On his way back towards the land from this first scouting trip, he hadn't been able to find much information of what had caused everyone to leave the Lore. However, he would soon have to come to the conclusion that he may never know. Perhaps, it was for the best. Forcing them all to look towards the future and only that. Though, being the experience traveling loner, the Vuesain male knew you always had to keep one eye behind you. In case something or someone wanted to sneak up on you. He wasn't going to let the past keep him from his future her in the Lore, but he sure was going to watch out for it.

Keeping his pace smooth, but deliberate, the dark agouti male traversed through the snow with ease having plenty of years of experience under his belt. Though, those years never made it warmer to the male. Winter was always the most dreaded season to live through, but it was an essential one. Months to reset the land while the rest of the year spent on regrowth.

He almost missed her as she blended beautifully against the snow covered land, but his mismatched gaze hardly missed anything. Since his path crossed with her, he decided to alert the stranger of his presence as he would rather avoid a conflict. Letting out soft chuff in her direction, he kept his body relaxed as this was not his land to claim. Neutral ground was good. 

The small female turned his way, her amber eyes falling upon him seemingly scanning him for any signs of danger. Having already set his body in a relaxed posture, he hoped to sooth any worries the woman had about him. He was merely passing through to get him, no funny business here. White shoulders lost all tension as she greeted him with a smile, her name falling from her ebony lips. Clover, she introduced as he dipped his head slightly in proper greeting. I'm Aleister, he returned, a smile lifting his ebony lips.

Her coat was littered with various scents, but he couldn't be sure if she belonged to a pack or if she had been coming across a lot more wolves than him. Perhaps, she may have more news on what happened to drive everyone away or if there were more returning souls to the Lore. Her gaze shifted to look around them before she questioned him. She seemed polite enough, but until he could feel her out a little more, he was still on guard. I live over on the mountain, he answered, throwing his muzzle in the general direction of the Mountain of Dire. The mountain range was a very large area, so keeping his home generalized was in the best interest for now. How about you? Maybe, she would be more trusting and divulge details.

Her gaze followed his as he motioned to the mountain where him and his family inhabited. Having kept the exact location vague for now, he wanted to keep them as safe as possible until he could be sure there would be no threat. Or at least a very limited threat. She mentioned she was living in the other direction with a couple others. Aleister couldn't help but wonder how many others were there. At least it wasn't just them that happened upon the Lore again, the land was getting repopulated again. The Vuesain wasn't sure if that was a good thing or bad thing.

She continued to question if he was with anyone. Having spent almost his entire life as a loner, he was always cautious on what information to give out and to whom. At least she admitted she was with others. Clover was willing to give out some information. No, I have a few others with me as well, he answered again vaguely. This tug of war information game wasn't getting them very far. However, Aleister wasn't quite ready yet to show his cards. Have you and your friends been here long? I've noticed the lands has been very vacant as of late. Perhaps, she was willing to show her cards?

Keeping her own cards hidden, she only revealed that her and her group had only arrived to the Lore just recently. She observed the absence of resident wolves as well, wondering what could have possibly made them disperse. Aleister only had one theory and he wasn't sure if this was the reason or if it was far worse. In honesty, the agouti male hoped his theory was true as the unknown was even further worrisome.

The last time I was in the Lore, there had been an influx of coyotes. I left before knowing any outcome, but I wonder if they became such a problem where it drove the herds away therefore driving everyone else away. It was a decent theory, but one that has yet to be deemed true. Perhaps they will never know the truth. I haven't been able to find anyone that knows the truth, so it may just be a theory, he answered truthfully.

’You lived here before?’ The alabastern woman asked after he explained his theory about the coyotes running amuck through the Lore. It was just a theory, but it could be a realistic explanation as to why the Lore that was once so heavily populated was now almost abandoned. Yes, I was actually born here, he answered matter of factly as his mismatched gaze looked over to her once more. I lived here on and off for years.

Many of years were spent outside of the Lore, some of which he regretted, but Aleister would also not be the wolf he was today if he hadn’t succumbed to the wanderlust that plagued him since adolescence. Same, he returned with a smile to match her own. Though, if we ever find the truth will be the tough part. The truth was taken by those who left the Lore before anyone could return to learn it. Perhaps the truth was meant to be a mystery. A dangerous mystery that lurked around the bend, waiting for the Lore wolves to become comfortable with their world once again before it swept the rug under their feet. Her amber gaze lifted to the descending sun on the horizon before turning back to him. Nodding in agreement, he had the same feeling it was time to carry on. It was a pleasure meeting you as well, Clover. Safe travels.