Veero was on patrol enjoying a little time away from the comforting but constant smothering of his family. It seemed his mother had recently realized he was grown up. It made her a bit more clingy then usual, she just wanted the best for them he supposed.
Unlike some might have felt, he had never minded not having a father. The males of the pack had stepped up and he had never felt lacking for a male rolemodel or any male guidance in his life. He lifted his head and sniffed curiously scanning about. A stranger was nearby, the question was if it was a dangerous wolf or a simple passerby.
She'd not had many encounters yet, surprising, given the sheer number of wolves in the area. She just kept going when she saw one usually, and most seemed happy to let her pass. She was just passing through now, too, not sure what she'd encounter, or who, but really only worried about bears. She had learned how to fight ages ago and she was one hell of a scrapper to show for it. Talia was confident that she could get out of any situation she needed to if the situation arose.
Her paw steps slowed as she drew nearer, not wanting to be taken off guard just because she was in a hurry, especially since she didn't need to be.
Veero blinked and then slipped out infront of the female, for a moment surprised he had caught an intruder. "Hello there, this is the packland of the Akiiki Chibale. What brings you here stranger?" He asked softly his tone neither friendly nor menacing simply curious. He didnt want to go flinging threats at the innocent, not speaking sweetly to an enemy. Best to just stay on guard until he knew what this female wanted around the pack.
Talia stopped in her tracks, quite literally, to avoid getting any closer to the strange male. She recognized the lack of threat and, at the same time, the lack of invitation. More so his question spoke volumes even if his body language didn't. She lifted her head a little from the casual hang she'd hat it in as she'd been walking, regarding him calmly.
"Just an old face refamiliarizing herself with the lay of the land..." She answered casually, keeping her ears open. "I wasn't aware that I'd crossed any actual borders. I do hope I'm not tresspassing then."
"You are...but if you mean us no harm I would be happy to escort you through the lands so you might continue. If you'd like you could also go around...the territory markers should be clear." He looked her over again wondering how far she had come. She didn't look familiar, then again he didn't really know any wolves outside the pack. How had he become so introverted he wondered, probably trying to please his mother and stay close to home.
"So...are you from nearby, wandering alone around these parts can be dangerous..." He warned her thinking of the Reign of Terror.
"No need to worry for this female." She reassured, relaxing her posture a bit. "I've already been through my fair share of trouble quite a few times. We're old friends."
She offered a tiny smirk, she must have picked that up from that old flea bag of hers.
"Hm, I used to be from here, at least for a little while. This general area. The lands I knew back then were still free lands. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to keep moving. I'm refamiliarizing myself."
"Our family has only been here for two generations, I'm not surprised that you find our presence new. There is a pack to the north however thats newer still but very dangerous. Avoid them at all costs they have no qualms with killing and torturing the innocent." He nodded at her desire to continue moving and tipped his head stepping aside.
"Would you like me to escort you through?" He asked hopefully, maybe she would tell him a little bit about the lands away from the pack. He could use some interaction outside of his own family, he was far too sheltered it seemed. Lone wolves were such a strange enigma to him, how did they do it?
"I would appreciate it." She replied in confirmation, moving to his side while keeping a bit of distance, ready to fall into stride again. "Hn... to the North, I understand. Thank you for the warning." She replied easy goingly, relaxed with a small grin. "There was a similar pack on the move this way last I was here. I knew a good wolf that had been attacked by some of it's members. I hope they're long gone."
So, the Reign wasn't the first wicked pack to come around hopefully they would leave or be dispatched. He disliked having those wicked wolves so near his home and family, et there was little they could do. They were preparing for a war with their neighboring pack they could not handle two enemies. Besides as long as they sent a tribute of fish to the Reign they were left alone. For now all they could do was bide their time and continue to act in the best interests of their family.
"There are packs to the south of us as well if that is where you are heading, they are friendly I believe. I haven't had a chance to travel much myself but we get word from lones passing by."
He wished he were a bit more worldly, but at least his family shared news and such with him now that he was older.
"By chance do you know if the South Seaside pack is still active? My mate and I took refuge there for a time... I was thinking of visiting, but I wouldn't want to make the trip if they're gone."
She wondered how Hige and Thayne, Tony, and all the others they'd befriended were doing.
"The south seaside...I'm afraid the name doesn't sound familiar. It might still be worth heading past to see if they are there. Many packs have simply become smaller as certain prey moves on and around." He certainly new all sorts of new packs were spreading and coming to life to the east and north. Who knew what lay further south or further east, they were a western pack close to the ocean and the forests that grew beyond. He knew other packs lived out in the open, and other in the deep forests or jungles. His grandmother had even said she passed a vast expanse of sandy desert on her travels perhaps wolves lived in those barren places as well. One never knew what mysteries lay far from ones own home.
He was a family wolf though and so he tamped down his wanderlust in favor of family. He enjoyed being a protector and brother, and a good son. He liked the feeling of always having been there for the ones who loved and raised him.
"Perhaps I will, then." She agreed with a soft nod, grateful. "I'm Talia, by the way."
She doubted if she'd meet him again, but she didn't see the harm in giving her name.
"Pleasure to meet you, I'm Veero." He added hastily surprised with himself for not having offered the lady his name earlier. His grandmother had drummed politeness into him from puphood yet it all seemed to fly out of his head. It had to be his aunt Twix, she was always telling him to be wary of strangers, cautious and quiet. Well half of her lessons had stuck, he might have been more cautious and quiet if it had been a male and not a pretty female.
Granted in his eyes any non-related female was pretty, he was still young and fresh. He saw everything with eager eyes, eager to see and learn and love.
"Well then, Veero. Thank you for seeing me through. Remember the name, maybe I'll end up seeing you again sometime. Though, next time, not as a tresspasser." Chuckled the dark she-wolf, easily keeping pace at his side as they continued on their way to the border.
If the rest of the lands had changed as much then she was sure her return would be an interesting one indeed.
He smiled and nodded certain he would remember her and hoping she'd come back by this way. Maybe for once he could be the one to collect and share news from outside the pack.
"I hope to see you again then Talia." He stopped as the forest seemed to open a bit the trees becoming a bit sparser and a wide river ahead. "Past the river out territory ends...I hope you'll remember to take care. Good luck on your travels." He smiled and tipped his muzzle.
"Thank you Veero. Oh,"
She had gone a few steps ahead and half turned, but now did so fully so that she could face him again.
"If you should happen to meet a blue wolf by the name of Kouji, or a grey wolf by the name Tsume, do me a kindness and point them the way I've gone, could you...?"
She smiled, then winked.
"Be seeing you, handsome."
Was she flirting just then? Oh yes, most definitely, but she didn't stay to see his reaction, be it negative or positive. Already she had turned back towards the river and with a brief wag of her tail she was off and heading to the exit of the lands.
