Moonspear blinking in the starlight

The howl had announced that there was someone new of Katmai to meet. He was eager, of course, always ready to make new friends and hear new stories, but part of him was beginning to worry.

When he'd first proposed claiming a territory to Kinusi, he'd pictured it as just them, plus some kids of unknown origins. Kindle had been a fine addition, and of course, Katmai couldn't imagine starting this without Treepie, at this point — but there were many others, now. Tikaani, Alaric, Cosmo, Haedwig... He didn't know any of them very well, and despite being open to each one individually, it was daunting to have them all in the village he'd hoped to claim for himself.

With such thoughts on his mind, he wasn't exactly looking where he was going. Just in the direction, generally, of where he'd heard the call. Before he knew it, he'd almost run into said stranger.

And, despite his devotion to Kinusi, Katmai had to stop and stare. The stranger was quite striking, even if she was a bit on the small side. He blinked at her, shaking himself from his brief stupor.

"Welcome to Dawnspear," he said, taking in Kindle's scent on her pelt. "Forgive me — are you hoping to join our village? Or did you need something else?"

He was not exactly sure why he'd been called, or why Kindle wasn't accompanying her with an explanation ready.