Sunspire Mountains seven sleeps

She was pretty sure that seven sleeps had passed. And still, with no sign of Valette, the girl had grown restless. Until, finally deciding that she ought to go see if Valette was coming, and perhaps meet her on the way, she had carefully unearthed the mouse she had been keeping extra special just for Valette,  and without telling a soul setting from the borders in the same (ish) direction she had followed Valette days ago. 

She had grown hungry after such a long while of travel, yet didn't even consider eating her gift for Valette. She simply continued on, that is, until she came to the base of a rather imposing mountain.  When the slopes required effort to climb did she stop with an exasperated huff, berating the existence of stupid, tall mountains.

It had become increasingly clear that his new home was lacking when it came to capable bodies that were able to provide during the winter. And while Hadraniel had never been one to back away from a challenge, he did find it unsettling that a newcomer like himself would be forced to do most of the heavy lifting. But he would not complain, at least not aloud that was. He was still very grateful for the opportunity Asterr had given him but he was an asshole after all and wanted some of the weight taken off his shoulders. 

He figured the best way to take some of the work off of him was to simply recruit new members, plus he assumed it would get him some extra brownie points while he was at it. So he set off and began to scope out the surrounding territories in hopes that someone would eventually come around and follow him back home. Though it appeared the one time he was actually searching for someone was the one time he couldn't find anyone. Just his luck.

With an over exaggerated sigh, Hadraniel accepted defeat and began his climb back up to the hollow mountain he called home. He wasn't expecting to run into anyone now, especially not a kid, so when he caught sight of the young girl it atomically brought up his spirits. He was nervous to approach and made sure to check she was not accompanied by an adult before he decided to slink forward with a toothy grin. "You lost?"

She noticed the other rather late, and though she watched him at first with some unease, it vanished the moment the male offered a grin. This, she knew, must be a friendly wolf, though her experience with outsides was severely lacking. "Hi!" She greeted with a wiggle, excited to meet another. To his question, she shook her head, dropping the mouse so that she ,any speak clearly. 

"I'm going to find Valette. Seven sleeps are done and she still gone." She informed the male matter of factly, sure that he ought to know who Valette was. She was the best hunter she knew, and even if the male was not one of her pack mates he ought to have heard of her awesome deer-killing ability, naturally.

Hadraniel was a bit surprised to see how outgoing she was towards a complete stranger, but he took the opportunity to approach a little closer before stopping just a few feet before her. "Hey" he greeted back with a swish of his tail and found himself interested in the rest of what she had to say. "Valette? Is that you mom?" He asked with a slight tilt of his head. Perhaps it was her sister?

Whoever this mysterious person was, they were obviously important to the kid but the sandy male had never heard of them. He leaned forward to try and get a better whiff of her scent and eventually came to the conclusion that she was from a pack, but which pack he did not know.

The pale girl nodded, adding a quick "yeah" He leaned forward, and of half a mind that he was going to steal Valette's special mouse, she placed a paw over it protectively. He seemed only to scent her, however, and she soon relaxed.

Deciding that the stranger ought to know more about Valette, she paused a moment, then delivered a single sentence in a rush. "Amber was fat but now she has pups and Valette went tell someone but she's late" she breathed, her brow furrowed slightly. Gesturing vaguely with her muzzle to the mountain range before her, she added. "She went that way" and now, so was she. Without telling anyone, in the midst of winter.

Post #100!

He hadn't noticed the mouse until she placed a paw over it, but even if he had he wouldn't have tried to take it. He was about to ask who the tiny creature was for but instead he received an earful about someone named Amber and something about pups. It was all rather mushed together and difficulty take in, but he did get the last part about this Valette being late. "Do you know who she went to tell?" He figured that was some important information to know. 

Hadraniel knew the chances of the girl running into her mother were slim, especially with snow covering the tracks and scents of anyone who traveled. He didn't want to leave her out here alone, nor did he wish to take her back to her home either. "I hate to break it to you, but you probably won't find your mom anytime soon just by wandering in the direction she went" he let out rather bluntly. If she denied this and continued on there wouldn't be much he could do to stop her, but Hadraniel feared death was almost inevitable if that was the decision she made.

yay!! Congrats! :D

her brow furrowed, but a moment later she recalled the information. "Amber's old pack." She recited, remembering the conversation that had seemed to take place so long ago...the last time she had seen her mentor. 

His words had her shift her weight a little sheepishly. She did suppose that he was right...the last time she had followed Valette it had been more like stalking, but the girl hardly knew were her mentor could be. And the wilds were big. The thought of turning around and heading in the general direction of home crossed her mind... "But...what if she got lost? Or...or fell in a river?" She asked with a touch of fear, recalling her own I'll-fated plunge. "Or fell down a mountain or got stuck somewhere?" She added in a rush, gaze widening slightly at these prospects. She felt a little queasy, and she looked to the male with concern. She missed her mother dearly, and the thoughts of bad things happening to her was simply horrible.

The information he received wasn't much help considering he had no idea who Amber was, but at least he learned that this Valette had been on her way to a pack. He took a moment to think of the packs he knew that could be close to the area where the girl's mom was heading, but only The Malkaria came to mind and that was the last place he wished to be. 

Before he knew it she was spewing terrible situations which made him think her to be quiet the pessimist. "Those are worst case scenarios. Besides, if any of those things happened then chances are she's probably..." he was going to say dead, but paused for a moment to consider the effect it could have on the girl. While Hadraniel would have no problem with his mom dropping dead, he had to remember that not everyone had the shitty parents he did. "...she's probably resting, which is why it's taking her so long to return." It wasn't the best cover, but he supposed it would do.

He looked over the girl and noticed how she seemed to be worn out herself. "You should rest too. It won't do anyone any good if you tire yourself out and get sick or something" he pointed out while glancing up to the sky.

resting? perhaps she was, thought Keoni, and this whole venture rather foolish. but what...what if she had taken another route, and was home at this very moment? her brow furrowed at the possibility a moment, and she realised the male to be making quite a bit of sense, and her actions to be rather foolish. looking to him quickly, she said after a brief hesitation. "I gotta go home,"   she muttered, glancing behind her, and paws itching to start the short journey back already. The male had convinced her that it would be foolish to go on, and staying out here all alone would be a rather poor idea. She uttered a hasty goodbye then, turning and trotting back the way she came, eager to return home quite suddenly.