Big Salmon Lake Endless phone calls and dreaming about you

It was unusual for Eljay to leave the pack. The only time he had in recent times was when he'd visited Ruenna to save her the trip, and he had hated it. Today the only reason that he left the pack at all was to gather some willow bark from the edges of Lake Rodney. It was the territory he knew the best, because it was in between Brecheliant and Redhawk Caldera, and because it was his go-to territory to try and go outside Redhawk Caldera when he was younger.

He stayed mostly on his side of the lake. Eljay startled when he saw a familiar figure in the distance, and stood and watched her for some time. Then it hit him — it was Fennec. They hadn't talked since Eljay had left Redhawk Caldera. He'd only heard stories of things she'd done — such as attack one of his wolves, albeit in accident — but he had no idea what her life was like, or how she was doing.

After a moment of hesitation Eljay decided to head over to her and postpone his willow bark hunt. When he came closer he noticed that she, too, was gathering bark, and could not help but smile. She'd learned well, and he was glad to see that she was still practising as a caretaker. Hey Fennec, long time no see, he called out to her as he approached, his words soft and welcoming even though his heart felt wary — how would she respond to meeting him again after this long?