Jade Fern Grove defying gravity,

@Paloma Malvado  ; nephele tag for reference!

Cole padded along the outer borders of Bearclaw Valley, his breath forming small clouds in the crisp morning air. The cold gnawed at him, slipping beneath his coat and prickling his skin with every step. He had never been one for the chill, preferring the warmth of sunlit afternoons over the biting dawn, but duty was duty. He’d scout the borders, cold or not.

As he moved, his thoughts drifted to @Nephele and her daughters, a warmth blossoming in his chest that the morning frost couldn’t touch. Their faces lingered in his mind, each memory a comfort against the brisk air. It had been a while since he’d last crossed paths with them, and he wondered how they were faring in this cold season.

Shaking off his reverie, Cole focused his attention back on the task at hand, eyes sharp as he scanned the surroundings. Every scent, every broken twig along the trail was noted, but his mind continued to wander back to Nephele’s soft look and the bright eyes of her girls.

Paloma had been traveling for weeks. Paw pads worn and cracked, she had to stop herself from wincing with each step on the icy ground. Dark clouds had been following her, both literally and figuratively, on her trek through unknown lands. She wondered if it would rain soon. That would be just her luck. 

Thoughts of her mother, warning her away from this journey, picked at Paloma's already weakened resolve. Her rage and guilt burned brightly in her heart, but they could only burn for so long without anything to fuel the flames. The dame had yet to find any information on her father, another crushing blow. 

Lost in her thoughts, and admittedly none too observant, Paloma found herself walking up on a large male. Behind him, she felt herself stiffen with fear. She had come too far to stumble upon aggressive pack lands and die. With his thick scruff and strong build, she figured him to be a warrior of some sort. Pulling herself up, Paloma cleared her throat gruffly. "I mean no harm," She choked out, her voice like rough sandpaper from disuse.

Cole turned, his keen gaze settling on the woman with a mixture of curiosity and something softer as he took in her worn, weary state. The brunette had clearly been traveling hard—her cracked paw pads and the bruised look in her eyes told enough of her story. Despite the exhaustion clinging to her, she held herself with a quiet strength that didn't go unnoticed. Cole offered a small nod, easing the tension in his stance.

Don’t you worry, ma’am, he said, his voice smooth yet grounded, a low Southern drawl warming his words. Ain’t lookin’ to make trouble for a lone traveler. You seem like you’ve had your fair share already. His gaze softened slightly, but he didn’t move closer, respecting her clear discomfort.

Name’s Cole, he offered, his head tilting in a relaxed gesture. These lands ain’t claimed, so you’ve got no need to fret over territory here.” He paused, observing the dark clouds hovering both above and within her eyes. If you’re needin’ a rest, I can point you to a dry spot nearby. Just rain comin’ in if I’m guessin’ right, and no sense in gettin’ caught in it.

Cole watched her for a response, giving her the space to decide if she’d trust him or keep moving.

There was something comforting about the male. Whether it was his softening eyes or the drawl of his voice, something about him made her want to trust him. Perhaps that in and of itself should have scared her. After weeks alone though, she found her mind craved social interaction more than her belly craved a warm meal. His words held a kindness that she missed, that reminded her of the wolves she knew back home. A pang of regret at leaving them once again stabbed at her heart. 

Cole stayed a safe distance away, her golden eyes approving of his actions as they pulled up with her thankful smile. "The journey hasn't been as easy as I had hoped to be honest," Paloma said, her words tinged with embarrassment. They were true though. The journey had been just as difficult as her mother had tried to warn her. 

"I'm Paloma," She offered him back, voice still rougher than she was used to. Taking a step towards him, a final show that she was granting him a bit of trust, Paloma felt herself wanting to talk more with him. The crushing loneliness that had surrounded her finally catching up to her questionable mental state. 

"If this isn't claimed, then what are you doing out here?" Paloma questioned, her words holding no accusation only simple curiosity.

Cole kept his stance relaxed, his gaze never lingering on her for too long, as he scanned the treeline in that practiced, steady way of his. He gave her a slow nod, acknowledging her words with a quiet understanding that didn’t press too close, offering her space while still making it clear he was listening.

Just passin’ through, scoutin’ for my pack—Bearclaw Valley, he drawled, his voice low and unhurried, the words shaped with a lazy warmth yet careful in their intent. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as he added, Good 'ta meet 'ya, Paloma.

He tilted his head toward the horizon, a subtle gesture to the vastness around them. Know this place well enough... ain't seen many folks out here, he said, his gaze flicking briefly to her with a hint of reassurance before settling back on the familiar landscape.

Cole kept his distance. The space welcome even in her state of loneliness. Paloma knew that the world was far larger than what she had experienced in her short life, but never had she expected it to be this vast. Looking out at the rolling hills and distant mountain, she felt small. Her short tail lowered further until it fully relaxed between her legs. He was safe for now, and if he wasn't it would be a burden for future Paloma. 

Bearclaw Valley. The man looked as if he were part bear, so she figured it was fitting. The slow and low way he spoke even reminded her of the deep vocalizations of the bears she had always avoided. Paloma hoped that this connection was simply a coincidence and not some kind of horrible omen. "Nice to meet you too. It's always nice to see another friendly face," She replied, less stiff than before. 

"I would imagine not," Paloma laughed lightly in response. "Truthfully, I've never been this far from home and it's a bit intimidating to say the least." She admitted a tinge of bashfulness coloring her words. So long she had spent sheltered away in her tight-knit home. Now, the world was too large for her to fully comprehend. Would she handle it better if she had been allowed to travel as a yearling? Perhaps. But the past is just that. The past.

"Have you traveled much?"

Cole shifted his weight slightly, the corner of his mouth lifting in a slow, easy smile. His drawl was unhurried, the words rolling off his tongue like a river carving its way through the land.

Yeah, ma'am, I reckon I have, he said, a touch of pride in his voice. Spent a good deal of time wanderin', takin' in the sights and meetin' all sorts of folk. Been through some rugged places, seen the kind of sunsets that make you feel small, y'know? He chuckled softly, shaking his head at the memory of it all.

But... He trailed off, his golden eyes lifting to scan the horizon, as though he was measuring the vastness against something inside himself. There comes a time when a man starts yearnin' for somethin' steadier. Bearclaw Valley’s got a hold on me now, I reckon. Feels good to be part of somethin' bigger than just my own two paws.

He glanced back at her, his expression softening. The world out there’s somethin’ to behold, no doubt. But there’s a certain peace in findin’ a place to plant your roots. Guess that’s what brought me here.

Holding an almost poetic quality, Cole's words settled over her like a thick blanket of snow. Warm for a moment before the bitter cold could set in. It wasn't his intention, but the words picked at her ever-present guilt. Selfish thoughts of when she would be able to find a home came as quickly as they left. She didn't deserve such, not until past debts had been paid. 

Paloma knew firsthand the pain of being a part of something bigger than herself, of seeing sunsets that made her feel small. They scared her. They filled her with impending dread. Not enough to end her journey early, but enough to remind her of the cruelties of this world. A constant that she would not soon forget. 

She was glad this stranger had found happiness. Even if it made her yearn for home and a past where she knew not of her heritage. Certainly he had plenty of stories. Stories that could help pass the time as their paws crunched along the loose gravel below. What's the greatest place you've seen? Surely a man such as yourself has seen some wonderful things, Paloma questioned, genuine curiosity painting her features.

Cole’s ears twitched at her question, the faintest grin tugging at his muzzle. His pace remained steady, paws crunching softly against the gravel as he considered her words. Greatest place I’ve seen? he drawled, his southern accent warm and languid, like honey dripping slow off a spoon. That’s a tough one, miss. I’ve been fortunate, y’know, seen my fair share of sunsets and mighty mountains.

His gaze drifted upward, as if the sky might remind him of something worth telling. There’s a valley I came across once, tucked between two ridges. Not too big, not too small—just the right kinda quiet. The air smelled like sweetgrass, and the creek ran so clear you’d swear the water was made of glass. Came upon it after a long trek, and I reckon it felt like the earth itself was takin’ a deep breath.

He glanced at her then, his expression softening as he noted the curiosity in her eyes. But I’d say the greatest place ain’t just about what you see. It’s where you feel most alive, most at ease. For me, that’s Bearclaw Valley now. Took me a while to figure that out, though.

Cole’s grin widened slightly, a hint of playfulness entering his tone. But I reckon you’re lookin’ for somethin’ too, huh? Maybe the greatest place you’ll see is still out there waitin’ for ya.

Sunsets and mighty mountains. Paloma had seen more of those than she had thought possible. Her nights spent alone had often drifted to thoughts of her father. Could a man crafted from evil and bloodshed appreciate the simple pleasures of an orange and pink sunset? Did she want to know? Images of wispy clouds painted in vibrant, warm shades led her to her answer. She didn't want a man like him to enjoy sunsets and the way they colored the sky. He likely wouldn't appreciate them like her and Cole anyways. 

Hearing the man speak on his travels, it eased a bit of the anxiety that twisted her belly. To know that there was such beauty in the world that he struggled to pick a favorite was encouraging. Cole was surprisingly poetic. Large and burly, the way he spoke about his travels had her lips twitching up in an easy smile. She had never smelled sweetgrass or seen a creek so clear, but she added both to her to-do list. Paloma kept her head facing the path they traveled, but her eyes stayed glued to the man's face. 

Paloma realized as he spoke that she had never found a place like that. Home was comfortable, easy even, but had she ever felt alive there? Not since she was a pup. Pelt prickling with the gravity of the realization, she averted her eyes finally to look out into the vast wilderness that surrounded them. How did you know you found it? How do you know you feel alive? Paloma questioned as she drank in the dark clouds tumbling on the horizon. 

Her ears flattened for a moment then, embarrassment returning to her round features. Sorry if that's too personal. You just seem to know a lot about the world is all.

Cole’s steps slowed slightly as he listened, his ears angling toward her voice. Her question lingered in the crisp air between them, weighted with a quiet vulnerability that drew his gaze to her. He caught the flicker of embarrassment in her features, the way her ears folded back, and his own softened in response.

It’s alright, he said simply, his voice a low rumble, steady as the mountains she’d been admiring. Questions like that aren’t too personal. They’re honest.

He paused, considering her words as his golden eyes traced the path ahead. I knew because it wasn’t just the place, he began, his tone thoughtful. It was how I felt in it. My chest felt lighter. My paws didn’t ache, even after a long walk. It was like... the air there was meant for me, and I was meant for it.

His gaze flicked to her, watching her expression as he spoke. It’s not about the view or the sweetgrass or the creek, he added, his voice softening further. It’s the way it settles in your bones. Makes you feel whole. Like you’ve been wandering without knowing it, and then, all of a sudden, you’re not.

He shifted slightly, his shoulders rolling in an almost sheepish manner. Maybe that’s not the answer you were looking for, he admitted, glancing toward the dark horizon she’d been watching. But that’s how I knew. It’s a feeling. A quiet kind of knowing.

Cole fell silent for a moment, his gaze thoughtful as it returned to her. Don’t apologize for asking, Paloma. I think... you’ll find it too, if you haven’t already. His lips twitched into the faintest hint of a smile. Sometimes you just need to look in the places you haven’t before.