Grouse Thicket I’m a chimpanzee

Wandering this way, Mal had given himself enough time to think. If he met anyone this direction, he wasn't gonna trust them; wasn't worth the risk, and he could always apologize at some later time if he had to. As it were right now, he wasn't close enough to tell the woman's pack from her scent anyway -- and wasn't going to let her close enough to get his own scent unless she really seemed trustworthy. Mal had no problem twisting the truth to keep himself safe. Half his life had been pretending he was happy for the benefit of everyone else. This wasn't a stretch for his abilities -- there was no hesitation, no fear.

His frustration at the world crafted a very different creature than the one he'd be at home -- more reminiscent to him when he was younger, his tone just a little sharp, maybe a little impatient and antsy from the way his weight swayed from foot to foot now that he'd stopped, his brow kind of furrowed, Ciaran. He peered at her a bit more inquisitively, that seemed maybe a little hopeful but not a ton, You got--- he cut off as the black wolf appear and didn't introduce herself -- shook his head, and picked up a thought again. You got a friend too, huh? But I was gonna say -- you got a little sister or maybe a cousin or somethin' around here? I was supposed to meet this chick like a forest ago, kinda looks like you, and she didn't show -- I don't like bein' ditched, y'see. Was thinkin' maybe I went too far, but... Shrug, he let it fall there with the implication of 'maybe not, if she knew the girl he was looking for.' It was mostly just modified truths -- the only 100% lie was his name.