Despite the weather continuing to grow colder and more erratic, the fiery woman’s wanderlust had not ceased among the willows. Instead her itchy paws took her north, hugging the foot of Mount Dire as she weaved through the trees, searching for distractions of any kind.

Whatever had gotten into her – she preferred not to speculate too much – she figured it was better to let it loose now, get it out of her system before the pass was completely locked down by winter. So she pushed on, eventually getting as far as the spring. She didn’t expect to find any other wolves this far north, just as well, she wasn’t feeling particularly friendly right now.

That’s why, when she spotted the gangly wolf up ahead, her first instinct was to turn around, slip away before he noticed. He seemed preoccupied with his own reflection anyway, earning him a snort from the flame-coated girl as she stopped in her tracks. Just then, the stranger slammed his paw into the water, ruining the picture on the blank surface. Flair couldn’t stop herself from drawling sardonically: “Not enjoying th’ view?”

It wasn’t everyday she saw a wolf do an almost perfect pirouette, but the sandy wolf made a decent attempt, landing another leg in the water. The unusual reaction, paired with the befuddled expression on his face was too much and Flair couldn’t hold back a burst of laughter, snapping back her head in a barking cackle until her eyes watered.

She struggled for a while to regain her composure, biting her lip to hold back another laughing fit. She blinked the tears from her eyes and huffed several deep breaths, before she could finally look at the young wolf again. Seeing him clearly abashed, eyes turned to the ground made her feel a little bad about her fit, though she was still smiling as she cleared her throat, waiting a moment to see if he would look back up before she said: “M’sorry, but y’ should have seen yourself!” There was still laughter in her voice, and she had to pause to bite it back before she could continue: “A’ didn’t mean t’ startle you. I’m Flair.” Hopefully the introduction could make up for it, at least partly.

She might have felt worse, if she’d know what was going through the boy’s head. As it was, she only saw him startle, figuring he was surprised by her arrival, which she thought she’d apologized for just fine. Still, he seemed an odd sort, skittish, moving in a weird, jolty fashion, and standing slightly crouched, even after he moved out of the water.

Flair watched him curiously, quirking one brow and flicking her ears at his quiet words. He did seem to be wary of her, watching in a way that the former loner was all too familiar with. Trying to diffuse the tension a little, the fiery woman allowed a yawn to part her jowls wide, even closing her eyes briefly at the height of it. Then, with the trailing tiredness still in her voice, she said: “Hello there Wrynn. Y’ new t’ these parts?” It was more of an affirmation than an actual question, but she figured it was the best way to get him talking; That’s how small-talk works, right?

She was really trying her very best to make him feel at ease, even if it wasn’t her forte. There was no reason to antagonize the poor boy, hardly more than a kid, and clearly jumpy around other wolves; Who knows what reasons he might have? But Relic Lore was bountiful land, once home to many more wolves than the current packs, there was nothing to squabble over here.

So she gave him time, watching as he slowly straightened up a bit, even giving the slightest wag of his tail. But his words remained uncertain, eyes wide as he peered at the mountain. The obvious fear made Flair shake her head a little, sighing through her nose. Luckily most wolves around here seemed relatively friendly; On the tundra he’d be dead meat…! And though those days were behind her, she couldn’t entirely keep from needling him a little, smiling wolfishly at his question; “I live on th’ mountain.”