Since his recent discovery on the borders, and then the creek, Kove was on higher alert than usual. When he wasn’t wandering the woods, ensuring nothing was out of place, he was patrolling the borders, on the lookout; he watched primarily for wolves, unwelcome males, but also sent off any coyotes that dared to get too close. But he could not be everywhere at once, unable to divide himself into several wolves and keep watch from every cardinal point; although he would have loved to do exactly that, it just wasn’t possible. Luckily, he was already travelling westward from the southernmost point of the forest when the howl rang out, allowing him to arrive within a reasonable amount of time; the feminine lilt to the song made him less bothered and far more welcoming, her potential presence not a threat.

Kove slowed when the female was within his sights, then stopped just beyond the shadows’ reaches. He studied her for a moment, examining her physical features and demeanour, as well as glancing past her to ensure she was alone. After realising that she was, he spoke: “Hello. What is your business here?”

As she dipped her head he nodded, accepting the display. He appreciated both that and her directness, the point of her being there made immediately, rather than danced around like some occasionally did; that he needed not demand a name, either, was also nice. “My name’s Kove,” he said, returning the gesture. He considered her skills then, each a good one and, truthfully, needed; with Potema gone and the silent woman looking after her children, the woods needed another that was capable of using its flora to their advantage. “Is there anything that you specialise in as a Medic?” he asked, interested. No matter her preferences, whether it be the care of children and mothers or the treatment of wounds, her skills would be valued—he was curious, is all.

It was almost refreshing, the ability to speak to someone that was—seemingly—all there from a mental perspective; it was not quite as nice as speaking with Shivali in their native tongue, but close. “Likewise,” he noted, content to share the thought. He thought for a moment of how this likely would never have been possible, had the silver-coated Melonii not gone away, and felt grateful towards the child’s departure all over again.

A healer, yet she was knowledgeable, too, in the caring of mothers. Although the woods was lacking when it came to both sets of skills, he found the latter to, for the time being, be more needed; children had only recently been born, surely the mother and whelps alike were due for an exam. “What you know will be useful here,” he noted, decision made with ease; not only were they needing a medical professional of sorts but, he hoped, she might also be able to aid in the teaching of his young apprentice—he wanted her to know as much as she could, after all. “Come, follow me,” said the leader, motioning towards the treeline. “I will show you around.” Especially the areas worth avoiding—he didn’t need to lose their medic after only just acquiring her.