The last rays of light were rapidly fading as the summer sun slipped below the horizon, bringing with it cooling relief from the heat of the day. These hours of twilight were usually ones that the Vuesain enjoyed, finding them peaceful. She was always up and about as the transition from day to night began. Either patrolling, searching for herbs or a new haunt, but always taking time to look skywards. Should the darkening canvas be clear, she would pause to watch the stars come out. Somewhere up there, in another realm, her mother was frolicking among her ancestors. She would be happy, unhindered by the trials and harsh realities of the world.

Neha in contrast, despite her secure place in Vigils Keep, was feeling anything but tranquil tonight. In fact, she hadn't felt truly content for a very, very long time. The reason for her frayed nerves was no mystery. With the confrontation of the invading Driftwood wolves behind them, but still seared into their memories, the pack had to be on high alert. They had rivals now, and they were close. Just a days travel away. After Nineva had worked so hard to form this pack, while becoming a mother, simply moving camp was not an option with young Ellery around. Though her pack greatly outnumbered the Driftwood wolves that day, the incident was an eye opener. Sooner or later, Neha may very well have to fight these wolves while defending her home...her family. The Vuesain female had little in the way of such experience, but with her rough around the edges persona, certainly had the mental willingness. Restlessly, she paced along the pebbled shore of the lake, a clear hint of agitation in her step. Coldly, she glared at her own reflection in the water, scrutinizing herself and any shred of potential she had, perhaps hidden deep within the dark.

Her moment was soon interrupted. Whether or not Neha should have welcomed the break in the moment, she was unsure. She had grown used to her self isolation, perhaps almost to the point of enjoyment. But on the other paw, her life in Vigils Keep, serving under @Nineva was supposed to be a fresh start for her. A chance at redemption and renewal. The big question is, whether she even wanted it or not.

Her head lifted, with an almost deliberate unhurried sweep, the muscles in her neck flexing as she turned to fix her eyes on her pack mate, standing not far off. She recognized him instantly, by both sight and scent. Nineva's older brother, quite distinguished by the horrid scars that tore up the right side of his otherwise handsome face. Inside she smirked humorlessly to herself, imagining that this might be quite what her heart now looked like. For a long moment she said nothing; only regarded him through slightly narrowed, hardened brown eyes. "Neha." She returned simply, her voice rough and hollow from lack of daily use. She saw no point in adding on her surname. She was no regal princess anymore. Her father was gone, her mother dead, her younger sisters missing. All that was left of the Vuesain lineage was her and Aleister. Hardly worth mentioning, if they could even be considered a legacy to their name now. "I'm fine. That run in with those flea bags just got under my skin, that's all." She grumbled out, pinning her gaze back at her paws, her tail giving a single agitated lash.

Had anyone known Neha as a youth, where she came from and who her parents were, no one would have suspected that she would have turned out like this. Her future had looked bright, full of stability and promise. As a child and a young adult, she had been a typical female. But she had made poor decisions. One after the other, it seemed. Fate had not been kind in dealing the swift and final blow to her spirit, in the death of Namid. She was grateful that she at least had Aleister back in her life, but at times she questioned if he was holding him down.

With that same coldness remaining in her eyes, she looked at him again. Her lips pursed into a tight line. "A bunch of fools, they are. But, we are stuck with them as neighbors." She moved to pace along the shore of the lake again, but not out of his range. When she moved, Neha carried herself in a certain way. Shoulders hunched, head level with her spine, or slightly lowered, her steps seemingly calculated. This was not the language of a wolf lacking in confidence, but of one harboring inner defeat, compensating by donning a darkened, but non malicious exterior. "We should be, yes. But I'm not so sure about myself. I've never fought a single battle." She wasn't asking for help. No, of course not. She wasn't that soft. That weak. She was just stating the truth, even if it stung a little.

When she did lift her head to look back up at him, her chocolate eyes were cold...hardened. His own she studied momentarily; amber with flecks of teal scattered throughout. Such an...intriguing color combination. She tried not to wonder how he attained the scars littering the right side of his face. She had no such physical marks to bare, a clue that she had either just been lucky or had lived the easy life up until recently. Her lips tightened accompanied with a harsh shake of her head. "Never. Though I came close...once." She cut herself off there, abruptly. The memory of the time when she had lashed out at her younger sister, @Lunette, whom for some reason she couldn't stand, was too much. This was no time to talk. She wanted to learn to fight. And she wanted to do it now.

Yuka seemed keyed in enough to offer just that. And, his simple invite was all it took. Her posture raised, ears pivoted back while her tail flagged. She certainly had the spirit and the will, but not the experience. She dug in deep to her memories, of her twisted emotions. Let them gurgle and slowly rise, fueling her blood with adrenaline. "Then, teach me." She hissed determinedly through clenched teeth. Widening her stance, she readied herself for whatever move he would toss her way. The Vuesain's brown eyes darkened as she added. "And don't go easy on me."

She listened, albeit a little impatiently to his words of knowledge. Of course, every wolf would naturally differ in their chosen fighting strategy, taking into account their size and build. Neha knew, while almost petite in stature, would naturally have the edge of speed and even stamina, should she utilize the proper techniques. With no further warning nor comment, the russet male lunged to barrel into her. With how focused she was already, Neha allowed him to careen against her side for only a split second. One in which she kept her legs stiff and bent slightly to better absorb the impact.

In the next instant, she nimbly leapt back, away from him. Her hope was to ward off or intercept any other charges at her, hopefully in time to act reasonably. On her on behalf, as a counter measure, she bluffed with a mock lunge, clacking her jaws. Instinct told her to keep him directly in her line of sight, his movements followed by her cold brown eyes.