@Lio

The faint howls on the wind sounded like siren songs from afar, he heard them and their uncanniness- slipping through his attention deliberately trying to ignore it. Familiar? No... Not possible. He wouldn't even consider it. That would bring his newfound freedom into question. He wasn't going to have that.

The fire had been a blight to the Kingslend of old, but to him it might as well have been a divine gift from the Great Elk to himself. A selfish thought, undoubtedly, but a man could only take so much neglectful scorn for something as ridiculous as the white on his fur. His family had wept at whatever ancestor's wrongdoings had given him his defect. As a pup he prayed and prayed to overcome the sins he hadn't even committed, yet there was nothing he could ever do to rid himself of it.

When he became a man, his angry gaze that once aimed towards their god instead focused on his kin. He'd thought many times he'd seen the blessings of the Great Elk in places where they claimed it could not be, and he now held firm to his belief that their narrow-mindedness was the ultimate cause of Kingslend's demise.

A cleansing fire... A reset button.

Either way. He was alone now, staring out into the landscape but turned stubbornly away from the echoing song. His skin has been spared from the flames and that was the only blessing he needed to keep his faith close to him regardless of anything or anyone else. If Kingslend's hierarchy did in fact survive, they likely wouldn't care to find him.

The feeling was mutual.

The sound of a voice had his brows raising softly, turning to meet his autumnal eyes with the speaker. What he was greeted with was quite a sight, if he were being completely honest. A woman (gender of which he'd assumed because of their voice) who was a proper curse by Deorwine standards. Covered in the many sins of her fathers, born a scapegoat for whatever unspeakable acts had been caused in the past. But to him, it sparked a different response... The stranger's pelt was akin to a blanket of wispy snow in the sun, with little spots here and there melted away to reveal the forest floor beneath it.

Such a beautiful thing, how could it be cursed?

Whatever... He'd shove his familial vitriol to the back of his mind for now. Where it rightfully belonged.

By all means. Come to take in the view as well? He greeted pleasantly, the corners of his lips upticked.

It is a beautiful sight. He echoed quietly, eyes following the pale wolf as they came to stand near them. All the while he showed no wariness in accepting the stranger's presence even when it grew closer to him. In fact, he took a comfortable seat and gazed out towards the horizon as well, one ear turned to listen and a pleasant smile on his maw as his firey optics took in the painted forests below. Autumn was finally changing some of them into an array of warm colors- sticking out vibrantly from the evergreens.

Deep ambers drifted back to the spotted wolf as they began to lament, and he nodded slowly. Practicality isn't always a necessity. Not if it stands in the way of a cheap thrill. The sun-lit man murmured with a smirk, before digging into his own memories. The positive ones, the ones that did make his heart pang with sadness for what was lost to the flames.

I once lived in a vast land myself... Beautiful and filled with wonder. Now that it's gone I wish I'd climbed more mountains to take in the view.

Simple pleasures. He began to clarify, still wearing a subtle smile but his eyes were still aimed outward- focusing on a bird careening over the tree-tops. A little thing that brings you happiness... Like watching the sunset.

Things that weren't necessary for immediate survival, but in his opinion, a life solely based on survival and survival alone was... Boring. Sad. There needed to be something else mixed in, a flavor of spice in the milk every now and again for a little surprise.

He turned back to the stranger, hoping that little pout on their face would be satisfied now. However... The topic of his homeland was inevitably brought up. His expression remained the same, only a flicker of sadness behind his fire-licked gaze would reveal the sorrow that lingered somewhere in him. Somewhere, but it would ultimately be repressed. Maybe someday when he was alone he'd think about it, and weep for it. 

Just not today.

The Deorwine let a long sigh escape his maw. It burned down. The whole thing. He said simply, letting a moment of silence lingered before giving a light-hearted chuckle to break the tension. That's why I'm here I guess.

He could empathize with what they said as well, the newfound feeling of freedom making them happier than they'd been previously. Being able to enjoy more of those little moments without as much... Scrutiny. Even if, on his end, it was a huge life change brought on by a great tragedy. Seems like we have something in common then. The umber man hummed. It's sad. But I can't deny... How happy I am to be free too.

And that was where he'd leave it, vague. That was all there was to it, as far as he was concerned. As the strangers eyes studied his own, he held the gaze.

But anyways. My name's Knox. No need to throw in the surnames, how much weight did it even hold out here? If only he knew.

What do you call yourself?

Their eyes reminded him of spring, of petals that fluttered off of trees, or pink flowers that bloomed in the meadow. That much he'd noted as he'd studied them too. Pink eyes wheren't unseen to him, in fact shades of warm reds and oranges were strongly preferred to the Deorwine. Still, they bore a uniqueness that he couldn't quite place... The way their fur fluffed out brought about a similar reaction. 

Lio. Knox repeated it to himself in his mind and politely nodded. Simple enough to be easily memorable. And if not their name, well their face definetly would be.

Nice to meet you then, Lio. I'll be one of the friendlier faces you meet. Promise. The elken-blood humored with a sweet grin, lighting his face like a charming little candle against the dark that covered the rest of him. Most of him.

I just arrived here recently. I have no idea whats beyond this mountain except the path I walked up.

Of course. He muttered in low voice. Who was he to deny someone else of this view up here, anyway? He definitely didn't mind the company after traveling alone since the fire'd exiled him. Poor thing, they seemed... Somewhat innocent, if he was reading into them correctly so far. Maybe they'd been sheltered up until now, something about them did seem young.

Amber eyes both silently watched and floated into the distance as Lio explained what they'd encountered so far and where they wanted to go. Their mention of a forming pack did little to stick to his thoughts other than noting that he would be staying away from the "silver river". He wasn't exactly in a place to be inserting himself into risky business. Not yet at least.

He then followed their gaze to the north, narrowing upon the forests that spilled over the distance. What stops you? He asked softly, rhetorically, only allowing a moment of silence before he continued. The same thing that stops me- absolutely, nothing.

A look of ambition then lined his features. I plan to see it all too. Hey... If you ever find yourself wanting a travel buddy...

White-muzzled face smiled warmly, pleasantly surprised they asked.

For a while, until you get tired of me. Knox mused, arching a brow. He could be alone, and he had been for a long time. Even before the fire he was an outcast in his own homeland, so it wouldn't be unusual for him to keep on remaining that way. But where was the fun in staying the same? In this new world, he'd try new things.

Not to mention, it would be more than beneficial to have someone to hunt with. His initial offer had been mostly a playful jest but if this youth really wanted to pair up with him for a bit, he'd do his best to make good use of himself. Teach them some things, and maybe they could teach him something too.

You said you lived in a valley right? Where do you hail from? Somewhere cold, surely. They seemed much too fluffy to be from anywhere far south.

His thin white-tipped tail waved in return, giving the ground a couple of quiet thumps. He couldn't help but chuckle at them calling themselves a "fluffy dandelion". Kind of a funny thing to come from a matter-of-fact statement.  It is a beautiful but distracting pelt, yeah- but come wintertime you'll have the upper hand against me. The elken blood huffed in amusement. Autumn was his time to reign supreme as a hunter, his tones of brown and golds blending in well and truthfully his brown was an advantage most of the time- but none more so than fall when colors grew warm and dull.

Comfortably, he laid on his side and propped his head up with a paw to listen to Lio talk about their homeland. The way they lit up when speaking about it drew the corner's of his lips up even as he remained obediently closed-mouthed and observant. A land of tall white and silver wolves... The most blasphemous thing he could think of in his neck of the woods, but thinking outside of his family's ways he pictured them in his mind with wonder. Wolves made for the cold and snow as if it were bound in their blood, and since he didn't know any better he pictured all of them with the same fluff that his companion carried. A herd of wispy-furred clouds moving with precision to bring down a large elk... It was actually kind of a funny image.

But his head cocked confusedly when they suddenly stopped to apologize. Why sorry? I was enjoying hearing about it. He assured, hoping some look on his face hadn't made them feel like they needed to. My homeland was very large but admittedly... I was kind of a sheltered kid. I grew up in a very religious and- if I'm gonna be blunt here- prejudiced family. I don't like being that way now though, I like hearing about other packs and their cultures. It's interesting to me.

His tone subtly encouraged them to go on if they had more they wanted to reminisce on, or alternatively, they'd have questions about his home he imagined. Now that they were companions, it was only fair for him to share his side too.

His pelt looked like changing leaves... He would indeed take that as a compliment. Autumn was beautiful, and he'd be lying if he wasn't aware of the beauty in his coat- browns with streaks of glistening gold when the sun hit it right, not to mention his particularly cream behind. Oh he had pride in himself, even if most of that pride was bred out of spite, combating others' disgust aimed at his white trim.

But he found himself confused by their next statement. Confused at first at least, then somewhat understanding of what they meant. The Deorwine too were known for hiding emotions in some aspects, but more in an "act polite to their face talk behind their back" sort of way rather than showing none at all, and there of course were some who showed too much and let their emotions drive them haphazardly. Dramatics. But all wolves being cold as the snow they made their home on? No wonder Lio seemed so... Placid.

I see... Well... We're not exactly in the company of Carroch are we? You can speak with as much excitement as you want, your secrets' safe with me. He mused, making a playful gesture with his paw next to his mouth as if he were passing a secret. Laying his hand back down, he gave a little shrug. To me, excitement is passion. But, to each their own. 

Their next question was met with a lofty sigh, followed by a silent moment of him pondering how to explain it best. Both I guess. My family believed that wolves born with brown pelts were blessed by our god, and all others were inferior- not fitting of his blessing, or worse. Again his white paw was off the ground, motioning at his white-tipped face. The color white is seen as being stripped of that blessing. And I had just enough on me to be considered a curse.

Understood...

The man murmured in his head with a quiet nod. At least the fluffy wolf knew that he didn't think it was unbecoming of them to show their emotions. His newfound progressiveness upon his flee from Kingslend had him squarely placed in the court of not wanting to let anyone else feel less than at any cost, especially not for something so natural. His assumptions about Lio and their pack troubled him inwardly, but he didn't know as much as he thought he did about their situation- blurring the lines of cruelty and culture in favor of likening it to the way he had felt slighted by his family. 

Luckily, he held his tongue on that now. Respectfully.

The mixed feelings within him mulling over that fact dissipated when they complimented his fur, followed by a warm smile that brought a small amount of heat to his face. Despite Lio's stoic-ness, they still had a unique sense of charm to them. He hoped he'd see more of that as they traveled. Thank you. It's a shame they choose to see the beauty in some things but not others. No variety. I'm happy to be out in the world where things are different and ever-changing.

There was a genuine look of warm appreciation on his features for the white-spotted wolf. Two beautiful creatures forming a kinship over their uniqueness... It made his heart swell a size larger to feel that sort of comradery again. Of course, he had a few other cursed relatives that he could lean on before the fire, but the largest thing they ever felt drew them together was their scorn.

Maybe we needed to come across each other, then. He murmured in quiet confidence, almost under his breath. Another sign from his highness that there was more to life than what he'd known before. I needed to hear that, Lio.

Letting the tender moment ebb away with the sun's last light, he flicked his ears at their realization. He'd had no intention of climbing down at all at this point- too dark and too strenuous, and the cold didn't bother the elken-man much. But if Lio ended up wanting to go down he'd aid them in doing so.

Sorry for running my mouth too long. He laughed softly. I don't mind being stuck up here for the time being. It might be dangerous to try to descend now, but we can if the moon comes out more or wait till first light. If you need to sleep, I can keep a lookout. They need not worry about too many other things on the mountain as high as they were, aside from cougars and other wolves, maybe. But no predator stood much of a chance trying to sneak up on them, as there was nowhere around them to hide. They were out in the open, yet given a keen vantage point on all sides.

"True." He nodded at her statement. Perhaps she was right, there wasn't much for them to worry about. He was a light sleeper anywho, and it wouldn't take much for him to be woken up by an intruder. "Rest then Lio, maybe I'll join you shortly- I may stay up for a touch longer though."

All this talk of fate, his mind was now alive with deep thought. Spared from the flames, and led to another that assured his inward feelings of self. His god was clearly leading him on a path of knowledge, learning the ways of life outside of the land that he'd purged and showing him something better. Deorwine were so set in their ways but his god had proven to him (and perhaps to him alone) that he saw something in him and had a plan. Whether that was true or a fire fueled by his own ego- he wasn't keen on knowing that truth. It wasn't important.