Bitterroot Valley I know the story, Dad.

Coat still smelling of ash he made his way south, huffing every few steps like a diva, cursing this goddamn journey. The valley here told him jacksquat about where he should be headed; no familiar scents on the breeze and a large expanse of empty land. And so Ken ducked his head and continued onward.

Friede sauntered between territories without much regard, uncaring for the grievances of those she might cross. None of the wolves from her homeland had appeared yet, despite her many prayers that she might find someone aside from the High Elk to keep her company.

There was a vaguely familiar scent upon the air which she only recognized after a second whiff. Seriously? Friede asked with a quirked brow, Of all the wolves, you give me this one? She rolled her eyes but followed the trail begrudgingly, until spotting the near-distant frame of Kendrick.

She walked within earshot before greeting him: Oh, hi, Ken! Long time, no see stranger. Friede worked up a smile and soft laugh in an effort to appear amicable.

Oh, hi, Ken! Long time, no see stranger.

Ken turned, eyes settling on the bitch called Friede. Friede, he laughed, Who knew you'd be out hea too? He scoffed with a little shake of his head. Champagne gaze surveyed the horizon, took a look behind him, as if expecting more relatives to emerge like a parade. But it was no one. Just him and her, a girl he wasn't especially close with. Ah well. He looked back to Friede, You seen anyone else we know lately? Caught any trails? 

Friede grinned. Yeah! It’s really just lucky, I think, she replied with that same, snarky undertone. I thought maybe I smelled Cenric, but it’s just you! She reached out a paw to press against his shoulder, though would not have been insulted should he try to move away. 

She cleared her throat, then nodded along to the silence. Uhm, so you haven’t found anyone either? Friede asked. Her curiosity was genuine; Kendrick was difficult to read, so she wouldn’t get any answers without requesting them directly.

It wasn't that Ken didn't notice the tone of her words- he simply refused to play into her game. It was not worth getting offended by her petty manners. Let her act the way she would- soon enough they would be departing. He took the slight touch to his shoulder silently, but did not return any display of affection. 

Uhm, so you haven’t found anyone either?

He frowned slightly and shook his head. Nah, none of ouw family, at least. He couldn't help the words that followed as they tumbled out of his mouth, even though Friede likely already knew his games. I did see sometin' interestin', though. A black dee'. He spoke with utter seriousness. Though his family certainly didn't know it, Ken was not nearly as religious as them, and rather he just played along as he felt he was expected to. Perhaps that was why he found it so easy to lie about serious matters to them, like this.

Friede’s ears swiveled with fleeting interest; did such things really exist? It didn’t take long for her to assume it was just Kendrick being himself and telling another one of his lies. Really? What did you do to make the High Elk so angry? she teased. Another moment would pass before she turned away from him to continue walking.

Anyway, I’m surprised you made it out of the fire. I mean, good surprised, of course. Friede looked at Kendrick with silent respect despite the remaining bitchiness visible in her expression.

He wasn't surprised that she knew his games, but it wouldn't deter him from playing them. Still, he simply snorted at her tease, letting a slight smile paint his face before it fell back to its usual cool poker. When she told him she was surprised that he survived, Kendrick quirked a brow. Wanted me gone dat bad, huh? Ken teased right back. As she was familiar with his lies, so was he familiar with her rudeness that laid under a fake display of politeness, but leaked through cracks in the act.