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The brightly colored male found himself lost as usual, and wandering into a clearing. Bright warming sunshine spilled down on his coat and he smiled, taking a moment to close his eyes and inhale the joyous smells of the coming spring. He was getting over his abrupt abandonment by a previous pack, and had turned his mind to the future. Otherwise he might not have paid the beautiful scenery and sudden warmth so much attention. But Fierj was ever positive, and couldn't help it. He never took long to cast aside a bitter mood, if he fell into such a mood to begin with.

A warm breeze rolled up to the crest of the clearing where he stood, ruffling his fur softly as he gazed across new green peeking out of dried grass. It wouldn't be much longer before grazers were plentiful here, so he took note of the spot. One day soon perhaps he would not be hunting by himself. The firey wolf was naturally pack oriented.

He stepped further away from the wood, warming his pawpads on the grass. Another rustle of breeze, only this one carried the scent of a nearby wolf. Almost immediately Fierj's ears were perked and his tail swayed twice, though he tried not to appear too eager. His company could still be a long way off, or have taken no notice of him. The orange and yellow wolf sat back on his haunches to wait patiently, keeping a keen eye out to the forest edge.

A pair of ears swiveled and honed in on the nearby sound. Fierj stood up, alert as he would be on a hunt, and scanned in the direction the wind was coming from. It took quite a while for him to spot the female wolf, actually. She blended in so nicely with that coat pattern, while he seemed to only blend at sunset. For a moment he was enthralled just trying to pick her out from the background of trees.

After a moment of studying, he padded quietly toward the striped female. His tail bent low and his ears flicked back in a sign of friendship as though it were plainly instinct. Of course he had no idea what was going on in her mind, or he may have reconsidered. But Fierj was naturally friendly if a bit naieve in certain aspects, so he advanced without really heeding her disgusted look. He was after all, starved for contact as of late, and any conversation would be welcome. The male came to a halt and seated himself a few feet from Starla, smiling in a way only canids could accomplish.

"What brings you out this fine afternoon?"

The poor wolf. He had the most confused expression on his face as he got up to trail after her. No, he wouldn't just slink off after such a bad start to a conversation. Fierj trotted to catch up and be next to her. "Fine, like how the sun warms the back after such a long winter." And how even your sour presence warms my heart, pitiable though it may sound. He smiled pleasantly at her, hoping to at least melt a little of that harshness she cast off so readily. "I imagine a lady like yourself could be anywhere she wanted, thats why I ask. And out of general politeness, and friendliness. Isn't that to be expected at a chance meeting?"

Fierj seemed to go all directions at once, but suceeded in jumping a few inches off of the ground and folding his ears back flat to his skull. It wasn't that he was necessarily afraid of her, but she had certainly startled him and he did not want confrontation. That was the last thing he ever wanted, it always led to him getting the nastier end of the deal. Besides, this beautifully marked wolf was female, and if he had any integrity he wouldn't strike back if she decided to gnaw his legs off. "You haven't even given me a chance, how can you not like me?" Confused still, and hiding his hurt, he didn't leave her side. He didn't even take notice of the threatening rain, save to realize he wasn't quite so warm anymore.

With new resolve, he steeled himself a little. This girl was obviously just a little bit off of her rocker, or had some sort of terrible experience she hadn't gotten over. After all, he could have stayed bitter toward all wolves if he'd wanted to, but it was so much healthier to remain positive. "You don't like anyone at all? I bet you would like me if you talked to me, or anyone, instead of just shoving them away on sight like they might all take a chunk out of your throat while you weren't looking."

"Thats not possible," Now Fierj wasn't missing a beat, "If you can't chance on anyone, you can never get to know them enough to make a decision" He paused to look at the smaller female, take her in for a moment. There was no way she could be that staunchly opinionated against, well, everyone. There did have to be a reason for it. Right?

He watched her whirl around, nervous to something. Her second statement confirmed that much. It took a moment for Fierj to realize what might have had her on edge, a spring thunderstom was brewing. That wasn't unheard of, after all, to be afraid of storms. Hastily his mind thought back through the scenery he had come to previous to setting foot in the clearing. He had been paying sharp attention, both out of his happiness and natural hunter's mind that he simply couldnt shut off. A hollowed out tree, that was something he'd passed, and not too far away. A pitiable shelter for one, but it would do for his, er, companion. Swishing his ears a little, he offered the suggestion, "If you follow me quickly, I can keep you out of the weather."

Fierj splayed his ears and folded them back slightly at her sudden movement, though this time he was a little readier for it, and didn't jump. No, he didn't understand the hostilities of this female at all, but for the moment she was the only wolf in these lands who had spared more than a few words toward him, be those hostile or not. Also, something told him that she wasn't quite as callous as she appeared, deep down. Maybe. At any rate he was ready to help her make a dash for it. The firey wolf didn't particularly like rain either, it reminded him of his abandonment, and though he wasn't particularly fearful of being caught out in the drops as she was, there was some understanding. Perhaps the storm would even last long enough for him to have a sane conversation for once. Not that one could count on spring rains. Fierj held back a slightly exhasparated sigh, "I said, if you follow me quickly, I will show you out of the rain." We wouldn't want it to mar your pretty fur, now would we? With that Fierj turned on his heels and loped in the opposite direction at an average pace, giving a few glances over his shoulder to see if she was following.

That random rogue noticed she was following and kept a chuckle to himself. Sooner or later every wolf had to learn that you had to rely on others sometimes. One more glance over his shoulder and... my didn't she look in a panic. Fierj picked up his pace a little, bounding through the stinging cool rain of spring, back along his own scent, and to a large, stately oak. Its trunk had long been a hollow refuge for animals of all kinds and it was, fortunately, vacant.

The firey male stepped back and aside. The hollow was plenty spacious and dry for one wolf, but he would stand outside and do fine with it. He had never particularly minded being drenched, and that was certainly what these clouds were threatening to do. Fierj motioned to the hollow as Starla approaced with his muzzle, "There you are, miss. Narrow, but cozy." Hope you aren't chlaustrophopic as well.

The orange and yellow male gave her what was arguably the most concerned look he'd ever mustered. To ask what was wrong was silly, the poor girl was utterly terrified of the rain. Glancing at her with slightly sad gray eyes, he moved to block the entrance to the hollow for her. Fierj himself didn't mind the drenching so much, and he was getting rather soaked. For the moment all he really wanted was to help her calm down and regain a little sense of sanity. The picture of her small frame in complete terror of a rainstorm gave Fierj a mild desire to curl around her and cover her eyes. Strange. With one more pitying glance he attempted to reassure her, mustering a smile in the wake of his own memories, "Its alright, it can't hurt you. Here, tell me, whats your name? Is there somewhere you're traveling to?" It was a vague tactic at distraction, and at the same time might satisfy his own curiosity if she didn't decide to snap him in two first. Almost perfect.