Freedom. 

or at least, as much as she could muster. The Grotto was at her heels as she padded forward. Keksheph can't bother her here, and she doesn't have to worry about failing anyone. Here she is free do as she pleases-- she can hunt whatever, fight whatever, do whatever she wants. However happy she is to be free of Reek's new queen, she worries about the wilderness. She hasn't truly been outside any borders in ages-- it feels strange not to be protecting anything. She pushes the negative thoughts back as far as they can go, trying to enjoy the little bit of fresh air she found.

As she moves, she finds the scents of a handful of wolves-- maybe two or three, she can't really tell. The one nearest to her she soon sees, and her ears flick forward with anticipation. She lowers her head slightly and stares, her tail low but wagging slowly. She means no harm-- wants no fights-- but not everyone is so passive. She does not realize that these are the Dragon wolves that Reek and Tavi mentioned not too long ago-- she'd never been taught their scent, and never ventured toward their pack.

His spindly body was quick to come and go from his leader's side. The coywolf would dart away in search of something he was certain to need, only to return to the dark woman's side with some form of greenery clasped in his jaws. He would require several trips to carry it all back to the pack, but once he had completed his task, Glu would have a great stock to line his den. His sister would have been proud of the knowledge she had passed to him in their time spent together. While he often wondered where she was, Gluskap was certain she was safe. Kaliska had an alluring presence. He could only imagine others doting after her to eventually find her more sour than anticipated. 

While he had set off towards the foliage - what still remained and some of what was beginning again - in search of birch leaf. While it would be a troublesome task, he knew it would be beneficial to have it around for minor pains in the limbs and trouble in the bowels. The only concern was the great lack of leaves. Nose to the earth, Glu scouted for his leaves. Every so often he would turn his sharp little eyes to his leader and the stranger that had come upon them. In that moment, they were not his concern. So he continued to skirt about beneath the trees. 

She spots another one, just barely, in the corner of her eyes. Her body tenses and she lowers her head again-- but this time the stranger speaks. Jhala hesitates to respond, unsure if the stranger will allow her through or if she will force her back towards where she came-- surely not, if she is just passing through. The young beta dips her head. "Sure," she says, acknowledging the woman's comment. "Me too." It was here that the girl pauses, her head raising slightly. Where is she going? Jhala cannot tell which direction this woman came from, or in which one she was headed. If they were to pass one another, the three wolves would be headed straight for the Grotto. She does know know if she should be cautious, but she takes the safest route.

"I uh-- where are ya headed?" she asks the woman, giving her a small smile and a gentle wag of her tail. Perhaps the stranger didn't want a conversation, but it was best to ask. "I'm partova pack that's just uh--" what direction? she pauses to gain a sense of appropriate direction before she continues, "--south uh-- south-west of here," she finishes, letting out a heavier breath of air. "I wouldn' get too close, if I were you."

For a moment, the skeletal little coywolf found his ears swiveling to meet the conversation that was taking place between the dark alpha and the stranger they had happened upon. His brows were narrowed over sharp yellow eyes as Glu peered savagely at them, interest ever present on his face. It seemed that the Heda was either attempting a go at small talk, or she was interested in something about the grotto wolf. He decided he would search for his herbs closer to their bodies in hopes of eavesdropping on their bits of conversation. As was typical – or seemed to be – for the cream-hued guardian, Dio had not spoken much at all. He remained a stoic statue, watching over the inky leader with a strange intensity. Gluska could not deny that the wolf was diligent in his task.
 
With a small smirk, the coywolf darted into the rattling branches of the brush at the base of two very large trees. His eyes scoured the floor of the wood in hopes of seeking out the leaf of the birch or lavender – if he found himself lucky enough. It was not altogether likely that he would come across the soothing plant, but if the green was slowly returning to their lands, he would be quick to find it.

The young beta straightens gently as the other shows no obvious signs of agression or hostility. A male appears, but Jhala does not get a good look at him. Instead she cranes her neck slightly as the other female waves him away-- she wonders if this woman is a leader of sorts, curious as to what she leads. 

"Same as everyone else, I guess. But the alphas dislike people to be so close-- ya know," she says, shrugging. She wants to share about Kekshit-- the new alphess of the grotto, but still holds too much respect for Reek to give away too many details about the pack. "You smell like you're part of a pack," she comments, shifting the conversation away from the Grotto. "Could I ask which one?" 

Jhala snorts. "No offense, ma'am, but good luck. I haven't travelled far but from what I've heard, the whole Teekon is just as barren. You'll be goin' for a while," she tells her with a weak smile. "Like I said, my pack is just as bad, but I think being with a group is prob'ly the smartest move-- glad you've got your two packmates." Her tail wags slowly, and her eyes look past the woman to the land beyond. She wonders what pack she might've been a part of-- not that she really knew the names of any packs. 

Her ears perk, and her head tilts. "If you're intersted, I think there's some room in my pack," she offers. She mentions nothing of Kekseph and her strange ways-- but perhaps these people would be equally against the strange religion.

Glu had gathered what he needed from the trees and the wood. The trees and brush were still relatively bare from the locusts, but he had managed to gather a few necessities that would help keep his stock full enough for a few, should they need it. After he had managed to collect his things, the coywolf teetered back towards where the Heda and the statuesque Dio remained. His sharp eyes caught sight of the other wolf, still maintaining conversation with their dark leader. Flicking his ears forward, he caught the very tail end of Jhala’s invitation to join their pack. A curling smirk crinkled his features and he sniggered softly, closing the distance that stretched between them until he was standing nearer to Thurin.
 
The woman was just finishing asking the stranger about her pack. Curiously, and without words, the coywolf male drew his long ears forward on his slender crown and tilted his head to the side, anticipating information to fall from the lips of the strange wolf. His eyes darted between the three of them.

Her ears perk up right away, and she nods a little bit. "Sure!" she says brightly, her tail wagging a bit. "I'm from the Grotto-- not too far from here. It's led by our alpha Reek, and his wife-- Kek..." she pauses, "His wife. We believe in some sort of religion, but I don't really believe in that or anythin'. I don't think it's mandatory to join it if you believe in somethin' else," she explains, rambling on a tad bit. In a last ditch effort to impress the woman, she puffs her chest out a little bit with childish pride. "We've got a lotta great hunters and fighters, and I'm actually the packs beta. Reek asked me himself."

Jhala frowns, but shrugs slowly. "Damn, alllright I guess-- suit yourself, or whatever," she says, her gaze shifting between the three wolves. For a moment she hesitates to leave, unsure if she should head back or keep moving forward. Just so she wouldn't be going in the same direction, she decides to move forward-- turn back later. "Be safe, nice meeting you people," she adds, dipping her head. Without another word, she begins to pad past them, once again contemplating life at the Grotto.