Dante smiled grimly. "A place that was home for a very long time. And one that is now, thankfully, an unhappy memory." Atrix had been a true Commander, deciding everything from where they would stay to who they would fight and when they would eat. He too decided who got what of the spoils, for only those who earned the meal got to eat. It was why their pack had been a unit but never a family; life was harsh and only the strongest stayed on top. Atrix led by fear and intimidation, not love or even true loyalty.

"I am truly happy that you have never had to experience that. And I am glad to hear that perhaps that life is not as common as I had thought." Dante added, feeling more optimistic. "It does seem an awful lot of work."

Illogical. Dante internally snorted. He didn't think there was a single word in existence that described his father better. Yet, when he was a pup, it had seemed the best of logic. He would still be following, blind to what existed outside of that lifestyle, had it not been for his love of his sister. If Tarin had not existed, or had not been so different, he might be Commander of the Obscurum pack right now. He had no regrets whatsoever for where life had led him instead.

"That is true. There is also keeping a pack peaceful, and knowing in wisdom when to fight and when to compromise." That had always been his weak point. He could be a bit of a pushover when left to his own devices. That worked very well for him as a loner, but would work less so when the safety of others depended on the call.

"That part I can definitely handle. Makes more sense if the relationship is mutually beneficial. No one likes a freeloader." Doesn't matter what pack you went to, that fact would always remain the same. He liked that about it thought. It meant that everyone was always working towards the betterment of everyone else. It was that fact alone that made him miss being a part of it so much.

"Sounds like a nice setup. In a pack like that, with such a give and take, I'd definitely do all I could to earn my keep." Hell, he'd done so even in his old pack, and that had hardly come close. He shook his head at the wolf's question. "I'm not sure. I don't think she's still around, she may have gone back home."

He paused, thoughtful. "As to myself, perhaps. If I could find a place like that you describe, a pack that treats itself like a family rather than an army, perhaps. I probably will. This place is pretty wonderful, from what I've seen so far. And that hasn't been much." Dante grinned. He was glad that Mordecai was enjoying their conversation as much as he was. The other male was intelligent, good to hold a discussion with and hardly an awkward traveling companion.

"I think I'd enjoy crossing paths again, if the winds take us in that direction. Who knows? For now, though, might as well see what we can find down this direction. Doesn't seem to be anyone around to hassle us at least."

Everything that Mordecai said stuck true with what Dante expected and had himself discovered. "Suppose we should stick south then, huh? Unless of course you want some excitement." He shook his head. "I've not had any, thank goodness, and plan on keeping it that way. Been giving their borders a wide berth, just in case. I've heard tell of a few around who don't take so kindly to strangers." Not that Dante blamed them. What was the point of borders if one didn't defend them?

They were still traveling along the river when Dante stopped, eyes narrowing. "What is that?" he asked, changing his heading right a bit. He had spotted something through the brush that piqued his interest. Shouldering aside the brush, he found himself facing a small entrance that led underground. He wondered at it's presence here as well as if anything still called it home. Was it a burrow? Or did it open up into a cavern?

Curious, he looked at Mordecai. "What do you say? Do we chance it?" He couldn't catch any sort of scent, but that didn't mean much. It might have another entrance or the inhabitant might not have left recently.

They seemed to be on the same page with exploring the cave. Normally Dante might have passed by but a companion at one's back opened up possibilities. Even if they found trouble two could probably handle what one might not be able to. Mordecai voiced his thoughts almost as he had them, also pointing out the merits of numbers.

Dante was suddenly very happy with the winds of chance that had led him to the river. This day was turning out to be one of his better ones since beginning his wanderings. "I'm in," he responded, stepping up to follow as Mordecai led the way. He had little fear of caves or the dark. Darkness had sometimes been his staunchest ally, in fact, helping him to avoid aggressors and prevail over prey on more than one occasion. Still he felt a slight thrill run down his spine as they entered the cave. It was the unknown, that was what gave him the shiver now.