my old aches

Heheh sorry Jinx is being so awkward. >_> I thought it'd be fun to play a wolf that doesn't talk a lot, but it's harder than I thought!

In short order, the pair of Horizon Ridge subordinates had collected a fair little pile of bark, in all sizes imaginable, from narrowly splintered chips to dinner plate sized swathes. Kisu was the first to identify that the amount was sufficient, and stepping back to observe it, Jinx had to agree. These would be stored publicly, for all wolves of the pack to use if they wished, though they would be heavily marked with her scent — and Kisu's, if he chose to make certain no pack member poisoned themselves with the bark, though it certainly wasn't required of him, as he had assisted her already — as a warning that she should be consulted first.

She would not be responsible for the death of a pack mate if she could help it.

As she bent her head to pick up as much of the bark as she could carry, she cast Kisu a familiar glance that said, thank you kindly. More than that, however, for while Jinx's mind had been thrown into chaotic disorder, there was still a part of her that sought kindred wolves, and she had decided he was one of them. Having fit as much as she could in her mouth, with her tongue carefully lowered to prevent her swallowing, she bumped him amiably as she passed, as if to say, excellent work, partner. We will do as you say now.

Despite the initial impression of Kisu as a less-than-ideal pack wolf who wouldn't engage in simple ritual, Jinx took a shine to him. There was much she could teach these coastal residents, and perhaps he would be willing to learn. Not of Sos, maybe — her days of sharing his attention were behind her — but of other things: the way to sicken an enemy's blood, or to hide one's scent and identity, or to lace meat with poison to bait and harm a lurking cougar.

When their paws met sand at last, Jinx dropped her bundle of bark upon the strand and made for the ocean, waving her tail in friendly invitation for Kisu to join her. Ordinarily, she would not approach the ocean, but she knew the importance of clearing the tannic acid from her tongue before eating or swallowing, and had no qualms. Perhaps he would join her for a friendly romp in the salt waters before they went to visit with their Alpha, as Kisu had suggested.