It had been strange to not see Aphrodite for a while. He had largely been her shadow for the last couple of weeks, at her frequent request. He'd been around for her every desire and whim, and they had developed a very trusting and honest relationship. Though there were moments he could tell she might be interested in...well, more, he didn't know what to do with that information. Taikon was not in a place that he believed he was even capable of giving more of himself to another person.
Beyond that, there was something else that was bothering him about her, but he couldn't place it.
With the morning free from her and Juniper occupied by some grand healing lesson, he was sure, Taikon was able to leave early in the day and venture outside of the Stream to wherever he so pleased. What he was meant to do with this time to himself, he wasn't sure, but nonetheless he went to the grove to find some peace.
The white wolf wasn't there for long at all before a familiar smell came to him. At first, he had trouble placing it as he followed behind, but when the young man came into view, there was no mistaking him. Spook, he greeted. It was a lot less awkward; they weren't standing in the middle of a dark forest at an ungodly hour, and he wasn't busy with a meal. How's it going? Taikon asked, his tail waving in a shallow movement as a friendly gesture.

Spook was, well, spooked. Taikon's lips flicked in a brief show of empathy for the young wolf. He didn't seem exactly pleased that the white wolf was indeed still about and active. He couldn't be blamed, of course. The talkative lone wolf had not presented much in the way of warmth or even safety for the black and white boy. Taikon nodded, blinking a few times, trying to figure out how to explain.
Yeah I.. Well I guess you could say I was 'converted', he said. Actually, uh, have you seen a woman with a copper face and blue eyes, just out of curiosity? Taikon wanted to explain what had happened further, not that it was that interesting of a story, but finding Aphrodite was much more important. An image of her popped into his head, and he looked at the boy pleadingly, hoping he had indeed seen the converter in question.

Taikon realized as the black and white boy spoke that leaving out details had not been the best idea. The assumption was that the person he searched for was a threat, and that was as far from the truth as possible. He was, however, quite worried that she had come across some overzealous member of the Saints who had decided to hurt her. The very thought made his lip tremble. No, no, he clarified, Her name is Aphrodite; she went missing a couple days ago and I'm starting to get worried.
Unlike Taikon, it was unlike the healer to run off on her own for days at a time. She didn't have the same love for travel and discovery. Her movements were strictly related to the business of medicine and caring for others. She brought me to live with her at Whitebark Stream; I... well there are a lot of shady characters about, he said, brow furrowing in concern. Taikon owed the healer a lot, he felt, and wanted to make sure she was okay. It hadn't been long, so he was probably just over-worrying.

Hopefully, Taikon nodded, looking beyond Spook and wondering where she might be. She hadn't been gone very long, but it was still quite unlike her to be alone for lengthy periods. She was very much an "other" oriented person. Still, he wasn't terribly worried yet; it was just odd.
Well, sure, but I've also heard that that cur Donovan is gathering a band of rogues, he growled. The prince wasn't sure what would come of that, but the thought of that wretch holding any amount of power over others was not something he liked the idea of. But, well surely it will be fine, he followed. He wasn't sure if Spook was familiar with Donovan and any of that nonsense, but didn't want to further scare him. So what's new with you? Care to take a walk? He knew that the two-toned young male was still quite wary. It was clear now that this was just how he functioned, so Taikon didn't take it personally.

The boy stumbled over giving his own little report on things in his world. It didn't make a whole lot of sense to him. He wondered briefly what sort of things Spook meant he was helping his mother with. He also didn't know what the boy meant by "looking for people," but supposed that perhaps he meant recruits for the pack or maybe even missing persons. The young male spoke in questions, unsure of just about everything he said. Taikon started walking as he listened to these words.
People? Anyone in particular? Taikon failed to catch the fact that Spook was as yet unaware of Donovan or the potential threat that he posed. He glanced to see if the boy would follow, hoping that after some time, he might even learn how to relax.

Spook seemed to confirm Taikon's assumption that he was on the hunt for new recruits. He wondered if perhaps the boy's pack wasn't particularly strong in numbers. That, or maybe his mother just needed him to be doing something that wasn't farting around his home territory all day every day. It was anyone's guess, but no matter. That's true, everyone has different sets of skills. I would imagine those who know how to fight would be the most valuable right now, since Ursus exists and...
Taikon cut himself off, stepping slowly to match with the boy's pace. He thought for a moment, and continued. I am rather worried that this Donovan creature will become more of a threat. He hurt a friend a while ago and I can't imagine these rogues he's gathering want a peaceful coexistence, he explained, the fur along his nape rising angrily.
He looked at the two-toned boy, frowning. He hoped that it would be possible for both their packs to recruit those who would be able to defend their borders, and, if need be, go after the problem itself. Taikon hadn't even sparred in a long time. Though he was once considered a fair warrior among the Farukans, he did not think this was something that stuck with you after years of neglecting practice.

As the boy mentioned that indeed his mother would prefer more fighters, Taikon continued to think about his lack of physical ability. Perhaps sparring more often with those of Whitebark would be beneficial. If not to prepare them for potential attacks, it would always be good to keep him and others in the best physical condition. Surely he would improve quickly given his past training in matters of fighting. By no means had he ever felt gifted in any way, but it was mostly a matter of technique and practice.
Spook mentioned that his pack had never heard of Donovan, and at this Taikon nodded rather solemnly. Hopefully it stays that way, he said, dipping his head. He didn't know what the future held. He had hoped that with Aphrodite he could find some form of peace from his ever-tormenting memories. She was gifted as both a healer of wounds and trauma. He.. wanted to be rid of his misery.
Where are you and your family located anyway? I don't remember if you said, he said as he realized this. He didn't really remember much of the night that they had met other than it starting awkward and ending oddly.

From the exterior, Taikon had grown rather obsessed with Donovan despite having never met him. He didn't even know what the brute looked like. Something about having a common enemy had hyper-focused the white prince onto this one rogue that he knew very little about. He almost didn't have anything else to talk about.
Spook described his homelands, and Taikon looked toward the bypass, somehow not realizing that the pack boundaries were remarkably close to Whitebark Stream. He had never bothered to investigate the rock formation — one of its faces bordered their pack, but apparently there was a nice little area nestled beyond. I never would have guessed such a place was in there. I thought it was just one mountain with two peaks. He felt stupid after saying it.

Famine? The question was honest. Taikon hadn't experienced a famine. It must have happened in the area long before he had found his way to the area. Taikon wondered if the boy had still been small when that had happened or if they the famine had happened during the winter he'd mentioned.
Did anyone figure out why it happened? The white wolf asked partially for selfish reasons. He wanted to know if such a thing could ever possibly happen again. The Farukans had long preached that it was overharvesting alone that caused such foot shortages, but Taikon guessed that sometimes these these just happened. As much as his family had liked to assume there was a logical explanation for everything, sometimes there just..wasn't.

Taikon tried to imagine what it might feel like to have the earth shake. He thought it might be like when a wolf tackled you hard to the ground and moved your scruff back and forth, but this didn't seem like it would be accurate. The prince had never experienced such an event before.
However, he had seen one smoking mountain before. They were extremely dangerous when they became this way. The dry season in particular could be bad for such things. Lots of mountains could smoke at once, and that often spelled disaster for the animals that lived there. Taikon had assumed that it was wildfires that Spook meant.
That sounds frightening, he said, making a face like someone had clamped something onto his face and it hurt. Things are normal except the people around us I suppose. He smiled glumly at the boy, knowing well the younger male wouldn't be impressed. A breathy laugh escaped him and he continued walking, knowing Spook probably wouldn't find the humour in any of it.

It was clear that a lot had happened since the famine that Spook was talking about. Taikon felt a bit bad about dredging up old memories. The prince knew firsthand that thinking about how things used to be could be a very painful experience. Spook seemed to be no worse for wear, though.
Yes, exactly, he answered to the revision. The people out there were what most worried him. He wasn't sure what to expect. I should go. If you see Aphrodite, please let us know, he said. She hadn't been missing for very long, so Taikon was confident she had just gone gallivanting somewhere. Still, it was unusual for her to do this without telling anyone, and there were untrustworthy sorts about.
With that, he gave a brief nod and moved off toward Whitebark. Once again, it was difficult to figure out what the boy thought of him.