Herbalists' Cache Over grass and over stone

note: takes place before the aries thread in keen's personal timeline. tag for reference!

She usually tries not to stray too far from @Derg on their outings, partially from fear of getting lost again and partially because she enjoys his company. But that doesn't mean she doesn't like to wander a bit — which is what she's doing right now, though she keeps within calling distance of her companion. She'd been lured from his side by a strange scent, fresher than most she encounters on their trips, and now she follows the trail intently. It's been awhile since she's met a stranger; she'd promised herself that she would get better at it, though, and that requires practice, right?
She takes in a slow breath as the scent grows stronger, attempting to calm her rapidly-fraying nerves as the other wolf comes into sight; a pale boy, younger than she'd expected — somewhere around her age, actually. The knowledge settles her a little, and she halts with several yards still separating them, forcing her tail into a friendly swish. Her first attempt at a greeting falters, face flushing with heat, and she almost considers fleeing — but she has to figure this out. She can't be afraid of strangers forever. H-hello! She calls after a beat, trying to seem friendly. Her voice sounds too uncertain for her liking, but she tries to focus on the victory of managing to speak at all — maybe it'll get easier from here.