Firefly Glen [PHE] There is hope in the shallow wells of winter, even then

Rodyn moved from camp to camp. Giving initial greetings staying with those that wished to speak with him. But he was flagging. he could feel it in tenseness of his shoulders. In the way his smile felt too tight and too stretched. This was more wolves than he had seen in many a time. And though he marveled at it and thrived in it. It was still a lot to a wolf of a humble seaside village. For he refused to believe in the worth of only him. He had not done this on his own. Every moon village, wolf that had traded. Everyone had sought to make this a beautiful and amazing experience.

he finally took a moment. To simply Breathe. Take it in. There was much that could be done and yet he had taken Kukutux's words to heart and he took a moment for himself. Only a moment mind you. Only a moment.

So that was Rodyn. 

Pepper recognized him from somewhere. Or, he thought he did. Faces weren't his thing. As much as he'd heard about Rodyn and his yearly gathering, Pepper figured he should at least speak to the man. It'd be a break from the noise of the crowd, anyway. And maybe he could learn more about what all wolves did here. Or if anyone traded something he just couldn't live without. 

So, confident as he could be with his well-developed limp, he approached, offering a nod and a greeting. 

"Afternoon," is what he said, if that could be considered a greeting at all.

Sea salt and open air met him. And at first he turned expecting Chakliux or one of his village. Instead found himself face to face with a wolf from Sapphique. Pepper he believed his name was. But he was not certain.

Good Afternoon it is good to see your face. You are Pepper, right?

He dipped his muzzle. Rodyn Ardeth at your service.

He offered a nod to confirm his name was, in fact, Pepper. Although he did wonder where the wolf got the information. A few years ago, something like that might have mattered, but life was simpler now. 

"Good t' meet ya," he said in reply, returning the dipped muzzle. 

Unless they had already met. Maybe that's why the wolf knew his name. Maybe that's why his face looked familiar. 

Or, he could just be losing it. 

"So ya do this every year?"

He chose to move on.

Rodyn had tried to learn as many names of those in the packs that came as he could. He also recognized this wolf. And he quickly realized it had been the one bitten. He had wondered what had come of him. Good to see him well.

He chose not to mention that. It had been a nasty businses and he and the youth ill prepared.

We do. Moonglow started it and I just continued it. Because I can get the word out to more packs given that I am trader. Is it to your liking so far?

He tilted an ear forward.

"Crowds ain't really my thing, but I do like a good hunt." 

That's the part he was excited for. Seafood was fine. But he'd been craving large game. Something warm, with bloodied meat. Something that didn't taste like salt. 

"I wouldn't give my opinions too much thought, though. Seems like everyone's havin' a good time." he reassured. 

Moonglow was a name he'd heard a few times. He understood the territory wasn't far from here.

Rodyn smiled a soft smile of comismeration and agreed. They are not really too my liking either. But this helps many packs have food for winter. I can get behind that and deal with a crowd for a time.

Rodyn listened and shook his head. Nonsense. Every opinion matters to me. I can't always make everyone happy. But feedback helps to make this better.

"Few days out of the year ain't much to cry about," he responded, agreeing. It kept peace, too, which was a great side-effect. 

"I'm happy long as there's food," he stated. Food, and a good place to nap after. Which, after the hunt, there would be plenty of both. 

"So what all gets traded here?" 

He figured he'd start broad. What he was really looking for was something to manage his pain.

A nod of understanding. It was true. A few days in the scheme of things was nothing. He could handle it.

Food, first, trinkets, medicines. Anything you can possibly thing of at least of the good variety.

There were no bad things here as far as Rodyn knew. And we're he to find out of any. Well..

Pepper nodded, thankful for the information. Medicines sounded promising. And he was sure Phobos could help him find something that might work. 

But truthfully he was looking for something a little.. something to clear his mind. At least for a little while. 

"I guess I should get to lookin' around," he said, then with a wink, continued. "I'll quit bendin' yer ear. Just figured I'd thank ya for puttin' in the work to get all this goin'."