Steady had traveled down the north side of his mountain, intending to look for some fresh meet to add to the caches. With the herds having returned, he was trying to stock pile, just in case another disaster struck that sent their prey running off again. Some might say he was a little paranoid. It wasn't often he would hunt if he wasn't hungry, but he was anticipating it, and wanted to make sure there was enough food for everyone.

He strolled through the forest, trying his luck at a few small critters, but he wasn't successful in catching any of them. Figuring he could catch some water, he sniffed out a source. It seemed he wasn't the only one with this in mind, either. A gray and tan female was taking her fill of the water, and Steady chuffed to let her know he was here, standing off several yards. He waited to see her reaction before he approached the waters edge.

His ears were perked as he studied her body language as she turned to face him. His own was neutral, even as he realized hers was more tense. She seemed friendly enough in her greeting, and he returned her nod. I'm Steady, Alpha of Silvertip Mountain, he introduced, not that the title meant anything out here.

His gaze went from her, to the water, and back to her. Mind if I get a drink? He made no effort to go to the water just yet. She was obviously tense, and he wasn't one to start a fight. However, he was thirsty, and he was going to get his fill before leaving.

Her demeanor began to change a little, he could tell. Her initial reaction of distrust seemed to be fading, though he hadn't blamed her for it to begin with. He gave her a soft smile, hoping to convey his own friendliness. She explained she had been here long enough for the famine, and long enough to get herself into a tussle. He nodded to her question, I know where it is, though I don't go there often, he admitted. It was a little far outside his range of travel, as he liked to stay closer to home most of the time.

He glanced over her body. You seem to have gotten out of it alright, he noted. Generally, fights would leave both parties with injuries, but better fighters knew how to protect themselves enough to not get too badly hurt, and she didn't look bad. What was it over? he asked, curious. She hadn't started a fight with him, so he wondered what had started the fight between her and the other wolf.

She confessed she thought it had more to do with luck than ability, and he supposed he could understand that. Sometimes, no matter how good a fighter, one could lose just on some outward force bringing itself into the fight. But, it said a lot to him that she was able to admit that to a complete stranger instead of simply boasting that she had gotten away without a scratch. 

It said even more that she admitted her fault in beginning the fight over a piece of land that hadn't really belonged to her. He understood now why she was so on edge when he had walked up. Maybe she feared he would do the same. Well, what's done is done, and you seemed to have learned from it. That's what counts, he said, fully believing it. And, if you think your fighting abilities aren't that great, I'd be willing to give you a lesson, if you want, he offered. 

Steady wasn't usually a judgmental wolf. He took wolves as they came, provided they were at least respectful. He knew everyone made mistakes; boy, did he know. But, he also realized that was the only way to learn. No one was born perfect. No one knew exactly the right thing to say in every situation, or every right move to make at every moment. Mistakes were made to learn from, and it was obvious that Shalon was learning from hers. Steady admired that.

He smiled when she accepted his offer of a spar, his tail wagging as he stood. I'd be happy to! Steady was always up for a spar, and it was a plus that he could teach someone from one. First things first, no matter what, I'll do by best to not hurt you, as I have no interest to, he said honestly. It wasn't usually something he said to start off, but they really didn't know each other, and he wanted to make sure she knew he had her health on his mind. He waited to make his first move, wanting to ensure she was ready.

He was glad that she gave him the same reassurance that he had. After all, as much as he didn't want to hurt her, he didn't want to get hurt himself, either. This may have been a lesson, but for Steady, it was all in good fun, too. His tail wagged, exposing his excitement. His gaze roamed over her as he began to circle her slowly, thinking about that first move. 

He expected her to turn with him and not expose her side or back to him. So, he focused on her head, chest, and forelegs. His movements were slow, so that she could watch them, if she wanted. His tail still swayed back and forth, reminding them of the game. Abruptly, his body jerked in her direction, his jaws open wide and heading straight for the leg that closest to him.

He would look back upon this, and appreciate the first signs of just how fast she was. His closed on air as her leg retreated from his searching grasp. He growled playfully as he felt her grab his scruff and tried to push him away, her font legs coming up onto his shoulders. As a large wolf, he wasn't too worried about the female getting too much of a leverage on him this way. 

He used the position to his advantage, digging his claws into the ground to keep his place. His jaws opened once more, this time searching for the soft underbelly of Shalon. If he was successful, he wouldn't grab on; his intent was only to nip quickly. His heart raced with the rush of endorphins that the spar brought on in Steady's body. 

He was successful in his up, and he felt her paws release from his shoulders. He backed up just a step or two to allow her to get back to her feet, intending to keep on her hard. But, he felt the nips at the back of one of his forepaws, and he danced a little, retreating a few steps. 

He began to circle her again, regrouping. He was beginning to see how she gotten away from her previous encounter unscathed. She may not have excessive strength, but she had her quickness to make up for it. Steady could be sluggish at times, which is why he preferred to keep his "enemies" closer in a fight. Growling playfully, he jumped towards her again, this time he went for an ear, intending to put a little slobber on it. 

He was able to grab onto her ear, gnawing on it softly for a moment before he felt her nip on his shoulder. He could tell it wasn't a serious one, but one to get his attention, much as what he was doing to her. Whether he realized it just yet or not, he was building trust in this stranger he had just met, and making what he considered an alliance with her, someone he would welcome to see again in the future.

He shifted, trying to get one leg over her shoulders and possibly a loose grip on her scruff, much as she had done with him moments earlier. Suddenly, he felt one of his back legs come out from under him as he slipped on the smooth surface of a rock and his large body went down. The momentum of the fall had him rolled onto his back, his legs flailing in the air. It gave her the perfect opportunity to pin him down.

Any other time, he would have been angry at the rock who had cost him the win during a spar. But, he was in such a good mood that he couldn't come to care. He stayed put on his back while she pinned him down and placed her jaws, ever so gently, on his neck. He trusted her, and his abilities, enough that he allowed her to do so. 

It may have been luck that I fell, but your form is good. You put up a good fight, he complimented as he rolled to his paws to stand. He shook the dirt from his fur and sat back on his haunches, a smile on his maw to show his good mood. Where are you off to after this? he asked, curious as to her plan, if she had any.

He could hear the sincerity in her voice and any lingering doubts of trust were washed away, making room for the assurance of a friendship made. She admitted that she hadn't found a place to settle yet, and he couldn't help but remember the one spot that they had open. You know, Silvertip has an opening, if you wanted to consider it, he offered. He didn't want to push her to make a decision, but instead just offer it up, in case she wanted to.

Since the herds have returned, we're much better than we were even two weeks ago, he admitted. I'm just a little extra vigilant right now because I know winter is right around the corner. And, with it, more hard times. But, if they kept their caches full, Steady had high hopes that they would be alright. He didn't blame her at all for his missed meals. He had already failed at the hunt, and had decided to abandon any more tries when he happened upon Shalon.