King Elk Forest What Arrows

The female came closer, and there was something enticing about her, and that something kept Shrike rooted to his position. For once, his usual, fidgety behavior had more or less melted away, consumed by curiosity about the confident female who carefully picked her way through the shallow water toward him. He felt a bit bad for not moving toward her, but figured she might feel more comfortable if he didn't. He was, after all, a stranger to this land and didn't want to seem too bold by moving forward. 

He dipped his head in a quick greeting when she spoke her name, and quickly uttered a short "'Course," when she asked for forgiveness. Being too bold? She wasn't being a nuisance, and it seemed that all she wanted to know was where he was from. He stiffened slightly, and one ear turned back. It wasn't as though his pack was a secret, but it wasn't exactly as though Peregrine wanted him to be out campaigning and announcing which pack he was from. Still, she seemed to want to know the answer to satiate her own curiosity, not simply to grill him for information she might later bring back to her pack. And if she did- it didn't really matter anyway. 

"Redhawk Caldera. East." He said, motioning with a tilt of his muzzle. What she said next was something a bit formal, and finally brought a smile to Shrike's lips. Her? Pleased to meet him? It was almost laughable, but Shrike wasn't the type to laugh easily. "Pleasure's mine." He replied. 

He felt a bit awkward, though, knowing she was being so friendly with him, and almost in a way to forge a bit of distance between them, he nodded toward her, eyes drawn to her belly. "Congrats. In advance, I guess," He said, his tone lightening a bit, and tail finally loosening enough to sway between his ankles. He couldn't guess exactly how far she was along- he didn't know enough about pregnancy to make that call- but she was definitely big enough for him to feel confident in calling the round woman pregnant.