Phoenix Maplewood Don't ever doubt this

Hunger licked at her belly, and Shockwave sought sustenance. Hunting, while fruitful, took more energy than she could spare right now, so she was forced to turn to another source of food. This forest was rich with berries, and gingerly, she began to pick them off the bushes, chomping them down and swallowing as quickly as she could. The taste was not bad—she had eaten them before—but it was nothing compared to the warm, juicy meat of a fresh kill. Nevertheless, it would supplement her diet and keep her going until she joined with others.

Finding her place in a pack was her top priority, but so far, she had come across nothing. This area seemed devoid of anything stable, and stability was what she required. Once Shock had her fair share of berries, she settled down onto her belly to digest. Her muzzle was streaked with stains from her meal, although she could not detect that herself.

she's never been this far north, and she's aptly aware that she'd told Rowan and her mother that she'd only been going on a hunting mission. despite her love for them, it's been a while since she's been able to settle for long, and she's confident they know this, too, and won't worry. 

it was cold, snow settled thickly this far north. more came from above, and soon enough she bore a thin shadow of ice and melting white. 

she stumbles across the female rather suddenly, pausing a short distance away. "what's on your face?" slips from her muzzle before she can stop it; amidst the monochrome of the land all around them, the blues and purples smeared across her muzzle grab the girl's attention.

Another wolf appeared, and Shock instinctively stood up and froze, her vivid orange eyes locked on the target. She had not expected company; she should have been more alert to her surroundings. Chiding herself in her thoughts, she looked at the stranger inquisitively. She must have been about the same age as Shock's own children, judging by her build alone. Shock blinked, realizing she hadn't answered the question. Unable to voice a reply, she moved over to one of the nearby bushes, keeping a watchful eye in case the younger wolf decided this was an unlikeable act.

Shock took hold of a low-hanging berry bunch and chomped down on it, chewing and swallowing until the whole thing was consumed. Hoping that would answer the question, she looked back at the juvenile, licking her lips and letting her tail rest neutrally.

the woman doesn't answer, at least not verbally. instead, she rises, striking orange eyes meeting her own and containing a fair amount of wariness, which moony seeks to negate with lowered muzzle and wagging tail. eventually, she shifts, and the girl assumes for a moment that she's leaving. 

but she moves to one of the bushes instead, pulling the berries that grow there into her maw. "you can eat those?" she asks, surprised, but doesn't wait for an answer. already she's moving to the nearest bush, nosing for the somewhat deflated berries and carefully pulling them into her maw, chewing on them with furrowed brow and slightly alarmed expression at the foreign taste.

Shock nodded to the girl's question. The fruit was very unlike meat, but it did the job well enough. It allowed her to go longer in between hunting ventures, which was especially good in times like these. She knew that she would need to eat meat again soon. Surviving without it was like surviving without the sun. It might be possible for awhile, but eventually it would wear anybody down. The white mute wondered if this other wolf could hunt with her, but asking would be too difficult. Coordinating such a thing with no voice was a helluva task, even when she was very familiar with her pack mates.

Since that was out of the question, Shock settled on her hindquarters, her attention on the other wolf to see what she might suggest next. Or perhaps she would simply decide to be on her way, and Shock would once again be left to her own devices.

she may not be talkative in the least, but she'd good enough company at the moment. moony swallows the berries, finally, in no hurry to eat any more but understanding their use. if she was unable to find any real food, they'd be a good enough substitute. 

she moves to nose at another bush, glancing back at the woman. "can you talk?" she's curious if her silence is intentional, or forced. she's not known another wolf to be so silent before, and it intrigues her.

There was the question she'd been awaiting. It was an easy one to answer, especially since it was a simple shake of the head. Back and forth her noggin went while her tail beat against the ground. She'd never been able to make more than a raspy sound, though nobody seemed to know why. When her siblings had started howling, whining, and grunting, Shock had remained silent, though not for lack of trying. Her mouth opened, air came out, but she couldn't make a peep.

She wondered what this strange wolf would think of it all. Perhaps she would leave her, or perhaps she would invite her along on some quest. Either scenario would have been fine with Shockwave.