The world had gone from cold to wet, the melting snow joined by heavy rainfall, both leaving every spot of barred ground slippery with mud. Nalda wasn't sure it was an improvement. Her fur was a permanent mess, hairs spiked together with moisture, paws more brown than white. It was limited how much time she could spend trying to clean herself, especially today. Adding to her already great mood, she had been saddled with the newbie, some kid Aponi had taken pity on and made the packs lowest. Apparently she was rather useless, and Nalda had been tasked with changing that; Just what I needed… But she wanted to please her aunt, and show some degree of interest in supporting the pack. So she'd accepted the duty. She just hoped this girl wasn't a complete waste and they would actually be able to catch something; Or this will all just be a complete waste of time!

In preparation for this day of sociality, the dark wolfess had spend the night alone, sheltered from the rain by a small collection of reddish rocks that she had used several times before for the same purpose. It was more than enough that she would likely be holding this kids paw all day, there was only so much mingling she could handle at a time. But now the time was up and she made her way towards the den site, folding her face into carefully neutral features to hide her annoyance. Still a frown made it onto her feature as she arrived to find no sign of her charge, the wet clearing appearing deserted. Oversized ears flattened back, one corner of her mouth tugging down disapprovingly; Where is she?! If she couldn't even arrive on time then what good was she?

A wet thud among the nearby trees drew her attention, paws quickly carrying her the short distance across the clearing and into the woods. There she found her missing charge, covered in mud pretty much from head to tail, having seemingly slipped in the stuff just moments before; How charming… But Nalda hid her distaste, offering instead a curt nod in greeting to the yearling, before turning to move swiftly towards the borders, voicing a simple: "C'mon." They had a lot of ground to cover if the hoped to track anything down in this weather.

Sheesh this girl was a piece of work! Golden eyes traced her as she raced ahead, running around like some pup without care for direction or decorum. Nalda rolled her eyes again, sighing heavily as she put her nose to the ground, searching for trails as she moved slowly through the underbrush. When the yearling finally seemed to regain her sense – As much of it as she has – and came back to her superior’s side, the question was enough to make her grind her teeth in annoyance. She continued onward a few more steps, still sniffing the ground, then finally raised her head, turning it vaguely back in the other’s direction. “Out where’is more open,” she answered, curtly, flaring her nostrils; “An’stinks less’o’ wolf.” Then she returned her nose to the ground and resumed her trot in a general southern direction.

There was no chance of going at something larger; Not when I’m settled with… THIS. So she concentrated on scents of smaller prey, following the freshest trails as the trees started to thin out. Slowing her steps as they neared the clearing, she hunkered down, sweeping the land with her eyes as she searched for what she’d scented, grinning to herself as she caught sight of feathers. Without turning, she hissed at her companion: “No’you stay quiet if y’want’ catch an’thing.” Her gaze remained on the pheasants, picking their way along the tree line. This would require perfect timing.