Neo had been hopeful, he'd been sure he'd find them but as winter grew green with springs warm embrace his hope had started to wither. He'd traveled and hunted in the plains for months with no signs of Nia or her companion. He didn't wanna give up but the change of the season had brought complications. Spring was a complication, he wasn't a child he knew how it worked and why @Bellavinne had likely spent time away from him. He'd given her space, though never abandoned her. He'd kept a watchful eye on their surroundings fully intend on keeping her safe and out of harm's way. So when it passed he'd been happy that she'd returned and seemed to try and spend time with him again.

The blond Hervok still traveled the plains, even today he was returning from the grasslands into the forest after a fruitless hunt. He'd go out again later but for now, he wanted to see if Vinnie had returned to the Orchard for the day. There was something on his mind, something they needed to talk about. He'd kept them here wanting to find his sister, they discussed what to do if they found her in the past. Though never what to do if they didn't. Neo wanted to know what Vinnie wanted to do, if there was anything she wanted in life. To find a pack, to see the world and travel... He'd promised to protect her, promised he would stay by her side for as long as she needed it. As the trees rose around him and the pale frame of the she-wolf came into view he barked out a greeting heading towards her with a wagging tail.

"Hi Vinnie" he greeted as he sat down near her. "Do you have time to talk or are you heading out after eating?" he asked looking at the small fuzzy body of the squirrel for a moment before retuning his attention to her.

Vinnie seemed uncertain for a moment but he chose not to note on it instead he smiled grateful for her offer but shook his head.

"I see good and don't worry I'll find something later" he smiled towards her making no motion to join her meal. Such a small meal was hardly sharable and he didn't wanna take her food.  Instead, he'd much rather talk about what to do next, ask what she wanted to do what she wanted now...

"I wanted to talk about what to do next" he offered a short explanation as he looked out into the trees. Nia wasn't here. If she had been at all. He could have been chasing host all winter. But at least he'd found Vinnie. To have someone by his side was a blessing. He wasn't a lone wolf even if he'd grown up as one. No Neo Hervok much-preferred company. "I don't think Nia is here, she could have moved on, or maybe it wasn't her at all. It's been months since we arrived and I think we should move one." he elaborated as he turned to face the young pale she-wolf. He wouldn't make this decision without, wouldn't force her to just follow him where ever he wanted to go. No Neo would follow her where ever she went, that was part of promising to protect someone.

"What do you wanna do, is there anything you wanna see or someplace you wanna find?" he asked his tail thumping against the ground with a steady rhythm as it wagged.

Neo felt slightly guilty as she pushed her food aside, he hadn't meant to stop her from eating by refusing her offer. He'd have to make up for it later, maybe he could catch her rabbit or two.

Neo watched her reaction and smiled as she spoke of their time together. Of how she'd learned new things from what they'd seen and done. He was proud of her, proud that she'd stood by his side when fighting a coyote and when hunting or tracking food. Vinnie was a bright young wolf and a weary kind soul. Though the mention of her family was understandable, even if he hadn't asked much about them he knew they didn't deserve to be called family. They were cruel and a problem if they were hunting Vinnie Neo wasn't sure he could protect her all on his own. And yet had she spoken her thoughts aloud, told him she liked the orchard he would have. But she didn't instead she offered to follow him.

It was slightly disappointing to hear her offer so little. He hadn't wanted to just decide where they went but to hear her say she didn't care wasn't what he wanted either. He wanted her to help decide, to let her have input on what happened in her life. "I don't wanna just drag you along, we are traveling together where we go and when we stop is just as much your decision as it's mine." he told her his voice warm but stern as he hoped she would understand. He wasn't her family he wouldn't force her to just keep up and do as she was told. To Neo her voice mattered, her thoughts were important and he wanted her to share them. "But I'm happy that you're coming along" he added a smile on his lips. He truly was, Neo despite his upbringing wasn't a lone wolf. He liked having others around him liked having a responsibility to someone else.

"I guess we can just travel for now see what's out there maybe ask around if anyone knows if you being hunted." as he spoke the last part he watched her carefully. He didn't wanna bring up her family but he needed to know if he should be on guard or not. They'd been staying in one spot for a few months and he hadn't heard or meet anyone looking for Vinnie but he didn't know how far away her pack was or their numbers.

Neo despite his tone earlier felt terrible to see her frown.. had he gone too far by demanding she took charge as well? Maybe... but he wanted Vinnie to gain independence to become the strong wolf he knew she could be. He'd seen fire in her eyes and he would help nurture it into a blazing storm. So when she made her suggestions he smiled and hummed in approval nodding his head. "we could head north maybe northwest see what's beyond the open field" he agreed wagging his tail happily he'd do all he could to support her decision to help her grow more secure in her own choices.

Vinnies reaction to her family and having to talk about them was understandable. The blond Hervok would shift to try and lightly bump his frame against her in an attempted gesture of encouragement. He was here for her, he would keep her safe. The knowledge that Vinnie didn't think they would be looking for her brought some peace to his mind. He trusted her to know more about the people who claimed to be her family than he did. "I understand, we'll stay clear of the east for now and I'll keep a lookout for anyone under or associated with your family" he promised her. He wasn't going to ask Vinnie to ask around no he'd do that to keep her safe and put himself as the face looking for Sevaks.

Neo listened to Vinnie as she explained more about her family. Apparently, they didn't associate much with outsiders. He guesses it made sense. If you wanted to miss treat your family keeping them away from those who could free them from the fear and control would make sense. But much as Vinnie said this would likely also mean they were safe. The breeding season was over and as soon as the pups were born her natal pack should theoretically have fewer members to spare for hunting her. As far as he knew another month or so would be the time span they could risk meeting the Sevaks. And so far they hadn't seen them at all.... They should be safe even if they were to head slightly east or back from where they'd come. "Sounds like we should be mostly out of their reach then" he nodded his head mostly in thought before he turned his attention back to Vinnie.

"We'll stay here for a bit longer to clean out any prey stored away and then move one. Is that okay?" he asked looking at her with a smile. He didn't intend for them to just pack everything and leave today. They spend a few days here getting ready to move one and then set off... He just hoped Vinnie was okay with that.