@Shaara — Takes place on the northern edge of Fox's Glade. Morning.
Usually it’s Thistle that scouts ahead. The pair of them have been on the move since their family told them to explore; to live life and find a place where they
thrived. Evergreen is still hesitant about the whole thing. Yeah, they’ve come a long way from home, but… it’s been difficult to adjust? A lot of him just wants to turn back and go to his family. Having Thistle helps, of course.
Stretching as he stands from the makeshift den he and his sister made the night before, Evergreen lets out a large yawn. Green eyes water for a moment until he clears them and takes in the soft light of morning. It’s cold, and it isn’t home, but admittedly it is pretty here. The Valley also seems to house more packs than other places the duo have traveled.
He lets Thistle know that he’s heading off—getting a weak grumble of annoyance in response—and starts his way towards the small stream they spotted the day before. Hopefully it isn’t too frozen over because he’s
parched.
So fortunately the stream isn’t frozen over, but heck is it ever freezing. The second he bends down to lap up a fresh drink, he jolts upwards at the icy water touching his nose. His right paw lifts in pure offense. Winter will never be his favorite season, that’s for sure. Tail twitching, Evergreen huffs a sigh before he lowers his head slowly this time. He barely drinks a mouthful without a shiver running up his spine. It is nice since he does have a thick coat, but it’d be better if it was this temperature during the summer.
Ears swerving, he smacks his nose into the water—startled by a sudden greeting that he hadn’t expected. Perhaps he oughta, since there are packs around her. He swears he wasn’t in any pack territory though, so… surely he isn’t in any trouble, right? Eyebrows furrowing with worry, the bearish wolf lifts his head and turns in the direction the voice came from. He spots the salt-and-pepper female a few yards away. Oh, heck. How did she sneak up on him? Was his mind still foggy with sleep?
“Oh! Uh, good morning?” He greets sheepishly, and gives a few wags of his tail for good measure. “What’s up?” From her scent, it smells like she’s been hunting—and suspiciously similar to the stream?
If Evergreen knew what question marks were, a dozen of them would come to mind. Instead, the bearish boy shifts awkwardly under the stranger's gawking. Admittedly, he's conflicted; the majority of him is speechless and startled, and a small part of him preens under the attention. His tail wags another few beats, ears swerving back at her raised pitch and his sheepish smile grows a touch confident. He might not know what to do in these kinds of situations, but it doesn't seem the salt-and-pepper wolf means any harm.
Oh,
he says again, tilting his head to the right. Food seems... legit. After all, all evidence points to the fact she was just hunting. Man, Evergreen wishes the rivers weren't so cold. Then he would be spending his time fishing. Not only is fish delicious, it is one of his favorite hobbies. He is taken off guard, however, when she asks for help. His eyes widen a hair.
You need help?
Automatically, the bearish wolf takes a step forward... regretting it instantly when his forepaws submerge in the icy stream. His ears swerve towards her, however, alert as if he expects danger on the horizon. What can I do?
Evergreen's nose twitches.
Sorry about the delay! I loved your post LOL
Oh..!
Evergreen felt silly; expecting danger when there was nothing to fear—or in this case, protect someone from. Feeling the icy pinpricks of cold in his forepaws, the bearish wolf backtracks until he is on the shore once more. Much more comfortable, but the wind chill did little to ease the frozen feeling in his toes.
Uh, sure. I'd be happy to help, ...?
It is then that Evergreen realizes he never introduced himself and vice versa.
Before he can ask, she speaks up about not wanting to come across as a creep? And he couldn't be more confused about the situation (again). His head tilts. Evergreen gives her a broad grin.
It's cool.
She didn't come across as a creep, at least to the bearish wolf so he wonders, briefly, if he should be more suspicious of the salt-and-pepper female's intentions. For now, he'll give her the benefit of the doubt.
I'm Evergreen, by the way. What's your name?