Namid had wadded into the waters of the lake for the first time, the warmth of the day turning the once biting water into a more manageable temperature for her and her unborn children. She relished in the feeling of the water lapping at her pelt, the truth that spring had finally arrived rearing its head. Even at the level of pregnancy she was in, she knew she could still fish. Stilling her movements her mismatched gaze focused on the liquid beneath her paws, scanning for any instance of prey that might swim on by. After a few moments, a flicker of a tail was seen by the pale queen and she lunged forward. It was a hit and miss, the tail just barely sneaking its way out of the clasp of her jaws. Lifting her head from the water she snorted, flicking her tail before heading back to the spot she’d been in. Once again pausing, she found she had to wait a bit longer than before to see the tell-tale signs of the aquatic animal. But, this time she was ready for it. Lunged forward her maw moved like lightening, teeth clasping cleanly onto  the spine and breaking through the scales to dig into the flesh.

Raising her head in triumph she gave a shake, effectively severing its spine and killing it. The flopping ceased and her prey rested forever. Turning around, her gaze caught the figure of a rather uniquely marked tawny woman. It seemed that she hadn’t noticed the Star Dancer’s splashing around, as she was a little ways down the shore from her and seemed to be caught in her own little world. Today, her hormones were in check and she was feeling closer to her usual self than she had in months for some apparent reason. With her mood set in this, she figured she would pay the female a visit.

Moving from the water she paid no attention to the liquid streaming down her pelt, instead taking to head straight for the woman. A muffled woof was given in greeting, her posture giving off a relaxed sort of dominance. They weren’t in her lands, but they were rather close. Regardless, she saw her as no threat quite yet and didn’t want to scare her off, so she thought it best to stay relaxed. Stopping a respectable distance away for both the stranger and the expectant mother, Namid offered a casual greeting, “Hello, what might bring you out to the lake?”

It seemed that Namid had startled the poor woman. She’d flown around, sending water spraying all around her and her hackles had risen. Instinctively the pale queen took a step back, but her demeanor remained calm. She understood the concern that would be on behalf of the tawny woman, for being a loner was no easy task. Especially not so close to a pack’s borders. However, Namid was not one of the leaders to go charging in when someone strayed somewhat near her border. There was no strategy in gaining members that way, or perhaps even a friend that could prove beneficial in the future. As the she-wolf spoke, she understood that there had been a misunderstanding. Whatever had happened previously to her had obviously left her wary or other wolves, especially a pack member such as herself.

The Queen of the Lake shook her head, “I believe you have my intentions wrong, I do not wish for any trouble either. We both can see that I am truly in no state to be making quarrels,” She chuckled, gesturing to her belly. Most mothers would probably keep their state hidden, and that was really the wisest move. But, one also had to know how a mother could be when threatened. Even pregnant, they could meet the ferocity of a male twice their size. She also suspected that her admittance would calm the female some, to show her that she meant her no harm. “You are not across my borders, so I see no reason to act with any hostility. I do not believe you harbor any ill will toward me, so why should I show such to you? I am simply looking for a conversation, perhaps I could find that in your company? As for food, you may take my catch if you wish. I do believe you need it more than I,” She replied calmly. Picking the fish up once again, she took a step forward before tossing it to the woman. The pale woman wouldn’t encroach on the stranger’s personal space, as she enjoyed her own as well.

As she had suspected, the she-wolf had looked at her catch unwillingly at first. A look of distrust settled permeably on her features and there was no attempt to hide it. She wondered what had happened to the smaller female to cause her to have so much distrust, but by looking at her features she could only guess. As she looked she noticed what she hadn’t before; scars. The littered her muzzle and face, as well as a large rip running down her ear to the point of taking it off. Her composure held, but a bit of her felt a bit of sorrow for the otherwise beautiful woman. However, in Namid’s eyes the scars didn’t make any difference. They just showed how much of a fighter the woman really was, and she was all the more intrigued by her. As she mentioned that she’d met a woman much like her that had nearly ripped her face off, she wondered what that could mean. The faint trail of the strangers gaze toward the territory of the pack that neighbored them sent a suggestion to Namid that perhaps the lead female within their borders was also expecting children. She knew the mood swings could be hell, but she doubted she could become so violent even with them being the way they were. If they were expecting pups, that meant that their land must be thriving and it also meant more competition for them. Add that onto the list of things I must tell Vespertio, She thought to herself.

As the Queen of the Lake threw the fish forward, a decision crossed the tawny wolf’s eyes before she  quickly scuttled forward and took her offering much to Namid’s pleasure. She could always catch more, though she’d have to do it soon. After quickly scarfing down a few bites, she looked back up with a look of slight embarrassment. "I, uh – thanks, I guess.  I owe you one?  I'm Desderia, by the way.  You can call me Des.  Or Dezzy.  I, uh, don't, by the way.  Harbor any ill will.  Haven't been around these parts long, I was…you know, like I said.  Trying to find some place to live.  Trying to find--  Find my brothers, maybe." She seemed to stutter out. The more she spoke, the more Namid was convinced she was no threat to her. At least, not for the moment. However, a small frown did mar her maw at the mention of the woman owing her something. “You owe me nothing, it is but a fish. There are thousands more in this lake, and while I may not necessarily be as petite as I was at the moment I can still make my way. I have been in your pawsteps not too long ago myself, being a loner is difficult. Especially at this time of year,” She chuckled, and it was true. She really wanted nothing from the woman, except perhaps some harmless conversation. Deep down, she knew she hoped that the woman would want to join their ranks. They were down to so few members, and she already seemed like a decently good wolf. If she did join a good position could be offered in their family and the promise of protection and a home, something she suspected the woman needed.

"Your pack is here?  On the lake?  Is it safe?  Are the other packs close?” Dezzy had asked, and the Star Dancer nodded. “Yes, my pack reigns over this portion of the lake. The rest is up to nature to decide who lives on its lands. We are called Fallen Tree Cove, and yes it is very safe on these shores. It provides excellent advantage for one who knows how to traverse them against one who does not, as well as protection against raids. Our neighbors are a bit close for my liking, but there is not much we can do about that. Now, what about these brothers you have mentioned? Might I ask their names, perhaps I have met one of them?” She inquired and informed.

Namid listened patiently to the woman speak, explaining to her of her siblings whom Namid could not, sadly, say she’d met before. She explained how they had come to be separated, a situation in which reminded her much of the way a man she’d once met had been separated from his family. That meeting had been a long time ago, when she’d first entered Lore. He had been the first wolf she’d met, and she remembered their meeting fondly. She wondered how he was doing and if he had a family himself, for he must be of age by now. Of course, she snapped out of her recollection to focus on Dezzy. Upon her inquiry of Fallen Tree Cove, her tail gave a small wag. Now they were really getting somewhere, not that she hadn’t been enjoying their conversation. Even without the questioning, Namid had been enjoying the company that the smaller she-wolf gave.

“I am sorry to say that I have not seen your brothers, perhaps they have not passed through the lake. However, to get from either the west side of Lore to the east side or vis versa one is most likely to pass through the lake. We are always accepting members, and we would very much enjoying having you with us if you would like to call our lands your home. We can offer you loyalty and protection as long as you can give the same to us, and perhaps help in finding your family.” Namid said, throwing out the bait that she would hopefully snag. Of course, none of her words were false. She knew what it was to lose your family, and she still hoped to find one of her siblings or parents passing through so that they could reunite. As long as Dezzy pulled her weight with them, and she suspected she would, she would be welcomed with open arms in their lands if she so choose to join them.