Firestone Hot Springs the bones of the liars, the thieves

according to the map firestone hot springs borders neverwinter forest. so rian is still pretty close to the borders. :-)

The Syrian King was curious about the world around him, and at nearly a week and some odd days away from turning four months he could no longer force himself to be confined to his home. He knew the basics, having had them drilled into his head by both of his parents to ensure that he was safe at all times. Always pay attention. Never stray too far from the forest's borders. Actually, he was pretty sure he hadn't been supposed to cross out of them but the young boy assumed that he would be alright, as long as he stayed close to Neverwinter's borders. As long as he was within howling distance. He knew guardians patrolled the borders regularly and counted upon the fact that one would be able to arrive quickly if he should need them. Neverwinter Forest was like a life jacket that he was ready to shed in an attempt to see if he could swim on his own.

As he'd told himself, Rian stayed close to the borders. Their scent was strong, unmistakable on the breeze. He wasn't so ready yet to leave behind his safety net, comfortable that the pack's borders were there to catch him if he jumped. He could feel the muggy, humid warmth of the Firestone Hot Springs and though the sulfuric scent caused his nose to wrinkle in disgust he wanted to explore one of the steaming pools. Luckily, there was one close that allowed him to pad closer to it to investigate it, recoiling back slightly when he stepped on a warm stone. After realizing that it hadn't burnt him h tentatively stepped on the warm stone once more, a contented sigh spilling from betwixt his lips automatically. He had yet to actually make it to the nearest pool but for now he was content to enjoy the therapeutic warmth the stepping stones had to offer him.

Upon leaving the Hinterlands in the west, he found that he was beset on all sides by packs. To the south, along the mountains that split the Hinterlands from the rest of the Wilds, was one. To the north, there were two. He passed through the narrow gap between the mountain and the forest pack, exiting into the grasslands in the valley between the Hinterland mountains and the ones to the north.

He was still close to the borders of the forest pack, but far enough to consider himself safe. At least, he assumed so. He was draw in by the fumes emanating from nearby. The shade wandered towards the bubbling pools, eyebrows raised curiously as he dipped a toe into one such pond, wincing slightly at the heat. He wasn't alone. His head turned to the small body laying lagouriously on a nearby stone; it must be warm, judging by his ecstatic expression. Enjoying yourself, young man?

Rian had admittedly closed his eyes as he soaked up the warmth of the stone upon his flesh, and stretch as if he had no care in the world — he didn't — and nearly jumped out of his skin when a deep and unfamiliar voice broke the serene quiet of the hot springs. Startled, his eyes snapped open and irises in their transition from baby, milky blue to imperial jade green landed upon the stranger, his gaze wild. “You scared me, mister.” Rian accused, chiding the older male, his ears slicking back to his skull. His irritation was like his short attention span: it did not last long and fizzled almost as soon as it had sparked to life. Slowly, his ears perked atop his skull and his tail gave a few amiable beats against the ground beneath him. Obviously the stranger danger lesson had went in one of Rian's ears and zipped right back out the fucking other.

"Yes," The boy admitted with only slight sheepishness. It was then, though, that Rian caught a glimpse of red on the male's shoulder and craned his neck to get a better peek, not caring that it was probably rude and quickly forgot why he was sheepish seconds before. “Hey! That mark on your shoulder is cool,” The boy chirped eagerly in clear admiration of it. “Where didja get it?” The more important question he left unasked: where could he get one?

He had frightened the child, an unsurprising thing given his total relaxation a moment ago. Had he been familiar with the land he might have let the boy lay content on the rocks, but he was a stranger, a foreigner. He desired to absorb as much information as he could. My apologies, He murmured, a sincere smile on his face. He didn't close the distance between them, instead staying at a comfortable distance, sliding slowly into the pool, stopping right before the red mark on his shoulder. He sighed in delight, his eyes halfclosed.

Oh? He popped open one eye to look at the child. This? He shrugged his marked shoulder in the direction of the brown-furred youth. In my pack, the strongest and the smartest recieve marks.

Rian watched the older male with unbidden, intense curiosity — the curiosity of a child who had yet had it tempered or squashed — staring, without realizing that it was probably rude above everything else, his companion slowly slid in the the pool. Obviously, the term “curiosity killed the cat” hadn't ever been made known to the young Syrian King, either. But he'd never met a wolf that wasn't from Neverwinter before! It was exciting! It was new! And the innocence of Rian O'Malley had yet to be tarnished by anything or anyone. Though he was cautious enough to remain close to the borders of home that was the extent of it. In this, Rian was fearless because he had yet to know of fear. Thus, he did not fear the stranger before him, who had let out a loud, contented sigh. “I bet it feels good,” He remarked about the steaming pool. He could “swim” if swimming entailed being able to instinctively doggy paddle to keep his head above water but he was hardly tall enough to stand in any part of the pool that wasn't shallow; but right now the rock was plenty warm for the boy. “S'okay, mister,” Rian assured him with a beaming, boyish grin to show that he held no grudge.

Rian almost burst out “yes!” when the older male shrugged his cool mark towards Rian who studied it eagerly, holding his breath when the older male's words came. Apparently, he got it from his pack proving that he was the strongest and smartest. Rian's milky blue starburst with imperial jade green eyes widened, his muzzle popping open. “W-o-w!” Rian drew the word out in breathless amazement. Man, that was so cool! “Where's your pack? I bet I can be the strongest and smartest too!” Though, to his knowledge, Neverwinter Forest didn't hand out badass marks like that or else, obviously, his parents would have them. Uncle Scimitar too.

He smirked, visibly relaxed in the presence of the child. Had the boy been older, Miraak would not be as stretched out and unprepared for a conflict as he was now, but he did not preceive the child as a threat. His parents and kin however, were a different story. They were close to the forest, which he had smelled a thick claim upon. The boy must be from that forest; after all, it was dreadfully close. Would someone take his presence the wrong way? Miraak was woefully ignorant about the packs here. He could only assume that the forest pack had no claim over these springs; it would be a selfish act, after all. It is, He agreed softly, eyes only open to keep the pup in view. The pup had forgiven him, quickly as children often do. His attention swiftly went to Miraak's shoulder, to which the boy gaped over.

My pack is far away from here, sadly, He responded. He was not sure where his sister had holed up, if she had formed a pack of her own or converted one (or one part) to the Daedric worship. He was still looking for the elder Melonii sibling, curious as to what she went through during these past few years. Some relatives of mine may be nearby, however; I am currently looking for them, He doubted a child of his age would know much about the packs in the nearby area, but he wasn't one to underestimate anyone. He smiled at the child's eagerness, I bet you can,