OOC: Hi there!

The days were growing warmer. And with the warmth came the irritable time of shedding. It was not as though she did not care for the molt, only the time that needed to be spent peeling away the thick fur. And of course the haphazard manner in which it would fall in clumps. Not to mention the increase on body temperature that accompanied it. The dreadful swell of heat at random intervals further encouraging that she shed her winter coat. In part, it did assist in marking the territories as claimed by the wolves of the Vale. But it made for a dreadful sleep in the early hour. It would not be under the night had fully fallen and the air was cool that the warrior would find reprieve and perhaps a peaceful slumber.

For another night, she could not hold an exact count, she wandered the borders of the territory seeking the cool air. A true mountaineer, she kept the rocks and their cool faces, and all but swooned under the wisps of a cooling nightly breeze. Tuffs of pale fur were tugged away to the wind leaving behind a trail of fluff as she descended in sweeping bounds. Quietly, she continued her stroll with nose pressed to the earth to gather is richness, then stumbled upon something more than the natural fragrance.

It was lupine in origin though a little ways from the border, just enough that a swift bound had her near the source, lying still and ‘patiently’. Waiting for something. “…sat long?” She inquired softly, inching her nose forward in curiosity.

It was not every day (or night for that matter) that the Vale played host to one sitting at their steps. More often than not, it was in the wild they met others, or on the occasion when one would summon them for information and greeting. But this quiet fellow, excitable by the look of him, appeared to be waiting as if adhering to some instruction from fate. Perhaps he had anticipated one of the Vale coming to pass by on patrol. But the hour was too late for that to seem reasonable.

Humming softly to herself, Xi’nuata took care as she approached him maintaining a comfortable enough berth from his sides. Her muzzle remained extended as she surveyed him, noting to some degree of satisfaction that his coat was not laden with the scent of the Creek. In fact, it was bare save for the essence of the wilds and another hint of musk that had grown distant. Though it was of interest when noted that the same scent on his coat trailed away from where the male sat, leading around him almost protectively then drifted off beyond the visible base of the mountain. He had a companion?

Rounding to his front again, she let her shoulders roll back in open gesture to his presence, indicative that she was not a threat and for the most part, calm. There were many questions to ask, but in the late hour, she assumed it best to be concise. No long introduction or speech. Just a simple inquiry. “It is late,” she pointed softly. “Are you hear because you need a place to sleep? Has your companion gone off to find a place for you?”

She was as patient as she would have been with any other, giving the male a chance to digest her words before reply. Though her body craved rest, in the same instance it desired the cool touch of the night air to sooth it. If she could have found rest outside she would have taken it without hesitation, but she knew it would not have been proper. More so, it would have been worrying to her denmate if she did not return as she usual did. But looking to this dark figure, his eyes soundlessly begging for sleep, she thought this excuse might pardon her from the worry of her companion if she would to sleep on the outside to guard their guest

“Staying?” she repeated when at last he spoke as if coming to a conclusion. “I am afraid you cannot sleep here at the borders,” her muzzle shook firmly though her voice remained calm and light, hardly a whisper to his ears. “I can find a sleeping spot for you in the Vale, but I will have to guard you until the morning.” She lifted her gaze to his muzzle, being careful not to catch his eyes. Last she wanted was to give him a kindly invitation then ruin it by a misinterpreted show of aggression. “In the morning, I will have questions for you… but you look like you need the sleep for now. Come with me?”

As a wolf of rank, she was accepting of his compliance. But as a wolf that clung deeply to the past as an ‘unknown’, the feeling of being heeded was still strange. She did her best not to mind the unease, focusing instead on fulfilling her responsibility to the unknown soul. Though before he came too near, she gave yet another inspection to his person, walking smoothly around his dark hide with nose quivering. If this was some ploy by the Creek she wanted it revealed before placing her pack at risk. It was bothersome that she needed to go to such lengths, but she accepted that this was now the way of their world and simply adapted to it thusly.

After her sweep of him completed by the return to his front, she nodded her approval then led the way beyond the border. Each step was quiet to match the tune of night, no press too hard lest she stir the nightly fodder to sing of their disruption. She made quick work through the brushes surrounding the pines, following an unseen path toward a temporary holding cache. “You will rest here,” she affirmed, standing aside that the male might see the small hallow of the tree. Wafting from its keep was the aroma of dried kill, a carcass perhaps or a hind-leg left for a meal in the morning. But something should the wanderer succumb to hunger. Gently, she gestured with a nudge of her muzzle. “You may go in, I will stand as your guard until the morning. Find your rest now…” Strangely, it was then that she realized she hadn't a name to call him by, nor offered hers in proper introduction.

"Apologies," she sought to correct the error before it lingered for longer. "I am Xi'nuata, warrior to the Northstar Vale. May I know your name?"

The female was quiet, watching as their guest tore into the preserved meat much like a starved animal seeking the morsels of the earth. She had a mind to question just how long he had been out there, waiting without a word, but thought better of it holding his need for rest above her own inquisitions. There would be time once he was comfortable, but now was not it.

Patiently, she waited for him to digest and took a seat in front of the den as its warden. Carefully she lowered herself to lie, legs extended forward and hindlimbs tucked beneath her. Her tail too was curled beneath her heavy frame just out of sight but with its tip wiggling occasionally by the kind gust of a night wind. Her ears once back, perked forward to attention when he spoke. The straining chords suggested atrophy but a willingness to sound in compliance. The woman smiled lightly. “It is a pleasure to meet you,” she extended politely then lowered her muzzle to her paws. “Take your rest now. You will be safe while you sleep… Ah,” an ear twitched with an afterthought. “If you hear a grumbling in the night, do not be afraid of it,” she chuckled. “Just prepare to find two standing at your den than just one.”

And with that word, she turned her head to watch the night.