Stone Circle thoughts

Nikai returned from his travels again and he'd slept for half a day first, catching up and processing all his adventures. He missed the outdoors the moment he stepped foot across the borders of Easthollow. Home was a nice place, but Nikai'd had so many in his life that he hadn't grown too attached to Easthollow and he surely missed travelling. He wasn't too sure he wanted to live at Northstar Vale, at least not for very long, but it might be a nice place to live for now. Central, within the mountains, where he could easily travel to different types of regions, and where there were new wolves that'd surely keep him rooted for a while. Especially if Keoni came.

It caused a wave of guilt because he felt he must take care of his family, but Valette had seemed happy lately, so Nikai thought maybe it wouldn't be so bad if he left. And he'd bring Keoni along. Besides, the pack had grown lately and even though his efforts hadn't contributed much so far, at least that meant that Valette wouldn't be so lonely if they did end up leaving.

Nikai was trailing around Easthollow territory lost in thoughts around dusk as he considered all of these things. He looked around, staying alert, and hoping he'd find something he hadn't seen before right here in the territory, so that he could somehow keep himself occupied a bit longer, control the wanderlust.

He snuffled and sneezed as he sought the scent of a rodent to nibble on, his thin bones carrying him gracefully across the bedding of Easthollow's grounds. How many moons had passed above him being here? How long had it been since he had last seen someone from a long, long time ago? Jewels... How was she faring? Honestly, Calloon was taking aback by how timid Easthollow's borders had made him. I mean, he had always been a rather careful and quiet creature, but never had he lived in peace like this. It was nice yet... concerning for his mental wellbeing. He mustn't get used to it.

He wondered if anyone was around he hadn't met yet...

Just as he was wandering through the territories, Nikai ran into an unfamiliar figure. He smiled, tail wagging a few beats as he approached, feeling excited to be meeting someone new. Maybe he could focus on his other trade — being a counsellor and making sure everyone was happy in the pack — for a moment and try to forget where his paws wanted to carry him.

Ears perked forward and he chuffed to announce his presence. "Hiya," he called out softly and he approached with neutral body posture and a positive smile on his face.

In the corner of his golden-ringed eye did he spot a young, black prince approaching and he turned his head even before the other greeted him. He nodded, nearly bowed, and smiled his ghostly smile back at the boy. White tainted the others muzzle, and Calloon wondered for a moment what kind of genetics had caused such an interesting patch of fur to settle upon the young man's face. All the ghost had ever been was faded, and though it did help him in the hotter months of the year to not be dark of coat, he had always longed to be something else.

Nikai approached after he saw the other had noticed him. His tail wagged a few beats to show his good intentions. "I don't think we've met yet," he said with a soft smile. The scent told him that he'd been part of the pack for longer, but he didn't remember ever meeting. "I'm Nikai. It's nice to meet you." He looked inquisitively at his companion then, hoping to receive an introduction in return.

Calloon shook his slender head - he couldn't recall meeting the young prince before. How bad of him! He was supposed to know everybody around here already. Perhaps his muteness was keeping some away and he wouldn't blame them; he wasn't a chatty fella. But, he was a good sport and, if one were to get to know a way to communicate with him, a real joy to have around. With a paw awkwardly held near his chest did Calloon bow in greeting, stepping closer not long after to open his mouth. It was his way of telling his name; to encourage others to make up their own. His stump of a tongue wiggled about, something that Nikai's youthfulness might even find disturbingly funny.

The other seemed friendly so far, though after the introduction Nikai noticed something was off. He didn't receive an answer and by his companion's body language it was evident that he wasn't offended, shy or angry in any way. Something else had to be wrong. Nikai tilted his head but it did not take him long to link the lack of words to Keoni's situation. "Can't you talk? Like Keoni?" he asked then, though he didn't know if the companion knew his sister. "Hmm, what should I call you then..." Nikai looked thoughtful, trying to think of something good and suiting. If only there was some way for his companion to describe his name.

Keoni? So that was the tiny girl he had comforted in her fit of anger about her tongue. Poor dear; she really wasn't used to it yet. Calloon still couldn't believe he couldn't speak, but had learned to cope with it to the best of his abilities. Surely Keoni could try that too? He bowed down into a playful pose, ghostly tail swaying high up in the air. He was elated the other wanted to come up with a name for him.

Nikai smiled softly as the voiceless wolf bowed down into a playful pose. He wondered if he couldn't hear or understand what Nikai said, or if he was happy to know that he was getting a name he could be referred to as. Nikai's tail waved and he said, "How about... Happy? Would you like that for a name?" And he waited to see his response. It was hard to decipher what the other wolf wanted and Nikai eventually decided, "Hm... I'll just go with Happy." And he talked for a bit longer until eventually Happy and nikai went their separate ways.