Redtail Rise hey, fellas, have you heard the news?

He cocked an eyebrow at the boy's bold statement, but said nothing in response, waiting for him to recover from the blunder, which he did so, albeit awkwardly. Followed it up with a couple of questions for Shale, which seemed a bit presumptuous--why should he answer? Nevertheless, if this was one of the coastal wolves, they were neighbors of sorts, and Shale should do his best to be forthright.

"Shale," he replied, dipping his muzzle in greeting. "From Morningside. And you?"

The older man took the opportunity to size the stranger up, dark eyes raking over his tall, youthful form. The kid had a good set of muscles on him, and appeared intelligent enough. He was just around Pema's age, Shale figured, or a little bit younger. He felt a strange dichotomy between treating this boy as a child and wanting Pema as a woman; it didn't seem quite right.