Leen wandered around a little, visiting the packs that weren't too far out of his trajectory. They seemed nice, at least the ones he went to. Though none of them stuck in his mind.
He had followed this river down, following the path until it bordered a woodland which, on closer inspection, was another pack. He didn't even want to bother -- being holed up in a dark woodland wasn't his style. Though he was sure the occupants were nice enough.
He wandered back to the main body of the creek, surprised to now see otters fishing. He'd not seen otters for some time. Perhaps not even since he was here last. He smiled fondly, plopping himself down in the shade, taking a sip of the water that ran over his forepaws. A break wasn't a bad idea. Not at all...
Ok, so he'd fallen asleep for a bit. That wasn't too much the matter though, a little damp but none the worse right? He stood up from where he'd flopped over like a puppy and shook himself dry, not taking in his surroundings first because he is pretty useless.
let me know if you want anything changed!
While the stranger had been slumbering, another had moved in closer. Jakoul had returned to this creek. What for was unknown. Maybe it was to see if the pale woman was still here.
Precious and grooming herself. Had she been wiser, the
Merei might have pinned her feelings as ones of attraction. She was not well enough acquainted with those sort of concepts though and so she convinced herself she returned on a whim.
Someone new waited for her today anyway. A mostly dark figure with a few lighter points here and there. Despite being surrounded by uniqueness within Blackfeather, she still found herself admiring the way outsiders looked. Perhaps it was the (usual) subtlety of outsiders that drew her to admire them from a distance. Their looks often times failed to compare to the uniqueness she could spot within her home.
Regardless of looks, she watched the newly awaken creature from across the creek. Would they do something worth sharing?
Leen's gaze caught that of a figure watching him.
He thought it curious to just be watched though he wasn't complaining. It's not like they launched upon him whilst napping.
They couldn't be malicious, then. Perhaps from the woods.
"Greetings!" He called out in a joyful tone, his tail waving behind him at a neutral position. He made to approach, stepping through the creek towards the stranger; he liked having a closeness to conversational acquaintances.
"You come from them woods?" He tipped his nose to gesture to the towering trees, hoping to pry information about the pack.
She watched as the chipper male approached closer and for a brief moment, she considered stepping back away from them. Something rooted her to the ground though. Perhaps it was the way their tail swayed non-threateningly or the joyous tone they used. Her gaze followed where he pointed towards. The familiar trees seemed to tower in the distance. They spurred feelings of fondness within her. She would never deny what that place meant to her.
Home.
She murmured as her tail gave a few brief sways by her ankles. The Merei returned her gaze to the dark-coated stranger. Where from?
Her head tilted ever so slightly as she awaited an answer.
So she resided there. Good, probably.
She seemed a little uncertain so he stepped back, his gaze slightly apologetic.
He thought about the answer to her question. In truth, he'd never stayed in one place for more than a moon. "I'm a traveler." He settled on it, supposing it was good enough.
"What's your pack like, eh? I'm looking for a place to settle." Perhaps by talking to this woman, he'd figure if this was the place for him. Though, he didn't know if the benefits of this pack would outweigh his desire for an open sky. It seemed to be a curious place though, perhaps he'd visit it one day.
She felt a pit in her stomach, embarrassment or anxiety that she refused to let show on her face. Jakoul wanted to tell the strangers the glories of what the Woods were like, how she felt in the safety of Blackfeather, how good they were. Her words were limited though and she already knew without opening her mouth that she could not paint the picture she wanted to.
Ahhh —
The Merei trailed off as she looked towards the trees in the distance. She wanted to make them proud, to be a figure of what Blackfeather embodied. Her self confidence was not blooming today it seemed, though. Good wolves. Family.
Jakoul knew that was not enough to get out everything she wanted but it was an important start.
Leen followed her gaze, nodding. She held joy in her voice, perhaps pride too. They meant a lot to her, it seemed. Not the place for him, though. He was looking for something a bit more rustic and loose. A pack that prided on loyalty which in turn made family would be harder for him to prove his worth, given they were already made and strong.
"Indeed," he mused. Though, anyone could say someone they cared about was good no matter what they did. He was experienced enough to know that.
"What are they called, and who leads them? If you don't mind me asking, of course." It would do him good to put a pack and their leader on his map. Just in case he ever needed to go there or show someone the direction. A scout was no good if they didn't know the local packs.