Noctisardor Bypass stay crunchy

Haunt returned to Sapphique and spent several days checking on and topping caches, mostly with small game. Satisfied with her work there, she resumed tracking the Broken Antler herd. She kept a close eye on the pregnant does. She still didn't know when they might drop their fawns. Haunt observed for a few hours, leaving when the herd came to rest on Dawnlark Plains.

But instead of heading north toward home, she went south, toward the place where she'd been born. Haunt had no idea what compelled her in this direction, other than the ever-present homesickness which plagued her ever since Vex's departure. It welled up when she reached the bypass's borders, the ache so poignant she stopped to catch her breath.

Calcifer lazily rested within a dip he had carved out for himself within the earth. With the changing of the seasons and the sun only showing its face more and more he appreciated being out in the open as opposed to being secluded away in an isolating cave. Spaces he had known for much of this life and spaces he cling to in the absence of his family. But the sun, the breeze, and the shade had become a welcoming sensation that coaxed him away.

Months had passed and the pack had moved in the time since he last saw his mother and sister. Their absence was having a less detrimental effect on Cal with each passing day. But he had yet to have a day go past without think of both of them.

Lightly snoozing, an unfamiliar scent rolling on the breeze caught his attention. It was rare for him to meet new faces and something he always eager to do. Lifting his enlarged body from the ground he trotted towards the border and saw a pure white female standing there. Her coat reminded him of his mother. 

Her scent was not that of the pack so Cal would have to be wary. He also had little to no influence within the pack other than being born and raised within it. Much younger than the rest, though his size often fooled others, he did little more than greet the girl. "Hello"

A voice rumbled her out of a glassy-eyed stare into the middle distance. Haunt blinked, instinctively stiffening, and assumed a defensive posture: head low, spine straight, tail pointed backward. When her yellow eyes saw the speaker, her posture only grew more rigid. The greeting had been clear and friendly, though that wasn't a wolf, as far as she could tell.

She had only seen a bear from a distance, though the resemblance was there. Was it usual for a bear to share territory with wolves? And to communicate with them? She realized he smelled just like a wolf. Haunt's ruff stood on end, as did a ridge of fur down her backbone. She kept her eyes pinned on the bearlike creature, full of misgivings.

As Calcifer greeted the white female and approached, her stance began to change and he stopped in his tracks. She lowered her head and her body became stiff, along with the hair that stood on end all over her body. Calcifer had never seen someone respond in this way to seeing him. Everyone in Rivenwood, at least those he interacted with, had all know Cal since his infancy and had seen the progression of his abnormal growth and made few to no remarks about it to him. 

Her straightened tail made him the most wary. His casual body language was now one on alert. Not as defensive as Haunts, but ready for movement should he need to expend it. The one thing that made him feel safe was that he was on his pack ground and her teeth remained sheeted below her gums. He wasn't aware of the pack protocol in such an instance and kept in mind that Mahler would only be a howl away should he need him. 

"What brings you to Rivenwood Miss? Is there something or someone you seek?" he asked wanting to know most of her intentions as she stood at the border. Although he could see her it was as if he had heard a knock at a door and wasn't sure what waited for him on the other side. Only this door was metaphorical and only enforced by common courtesy.

He addressed her politely but pointedly, though Haunt didn't answer right away. For one thing, she couldn't get past the fact that a bear was speaking to her like this sort of thing just happened every day. For another, Haunt didn't have any particular reason for being here. If he'd been an average wolf, she probably would've said that and excused herself back home.

"Are you a bear?" she eventually blurted, aware that it was probably rude. But Haunt had to know.