The sivullik's scent was not as dominant as Kanuk expected. Presented to her alongside it was a female scent. She did not know what to make of it: healthy and young, by a fair margin compared to herself or Tulimaq.
Begrudgingly she set about exploring the inner sanctum of the rise, on high alert for the one called @Avicus.
Another newcomer!
Ashlar froze when he saw her, but didn't move to avoid being seen himself. Meeting Prophet and his silent playmate had made him slightly bolder about the friendliness of the wolves Avicus was finding. The only wolf who had shown any outward distaste towards him was Tulimaq, but the bard didn't hold it against him. They had nothing in common.
Hello.
She looked like a warrior as well, he noticed as he drew closer. His demeanor was openly friendly, more curious than deferential, but he stopped when was a few lengths away. I'm Ashlar. It's n-nice t' meet you.
A young wolf appeared from a copse of trees. They could've been the wolf Kanuk sought and so she paused to watch their open display.
When he spoke her suspicion was confirmed: this was not the wolf she was searching for. Kanuk.
She went on to say.
Her nostrils flared. This boy's scent was similar to Avicus' - perhaps due to their close age. Was this a brother? A mate? What is your role here?
She was not a conversationalist by her own standards - this was merely recon. He did not look like a warrior to her. An anneriwok who was yet unproven.
She was extremely businesslike and he shifted under her discerning look. HÇ£lend. It's... um, I can heal.
A little. He bit back the rejoinder. Ashlar was trying to show a bit more confidence in the skills he was learning. The more he practiced, the easier he hoped it would become.
Singer. Healer. Playmate. He was a number of things now. The other two he got the quiet sense that she, like Tuulimaq, would not understand. They were different than the quiet wolf and Prophet. Ashlar's posture lowered a bit more, deferentially. When did you come here?
he asked, forcing his voice to steady by speaking slower. Perhaps it was only because she was new here.
A healer. That made this one extremely valuable. A warrior was only able to be strong if they were healthy, and would always need someone to help them with that. Those with the knowledge were few and far between.
Recently.
She answered. The boy was nervous.
I came to find my sivullik. He is here among your people. I do not think he will leave with me wilingly.
This was more than she needed to share but, it would also serve to gauge the boy's awareness.
She didn't seem to mind the question, which made him relax at least a tidge. He had been hovering on the suspicion she might take a snap at his nose just for daring to greet her. Her presence was intimidating.
What is 'sivulluk'? Is it family?
The unfamiliar term rolled off of his tongue easily, the syllables a mimicry of her pronunciation, but he had few guesses on the meaning. It hinted that wherever she'd come from was completely foreign to both he and Redtail Rise. Did she leave because the sivulluk left? Who were they?
Kanuk put effort in to specific things in her life. Hunting, fighting, stalking of herds or other targets given by her superior. She did not speak too much over any one subject; it was safer to keep secrets.
It was rare that she be in the company of people not of Tartok. Those that did not know their ways or - in this case - language. It told her much more about the boy and the people Tulimaq had chosen.
It is our word for leader of the hunt.
Not family, or maybe: she would leave that up to the boy's discretion.
Leader of the hunt. Immediately Ashlar associated the title with Avicus, but she had said 'he'. The bard was suddenly uncomfortable, thinking there might be another in the pack who she saw worthy of that name.
Is that something everyone has, there? Or is it special?
He was fascinated too.
He'd never heard of wolves having roles that broached pack lines. She'd followed this wolf here. And they would stay?
we can wrap this at any point if you are trying to close out threads for her <3