When it came to venturing about, Shrapnel was decently versed in the art. In his relatively short time in the region, he had been etching his way through without too much opposition, gather minute details about this and that. He hadn't learned a whole lot from such things, ever wavering between staying a while longer or simply continuing onward. He was aware that it was abundant with life, both of the predatory kind and prey. It was lush, calm, and generally suited to supporting what he had seen. For the most part he kept back and observed things, but his paths had crossed with others a time or two. Some opportunities he had passed up, but in the case of the one he had currently set his eyes on... he debated the chance before him.


While the heat of the day did little to bother him, he had watched the creek bed before him come and go with a scant few others. Most had plodded on along after a drink, heading off to their own unseen missions (or lack thereof).  But for the dark-haired individual he had set his sun-kissed, fiery eyes on, this one had stopped for a break. Whether or not came from a neighboring pack he could not ascertain, but he seemed moderately well. Perhaps no worse than wear in comparison. Then again, most everyone Shrapnel had crossed paths seemed that way; only few seemed relatively robust and comfortable in their outfittings. Maybe they were all venturing out, or maybe they had been displaced.


Regardless, his observations went from ways away to the gradual pace that now guided his earthy toned body towards the other; a light chuff escaping him as he drew near. He came meaning no harm, playing his part as a simple passer-by coming up along the shade and shore for a drink of the crisp water that babbled by. He regarded the ebony beast curiously but did not speak, instead taking his time to get his fill of the water and be looked upon the same way. He was never one to simply march up and start talking, never certain who was willing for conversation or for a fight. He doubted the latter in this scenario, but only just. Too many variables, he reasoned internally. Now it was simply wait and see.

It didn't take him long to quench his thirst, only long enough to see that he was noticed and that a simple survey had been done. Shrapnel couldn't help but notice that the dark sentinel had vivid blue eyes, which surprisingly complimented the features of his face. They were the polar opposites to the molten gold that consisted of his own eyes, and both colors seemed to burn with their own subtle fires. He noted the deference carefully, appeased that there didn't seem to be any trouble bound to stir from his bank side canine. While he didn't openly go searching for a spat, he did test the waters of those who came by. For the most part, he had yet to really encounter anyone who rubbed him the wrong way. A good sign, all things considered; Shrapnel was about as fresh to the terrain as they came. He needed information eventually, but hadn't tempted the borders of any packs he had sussed out by purpose or accident.  But they existed, this he knew.


Lifting his head from the water, his eyes did not waver from the dark individual. Even as the droplets ran loose from his mouth and through the thin hairs of his jawline, he simply licked at his lips.  "Feeling uncomfortable?" he queried with a cant to match what he had been given. If he had been privy to the thoughts of that icy-eyed wolf, he would have agreed with them. He was a fighter, but was also willing to believe that there were similar demons that lurked in the other. Decently sized, unabashed by where he chose to settle; to Shrapnel those were markers belonging to those who were brave enough to feel they didn't need to hide. Especially considering that neutral grounds weren't always necessarily neutral. But he laid no particular claim to anywhere yet, instead hunkering down at night in the open as long as the weather permitted. He wasn't permanent, not yet. He was just as transient as any of them that laid claim to nowhere in particular.

Oh, so he was a little nervous about sharing some of the space between them. Shrapnel was willing to surmise that it was probably a good thing. After all, what harm had ever come out of being on guard? He smiled thinly with his companion, unaware that the act in itself could have been easily taken in another direction. But Shrapnel only cared whether or not he was being threatening or imposing when it completely benefited him. Here, he hadn't quite made up his mind. Nevertheless, he briefly drew his gaze away to study the bends of the water momentarily, pondering the question that followed swiftly at the heels of honesty.


"Don't we all?" he asked at first, musing aloud. He returned his gaze then, his brow quirked with interest. "These are strange lands, with strange creatures. No telling what could happen. Is it bad to be wary and alert in an unfamiliar place?" He had asked himself the same thing, over and over, time after time when he had come to many a new place. Even now, days into his exploration of the Lore, Shrapnel had yet to decide what he thought of it. There were the obvious things, the things that stood out to be eye-catching and exciting. But he wasn't interested in that any more. No, he was beginning to get curious about the nitty gritty beneath, wondering if underneath that abundant, lush facade lurked the same things that had fueled his childhood like a rampant wildfire.


"Now if it's me you're wondering about, I don't know what to tell you. It would depend on how this goes, how our meeting plays out into the overall story," he added on afterward, almost absently as a close-lipped grin spread across his maw. Sure, they could hit it off awesomely now, but later? Shrapnel wouldn't have been surprised if something drove them to be at each other's throats. Such was the way of the beast, such was the way of the chaos that had long lurked beneath his earthen exterior. He believed they all had such a thing inside, a subconscious if not unconscious, primal key just waiting for them to muster the energy and the right situation.

Yes, they would certainly have to see how things went. But for now he felt comfortable enough to let his own guard down, sinking to his haunches with a lazy yawn. By then he was met with another question, one that he had anticipated being asked by those he had come into contact with. As much as he would have liked to say that he was familiar with the area, Shrapnel hardly knew a thing about it. Yet. He knew there were packs around, but their names, like those of the territories he had been to, were unknown.


"No," he then said, seeing no reason to lie. It wouldn't have done him much good to venture down that path now anyway, seeing how he felt he could make the safe assumption that they were relatively in the same boat. Wayfarers from lands far away, greenhorns in a land well-packed with natives. But there seemed to be a fair number of them anyhow, and that was something that he didn't know how to take. Perhaps there had been some sort of turmoil that had led to quite an exodus, but that would mean that upheavals were common. And that was something he was familiar with.


So he opted for something else -- with another curious cant of his head, he spoke once more. "What do you know of this place?" He followed it up with a gesture, trying to convey that he meant more than just where they presently were. Any shred of information would be welcome to his almost greedy ears, and he was more than willing to share what he had gathered. Tools of the trade and all, thinking perhaps they'd be able to learn from one another.

As he spoke, Shrapnel tumbled across something that he didn't quite expect -- this fellow wasn't travelling alone. If it weren't for the fact that they hadn't been interrupted, he may have thought said companion was lurking somewhere just beyond them. Close enough to listen, but maybe not watch or be seen. Regardless, what he also heard hadn't been out of the ordinary either. He had seen the game trails, seen the prey themselves, and had hunted when it was necessary. But it was the comment of the locals which made him almost snort to himself, though not from amusement. He too had yet to encounter too many from the packs around them, and he hadn't quite gone as far to acquire any of their names.


Shame really, because who knew if one of them may have been a fit? Not that he was quite looking to join anywhere in particular, not exactly being certain that he needed it just yet. He had done without one since he had left his birthplace, but then again he had also utilized the aid of companions from time to time. Miniturized packs themselves, if one were to consider more than one wolf a pack. "Perhaps they are shy," he theorized with a hum. "I haven't really bothered getting close enough to them to find out honestly. At any rate, this place is crawling with able bodies and plenty of food... would rather make it easy for them to stay around and work to keep their homes." He felt wordy then, but it was the truth. Had he come with any others, Shrapnel himself would have been tempted to claim a stake all of his own.


But as it were, he was just faceless in the crowd.