As they broke the tree line the blizzardlike wind whistled through the branches and what remained of the leaves. Despite the coming of winter and their fruits coming out of season the trees still filled the air with sweet scents.
Journeying further the wind became less and less of a burden and Andr could feel his ability to retain his body temperature increase. Though the tree may be barren of fruit several bushes were still adorned with colorful berries. Their taste may be a bit off but potentially still edible.
This evening food and especially berries were not on Andr's mind. His goal was to get Lenina out of the cold and someplace comfortable for the evening. He felt it was the least he could do.
While the bushes created a barrier for this wind they also harbored sharp thorns that caught fur and scraped against the nose and face. Coming into the woods he had stayed at Lenina's backside acting as a wind barrier. Now shielded by the natural elements, he politely moved up the side of her and took the lead being the first one to encounter the burdensome thorns in the hopes that his larger size would grant her easier passage as they searched for a place to rest.
aditya wandered from the caldera into the snow, down, down, into the lands beyond. the thick forest lay beyond, and he forged into it, finding relief from the blinding flakes blocked by the trees. deeper and deeper into the thicket, he found relief.
and he found a pair of wolves, and chuffed their way, head lifted.
one brown, one cream.
what brings you here?
the old ambassador calls ahead, chin lifted.
shelter? prospect? home?
Winter still remained present, though it seemed as if the world was shifting the further south the pair headed. The slightly warmer air was nice, but life wasn't necessarily getting easier. A chill still clung to her pelt, paws aching from both the temperature and journey.
However, Lenina wasn't entirely concerned with herself. Her companion had injured himself, and although the strawberry wolf wasn't an expert in medicines and remedies, she was eager to help. Andr wouldn't have obtained the injury to being with if she hadn't mentioned water, after all. Her mind spun as she tried to theorize how the cut was advancing. Perhaps something as simple as time had allowed it to scab over, or maybe the walk had only worsened its state. Either way, the woman was eager to take a look once they found a suitable resting place.
The thorns didn't help, though. They definitely weren't life-threatening, but the pokes and prods were far from comfortable. She ducked and maneuvered the best she could, and she silently thanked her chocolate friend once more for helping. But the pickling thorns were relentless.
Her mind soon shiftly changed pace, their day only growing more interesting. It seemed there was another unfamiliar face nearby. For a woman who didn't care much for meeting new people, Lenina was coming across wolves left and right.
"Just traveling."
Looking to her friend as if inviting a further explanation, she thought it'd be best to give a simple and blunt answer for now. She had to admit that Andr was probably the friendlier one out of the pair, so she left the task of explaining to him.
They had made their way to a small clearing where there were no longer completely shoulder-to-shoulder with those pecky thorns. Andr froze as he heard the sound of a masculine voice emerge from the woods. This male was similar in size to Andr and shared a strong build, but it was clear this male was much older, and he had a strange object protruding from around his neck.
Upon catching Lenina's glance Andr took a small protective step in front of her. He made sure to keep his injured paw between himself and Lenina, a subtle attempt to hide it from the unknown male. Only a short time after the initial injury not much had changed, although it bled more slowly now. Their journey into the woods left it little time to sit still and start the healing process.
Andr wasn't sure what this male was after but if anything were to happen he made sure he would be the first line of defense. Not keenly interested in the presence of another male Andr had no problem with Lenina's short response. He kept his eyes fixed on the male and after a moment added "Is there any issue with that?" his tone was not snarky but serious.
they answered quickly, and he dipped his head, lowering his stature further. nahin, friends,
he promised, giving them a flash of a smile. i only live nearby, and am curious to see newcomers.
a pause, and then— i am aditya, staying with brecheliant. and you?
they couldn't be threatened, surely; he was an old man. size and musculature aside, all of that had withered away somewhat, and his eyes carried a film that hadn't been there before.
he was a friend. rght?
The air was thick with tension, more so from their side than the stranger's. Lenina had never intended to come off as rude, only suspicious. And it seemed that Andr's attitude matched her own. Despite being partially shadowed by her friend, the strawberry wolf maintained a steady eye and clear line-of-sight.
But, it appeared that all was good. This particular unfamiliar face didn't give off a threatening aura, at least in the woman's opinion. Tempted to speak up once more, she decided it was best to hold her tongue. So far her companion had proven to be better with words, so she allowed him to take the reins.
The stranger lowered his stance in what Andr read as an attempt to look less intimidating. It wasn't the man's statue alone that alerted Andr but the sheer fact that he was an unknown male. He was more inclined to believe the man was trying to be less threatening and use friendly words as a way to manipulate or bring their guard down.
Andr focused on his words. He lived nearby and was visiting a place or pack known as Brecheliant. If he lived nearby why was he staying somewhere else? Was it some sort of nefarious hidden message masking his intentions? Perhaps he had caused some sort of commotion for this Brecheliant place.
He gave his name, whereabouts, and asked for the same. After a moment of silence, Andr responded. "Andromed". A short and simple response. He did not offer 'Andr' as he had done for Lenina and remained sharp.
silence. well, except for a name. his golden eyes flitted between the two, still warm and lantern-like in their approach.
brecheliant is a good pack, if you need a place,
he offered, smiling slightly more. i will happily vouch for their character.
he knew wary wolves when he saw them.
he took a few steps back, head bowed, allowing them to continue the interaction or pass him by. he was fine either way.
Her eyes flickered between the two, a bit unsure how to respond. The uncertainty was evident through her eyebrows knitting together, mind spinning and searching for a reaction. She was indeed wary, but the awkwardness and silence was nearly just as bad. With the atmosphere remaining tense and her lips frozen shut, all the woman could do was watch and wait.
It seemed that this 'Brecheliant' was a nearby pack, though the details still hadn't been specified. Turning her gaze upwards once more towards her friend, Lenina searched his face in hopes that he'd come up with more answers than she had.
He again caught Lenina's gaze and took her silence and glances as a go-ahead for him to speak for the two as a pair for the time being. The situation wasn't comfy for anyone involved, so perhaps ending it would be for the best. But Andr wanted to know what Aditya was getting at. "Another time" he responded. "We have other plans" he remained vague and had no intentions displaying his injury.
"However, before you go on your way... What type of character would you vouch Brecheliant to be? What sentiments do they hold and who are they comprised of?" He wasn't looking for anything fancy but he wanted to see what a 'good pack' looked like to this man as it would likely speak to his own sentiments therefore.