Jade Fern Grove A situation

Again the sky had opened up, but Arbiter was under the canopy of a forest not too dissimilar to her own -- okay, it was reasonably different but it wasn't strange enough that she felt significantly out of place.  It wasn't home, but it was shelter from the worst of the rain.  The patter of the drops stifled put a level of white noise over the world that made her pay more attention to things around her.  Though she was barely inside the grove on the edge that was closest to the Hollow, she didn't want to wander much farther than she already had -- the walk would be far enough as it was.

She sniffed the air, and though the rain brought a certain amount of freshness, it also unfortunately washed things away.  Her ears tipped this way and that as she wove her way through the trees and ferns, searching for a trail that might keep her occupied while the storm abated.

Turned around as he was, he did not mind. The coast was no longer in his view but he had spent some days along the seaside. It had welcomed him at first but it was not for him. It was merely a stopping point for him in his journey from home. Perhaps, if lucky, he might wander back when last days were upon him. This would not be that time though.

Despite the subtle limp to his walk, he moved with a certain liveliness. The rain attempted to dampen his mood and settle an ache in his bones but he had done good in avoiding both so far. He knew better than to push luck though as he wandered through a grove. He had not scented them and he near didn't spot them as a figure loomed up ahead. A gravely chuff escaped him as he halted his pace some. Know where an old dog can find some shelter?

The one that came across her was not fully wolf, that part was pretty clear.  Old, too.  Maybe she would have been better if the thing she'd found had been prey of some kind.  She watched him for a moment with her usual critical eye, greeting him with a slight dip of her head.  She'd have to give this guy some thought -- how desperate was she to get a few extra folks into their ranks?  She wasn't sure.

Short or long term? she queried.  I think there were old dens here, but they're probably overgrown.  They were farther in.  Or at least, she was pretty sure this was where she and Terance had stopped.  Maybe not.  It was winter then, and the world looked significantly different when it was buried under snow.  Arbiter suspected this place especially was one that shifted greatly -- all the smaller plants were likely gone at that time of year.