Otter Creek Balance

Traversing the mountains had taken longer than she expected.  It had felt like forever, but maybe she was just being careful to pick her way through with the easiest path.  Probably a good thing, though -- it wasn't exactly her native terrain.  Finally on the other side, water called to her again.

She'd spent the afternoon fishing (or trying to) and now as evening was arriving under the shore's canopy, the pale figure of Skydance could be found carefully nibbling a trout to plenty of bite-sized pieces.  She'd found an okay fishing spot, so she was planning on hanging out for the night -- maybe even an extra day -- to refuel before continuing her journey.  The wide array of landscapes she'd passed through already were already blurring into a wonderland-like mess, and she'd probably have a hell of a time trying to sort them out later on.  Her travels, though, hadn't brought her by too many wolves, for good or for bad.  They were around though.  There had been other packs she'd gone by, but she wasn't going to make rash decisions... Yet.  Much to explore, much to see, and maybe another fish to snatch before they sunk to the depths to sleep.

When the evening came, the nocturnal creature awoke. She had slumbered, if one could call it that, throughout the day so she could be out and about when her favorite time of the day rolled in. The spectacle of softer colors in the sky were a greeting, she was sure, and with a deep inhale did she leave the Blood Garden where their den was nestled. She started walking, speckled legs carrying her through and eventually out of the shadows that concealed whatever went on in the dark woods. A raven cawed her good fortune and without a word she disappeared into the glow of the setting sun.

Nyx wasn't a fisher, nor a very good swimmer, but she knew that water was a beacon for all sorts of animals. They were called, their instincts not letting the opportunity of a drink - the physical form of a life bringer - pass by. And, indeed, a rabbit scurried by her and before long it hung limp from her bloodied jaws. A meal for her prince, she decided, not particularly hungry. When she approached the water to wash off the blood and perhaps even skin the rabbit for her significant other, the scent of another whiffed by her. She looked about, spotting the pale female not far from the place she herself had chosen to settle - but this didn't scare The Night.

Confidently did she approach the water, regardless of what the other might think or do, placing her kill between her star-kissed forelimbs to protect them from any thieves. Her mismatched eyes never leaving the stranger, she dipped her muzzle into the water - the crimson of the rabbit's blood spreading out and not leaving a trace.

When the dark wolf appeared from the blackness, Skydance froze, her head hovering above the torn up remains of the fish.  Things were running through her mind, mostly wondering if she should grab her meal and go elsewhere.  Just because her initial meeting hadn't been awful, that didn't mean she should trust anyone else around her food.  However, since the other woman was carrying a hare... Maybe it was ok.  If she came after her for the fish, Skydance could maybe just double back for the hare -- probably the better end of a trade, too -- after all, it'd be hard to carry both.

Skydance did her best to make her observation of the other dark woman seem causal, but she wasn't the best at it so her vague unease was probably visible.  The shadow wolf seemed to be watching her a lot more blatantly than she was, and that did kind of also add a bit of an edge to things.  She was waffling on whether or not to just leave by default -- the wind wasn't quite right but she was pretty sure that was another pack wolf.  Well, she'd just have to be ready to scram.  

And not a word.  Awkwarrrrddd. Trying to be cool about it, Skydance canted her head, but stayed quiet.