Angier had only been on Midnight Plateau soil and stone for a handful of days now and already he considered himself as apart of the territory. The two parts of the mountain he hadn’t fully investigated just yet was a small collection of well-spaced dens and the Plateau itself. Today, though, he decided on finding the former, the Plateau was probably currently being occupied by the leader himself and he had no desire to disturb the gray-furred alpha when he had other, even better, things to do. While walking along the stony paths and trying to get used to the scent of the wolves who were now his fellow pack mates, his nose was struck with the most peculiar scent. It was metallic at first, but then it rounded out into a sort of rank, aged odor.

His muzzle wrinkled on one side of his snout and his eyes narrowed suspiciously. Stepping along the cold, hard ground, he made his way towards the sight of several stained rocks. Blood, his mind chimed. Angier’s brows came together in concern. Were the wolves of the mountain trying to hide or stash away something they didn’t want to be known? Was this some sort of newfound caching behavior he had yet to learn of? One of his large paws scraped against the stone just outside the den entrance and the male took a step back as a small “Hello?” called from the darkness within. Whatever had made these dark streaks into the den was still… alive.

“‘ello?” he called back hesitantly. He lowered his head to the entrance of the cozy dwelling, his wide wheat-hued eyes daring to peer in.

The Lyall blinked. Straining his eyes to see what lay inside the small den, he was taken aback to find the figure of a petite wolf sprawled out on her side. The little cavern was actually spacious, he discovered. The youth coughed and Angier quirked a brow as he made out her words the second time around after she cleared her throat. “Hi,” he replied. He lifted his head from the entrance, taking in a deep breath of fresh air; from the stench that wafted out, he assumed she had been in there for quite some time.

“Everything alright in there?” he asked, lowering his head once more to take a good look at the youth. The smell of the blood and the hint of pus was enough to make him grimace and hold his breath. Wherever she had come from, something terrible had happ-- Wait… “You!” he blurted out in shock. “The b-bear… Y-you’re…” Angier was at a loss for words. His ears flattened and he shook his head a few times; the last time he had seen her was over a month ago and the yearling looked entirely worse. Sure, he realized the bear had done some life-threatening damage but it didn’t seem that bad compared to the condition she was in now. Something more had probably gotten a hold of her.

“What happened to you!?” he exclaimed, dropping onto his elbows and haunches to properly look into the hideaway. “I-I… I guarded you against a bear but… but that was…” He couldn’t even finish his sentence as guilt began to pile up on his shoulders. He was sure she would have died, then and there, in the snow and he had left her there! Averting his gaze to the ground beside his left forelimb, he sighed, “Look, kid, I’m sorry about that day. I would have stayed but I had other things on my mind... a-aaand I thought that wolf you were with was going to take care of you.” His brows rose and when he cast his eyes back to the pile of matted fur, they gleamed with disbelief, “I wasn’t expecting you to survive either.” The corners of his mouth turned down and a whine sounded from his vocal chords, “I’m glad you’re alright though, I admit. The pack’s been taking care of you, hmm?”

Angier watched as the youth lifted her head and began to reply. She winced and it made him drop his gaze. “No hard feelings,” she had stated, but he had already made up his mind. No matter how hard she tried or how many times she said everything was alright he would not allow her to convince him otherwise. Yeah, okay, she should have made herself scarce like the others on the scene, but sometimes that’s just how things went; he’d be sure to make it up to her before he’d be able to let go of his guilt.

The words “Swift River” were brought up next and he wasn’t quite so sure what to make of it just yet. Upon first impression, he was certain it was simply the name of the river, or one of the rivers, that ran through Relic Lore, but nothing else. Perhaps she had nearly drowned or caught a chill while on her way to the mountain; although, that didn’t make much sense seeing as she could easily walk alongside the water and not have to step in it at any point in her journey. The tawny male didn’t even notice the gashes in her muzzle until she gestured a paw to her face. Hmm…

He continued to listen to her, raising his ears every so often from their lowered position to hear her out. Her sentences were in fragments and some of her words stuttered as though it pained her to speak. He couldn’t help but to continually swallow back the remorse that had built up in his throat. At least she confirmed that the pack was “good,” leaving him to believe that the wolves under the gray-and-white leader’s command were hospitable and rather kind. She then offered her name: Makita. “Angier,” he replied. “Has anyone tended to you today? C-can I get you anything before I set out to do some scouting?”

The male smiled quietly upon seeing her nod and smile in return. Smiling is good… he mused. Seeing her maw curve up surely must be a good sign that things, beyond and between the two of them, were actually all right. It was comforting. He listened as she said that someone would come by to check up on her and that she would be fine. She also thanked him for visiting and that she was glad to see him again. His tail waved enthusiastically behind him; the youth had merely made his day.

“Ah, don’t thank me,” he slightly chuckled. “I’m jus’ glad you’re okay.” He gave a rather playful wink, “An’ ya don’t owe me. Jus’… consider it a good deed. But, um… Guess I’ll get goin’ now. Not sure what Alexander wants me to do but I’m sure I’ll find something. I’ll… stop by later, just t’ see how you’re doin’.” He rose to his feet, but kept his head somewhat lowered into the den entrance. “Catch ya later,” he chimed. He left, but then returned shortly after three seconds had passed. “Be good,” he added, grinning at Makita. Pulling away from the den site now, he chuckled to himself. It was unlike him to be curious and kind and caring and everything of the sort; it was like he was new… born again, and he absolutely loved it. Careful to make his way down the mountain in the safest way possible, he dashed off along the tree line, thinking that he’d start the day with breakfast and a brief tour of the territory he had yet to discover.

[Applause.]