Big Salmon Lake Lone, Pale Wanderer

She had taken the final step at least a day ago. And she had dared not look back, no matter how much she wanted to turn back. She had made it this far however without anything bad happening. That was before she reached a river. A cold river, one she'd have to swim across. The only problem...she had never learnt to swim. Korei walked along the edge of the water, pacing back and forth.

The young wolf carried himself gracefully, his movements like water as he neared a lake. Assuming there had to be some available drinking water, but as he neared the pool of ice he noticed an almost hidden figure tracing the edge of the lake. He tilted his head in interest, the music that constantly plays in his head got quieter. His deep set cedar eyes didn’t avert from the silhouette. 

He made his way toward the stranger from behind, his movements quiet and almost unnoticeable. Lennon sleuthed his way to a few feet in distance from the girl, before his chipper voice interjected the deafening sounds of the winter. ”Bit chilly for a dip, wouldn’t ya say?” A subtle accent toned his voice, it was obvious he wasn’t from around here

Korei turned to see another wolf there, and she began to back off, one rear foot slipping into the water before she pulled it out. "I, uh...I was looking for a way to get across" she said, trying not to look the wolf in the eyes. "I...I can't swim."

His eyes shifted to her leg as it dipped into the bitter cold water. It then dawned on him what she had said, she can’t swim. A more curious gleam in his eye now, and a confused grin. ”Never learned to swim?” It was slightly shocking, but he wasn’t going to try to make her feel bad for lack of experience in deep pools of water. ”That’s funny,” He noticed her slightly skittish behavior, to which he shook his head in dismissal. ”Why are ya all alone in the cold? Wouldn’t want to get lost out here.” He could smell the potent scent of a pack clinging to her coat, she wasn’t a lone wolf. At least not a new one.

She glanced to the water behind her, then the male before her. Korei could not see how it was funny, and scowled at him. "I left" she said, still having a scowl on as she tried to put on a brave face. "I left my home...And I want to get far away" she said, gesturing with a flick of her head across the river.

His ears lowered with a somewhat of a pouty expression when he saw her scowl. Runaway? I get that.” He nodded with a sense of approval, he too had run away from his home. Being independent was far more his forte, along with other reasons. ”What for?” He eyes didn’t linger off, and instead were locked with interest on this new acquaintance. He began to walk slowly forward, believing he could aid her in crossing the lake.

She did not remove the scowl, nor did it lighten as he came closer. "That is my reason, only" she retorted. Her glare hardened and she almost slipped in again, this time with both paws that she tried to scramble back up with, and she almost fell in with a yelp.

His eyes widened as he stepped back a bit, she definitely seemed a bit frantic. Nothing he didn’t understand, of course. He once again had a more worried look in his eye. ”I hope my company isn’t a bother,” He finally glimpses away from the girl to see the long stretch of lake and snow. ”Not to be more intruding, but you shouldn’t be alone in this weather.” Before she could respond he noticed his flaw in words and quickly interjected himself, ”No one should be, that is.”

She managed to get a rear paw into a foothold on the edge, but she did not realize how loose it was. And how her paw was slowly slipping. "N-no, I'm fine. Really, I'm-" That's when she slipped, falling back and using her fore paws to attempt to scramble back up.

Lennon, at this point, could no longer keep himself from helping the girl in fear of her getting upset. Leaning forward he gripped the back of her neck with his muzzle, attempting to be gentle, and pulled the girl forward until she was no longer on the icey edge and instead on the plush snow. He loosened his clutch, before backing up, waiting for her to run off or yell. ”Sorry about that.” He muttered.

Korei felt a grip on the back of her neck, and started kicking her rear legs more in the water, thinking she was about to get eaten or something, only to be pulled up. Then...let go? She was generally surprised, breathing heavily from what she thought to be near death. 

She glanced up at the wolf, then forward again, trying to think of what to say. "Thank...thank you" she gasped from the chilled cold water that had touched her halfway up her body, chilled her to the bone.

His ears lifted at her words, not expecting them. ”You really shouldn’t be alone out here,” He advised, his eyes showing a sense of care for the still stranger. ”Do you have a plan? He, himself, had no plans and was simply aimlessly living his life but he didn’t think it smart to let someone else do that. Especially in this season and of such a young age.

She was starting to see exactly what Wraen meant. Her first day out wasn't even fully over yet, and already she had almost died. What if this wolf had not been here. "I-I...I don't..." She just wanted to get away from Moonspear. As far as she could. From her sisters, her parents. From Galaxy. Then she started to weep, hiding her face under her paws while shaking.

He didn’t expect tears, and began to panic slightly himself. Lennon lowered himself beside the girl, nudging her cheek with his nose. ”Don’t cry, it can be overwhelming I know.” Silence took over for a moment as the young wolf contemplated, his ears perked when he had an idea. ”Why don’t we make a plan for you, um...” It only then occurred that he didn’t know her name, ”What’s your name then?”

Korei was reminded of Terance when he nudged her to try to comfort her, but she did not look up. She kept her paws over her face and eyes. "K-Korei" she murmured back to him, keeping her face hidden.

”Lennon.” He muttered in response before, lifting himself up and shaking off whatever snow cling to his hickory coat. ”We won’t be able to get you anywhere like that, Korei. The boy insisted, smiling somewhat at the prospect of her starting a new, more fulfilled life. ”First off, let’s make sure you really want to leave.” He offered, only wanting to be safe incase she ever regretted her large choice to leave her home.

She nodded under her paws. "My family, they...look down on me. I have no use there" she muttered. "I'm useless there. I'm a wimp." She moved one of her paws down slightly so that one of her golden eyes were visible, to try and see the male speaking to her.

He wasn’t expecting her to finally make eye contact when speaking to him, and for a moment was simply paused at the sight. ”No wimp would leave at a time like this.” Lennon encouraged, referring to the wintry season. ”Know of any other packs you might fancy?” He questioned, deciding then that he would escort her to wherever she planned to stay, not having complete faith she would be alright on her own.

She shook her head, she had never gone far from the pack. She didn't know of any extended family. "This is the furthest I've gone from my pack..." The encouragement lightened her spirits, but pnly by a miniscule amount. She thought she was still a wimp for running.

He thought for a moment, her leave was no doubt abrupt and not exactly well-planned. Though, neither was much of any of his life. ”Why don’t we wander around until we found you a new home?” Lennon questioned, this definitely would be better than traveling alone without much purpose. Now he would at least have company and a direction instead of some run ins.

She moved her paws off her eyes slightly, to gaze at the male wolf. "I..." She couldn't find a verbal answer, so after a long hesitation, she slowly nodded. She moved her paws fully off by now, laying there, still shivering. "I'm...I'm cold." 

He gestured with his muzzle for her to lift up. ”Come then, some exercise ought to help that, we’ll walk close together too so you don’t freeze to death from the water, then.” Lennon offered, enjoying his encouragement of the girl. It was somewhat exciting to aid her in this new journey, he just hopes he wouldn’t end up being more a problem then help.

Korei shakily and slowly stoof up by Lennon's side, putting herself against him softly to trade warmth between each other so that she could become warm again. "Where...do we go?" she asked, starting to walk by his side. She glanced back toward the river she had almost fallen into.

He lifted his head as though searching for the best direction. Eyes drifting before the lake. It then occurred that water goes downhill, and the farther down the less cold it is. ”Follow the water then,” Lennon said with a cheery tone.

She turned her gaze along the water. "Okay..." she murmured quietly. She started to move once Lennon did, needing the warmth while stumbling along as she tried to keep up. 

Wanna fade here?