Meadowlark Prairie Wake up

3C°, currently it is clear and set during the day. Located in Kintla Flatlands, meadowlark prairie | ooc notes: set April 09 so she can wander a little more and finish up current threads! | tagging: @Emrik

With few eyes out to watch the fiery little girl, she wandered by following the water's edge, curious to see where it went. Away from Famine's teeth and constant nibbling, she wanted to see what more the world had than the dark and misty forest of home. Once coming out of the foggy dark forest of home, it took her eyes a moment to adjust to the new light. It was so bright out here her eyes squinted and took their time until all the vibrant colors began to flow into her brain.

It was all so pretty she thought! Continuing to follow the water's edge, a clever idea for someone who didn't know how to get back home and knew the importance of keeping to a trail, it was the sound of songbirds and new colors of spring that came with the prairie that drew her in, and away from the lake's edge. 

She had yet to realize just how lost she was and so far from home... for now, she enjoyed the birds and flowers.

With the pack thoroughly settled in at the River, Emrik ventured out on his own. Happy to find a little distraction from the cleaning that was underway to rehome Whitefish. He too had ventured farther than he truly realized, but the experienced scout would have no issues finding his way back home.

The vast prairie he had stumbled upon reminded him of the Plains Kaistleoki had recently left. With the snow melted, and the flower blooming this place looked a lot nicer than the boring Plains he was used to. The flowers were bright and vibrant, spring obviously in the air. With a smile, Emrik thought of bringing his mate a bundle of flowers, even though she would probably prefer herbs.

At first, he thought the bright streak of red to be a flower. Until out of the corner of his eye he caught movement. Curious the man turned with the tilt of his head, “Hello?” He called out cautiously.

Chasing after a pair of red birds, she thought they were lovely since they looked just like her! No one else in the pack had such vibrant colours like herself - at least none that she saw, Connie was captivated by the vibrant colours and felt the pull to follow until a voice caught her dead in her tracks.

Instinctively lowering herself into the grass, she hid from the unfamiliar voice, ears flat with wide eyes just peering over the grasses to see where and who it came from. Who were they? Were they here to hurt her too like everyone else? For now she kept quiet, thinking she was hidden in the grass even though with her peering out from the tips, she was visible as ever with the red contrasting the green grass.

The grass rustled, and swayed, the red disappearing beneath a sea of green. Confused by the slight stature of the creature, Emrik found himself unable to come up with an answer as to what it might be. His nose fell to the ground, but his eyes remained fixed in the direction of the movement. It smelt like a wolf? Of this size?

The red appeared again, just peeking out of the grass. A child! Duh. Emrik shook his head slightly at the obviousness. “Hello?” Be called again, taking a step toward the little red blob. “Hello? I’m not going to hurt you?” Not wanting to scare whoever it was, Emrik took a seat.

She was noticed! Even if she kept trying to keep her eyes above the grassline, little Connie couldn't help but keep her eyes on him. The stranger kept talking to her, and it was her alone he was speaking to! More words than anyone had directed to her within the month of her life - she was curious. Attention starved even. 

The young Nightwalker was still cautious about him, offering a little growl in response, the only thing she was remotely able to do other than some yips and growls. Words still evaded the fiery girl, lacking in anything to learn other than from her siblings and maybe the few who would come by to check on them. it was like their mother spoke to them often at all.

A growl immitted from the child, and Emrik couldn’t help but raise a brow. Probably a valid response to a stranger. Unsure of how to get it to understand him, Emrik slowly lowered himself lower, finally lying on the ground. There wasn’t much that such a young pup could do to serious hurt him, so he wasn’t particularly worried.

“I’m Emrik…ummm… do you have a name?” Given the slight stature, Emrik couldn’t tell if the child couldn’t yet speak or if they were simply avoiding speaking. So he kept talking, hoping it might coax the youngster out. “You know I have a nieces and nephews around your size.” Not that he had seen or met them but, but he imagined they had already been born considering how long he had been in the Wilds. Emrik kept his tone light, and conversational.

As he lowered to lay down the ground, still his body way bigger to the point where she can still easily see him from where she tried to hide. But she couldn't help it, rising just a little from the grasses, keeping her eyes on the stranger, she wanted to know what else he might be doing there. 

Rowomrk! Complete jibberish, maybe an attempt to parrot his name. Though she tried, she simply didn't have as much practice with words as everyone else, especially the puppies from the other litter that was present. She barked the words, tossing her head up almost in a howl as she spoke, the very few things she knew how to do as they came to a wolf instinctively. 

A sound caught her attention around, songbirds but she didn't register yet what they were. Flopping from one side to the other her tail moved, wanting to play, easily distracted and torn between the stranger or the birds.

He was surprised by her sudden little howl, and couldn't help but laugh a little. Obviously to young to speak, Emrik smiled brightly. "Just young thing aren't you." Emrik rose once again, nose twitching as he searched for a scent on the air, for some sign that she was accompanied by someone. He caught the sound of a song bird, somewhere to his left, and the girl turned toward it, head still only peaking over the tips of the grass. The tall grass when compared to a young sprite such as herself.

"Where are you're parents, there darlin'?" A slight drawl on the edge of his words, not so much speaking to her as he speaking to the wind. Hesitant to approach her further, given how protective parents could be of their young. "Are you all alone out here?" Again his attention was diverted, green and blue eyes darting around for some sign of an adult.

The songs of the birds were exquisite. Would she be able to sing like that one day? The sound of the larger male moving still caused her to twitch and stare at him with wide eyes, concerned with what he is doing but with her ears still tuned and turned to where the songs emanated from. 

Cocking her head to the side, she wondered... where was her mom? Where was she? How could she get home?! A sudden peak of panic and the little fireball turned around to see if she could see the path from where she came from, all she had to do was follow it back, right? 

Nothing.

Nothing looked familiar! The new angle was probably the culprit, but it all seemed too new to the young one's mind, not yet able to figure things out on her own just yet. Defeated, she softly shook her head 'no' while turning her attention back onto the stranger... was he her only chance now?

It seemed to dawn on the youngster that she was alone, and lost. As she peered back at him, Emrik frowned softly, eyes crinkling. He couldn’t leave her here. Glancing up at the sky, gauging the light remaining. It would be dark soon. Night was no time for a young pup to be all on her own. Sighing slightly, he came to a decision. If she would go along with it. Smiling his kindest smile, and hopefully sounding optimistic, Emrik returned his gaze on the girl. “How about you come with me for now, and we can find your parents tomorrow?” It was the only compromise he could think of. Surely someone would come looking for her.

Ears flat and maw slightly hanging open, she was at a loss of what to do. He didn't attack her yet... even as he was approaching, she was ready to flee but he didn't touch her. Instead, he offered her to come with him and that they could look for home tomorrow. With a tentative nod, she approached his leg and prepared to follow him wherever they would go... it wasn't like she had much of a choice. The world was so big and it was getting dark... she was growing scared of the unknown. 

She only hoped they wouldn't go far... she was getting tired come to think of it. 

We can fade here if you want!! Assume they left to KO :P