Ouroboros Spine weathered

For @Kroc!  Not at all necessary to match length, I'm just channeling some major Echelon fuel.

Heavy rain came down through the newly leafed canopies on that particular day, but this did little to deter Echelon from venturing beneath them as she scoped out the bowl-like basin of the Spine.  Given the meeting she had still kept her guard up in the aftermath.  They had every reason to be leery of these wolves here, just as those wolves had every reason to be leery of them.  But they were there to give direction to the pack when there was none, or at least if there had been the semblance now resembled something aimless.  Disintegrating, perhaps.

And the wolves here, well, Echelon thought much of them already.  Fit beings that if they outlasted such turbulent change would make fine additions to the breadth of Tartok.  Much like the wolves of the former glacier, she suspected that these creatures were less ruled by just one being and perhaps more secular in their emotions.  Collectively they were a pack, but she sensed that they were their own individuals.  Much like herself, while similar to Tonravik was less of a communicator.  Echelon commanded her own respect subtly, perhaps even more meticulous than her bearish counterpart.  She knew where to poke and prod her alpha, knew where not to go and especially knew how to soothe the tempers that rose from time to time.

With Tonravik's heat either gone or at least mute for the time being, they had gotten along much better anyway.  She did not feel in competition for something or against someone and even so, was willing to humor her aokkatti by continuing her exploration of their new home.  But she would not do this alone, not until certainty had reached the core of her instinct and mind and said that it was better to venture alone.  So she sought out Kroc, following the trail left behind from the rallying point to where she hoped the equally boarish creature would be lurking.  Perhaps this lesser known companion would humor her by joining up with her intriguing task.

this is your captain speaking — weathered