Northstar Vale Honey Child you are lost

set outside of borders for @Phox

Maiken moved through the lands, ears erect body poised. The rangy thinness of her body showing through the meat and fur as she lost her winter weight and plush. With it she went back to her thin and small figure.

Add to it ranging far and wide. Though today she was on a mission. She'd have her garden even if it took replanting every single plant and bush somewhere no one else could find it. She could already see it. The brambles hiding it from view the poisons there on the edges. Yes she could do it. She was so lost in daydreams she failed to realize she was so close to a pack, but noticed just in time before she crossed.

tags are for reference/cohesion!

The Redhawk spent much of his time with @Towhee Sr, @Maxim, @Towhee Jr, and @Sable. He brought them what little he could catch, and he spoke soft stories of the constellations to the little niblings that still seemed impossibly small. He breathed in their scents as often as he could, silently swearing to himself he wouldn't leave them.

He was on the prowl for another meal (perhaps something scavenged), when he spotted another wolf. She was like an tiny piece of void among the white of the snow, and Phox woofed to alert her to his presence. No sense in scaring her.

Maiken didn't recognize this pack or the scents. So she took a moment to familiarize herself with it all. Interesting. She shifted and moved, poised to continue on her way.


A woof and she lifted downy head. Brown eyes falling upon the wolf that had called out. Three legs, dark, big, bigger than she, but again most were. She was not even big for a small wolf. It was disgusting really at times. She smiled voice thick with accent.

Hello.

There was a slant to her speech he couldn't quite place—not that he needed to—and she stared at him with brown eyes. In some ways, he felt like he was looking at a smaller, younger image of himself. She looked like she could use a good meal. Perhaps they could help each other out in that regard.

Hey, he said, I'm Phox. Are you out here all by yourself? Immediately, he regretted the words. Sorry, I don't mean to sound like I'm testing you, just wondering if you're okay. He knew what it was to be alone, even if he hadn't been in her situation for a long time.

He spoke the common language. He studied her and she supposed there were some similarities, but she pretty sure she had more scars than he did. And there was a bit of harder living than most, but that was the way of things. She was from a harsh land.


She dipped her head at him. Maiken, but if it's easier you can call me Mai. She chuckled good naturedly and gave him a soft wink.

Trust me you do not offend, this wolf. She shrugged small boney shoulders. I am okay. You are patrolling?

He smiled, relieved that she didn’t take offense. Mai assured him she was okay, though he wasn’t convinced one could be okay all by themselves. Not that she had explicitly said she was alone; perchance she had a pack waiting for her! A lover, children, and the whole lot.

Ah, not exactly. I was going to see if I couldn’t scavenge up a meal. My sister recently had two kiddos, and I’d like to help them out as much as I can.

Black head tilted forward and brown eyes followed to his face. She studied it. That is nice of you. Would you like help? I have no where and no one to go to, so I will do this kindness.

She nodded. She could get her herbs soon enough. IF she could help him get food for his family. Then all was good. It would make her happy to be useful for a change.

i read her dialogue wrong at least three times, so i thought it would be fun for phox to hear it incorrectly, hehe.

He heard, "Would you like to help?" and Phox stood there, puzzled for a moment before he realized what she had actually said. It was a little sad that she had no one to go to and no home to return to, and he wondered if she could really spare the time to help him. Phox didn't protest, though, figuring she could make that decision for herself.

I saw some buzzards circling up that way, he said, gesturing to where the birds wafted lazily on the wind. Might be a fresh kill that somebody couldn't finish? It would be a lot easier to scavenge than take down something bigger with just three legs (seven if you counted her legs as well).

Heh I write her this way on purpose as english is her second language <3 It will be fun

Maiken had time to do whatever she pleased. And right now she wanted to help this three legged wolf find food for his sister and her babies. This would make her happy and help ease some of the bad karma she felt she had wracked up by staying with the Saints.

She followed his motion and then nodded. You lead the way. I don't know my way around here well. Yes?

Then she waited quietly and weaved her tail. What is it that you like to do? I am a healer. She didn't add that she was also in a way a toxicologist, that usually made other's run away.

Phox led the way, eyes glancing upward now and again to make sure they were still heading toward the buzzards who circled above. Mai made small talk, and Phox wasn't bothered by it. Meet gals, he teased, Get them to help me with my everyday chores. That wasn't a lie, of course. He did have a habit of striking up conversations and making the most of his working time. Especially since he had left Mereo, it seemed a good way to spend his time.

'Sides that, I guess I like hanging out with my sister's kids and being a goofy ol' uncle, and—Phox paused, glancing to Mai a moment while they walked—my own kids, too. They're all grown now, but I still like their company.

Maiken moved swiftly beside and behind the male. His legs were longer, so she had to play catch up sometimes, but it wasn't a bad thing. She rather enjoyed the exercise. She chuckled lightly. Ah so you are a Flørt this is okay. I like a handsome man to give me jobs. Makes it easier to take. She teased right back a small smile on her face, brown eyes alight with mirth.

Children are blessings. I am glad you have had this honor. What does a fun uncle do?

She tilted her head to look him over wondering. Did he play all day with them? Or babysit.

A fart?! Phox protested. Sure, he was old, but did he smell bad, too? Unless you meant flirt, in which case I'll take that compliment. He continued to meander toward the circling buzzards, hoping they wouldn't run into anybody else looking for an easy meal along the way.

Oh, y'know. Get them dinner. Pester them. Let them do all the things their parents won't let them do, he said with a wry smile. Not that Towhee and Maxim were particularly strict, but there was always something kids wanted to do that their parents wouldn't allow.

]

Laughter chased his words with gentle wings and she shook her head. I did mean the second one. I wouldn't comment on someone's bodily function unless they deserved a congratulations of course. She chuckled to herself. Her humor a little different than most. She had learned to adapt to most anyone.

That sounds like fun things. But how do the parents feel? She tilted her head. She had never had nieces and nephews. At least none that she really had anything to do with. Preferring her herbs and her plants. Ignoring most anyone else existed.

Phox laughed, wondering what sort of bodily function would deserve a congratulation. He had definitely smelled and heard some raunchy ones in his day. Usually from the very kids he was watching. Oh, I'm sure the parents love me, he grinned full of teeth. As far as he knew, Towhee adored him, and Maxim seemed to think pretty highly of him, too.

He slowed as they reached the carcass. He couldn't tell what it was by sight, but a sniff let him know all he needed. Older deer, he said, identifying the corpse. It's a little rank, but I don't think it'll kill us to eat it. I'm going to grab one of these back legs for the kids, but you feel free to take whatever else you want.

Maiken had brothers and sisters that judged each other on rankness. She had never participated of course, because they hated her unless they needed her, but she had smiled bitingly at some things. She just had to make sure they didn't see it.

This is good. My siblings and I don't get along. It is nice to know that there are some out there that do.

Maiken trotted around the creature, taking it in. She slowly separated one of the front legs from the creature, but that was all she would need. This would actually feed her for sometime she'd imagine.

Once she tore it from the moldering carcass. She grinned. Thank you for dinner. Such a gentleman. She teased.

Phox meant to laugh at her compliment, but he choked on his own saliva, so it came out like more of a weird hacking cough. He wouldn't call himself a "gentleman," but maybe that's exactly why somebody else needed to do it for him. I worked really hard for it, he joked, once he'd managed to erase the tickle from his throat.

And hey, if you're ever up this way again, gimme a holler, and I'd be happy to hang out again. This was how you met someone, right?

Maiken couldn't quite hide the smirk that danced along her features. Was it an unkindness to laugh at his choke. yes it very much was. Did she feel bad about it. A little, but the simple fact was he was adorkable and she couldn't help the smile.

I noticed such skill and strength!

She chuckled. I will be glad too, Phox.

Another laugh, and thankfully one that did not jeopardize his life dignity. See ya around, then! he said, his jaws clamping down on the leg of meat so that he could return it to Towhee and the children. While he did hope that he would see this woman around, he had his doubts. Even Reverie had never returned, and Phox had even promised to pay her back for her kindness in telling Fennec about Leona.

Perhaps this was just not his year.

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