Neverwinter Forest they say truth is the first causality of war

the morning is misty when rusalka rises from bed with a kiss to @Solveig's cheek and a soft murmur to the shell of her ear that he was going to take a small trip to neverwinter forest to check on the herds.

though it was aching in a way that feels palpable to part from her, even for half a day, he keeps to his word and slips out of raventhorpe's borders; following the woodsy, musk of the deer.

it's easy enough to follow their trail, shrugging into neverwinter forest. the scent of a pack to the east catches his attention and causes the fur at his nape to bristle; but for now he ignores it. he was better suited to making nice with new neighbors when he wasn't easily riled; and right now testosterone was playing havoc with his logical thinking skills.

he keeps to the western side of the forest, following a branch off in the herd's scent; steps steady but at ease. he did not pursue to hunt today, only to observe.

hope you don't mind :>

it happened rather often, her paws straying from ouroboros spine. galana still satiated her need to move, insistent on at least carrying back some small animal between her jaws; something to show for her days or rather nights away. her body recovered at a consistent pace within moonglow. now, the nomadic traits only flickered hotter within her.

the ruddy figure kept her nose low to the ground and paced alongside the western edge of the forest to catch what the wind might send her way. the fur along her spine prickled when the breeze carried the scent of a stranger her way. closer than she might have originally thought, galana had never seen a wolf so big. complicated mixes of colors: reds, blues and black, cream all decorated his fur, it was the only other detail the girl could denote as she squinted his direction.

despite the raise of her ears his way, she only lowered further. had he seen her, was this man aware of his fiery shadow?

though rusalka is not immediately aware of her, his pace continuing on until the wind direction shifts. it is slight but enough to carry with it her scent and the scent of the prize she carries to the könungr. rusalka's steps slow to a stop and his body turns in her direction, golden gaze searching.

searching, searching, searching ...

until it lands upon her; the color of a vicious sunset, fire kissed. the shadows had worked slightly to her advantage but her brilliant coloration did not blend in well with the earthy browns and leafy greens.

a soft chuff of greeting is given, his plans to observe the herd temporarily paused.

a greeting was offered her direction, hostility seeming void from the interaction so far. galana straightened herself out and cleared her throat. she wasn't sure she could recover from the embarrassment of the diffidence she'd previously displayed, he'd definitely seen it.

❝hello.❞ the girl returned, taking a few steps towards the man to ease the awkward distance.

he smelled different that those of moonspear or moontide, which confused her idea of them being the nearest inhabitants of the area.

rusalka watches as the girl comes forward, shrugging off the soft shadows that had tried and failed to cling to her. she reminds him of his children with a soft pang to his chest; though unlike granite she carried the scent of pack upon her which eases the worst of rusalka's paternal concerns.

hello, he greets back. i'm rusalka cairn, from ravensthorpe. he thinks he recognizes the scent she carries from the large hunt but that had been a blur that he could barely recount.

a small pause is given before the cairn patriarch inquires, gesturing to the prize she'd left tucked behind. out here hunting, too?

oh, he was even scarier to her up close. nonetheless, she offered the slightest smile she could manage as he spoke. he seemed kind enough, speaking to her with a gentleness it seemed. 

❝galana, i'm from moonglow.❞ the girl steadied her breath and attempted to the same with her worries.

she glanced behind her at his question, pausing for a moment until she looked back to him.

❝trying to at least.❞ larger game was out of the question for her size and build at the moment.

perhaps she would grow from it?

❝ravensthorpe, where is that?❞ she hoped it was an appropriate question. 

she simply wondered how far he’d roamed as well. could others feel as she did?

galana from moonglow.

a soft noise leaves him; plenty of small game 'round here, enough to tide her over, or help fill the caches ... though if she was out here and not in moonglow's claim, rusalka wonders if she intended her catch for her home.

either way, it wasn't his business, so he doesn't ask.

just be careful goin' home, he advises, the father in him too strong to not say something. i've been tracking a nearby herd. don't wanna spook them. a stampeding herd, small as it was, was enough to break bones. kill, even. and the thought, though he doesn't know her beyond her name, makes him sick.

his fatherly instincts do not end at just his own children.

she inquires about ravensthorpe's location and rusalka inclines back upon his haunches. not too far, he begins. it's just a little north of here. we claim the blacktail deer plateau. he tells her, gesturing in it's direction with his muzzle.

she was reminded of home and that she would return there. her body- expression reflected how the concept pressed on her.

galana recovered instantly, ears tilting forward even more so at his mention of the native herd. her interest was piqued, tail stirring the foliage as questions were waiting at her tongue.

❝can you take one of those things down by yourself?❞ surely he could, with his size?

naivety would only be eased with answers. raventhorpe and its whereabouts were tuned out as she gave a sweeping gaze around her. a herd big enough to frighten one with a stampede. she couldn't decide it if it excited or scared her.

rusalka catches the expression in her body language when he talks of her home, not bringing it up for anything more than to encourage her to get back safely, but the patriarch does not mention it as she corrects it instantly. they were still strangers, and it wasn't his place to pry into business that wasn't his.

a soft chuckle leaves rusalka's lips as she asks her question. a fawn sure, rusalka says, but his words are hesitant. but unless something happens to the herd or their mother, i wouldn't chance it on my own. as for an adult, no. it's a team effort. even with two it'd be easier but still posed more risks than rusalka was willing to take these days.

so sorry for the late reply, was PCS ing (moving) so had a pretty crazy few days :,)

her face wrinkled in thought. he was a behemoth of a wolf sure, but she imagined he had reasons for not taking risks.

❝well i guess that makes sense.❞ galana awkwardly smiled and downcast her eyes, flitting them back up to him rather quickly. ❝how many is considered a- team effort?❞

she is a curious child, and from her questions, one that rusalka thinks hasn't spent a lot of time in a pack setting. as much of the pack as possible, but that was his opinion on the matter. perhaps other wolves were more confident, more reckless. he had a lot more to consider than just his pride these days. has, for quite some time.

the cubs watch from a safe distance away, usually with a sitter or two to keep an eye on them. those able to hunt would ideally be split into two teams: one that gives chase and the one that attacks.

there's safety in numbers. he adds, though that was the hidden message in pretty much everything he's said thus far.

she listened intently, trying to imagine the endeavor in her inexperienced mind. galana had thought of how reckless the men she'd been with in her absence of moonglow had behaved on hunts. rusalka's ways sounded... safer. it still held the adrenaline and reward.

❝i like that.❞ she nodded, providing did not mean throwing yourself into danger as she'd once thought.

❝does your pack move and follow them?❞ one to many questions, she'd winced at the thought.

he didn't seem to mind? perhaps he was accustomed to the antics of youth. she liked that idea.

no, replies rusalka, finding her questions to be expected. she was young, curious and he has no issues offering her his wisdom. ravensthorpe is stationed in the plateau. he has yet to meet a pack that migrated with the herds, but imagines that they exist. it wasn't a terrible idea, but cubs would make it hard ... and rusalka was already an overprotective father.

it's an interesting concept though. relocating with the herds. perhaps one day, she might lead a pack like that, rusalka considers. he, however as he continues to grow into the role of husband, father and leader, preferred to be stationed.

she was glad he was steady in their conversation. he offered information with ease and was not closed off to the curiosities of youth. he was a good man, she knew this. galana was aware of the wolves she could of met here.

❝yeah, i guess it could be.❞ the idea of moving consistently moved her mind back to gray and mida.

❝well...❞ she paused, desperately scraping her mind for words to speak. ❝thank you.❞

she spoke with a sweet smiled, almost embarrassed but grateful for his gentle nature. galana turned to look at her prize before swiftly carrying her eyes back towards his in a confirming manner. her tail lowly wagged and she took the rabbit into her jaws, glancing at him with the acceptance of any other words he might offer before they parted.