The dark silhouette mimicked Slavik again, and the young male's tail waved through the air above him. The dark one paused, then asked a simple question. Slavik shrugged, feeling giddy for some reason, and sent up another cloud of dust with a sweep. I don't know, having fun I guess, he said as he watched the dust reflect the sunlight with childlike wonder. He waited for it to completely settle before resting his eyes back on the other male. What're you doing? he asked.

Slavik returned Maul's smile, and gave a nod of approval to his response, Awesome, he commented, then leapt down into a play bow. He wasn't always this playful with strangers. Friendly - he was, eager - that too. But he didn't often enjoy an entire game before even introducing himself. Today was different however. Since Rannoch, this was the first other wolf he'd met that seemed interested in fun. He was very excited to indulge frolicsome mood.

Just for extra measure, he slapped his large front paws on the ground again, with a joyful smirk.

Slavik and the other male played for a little while longer and then the darker one was drawn away. Slavik continued on his path alone, occasionally stomping his rhythmic tune into the dusty ground. The mountainous ridge led to a cliff jagged cliff like area, and when Slavik began his descent he heard a cry. A voice riddled with fear, Slavik only hesitated for a moment. Hello? he called out, ears perked and hoping to hear the voice again. He looked around wildly, hoping to spot her.

again a voice cried out, down here. Down where? All that was below him were some crags and slopes! Why would anybody be down there?! Slavik looked pretty confused for a moment, but the idea that someone might actually be on those crags and slopes brought him back to reality, and he leaped into action. Ok umm, I’m gonna come help! Hang in there, no pun intended, he began his descent. Carefully he made his way down from the ridge path he was on to the ledges below, until finally he saw a gray furred girl, standing on a crackling jut.

He started towards her, but the rocks she stood of cracked further at this. He was stumped as to what to do but he wouldn’t give up, not until she was safe on his side. Can you maybe like crawl over here? I’ll grab you when you’re close enough, he said, remaining cool under pressure in hopes of making her feel better.

Careful! the woman called out, causing Slavik a moment of panic as he looked down to hear the splinters of the tone at his feet. He winced, eyes shutting out of reflex, as if it would help at all if he fell. He waited tensely, and when his ledge seemed to settle he gave his full attention back to the silvery woman. Finally he was able to coax her into his plan, though it likely wasn’t all his doing. The rocks beneath her crackled a few threats and she took her chances, leaping towards him just at the right moment.

She landed on his side safely, but Slavik reached out and grabbed at her nape. Quickly he began to tug her away, urging her to keep moving up to more steady ground. He glanced back as he moved, at her ledge, which crumbled like a pastry. A wave of discomfort crashed in his stomach as he imagined his or her body falling along with the rocks.

Slavik continued to pull at her scruff, eyes locked on the falling crag that had almost been them. He was completely spaced out for a moment, in terror but of a different kind than hers, but he was jolted back to reality upon noticing- they weren't moving. He looked down to the girl and saw her struggling against him, fear in her eyes. Somehow his heavy breaths had drowned out her whines, and he hadn't noticed the horror she was in.

He didn't know what he'd done, but he was afraid he'd hurt her. He let her go quickly, and stepped back, one of his hind legs nearly buckling. The cacophony of events was scrambling his brain, he turned and scrambled up the remainder of the slope, hoping she would follow.

The earth beneath his paws was solid, there was not a single tremor, at last they were safe. Slavik still let out heavy breaths, dropping his head and trying to regain a collected and steady state. He glanced up when she gave her thanks, and gave an exasperated nod, You’re welcome, was all he could manage back. She then apologized for her panic, though Slavik missed her embarrassed look. He trotted towards her a few steps, sniffing for some sort of injury. He’d thought maybe she’d freaked cause he’d hurt her, but he didn’t smell blood.

It’s ok, are you hurt? he asked, a little puzzled as to why she’d resisted his aid.

The woman insisted she was fine, leaving Slavik to ponder the cause of her panic on his own. Whatever it was, it was over now, and things seemed to be fine. His fears were quelled and he relaxed, his ruffling sunbeam pelt lying flat again. She then changed the subject, to what he wasn’t quite sure. Something large stomping around? He couldn’t imagine what that might be. Hu-uh, what direction was it coming from? he asked, somewhat intrigued by this phenomenon.

The woman seemed pretty confused as to how he could have possibly missed the sounds, and then it occurred to him. And she said she heard voices too! His own was the only he’d heard, but how could he have missed that... Then it clicked, maybe she was talking about him. Oh damn, he sure hoped not, he’d feel really bad if his stomping and talking had scared her into almost dying. Did he actually sound that scary.

With a nearly embarrassed look he asked, Did it umm, sound like stomping? It might’ve been me actually, my bad, he said awkwardly, glancing down at his paws.

There was a brief moment when both wolves were embarrassed, shuffling their paws awkwardly and wishing it would pass. Ruenna was the one to break the silence, with a comment and a smile. Slavik’s eyes widened then smiled back, recovering quickly from his guilt. Though inwardly he still couldn’t believe that his antics had almost quite literally killed someone, ouch. She introduced herself as Ruenna, a little shyly. Slavik normally would’ve winked, and gave a charming line but right now he wasn’t feeling in that mood.

Hi Ruenna, I’m Slavik, he replied politely, with a slight chuckle.