I can't go on and on

Viorel was quickly becoming a night owl in these new lands. He was finding the best time to explore quietly and enjoy the privacy of his thoughts. During the daylight hours he socialized and scouted and hunted with the others, but the night was his sanctuary. Usually he would sleep for a few hours around dusk and once the moon rose over the trees he would awake again, ready for something new. Usually he made it back by the time the moon was at its highest point and joined @”Clover” or one of the others to spend the night snoozing.

Tonight he had a specific location in mind. Well, the idea of one anyways. Ever since Vanadis had mentioned that she was from ‘the willows’ he had had it in the back of his mind to seek them out. He had thought about asking her to take him this evening, but he thought it would have been rude to wake her if she was sleeping. He hadn’t properly sought her out to see if she was or not, but when he hadn’t run into her on his way out of their future territory he didn’t think twice. She had said it was south east of the sinkhole, so first he had head that way - saw the creepy hole- and then headed south east.

Eventually he had found what she must have meant. It was winter so the willows were bare but their branches still swept down, and the ends left strange looking trails in the snow as they blew in the breeze. It had started to snow lightly while Viorel had travelled so he had climbed a nearby ridge to take refuge for a while before heading home. He hadn’t planned on exploring the trees too thoroughly, just wanted a better idea of where his future pack mate had come from.

Setting fires to keep you warm

I can't go on and on

The male had not been lounging long, just enough time to really take in the ridge and trees around him. Viorel had been busy day dreaming about what kind of life the pack that had lived here had lived. He would have to tell Vanadis that he had found her willow trees, and ask her what she remembered about them. What had made this area so special that a pack had lived here and called this place home? Was it the trees themselves, or the ridge that offered extra protection? The curiosity was getting the better of him, and he was torn between exploring the area more and heading back to camp when a voice broke his concentration.

Blinking slightly at the startle, Viorel scrabbled closer to the edge of the rocky ridge and peeked his salt and pepper crown over the edge. He was surprised to see anyone else out so many hours past sunset, and had almost half expected to see one of his group had followed him. Of course, that was a stupid thought because he hadn’t recognized the voice, but still. Grinning down at the tawny woman he laughed and called back, ”Just a ghost and a bunch of trees!” He was teasing of course, as was his nature to not take things so seriously.

Grinning cheekily he called down again, ”To come up here you first must guess the answer to my riddle.” But, he would have to think of one first.

Setting fires to keep you warm

I can't go on and on

Dark tail swept happily behind him in the snow when the woman returned his smile and had her own quip. He liked her, she was quick on her paws. Winking - although he wasn’t sure if she could see that in the dark - he laughed heartily. After the guffaws he returned, ”I never said I was good at being a ghost!” He wasn’t even really sure that he believed in ghosts, but with all the craziness that had happened in his life in the last couple of months anything seemed possible. I mean really, what was more likely, ghosts exist or, bald two legged creatures would sting him and his family and drop them here with no memory? And yet, it was the latter that had happened.

Scrabbling his hefty form a little closer to the edge his whole face peered over now, and grey tipped paws hung lazily over the rocks. Wiggling his toes in a thoughtful manner he was suddenly floored on what riddle to say. His Aunt @Amondi had always been quick with the quips and he was thankful for that now. Grinning like a cheshire cat he used his most dramatic announcement voice, ”Very well intrepid adventurer, the guardian of the trees and ridge will grant you three guesses to complete my riddle and win your reward!” Not that getting to climb on the ridge and see some more willow trees was much of a reward, but it was all in good fun.

His tail was beating so hard now that his rump swung with it. This was silly, but it was fun. Once again he boomed, ”Your riddle is as follows: what belongs to you, but other wolves use it far more than you?” That was a good one, he hoped.

Setting fires to keep you warm

I can't go on and on

Now that his whole head peaked over the ledge Viorel was able to get a more clear look of the ‘adventurer’ that he had been speaking to. From this far he could not tell any details, but could get a general feel, female - obviously - brown, taller than him maybe but definitely lighter. Maybe a little bit older than he was? Her appearance was nothing out of the ordinary, but her personality was certainly a delight.

Laughing loudly again he chortled, ”Well, thank you adventurer, I try.” At her comment that he was a very generous guardian. The Valles were not always known for their generosity, they were not giving for the sake of giving you see. But, they would lend a hand when necessary, or if the cost was not too great. Viorel had inherited a more giving heart than most of the Valles, a more cheerful, sunny disposition, but the strategic judgement remained.

He was pleased that the woman didn’t know the answer to his riddle immediately and had to think about it a little. Leaning forward to study her face as she pondered a grin spread across his own. Viorel wriggled in delight at her first answer, ”A good guess, but incorrect! You have two guesses remaining.” What would she guess next?

Setting fires to keep you warm

I can't go on and on

Shame on her name! Oh what a delight. Viorel wanted to giggle like a child but somehow managed to hold on to some of his composure. Instead of laughing he turned his nose up in false dignity, as if he couldn’t even stand to look at the explorer as she brought shame on herself. With an exaggerated ‘humph’ he drawled, ”A pity really. What is your next guess?” Maybe she would redeem herself this time, gain her ancestors blessing.

Ah, he thought too soon. Her next guess again was good but not the answer that he was looking for. Allowing the moment to draw out for dramatic effect Viorel climbed to his paws and stretched his height out in an attempt to seem more intimidating. Clearing his throat, he threw his head back, ”Incorrect again!” The yearling was really getting into his guardian of the trees and ridge character now, if he were a two leg maybe he could have been a successful actor.

Peering down from his position he smiled widely, ”You have only one guess remaining intrepid adventurer.” Most of him hoped that she would get it this time, but a small, greedy part of him hoped that she wouldn’t. If she didn’t guess correctly this time, then he would win. But, mostly he realized that the fun of all of this had been in the game itself, not winning or losing.

Setting fires to keep you warm