The Wildwood don’t mind me

// @Vaken

This place was kind of like the forests around Washington, but Hide didn’t think it was quite right. Too dense, too dark. Not enough human smells and too many wolf smells. Which was apparently what Hideki himself was. A wolf.

It was kind of weird, learning he was not, in fact, a dog. His master hadnt known either, and Hide didn’t blame him for that. His master would never do anything to hurt him intentionally, and he was determined to find his way back to the human in the future. But for now, he was lost... and that was okay.

He was learning about the world around him.

The gray wolf had encountered several wolves in the reserve and on his journey here, and they’d been fairly kind thusfar. No notable incidences of any sort, aside from being yelled at once.

A branch crunched behind him and Hide whipped around, fur fluffing out.

“H-hello?” he called, voice accented slightly.

we appreciate power

The yearling hadn't met to scare the grey wolf, only to catch his attention. He knew it was sensitive times.  The winter put everyone on edge, especially lone wolves. It was best to be cautious, to announce yourself. "Not tryna sneak up on you," he assured non-chanlantly, keeping his body relaxed and open. He moved towards the stranger comfortably, walking past him to sniff the bark of a nearby tree. He was searching for Circe's scent, trying to figure out where she moved to. There was no scent of her in this area, a disappointing realization, but he didn't linger on it too long. He merely shrugged  and refocused on the silver man with skeptical eyes.

Vaken wasn't trying to be intimidating. He was a little close to the stranger, a little overly confident and carefree. He was a little more nosey than he had a right to be too. Vaken knew the wildwood. He had spent most of his time in the lore in this area, especially the summer hiding from coyotes at the border. He clearly did not know every wolf in these woods. Hell- he barely met any wolves from the Draw. They mostly kept to themselves. He had never met this man before though, and that sparked his interest. "Don't recognize you," he quipped. "You from around here?"

currently travelling with Circe (she can jump in any of his threads)

And just like that, the initial fear had dissipated and Hide was relaxed. Of course he had to meant to sneak up like that - the gray dusted male was just being dumb and getting spooked at nothing. “Gomen. I didn’t mean to be so easily startled,” he said with a small smile, polite as ever. He dipped his head and flicked his charcoal-tipped ears forward, noting the wolf before him was small. Smaller than he’d ever seen, if he was being honest, but he thought better than to point that out.

Hideki didn’t mind the closeness of the stranger. He’d been close with humans his whole life, and so the closeness of other wolves didn’t bother him either. So long as they weren’t too touchy.

“I am not from around here,” he answered with a dip of his head. There was no real reason to lie. “I’m Ashiya. Ashiya Hideki. And you?”

we appreciate power

Ashiya Hideki. It wasn't the strangest name, but Vaken let it bounce around in his head for a little bit. It didn't sound familiar. There was nothing about the stranger that rang any bells. The yearling shrugged in a casual greeting, then opened his mouth and grunted: "Vaken." He didn't need to give his last name, it felt too professional.

He lifted his nose to the air once more and sniffed, not necessarily for Circe but for any food. He wasn't starving to death, but he wouldn't turn down a snack. It seemed that for a moment that he forgot the stranger. When he refocused his attention, the boy reached out and sniffed the air surrounding Hideki. "Lone wolf then?" His tone was approving but dry. "Where are you from?"

currently travelling with Circe (she can jump in any of his threads)