Emberflame Ridge pretense sidestep

Days earlier, when the distinct scent of smoke had come blowing in from the west, the scout had been keen to stall her travels across the southern taiga. She had not been too near.. and simply didn't want to be; she understood that they could spread unpredictably and without knowing the lands beyond, who knew what out there was ignitable if the winds went just right.

With no interest in meeting any wildfires up close, she instead went for a few days rest in the wetlands to wait it all out entirely laying low. A few days eventually started to turn towards a week somewhere along the way, however since she was good at getting by, the hunting worked enough for her to sustain. Time slipped at a comfortable pace and in her quiet loner way, she enjoyed. And finally, after a long night of soaking rains and then far less smoke on the breeze when humid afternoons followed, Jomyo's itchy feet weren't letting her stay stationary any longer. She set out before dawn and headed just that general way to scope it out and be nosy now that hopefully all had settled down with whatever it was that had burned.

Now that the wetlands were finally well behind her, she started to veer her travels towards the edge of Sunspire's range. Doing so had her find her way towards the ridge, and while she didn't know the name of it, when she smelled no major thoroughfares or claims, it was worth a better look. Unperturbed, fresh-faced, and feeling like trekking on a while longer, she started to climb the rise of the elevations towards a higher vantage point--and better view--that this rise may grant.

@Jomyo hope you don't mind this guy!

The days were quiet in the creek. Constantine spent his time keeping check on his wild brood and pretending the tension between his mate and himself did not exist – not just for the sake of their children, but because he wasn’t sure how to fix it.
 
So the swarthy chocolate wolf extended his time outside of the borders, keeping on eye on the migrating herds as the cold hint of frost pierced the air. Autumn would be upon them soon, and with it, winter. He wanted to bolster their numbers before then – needed to, for the security of his pack.
 
His travels took him away from the grassy expanse of the valley they resided in, making his way toward the mountain. Surpassing the lands they had traveled through from the coast upon their initial claim, he found himself scoping a rockier ridge, his gaze scanning the horizon.
 
It was the autumn breeze that indicated to him of the other wolf – and his pumpkin eyes fell upon the silver and fire of the she-wolf – the wild flame of her pelt at first reminding him of his mate.

She did not know the nuances of this ridge, although so far, found herself granted with suitable passage--and worthwhile enough scenery as she passed over it. It was serving the purpose she came here for and really, left her needing little else. So long as she could continue her travels uninhibited, and maybe find something worth more along the way.

When she realized she was no longer alone, either by way of a faint scent on the breeze, or something else inspiring her to just look, her focus changed gears. Less at the larger pictures here, more towards who, what, and why.. so she may continue to preserve her travels, and herself, first of all. Summer may have made her bold in her treks, keeping opportunities open thanks to good weather and fair hunting, but at the end of the day she was always only one wolf, and this one wolf knew better than to be caught unaware. Now that she was not solely geared towards driving forward and onward, and instead towards the fellow stranger, she watched him curiously as she slowed up her paws.

Since she knew she was seen, she would make do, and was not opposed to an encounter should he be any sort worthwhile company. Her stance held fast to a careful, watchful, neutrality, and even with several lengths between them still, she wagged her tail slightly--apprehension hopefully kept out of the gesture, though she did not have the winds playing well in her favor, and couldn't tell what sort of allegiance he may hail from or if she even should be concerned yet.

What was certain remained herself, though, and she intended to convey that she was no threat, but not to be underestimated, all the same.

of course not, thanks for sending him in!