Firestone Hot Springs Unaware of instincts

Makatza and wandered even further away from her usual territory. She was still young and naïve, not realizing mating season was upon most adults. She had no concept of the real world, everywhere was her playground and anyone who ventured into her playground was her toys, and she could do whatever she wanted with those toys until she grew bored of them.

The young entitled former princess was not about to head back to the glacier, the winter had been harsh but she had managed (somehow) and now she searched for warmth. She didn't know her current playground too well, but she did sense and smell water nearby. She wanted to investigate that and what a catch she found!

She watched the water steam with hotness and she quickly slid into the warm water. She had not been this warm for months! She sighed in happiness and leaned her head against the edge of the ground, her paws paddling softly in the water to stay afloat. She put her front paws on top of the edge and watched if anyone was to join her.

She was bored. And a bored princess was a dangerous thing.

Sphyrapicus had lingered close to Redhawk Caldera for a while following the fight with the coywolf who'd stolen from her caches, but eventually decided to leave. It was better to leave the past behind, and now that she was strong again, she should get going. Eventually she planned to find a new pack — her own place, away from her family; this time, finally, she would be the one to leave them rather than the other way around — but for now, Sphyra enjoyed her freedom.

Even though the hot springs were not that far from Redhawk Caldera, Sphyra had never visited them before. The steam was fascinating; unlike anything she'd seen before. It wouldn't have dawned on Sphyra to get into the steaming water, honestly, if she hadn't already seen someone else lounge in there. The other — young, like herself — came into view through the mists, and what an entrance it was.

Sphyra approached, her body language tense and cautious, though confident. Greetings, she said, a little stiffly and more formal than she intended; her lack of experience with greeting other wolves on neutral grounds shone through.

Makatza watched as the other approached her through the steam and she smiled as she saw it was another youngster. "Greetings" She almost, aaaaalmost scuffed and laughed. What kind of formal greeting was that? But she was able to hold up the mask and instead she smiled wider. Makatza had plans for herself, and making friends (aka followers) was part of that plan.

"Hello." Makatza shifted slightly, making room for the other youngster if she wanted to join her in the hot water. The princess already hated the cold so much, she was longing for the warmer weather. She looked back up at the reddish female and motioned with her head to join her. "It's really warm." She offered to entice her into joining.

If, when she joined Makatza's eyes shifted slightly to the distance. "I am Makatza" She decided it was better to hold off on her title as princess. She was didn't want the peasant to feel inferior to her right away (even if she was) but the female could be useful in the future, right?

"Are you from around here?" Might as well get some intel on the land.

Sphyra hesitated when she was offered a spot in the warm water. It seemed unnatural. Nothing like anything Sphyra had seen before, anyway. She enjoyed swimming in the summer when it was warm, but she'd never had the opposite experience. Eventually, her desire to be valued as courageous won out [dmash] she wasn't no wussy — and Sphyrapicus approached stoically, her features serious and a little tense as she dipped a toe into the water. The warmth was pleasant and relaxed her instantly, and the youth decided to dip all the way in, joining this complete stranger.

The stranger introduced herself as Makatza. Sphyra said, I'm Sphyrapicus. When she'd decided to use her full name on a whim, she'd intended to sound learned and smart, but now that she had said it, she found herself wondering if it was too much. Sphyra followed up, You can call my Sphyra, if you want. I was born at Redhawk Caldera, but it fell apart recently. It's not far from here, to the south. Makatza was young herself, so the question was easily returned. What about you?