Sheauga moved through the woods at an unhurried pace, paws threading easily between roots and low blooms. The forest felt woven, branches overlapping and canopies interlocking until the sunlight filtered down in soft shifting ribbons that danced across her back. It painted her in gold and shadow never quite staying still. She paused often.

There was too much not to notice; the ground stretched out in a sea of blue and lilac wildflowers, dense and endless and their scent light but constant. She lowered her head nosing along a cluster, careful not to crush them. She wondered when they would find the band of wolves Tamaska spoke of, but found no sense in rushing.

That was when a flicker of movement passed overhead, at first she thought it was another butterfly, one of the many that drifted lazily between the trees, but this movement was sharper and intentional, a streak of blue cutting through the canopy before vanishing somewhere above. Sheauga lifted her head, tan ears pricking.

There it was again. A flash of vivid blue between the branches, followed by the soft rustle of wings. She stilled, one paw still lifted, ...hello? she called softly, and for a moment there was nothing, then —

A blue jay dropped from the canopy like it had been waiting for her. It landed a few paces ahead with a confident little hop; feathers settling into place as sharp eyes fixed on her. Bright blue, white, and black striking against the soft colors of Lapis. It tilted its head once then twice, studying her with an intensity that felt… deliberate.

Slowly she lowered herself, easing down with careful posture Oh...are you she didn't finish the thought as the blue jay chirped a short almost pleased sound and moved a step closer without hesitation. Could it be...her spirit guide? What fine timing she had, and as if answering her the bird flicked its wings hopping closer again; close enough now that she could see the fine detail in its feathers and the sharp intelligence in its gaze.

I didn't know I was looking for you... she admitted, but what timing but I think I am really glad I found you her tail swayed slowly, her attention fixated on the little bird.

—

Seeing the Nestle come alive in such an abrupt manner still had Nate feeling a bit befuddled. As if he'd passed between worlds, again. Or stepped halfway through a door where the rooms on either side were identical in shape but entirely unique in color, pattern, and daylight. His efforts now were relearning the trails he's scouted not so very long ago, in their new lush forms.

The scent of Tamaska caught him through the heady scent of flowers, and he'd followed it. Ko-Ga flit from branch to branch above him, settled back into comfortable nuisancery by Nate's side. Along the way, he looked for feathers to bring back as a gift for Elk Charm.

The slow pace of exploration afforded him time to sightsee, and be distracted in a hundred different ways he'd struggled for a long time to allow himself to be.

Blue butterflies dazzled the air. Birds sang a hundred songs. And Tamaska.... wasn't Tamaska.

Nose scrunching, Nate retraced the tracks he'd been following. Her scent was there. But the familiarity obscured another. A stranger. Which appeared to be who he was actually on the path of.

A nearby voice lifted his head. Ko-Ga flew ahead to investigate, smoky blue beating like dust off his feathers.

Hello? Nate called out.