Swiftcurrent Creek the absence ceases

The timid sound of water splashing sounded behind Falwasi. She craned her neck to see the wolf that lapped up water from the creek's clear and rumbling waters. He was male, robust and greyscale, and for a moment Falwasi thought it was Shadow. She was too quick for her hackles to rise, though. A wave of relief washed over her as her almond eyes trailed over the wolf. It wasn't Shadow. This male was darker, and had a deep scar running across his shoulder.

"Hello," she greeted, dripping her golden crown as she advanced closer to him, keeping a polite distance away. "You must be one of the Creek's new members." Maybe he wasn't new; Falwasi hadn't met any new wolves in a while, but it depended on how long a wolf saw 'new' as. She was trying to reach out, and making conversation felt slightly awkward in her mouth, but she didn't think the other wolves noticed. She was good at acting when she wanted to.