As soon as the alphas left Pip alone with Crystal, she looked on after their retreating tails with concern. It wasn't something she had done which made them mad, clearly. Otherwise, they would have simply chased her off rather than invite her to live in their ranks. The more the yearling thought on it, the more she felt that the male was the one in charge. There seemed to be unbalance in their leadership and perhaps it was that very thing which was leading to the subtle but rising animosity between the pair. But what did she know of Alphas and how they thought? She was as far removed from them as possible.

Unable to voice her concerns, Pip instead focused her attention on her new friend. She beamed at Crystal, ears nearly perked up straight rather than laying flat against her head as they had in the presence of her alphas - their alphas. While the pair walked, the little wolf bumped against her companion's side as she had on their journey here in an easy display of affection that was rare even among her own pack.

After crossing the pack boundaries, she trotted ahead with her nose to the ground, sniffing furiously to learn the scent she would soon wear as her own. There was sadness in losing the seaspray and sand scent that covered her hide now, but also a great amount of excitement for exploring such a different place. As long as Crystal was near, she had no qualms about tracking away from her side. Of course, the moment any new wolves showed up, she would no doubt be back at the tawny female's side.

With her nose satisfied, Pip lifted her head and tilted it slightly to peer at Crystal for direction as if to say Now what?

Pip's tail wagged happily as soon as Crystal's gaze found hers and she bounded over to the tawny lady's side when she was invited along to visit the main pack den. Of course, the young one already determined she would stay by her friend for as long as she would have her. Even if this fox den of hers wasn't big enough for two, the russett wolf knew she would simply sleep just outside if it came to that. Though she was part of the pack now, it would be just too much to be able to sleep comfortably among so many strangers. True, she could meet them today as she had Crystal, however, there was already a strong bond here and Pip had no intention of letting its strength lessen.

With the energy befitting a pup, Pip squirmed and danced along, finding interest in nearly everything they passed. It was all so different from the home she was used to, though there were similarities to be sure. Rather than algae, there was moss. Instead of driftwood, there lay rotten logs filled with all kinds of interesting smells and goodies. The nearby river could be her new ocean, she supposed. It had no crashing waves nor spray of salt in the air, but Pip noticed a sharpness the fresh water added to the air that made other smells so much easier to detect. Where before, she'd not have even noticed a rabbit's trail, now it proved to distract her readily.

Is this what our hunters are so focused on all the time? she wondered with amazement before shaking her head and skipping after Crystal again. Pip's tail continued to wag slowly when she caught sight of the comfy looking den, though she didn't approach in case there was someone sleeping in there that didn't wish to be disturbed.

Why have a den if no one uses it? Pip wondered, cocking her head curiously. Do they stay out in the open? Casting her head skyward, she pursed her lips a bit in consideration. There was plenty of cover above from all the trees. Perhaps the rains weren't so driving in the forest. Leaning forward, the little wolf confirmed with a sniff that there were indeed no fresh scents. At least those she found were pleasant to her nose. Even if it wasn't what she was accustomed to, Pip found the cedar a comforting scent.

When Crystal pointed out the lateness of the day, Pip found the weariness hit her heavily. The undulating excitement and anxiety was catching up to her quickly and the yearling found herself grateful for the opportunity to get off her paws. She was used to being on her paws for most of the day, but sand was quite different compared to hard soil. It had no give!

Eagerly, she nodded at the offer to show her the fox den she'd spoken of before and her burnt orange eyes brightened at the chance to hear more about her new friend. Pip gave a short play bow and chirped at Crystal before bouncing after her, taking every opportunity to brush against the older female with clear affection.

Pip slipped into the den beside Crystal, settling against her friend with comfortable ease. The yearling set her head on her paws, orange eyes flickering up to watch the tawny female curiously as she began to tell her about herself. The coastal wolf smiled, closing her eyes then to imagine the home the other described. She pictured a stretch of beach, but rather than sand, it was peppered with the long scratchy grasses that grew at the junction between beach and forest. That wouldn't be pleasant. Perhaps her grasses were softer and shorter. Like some of the grass that grew in the forest from underneath all the fallen leaves and snow.

Crystal, the mighty huntress! Despite being her size, she still hunted with her pack rather than fished? Awe filled Pip. It seemed impossible for one wolf to be so talented and kind. The yearling wondered if she could learn to hunt as well. She'd never been particularly encouraged to hunt. It required good communication - something others found frustrating with concerns to the mute female. But maybe she could try it out with Crystal. She seemed as accepting of her weakness as her siblings.

At the mention of a grizzly bear, Pip opened her eyes and lifted her head, tilting it with confusion. What's a grizzly bear? she wondered. From the way her friend said it, it sounded like a rival animal. But the only rivals Pip could come up with were ospreys, eagles, otters, and the rare dolphin or whale. Maybe it was closer to a whale. They had lots of teeth and could take a wolf like her if they were sneaky enough. Pip had long ago learned how to watch for whales while fishing and had no concern for one ever getting a hold of her.

As Crystal began explaining, Pip wagged her tail softly with wonder. What a gift her friend was; not even knowing her a full day and still able to comprehend just what it was she was thinking. Content to listen, the yearling leaned against the tawny female, closing her eyes again with a tender smile.

Pip conjured up an image of the beast in her mind, giving it a large, scary wolf face - like one she'd seen in her dreams as a pup - and muddy brown fur. Longer teeth and claws than a normal wolf and so fierce its hackles rose towards the sky as it snarled. It seemed all just a story at first, but the youngling came to the realization that this was no tall tale Crystal was weaving. Concerned, her eyes opened again, narrowing into a worried frown. She would be sure to stick close to the pack borders to avoid such an animal.

The tawny female grew silent in thoughts of her own and Pip settled her head comfortably on her paws once more. The sudden offer to teach her how to hunt in exchange for learning how to fish brought another sleepy smile to the little wolf. It was a fair trade, to be sure, and one worthwhile. Whether permanent or not, she no longer lived by the coast and fishing wouldn't always be an option, as much as she didn't care for the idea. Learning how to be a true hunter like others in her old pack would be beneficial not only for her, but for her new packmates as well. Hunting took teamwork. Fishing could sometimes, too, but it wasn't nearly as vital as hunting.

In agreement, Pip thumped her tail against the ground as the day's events finally caught up to her. Soon, her breathing deepened and jaw slackened as sleep took its claim.