Spectral Woods Whispering Flames

(@Nayeli)
It seemed the harshest parts of winter were over. The sun could slightly make way to thaw the ice and ground now. Animals would soon (hopefully) flood the lands he wandered into. Yet he felt bad. He had left after Magnolia Glen after making a promise. Perhaps it was the harshness of this land that drove him away. Or maybe the fact that he just wasn't ready for protecting a whole pack. Whatever it was still left guilt in him. Now he knew he couldn't turn back, in fact he had to move. Over the mountains if possible. The last thing he wanted was to be caught by a Magnolia Glen member. It would only cause him trouble and enemies. The two least things desired.

Sticking to his plan to move he was doing just that. Moving. Shuffling through slightly cold woods left him a bit paranoid. Only thing to do was find a shelter. He knew night would fall soon. A dangerous time for unprotected wolves like himself. Predators would come out to try and find food for their rumbling stomachs. Besides, not everyone was lucky to have shelter and food in the winter. Which only meant more trouble. Trouble with finding a home and with finding food. The Slayer man wouldn't be surprised if somewhere along his travels something or someone attacked him. Although his mind settled on the bad things that could happen he could think of a few things that might happen. Maybe he could stumble along the other Slayers he was looking for. Or find a pack he could actually stick to. Yet when he though about it, that was only two good things that could happen against all of the hundred of bad things that could happen to him.

Night was rising. It crept up from the opposite horizon while the sun set, as surely as the sun rose in the morning. A thin crescent of moon already hung in the sky, though as the canvas behind it shifted hues it seemed to take on a new light. Nayeli had completed all the tasks she could think of for today, aside from catching some much needed food - thought not for any lack of effort. There was simply so little to be found, even now. Footsore and feeling somewhat discouraged, the starred she-wolf had wandered back to the heart of the Bend to rest late that afternoon, but as the night began to deepen it awoke her instincts and hunger once more. As shadows overtook the landscape she rose and padded off, purposefully making her way out past the borders. Perhaps she'd have better luck out here.

Change was coming to the land, but things were changing for the dark lady as well. Although, as she stalked into the growing darkness, Nayeli felt a bit more herself than she had in recent days - this at least was something she knew how to do, and had done time and time before. She may not necessarily have any luck, but at least she could feel like a wolf again for a while, without all the questions which had recently been so incessant in her mind. If she found something to eat that wasn't already dead or frozen, that was even better.

As she moved through the gathering darkness, she could almost feel it around her, as tangible as the night breeze. Night was a time well suited to the she-wolf, who could hide within shadows far more easily than sunlight, especially when the light of the moon was as wan as it was this night. Pausing where the melting snow had left a muddied patch of bare earth, she dragged a front paw along the sticky ground and then smeared it upon her forehead, temporarily hiding the star there, the way her father had once shown her. There would be no Frippery for this lady. Ready now, she moved onward, letting her senses awaken fully to the world around her.

Several minutes later, she did notice something - a scent, faint but unmistakable. Disappointment mingled with interest as she studied the spot on the ground. This was no meal, but another wolf. She couldn't be sure, but there was something vaguely familiar about the scent... one thing was for sure though, this was no wolf of the Bend. Loping along now, she followed the trail, concern rising. Of course they weren't on Oak Tree Bend's lands anymore, but this close, she should probably investigate anyway. Perhaps they were tracking prey she'd failed to notice, in which case... well whatever the case was, she'd figure out what to do when she knew more. As the scent grew fresher she slowed her pace again, trying to keep her steps velvet silent as she stalked after whoever it might be.