After traveling through the forest, which had been much to her liking, Maegi ended up in a vast, marshy land, sweet-smelling and rich with the songs of frogs. She weaved her way through the place, avoiding the deeper puddles, her paws squishing through the bog. She ought to get home soon, but she was liking this small exploratory mission. It shook things up, a bit.

But even the new surroundings couldn't distract her from potential danger. Movement ahead brought her to a sudden halt, and she peered warily into the distance, eyes narrowed. One step, then another. She crept slowly toward the figure, which revealed itself to be a lone female wolf, looking apprehensive.

No packs claimed this land--she was as sure of that as she could be. So she was not intruding--what was this woman doing here, then? Just traveling through, like Maegi? The girl stopped a short distance away and stared, waiting for the stranger's response. No sound, no greeting--simply staring.

Fear. She relished it, knowing that her pale form and scarred face could outweigh the less fearsome aspects of her body--short stature, twisted paw, her youth. . . Maegi drew closer, still silent, the damaged side of her face smiling, the undamaged side expressionless. Finally, she stopped, and the other corner of her lips lifted, completing the grin.

"Hello," Maegi said, her tone friendly, if a bit wary. "What are you doing wandering through the swamp by yourself?" She nodded down at the woman's mud-flecked paws. "It's pretty messy. Wouldn't be my first choice of places to explore. Do you live here?"

It was a careful dance, a carefully-crafted image. Finally, growing out of the angst that had marked her youth, she was beginning to cool off.

"You're alone," Maegi replied with certainty in her tone, although inwardly she did concede that there was no real way of knowing. But bluster was bluster. . . "Why would you be afraid of me if you had friends around to protect you?" Solid reasoning, there. The woman's fearful guesswork made her laugh, the sound cold in the already cool fen.

"Neither? Both? I don't know," she joked, still smiling. "I did wake up this morning in this world, if that makes you feel better. This wasn't the wound that killed me," she added, twitching the ruined half of her lips in illustration. "I don't really feel like dragging anyone into the depths today, anyway."

She peered curiously at the stranger, still slowly blinking, as if in the throes of a poppy stupor. "Who are you? Where do you come from, if not 'hereabouts'?"

Arrogant. She'd never heard the term used to describe herself before, but she kind of liked it, in a way. Still, her face faded to something more impassive, not giving away the pleasure she felt. She gave a nod at the woman's answer--Flicker Vaidya--and filed it away for later use. She was more curious about this woman's origins.

"I'm Maegi Melonii," she replied, wondering if her surname would kindle a spark of recognition in Flicker. Even if it didn't, it was worth adding--and it felt good to do so, too. "I live in a forest to the east of here. Where are you traveling?" The ranks of Blackfeather were low; perhaps this woman could be persuaded to stick around. . .if she could prove faith and loyalty.

"You're here," Maegi said succinctly, knowing that word was used to describe all of the lands she had been in, so far. What was beyond? Her heart yearned to find out; her crooked paw and hobbling gait were not so keen. "What are you looking for?"

A home? A family member or friend? What brought this woman from so far away that her destination was the whole of this land, rather than a specific territory? Maegi was suddenly intrigued, and peered at Flicker with a renewed interest.

Now that was something. Maegi nodded smartly, liking the answer. Perhaps Blackfeather could be the fresh start she needed. Though she would have to get used to wraiths. . . Maegi wasn't the only ghost lurking behind the trees, there.

The question was for her, spoken in a new tone, different from before. It was the same as Vaati's first query to her, and she smiled, the expression not reaching her eyes. "Molag Bal," she hissed, her teeth slightly gritted. "I will kill him." This woman did not need to exact vengeance on her behalf, nor did Vaati. His life was hers and hers alone.

Now, back to that fresh start-- "Come home with me," she offered, warmth coming to her gaze once more. "We have plenty of room in the woods."