Dragoncrest Cliffs griptide

With the worst of the cold and snow staying in the past, he'd eased himself right into a good routine and sat there, quite comfy. His nights were warm, days kept busy, and he never went too hungry. Overall Dio went about his business undisturbed so he had no complaints. He missed Sleeping Dragon far less lately, too, but he also had Portia on his mind twice as much these days with Wildfire tangling into it subtly now and then too. It'd been much different about this same time last year when he had only just met the commander, fresh off his pitiful travels down the desolate, frozen coastline on the backend of winter.

He'd patrolled through the morning, and cached a fresh rabbit, then found himself loitering near the cliffs overlooking the sea. There had barely been time to do this selfishly, so far, but it was just as picturesque as it could be; clear skies, no clouds. A little breeze, but not too bad.

Dio paused only briefly, preferring to nose around, although there was nothing hurried about any of it.

He'd been looking forward to training with Tanja but as the winter hit and curbed his plans, he now feels like he'd waited too long. His mentor is gone from the i claim, to return home, and Arlo debates whether to stay or go back where he's familiar. His loyalty feels tested and he isn't sure where he's meant to be. Perhaps talking with Heda might give him a piece of mind and so he sets his paws to search for her. 

Eventually, he comes across Dio. He hasn't seen the male much (at least one on one) since they'd brought in the seal with Wildfire and Tirgatao. He hadn't lingered behind with him for long but he adjusts his direction and makes his way toward the cliff. The sea wind gusts in and blows her fur, reminding him of the chill, but it does not slow his approach. The boy chuffs and lowers his head, tail swishing slowly behind him as he offers submission to the leader before the distance is personal.

The scene remained much the same, and there was only so much to see here now even as he skimmed along. Winter kept this all cold and crisp, dusted all in chilly seaspray but he knew spring would change this soon enough. For now in the meantime, it just felt best to familiarize himself with all that he could.

Which coincidentally included Arlo, too, Dio thought as he turned to face the younger male. He'd come at a delicate time for Drageda, and as with all of the wolves hailing from the commander's histories, the wocha got the sense they were especially scrutinizing. Perhaps it was a good sign that he, Melchior, and Tirgatao had remained this long. But with them looking more and more likely to become a noteworthy fixture in Drageda, Dio no longer had good reasons to not know them better.

His tail arced upward and waved softly. "Hey," he greeted, then cleared his throat softly after not using it for a time. Already he knew the basics here, name, duty, where he came from -- so on, so Dio at least had that to build upon in getting to know him in the present better. "Settle in alright?" 

The older male picks up on his presence easy enough and when his tail zips upward, his lowers and brushes his haunches. His head is kept low once he’s addressed but with a swish of his tail, his thankful to be received well enough. Just as he scrutinizes those within Drageda, he’s certain those in high power do the same in return. He’s always felt a watchful on him and whether or not he’d behave within the presence of Heda.
 
“Yeah,” he tells Dio. “A little restless from the weather.” He’d been cooped up so long in the cavern with the others for fear of losing on his limbs that he’s sure to have fallen a little out of practice, or lost muscle in place of fat in the time, but with spring around the corner he’s hopeful to regain his proper shape and form.