Totoka River Even though I know, I suppose I'll show all my cool and cold

He saw the stranger before the stranger saw him, and Acheron paused to look at him with open curiosity. He wondered who he was talking to, even going as far to scan the area around them just to make sure he hadn't missed another wolf close by. But there was no one but the two of them, his companion still too far away for him to notice just yet. Then the man looked at him with a smile, still speaking his strange words.

When he stopped muttering, it was to offer him a one word greeting. The freckled boy didn't notice any hint of aggression in the other wolf, so he took a few steps towards him and dipped his head. Evening, he offered in return. Who were you talking to? It was asked with curiosity only—no judgement or wariness.