Duck Lake zero hour, nine am

her hunting trip takes her further from Easthollow's border's than she's ventured before, but the lack of prey demands it. already, she'd had some luck, and sated her own hunger. it is Minnow, and the rest of Easthollow that she hunts for now. her trail leads her towards the lake she remembers to be one of her best hunting grounds, the trip made easier by the warmth of the meal in her stomach. 

the lake is still, devoid of the usual raucous calls that summer brings. it is in the stillness that she begins to navigate the lakeshore, keenly aware of the place she'd last seen Aditya.

The water drove him as it had time and time again. Be it the tranquil waters of the lakes, the salty oceanside or the mucks of the bayou of which he was born. Aiolos found much better luck in hunting when doing so at the water. 

Having scouted along the northern reaches of the Sunspire and to the coast time and time before, it was his first venture out to the east. He had slipped though the mountains surrounding his home, slithering though the open ravine and gorges and though the aspens to the west of the lake. The clear blue waters were out before him and unknowingly to him, a lake usually plentiful with food all year round. 

Aiolos would leave lucky, this day.

it is not long before she comes across another; brown-toned pelt, half-hidden by the reeds. for a moment, her heart is in her chest, and she is motionless. but the moment passes, and this is not aditya, and so she finds herself but in reality. with a stiff shake of her pelt, she moves instead to close the distance between them, offering the male a soft chuff in greeting. in the midst of the famine, strangers are unpredictable; she will not waste her time with someone who will serve no benefit to her own agenda.

As he approached the lake, forest of aspens at his backside, he is met with the reflection of not only the waters but another wolf. She is of ashen shades, a stark cry different from his red tones. Though her eyes are fiery golden, mimicking Aiolos fiery amber, both bright and staring at one another. She chuffs a greeting and he woofs lowly, moving into her direction to meet her in the middle. Hoping the lake will offer some luck for food too? He questioned to her and then, Interested in working together? For the benefit of their packs, of course. Not many were good fisherman and two together? It could do their families good.

the male's pelt is fiery red, as if lit by fire, or— she once told me it was another name for the sun. she blinks, shaking the thought from her mind as the male speaks. he broaches the suggestion she'd been thinking before she can do so herself, which earns him a smile and a few points in his favour. she's warming to him already, though that's certainly not at all because he bears a fairly strong resemblance to someone else. 

"two have better odds than one," she agrees easily, adding, "I'm dawn." a quick scan of the lake, and the murmurs of life all around, before she looks back to him. "should we try for foul, or see if anything more substantial might come this way for a drink?" 

She stares back at him, as though perhaps seeing him had jogged something in her memory. It was a brief moment until a smile then shown over her expression, pleased with his idea of working together instead of fighting for the spot for one themselves alone. Aiolos knew that working with a stranger was risky, for some would rather trick you and then take it all. But she was a pack wolf, not a rogue, which meant he had better odds at her being truthful. That, and if she tried to run off with the kill alone, he had no problem with chasing her down. 

The thoughts would always be in the back of his mind to remain cautious but thus far in these few moments she seemed genuine. Aiolos. He replied with a bit of a grin, his head lowerly polietly before the woman. I've only ever hunted bird in the swamps. Not sure if I'd be so good at it out in the open like this. He admitted to the woman with huff. We can search for something larger, if you'd like. I honestly planned originally to fish. Do you know how? His head tilts with question, a single gingered ear turning back.

name and face are committed to a memory that's become rather full with both of those. she nods, accepting his answer. searching for something larger could be more rewarding, but the chances of finding something worth hunting just as the famine seems to be coming to an end is low, she must admit. 

"we could fish, and split the sum of what we catch?" she suggests, admitting after a moment, "I haven't had all that much practice, truthfully. any tips?" fishing seemed a good idea; she could brush up on her skills, and even if one of them had less luck than the other, they were guaranteed a share. and if something substantial where to come this way, well, they had a pretty good view of this side of the lakeshore.

Agreed. He spoke to the woman, offering an accord to share the spoils of their efforts. She admits then that she is not well versed in the art of fishing, which did not come as a surprise. Not all wolves new how, much less took pleasure in it as he did. Its a hunt of patience, I admit, which not all have. It requires alot of wading and waiting, lest you catch the salmon during their run. With partners, however, it could be more fun. He spoke as he neared the water's edge and began slipping into the cool waters with a quiver of his body. One wolf could be the chaser and the other the catcher.