The Sunspire What if we said goodbye to safe and sound

She wasn't supposed to leave the vale, she knew, but Saena didn't give it a second thought as she ventured away from the pack, across the land they'd traversed a week ago, and began to scale the gentle slope of the Sunspire. The sun was just beginning to reach its peak, and a clear sky formed a cold and distant backdrop for the mountain's higher, steeper elevation. In spite of the bright day, the wind was frigid as it howled over the upper crags and swept down into the valley below, buffeting Saena along the way.

She thought to take up a ritual her daughter had recently started. She was well enough to travel again, and a war brewed inside her at what she could and could not do. She desperately wanted to keep her promise to Indra and prove she was a true parent by heading out to look for Laurel, but she was frightened by what Warbone might do to her if she did. The man was fearsome, and for all her defiance and spunk, Saena couldn't win against him even if she tried. Possibly if he had a moment of weakness, or if she targeted his blind side exclusively, but it would be more work than it was worth, and would surely alienate him.

She did the next best thing. Hoisting herself up onto a flat shelf of rock peeking out of the grassy incline, Saena tilted her head back and howled long and loud, a sound to drift through the mountains and maybe, just maybe, reach the ears of her remaining daughter if she was near enough and listening.

Paschar was still traveling, making his way around the Wilds. He was tired of it, and was actually hoping to settle down soon, even though he'd promised himself he wouldn't. But for now he just sought the company of another, not a whole pack, so when he heard a howl nearby he decided why not go find the wolf? Perhaps she'd be friendly, like the other females he'd met in Teekon Wilds. Or maybe not. Either way he was done for the day and there could be no harm done from trying. He dragged his lazy feet onward up the Rocky Mountain, in search of the woman who howled.

It didn't take him much longer to find her, waiting on a grassy shelf. He looked up at her from a slab below, his tail wagging lowly at his thick hips. He chuffed to get her attention, a friendly smile lit his face.

She realigned her muzzle with her neck as the last note of her howl poured out into the atmosphere and drifted away. From this vantage, Saena could hear it echo out into the mountain range, bouncing around the bowl that was her home before dispersing into thin air. She was doubtful her wayward daughter would hear it, especially if she was still in Reek's clutches at his wretched grotto, but it was worth the try. She settled herself on the cold stone, content to sit here where she could see her whole world for a short while before she would howl once more and head back home.

There was no howling and heading to be had, however, when someone appeared quite suddenly. The young man possessed a gilded coat threaded finely with silver and crimson, but it was his face that Saena's eyes went to. This was an automatic reaction, her being the dominant bitch of her pack. She noted his dull grey eyes and the silvery face they melted into, and her eyes traced the line from his tapered muzzle to his sharply pointed ears. Altogether, she found nothing overly noteworthy except that he looked simultaneously strong and awkward as hell, and that second point was made more strongly by his near-silent approach and his smile.

He made a sound in his throat and Saena's eyes flickered to his mouth momentarily, but he said nothing. After a moment of silence, the first female of Duskvale quirked a brow and prompted, "yes?"