Haoniyao approached the stream, his mouth dry and begging for liquid to soothe his throat. Despite the plentiful amount of liquid that had fallen to the ground as a result of the snow and rain, he found himself drawn to the running water. Mostly out of habit. He knew how water-sickness could bring a warrior low. He was skeptical of each puddle he saw.

As he approached the water's edge he found that he was not the only wolf visiting. A wolf draped in black and amber hopped from stone to stone across the river. He chuffed in order to announce his presence and to indicate that he meant no harm.

Their encounter did not go the way that Yao had expected. The wolf — Yao could not discern whether or not they were male or female — had slipped into a submissive posture and distanced themself from him. He tilted his head. It is I who should be deferring to you, Yao said softly, a confused smile flickering across his lips. You are the elder here, are you not? Yao, though larger than the stranger, had to be the younger. There was something about the wolf's eyes — cold and sharp — that belied their experience in his mind.

Her voice — her, Yao decided in his head — was low and submissive as well. If he was being honest, the display was making him uncomfortable. He had never had the clout to deserve such displays before, especially not back home. I am, He wrinkled his nose. It was an obvious fact. Doesn't mean you have to do that. I will not hurt you if you don't. She shifted position, moving onto her stomach. Yao took a step towards her, keeping his head low and his body relaxed.

His words seemed to calm her. Her body relaxed, the tension ebbing from her with his simple request. Now that she lowered her guard, so did he. The emotion and feeling of unease that held his muscles rigidly vanished. No, I am new to this area. he said, following her gaze. Is it lovely though, eh? He smiled at the sight.

He could feel his eyes burning on his face, in that strange sixth sense that he was never able to properly describe. He turned his head to meet her, smiling politely. You must have a very lovely home. I envy you. Her body had turned until it fully faced his own. The switch from submissiveness to directness was throwing him off. He became bashful, his smile coming and going as he felt himself unable to pick a proper facial expression. Haoniyao, he answered.

Something that he had done spooked her, for she twisted back into her submissive state once more. Was it his face? His mouth twisted into confusion and frustration. He'd never met anyone like this before. It's nice to meet you too, but, why are you apologizing now? he bent his head down to her level. You haven't done anything wrong. Anything intentionally, or anything he thought that she should apologize for.

She, to her credit, took the final step to end this fiasco. She jumped right to the end to the spectrum towards boldness, a heel turn that made Yao's head spin. A-alright, Yao nodded and smiled back, his secret relief adding to the genuineness of it. Sorry, he sighed to himself, unsure of what barriers caused them to dance that dance. He looked out over the stream again, running through the conversation one last time before he wandered off.