Bearclaw Valley Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.

Neako had ventured endlessly onward through the wilds, having passed many different lands, but the one he roamed at present was mostly filled with jagged rocks and boulders along the way, his gold eyes taking in his surroundings whilst socked paws continued to guide him aimlessly through the little-known (especially to him) terrain.

The mass of black fur had soldiered on, but as he did, stray droplets seemed to fall from above, escaping from the gloomy clouds that linger over head. A few lannded directly upon the nightly colored wolf's back and Neako sighed softly, it's wet touch causing his dark fur to bristle as he gradually grumbled under his breath. Nostrils flared as he inhaled and slowly the ebony wolf allowed his head to lift upwards. It was then that his amber gaze noticed the darkening of the heavens and the shady hue of the clouds as they loomed above him. He paused in movement, observing the sky quietly, mind attempting to estimate just how long it would be until the heavens did decide to unleash this already teetering downpour upon the world. And it wasn't long.

It may have been mere minutes that had passed and as the brute journeyed further into the lands, just as he had guessed, the brewing downpour had begun. The rain came lightly at first, the fine, soaking type and a low rumble escaped his lips as Neako's smokey socked paws swiftly carried him toward an oak-tree forest ahead. Upon approach of the towering trees, the male was instantly grateful for the coverage the forest could offer, its entangled branches aiding the loner in finding a temporary shelter to shield him from the sudden rainfall that nature had so gracefully brought down upon the earth. 

And as he lingered under the mess of branches and leaves, Neako peered around at the towering trees that now surrounded him, his sleek wet tail swaying behind him curiously as he figured he might as well explore the forest now that he was here.

Valette stood by the only entrance of the steep valley. Her nostrils flared as she inhaled a scent unknown to her. Though neutral territory, the female was still protective over the lands of her birth. Bearclaw Valley as a pack might not exist anymore, but she would keep an eye out nevertheless now she was settled in a territory next to it. Often the entrance would go unnoticed for weeks but lately, it seemed to be visited more frequently.

Valette made her way down into the valley out of curiosity. However, she noticed the spike in the air too. The brooding effect that told her rain was coming rather sooner than later. The charcoal alpha female made haste tracking the scent. She didn't have long, minutes later the rain was coming down, washing the scent of the stranger away. Valette moved through the high grass of the open fields when she decided to seek some shelter from the wetness coming down.

As the trees covered her she shook out her pelt. She remembered this forest well. She glanced back at the river that cut through the fields. She wondered if the river was going to flood once more as it had done when she was so small. The female was lost in the memories of her childhood, for a moment she forgotten her original quest and stranger she had unintentionally wandered close to.

The bulky man hadn't wondered far from the outskirts of the forest, the brute having decided to linger near the edges of the tall, towering trees as his gold eyes idly watched as the rain fell from the clouded skies above. Gradually, Neako's large sized paws carried him along the edge of the wood, fallen twigs and leaves being crushed beneath his weight as he stared out across the now sodden lands in the distance. The man found himself slipping into a tired daze as he continued to stare out across the terrain, a daze which almost caused him to miss the unforeseen arrival of a stranger that was now standing just a few feet away from him.

Neako blinked, allowing a blank expression to cross his face as he quietly watched the unknown woman, his head tilting for a brief second as she began to shake out her coat, ridding her dark fur from the wet droplets that were so graciously blessed upon them by the heavens. The brute turned away, taking another look to the scenery as he silently began considering to whether he should call out to the other or quietly stalk off further into the forest and not say a word. Finding himself stuck in limbo on what to do, Neako let out a small sigh and allowed his paws to guide him closer to the woman, finally deciding to call out to the other, ”Hey there.” He barked, tail swaying behind in a friendly manner as he came to a gradual stop.

Valette turned towards the sounds of someone approaching. It was quickly followed by a greeting. The female turned to the male, big and dark in color. Steady! Her mourning state of mind wanted to see her deceased mate into the male but it was a glamor that lasted only for a few seconds. His eyes were too yellow, and there was gray around his muzzle. Valette's surprised eyes turned into disappointment.

However, the alpha did stumble upon the stranger that was in the valley. She pushed her ears forward, not wanting to come over as too unsocial. She was sociable before Steady died. "Hi," she greeted. She tried to take in his scent but the rain washed most of it away. "Are you traveling?," she inquired. "Because then I can already tell you that this valley only as one entrance and exit." Technically, that was not true as there were many secret tunnels, but Valette had not lived here long enough to know about them.