Bramblepoint of the end of the world,

Cole moved with a measured step through the orchard, his gaze sweeping across the trees laden with fruit and the ground tangled with brambles and berry bushes. The crisp scent of alders mingled with the sweetness of ripened berries, tugging at his senses as he brushed past a stand of blackberries, a few snagging on his fur before he pulled free. This place felt more like an untamed garden than a forest, a quiet mix of abundance and thorny obstacles.

His path wandered slightly as he observed his surroundings, his ears twitching at the occasional bird call and the distant rustle of small creatures in the underbrush. There was something welcoming yet hard to navigate here; every step required careful footing, a pause to choose his way. He found himself tracing slow circles, as if feeling for the right direction, but keeping his pace light, letting the orchard draw him in as he moved forward.

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@Waawaashkeshi

The sunflower girl moved with a nearly impossible grace, navigating the brambles as though she had known them all her life. Always she seemed to be wandering, and today was no exception.

A man stood ahead; tall and strong. But his size did him no favours here. She let out an impish giggle as she watched him, sliding through the bushes until she found herself just behind the man.

"You look as though the bushes have taken revenge on you." She said. "Have you offended them?"

She seemed to speak nonsense. The question carried a teasing tone for the intentions were not genuine.

Cole turned, catching a glimpse of the woman’s radiant coat, like sunlight filtering through the dense brambles—golden, yet dappled with shades of blonde. The question caught him off guard, laced with a playful tone that didn’t quite fit the usual greetings he was used to.

Wouldn’t be the first time, he replied, his voice rough but not unfriendly. He swept a few of the lingering bramble thorns from his coat, feeling as if he’d wandered into her territory, right down to the berries he’d thought about taking.

Guess I’ve gone an’ trespassed, haven’t I? Thought I could borrow a bite, he added, with a slight tilt of his head, a wry glint in his eyes acknowledging her light-hearted accusation.

His words appeared to confuse her, expression nearly blank with her tail high and waving. Though barely a moment later, she began to laugh yet again. "Do you smell any markers? That should answer your question."

What an odd stranger she thought him to be. As if to prove her point, she skillfully reached her muzzle into a bush to take a branch of berries. They belonged to nobody but the bushes themselves as far as she was aware.

When she came across the area she had been rather excited by the site of it's clear abundance. She too had hoped to take her share.

Cole huffed, drawing in a long sniff to try to get his bearings, though he couldn’t make much sense of it. Don’t know tooth from claw right now, he admitted, a hint of amusement mixed with exasperation. There was a tangle of scents here, a bustle of wolves in the recent air, but he couldn't tell one trail from the next. Too many, too layered. Too many folk gatherin' for that hunt.

His gaze drifted to the way she dipped her muzzle into the bush, taking a branch of berries with practiced ease. She was at home here, no doubt about it. He felt like an outsider, stumbling through territory he couldn’t read, while she moved like she owned it—or like it welcomed her, at the very least.

If these berries belong to no one, I’ll just follow your lead, he said, nodding toward her, a touch more sure-footed now.

Her tail waved gently as the man spoke, her eyes fixed on his. She practiced little caution, as though they had known each other their whole lives. Eating a portion of the berries she then tossed them to his paws.

"Your muzzle won't fit - if you came for the berries you can eat what I take." She was difficult to decipher. Were her words intended to be cruel, or was it brutal honesty? Did they carry any intention at all?

Raising her muzzle she took in the surrounding scents. He was right, it was nearly overwhelming, but for one who had followed the trails of other's her whole life the path was quick to become clear.

Cole’s eyes followed her movements with keen interest, his gaze steady as the berries landed at his paws. He’d been holding out for the small taste she offered, and the moment they arrived, a low hum of satisfaction escaped him. He dipped his muzzle to savor the sweet, tart burst, each bite as refreshing as he’d hoped.

As he lifted his head, his curiosity piqued, he studied her—so at ease and forthright, like they’d known each other longer than these fleeting moments. Mighty kind of you, he said, his tone warm but edged with something unspoken. Haven’t caught your name yet. Where’d you wander in from?

He asked for her a name, and for the first time she hesitated.

"Waawaashkeshi. I came to the hunt with the Moonglow wolves." She responded, staring momentarily before continuing her trek. "Will you tell me yours?"

She wondered if he may be a pack wolf, and what sort of home he lived in. Her tail resumed it's waving as she slipped through the bushes.

Cole watched her with a keen interest, his head dipping in a slight nod as he let her name settle in. Waawaashkeshi, he repeated, the sound unfamiliar but intriguing on his tongue.

Name’s Cole, he replied, a faint smile curling at the edges of his mouth. Just joined up with Bearclaw Valley, tryin’ to get my bearings out here. He scratched the ground idly with his paw, his tone easy and welcoming. Don’t know much about these parts or the packs nearby—figure I’ll be learnin’ as I go.

There was a warmth in his gaze, mingled with a healthy respect for her. This new place held its mysteries, and he was more than willing to let Waawaashkeshi be one of them for now.

He was new to the area - that explained why he was so lost. "You will learn quickly." She decided with a firm nod. It was never difficult for her to learn, so why would he have a hard time? Particularly if he would soon remain in one territory.

"Do you know where these Bearclaws have settled?" She asked. "Hopefully nowhere with berry bushes."

She smiled to herself as she made the comment, her tail waving. It seemed that Waawaashkeshi found herself to be rather funny.

He gave a slight smile in a 'thanks' for her confidence in his skills— he sure as hell didn't. Regardless, he'd finish his stack of berries in a singular gulp, the paint of the juice sprawling over his lips.

Somewhere out in, uh...Risin' sun valley. He answered, intent on keeping it vague— his cards were still close to his chest, as he had still just met her.

Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe from any berry bushes, he added. I hear the Bearclaws have a strict ‘no sharing’ policy when it comes to snacks. His laughter mingled with hers, the camaraderie already starting to form.

Rising Sun Valley.. she was unsure if she had been through there before.

At his comment she snickered, looking back with a raised eyebrow. "Are you sure you are not the one needing protection?" After all, her own coat was still clean. What a silly man he must be to think that she would need his assistance.

Waawaashkeshi took extreme pride in her independence - it was what made her well, her.

Cole wiped his mouth with the back of his paw, a grin tugging at his lips as he surveyed the mess of berries smeared across his face.

Guess not, he said, his tone light but with a hint of amusement, as he met her gaze. He glanced down at himself, then back to her, clearly enjoying the playful exchange. Where's...Moonglow at, then?

"Not far at all, they are the one's who host this grand hunt after all." Slipping through the bushes she found herself in a clearing, no more spikes in sight and the glen in the distance. "It is not often that I settle there, however. I prefer to wander." A quiet life simply did not suit her.

Safe from the wrath of the berries, she was quick to settle down on her side and motioned for Cole to do the same. The thorns in his pelt had begun to bother her.

She wondered where she may go after this; would she visit Nasamiituuq? Or was there other things to focus on? Other adventures?

Cole followed behind her, grunting quietly as another thorn caught in his side. He cleared his throat, awkwardly glancing over at Waawaakeshi, his usual smooth demeanor slipping for a moment.

Reckon I could use a hand, he muttered, a slight wince crossing his face as he tried to reach the thorns himself, only to make them worse. These things ain't gonna just shake loose. He motioned toward his side, where a few stubborn thorns had dug in.

He sat down beside her with a quiet sigh, the clearing offering a momentary respite. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, wondering what thoughts lay behind her quiet words. Wanderin' suits ya, huh? he added with a half-smile. Guess there's always somethin' else out there to find.

She looked over the unfortunate thorny pelt, wordlessly standing herself up to approach the man, and butted him with her head in an attempt to lay him down.

"You nearly look like a hedgehog." She stated, her impish giggle returning. "I can take them out - it will hurt though."

His words were refreshing - he understood her need for travel. "Yes, exactly." She said. "I'm sure one day I could settle, but why do so before I have a reason?"

All her life Waawaashkeshi had traveled - in her mind that was the way it should be.

Cole chuckled, dropping down as she nudged him with her head, glad to oblige. Hedgehog, huh? I’ll take it, long as you’re the one fixin’ me up, he replied, grinning despite the thorns. He felt a pleasant warmth with her nearby, an easy sense of camaraderie that was rare to come by.

He tilted his head, thinking on her words. I’m with ya on that, sugar. Nothin’ wrong with wanderin’ till the right thing keeps ya rooted. Gotta see all there is out there first, or at least give it a fair shot. He looked at her thoughtfully, admiring the spark of adventure in her eyes. Reckon there’s plenty of time to settle someday, but not if you’re rushin’.

Cole braced himself for the sting of her careful work, still smiling her way, more than happy to let her take the lead.

Pleased with his compliance, she settled down with paws placed across the man. Lacking any sort of gentle nature, her head leaned down to pluck away at the thorns. With the pointy ends implanted in poor Cole, her job was rather easy.

"You understand, then." She grinned. "My birth pack adopted such beliefs - they had me on my paws as soon as I could walk. We followed the birds."

Her tail waved gently, pleased with the memories. "You miss out on so much more settled in one place while you're young - friends, prey, territories."

Cole nodded, his eyes lighting up at her words as he relaxed beneath her steady, if not-so-gentle, ministrations. He held back a yip from the seering needle-thin pain. I reckon you’re right, he drawled, feeling a warm kinship in their shared belief. Home’s more 'bout the people you meet along the way than just some plot of land. Folks like you make it worth the wanderin’.

His gaze softened, a hint of something wistful slipping into his expression. But there’s somethin’ to be said for stickin’ around too, he added thoughtfully— as much as he could with these damn thorns. Seein' a place you’ve put your heart into grow and thrive, that’s a whole different kinda satisfaction. Someday… maybe.

He chuckled softly, the notion more of a dream than anything, but one he didn’t mind sharing with her.

She nodded along to his words, ruffling through his fur in search of the sharp needles. "Maybe one day if I were to have children - something that would need my constant attention." She hummed, considering the thought.

"But I have little interest in men, and so little interest in children." Waawaashkeshi had her loves, yes. Nasamiituuq especially. She understood that they would wait for her. Maybe one day a man would catch her eye - but not yet had that day come.

Maybe her logic was skewed, but in Waawaashkeshi's eyes her words and her world made perfect sense.

Cole listened quietly, taking in her words with a thoughtful nod. When she finished, he gave a light chuckle, shaking out his fur, sending flecks of dirt and debris flying. Then it ain't such a bad life, he said, voice steady and appreciative.

He offered a smile, then dipped his head in gratitude. Thank you for takin' care of me.

Bringing herself to a stand as she finished, the sunflower took a moment to ensure that none of the picked thorns had clung to her. "You speak respectfully, I felt no reason not to." For a moment her light laughter returned, and she resisted the urge to tease him yet again. Hedgehog.

But hedgehogs were small, cute. Maybe he was more like a prickly porcupine.

"I'll have to visit Bearclaw Valley if I ever venture that way." She decided. "Have something ready for me to eat, yes?"

Cole grinned, his eyes lighting up at the thought. Of course, I’ll wait for ‘ya, he replied with a nod. And I’ll make sure there’s somethin’ good ready for when you get there. He chuckled, his voice warm. Maybe I’ll even surprise you.

"I look forward to it then!" She grinned, her tail waving high.

Without another word, she was off. Maybe she would see him again someday, maybe she would not. She supposed that was what made these things so exciting.