The queen was walking again, her muzzle in the air to the dark-gray sky as the water droplets fell. While it was not the perfect weather to go seeking for loners interested in joining their pack, she kinda liked this sort of weather. It wasn't raining that hard anyway, so who was she to say that there were no lone wolves travelling through the mountains today? She lowered her muzzle again, seeing no signs of heavier rain nor a storm. Her claws made a light Tink! noise as they came in contact with the wet stone beneath her, probably giving away her position to anyone around. It was risky, though she felt like she could take an attack. Not that she wished it to happen of course.

As time passed, the sound of water got louder though the light rain wasn't getting worse. She raised an eyebrow, looking to the sky again to see if it had gotten worse but that she had missed it, but there were no signs of it. She stopped for a brief moment, relying on her ears to make out what the noise was. Suddenly, it hit her in the face. There was a lake nearby, intensifying the sounds of rain as the liquid combined. It was a true discovery for the young girl, since they didn't have such a great water place back at the canyon. Perhaps, in spring, they could go looking for herbs here since she knew that there would be none available in the blood canyon. She got closer to the lake, and now she could see it clearly. She was a high way above it, though that wasn't a great problem. As long as they could reach it from underneath, things should go smooth here. Perhaps there would even be fish in these waters.

The light rain prevented the queen from smelling much, though it didn't stop all the scents from crawling into her nostrils. There were a few scents indicating that there were critters around, but no scents of her own sort. Little did she know there was one climbing up the mountainside as she thought it.

The rain got more brutal, coming now with a harder breeze, making the left side of her body wetter than the other. It was a horrible feeling, though she refused to leave this place and seek shelter before investigating further. She took a few more steps towards the ridge that had a better view of the lake beneath, though careful not to slip and fall. Her legs shivered a bit, though she found herself standing fairly stable for someone in her position. She looked down some more, now having a better view of the water place, and spotting some signs of plants that had bloomed in the summer. It was enough for her to believe that they could indeed very much use this place. 

She almost wanted to turn around, heading for the blood canyon to tell her lover that she had found something interesting, though a faint scent stopped her from doing so. She slowly turned around, her back now facing the end of the ridge as she scanned the area. It was harder to see with the rain constantly making her blink, though she was sure there was someone there. Someone who didn't want to be found.

Hello? She called out in a kinder voice than her usual, now questioning her sanity. Had her nose betrayed her, or was there indeed a presence nearby? Only time would tell.

After a few moments of wondering if she had gone insane, she heard some footsteps. They weren't loud, almost silent as the rain was still making a louder noise, but it was noticeable for someone who was seeking for sound, a signto proof that she was sane. Out of the bushes came a smaller wolf, making it's way to the more open spot of the area they had found themselves in. It showed no signs of wanting to attack nor submit, all that was given was a movement of it's tail.

Now that the wolf was a bit more visible, the dark queen could inspect her some more. She could smell the stranger was female and could see she was fairly young. Or at least, it looked like it given her lanky figure. In the dark lightning here, her fur almost looked fully black tot the queen, but she would discover someday (maybe even never if the stranger decided to flee), that it was actually a mixture between obsidian and chocolate. She blinked at the silence, only hearing the sound of rain, now not sure if the stranger could speak at all.

I don't bite. She said softly but sweet. It was almost ironic that this sentence came out of her mouth, as she had ripped the air pipe of her own mother out of her throat not even moons ago. Though, she had changed. She had become wiser, nicer now that she had bonded with another loner. 

What is your name? She asked, still wondering if the being could speak. If it was a mute however, her body language would show that she had no intentions of harming the other, though would still display a bit of dominance with her tail as it raised.

The rain almost stopped, though the sky became no less grey, indicating that it was just a small break for the clouds. Perhaps it would get worse, or perhaps it would blow right over the mountain area. Only time would tell really.

The other being that was also getting soaked by the rain now showed signs of wanting to submit, something that was appreciated. Though still not a queen nor leader, she was going to be one and already showed signs of a higher rank. She had always really been this way from birth, but now it was not because she was treated like royalty, but by the fact that she was beginning a pack of her own. Her muscles visibly relaxed a bit more, her tail now wagging slowly as their conversation continued.

The stranger who introduced herself as Mitanni, seemed a bit nervous to talk as Malice saw her jiggling a bit on her legs. Malice eyes still widened nonetheless, as she had thought it was a mute, but it was only for a mere second, maybe even less. As the stranger had given her name, it was only appropriate for the dark queen to follow her lead. Why, hello there, Mitanni. She greeted the girl first before continuing. I am called Malice Lanius, though Malice alone is fine. She revealed, a small smile highlighting her features.

What has brought you here to these mountains, and in this weather? She added the fact that it was raining, merely to give the stranger an idea. Perhaps the girl would now think about seeking shelter, and where better than in the blood canyon?

The queen was happy to see Mitanni relax as their conversation continued, and the smile she was carrying did not fade. Most wolves who weren't fond of having conversations would've turned by now, leaving her to believe that this stranger might not be so shy as she thought before. After all, the other had hid for quite a while before revealing herself and their seemed to be some nervousness, though the queen couldn't be sure. She was good at reading people, but not that good.

It took a few seconds for the other to respond again, but it wasn't taken to heart. Perhaps this wolf spoke another language entirely, just like Cog, and needed time before saying anything. It was weird to hear that Mitanni liked travelling, even in this kind of weather, but hey, everyone had their own preferences. Malice wouldn't ask about it, as she had found herself wandering in this kind of weather too.

Were you looking for a place to settle, if I may ask? The daughter of Lucifer hinted that she might have a place for her, but didn't blatantly ask her to join her pack. After all, they couldn't take in just any lone traveler. But perhaps if the other showed interest into the matter, she would recruit her. If not, she wouldn't see it as a useless conversation. She had found a beautiful place, and had met another soul on the mountains, that was good enough.

A pack she meant indeed, her and Cog's one. The girl seemed interested by her words, and the queen's smile intensified. Yet another loner interested in joining a pack, things couldn't go better for the two lovers. Mitanni said she liked to travel, so maybe she could be a good scout. Her small build also made her look like a good healer, but she'll have to learn a lot. Or perhaps she already knew something about the matter.

Indeed I know one. She said mysteriously, her smile turning into a grin. Me and my lover are starting one. A pack as friendly as she could get them, buutt... We could still use some members. She hinted.

Malice saw the girl getting more and more interested, well, at least it sounded like it. Their numbers had been growing almost every day now, and Malice, though full of confidence in her last sentence, found herself thinking for a bit to answer Mitanni's questions. She knew they eventually had to move away from the canyon, and she wasn't happy about it, but at least they knew of more places to go. Well, Veritas knew.

We are currently residing in Redsand Canyon, but we plan on moving. She answered, keeping the place to where they were going a secret for now. If the other did not plan on sticking with them, it would be better for her not to know where they were headed. She could tell other packs about it, putting them all at risk, she knew. Plus, they weren't sure yet where they were going anyway. The queen was interested in Phantom Hollow, but it would be up for debate until they had discussed it with everyone. You would find my lover, Cogitemus, there if he's not looking around. Perhaps some others, though it's all unsure. As for the temporary territory, it is a canyon drenched in the color red with not much plants to speak of. Not much of anything to speak of really, though it won't be for long.

The questions were not annoying nor pushy in Malice' eyes, it was a sign to her that said that the other was curious. Questions were signs that they were interested enough to ask about something, and that only made her more glad to answer them.

the question that came next triggered Malice to believe the wolf was indeed thinking about joining them, and the queen found herself almost trotting around of happiness like a little pup. She kept her desire to scream YES! in, and instead kept perfectly in control of her body, though an excited glint could be spotted in her normally cold, yellow eyes.

One would need to be loyal to their alpha's, as well as be respectful to the their fellow members, despite their ranks. We do not ask much skill, only that one would not take more than they are giving. A mastery is not necessary, though we encourage ones who want to acquire a skill or a calling to help each other and acquire it. She explained, almost out of breath as her sentences came to an end.

The daughter of Lucifer listened carefully to the other girl as she was saying that their pack was at least worth considering. But, as they were leaving so soon, it would be hard for them to meet again. She had a plan to fix this problem though!

We are leaving quite soon, so perhaps I won't see you again. She informed, a bit of a sad frown on her face. But I have a solution! She said, her frown immediately turning into a smile again. I will howl when we are leaving, so if you made up your mind by then, you could come straight to the canyon.