Swiftcurrent Creek but the days are cruel and mean

When she stirred, it was daylight.

A time she often kept herself hidden from. Yet if she wanted to prove herself (even temporarily) among these men, she must be seen.

So first she followed the trail of @Akavir, assuming it must be a route he patrolled. Slowly, and unevenly, she prowled along. Prepared to greet him in a warm, wordless way.

The shadows had gone—Akavir’s search for any of the prior gang that had tried to take the creek from them had come up empty and so he had to place trust in the newcomer that she was not affiliated with them.

So when he followed a path he had taken many mornings before, he was still slightly surprised when the thin woman prowled after him, pausing as sparse snowflakes spotted his ebony pelt and allowing his eyes to study her for a moment, the silence stretching between them.

She crooned out to him.

Warm and vibrant. A song and dance she had done a few times before. Blackfeather, Akashingo. She would not be a false hand here despite the things she did keep hidden. She would do her work and prove herself among them.

Guard?

A soft sway of her tail, wondering if she would allow him to invite herself along.

“Guard,” he agreed, a tip of his muzzle in greeting and acceptance as he waited for her to catch up. Once more, he would begin his prowl along their borders, stopping every so often to mark, whether the ground or a tree with his claws. Every so often, his eyes would shift to the she-wolf.

“You should know…” He began, tongue swiping over his lips momentarily. “We’ve had trouble with band of wolves. Chased them off so far, but we think they’ll be back.” He paused, assessing her then. “Do you fight?”

Briefly, she bumped a shoulder to his hip. Then they would begin as two.

Marked borders, she learned the boundaries better. She admired the creek. The land here offered plenty for how few settled upon it.

A finer place could not exist for her to stumble upon.

Her ears became tall, bat-like as he spoke again. Words of warning and a question that offered a small flash of teeth, warm.

Fight. Good fighter. Her tail swayed behind her for a moment before she marked a tree.

Sneak too. Watch guard.

She could do these things for him.

It was a quiet camaraderie—something far more enjoyable to the shadow runner. His thoughts were always assessing, but the routine and consistent border patrol helped, and so as each day passed it seemed the creek might just thrive.

Might, if they could keep away another attack.

Eyes roved the other as she responded—a curt nod given. “Just stay safe,” he offered—feeling as if briefing her on the matter was his due diligence in  giving her plenty of information should she choose to continue on her way. After all, thus far, she simply seemed to remain to rest, and just happened upon them thus far.

With that, he loped forward, continuing the mundane routine that grounded him.

Stay safe.

It was a simple command, one she intended to follow. She saw no need to injure herself further for any needs that did not directly benefit her.

Although...one could say that staying within the Creek's claim was a benefit to her, no? If they needed teeth, she must be ready to provide them. Regardless she fell silent now and loped behind him.

Every now and then she halted to mark a tree boldly. Adding herself along to the scents that scattered their edge.

She took to her task now—both moving in an amicable silence that was far more Akavir’s preference. Every so often he would slow his pace—not to better suit her but only to ensure they would cross paths and he would graze a shoulder to her own, or hip—a simple statement of pack solidarity. That she had a home here, even if she had come to them in the dead of night, seeking shelter.

fade? <3

Two.

Then one.

Then two again. Their work was like of drifting tides. Marked borders in spaces separate before they drifted back together once more. The work may have been swift with the two of them on it, but it would be a memorable moment.