Neverwinter Forest please, let him be soft

@Mal

the morning sky is bright despite the patches of light snowfall that have begun to fall sometime before sunrise. time has become a strange construct for newt that no longer matters. the sun warms his back as he picks a random direction and begins to wander; steps slowing with caution as the scent of a pack border begins to grow stronger with each step forward he takes. there is something that nags at the back of his mind as he draws nearer; something beyond the instinctual warning away.

something that sparks something akin to familiarity but he's never been anywhere near these territories before.

atausiq ...one of four children in his litter. one. another traveler; ghosting through. one. another wayward soul; not sure what it is he is searching for. one. another running from confrontation.

a stab of guilt runs thru him as he, temporarily — or perhaps permanently for he doesn't know where this uncertain path he's taken will lead him — sheds 'newt'. while he doubts anyone will recognize him by name he isn't willing to take the chance. though he's ran away from home due to the civil unrest he interprets as brewing within the once safety of home and his own self, he still seeks to protect them.

steps stop when he's still a respectful distance away from the borders; curiosity piqued. he shifts his weight, deliberating for a moment before on a sudden spontaneous whim, lifts his head and lets out a howl, announcing his presence to whomever was nearest.