Kingsfall testing the water

Having followed along the edge of the lake Reid found himself in a rather beautiful forest. The trees were tall and if his nose was right there was plenty of prey here as well. But he could also smell a pack which meant that somewhere in the area was a border that he didn't want to cross unless he felt like dealing with their fangs and likely a pissed leader. Reid stared at the trees in thought before he shrugged to himself. He would simply have to keep an eye where he stepped that was all.

Following one of the many streams, Reid tried to think of what he was going to do for the Winter. It wasn't like he needed a plan but sometimes it was nice to know what he was doing. Plus this would be his first Winter alone and if the stories his parents had told him were true then he was going to have a rough time as a loner. That didn't mean that he needed to join one now though he mused stopping to lap at the cool liquid. He could travel a bit more yet but the temperatures had slowly been cooling he could feel that so he at least wanted to keep in mind where some of the packs were.

Staring at himself in the water he wondered what he would have to do in order to join one of the packs in the area. A frown flitted across his face before his normal smile slipped back into place. He would cross that bridge when he came to it he decided first he should be thinking about what he wanted today for the day instead of staring at his reflection at the overcast clouds in the water.

Of course, he could take a nap that might be fun too.

She huffed, throwing her head back and casting her gaze upwards towards the needled sequoia canopy she found herself below. Here among the evergreens, she could almost forget that summer was beginning to fall away. The first touches of autumn could be seen in the yellow that began to seep in to the foliage of the more deciduous flora. Perhaps it was time to start thinking of what she would do once winter came, and the errant thought that she should join a pack was dismissed with an irritated snort. She didn't need others to prop her up, she would do just fine on her own. 

The earth-toned female's body stiffened as her senses picked up a distant presence, her black nose twitching and bringing in the scent of another wolf. It wasn't entirely unexpected. This forest had ample sign of being inhabited by other canines, various tracks and trails and a smattering of scents told her as much as she traveled through. Vere wasn't terribly keen on the idea of running into a wolf, it was always a gamble the reception she would get, but she supposed it would be a good way to break the monotony of travel, whatever happened. 

Rocking forward on her toes she followed the path of a snaking stream, head held steady as her beryl eyes settled on a rust colored male at the water's edge on the opposite bank. She eyed the stray droplets that clung to his chin, her own tongue flicking out to smooth over her lips. It was then she noticed the thirst that tickled at her own throat, her muscular limbs bringing her forward the last few steps to the waters edge right across from the male. Though she said not a word as she lowered her head to drink, her bright green eyes stared straight into his pale opal pair. 

Drinking her fill she lifted her head, still staring but now with a smirk playing at the edges of her lips. Vere hoped that she'd unnerved him.

Reid continued to stare at his reflection watching the clouds go by above him. Maybe he would take a nap right next to the stream and enjoy the cool liquid again once he woke up. That was an idea that he liked and if some pack wolf came to chase him away then that would be fine too. He would simply make sure that he paid them back when he had the chance that's all.

His thoughts were interrupted by someone making their way towards him. Reid finally looked up from the water to see who had come poking around. Maybe he was going to be chased away sooner than he had expected. That thought was quickly tossed as a tan female stepped into sight. She eyed him before dipping her head to get a drink. Reid raised a brow wondering what was going through her head. She had approached him so did she have a purpose or was she simply here to see who he was and then leave? Inhaling he couldn't smell anything that said she was part of a pack. So she was another loner like him.

A bit confused he waited to see what she would do next.

She finished drinking and lifted her head a smirk spread across her face. To Reid it almost looked she was daring him to do something and to be honest he found it rather amusing. A mischievous grin slid onto his face. If she wanted him to do something then he would. So without further ado, he rather suddenly dropped into a play bow. His forelegs slapping against the water to send it splashing her way while his tail swayed slowly behind him and the smile still on his face. It was his turn to stare at her waiting to see if she would respond back or try and chase his tail from the woods.

Shallow water has trapped several fish in a small pond. Hunt Opportunity

Vere hadn't really had a goal or anything in mind when she situated herself across from the stranger. She simply wanted to see how he would react. Vere blinked, resisting the urge to flinch as the male quickly moved, droplets of water landing on her face as he suddenly smacked his paws against the water. She hadn't exactly expected that, and it took her a moment to figure out what he was trying to do.

Oh, he wanted to play? It'd been a long time since she'd had any fun with another wolf, and it took another moment for her to remember what to do with herself. Finally Vere chuffed, the tan fur of her chest brushing the ground as she bowed, her posterior held high as her tail loosely swished side to side. The smirk on her lips broadened into something closer to a grin with the corners of her bright eyes crinkled.

A low bark left her throat as Vere pushed herself forwards out of her bow, paws splashing once in the center of the stream as she crossed the short distance between them. She reached out for him, her blunt muzzle nipping at the air next to his shoulder before she veered to the side. Vere galloped down the bank, throwing her head over her shoulder as she ran to see whether the other wolf would take pursuit.

At his 'attack' the female blinked in surprise as the water made its way to her face. Otherwise, she didn't move as she seemed to try and figure out what had just happened. He resisted the urge to do it again just to see if she would let him. He let his head dip lower to rest on his forelegs as he watched her his smile still mischievous.

Then she seemed to decide on something and the female responded by dipping into a bow of her own. Reid laughed lightly under his breath as she gave him a grin. So she had decided to join him in his play. He was actually pleasantly surprised. Most wolves didn't like to randomly play with strangers and quite a few of wolves outside his family simply didn't do it. So for him, this was a happy turn of events and he let it show in his expression.

A bark left her throat as she crossed the distance between them, tossing the water around as she did so. Reid responded with a play growl as he heard her teeth click together near his shoulder his own teeth coming to click shut near her ear. She danced away then and took off looking over her shoulder.

Laughing Reid took off instantly to chase her, his paws hitting the ground in a quick rhythm. She was quick but then again he was quicker, of course, she wasn't actually trying to get away now was she? When he was close enough Reid reached out and tried to give her tail a tug.