Hot springs were on Taliesin's "do not interact" list for sure. Except when it was cold. Taliesin was particularly sensitive to strong scents, and though he was known for his strange affinity for scents of all kinds, he drew the line at nose-burning intensity. Hot springs crossed that line, so they were usually a no-go.
Thing was, the cold suited him even less. So when he found himself shivering and the vague promise of hot springs in the distance, he headed right for it. Luckily his eyesight wasn't failing him, and he found exactly what he was looking for. Taliesin wasted no time in lowering himself into one of the pools, coughing a little on the strong smell.

The strong smell combined with the lethargic heat and the sound of water in his ears was the perfect set up for an unwelcome surprise. Taliesin hated being unaware when someone was approaching, so he definitely didn't appreciate it when he was startled by a dark girl. Especially since she was being rather nosy, in his opinion. It was weird for a stranger to care about a lingering bad smell in another wolf's fur.
He was tempted to just ignore her, but he didn't. Just takes a couple baths, Taliesin mumbled sullenly, sitting up a little straighter and eyeing the girl warily. I like baths anyway. There wasn't much more to it. He wondered if he was being mocked, as there was nothing particularly brave about any of it. Sometimes people thought he was gross. Never brave.

She went on, explaining her own mundane habits as if she and Taliesin were friends. He didn't really care, but neither was he bothered enough to be rude about it. So he listened, and nodded when she asked if she could join. Sure, He said, closing his eyes and wondering what he'd done to deserve this. You live around here? Might as well try to get some information out of her.

As the interaction dragged on, Taliesin found himself relaxing a little. At least she hadn't been mocking him — that was something. Enough to try to give her a chance, at least, though Taliesin still wasn't much in the mood for company. Just the thought of carrying a conversation made him want to take a nap, but he was here and feeling less irritable by the second, so with an internal shrug he started to formulate some kind of lie for his response.
Ursus, huh? I'm looking for someone, actually, He lied smoothly, trying to remember what that one kid he'd met had looked like. He's got dark fur, pale eyes. Know anyone like that? One eye cracked open to peer at her, watching for her reaction. He was invested in this now, though he still lacked any desire for it.

Ha! It worked! Taliesin worked hard to hide his glee, already spinning up a story in his head. Yep, that's him, He said, nodding gravely as if in recognition. I've got an important message for him. I can't stick around here long, though. You seem like you know him well, so maybe you could tell him for me? He spoke as if she would be doing him a great favor, just a touch imploring. And what was this important message he had for this boy Aventus of Ursus? Well, he hadn't gotten that far yet. Great stories took time, after all.