3/8/2026, 11:28 PM
The wolf had never really been the type to prefer caution, but being a loner was a task in and of itself. The pair had often stayed on the edges of their old pack lands to combat this- it was far less likely to be killed by family, after all. Yet, in the times of the year where fighting for territory became common, it was all too easy to simply slink away when eyes were upon you. Loners didn't exactly have claim to anything like safety and security. Hawke realized it would certainly have been worse without his sibling, and was grateful for Thrush in that regard.
Yet, as he watched the silver hued female observe him with a sparkle in her eyes, he couldn't help but find himself momentarily confounded by the sheer difference in what he'd come to expect. It wasn't his first time stumbling upon another loner, either. Most of the time, they'd given others like them a berth that was only slightly less than they may have given to a pack. Yet, she trotted forward with confidence. It was as if she didn't fear what he could do, or perhaps simply didn't bother to acknowledge the risks that came with coming across another in the wilds. His ears were turned forward, both his eyes silently observing as the other first mirrored his posture, then took her own with a bright smile and swish of her tail. It was so utterly at odds with anything he could have possibly predicted; even his own family hadn't greeted him with such exuberance.
Dorothy was quickly beginning to realize that he wasn't in Kansas any longer.
She chirped out a welcome, moving close enough that he could begin to parse through the various layers of her scent. Beyond the cool freshness of snow was a hidden undercurrent of berries, cut through by the various other's she'd met that clung to her pelt. Further still, something else lingered with a feeling that tickled a memory he couldn't quite grasp. Where had he come across a smell like that before? Hawke faintly wondered how frequently she stumbled across loners like him to have such an amalgamation without a pack to call home. Or, perhaps, she did?
Yet, as he watched the silver hued female observe him with a sparkle in her eyes, he couldn't help but find himself momentarily confounded by the sheer difference in what he'd come to expect. It wasn't his first time stumbling upon another loner, either. Most of the time, they'd given others like them a berth that was only slightly less than they may have given to a pack. Yet, she trotted forward with confidence. It was as if she didn't fear what he could do, or perhaps simply didn't bother to acknowledge the risks that came with coming across another in the wilds. His ears were turned forward, both his eyes silently observing as the other first mirrored his posture, then took her own with a bright smile and swish of her tail. It was so utterly at odds with anything he could have possibly predicted; even his own family hadn't greeted him with such exuberance.
Dorothy was quickly beginning to realize that he wasn't in Kansas any longer.
She chirped out a welcome, moving close enough that he could begin to parse through the various layers of her scent. Beyond the cool freshness of snow was a hidden undercurrent of berries, cut through by the various other's she'd met that clung to her pelt. Further still, something else lingered with a feeling that tickled a memory he couldn't quite grasp. Where had he come across a smell like that before? Hawke faintly wondered how frequently she stumbled across loners like him to have such an amalgamation without a pack to call home. Or, perhaps, she did?
Hello.he replied simply, lifting his head while she neared and tipped her own. He was still, allowing her to approach while taking no steps of his own. It wasn't necessarily that he was as wary anymore, but more that the brute didn't wish to startle her into a reaction (not that it seemed possible, she seemed more the type to play than to run). He instinctively hesitated to answer her question, wary to give away anything that might be perceived as weakness. After a moment of contemplation Hawke spoke once more, his voice careful in what it revealed.
I was calling for my brother. He often likes to.. scout ahead, when we travel.