The hunt for Trisden and Hocus was starting to dwindle. For Arlette there was always hope she would find them, or they would simply come home. She did not quite understand why they had left. She had never understood what had happened with Theodore,Trisden, and the snake to know that was the culprit. She thought it was because of Borden, and Hocus had pursued Trisden as he always did to look after her. She wished they would have told her, taken her with even. It was miserable without them, and everyone seemed to look at her like she was a ghost waiting to disappear too. It was probably this thought that made her leave at dawn to be alone. Good things had happened in the Hollow too, but today she did not feel like smiling nor playing. She wanted time alone to think, and search for her siblings.


Well in her heart they would always be that to her, like Jaysyek and Borden would be her mother. Hearing about the past on the mountain had shocked her, leaving her more wounded, and bemused about this life. Even more the white and gray wolf, the one she'd hunted with, the one that had the same eyes was her real. How was she suppose to wrap her head around that too? It did not seem fair how drastically, and suddenly her life changed. Couldn't she just figure out who she was?

A sigh fled from her lips, and she plodded along the unbeaten trails of the forest in the direction of the Marsh. It sounded like a good idea, nice and peaceful this time of day. She had not run into strangers there --or well Ruiko had been a nice stranger. She was kinda caught if she should just find a decent hiding spot. She refused to do that, because she did not want to upset her family further....what was left of it. Morning seemed more like a hopeful time to be alone she decided, and moved herself along.

Blinking her eyes, she tried her best to pay attention, be aware of her surroundings. A sturdy shake of her head, it helped to a point, and she moved her paws faster while her ears were pricked in listen to the Marsh, as very slowly it came into view. It appeared empty on first glance, when she peeked her head through the tall grasses, peering at the swampy grounds. When her eyes shifted from one point to the other, it did not look so empty any more. There was a boy, who resembled the one from Swift River she had meant long ago. Something was different, and she was frozen in time, staring at him. What should she do?

He appeared as shocked as she was. Almost falling over, which made her feel bad. Before she knew what she was doing she was striding toward him, ready to help him balance. She'd remembered making Fenru fall into a snow bank losing his prize, and somehow if these two were related having another fall from grace seemed like a curse drawn upon her. Once she reached him, he righted himself, his vivid orange eyes the first thing she was drawn too. She shyly, and most quickly cast her gaze downward, her white ears flattening to her head. Since she could not help him she was lost what to do. She did realize one thing, she'd been right in thinking it was not Fenru. This wolf though very, very similar had slightly different markings. Finding some courage, she held tight letting her eyes look up to see a wry grin. If she was not confused she might have offered it back. For now she merely stared curiously. When he spoke it confirmed she was not imagining things. His voice was very different, and a tone she often heard in adult males.

"Sorry 'bout that. I...I didn't know you were here, and you kinda scared me." There suddenly was a half smile on her lips, her paws shifting to stand closer together in this awkward moment. She silently swallowed, wanting to look away from him. Yet she couldn't do it. She was allured by his striking eyes, and the fact he was not angry. In this moment he did not seem to be.

It was with that thought, she shifted herself a step backward. She had entered in his personal space, ready to rescue him, and thought it was the right thing to move back. "I..didn't make you drop something..did I?" She inquired, half wincing in case she had. He would probably think it was a strange question, but to her it was perfectly acceptable. She had not left on bad turns with Fenru, but this wolf she wanted to try to give a better impression she wasn't a clumsy wolf.

The chuckle brought her ears up, and a spark of interest to her pale mask. There was always something about easy going creatures, ones whose smiles and laugh were in no short supply allured her. He was much more easy going compared to his sibling, she would keep assuming until she worked up the courage to ask or mention it. Upon her worries his tail kept wagging and he assured her -still laughing and all good-natured about the whole thing.

"Oh good," she said with a breath escaping her lips. Her white head tipped, and she cleared her throat quite quietly. Slowly she'd drop her chin, blinking as she met his intense eyes. "I..um think I might have met your brother Fenru?" She pauses, certain that was his name, but hoping it hasn't become distorted in her mind. "I accidently bumped into him, and he lost his bird in a snow bank." Her ears fold back, in the position they often occupy. Somehow she suddenly thinks this might humor the wolf more. She seals her lips tight, if that might take what she said back. Fenru would like her less if she was telling these stories.

An ear flicked forward, genuinely interested when he continued to explain why he'd been scared. Her pale brows perched together. looking for someone....her. There was only one other she knew who could resemble her. If it was not his relative...than was he really talking about Tris? She had been about as pale as she had. More creamier with her dark colors starting in...but somewhat white. How would he know her or she him? Her brows were a bit more of a scowl, instead of being that of bemusement and anxiety. The latter would replace it again with hope he wouldn't notice. Where else had she gone? More secrets she did not know. It kinda hurt...and she was feeling the pain return. How she was nobody's really. "I..erg..maybe my sister..Trisden?" She said, each word having to be pulled from her mouth she wasn't sure if it sounded right.

They were brothers, and Fenru it had been. This helped her perk back up a bit, a half smile, and her ears coaxing forward to his friendly disposition. The name did not ring a bell in his book, and she had to frown. She had no clue who else it could be. She only had one sister, and she had not met any girl her age beside that. Everyone was quite older, and she was lost for what else to say. Did he really know he was looking for? And why? If he didn't know her, why look? She couldn't fathom it, and the questions were endless in her mind.


He began to speak, explaining further, and she cocked her head, her pale mask most thoughtful as she drank in this new information. It wasn't much different, and she was hopeful in helping him. This time she insisted it could only be one wolf."I only have on sister, Trisden, and she use to be a little darker than me. But she now has a multicolored coat, kinda like yours but a bit ligher. She and my...brother Hocus...left home though so I'm afraid you probably can't find her. I..haven't..." She let her eyes fall, her neck droop in rhythm with her ears. She had no idea where they were, and didn't know what else to tell him. She felt all the worse how nice he was, and how badly she wanted to smile back at his impish smile. She could not. She felt lost, and unable to help anyone including herself. Where was her place in this world?

She was not about to be rude. Collecting his name, and putting it into collection with the rest of Swift River knowledge. She nodded her head most timidly, and found her pale yellow eyes lifting up. "I'm Arlette, from Grizzly Hollow. You do look a like, but I bet I could tell you apart," she added, trying to assure him they were both unique.