Larkcall Lowlands i will shrink and i will disappear

For Mister Grumps @Askan || Patchy moderate snow 18 ° F, -8 ° C || About half a mile or so from WRF

He looked well for a lone wolf. Built, well-kept appearance, obviously not lacking in anything vital. Even his lush pelt kept him relatively warm from the cold. Maybe it was his ego talking but the large man thought he looked damn well.

As he trudged through the snow he always kept his eyes peeled. It had been some time since he ran into something he could hold a conversation with, not counting the countless amount of crows he had shared scraps with who he simply didn't understand. While he wasn't keen on having a casual chit chat while the snow clouds came in and out it wouldn't hurt to have some directions maybe. Woods with large trees were ideal. The leaves and branches might keep the snow mostly away. Or even a cave to doze in while the worst of the storm passed.

The scent of wolves had become present but not fresh. As if they frequented this area but were not exactly here. He wondered how far he was from them but knew it best not to test his luck too much. On one paw, they might be willing to help him out some but on the other they might just want him gone. Winter did strange things to those in the wild.

Askan was beginning to feel outnumbered. It wasn't as if he hated women-how could he after growing up with three rambunctious sisters-but he couldn't help but note how Wild Rye Fields had more members of the -so called- fairer sex.Contrary to common belief, Askan wasn't a muscle head, he didn't run around yelling about his testosterone and wonderful masculine physique(though it had to be noted, he looked pretty damn good), but sometimes it felt good to spend some time with like minded wolves. And even though he didn't hate Icicle, by no means could it be said they were similar. They were like two different sides of a coin, couldn't be any more different. And Drestig? Well, Askan adored him but he was busy leading the pack and Askan didn't want to be a pest.

So what was a guy to do?

Askan's solution to most problems consisted of sulking, alone, in the Lowlands. It was easier for him to deal with and or avoid his problems when he was alone, away from prying eyes and ears. He was sure that some of the Rye wolves would worry for him, would like to help, but as rude as it sounded, he didn't want their help. He didn't want them to see that he was like this, that he was as soft and vulnerable as everyone else. Not that it was like that, at all! Askan was... This was a conundrum for sure. He straddled the line between denying the obvious and wanting to admit it, sometimes he would wobble one way but then lean back the next.

And so he kept on walking, trudging through the snow with a seemingly permanent frown on his face, ignoring the speckles of snow falling all around him. Or at least that was his intention till he noticed a large figure boldly striding along as though he thought he was the shit, the greatest thing since the discovery of a good long nap. Well, wasn't he a lucky guy? To walk on cloud nine without a care, hmph. Askan was half tempted to stomp on over and ruin his day, just out of spite. But Drestig had told him time and time again to play nice...

Damn it. He'd go over and see what he was doing, walking about like a peacock and that was that. By no means was Askan going to glower or grumble. Not at all.

A lynx has left behind the remains of a deer. +5 Health

He was very well convinced that he looked amazing by now. Even the snow that collected on his back didn't stop him from holding himself in that prideful - but not exactly dominate - position. He should've stayed back in his little group and swoon the few females there but he had things to do. At the peak of his prime, and only going down from there, he had never once had a relationship. Nor had he really done anything meaningful. He found Aesire by chance. That wasn't exactly heroic and meaningful, though. Heigen was beyond aware he had much left to do with the clock only counting down.

The large male was drawn from his thoughts by the smell of someone. A scent that matched one of the ones around here. His brown eyes flittered around the area before spotting a dark patch in the snow. The dark male was built but not exactly large. Heigen had height and a bit more mass than this guy. Nonetheless, he wasn't some scrawny thing who would be easily dominated.

With a deep bark, he let the other know he noticed him if it wasn't obvious already. The tawny man shook the loose snow off of himself before going to properly say something. "Just passing through." He stated with a neutral tone. Nothing about him was overly friendly but he also wasn't being completely closed off.

That was a neutral response if he'd ever heard one. Like the guy had taken a moment to string together some words that weren't all that telling. He was just passing through? What was Askan supposed to gain from that? Was he supposed to just go 'okay' and trot off? He supposed it could have been worse, the guy could have tried to give him some slap talk. He could have tried to be witty and cheeky, which wouldn't have gone all that well for him.Passing through sort of implied he had some place to be, as though he had a destination in mind. Askan, being the nosy sod he was, decided he was entitled to know where this place was.

"Yeah?" He asked, coming to a stop a respectable distance away from the stranger. As crass as he was, he wasn't hankering for a fight. Though he held himself with confidence, his gaze level and his tail hanging comfortably between his legs. "Got somewhere to be?"

His question was casual as he could make it, but only an idiot wouldn't realise that he was prying, that he was trying to figure out who this guy really was. He supposed that if he wanted to be given something, he had to do the same. It wasn't the same as admitting defeat, it was more along the lines of 'you give an inch you get an inch.' He was being reasonable, sort of. Besides, the information he planned to offer was of little importance, he had no reason to hide who he was or where he was from. If anything, he was proud of it. He wanted people to know of him and his pack. So really, he was hitting two birds with one stone.

"I'm Askan Selywn, from Wild Rye Fields. Not so far from here." He explained before the stranger had a chance to respond to his earlier questions.

There was a question. One that was the most polite way to pry. Heigen had to admit because this male had tried to pry so carefully he didn't see anything wrong with giving a bit. But there was some sort of fancy introduction that was handed to him before he could speak.

"Not so far from here."

He already knew that. The scent of them grew more the closer he got to where he assumed 'not so far' was. He had to be polite, though. While this was still neutral grounds the large man knew he couldn't be a snob or push others around. "Nice to meet you, Askan. I'm Gen." His head nodded with a sliver of respect. "As for your question, I truthfully don't." He admitted with a shrug. The tawny male tried to make it obvious that he was being as truthful and blunt as possible. Passing through didn't mean you were going somewhere. Simply meant you were headed through an area or more until you eventually found somewhere to be.

He noted the name of the pack @Askan had given. Wild Rye Fields. Well, Heigen was no geographic professional but he was almost positive that no rye fields would be holding up well through the storm. It wasn't out of pity that he thought this but, he truly wished that pack had somewhere else they liked to stay besides a snowy dead field. Maybe a tree or some rocks. Anything that seemed more logical.

Askan wasn't quite sure what to make of this stranger. He suspected that he was telling the truth, that he was looking for some place to be but even so Askan wasn't satisfied. It wasn't the sort of response he had been looking for. At least they were being civil, which was more or less a first for the Rye wolf. Oh, he'd tried to be civil with varying degrees of success but this time felt a little less... Sticky?Like he'd been dipped in honey? He couldn't quite explain why it felt different, all he knew was that it did. Which was better than before, he supposed.

"Likewise." His tone made it pretty clear he wouldn't say this was a pleasure, but it was the polite thing to say right? Bah, civility was a tough nut to crack. "And that's fair I suppose. Was wondering cause the way you were walking made it seem like you knew where you were, like you were on a mission or something." He shrugged, not sure what else to say.

He thought he'd gotten better with this conversation business, but it was still as hard as it had ever been. Maybe even more so. Like, what was he supposed to say now? Was he supposed to explain why he was out here? It's not like it was important or anything like that, but it was a weird thought, it made his tongue taste salty and he wanted to blanch, but somehow managed to resist the urge. This was an experiment of sorts for the Yukon wolf, maybe it would be a good experience for him. Maybe it could teach him something.

Swallowing his-well hidden- discomfort and confusion, Askan pointed his snout in the general direction of the field. "The packs got a lotta women at the moment, it's a little stifling. Especially with my sister hanging round. Needed a breather. Couldn't stand the sound of them laughing any longer."

This Askan guy was chatty, to say the least. Heigen knew how he was walking. He had pride in himself so he saw no reason not to strut about. He didn't voice it mostly out of concern it'd fall upon deaf ears or ears that were too busy listening to their own voice. "Things don't usually mess with you if you walk like you're on a mission." He smirked softly. That may have been the first real facial expression he'd shown this whole time. He had said it with good intentions, though. He didn't mean to possibly ruffle the man's fur.

His ears perked as @Askan kept chatting. Although this time it was something of slight interest. Women. Lots of them too. "I get what you're saying but be happy they're laughing and not screaming. Nothing scarier than an angry woman, Askan." His voice was like that of a father. If Askan didn't know it he should be grateful. Two reasons. Lots of women (we already addressed this earlier on but obviously it's important to our dear Heigen). That the women weren't about to rip each other's throats out. "Sounds like you really needed this run in, though, if I'm correct."

Heigen had to inwardly control himself. He couldn't let this Selywn guy see that a man of his age and prime was so easily excited by females. Although it was almost a surprise that someone of Askan's age wasn't out there snagging the advantage of so many choices. Then the large man wondered, did this male perhaps have an issue?

Askan supposed he had a point. His sisters had never been the screaming type, nor did they ever really get angry. Sure, they got a little stroppy sometimes when their Father didn't let them have their own way, didn't let them run off with a handsome loner who had a charming way with words. But other than that? He supposed he was pretty lucky. Or perhaps that Gen was unlucky. That said, Askan supposed the women in his pack weren't the worst in the world.

Adelayde-whilst certainly annoying- had a nice voice when she sang. Though he wasn't sure the same could be said for when she got all excited and her voice was raised a few octaves. Gah, his ears hurt just thinking of it. She was pretty patient with him though, which was admirable of her. Remington was fine, they got along pretty well and she was handy to have by his side when he went on a hunt. Percy, well he adored the proverbial socks off of her. They were best friends really, they understood each other. His sister was a menace, through and through. Askan had nothing else to add on that. And Jessie? He respected her with every fibre of his being, but she was quite intimidating for such a small wolf.

Gen was right though, it was nice to get some air and talk to a-somewhat, maybe a little bit- likeminded guy. Even if he wouldn't go out of his way to sing the man's praise, he had to say that talking to him was better than having his sister chew off his ear. Both literally and figuratively. She was that kind of gal.

"How'd you know so much about women anyway?"Askan asked, just as the question occurred to him. "You consider yourself a lady killer or something like that?"

If he did, then he was a bit of a twat, wasn't he? Askan didn't see what was so interesting about women or men really. He could-maybe, if pushed to- appreciate them aesthetically but was that all there was to it? To people like Gen? Was attraction only skin deep? Seemed rather petty and a waste of time, if you asked Askan. Then again he had always been the sort that was quick to judge and never really took the time to see it from another's point of view. The way he saw it, his version of things was the norm and everyone else was deviant, in one way or another.

He couldn't help the deep laughter that bubbled up from the dark male's statement. Lady killer? Nice to know he gave off that vibe. He did think of himself as somewhat of a heartthrob. "Not at all." He said in an honest tone to keep his true thoughts hidden. "Grew up in a fairly female dominant pack. You learn what they like, want, need." The large man shrugged his shoulders. Female dominant wasn't exactly correct but he had been influenced by strong woman all of his life. He had trained some of them too. Heigen was not shy to any dosage of estrogen.

"Talkative ladies all that drive you out here, or is there more to it?" He inquired and let his eyes grow a little soft. The Colette man was not trying to seem like he was intruding or even suggesting something more. He just found it a little strange that such a stoic man would allow a female's chatter to break him. Yet Heigen hadn't been there first hand so he didn't know just how badly it had been. Perhaps it was the horrendous kind of laughter that fell somewhere between squeals and gasps for air. While he could appreciate laughter and chatter he didn't appreciate unnecessary boldness in such things.

Heigen admired the man in order to keep himself busy while he waited for an answer. The dark muddy colors did his build nice. Yellow eyes a nice little pop to all that dirty dark.