Big Salmon Lake If you ask me to

Skillfully, Elwood pushed down on the ice with his paws. Cracks webbed out from the center of pressure, until -- with a delicious snap -- he broke through the surface and felt frigid water against his feet. He stepped back, surveying his handiwork, and was about to lean down and take his first sip when he heard a wolf vocalize behind him.

Since he was in unfamiliar territory, the Redhawk's first reaction was to stiffen. He stood up, swinging his head around to see who -- or what -- approached. The sounds had not been unfriendly and seemed to have more of a curious tone, so he did not immediately become defensive. Instead, he used his other senses to assess the situation: a she-wolf trotted towards him, with a slight build and a peculiar coat. Her fur was white, save for a copper hue on her ears and smudged below her eyes. She seemed inquisitive, and she smelled of other wolves -- though, having only acquainted himself with his own pack, Elwood failed to identify her as belonging to Blacktail Deer Plateau.

It was obvious that she meant him no harm, so he chuffed a nonverbal response, the sound hanging in the air like his breath; the cloud of steam curled over his head and then dissipated as he watched the girl draw nearer.