Dawnlark Plains victory

It had to have been more than a year since she was last in the Taiga, but it felt like home. These same plains had been one of her first real introductions to the Teekons, though she only remembered bits and pieces of her meeting with a she-wolf now. She wondered what might have come of Kaaya Ayad, how the Teekons had changed her. At the time they had been in similar situations; young wolves freshly departed from their families.

Pondering this, Leto realized she had stopped in place. Maybe she was getting tired - it had been a day or so since she stopped to rest beyond a drink.

Pushing out a breath, she pushed herself into a layer of snow and rolled. She had missed this sort of weather, there really was nothing better. She felt so weightless, like all of her responsibility had been lifted off of her - and maybe it had.

She let a triumphant howl ring into the air, an exclamation of victory.. even if this wasn't that in the traditional sense.

Moon Runner descended from the Rise to the vast, snow-covered dale to hunt. Tufts of long, dry, golden reeds poked out from the drifts. Evidence of deer was visible – they often pawed through the snow to reveal the delicious, tender grasses of autumn.

The white wolf was fond of this region. She had often hunted partridge with Wise Father.

But then, a howling voice caught her attention. Its tone was jubilant. Elated.

Moon Runner had always been a curious wolf… and so she loped in the direction of the stranger.

He was supposed to be making his way to the caldera, though Bushtit supposed there wasn’t any rush, especially knowing what awaited him. He didn’t particularly relish the idea of younger siblings. He couldn’t say why, except that children simply didn’t hold much appeal for him. He supposed he felt a little jealous too, though that made no sense at all.

A howl cut through his thoughts, prompting the yearling to push to all fours and shake out his pale coat. The voice was different from the one the night before. He listened, head cocking slightly when he realized it sounded a little familiar. Bushtit bit his lip, trying to place it, but couldn’t. Since it was close, he supposed he could investigate.

Nipping some snowpack from between his toes, he sent up a quick yip to announce his imminent arrival and began trotting across the frosty plain.

Her joy brought two figures; first, a girl pale as herself, and the second, Bushtit! It had been spring when they last spoke, maybe that was why it was so surprising to see him now; older, and pretty - maybe like his father to some, to Leto like his uncle. She didn't let her mind wander further than that.

She hops back to her feet, shaking the excess of snow from fur that is still thinned from the desert air. With a stranger here, she'll have to wait for each to get closer before introductions and reunions can happen.

Part of her has questions, nerves from her last conversation with Towhee bubbling, but more than anything she's excited to see faces familiar and new alike.

Moon Runner crested a knoll covered by dusty, wind-blown snow. It was there she spotted the pale wolf and her makeshift snow-angel. Before she approached any closer, Moon Runner tipped her head back to measure the breeze. She was not in a good position to glean much from the wind — only the notion that this was a pack-less wolf.

However… she was not alone. Another wolf converged.

Moon Runner, too, loped towards them. However, she gave them a width berth and kept her distance.

The female seemed to know the male. She acted excited and jubilant.

Moon Runner’s ears tipped forward, expression open and curious.

The harrowing taiga was merciless in winter. It would help to have two more hunters upon the Rise…

Two figures materialized in the middle distance. Bushtit’s head reared back, though his momentum didn’t falter, particularly when he recognized one of the two. It was strange, seeing Leto out here in this winter wonderland rather than the usual desert backdrop they shared. What was she doing this far north?

Before he could ask or respond to her greeting, the yearling’s eyes cut past her to the second she-wolf. She hung back a ways, attention fixed on Leto and himself. Bushtit gazed at her for a beat, sensing a familiarity that didn’t make sense, since he’d certainly never seen her before. When she didn’t come closer, he shrugged internally and refocused upon his friend.

Leto! ¿Qué pasa? Bushtit said warmly. What the hell are you doing so far from Verapaz?

Leto grins, hopping through the snow to meet Bushtit with a flurry of shameless sniffs and wags. I'm taking a trip! Was all she told him, choosing not to divulge the full drama of her son's health scare, his later apprenticeship, and her new independence. You've gotten so big! And so good looking.

Giving him a momentary break from her fussing, she looks to the stranger. Hello! Are you a friend as well? She decides to call out. Maybe they came along with Bushtit, or maybe they had happened upon them; it didn't matter to Leto as long as it was a peaceful meeting.

She stores away her curiosities for later. There will be a better time to speak to Bushtit about more private matters.

The two connected and Moon Runner continued to quietly observe from a distance.

Then, the female addressed Moon Runner in an open and friendly way.

Moon Runner’s tail waved loosely to show her earnest curiosity. Ears pricked, she loped toward the duo.

The male was young — older than a year but not quite yet in his prime. Though his fur was pale, Moon Runner doubted he was of Taiga descent due to his refined features.

The woman was older and even paler than her cohort. She was larger than Moon Runner and athletic in her make — but signs of maturity and motherhood were present. It made Moon Runner’s spirit think of her own family… Proud Mother and Little Paw, especially.

Moon Runner’s nose reached out as if asking, may I take scent?

He didn’t expect her enthusiasm, though Bushtit didn’t mind it. He preened when Leto told him he was good-looking. Didn’t he know it! He bumped his muzzle against her chin, his own tail waving, though it fell still when she turned her head and addressed the lurking woman.

I don’t know her, he said to Leto out of the corner of his mouth as her own words apparently enticed the stranger closer. Heya! he added a good deal more loudly, tail fanning the cold air again. I’m Bushtit and this is Leto, he said, motioning his head toward his former pack mate.

His dark eyes settled expectantly on the pale wolf’s face. She was pretty, though too young for his tastes. That didn’t mean they couldn’t become friends, of course! He smiled boyishly and indulged her desire to sniff noses by bridging the gap, then laughed quietly when a bit of static electricity zapped between their snoots.

Leto returned the bump with a good-natured nip, only aimed to graze his ear of course.

When the woman approaches, she flanks Bushtit on the way to meet her. She's older than this one, and next to the two youths she suddenly feels a bit old. It's something she's quick to push off - she's still plenty young next to the Teekon's women!

Where have you come from? She asks, leaning forward to take the stranger's scent for herself. I'm travelling from the lowlands, and.. She trails off as she looks to Bushtit, Well, I'm not sure where you've been!