He found himself tucked into a deep bed of snow that morning. A rather stark stain against the world with his russet colors and patched shades of black. He should have put himself quick to work, this he knew. Yet he had found himself in some sort of comfortable, vulnerable state. Still high off of the names he had been given and how kindly he had been received.

He stretched unworked limbs, stuck out and buried them into the snow around him. He was...an almost pitiful sight if not for the occasional wag of a thick tail.

He watched her with dull gold eyes as she approached. As ever confident as she had seemed yesterday.

Oh, I'm settling very well. He answered with the intent to reassure. Then rolled some in his little bed of deepened snow. Now on his side with his underside exposed in a rather lazy submissive splay. Almost as well as I slept. Teased carefully.

Patroclus had truly forgot what it felt like to sleep in a place without worry.

I look forward to it. He hummed truthfully. Although he was far more focused on the here and now. Especially as he found Nyra settled next to him.

Carefully he rolled back towards her and onto his stomach. Then sought to drape a foreleg over her shoulders. A rather cozy position to be in. If she would allow it.

He found he had not been pushed away or scolded for his sudden closeness to her. Instead she seemed to relax under it.

How are you? He asked warmly, intent to listen to whatever answer she might provide. This could be a perfect chance for him to prove himself as a good supportive figure — perhaps even a confidant.

So this is...new.

A slow start as he allowed her to warm up to things with him. Delicately he sought to groom some tufts of fur with his teeth. She needed to look regal if she was alpha, no?

How is it treating you? How do you feel? It had not been his intent to stumble into a sort of counseling session about it. Alas. He had no qualms about it.

I think you're doing fine. Granted I have only seen your recruiting skills. He teased kindly before his teeth sought to break up one more area of fur into something finer. Then he could let her be without the hassle of a groom.

He hummed thoughtfully at her suggestion. Then gave one nod. I am not opposed. I used to...tussle with the other men back home when they trained. Oft lost battles against them. He served more as a simple companion than a training partner. Not that she needed to know the muddied details that moment.

Oh.

He had not anticipated that she meant this very moment. Yet she rose with a certainty and offered him a smile. Patroclus could only assume that was a summon for him to join her in...action.

You first? He offered meekly as he tried to prepare himself. Admittedly his tussles with the men had not been skill based on his end. So perhaps he ought to just prepare himself for the loss that was to come.

He laughed softly. Maybe...ashamed, perhaps. He did not match most of the men he knew. He seemed to not match some of the women either. Patroclus had always been a man built for brain rather than brawn.

Are you sure about that? Humor thick over his words. I have a feeling anyone who could simply lay me flat would win without a second thought.

He attempted what she said, to lean and put some tense weight into his hind legs. It felt unusual of course. As if he was a snake coiled with intent to strike. Granted he would not strike. Simply dodge.

And what is your weakness? He asked with a teasing intent.

He hummed dramatically, thoughtfully. His own dull golden eyes watched her carefully. Tried to at least partially prepare himself in case she thought it fit to strike him down at any moment.

Untrained wolves who need a warrior to teach them how to not be outmatched. It was a dig at himself and a boost to her. He wondered how she would take it.

He listened and he took it all in. Tried to remain serious. Admittedly he doubted he would ever be very good at battle tactics and fighting, but he had to start something. Not to mention she seemed willing to put up with him and teach him.

So, learn the terrain and the quickest way through it to scatter, got it. Some light humor in his voice. How would I manage to overpower someone like you? If I managed to evade, what would come next to make sure I’m not just...flattened in retaliation.

Or did he have to simply wear them out with quick footed dodges until he could land a solid (possibly fatal if necessary) blow?

The idea of lethal force made his inside feel all...gooey. Wiggly and bad. Patroclus knew he was capable of such an act. Technically made for it as a wild creature. Yet his whole life he had been elevated in acts of the heart and mind.

Murder? It was not exactly for him.

Maybe I just call upon you. A sheepish tease and gentle shake of his head. Provided himself a diversion from the thoughts that lingered in his brain from her words.

Evasive tactics. Oh, he was rather familiar with such a thing. He had danced away from all sorts of matters and he imagined he might be able to do so in battle too.

He yipped joyfully though when she struck his cheek. A wide sweeping motion of his ruddy tail behind him.

No fair! He teased back before he sought to dive in and plant a gentle nip to chest.