way out of here. Even if the lands beyond here didn't sound all that promising. Hopefully the island would be his savior.
Her question caused a hum to stir from him. Well, I'm just exploring really. Seeing what the world has to offer. Hence the whole getting lost thing.
He laughed at himself. The whole situation sounded silly really. He had no need to be out here exploring. Moose very well could have stayed home and lived a happy life. Alas, he got hit with curiosity.
If not many come this way then what are you doing here?
He spoke with genuine curiosity. Moose didn't mean to be nosy or rude.
Huh.
He said softly, genuinely interested in the way things had worked for the stranger. Moose supposed she was rather lucky to have just run into a bunch of her family. Glad things turned out so positive for you.
The words were spoken with a soft grin. The wolfdog knew he wouldn't be that lucky but there was no harm in hoping he could find something just as nice.
Figure if everyone's as kind as you, it would be a good place to be.
The words were spoken before he paused to give a quick scratch as an ear, trotting a bit faster to keep up.
He considered her words with a soft hum. Guess it couldn't hurt to give it a go, huh? I mean I'm not family or anything but I can contribute.
An amused chuckle escaped him. He had half a brain to (jokingly) ask her to vouch for him — call him a distant cousin or something — but the joke didn't seem the best so he kept it to himself.
How far is it from here?
Moose asked softly as he bumped against a tree or two as they walked along.
I like to hunt and I'm sure there's plenty of mouths to feed if you have pups coming soon. It's not like a skill like hunting ever goes out of fashion.
He spoke with a small smile punctuating his words. Also not sure if it really counts as contributing but I'm pretty good at remembering things. Could be helpful down the road.
Moose offered a loose shrug of his shoulders.
His tail swayed behind him as he caught up to her side, feeling energized by the prospect of there being an exit sooner rather than later.
His head nodded firmly. Right. What's usually around here that won't cost me a limb to take down?
Moose doubted that he could take down anything large like his namesake. Perhaps he could find a plumb rabbit or even some sort of thick game bird. He contemplated the options while waiting for his fiery company to answer.
Pleasure to meet you, Ceara.
He spoke honestly because without her he'd likely be melting into the ground back there.
His tail swished behind him at the options he was presented. Beaver sounds nice.
It would be a big enough gift to show he was willing to put in work along with the fact that if he caught it with her, it would prove he didn't mind teamwork. This was going to be perfect.
He chuckled at her question, brown eyes filling with humor. Nah. Dad used to joke that my mom saw a moose close to when I was born and they didn't have any names in mind, so that's what they called me.
His shoulders shrugged slightly. Moose wasn't actually sure just how true that story was but it had always made him laugh.