The idea of investigating hunting beyond the Sunspire was what lured her past the borders. It was an unknown scent upon the neutral turfs that gave her path more clear and precise purpose, and one that guided her upward onto the ridge. While not as confident on these rocky surfaces as she was on the Sunspire, her mountain-trained paws took to it easily.

Her muzzle was lifted and she drew in a deep breath, drinking in the mountain, the humidity, and the dash of the strange wolf she was tracking. Soon, her forward progress brought her within sight of the other -- a young, tawny-hued wolf.

Ame paused within eyesight to watch and listen just a stone's throw down from the stranger. She chuffed to announce herself, unsure if the juvenile may bolt or respond accordingly, so she waited to see.

Ame's ears were drawn forward and her eyes zeroed on. The juvenile offered a hello, to which she nodded first. Greetings, was her reply. All of her posture spoke of a cool, confident, neutrality. She was no threat unless provoked, but she was plenty full of self-assurance. You do not smell of these lands, from what I can tell.. she intoned. The statement's implication was underlined subtly; this wolf was not from here, nor of any packs in the region. Are you passing through? Or did intention bring her to these wilds?

Passing through, so she thought. Amekaze nodded slowly, although wondered why she said she must keep moving. Was she running from something? Or in a hurry to get somewhere? Ah. Well, be mindful of the claimed territories in the area. There are several, she warned. The youth did not give her any reason to think she would need such a telling, but just to be certain. Amekaze's own pack was among them and others were even less hospitable. I do not usually see those as young as you on their own, though. Do you travel with any others? Ame did not smell them, so doubted it. She was curious of her purpose, or plan, if she had one..

She tilted her head subtly. So she was alone. Amekaze wondered of the survival success of a wolf so tiny and thin. Her eyes had also caught the scar, which she thought strange. She rarely saw wolves so young with etchings such as those. I see, she breathed in response, clearly contemplating how she wished to phrase her next words. Did you get separated from a group? Or have you always.. simply flown solo? She had only said that she needed to keep moving. Ame could not yet tell if there was a plan or purpose or any sort of reason behind this wolf being on her own. She sensed there was, because what youth would opt for a life away from family so young? But the girl was still entirely unknown to her.

The answer made sense and her ears tilted back after catching the tiny "sorta" tacked on at the end. Sorta? she asked back. She was not sure how one sorta became separated from a group, exactly. I am, she answered. Group, pack, extended family -- all the same. She liked her comrades on the Sunspire enough to think of them in that way. One from nearby. The mountain, she gestured to the tallest spire of the nearby peaks, wondering then why the little wolf had asked.

Ame. Yours? she answered and asked without missing a beat. She could spare to impart this piece of information in exchange for the youth's name, at the very least. Then, she drew a thoughtful breath. I do. I was born and raised on a mountainside. Assuming one as my current home has proven to be a wise choice, she smirked subtly; the Sunspire was good to her and while she did miss the close proximity of the sea that being a roving loner had given her, she had no complaints.

She arched a brow. Runt was certainly a fitting name for a wolf of her stature and her tail switched gently. Ame nodded. Likewise, as was courtesy. I used to stay by the sea when I was a loner, but I do prefer mountains. I guess I always have. Did you leave yours for some reason? Or was it just whim that carried her away? She said she had moved, and was it just the move that brought her here? It was hard to say, for the youth was still largely unknown to her. Of course, Amekaze had harbored her own reasons for leaving her original mountain, some more founded than others, but she had yet to foresee a future in which she'd depart from the Sunspire permanently.

The answer was so simple. A wolf this young had not had any other choice. That makes sense. What do you think you will do for your next home? Or do you instead think you will roam far alone? Amekaze doubted her mother was around to make the decisions for her any longer, and she could not yet infer if this youth intended to just.. float on the winds, or if she had any sort of end-goal in mind. Winter loomed perilously close and the dark Rikudou was loathe to think of a future full of peril in the months to come for the tawny girl, no matter how real the possibility.

Subtly, she nodded. The youth had chosen to roam, it seemed. Amekaze could not necessarily fault her for it nor would she ever attempt to sway her otherwise. She herself had stayed a loner through the winter last year, so understood the appeal. But if the tawny girl could carry her weight, the Sunspire may offer her something of a home. However, it did not seem to align with her plans at this time. Mm, well, good luck on your travels, she said with another nod. My mountain beckons me back. If you are ever nearby again, perhaps I could show you some of its appeal sometime, Amekaze added and flicked her tail thoughtfully. Of course, she would never reveal too much but this was a wolf hardly more than a pup. However, she knew it was a distinct possibility she may never see her again, so provided her one last long look before making her exit to jog back towards home.