Journey

Eeee so happy you joined :} Ptar spoke aloud, right?

A few beads dribbled down Tuwawi's chin as she stood with her legs half submerged within the idle brook. Ahhh, the water feels so good, she thought as forest birds flitted nosily about the higher canopies, chattering about a firewolf in their presence. Though their whirling songs warned smaller prey of the predator's threat, Tuwawi could not help be reflect that it was a good omen. It meant this part of the grand forest thrived.

The summer weather made travel easy but, if not for the burning sun, the Sveijarn's pace would slow until the heat of the afternoon passed in favor of cool night time air. She crossed the pebbled creek, and took a few steps before the familiar shuffle of canine paws ensnared her full attention. Ruddy ears orbited to target her company, steely gaze eventually landing on a charcoal smudge against the verdant wilds. A small female hovered nearby, leek-green eyes bold against their dim canvas. Who was this wolf?

At first, her vermilion hairs began to raise due to her company's unexpected presence. However, any posturing was quickly subdued when Tuwawi reminded herself she was outside Swiftcurrent's borders... someplace she hadn't been in a very, very long time. Was there an unknown pack to the North? Or was this a rogue? From this distance, Tuwawi could not decipher any familiar scents.

Her tongue rolled across a ragged lip, pondering quietly. 'You leaving too?' the destry queried. "Too?" Tuwawi parroted almost immediately... trying to make sense of what the other asked, only to realize she had not prepared an explanation should an encounter like this come to pass. A brief pause hinted at uncertainty, should her guest be perceptive enough to realize it. "Scouting the North," she lied, not yet willing to divulge her true objective should it lead her into trouble... or worse, invite danger onto Swiftcurrent.

If it were any other mission, the singular answer would have been enough to satiate etiquette. However, these empty woods reminded Tuwawi of her situation. The Sveijarn couple wanted to leave, but had four one month old children in tow, no followers, and hardly any friends with loyalties. It couldn't hurt to make small talk, could it? "Why're you leaving?" she asked, turning 'round to close the distance between fire and coal.