Whitebark Stream You can't hide from the future.

One for @Salvatore, maybe? Tagging Dawn for reference.  :)

Following he and Minnow's return from the spires to the West, Artyom took advantage of the opportunity to rest. In the darkness he located the densite that he and shared with @Dawn and slipped carefully within, wrapping himself around her with an affectionate croon. The reunion was mostly wordless and, with his eyes heavy, the exhausted ranger allowed his mate's warmth to lull him into what felt like long-awaited slumber. 

Significantly fresher by the morning that followed, and he was disappointed to find that Dawn had ventured on ahead of him - allowing him to sleep long into the morning, perhaps. Reiko's claim was fresh on his mind and, despite a desire to question the newest recruits about what he'd been told, Artyom knew it would do him no good to demand answers without preparation. No, he would discuss it with Dawn first, and make a decision together.

In the meantime, he sought to reach out to Sal. Artyom had maintained a distance from him since the sterling wolf had asked advice of him, allowing his comrade to make amends with his companion in his own time. It'd been several weeks since then and, concerned, the roamed the woods in search of fresh evidence that Salvatore had not fled.

very slight pp of artyom finding sal. i can change it if need be! <3

for all of his fault — and of those there are numerous — salvatore hasn't fled. though he doesn't go out of his way to be sociable, preferring to keep to himself and work thru the potential of consequences he and kaori may endure — children being one of them. regardless, he plans to face them at her side ...whatever that comes to entail in the ( near ) future. she would not bare it all alone. killmonger could say what he wanted but salvatore was not a coward; despite that he's not particularly enthusiastic about what the fate of their small and unusual and unjoined family might suffer.

his steps pause at the borders at the sound of approaching footfalls, ears fluttering back and pivoting forward as he glimpses around with his singular eye to determine where they hail from beyond within the territory. soon enough, artyom's figure appears and salvatore dips his head in greeting to his now-leader.

No problem!

On spnotting the familiar sterling frame of Salvatore between the foliage, Artyom quickened his stride to catch up. The other male, acknowledging the crunch of fresh snow beneath approaching paws, halted to look upon the gilded Alpha. He let his tail wag cheerfully in quiet greeting, and moved alongside his comrade to bump his shoulder fondly to his.

"I was beginning to worry you had gone off the radar," he teased, though not unkindly. Artyom had witnessed the ashen wolf's fear and uncertainty surrounding his intimate encounter with a female companion amid the breeding season, though it wasn't his intention to strike a nerve - merely to poke a little brotherly fun. "How are things with you? Better, I hope?"

They were, thankfully, much to Artyom's delight. He shifted, inviting his sterling comrade along to walk with him so they might further discuss the brightness of their future that lay ahead.