Pip had left @Aegir with @Kyrios, pleased to have the young knight around to trust to watch over her son while she hunted. While the mute was far too small to take down large prey, she had excelled at taking small animals. Rabbits and squirrels fell most often to her jaws when she wasn't fishing, but the agouti female had her orange eyes on another prize today.

The willow trees around her provided ample shade from the blistering sun above, the occasional breeze cooling the air further to the point where the summer heat wasn't unbearable. For all the loveliness of the grove, it lacked the thick foliage that Cedarwood Forest had for cover. Pip found her hunting style had changed drastically since they left the woods she knew. The opportunities she had to rely on ambush techniques were slim and far between; now she had to mostly outrun her quarry! Luckily, she was fast. As tiny as she was, the mute was able to maneuver readily through the trees and use the sparer terrain to an advantage. It actually felt good to run flat out without worrying over what her paws may trip over! Not to say there weren't obstacles within the willows, but comparatively, it was nearly open ground.

Thus far, Pip had been trailing behind a family of pheasant. Originally, the birds had frightened at her presence and fled along the ground in quick tip-taps. Curious, the female had followed. Her first attempt at charging had been met with noisy, panicked flight. Assuming her quarry lost, she thought little of it until she saw the birds touch down a short distance away. Interest piqued, the hunter continued.

Another charge earned her a shorter distance before the pheasants lit down again. Pip wagged her tail, pleased with the discovery. She would be the victor in this game!

Racing forward again, Pip made a mighty leap and snagged a fleeing pheasant right out of the air. One quick shake was all it took for the stressed bird to die. It hung limply in her jaws and she shook it again for good measure. Heady with success, the little mute had allowed her senses to retract from her surroundings. The sudden snap of a twig underfoot caused her to startle violently and spin with her tail tucked. She should have been paying more attention!

Rewriting a lifetime of submission was a difficult process for Pip. Were Aegir around, she would have little issue standing her ground, but the mute found without her son to protect, her ability to defend herself was significantly hampered. The male before her was shorter than Kjell, but his coat was even darker. His stance was neutral with no hint of malice held in his shoulders or expression. Through the brief meeting of their eyes, Pip could tell there was no ill intent. And yet, the young mother did not let down her guard.

From behind hooded eyes, Pip watched the stranger and tried for a low, nervous wag of her tail in return. Assuming his compliment was less meant for her and more for the catch itself, the little mute dropped her kill and backed away as if to let him have it. For her son, for her mate, she could be a fighter. For family. For a kill? It simply wasn't worth life or limb.

Finally, she caught wind of his scent. It was thick and heady with that of pack. Pip felt the ache and yearning for Grizzly Hollow, but that life was left behind She shook her head subtly as if to ward off a bothersome fly. She didn't want trouble with any nearby packs; her little clan couldn't afford such trouble. He could have the bird.

Pip spied the confusion in his gaze and it mirrored the way he stood as well. That, at least, reassured her. This was not a male to be all sickly sweet while hiding ill intent. His thoughts on her behavior were practically pouring out of his ears and spilling on the ground for her to pick up and read with how clear he was in his body language. Still, it was her nature to be hesitant, so she slowly and carefully reclaimed her kill and set it back at her paws.

At the male's question, she let out a long, quiet breath. She hated that question along with a slew of others, but it was always the hardest. And really, some wolves were just daft and assuming she was being rude when she couldn't respond. And even after they found out she couldn't speak, they wouldn't apologize for not realizing sooner. Only continue on as if it had all been her fault to begin with for all the misunderstanding.

Pip opened her mouth as if to say her name, but no sound came out and she wagged her tail slowly and apologetically, though it grated today more than any. Why should she apologize for being the way she was? She hadn't asked for it...

But she supposed the stranger hadn't asked to deal with her either and she sighed.

Perhaps, Pip realized, the male wasn't as frightening as she initially believed. He was large, yes, but his movements were slow and pointed and his eyes, now that she was really looking, carried with them a gentle kindness. His words only proved it so. He...apologized. Not for the fact that she was mute - at least, that's not how she read it - but for not realizing it. No one did that. They either took the handicap in stride or reacted poorly to it. Nicolò was certainly his own brand of unique. At his smile, she offered one in kind.

His demeanor was wholly calm and she found it to be infectious now that she wasn't allowing herself to get so worked up. When he sat down, Pip found she could as well rather than stand in that awkward stage between staying and flight. Nicolò's request caught her off guard. A walk? She couldn't find the harm in it, but she truly didn't intend to eat her catch in front of him. It was for her son or mate or... She hadn't quite figured out how to consider Kyrios, but settled now on thinking of him as a little brother considering he was uncle enough to her son.

Pip stood and delicately picked up the bird before giving a nod to signal she was ready for their walk if he wanted it. She wagged her tail gently and her orange eyes sparked with intrigue. He seemed a decent enough fellow that a walk was harmless enough.

Well used to stretched silences, Pip was happy to wait for Nicolo to think of what he wanted to ask. She appreciated that he took the time to think about it rather than blurting out the first thing that came to mind. It was clear that he had been using his time wisely in finding a question she could answer easily.

The mute inclined her head and looked northward where they no doubt still were. Kyrios seemed to have better luck keeping Aegir entertained and not wandering away. Her expression was soft, as it always seemed to be when she thought of her loved ones. She shared the smile with her companion before lifting her brows to reciprocate the same question back to him, though it was unnecessary. He was clearly an Alpha. There was no doubt he ran a nearby pack. Of course he would have family nearby.

Honestly, she would rather know what kind of Alpha he was. Was he similar to Veho? Or was he more strict like her father? Did he expect too much of his packmates, or did he support them? It was a moot point, she supposed, as she had no intention of joining, but it was nice to know in case she should ever find herself in need of help.