As Coquina's disarming words continued Iopah relaxed further. Letting herself recline to a sitting position, smoked tail curved slightly around her white feet. She listened to other female, head tilted mildly to show her interest. As a lone wolf she had never been fond of meeting new faces. She supposed she lacked the ability to make idle chit-chat. Every newcomer was a potential threat. Words were little indication of trustworthiness... many wolves could lie better than Iopah could.
So, for now, she simply listened. Nodding faintly in agreement and smiling when the moment called for it.
Finally she was asked a question. It was such a broad, unassuming query that Iopah felt no suspicion at it. The realization that she was part of a family had not escaped her. She would give nothing away that could lead some wolf to her pack mates.
"No. I'm not sure that I've ever been in this forest before." There was no self-concern in her admission. Iopah was not worried about finding her way back. Her internal compass, sense of direction had always been excellent. It was the reason Iopah had survived to sit before Coquina today.
"I live north of here."
"Though I am originally from much further south." She hesitates before deciding against adding more. The Black Hills are much too far for any leaked information to risk reaching them, but that part of life holds dark parts of her she would prefer to forget. Today was shaping up to be a good day, Iopah didn't want to ruin it.
As the wind shifted it brought the smell of deer to Iopah. And lynx, but that was considerably fainter and she paid it little mind. Her gold meet Coquina's without delay. Surely the other female had noticed it. Or would any second. A sly smile, a silent invitation.
"Maybe we're not the only ones in this forest. Let's go." With a slight huff, she rose to her feet and started in the direction her nose told her was correct. As she started to lope, her head angled behind her. She had almost forgotten Coquina's admission of her name.
"I'm Iopah."