Fox's Glade Dropping in from the highlands

Sorin had returned from his encounter with Diaspora, heading down from the mountains that towered above sunrise valley. Although Sorin generally enjoyed mountainous country, it was even colder in the high elevation. Being a loner for the moment, he had little incentive to remain in the mountains when winter had such a fierce grip on the land. So he had returned shortly after his minor side trip, the pangs of hunger sated for now following his meal. The rugged male had entered a forest that he immediately recognized by the scent of fox that lay thick in the air. Although it was much less colorful than when he had last seen it, with the trees bare and snow laying thick on the ground.

Sorin slowly wandered south, having remembered catching pack scent in that direction. He was somewhat curious to see if the pack was still around, more for the sake of knowing what neighbors he would have in the coming months. He was extremely cautious in his movement though, if the pack was near, they might not take kindly to a loner traveling towards their lands. So he was constantly alert of the forest ahead and to his sides, as well as twisting around every so often to make sure he was not being followed. As it so happened, he did catch movement ahead, but it wasn't that of another wolf. Instead, a fox was diving headfirst into the snow, most likely hunting mice or voles. Sorin smiled briefly, amused by the little predators antics.

this looked lonely, is it ok for me to hop in?

The trip took longer than she had expected. Last time she came here, there was almost no snow, but it was much colder now and a thick blanket covered the valley around her. It had only just stopped snowing, and her coat was covered in a thin layer of white—making her almost invisible against the snowy backdrop. The wind had died down too, and the only sound was the scrunch scrunch scrunch of her paws in the snow. 

Then she heard another sound—a movement to her side. She turned her head, but whatever it was had already disappeared. The young wolf stopped to stick her nose up. She remembered this place from when she had been exploring the area for game. The scent of fox hung in the air. Then there was another movement and this time she managed to get a brief glimpse of the animal. She was sure now that it was a fox and not a big one either. Nara crept closer, trying to stay low and make no sound—which was hard because of the snow. Not that it mattered much, the fox seemed quite busy chasing something else. When Nara lifted her head to see what it was, she saw something else. Another wolf— and it was not one she knew.

no problem, glad for a thread. Sorry for being late with my reply.

Sorin continued to watch the small predator, appreciative of the fox's efforts. When he had been young and foolish, Sorin had tried to copy the winter hunting technique of the red pelted varment. He smiled briefly in remembrance of his head being stuck deep within the snow. It was the small things, the little moments that made good memories. In many ways, such memories were all Sorin had left to really keep him going.

The fox called to his cautious nature when it suddenly let out a high pitched yelp and dashed off across the snow and out of sight. Sorin quickly scanned his surroundings, catching sight of the white pelted female. He quickly scanned her face, but realized he had never met her before. She was not the same white female Sorin had encountered previously in this wood, a time that seemed so long ago, though he knew it had only been a few months. Sorin simply watched her, keeping his silence for now and letting her initiate any conversation that may come from the meeting.

 

that's okay, take your time!

She had not expected anyone to be here except for the foxes, so the male's presence startled her. That must have been when the fox heard her and it quickly ran off. Nara didn't move, and when the dark-furred wolf stared right at her, she realized that she was not in fact invisible. Nara waited for a moment, not sure what his reaction would be—but it seemed he wasn't going to react at all. Nara thought that was probably a good thing. At least he didn't immediately launch at her throat or something. With strangers, you never know.

She wondered if he had been hunting the fox as well. Or maybe he was after whatever the fox had been after. Nara didn't ask. hello she said instead. She meant it as a greeting, but her tone implied it was more of a question—who are you?

Sorin continued to watch the female before him with a guarded expression. He had learned long ago not to trust anyone at face value, and she was no exception. Based on scent, she likely came from a pack. What pack it was though, he did not know, as it was none of those he had come across yet. Sorin figured they were somewhere else in the valley though, he knew most pack wolves rarely ventured far from their homelands.

"Hi" he said lowly to her offered greeting, his tone neither welcoming or dissuading. He read between the lines of her words, deciphering the loaded question behind her simple statement. However, he wasn't going to give information so readily. Not without gathering some of his own. "Where are your from, what pack do you hail from?" he asked her, his tone slightly warmer than before.

He didn't seem to trust her very much, just as she didn't trust him. At least not yet. I'm from Lost Creek Hollow, led by Terance and uh Treason she said a little hesitantly, knowing how that last name could sound like it wasn't a name at all and more of a description. It's not far from here actually she added, nodding her head to the east. Her tone was kind and casual, but if he read between the lines, he would know she meant to say that help was close-by if needed. I'm Nara she said after a short pause.

It seemed his own hesitation was matched in her expression and behavior. Although, she did give the name of her pack, and the leaders. While he hid it well, Sorin was somewhat surprised by the choice of Treason for a name. It was odd, but he didn't comment on it. A name did not make one's character.

He glanced briefly to the east when she mentioned her pack was in that direction. He had not come across any pack scent when he had arrived from the east a few months ago, but maybe the pack had not been established. Or perhaps he had not come close to their borders. Whatever the reason, what mattered was there was a pack there now, and he would need to be wary when traveling east so as to not encroach on their lands.

"Sorin," he replied briefly, as she gave him her name. He glanced at her, wondering if she had anything else to say.

 

wow I am soooo late with this, sorry!

He seemed to be a man of few words. At least she got his name, Sorin. She hadn't heard that name before and since he didn't smell like a pack wolf, Nara assumed he was just a lone wolf passing trough. Nothing to worry about, really. Nice to meet you she said, but her attention was quickly derailed from the dark wolf to a rapid movement behind him. It wasn't the fox, as she had first thought, but some kind of rodent. It had left its hiding place and decided to make a run for it. 

Nara had to subdue an urge to go after it. She had, after all, come here to hunt. Are you up for a quick chase? she asked Sorin, assuming he had seen the rodent too. It wouldn't be polite to just run off without at least asking him to join the hunt. Who knew, there could be more critters hidden under the thick blanket of snow.