---

Skill: —

---

Grove stretched his forelegs long above his muzzle as he rolled upon his back, eyes still sealed shut in comfortable darkness. He was awake, but just barely, and honestly quite content to stay that way- until the bite of a cold breeze parted his fur like the clouds part for the sun.

Cold? His home was not cold. Warm, resin eyes flew open. He was met with a never-ending puddle of gold.. the long, bleached grass spanning as far as Grove could see from his compromised position, nestled between the stalks. At the sight, he scrambled to his paws, hunting for purchase among the soft earth. What was this place? He raised his nose to the air, repressing a shiver that was less from the chill and more from the lack of familiarity he found.

"Most definitely not home," He muttered, taking a moment to compose himself.

Granted, it's not like he expected to see any friendly faces upon waking up. Grove had left his natal pack months ago, but he'd never strayed so far as being unable to recognize where he was. Here, though, he was lost. Despite the strangeness, he plowed through the grass- bulky, muscled shoulders shoving them aside easily. He could roll with this. Fine. Good, even. He'd never planned on seeing his family again.. right?

— speech

---

Skill: —

---

The stocky man startled to a stop at the sound of a clear voice. He struggled for a moment to locate the voice within the field, before settling on a slim, earth colored wolf. Lose track of.. Grove glanced up to confirm that, yes, the sky was rather bleak. He frowned once again at the concept of finding himself in such seemingly miserable climate, and let himself briefly mourn warmth and humidity. He thought of his home, of which he could see nor smell any trace of. It was mostly forest and wetland, and stayed perfectly warm (or miserably hot, at worst) year-round. He recalled how he usually found the moisture in the air stifling and annoying- it curled his fur and the mist settled in his eyes like film. Now, though, he didn't think he'd mind it.

Sort of instinctually, Grove's shoulders rounded in on themselves and he settled into what could only be described as a half-squat. Not threatening, but rather clearly a poor attempt to make himself as non-threatening as possible. Slightly pathetic looking? Definitely. Could he help it? No.

"Hey there," He began, and his tail swayed slow and hesitant. "It really is hard to tell, isn't it? Not to be too forward, but do you know where this is? Do you know which way I would head to find Null Ridge? Well, I guess I should ask if you've even heard of it.. Sorry," He coughed to intercept his tumbling mash of questions, quickly giving the dirt a sheepish look.

"I'm Grove, by the way. That was rude of me," He tacked on, before sealing his lips with a small, embarrassed smile.

— speech