Duck Lake In the system that

Today she'd gone about as far as she was willing to wander from their territory -- it was the closest shores of the lake.  For a brief moment she had to wonder what had happened to Corvus.  He had seemed promising twice, and yet both times he had stood her up.  It was unfortunate, but it was probably a good thing that she'd chosen her other obvious option.  She wasn't going to go back and edit the past.

Dusk was starting to arrive, and by the time she went home it would be well into the night, and surely things would drag her home regardless of what she found here.  She paused at the shore, lowering her head to take a drink.  At least this water was clear, unlike her past expedition along the river.  But at least so far, the trip from the territory to here had been completely uneventful.  Not a good sign for a wolf on the lookout for recruits, but Arbiter knew things weren't always on her side.  She licked the water from her lips, raising her head to yet again scan the area around her.  Maybe something amusing might happen -- make this whole journey somewhat worth it.

She ventured from the mountains, making her way quietly into the valley below to soothe that undeniable itch to wander. A naturally curious creature, Nyx briefly considered trailing North toward the coast where she might catch a glimpse of Lycaon or Caiaphas solely to confirm that they continued to hold their claim of the sound, but the idea was swiftly shelved. She might as well be a walking target if she were to dare stalk the shore.

Instead, she settled for the lowlands closer to her newest haunt, content to follow the river until the markers of another pack forced her to veer away and into an unfamiliar meadow. Vivid eyes scanned ahead and spotted the glimmer of evening sunlight on a nearby lake's surface.

Deciding to stop for a chance to rest and quench her thirst, he tawny Ostrega warily eyed the bi-coloured wolf who'd already paused to do likewise. She moved carefully, suspicious of the powerful stranger and the possibility of her mere presence rousing hostility, before dipping her muzzle to lap at the water's edge.

Arbiter, of course, didn't feel as though she had as much to be threatened by when it came to the other woman.  Confidence in her abilities, proximity to her own pack, larger, and just generally being a touch on the arrogant side meant that though she observed, she would not likely be the first one to blink.  

She thought maybe there was some pack scent on her?  Maybe.  There was enough distance between them at this moment that she couldn't entirely tell.  She was not going to immediately close said distance, taking her time to stretch, scan around one more time to see if anyone else was present, and then finally spoke.  Evening.  Things would likely become more clear quickly.  So she supposed.  Names, packs, whatever.  Answers were a thing that often came quick in these lands, at least from her experience, unless someone fled the scene and that wasn't gonna be her.

So sorry for this horrendous wait and this shitty post, I've been so busy moving house and work is booting my ass  ;_;

They were very much aware of one another; Nyx prepared to flee at any suggestion of attack, yet the bi-coloured stranger lounged around without a care. Her paranoia brought forth the concern if being lulled into a false sense of security, so she maintained careful watch as she drank her fill.

Movement, enough to make her raven-tipped lobes prick forward and her head to raise. Muscles tensed, preparing to run, though she slackened noticeably upon realising there was no real threat - not yet, at least.

Her tongue snaked between lips to sweep stray water droplets from her chin, before responding with a simple "hello."

No prob! <3 Life happens.  I'm sure there'll be a round where I take forever to make up for it. XD

The other woman seemed to be a bit cautious -- or at least that was the impression Arbiter was getting from the distance kept and the subtle actions she took.  Not rushing anything, not barging on in all happily like some wolves seemed to.  She appreciated caution -- it in turn gave her a bit more power, confidence.  Sometimes it was those simple things that brightened her way in the weirdest ways.

She flicked her tail, catlike, continuing to observe in her usual.  What brings you to the lakeside?  Being inquisitive would get her at least some of the answers she would eventually want, but pummeling the other wolf with them all once was the wrong approach.