aria had taken a robin-- such a strange thing to find in a cache, as they were typically food for smaller, more lithe creatures-- and eaten it for her breakfast. she tried not to take so much, or to at least catch her own meals if she could. but some weeks were harder than others, and a small snack was enough to hold her over until she could catch something bigger for herself.

she crossed through the territory, on her way to the borders to patrol or perhaps seek out scent trails, spotting a tawny colored wolf in her path. aria slowed her pace to view her, letting out a soft chuff of greeting. passively, if anything, unless the other stopped her. aria knew what wolves were saying, what they were saying about her, and she didn't want to be stared down like the home wrecker everyone probably thought she was.

aria was surprised to hear such a reply-- it sounded questioning, and far too enthusiastic. too enthusiastic. immediately, aria worried this wolf was overcompensating for something else. what did she think?

"hi," she returned with a small smile and a polite wag of her tail, "what are you doing?"