Wolf RPG - Afraid of the Empty but Too Safe on the Shore

Open to all, but hoping to encounter some Kastleoki packmates this dude hasn't stumbled upon yet:)

Dante likes it here, he's pretty sure.

It's something about the presence of the river, he thinks, that keeps him feeling so steadfastly grounded here. There's an aspect to the swell of the water that calms him, perhaps a leftover comfort from his innisfree days; the ghost of the shore-infatuated pup he was once was always seems to pop up right when he feels as though he's truly forgotten about that young boy. He's grateful, though, for the reminder. It really does push him to center himself on the days where he still feels a bit lost- that is, when Lumiya hasn't gotten to him yet. Dante's learned that the soft flutter of her breath and gentle lilt of her voice in his ear are enough most mornings to pull him from whatever gloom might try to settle in his bones. Love's a powerful thing, innit?

Today though, the young man's silver companion is not by his side. Instead, the little mouse find himself deep into the northern side of the (still mostly unfamiliar) territory, padding along the riverside. He's not so far away from the shore that the bubble of the river is unheard, but distanced enough that the cool mud of the bank doesn't quite reach where he meanders daintily along. There's a gentle hum in the boy's the throat, a trill of a song accompanying him on his stroll, the forest otherwise seemingly still. He thinks it's something he heard Lumiya cooing once, the song, but he's got the notes a bit wrong- it soothes him anyway. The tug of the breeze in his coat draws his attention up towards the sky, overcast but not exactly dreary, and he smiles gently before a new awareness of the sounds- or rather lack thereof - around him finds Dante quickly snapping back to attention.

His narrow head swivels in the direction of the river, eyes gleaming and a short laugh bursting forth from his maw when he realizes what he's managed to stumble upon. It's nearly hidden by the rugged stone outcrops that make up this part of the territory, but he realizes there's a still pool of water adjacent to the river, heart squeezing in his chest. It's without seoncd thought that Dante is rushing forward, a flash of dove-grey limbs as he barrels towards the water with a hearty laugh resounding from his chest. It's mere seconds before he's reached the edge of the outcrop that borders the pool, and there's a moment after he flings himself into the air - almost as though time has generously slowed for the young man- where he thinks that maybe he's certain he likes it here.

Another near moon had pasted of Howl searching the Wilds for his mate Star and their children. It had been almost half a year since he had seen them and still he searched. He had no hints, no clues, just the hope that they were at least still alive. He wanted to look more, ask around, but that couldn't be his life. He had a life here with his girls he had to return to. Part of him told himself that he had to give up this search. That by searching so aimlessly he was taking precious time away from the children he still had access to. Still, the hope that Star and his young were still out there cling to him... but its hold was growing weaker.

This stretch of searching was over and it was time for him to return home. He had taken the time to reacquaint his scent with the border so any new faces wouldn't be disturbed by his scent. Another bout of hydrotherapy is what he needed. To relax his traveled muscles and perhaps his uncertain mind. His last therapy session had taken place in the heart of the river with fish passing him by. This time though he would venture to a calmer area of the river, free of swimming and thrashing fish.

Instead of a fish, however, when he walked towards the pool a large splash disrupted its waters. He was first confused, unable to see what had thrown itself into the water from such a distance, but as he made his way to the shore he saw the head of a silver male above the water's surface. The male's face was new but Howl wasn't sure how new to the territory he was. "Quite the spot isn't it?" he said in a friendly tone.

The moment he hits the water may be the closest Dante's ever come to Nirvana.
It's jarring, sure, the pool having been significantly cooler than he had predicted and deep enough that it takes him a few moments before he drinks in the delicious air above. Still, there's something about the water that throws his mind into momentary ecstasy, nostalgia ringing in his bones and flashes of a once-home flickering behind his eyelids.

He breaches the surface with a gasp, blinking droplets from his eys and shaking his head messily as he paddles to stay afloat. There's a gentle laugh of surprise and relief that escapes him, but it's quickly interrupted by the cadence of an unfamiliar voice. Dante's head whips towards the stranger, a smile blooming on his face when he recognizes the amicability in their tone. Though water blurs his vision a bit, he's able to make out the dark form of another, someone he presumes is a man by the register of their speech. Quite! Though it's a bit, a shiver runs up his spine, adding a slight shake to his words, chilly, innit?

Though he's content in his spot in the water now, curiosity prickles at the young man, driving him forwards out of the shallows and onto the shore, his head cocking as he observes his new acquaintance. You must be one of my elusive new packmates then, he breathes out on a laugh, a gentle quirk to his brow as his gaze sweeps the other.

This silver males response was enthusiastic and reflected a friendly tone far surpassing Howl's own. Howl was often polite and friendly, but rarely if at all giddy and joyful. The male agreed with Howl's sentiment, though remarked on it's chilling temperature. "I would expect nothing less come this time of year. I'm hoping that chill is just the thing my body needs to ease my aches and pains," Howl explained as the silver male made his way onto shore.

"You would be correct. My name is Howl. I just returned from a scouting mission. My apologies for my elusiveness. Strange though, I wouldn't have expected the others within the pack to be so." It seemed uncharacteristic of the pack to keep new arrivals at a distance. But then again, how much did Howl know about KO given how often he was absent from it.

"You wouldn't mind if I stepped in would you?" Howl asked gesturing towards the water. He wanted to make sure he wasn't being rude by continuing their conversation submerged.

It's curious, his new acquaintance's name, and his head cocks with interest as Dante nods along to his- Howl's, words, eyes flashing with keen interest. He smiles as the fellow man voices the insight Dante had failed to recognize before he'd soaked himself through to the bone, a chuckle on his breath as he listens. Howl,[q] the young man tests the name on his tongue, [q]S'a pleasure. I'm Dante- and, honestly? I'm sure the elusiveness is really mostly on my part. Not sure I've been the most outgoing lately, he ends with a wry smile that falls a bit flat; coming to terms with the reality of his own wallowing isn't exactly a day-brightener.

Not a bit, he says as he steps along the shallows of the bank, water only reaching up to his slightly below his elbows as he eyes the other. So, you've had a bit of a journey then? Might I ask where you found yourself? Dante doesn't wish to pry- he's had some unpleasant adventures of his own that surely weren't his favorite of conversation topics- but nonetheless his spirit of inquiry pushes him to ask, the question leaving his lips before he truly registers his own decision to ask.

His pack member revealed himself to have the name of Dante. He then proceeded to take part of the blame for having not met the others of the pack. A sign that he was of respectful quality, but Howl felt no need to argue a point that was merely a sentiment. He was much more looking forward to tending to his aching muscles, which Dante had no objection to.

Howl nodded his head to his new acquaintance and slowly entered the water. Little by little, he immersed himself into the water until it rose up to his chest and he could dip in and out of the water when he pleased like a lazy bobber. It was a refreshing feeling though the sorer parts of him began to sting a little.

His journey was then called into question. Something Howl had no issue answering. He had been to plenty of places before and recounted his experiences to many. "No one specific place. I'd been traveling the Sunspire Mountain range as of late" he answered. "Anywhere near where you resided before making your home here?" he asked in return. It wasn't uncommon for those asking about one's travels to have traveled themselves.