Swiftcurrent Creek whispers in the frost

for @Arlette

The snow crunched softly beneath Fenrith’s paws as he moved through the winter-stricken landscape, his slender frame weaving between skeletal trees and frost-coated brush. His breath puffed out in faint, curling wisps, and he exhaled sharply, annoyed at the hollow ache gnawing at his stomach.

He paused, scanning the terrain with sharp brown eyes, ears swiveling for any sound that might hint at movement. A rabbit, a bird, even some frozen berries clinging stubbornly to a bush would do. Anything, really. His gut let out a low, rumbling complaint, and he muttered under his breath, “I’m working on it, alright?”

The terrain ahead dipped into a shallow gully, the snow heavier there, but also softer—easier for small prey to hide. Fenrith’s nose, useless as ever, didn’t help much, so he relied on his eyes and the faintest impressions in the snow.

Arlette had heard about the newest member of Swiftcurrent from her mate. It seemed an interesting fellow that also had some knowledge in healing, from what she understood. She decided to go look for him, just to say hello. Hopefully he would feel a little bit more welcome. Arric had mentioned that the new member couldn't smell and that thus Arric's welcome was less warm than hers was probably going to be.

It didn't take her too long to locate him. The smaller female watched him go through the deeper snows. Though it didn't look like he had a plan of going about it. Arlette quirked up her brows and watched him curiously as she approached. It didn't look like he was hunting. She chuffed in greeting as he probably didn't smell her, plus her white coat blended well with the underground.

Hello, I heard you recently joined us, she hummed in greeting. I'm Arlette, she introduced herself. She noticed that the snow was rather deep here, for her smaller frame. Are you settling in .... What was that noise? His stomach? ... well?, she finished her sentence.

Fenrith was so focused on his latest patch of snow that he didn’t notice the approach until the chuff cut through the cold air. He jolted slightly, spinning around with wide brown eyes to find a wolf standing nearby—her white coat blending so well with the surroundings that she might as well have been conjured by the frost itself.

“Ah—uh, hey!” he blurted, his tail flicking with a quick burst of awkward energy. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you—well, I mean, of course I didn’t smell you.” He winced slightly at his own words and quickly added, “But, uh, yeah! Hi!”

Her introduction eased some of his nerves, and Fenrith straightened his slender frame, offering her a lopsided grin. “Arric mentioned you. He, uh…” His grin twitched as he trailed off, clearly unsure how much he should say about his less-than-stellar introduction to her mate.

“Settling in? Yeah, sure,” he answered lightly, though the faint growl of his stomach betrayed him almost immediately. Fenrith froze, his ears flicking back with an embarrassed laugh. “Okay, maybe not entirely. I was, uh, looking for something to eat. Not having much luck, though,” he admitted.