Ocean's Breath Plateau Mystery

Skydance still felt very uncertain about what her future was going to hold.  Nothing seemed like it was working out.  She was just... Here.  She'd spent some time on the plateau, taking advantage of the small prey to make sure she was well enough fed that she'd be able to continue her travels.  In fact, that's what she was doing now.

The pallid figure was settled on the thin layer of snow, working her way through a rabbit she'd caught in the last half-hour.  There wasn't going to be much left by the time she was done -- maybe some tufts of fur and a spatter of blood.  This was the time of year and the type of situation where everything would be used.  But how long could she go on?  Her now thick coat of fur hid the fact she was pretty slim -- not yet dangerously so, but time would eat at her, as it always did.

though his travels occasionally bring him inland, he spends a great deal of time along the coast; the sight and sound of the ocean reminds him of something long forgotten, though he can't quite remember it. all he knows for certain is that his chest aches in a strange way when he's looking at the sea. the same way it aches when he looks at the moon and stars, or when he looks at another of his kind and knows he can never say a word to them. the feeling is addicting in a twisted way.
he's wandering the plateau today, straining to hear what he thinks is the faintest hint of music on the breeze. it's been rather silent since that day in the ruined forest, where he'd run into zamael — but he can almost hear it now. he's so distracted, he almost misses the presence of the pale sylph in the snow. but he does notice her, only a short distance off by the time he glances her direction. he pauses, hesitating as he notices the rabbit, and chuffs softly. he's in no mood for a misunderstanding, but he wouldn't mind company.

She'd paused as soon as she noticed him, wondering if this dude was coming to steal what was hers (perhaps being on her own had made her a little properly wary), but he didn't seem to be making a move to do so.  Surely if he had ill intentions, he would have tried to bum rush her, right?  Still, Skydance was ready to grab it and run if it came to that, but when he finally acknowledged her, he seemed to be civil about it all.  Good.

If he was going to be polite, then  she certainly could as well.  She dipped her head, calm smile on her lips.  Given the presence of food, she didn't want to seem too inviting, but eh.. Maybe she should just comment on it, yeah.  That would be smart.  It wasn't worth his trouble, just let her keep it.  Hope you're not wanting to share, I don't think there's really much left.  She looked down at the remains between her paws for a moment, tilting her head.  All the good meaty bits were pretty much gone.  Sure, there was still some left, but it was harder to get at, plus there were plenty of bones to crunch to reach for the marrow.  Ugh, what she'd said sounded so dumb.  Maybe she was spending too much time on her own so she'd forgotten how to be all awesome at talking.  That should come back in time though, right?

the woman's response is collected, friendly. he releases a quiet breath, relieved, and settles back on his haunches as she begins to speak. her words draw a faint, amused smile to his features. he shakes his head, tail beating gently against the ground as his eyes follow hers to the bloodied remains of the rabbit. his gaze only lingers there a moment before he glances toward the sound of the crashing waves, then back to the stranger. he studies her with ears pulled forward and curiosity lighting his expression, head tilting slightly to the side as if to ask a question. he's learned by now that if he looks friendly and interested enough, eventually others will get the idea that he couldn't talk even if he wanted to.

She leaned down and nibbled a bit more on the rabbit then, not really stuffing her face, but sort of expecting there would be some sort of conversation then, and she wasn't just going to sit there with her prey unbeaten.

It took her a bit to figure out that he wasn't going to say anything. Maybe he was just quiet? Or did he just not talk in general? She knew some people took vows of silence for whatever reason sometimes -- usually something to prove how amazing and determined they were or whatever.  It wasn't really her thing.  Hm. I'm Skydance.  I've been wandering around trying to figure out if I should spend the winter here.  Not sure though, I must be going about things all the wrong way I suppose.  Shrug.  If she didn't find something soon, she'd have to just move on.

silence settles between them for a time as the woman continues her meal, so he averts his gaze. he's content to watch the scenery as she eats, tail still beating lazily against the snow-dusted earth as he gazes round. winter's approach has cast a greyness over the land, a dreary haze of cold and quiet that chills deep into the bones, yet he finds he almost prefers it. there is a certain elegance unique to winter, he thinks — but before he can think any more of it, his thoughts are interrupted as the pale wolf abruptly introduces herself. he glances to her with ears perked, listening intently as she speaks. skydance — it's possibly the loveliest name he's ever heard, and he wishes he could tell her as much. instead his tail beats a little faster and he flicks an ear in acknowledgement, gaze sympathetic and inviting. he can only hope she doesn't find the one-sided conversation too off-putting.

How was she supposed to carry on an one sided conversation like this?  Sure she'd been trained to be good at chatting away and being all diplomatic and whatnot, but it hadn't covered this.  It just seemed a little awkward.  If you've been around here a while, is there anywhere you think I should go check out?  Okay, if he really couldn't talk, he couldn't be very specific, but at the very least maybe it'd be some guidance.  It wouldn't stop him from pointing or anything.  Skydance could use a little luck with finding something better, at least.  She really did think that if she didn't find something appealing soon she was just going head on to different pastures.  Winter would be long, and she wasn't sure she wanted to spend the whole thing on her own.