Blacktail Deer Plateau no nuns. no nuns, none!

she had barely exited the den before she was greeted by what she thought was a strange looking wolf— young, perhaps sick? it was thin and reedy, much less substantial in form than vesper's parents even as they thinned from less regular meals. the darkling eyed the creature warily, but she couldn't help but feel curious. she had never met someone before that her parents did not already know or introduce her to.

vesper sat, a small thump of her tail behind her betraying some excitement at this prospect. but as she opened her mouth to speak, phox's voice was there instead: "you aren't welcome here. leave. i won't ask twice." he looked at her then and she met his gaze, catching his silent order to get back in the den.

she huffed, flicking an ear in annoyance. the audacity. she refused to accept him as her father— that was mou's role in her life, not his. how dare he attempt to insert himself, now, attempting to exert parental control over her when he didn't know her. mou and maegi, her true parents, trusted her to care for herself. she had proven herself to be loyal to them and wherever they chose to call home. they trusted she would be safe and could keep herself safe, otherwise they would not have left her alone.

for all he knew, this stranger could be one of her friends.

vesper stood then, pointedly ignoring phox, to move to step around him. i slept fine, she told the coyote, doing her best to sound as if they were on familiar terms. did you? she queried politely after.