Since Ruiko's howl, Damascus felt a mixture of feelings. Confusion, of course, though he wasn't about to outright seek out his accepting leader (er, make that ex-leader) to find out what had happened. He had considered seeking out Indru, but also thought better of it. A proverbial outside, he hadn't quite integrated himself into Swift River as he felt he should have. He had hit it off well with Ruiko and Indru, but his luck and fortune of finding the others within the pack were hit and miss. Though he were usually optimistic, Damascus wondered here or there if his being unrelated had anything at all to do with the fact that he hadn't properly acquainted with many of them.

Or maybe it had something to do with the fact that he wandered a bit still, which was certainly a possibility. Instead of lingering around super close to the territory like he had done for days, inhibited by snowfall, he took the first opportunity he could get to venture outward and explore. Partially to check to see what he could find, partially to clear his head of thoughts. If the snow had kept him in, then it was possible that it had also kept the others in as well. So maybe, just maybe, they'd all cross paths somewhere at some point. The Sacred Grove wasn't that large of a place in comparison to places he had been into the past, but Damascus knew not of every nook and cranny like its native residents.

The distant bleat of an animal captured his attention though as he trekked steadily west. It piqued his curiosity, but not enough that Damascus felt overly inclined to investigate. He had come out to hunt as well, and hunger tugged sharply at his insides, as though it were cashing in several days of I.O.U.s that Damascus had promised but had not paid up. A small field mouse had been the only thing he had captured in the last three days, and that had only been because he had caught it burrowing out of one of the den walls within Swift River itself. But out there, he was out for something more, something larger. Something that he could take down solo without the aid of another if he could help it, because the majority of his hunting came solo.

But eventually, after several minutes, the smell of blood reached his nose, and he was inexplicably drawn towards it. Hoping to find an abandoned kill that was still fresh, he crept his way up through the brush, peering carefully over snow bank and through brush and tree to see what he could find. The smell of blood was overpowering to him, but he picked up minute traces of this and that. No bears though, no other predators that he figured he should have worried about. Another wolf would have been trouble, no doubt, but bears and cougars alike were unfavourable to the nomad. Neither animal discriminated when it came to someone checking out their kill — the curious soul often became dessert, or something to that affect.

Finally, where a few drops of red dared to taint the ground, he noticed that the very kill he had been looking for was in fact, fresh, and… presently in the middle of being eaten. That notion alone sent a pang of disdain through him, but the wolf who was munching away struck him as being utterly familiar. He circled around smoothly, not bothering to mask his steps (because making her aware was better than just blurting out something from behind, right?), trying to gain a clear look at her before he said anything at all. And when he did, even if it was so much as a glimpse of the alabaster-haired wayfarer, something clicked. “Vlar?” he queried, before catching himself. She had a kill, and it was her, and he remembered their last meeting too well. “Er, I, I'm sorry. If you'd like, I'll step away from your… from you until you're finished.”

And then maybe, he'd pick at it… maybe. If she ran away.

It had been some time since her accident with the bull elk, but the memory still haunted her to this day. One of those oversized ears flicked back when she heard something rustling in the bushes, causing her to pause in her eating to concentrate. The remains of the fawn were tucked securely in her front paws when Damascus spoke softly. The white females head lifted and turned, her amber eyes taking in the large male and his quick glance at her meal. She also felt rather than heard the slight...pause in his tone and let her ears lay back over her neck comfortably. She stood and shook herself, lifting what was left of the fawn and padding over to him where she set it at his feet and scooted it closer with her nose. Once she had it close enough, she backed up and sat on her haunches looking thoughtful.



"I...owe you an apology, Damascus.. for our previous meeting.. I wasn't.. as healthy as I am now..far too nasty." She dipped her head in respect to the male, a soft smile curling her muzzle before she brought it back up and sat proudly. While she may not have had a pack of her own aside from Raigo.. or even a *REAL* home to protect.. she still sat as regally as any wolf might. Her plumed tail was curled gently around her paws, the front ones tucked neatly up against her belly. "Perhaps... we could start over?" The female chuckled, but glanced around them, almost watchfully as she settled in to wait. "After you've eaten.. of course. Then perhaps we could hunt something.. larger? The mother might return for her baby - though she would be stupid to do so."



Her tone, demeanor.. everything had changed it seemed since their last meeting. She'd filled out and put on more weight, the sheen of her fur showing that she'd eaten enough it could afford to take more nutrients to gleam so. The females eyes, once bright and fogged with fever and suspicion were cleared, and just as bright. However it was not suspicion but kindness, a gentle demeanor that touched the she-wolf now.. rather than a malicious and angry nature.