Swiftcurrent Creek Look for the girl with the broken smile.

Tag for reference. Open!

She woke in the pre-dawn hours next to @Akavir, compelled to vomit. She didn't, thankfully - but as she carefully extricated herself from his warmth and toddled on off, Ibis realized that she might have some explaining to do. She hadn't told him anything of her adventures prior to their meeting. As she wandered towards the northeastern edge of the massive vale she found herself unable to stop; she told herself it would be a quick wander to clear her head, that she'd be back before he noticed. An hour later, she was hiking the mountains.

Just a quick walk, she told herself. Find some herbs to help settle her stomach, maybe if she could - breakfast in bed for Akavir. But that too was a lie; she didn't pass by anyone on her way, and by the middle of the afternoon had given up on speculating her return. She'd make it back whenever she felt like it. A little bit of time to herself was allowed, she reasoned, because of the truth bombs dropped on her the day before; but then a piece of Ibis' guilt rose up to threaten her and reminded her: You're leaving Reiko alone!

The midday heat was stifling, even though the summer weather wasn't due for another few weeks. The big blue sky welcomed her as Ibis wandered alongside the abandoned river territory; she watched fat clouds drift overhead and couldn't help but wonder if any looked like her. That one! No, that one - with the little trail. A mother and her cubs. A sigh penetrates the bubble of quiet around her, and she looks to the riverside, sulking as she picks her way among the reeds and wildflowers growing there.

*tosses an old man at Ibis*

Boy, oh boy. Did Artax know what it was like to start walking and never stop. He'd done it at least a dozen times in his life now. Maybe more. He didn't care to keep track. Settling down had always felt so stifling. Every time somebody wanted him to stay, he wanted to go. Every time somebody wanted him to ~fall in love~, he couldn't wait to let them down. Every time a leader considered promoting him, that was his queue to get back on the road.

No, there was no tying down this Eyjolfur. He usually went back and visit his parents, but he hadn't this year. There was the looming sense of dread that they simply wouldn't be there any longer. They'd had him young, the first year they'd been able to, and they'd never left that place. It was that kind of life that Artax did not want. He was plenty content to live out his days as he'd always done: wandering from place to place.

Once more, thirst drove him toward a riverbank. Once more, he was surprised (although he shouldn't have been) to find another wolf on his way there. Clearing his throat so as not to startle her, Jorma spoke. Nice day, innit?

There are a few shoots of vibrant green grass beside the soggy browns, and further along there was a scattered collection of weeds beginning to bud with whites and yellows; she looked at these but did not touch them, did not think to pluck them. In the back of her mind she identified them as nothing important; but her mind was otherwise occupied. She moseyed ahead a few more strides and found a stick lodged in the mud, with river water seeping around it. The stick forked in to thin tines and as she set a paw against one side, the other squelched free, sending a small blob of mud flying. Bits of grit landed on her cheeks and she blinked, recoiling from it.

Around this moment was when the man appeared. He might have been sulking alongside her position for a while - Ibis wouldn't have been aware - but he held a surprised expression on his dark face, and his comment made her forget for a moment about the mud everywhere, and even briefly the argument she'd had with Reiko.

Warm and bright, yes, she muddles, —I suppose. Ibis looked around, first at the water rolling by, then up at the sky, at the overhang of branches lending grey shadow to them both, and then back to him, appraising him carefully. Not wanting to offend him, she did not look for long.

While she was typically quite a social butterfly, there was too much on her mind, and Ibis fell in to her own thoughts again, her brow furrowing softly while she watched the river pulse on by.

Maybe just a cameo? :o

She seemed absorbed in whatever it was she was looking at, so Artax didn't press her any further. Instead, he walked toward the bank and began to drink his fill. The water was cold and bright and oh-so-satisfying. It really was a simple pleasure, but one all the same. Once he'd filled his belly with the crisp liquid, he licked his lips and took a step back from the river.

Jorma glanced once more at the other wolf, but she still seemed captured by the river itself. Perhaps not in the mood to carry on a conversation with a stranger. Not one to be offended, Artax took that as his queue to leave, and he did just that, breaking away from the bank and setting off to wherever his feet might carry him next.

She heard him moving away, and felt immediately worse for not engaging. It wasn't her job, she reminded herself sharply. Ibis might have been a scout-turned-ambassador, but she wasn't out here on assignment and it wasn't like the pack needed any more mouths to feed — she looked up in time to see his dark figure drifting along the riverbank, and that's when a thought struck her.

He looked rugged, and on the older side. Experienced. There was a manner about him that reminded her of Kavik. Was he a warrior? Maybe. Or maybe he was just a wanderer and she was seeing what she wanted to see. Ibis snapped out of her thoughts for the time being and stood up, swiftly striding after him.

Excuse me - she shyly called out, likely too quiet. His steps were louder by comparison. Sucking in a bit of courage, she spoke a touch louder: Sir, w-wait! Whether he stopped or not, she would try to close the distance; then eventually, she asked: Can I ask -- if you aren't preoccupied -- for your opinion on something?

He didn't hear her first plea, but he did hear the second "wait!" and Artax turned around to face her, his expression curious. When she asked her question, it made him raise his eyebrows even more. She wanted his opinion on something? But he was only a stranger. And he wasn't even a particularly interesting one, much as he pretended he was. Nevertheless, it wasn't a terribly difficult request to submit to.

What's that? he asked, with a "go ahead and spill the beans" look on his face. The Eyjolfur had no idea what to expect, but maybe that was half the fun in it.