The body of a mountain wolf was built to sustain a great deal. It was made to endure the stressing of steep climb, the brunt of battle, and endure the long travel. However, as the beige wolf was beginning to find, it was not easily adjustable to the weight of fatigue. Perhaps it had been will of the mind that kept the thick body atop equally heavy legs. Or little thought at all, as in the instance of breathing. Regardless of what it was, it was certainly not with the female now as he felt her body literal exert itself to keep her upright and moving, near surrendering to the pull of nature’s gravity as all it wanted to do was rest.

Her mind was not tired, but the body certainly was. No leg moved without strain, neither did her tail sway without ache. It was not as though her body had been taxed, yet it felt as though it had from every fiber to her core. And what was more as the sickness, the constant wrench of food she had painstaking fought to keep down. What she would have given for something heavy, something hardly to throw back. But all that any of the Vale could muster was the lean meat of a rabbit or perhaps a vole. She was reminded that a hunt was in order, but for the time being let her mind focus on something other than her discomfort.

Persistently, she scaled the walls of her mountain home til her heavy paws walked the familiar path toward the rushing creek. Rather than walk alongside it as she had in times before for her pleasure, she took a slight detour toward softer grasses and a lake; a destination she had not yet spent time within but knew of just the same. Even before the glittering surface of the waters caught her eye, she was met with the loud honks of water birds returning to their nests. With curious muzzle upturned, she watched as the billed creatures drifted by, their colorful wings flapping in frantic rhythm as they raced to touch on the surface of their lake. It was interesting, she had to admit, as she had not often seen birds of their like within the Vale. To watch their congregation now was a treat, and as she folded down to sit at the rim of their haven, Xi’nuata watched their antics… forgetting rather easily the ache that burdened her.

And then a voice broke the calm that encompassed the lake. Boisterous and sound, the expecting mother was for a moment startled. Auburn hairs rose sharply from nape to tail and a disturbed growl threatened to part her muzzle, yet she withheld it in favor of first taking note of its source. But without much searching, the source made itself known of its own volition; eyes bright and disposition as happy as could be. Not a pup, but older as her eyes could tell.

The woman stared at the youth, not quite knowing how first to respond to her announcement. If she had been napping, had her senior’s approach disturbed her? Or was this some means of starting a conversation? “…Oh!” she inevitably piped, perhaps with more surprise than what was needed. “Did I…” Xi’nuata glanced quickly to the fluttering waterfowls. “…disturb you from your nap?”

As if to protest the accusation, a bolder fowl waddled between the two wolves and ‘honked’ to disagree. They were minding their own business before the large wolf have come about, but the woman was in too much awe for the change in scenery to really let the situation get to her. Instead she watched the lone duck waddle by to the edge of the lake then plop itself atop the water’s surface. How it managed to do so without sinking was simply amazing to her…

But she did not let the marvel distract her for too long before returning her gaze to the young female. “Xi’nuata of the Vale,” she answered softly with a polite dip of her muzzle. “…I simply came to look upon something new,” she continued, unafraid of her proximity to the Creek pack and their claimed. It was a strong possibility that this youth was indeed a part of their ranks, but she cared little for this likelihood, choosing instead to cater to her own sense of comfort then let the conflicts between relations ruin her mood. “And your name?” she inquired lightly in turn. “And do you not have an escort?”

There had been a lapse in thought, brought to attention when again the girl had given her name. It was the older female’s fault for not paying attention; too enthralled with the waterfowls that she had either not fully listened or absorbed the youth’s name. “Oh…” she mumbled softly, letting her ears perk up some as her eyes fully honed in on the molten grey child. “My apologies,” she replied. “You did say so…” her ears splayed back to an angle of embarrassment, though the expression at its fullest did not reach her face. Though a smile did creep to her muzzle as the youth spoke. Such a unique form of expression, and lively too; it was difficult not to smile regardless of where the child hailed from.

“The Vale is hidden within the mountains,” the female chuckled in turn, then gestured with a slow sweep to the peaks at her back. “…and escorts are for the youth,” she continued with a delicate wave of her tail. “I am afraid I’m too old-“ A stout ear swiveled to the approach of another as she spoke, then gradually her eyes turned to acknowledge him.

Her posture remained relaxed as it had been in the presence of the child, despite the tense air projected by the newcomer Creek wolf. Instead of rising to his projection, she turned attention instead to the youth. Her gentle smile intact as she took to her fondly. “How far have you traveled without an escort, then?”

When the male was introduced, the Vale wolf offered him a cordial nod in turn, but did not extend her name in turn in favor of listening to the youth’s tale. This was the second time she had met another of the Creek so young, and though innocent upon first appearance. , there was somewhat of a contrast between the personalities of the two. Xi’nuata was pleasantly surprised to see this one had the spirit to converse without needing to look over her shoulder for fear of reprimand. She was of her own mind, or perhaps a change within the Creek had allowed for this behavior. Regardless, she was glad for it and took a liking to their present conversation.

“It is subterranean-“ she made to correct the pup gently before her words were stolen away. Her gaze lifted from the girl to her present guardian as the delighted expression upon her muzzle slowly gave way to an irritated calm. He would dare accuse the Vale of plaguing their borders? As if the pack was some disease forcing themselves upon the Creek… certainly not.

“Do watch what you say,” she uttered softly but spared him not the inflexion of a suggestion, but the stern edge of an order. “If you do not wish for an incident, then I suggest you soften your tongue.” Casually, she gestured with her muzzle to young Bones. “We are trying to talk in peace.” Patiently, her brighter gaze returned to the young female just as the soft smile returned to her lips. “It sounds like you a traveled a ways on your own,” she commented, yet in her voice was a soft play of impress. “Do you visit your father, now that you’ve found him?”

The Vale wolf had not qualm with the youth, and in light of this tried to continue their conversation with but a mild air between them. But her escort was adamant, taking the duties of his role beyond his reach in her eyes. As if to offer the direction of his fault, the turned her muzzle to the distant trickling of the creek. “I was not aware the Creek claimed the land miles from their borders”, she stressed albeit calmly, then returned her bi-colored sights to the molten male. “And you would take care not to assume the mind of the Vale's Alpha.” Her patience wearing thin, she spared him all of her insult for his bold assumption. That he would stand there and think he understood the manner of haven without so much as an interaction beforehand.

“We do not bother those unless they are feet from our borders… regardless of their affiliation,” she further corrected him. “Perhaps you should follow that example?” Her posture remained relaxed as her heavy lids slipped lower of her indifferent gaze, but raised somewhat as again her attention rested on young Bones.

“I do apologize,” her voice was nothing short of sincere as she spoke to the youth. “But I am afraid our groups do not get along too well. I can leave if you’d like, and perhaps we might meet on another day.” She smiled kindly. “You could even visit the Vale-“ to this her eyes drifted casually to the male “-since apparently it is not difficult to find.” She returned to Bones. “With or without your escort.”

Her invitation given, the female returned her attention to the glassy surface of the lake, watching the ducks with mild interest as they flapped and fluttered in the water. It was a shame to call an end to an otherwise calm encounter, but she was not inclined to endure a conflict, especially considering her newly discovered condition. Per the physician's advice, fighting would not have done her well.

Having heard the youth's decision to leave with her escort instead, the Alpha remained as she was, and would continue to do so until the hour grew late and she felt the desire to leave.