Drooping Willows in a blaze of fear i put a helmet on a helmet

For @Adeltra || January 6th, Eastern Drooping Willows, Snowy

The snow was a bit too much for the short boy and crossing the mountain had been far too much. He had tried to take the easiest route but multiple times he had almost slipped down the mountain to his end. It was more exciting than he was looking for so once he reached the lower grounds again, he swore not to cross the mountain. At least not until the snow went away.

Caelean found a forest of strange trees that seemed to grow tall before the branches drooped down towards the earth. A soft huh left him as he slowly strolled past one after another. He hadn't seen trees like this before. Why were the like this? Were the trees okay?

Addy was out and about, as always. Even though she hated the freezing temperatures she hated being cooped up inside a den more, so out she went into the world. This day, for the first time since her return, she had ventured outside of the borders. It wasn’t very far, the strong scent still billowing in the breeze with enough pungency to make sure she could find her way back with her eyes closed, but it was still a step. It wasn’t that she was afraid to leave, but rather that she was afraid her mother might show up while she was out and she wasn’t there to greet her. But it was okay to be out while still in the clutches of the willows, right? She would probably still be able to hear a call from here and if it held any sense of urgency she’d spin right around and sprint back.

This area she’s explored many times over because even though it wasn’t in their claimed domain it was still part of the territory that they resided in. Lorcán had said that a scout knew about everything going on in and around the territory, so now that she had made up her mind that that was what she wanted to do she was starting to try and officially map out all the areas that surrounded them. But, there was something different about it today than from what she’d been there before. What was it...she paused in her walking. Nose twitching and eyes searching before she realized. It was another wolf!

Her auds shifted forward into alertness, Amber-yellow gaze scanning around her before she moved to follow the scent. She snuck around the trees, moving with confidence and grace, before her eyes finally settled on a growing form. His pelt was pale, disappearing and reappearing in the snow covered landscape while she stuck out like a sore thump. Bits of cream and silver were the only things keeping him from disappearing altogether. She studied his mannerisms, curiosity evident in the way he inspected everything around him. Perhaps she could give him some more insight. She let out a woof of greeting.

Caelean was about one moment away from musing to himself about the trees before a stranger called out to him. Well, woofed out to him really. He crouched for a brief moment as he felt unsure of the stranger's intentions. She was a dark splotch against a rather dull ivory world. Pretty and unique. In an admirable way but certainly not the young boy's type.

"H-hey," He weakly called out. It was a typical way for him to start a conversation lately it seemed. "you need something?" Caelean asked with a pale brow raising. For once it wasn't him who had sought out conversation which meant that the other must have wanted something. Right?

The small Balik didn't budge from his spot, content to call out to the girl rather than get too close for comfort. She smelled of others which meant there were more on her side than his. Safety was his top priority this time around.

There are several fresh rabbit tracks in the mud. Hunt Opportunity

As she called out the boy crouched to the ground and her brows pulled together in concern. She hadn’t meant to scare him and really she couldn’t be all that intimidating even if she tried. He stuttered out a hello and she tried to put on her best, most welcoming smile to make him feel more relaxed. When he asked what she wanted she blinked once, twice, in confusion. Did she have to need something to say a friendly hello? Uh, no, I don’t need anything. I just noticed you were out here and thought I would say hello, she replied. After a pause she questioned, Is that okay? She certainly didn’t want to force him into an interaction if he didn’t want one. Maybe he had an important place to be or someone to meet? Addy didn’t want to be the one to make him late.

Oh.

It hadn't occurred to him that perhaps someone simply wanted to be friendly as he was usually the one taking that step. "Huh, oh. I mean, yeah that's okay." He said with a sheepish smile and small sway of his tail. "I'm Caelean." If they were going to be friendly it was only right for him to introduce himself. Perhaps it would even get the conversation rolling better than he had started it.

A few small sniffs told him that she was with others, their scents mingling on her dark coat. Caelean began to feel a bit more positive about talking to this strange. If she was local then perhaps she would be able to give him some directions. The Balik boy still wasn't sure what exactly he was looking for in a home but that only meant he needed all the information he could get.