Bearclaw Valley cursed to hold a weight you cannot bare

Ashlar looked down when Gannet introduced him but made no move to add anything.  The youth was never sure what to say to strangers.  Hello was a good place to start, sure, but then what?

He felt his mouth go dry and raised his eyes timidly.  The other wolf cut a hugely imposing figure and seemed extremely sure of himself here.  Despite their approximate ages, he felt distinctly insufficient by comparison.  He didn't feel bad about that; Ashlar was just quietly fascinated as he peered subtly at Newt.  He hadn't had a friend his age really since the Hollow.