Overture Downs you'll get the hang of it.

Ezrah stood still on the landscape, gazing out across the downs like a watchful statue. The tall grass swayed against his legs, brushing his stomach lightly. For weeks, he had been searching without even a hint of success for his lost companions. For weeks, finding them had been his sole intention. But now, the Blackwater was forced to acknowledge that his hope had waned long ago. Perhaps it was time for a new set of intentions.

He breathed in a deep sigh and let it slip slowly from his lips. In his mind, he quietly debated the options--return home with nothing to show for his travels or get back to accomplishing the task they had set out to achieve. The idea of home was tempting. To reunite with the remainder of his family and regroup would ease the strain on his heart. Perhaps his missing companions would even be there and they could all head back out together. But something held Ezrah back. Something elusive that he couldn't quite place.

The sound of motion out in the field stirred his attention. He blinked pale gold eyes a few times and refocused, his gaze landing immediately on a tall stallion meandering across the downs. It's coat was a brown so deep it looked black, marred only by a splash of white across its rump. It paused for a moment and looked in his direction, and for that moment, there were two statues on the plains. Then, it turned and journeyed on, likely searching for its own place in this world.

Ezrah Blackwater knew then it was time for him to do the same. But, for the moment, he continued to stand there, soaking in the warmth of summer and breathing in the scent of sun-baked grass.

Sunset on the downs, the grasses shudder to a summer breeze as the sky swells with color.

Lutra watched the same horse stride along the knoll. As it turned its head with attention drawn elsewhere, she followed the point of its nose, presenting a less than perfect profile. She watched the pulse of tension in its haunches as it hastened in to an easy stride, only noticing the other wolf when the way was clear.

A surprised raise of her brow and widening of her eyes; briefly, they luminesce with borrowed color. The girl ducks her head and presses herself low, feeling the pounding of her heart in her ears. 

Her ears — !!
They poked out from among the green until she thought of them, and slicked them down hastily.

Ruby wandered onto the grassy area just in time to see a pair of ears disappear into the grass. Ruby made no attempt to hide her appearance as she walked through the grass. She took note of another wolf that stood watching a horse as it strode through the field.

She let out a howl that was mildly aggressive. She wanted to let these other wolves that she was not to be messed with. She continued forward with each step making a large crunch and leaving a path of down trodden grass in her wake. She walked towards where she saw the ears disappear into the grass.

As the wind blowed and the grass leaned she got confirmation of the wolf before her. She got it’s scent on the wind and as the grass leaned to the side she saw the top of the wolfs head. She walked towards it and decided to have some fun. As she got close she leaned down and uttered one word. “Boo”

Something stirred nearby, drawing Ezrah out of his thoughts to look around once more at the downs. He didn’t see the wolf tucked beneath the canopy of grass, but did instead see the other that approached. His ears canted as the word boo was issued. The female’s gaze was not directed at him, but towards the ground before her. Curious, he remained still and watchful, interested to see what would happen next before he joined the interaction, if that’s what this was.

Focused on the shape ahead of her, Lutra had little awareness for whatever roamed at her back, plus the curl of her ears prevented her from hearing the shadow approach. She sensed a presence too late, at any rate.

When the stranger was close enough to call out, Lutra indeed reacted. She sprang out of the grass like a fox pouncing through snow - legs tucked against her belly and tail whipping out and around, then kicking the air as she scrambled to land.

A sharp whine-shriek erupted from her chest. 

Once she was earthbound again she was turning towards the rude stranger that had startled her and baring her teeth; not striking out (as she hadn't the instinct for that yet) but showing her displeasure with every ounce of her being.

Ruby was amused by the wolf’s reaction. She watched as the wolf freaked out and scrambled to its feet. Her amusement lower however as the wolf turned and bear her teeth. Ruby bearded her own teeth and let out a snarl.

She began circling her possible opponent. She also took note of the other wolf in the area. It appeared to be observing her and wolf in front of her. She decided to ignore it and focused on observing the wolf she was circling.

The situation went south rather quickly. Ezra’s gaze was steady as he watched the hidden female leap to her feet and bare her teeth at the other, who responded in kind. He turned and strode toward them in his usual, almost lazy swagger. It wasn’t his business if they wanted to go at each other, but it seemed such a silly thing to do.

“Before y’all get too busy makin’ each other’s acquaintances,” he said in his relaxed drawl, “Either of you from ‘round these parts and can tell a feller where he might get a drink?”

The stranger began to circle her like some kind of hungry vulture. Lutra's posture was entirely defensive — her show of teeth was out of fright, not fight, while she tried to move away from the dark shape. With her tail low and now curling to her belly she effectively scampered from the tall grass and towards the man.

When he spoke it took a moment for Lutra to process what he was saying. A part of her imagined he was in concert with the shadow and that gave her a stronger sense of anxiety, feeling cornered between the two of them; but as his words registered for her, she realized they were all strangers here.

Hastily, Lutra sought an opening away from the darker wolf and moved to hide from her behind the man. Unfortunately she didn't have the answer he wanted — but she looked from behind him wildly, as if the dark wolf would be striking for her at any moment.

As the female wolf moved towards the male ruby considered her options. She felt she could take the female on her and possibly the male 1v1. But if the 2 of them worked against her than she knew she had no hope of winning. Ruby processed the males question. 

She wanted to get the male out of there. He wanted water and she had no idea where the closest source of water was. If she said nothing than the male wolf might stay out of the way, but then again he might not. She decided a nice little lie would suit her needs nicely.

“There is a river downhill to the north, but it’s a but of a walk so go a few miles.” Ruby said quickly. She hoped the male would leave soon. After waiting a few seconds she began advancing on the female quickly.

He hadn’t felt anything towards either of the girls initially. They were strangers to him. He didn’t wish them ill, of course, but he still regarded them with indifference. That is, until the smaller one ducked behind him out of fear for the larger. Ezrah looked back at her and without conscious thought, his casual posture shifted into one to show more strength. To protect was his duty as a member of the force, and this scared female had triggered that instinct in him.

He listened to the black Wolf’s answer to his question and peered back at her suspiciously. He didn’t move, instead looking back at the other girl with the intention of inviting her to come along with him. Movement caught his attention out of the corner of his eye and he shifted, darting forward to intercept her and stop her from touching the smaller girl.

An answer spewed hastily from the dark wolf. 

Meanwhile, Lutra cowered. The man didn't do much except stand there between them, shifting at nearly imperceptible level to a more proud posture as he assumed the role of protector. Lutra was immediately grateful; there was no time to thank him and she certainly had no voice for it, but she felt more comfortable standing there with him, and watched the shadow try to close in again.

Lutra's coiled body tensed in expectation of a hit. She stepped back and nearly tripped on her own curled tail, wedging herself against the man's side and making herself as small as possible.

As the male wolf moved to intercept her, Ruby smiled. She rotated her body to face him head on. She let out a furious growl and showed her teeth. She stared into the eyes of her enemy and saw determination. She ran towards him in a full sprint.

Before collision she noted the female was moving away. She turned herself back towards the male. “You should have gotten in my way.” As she slammed into the male she pushed hard with her feet. She put all her might into pushing against him. As she struggled Ruby’s jaws attempted to find their way around one of the males front legs.

The dark woman was not so easily deterred, it seemed. She continued forward, the only change being a switch of targets. Ezrah bared his teeth and braced himself for her impact. She hit him like a truck, but he maintained his balance with a shuffle of paws. He tucked his head down to protect his vulnerable throat just before she hit, but raised his chin now to shove her back with his own considerable muscle, jaws bared to try and grab her by the scruff while her head was ducked towards his legs

Exit for Lutra!

As the two came to a collision over her, Lutra pressed down in to the dirt and then away from them both, slinking backwards with awkward backpedaling steps. The shadow aimed for the man's legs while the man, seemingly well versed in combat to the point that he could hold his own, moved his tucked head up and at her; there were teeth, seeking the darkness of the attacker's neck.

Lutra couldn't handle it. She did not know this person, and only had the vaguest idea of why she had come after her; a piece of a life abandoned, which she was glad to be rid of. She had thought it had been easy to slip away from home in the night — but with this attack, Lutra wondered if her plans had been found out, anticipated.

To her, the stranger was an assassin — and while they were otherwise preoccupied, Lutra was keen to escape.

She would have to find the man later, if he lived through this fight, and thank him somehow; it was not right that he be drawn in to the conspiracies against Lutra, but the girl could not linger while they fought. Better for her to escape now and put distance between herself and the shadow.

Fortunately, the dark female didn't prove too difficult to drive off. Ezrah panted as he slowed to a stop to watch her form disappear into the distance. He turned then to look back over his shoulder, noting then that the other girl had gone as well. He frowned, concerned though not entirely surprised. She'd seemed a skittish thing. He didn't blame her for taking her opportunity to bolt for safety.

The ranger gave his coat a shake to loosen the tension in his muscles. He'd keep an eye out for the girl as he traveled, but he wasn't too concerned about ever finding her again. He'd likely done all for her that he could--the rest was up to her now, and he had his own path to follow. Turning away from the paths that either female had taken, he headed out to do just that.