Meadowlark Prairie and i'm in the wind; i am going to let it take me where it may

@Melody

After delivering Reverie's message to Everett, Eventide had forged south instead of returning to the golden woman. He saw no use in going back now. What would he even say? He intended to circle back in a few months, and by then there would be a conversation to have — by then, they would see if Everett ever made it out to visit.

He'd need to find somewhere to spend the next quarter. Maybe after that, too. Being alone was fine in the summer, but Eventide didn't think hoofing it in the winter was such a good idea, and he didn't want to turn tail and run home to ma and pa either.

A failed hunt left him breathless. He found a lone tree and sprawled out underneath it, panting heavily as he contemplated his future.

She'd hardly left Akashingo since joining, and Melody thought that maybe it was time to change that. A renewed sense of confidence took her beyond the Mesa. She drifted along, soaking in the sights and the relative silence of the wilds.

Until the sound of heavy panting at a distance cut through her thoughts. Melody's head tilted in curiosity, and she followed the sound of it right to the man who rested beneath a lone tree. A man with bright blue eyes.

Hi, The priestess greeted, coming a little closer with a shy smile. A burst of bird song sounded from somewhere behind him, and her eyes were drawn briefly toward the source. Pretty, isn't it? Melody commented of the bird's call.

ugh. weak.

it isn't her presence that annoys him, it's how stupid he thinks he looks. he's panting like an idiot, and he's just failed at something every wolf under the sun instinctively knows how to do. but she doesn't know that. he claps his jaw shut.

yes, he rejoins, it all is. it reminded him of the fields and valleys that surrounded his home. a comfort. are you from around here, miss...?

Melody, She answered maybe a little too quickly. Blushing, she added, Melody Medeiros. And felt very stupid for it! Why did he need her full name?

I'm from Akashingo. It's uh, it's the big hunk of stone over there - it's hard to miss, She gestured a little uselessly, finding herself desperate to change the subject. You're traveling, aren't you? Where to? It was written in his scent; he'd been to places far from here, and Melody was a little jealous of that.

her responses start to give an impression of who she is. suddenly, he's not concerned so much with how he looks. grayday, he replies before he can think about it too much.

wait. what the fuck? sorry, grandpa.

his eyes follow her gesture to the slab of stone that's practically impossible to miss. thank you, he says anyway. then, everywhere. nowhere.