The Heartwood setting fires to keep you warm

The woodland, seemingly devoid of life, was hauntingly quiet. The familiar rustle of small creatures creeping amongst the leaflitter and the singsong calls of tiny birds which normally bounced around the treetop branches had been stripped, along with much of the lush green vegetation, when the fire had raged through the territory. The only sound that remained was that of the wind, whistling eerily through the branches of the blackened trees, along with the gentle bubbling of the stream which Draven now lapped at.

Eventually though, another sound caused his dark ears to prick suddenly. The sound of approaching footfall could be heard, though the haze of fog made it difficult for the young male to spot who was closing in on him. Lifting his lips from the water, he raised his nose to the air and inhaled deeply, catching the scent of another wolf on the wind. Unsure of the strangers intentions, Draven squared his feet defensively and scanned the fog for movement.

A flash of ginger fur caught his attention first. Silver eyes narrowed on it, suspicious for a moment, before the female's cheerful greeting reached his ears and immediately put him at ease. Draven's posture relaxed and he returned her friendly gesture with a neutral sway of his own tail and a polite smile. He tilted his head slightly at her suggestion. "Not so much, now that you're here." A single corner of his charcoal lips curled upwards just a little bit, hinting at his boyish thoughts as he eyed her. "What's your name?" He asked boldly, relaxing down to sit with his forepaws resting at the very edge of the stream which seperated them for now.