Otatso Wetlands Moonjock

If Tuwawi had any reservations about sharing her plans with outsiders, she certainly didn’t show it. Malachi found himself surprised at her willingness to divulge her recent history with him, but he accepted her words with keen ears. Her predicament sounded more curious than complicated. He lifted his eyes Northward, meeting nothing but forest, and wondered what had prompted Tuwawi to make such a drastic move. Prey appeared to run well in these parts, and he’d had no altercations with hostile wolves while travelling across the land. Perhaps the pack had faced internal problems, but surely no problem could be great enough to entail the move of an entire family from the pack's home base. His musing struck a longing within him for his own family in the North and an unwelcome memory of the circumstances that had prompted his own departure.

Tuwawi’s laugh broke Malachi from his thoughts and he returned her chuckle with a slow smile. He'd missed her prior remark and felt a slight burning in his cheeks when she padded closer, realizing she expected an answer to a question he hadn’t heard. To his relief she prompted him again. Malachi flicked his gaze skyward to observe the quickening dawn before turning his attention back on Tuwawi, careful now to keep his gaze sidelong. ”I’ve wandered for many months, and am bound to do so for many more. I hope to find a permanent home before winter comes, but until then I will continue to move.” He smiled, despite his desire to frown, and hoped to keep his expression steady. He took no pleasure in the calmness of his voice, but welcomed it nonetheless. ”It is difficult. The packs here are much different from the one I left behind.” He fell silent for a moment, then shook his head of the memories that flooded his mind before looking at Tuwawi again. "How big is your family, Tuwawi? Will the move be hard for you?"