Kintla Flatlands Manifest destiny

Where she caught wind of a hare, Aningan’s nose was far too preoccupied with the various scents of the land itself; he wasn’t one to travel, knowing that he belonged close to home, although the thought of it was enticing. He wanted to follow every breeze that drifted by, ruffling his coat as it coaxed him in a direction away from home; a slow shake of his head and redirection of his gaze were all that was needed to recollect himself, a reminder that he belonged at the plateau. But belonging there didn’t mean he must remain within the confines of the territory for the rest of his life—in fact, he strongly believed that living there gave him even more reason to get to know the area. How else could he expect to lead his pack, when he knew little of land away from the coast?

Another gust of wind carried with it the sound of a chuff, a voice he did not recognised and, when he turned, a face unlike any he’d seen before; torn into a permanent smile, he could not help but stare at first. The sudden realisation that he’d yet to look away made him briefly avert his gaze, however, he was soon watching her again as he trotted in her direction.

“Salutitsinik,” he called out whilst approaching, tail swishing amicably. “Do you need help?” Assistance of some kind, possibly directions, he assumed; he did not know her and figured that, because of their lack of familiarity, her only reason for flagging him down might be to ask something. That he was not the first Apaata to be met by her, he hadn’t the slightest of clues.