Secluded Spring as grand as gold,

@Caelean <3

With permission from her friend and leader, Anastasia set out a little further from the Driftwood. In a way she was somewhat nervous about trailing so far - especially in the snow - but she was beginning to have reason to keep returning. She wasn't as afraid of the change that was transpiring and certainly didn't want to bail on them now. Anastasia Starklen was quite invested in the well-being of those that truly were her mates now. Though, her deep secret of what she truly desired kept within for there was no way that it could come to fruition so long as she was a mere subordinate. One could hope, though.

At least she had traveled southwest into the spring where she could keep the peace and extend her knowledge of the land around her. Keeping track of the prey movements, if there were any to find, as well as seek knowledge from those outside of the Surge. As far as she knew they were on friendly terms with most if not all of their neighbors but she was prepared as always to make her stand or run.

He didn't know what he was doing anymore. The boy was terribly confused on which way to go next and often times he found himself doubting his own thoughts. Perhaps he should have never left his mother. Perhaps he should have held out a little longer for them to get to the place she called home. He had been terribly childish to walk off in a storm of emotions. Not to mention it had obviously got him nowhere. Actually - it had gotten him further away from his goal of finding a home.

This was terrible.

It was with a heavy heart and weary paws that he mopily traveled that morning. The boy looked worse for wear as time fully alone had not been kind to him. He wished to find the small wolf (@Pip) he hunted with back at the bone hill. She had been so kind and there was a feeling of comfort in the air around her. Where had she gone now? Was she okay?

He had almost bumped right into the pale female in all his moping. His yellow eyes settled on her pristine form as his tongue felt heavy in his mouth. She could not have been much bigger than himself, a wondrous thing mentioning he was a pitiful excuse for a wolf, and she was even more devoided of color than him. Pretty was the only word he could think of.

And yet all he could manage to say was "Sorry."

In all of her thoughts she would have never noticed the oncoming arrival of another figure. She should have, really, given that she was vulnerable out here in the open. Yet she couldn't bring herself to be extra careful because she wanted to know that she could take care of herself. So when she suddenly saw a blur of moving white and dust she turned her head just in time to halt her movements as the stranger did.

With a quick lurch she looked at him could have sworn she was a young adult again with Lachesis. Finding him and helping him, defending him and fighting for him, aiding him whenever she needed to. It was like looking at XIX again. The young boy was quiet but his eyes moved, curiosity was evident in his expression but his voice did not register. Even his apologize seemed very reminiscent. It's okay, she answered, you didn't do anything wrong. Even if he had run into her, she was sure that it wouldn't be a big deal then either. Anastasia was a comforting woman that didn't get angry easily.

I'm Ana. she introduced herself with a smile, tilting her head and giving him a warm sense of comfort by her posture, what's your name? Please don't say XIX, cause I might just run.

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It was only as she said the words that the boy realized he really hadn't done anything wrong. Then instead of shame, it was the embarrassment that swallowed him whole and heated his cheeks. Why had he apologized? Did he look foolish? Had his manners not been well enough? The boy could have asked himself a million questions regarding the situation but likely never receive one good answer from his mind. A pity.

He was glad that the female seemed content to move onto something else, though. Her name was rather simple. Ana. It would be easy to memorize, especially since he hadn't met any other faces in some time. "Cae...Caelean." He awkwardly spoke, not used to introducing himself so soon. A conversation was one thing but introductions were so personal. There was the worry of first impressions (which Caelean was almost positive he already left a bad one) and the unknowing of what would come after. What were they once they knew who each other were? Still strangers? Friends?

"Where are you from?" He asked as he forced his yellow eyes to look at her.

There would likely never come a time in her life ( not anytime soon, that is ) that she saw fit to be angry about something as little as being bumped into. It hadn't ever occurred to her to be defensive about something that was clearly an accident. The boy was young and she could remember all the times that she hadn't been paying attention and bumped into folks. You would think that with a nose as strong as a wolf, you'd never have that kind of problem? Hmm, you'd think that but no.

With no amount of persuasion he somewhat easily introduces himself as Caelean, to which she smiles and finds the happiness that he is willing to be open and share himself with her. It was a small step that might not seem so important to most but she was a woman built on the precipe of peace and happiness. Being friendly was a large bullet point in that presentation. Do you prefer to be called Cae? Or maybe he liked it better with his full name - young children (in her experience) opted for longer and she supposed it had something to do with wanting to feel older and more distinguished.

Without having to probe him and ask him questions about where his parents might be, he continues the conversation by asking where it is she came from. I live in Driftwood Surge, she responds, it's just over Serpent's Pass to the east. However, she hadn't been born there but that would have been a whole new story that might take more than a few seconds to describe. A place that she wasn't keen on putting into details so early into a conversation. Where are you from, Caelean? She hoped that he had family somewhere nearby. So far, she wasn't getting that vibe from him.

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Her question was met with a swift nod of his head. "Yes. I think it's a much nicer name." He answered as his tail gave a few stiff wags. Cae sounded much more fitting for the soft boy than Caelean did. He did not like the fancy and drawn out sounding of it. He wanted something short and sweet, much like himself. Although he supposed that was what happened when you had a mother with such a formal name too.

The young boy had no idea where the locations she named where. He had crossed the mountain and gone north to south and back again but he never figured out the name of places he had been. Perhaps that was merely the consequences of having ventured alone without much experience or knowledge of the world.

His ears swiftly fell back at the words of her question. As far as Caelean knew, he wasn't from anywhere. He had been born somewhere and he and his mother had been on the move for as long as he could remember. That was until he foolishly struck out on his own. "Far away." He blurted in a rather unorganized way. What was he supposed to say?

There is a rabbit's nest nearby. +1 Health

Cae it is, then. He, much like herself, preferred to be short and sweet. Right to the point. Ana and Cae, she could sympathize with him about liking to be simple every once in a while. Anastasia was a name that she gave when in a more formal setting and a name she gave to most her age and older, though to someone as young as he Ana was easiest to latch onto. Anastasia, despite being in the Lore on and off for years, had never explored the majority of what it had to offer. It was something that she wanted to fix but only when the opportunity came.

For now, she was happy finding strangers near to her home and keeping close. She was far too afraid to venture much farther than a day or two for there was no telling what might keep her from returning. Anastasia was determined to keep her feet grounded here now. Far away? Any family with you? Probably the most sensitive question to ask but she had to make sure that someone was looking out for him. As young - or old, depending on how you see it - as he was, Anastasia didn't take too well to little ones being caught as loners. They deserved to be treated and protected as long as possible.

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His tail waved just a few beats longer after hearing her agree to the nickname. It was a comforting thing to hear really. Perhaps he was being a bit selfish by asking this Ana wolf to call him Cae just so he could feel better about himself. She wouldn't know though, would she? Or was he as see-through as he felt?

The Balik swiftly shook his head. "No." His voice seemed to grow small for a moment, disappointment and guilt hiding underneath the simple answer. He was sure his mother wasn't on his trail or she might have caught up to him by now. In fact, he was positive that by now perhaps they were weeks apart from his current standpoint and wherever she had gone to. It was sad to think about but he had brought it upon himself. "What about you?" His nose told him that she was with others but he hadn't smelled anyone in the area but himself. Momentarily he wondered if he had gone and broken his nose.

The pale dove would have never believed that he liked to be Cae for some selfish reason. She liked Ana because it was easier and could only assume he preferred Cae for the same reason. Anastasia couldn't read minds, however, and was quite oblivious to any of the selfish thoughts he might be thinking of himself. The only thing on her mind now was figuring out what to do about this near-yearling and his status as a lone wolf. It worried her and she didn't even know the kid all that well. Sort of. My best friend is like family to me. Known him since we were about your age. She admired him and she was sure that it showed, but she was careful to not reflect any further admiration than a simple friendship. She didn't want people getting the wrong impression, no matter who they were. He is the leader of the pack. She pauses briefly, trying to figure out the best way to approach the question. The worst it would do is him run away and/or just say no. We should have a spot for you, if you wanted to give us a go. We're all quite friendly. She could talk to him along the way about the Surge. It's environment, its paths and its members - the youth that he might be able to find friendship with. The twins would likely appreciate having another their age to hang around with.

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