Hushed Willows whomping willow

Trotting down further south, now, Isabella had moved on from the grotto, her target now focused on the willows in front of her. Pushing through the treeline, the scent of ocean air and salt mingled with the humidity, the warmth. It was like she had entered a rainforest of sorts, transported, almost, from the taiga.

The willows ebbed back and forth in the breeze, swaying. As their leaves rubbed against one another, Isabella drew forwards, the grazing of the greenery almost sounding like hushed whispers. It wasn't uncomfortable, though. No, it was beautiful. The environment was lush. Lively. Isabella padded carefully through the territory, scents riding the winds from every which way.

A vole scampered in the undergrowth, and the girl dashed forwards, fangs piercing the small creature. Another snack. She'd had a rabbit a few days ago, and she was getting hungry again. Perhaps there'd be something bigger, meatier, nearby.

So, sniffing the air, she continued, following a prey scent.

The way back to Moonglow was long, and with Waawaashkeshi's need for adventure it had taken her every which way. Now she came to the mountains, just as she had discussed with Isabella.

A grove of willows sat ahead and Keshi found them to be nearly magnetizing. Her tail high and waving, her paws carried her forward with little thought to her actions.

A familiar scent was carried by the wind, and she could not help but smile. How exciting! It appeared that her advice had been taken.

It had been days since the gem dancer had first set out to scout out the mountain range. They'd made quite a bit of ground, perhaps more than needed, but they would not come back from this with fruitless information.

Nestled between these slopes were signs of life. Scents that laid claim; Gossamer kept enough space as to not draw unwanted attention, but close enough to notice to begin with.

Maybe they’d pay a visit to these mountaineers on their way back. Maybe they’d hold off until they could accompany Reverie as a plus one. It was a decision to be made later. For now they'd keep their mind to the present, and presently they were appreciating the beauty of these whispering willows.

There came an unexpected crescendo to the otherwise peaceful song. The wail of a little beast, followed eventually by footsteps. Gossamer’s ear pulled towards the sound, and they pointed their nose to it when it grew louder.

They padded towards the noise then, intending to find whoever else roamed these woods.

i can pull gossamer out if yall wanted to keep the thread limited to two!

It's all good!! <33 don't even worry

For a little while, Isabella considered herself alone. When she turned to follow the scent around a bend, however, new smells came to her, carried by the wind. One that she remembered, albeit somewhat vaguely: the sunflower. Waawaashkeshi, or simply Keshi, as Isabella preferred to say.

However, it seemed the two of them--friends, they had agreed upon--weren't the only ones here. In the other direction, a stranger drew closer, their pads and the shuffle of the plants beneath them making Isabella's ears perk and swivel. Her head raised up high, searching. The prey scent she'd been following drew weaker as the animal left the area.

Here, Isabella stilled, waiting to see who'd find her first.

Paws carrying her through the willows she soon spotted the familiar figure, coming up behind Isabella and gently bumping her shoulder with her own. "Bella! It is good to see you again." She grinned, tail waving.

She was glad to see her. Meeting strangers was useful if nothing else, but a familiar face was a true comfort.

It appeared that Isabella had found quite the spot as well - an unfamiliar area that Waawaashkeshi was rather excited to explore.

First came the scent – scents – intermingled with blood. Spilled from whatever creature that initially drew them to this spot. Then came a voice. They could not parse through what was said exactly, but the chipperness in tone was somewhat of a comfort. Would this stranger be as kind to an unknown soul? 

Two young women finally came into view; one bright as the day, the other more suited for dusk. Gossamer smiled at them and bowed their head in greeting.

Apologies. Am I intruding?

Isabella had simply nodded to Keshi when she spoke, still alert, scanning the trees for the stranger that she'd scented on the winds earlier. Her ears were high, pricked, and her tail held in a medium position.

A thin wolf came forwards, dusk incarnated, and Isabella relaxed. No hulking beast, just this... she wanted to say girl, but was that even the case? They didn't hold any distinctive traits of sexual dimorphism. A twinge of confusion struck the girl, but she wouldn't comment.

No, she smiled, answering the stranger. She looked back at Keshi for confirmation, but introduced herself anyhow. I'm Isabella, and this is my friend— Though she wouldn't introduce the sunflower without her permission. —Who are you?

A stranger approached, and Waawaashkeshi found herself pressed to Isabella as she assessed them. Tail trailing across the other woman she watched in silence.

Her expression was calm - she was not worried, but she seemed to be taking caution. In an unfamiliar area it was fair, after all she was unsure if she may be intruding on another's territory.

She could run, but could Isabella?

There was no intrusion, says the darker one. Though the stillness hung above her golden companion could allude to the contrary. So long as snapping jaws were not hurled their way, or the interaction grew to, well, awkward, Gossamer was happy to make conversation. Perhaps there was knowledge to be gained by the end of it.

She'd given them her name – Isabella – and another nearly slipped her tongue, though she'd cut herself short. Curious as they may be, more so following the abrupt end to her introduction, they would not pry.

I am Gossamer. I’m just out here on a stroll, enjoying the scenery. That's the half of it. And what brings you two here? Have you come to marvel at this beautiful flora as well?

A more distinct smell brought their crimson gaze to the quiet woman. A pelt of one, but a hub to many more unique scents. They wondered if she'd come from the claims they'd passed on the way here.

Keshi's protectiveness was heart-warming, truly, but couldn't she see that this stranger was not much of a threat? Isabella knew it was foolish to judge based on appearances, but truly, the stranger did not seem dangerous at all. She moved the slightest bit closer, tail flicking against the sunflower.

Pleasure to meet you, Gossamer. she smiled.

I'm here taking her advice, she looked back at Keshi, sharing the expression already painted across a pretty face. What are you doing here, friend? A surprise to run into you, that's for sure. Again, she'd give the golden girl a moment to relay her own name, should she like.

If she didn't, Isabella would simply continue referring to her as a friend.

As Isabelle spoke to her she suddenly turned her head to look back to her, smile returning. "I said I would meet you, didn't I?" She hummed, a gentle wave to her tail. It was not a promise that Waawaashkeshi had intended to break.

"It's on my way home, that is all." Gently, she nudged the woman. She did hope to return to Moonglow with some haste - to see Nasamiituuq, but a short detour could not hurt.

Taking advice; vagueness inspired intrigue. Gossamer raised a brow to this friend, hoping to get a bit more of a substantial reply, all for curiosity's sake.

Oh? Do you live nearby? Perhaps the inquiry was a bit too intrusive, but they would love to fit the pieces to this little puzzl
e.

She would smile back at Keshi, giving her a nod of confirmation, but Isabella wasn't daft—it seemed fairly clear that Keshi wanted to get moving, though Bella wanted to go further south... But she also wanted to maintain a conversation with Gossamer, here. Did Keshi know them? She didn't think so.

Gossamer asked Keshi a question, and she looked once more at the golden girl. Depending on how she answered this question, Isabella would take it as a cue to go. Having company wouldn't hurt, and she truly did want a catch-up with the sunflower before she continued travelling.