Willow couldn't help but let her tail wag at the praise she received. Perhaps it was the dog in her, but knowing that she'd managed to do something at least a little right, especially when everything had been going so wrong for a while was... well. It was comforting. Soothing in the same way that this place had been a reassurance to her senses.

Melinoë was also wise, in more ways than one. The female couldn't help but wonder if it was part of the whole 'deity' thing. Every word she spoke was so thought out and careful, landing just where she wanted it to in the sentence to make the perfect amount.. most sense. Willow knew that someone who was smarter than her would be able to make sense of it all, but she was just happy to sit and listen. Not a single bone in her body even chose to doubt what the wolf in front of her said; just because she didn't know what the underworld was, or what someone who was in charge of death might be doing out here, it didn't stop her from believing.

WooOoowwie! Miss Meli, you sure seem like an awful important wolf to be runnin' around a place like this bumpin' into folks like me. Her lips curled into a canine grin, tail a continuous fan of wagging behind her at this point. The rest of the other's statement had her body pausing, stilling in a way that was almost curious for the otherwise active half breed. It was almost as if she had to momentarily shut down to think about it, staring at her paws in the process.

Hmm.. Well. I can scent just fine- and I'm used to staying up late at night too. My humans left me and mama to watch the flock or the herd whenevers they was back at the farm and the critters were in the fields. Mama used to always keep me back when she went to chase 'em off, and we weren't allowed to chase after the sheep or the calves without getting swatted at. I got swatted at a lot! Sometimes they were just too cute to resist, ya know? She shook her head and laughed until each of her floppy ears smack unceremoniously against her head, then continued (only a little dizzy from the process).

And on occasionally we'd hafta stay outside when it was colder'n hell iced up, so mama showed me how to find good spots to keep warm. Is that what you mean by makin' shelter, Miss Meli? Willowbelle wasn't sure if this was some kind of test, so she tilted her head back up towards the other with a wide look in her mismatched eyes.

Further softening at her companion’s gentle nature, Melinoë regarded her with a hint of fondness.

I am merely a part of a whole. What I do is valuable and crucial, but I will never claim to be greater than any other. It is a system that requires many moving parts. Even mortals play an important role.

She fell silent to listen and was… disappointed. There were some survival instincts there, she supposed, but was that enough for surviving within Mythris?

Scenting is good. But do you hunt? Or forage? Food is crucial to survival for mortal bodies. It is an obnoxious necessity, if you ask me, but required all the same. Being able to locate safe locales to rest is better than nothing. But I meant more than that, actually crafting dens and shelters. Starting from scratch to create something new in times of need.

With a sigh, she shook her dark head.

There is much to be desired in your skill set. I worry for your ability to survive out in the wilderness alone. Perhaps I shall stay for a time, make sure you settle properly. I would loathe having to guide your soul so soon.

A bit morbid, perhaps, but factual nonetheless.

While the female wasn't the type to usually flaunt about herself, or her skills, she couldn't stop the way her tail wagged in the dirt and her furry body sat up a bit straighter with Melinoë's praises. She may have been half wolf, but Willowbelle had been raised as a dog for most of her life. She had been trained, literally, to please... and the desire would no doubt take some time to completely fade away without her people around her.

Ehehe, well I was the toughest in my litter. she rumbled happily. It wasn't until the other spoke about matters much more complex than she realized that Willow began to see her skills were severely lacking- at least, compared to a wild wolf.

Then again, what reason had she ever had to get such things? Even out in the fields with the flocks, the human's presence had been everywhere and anywhere. She could have smelled their town down wind no matter how far into the wilds they'd gotten, and the barn was never more than a day or so's run away. If she'd ever been in true danger, barking and howling would have gotten her human's attention, and he would have gotten their guns to chase off whatever had spooked her so... and that was only if her dam hadn't gotten there first! Food wasn't raw meat, it was whatever they'd been given that was either kibble or table scraps. Her mama had done her best, but in the end she'd just been a collie- it was Willow's missing father who owned the "wild" part of her heritage.

I suppose I could hunt if I wanted to, but I never really did care for squirrel or rabbit none. I do like to eat though. Her head tilted to the side lightly, the second part of the deity's words simply flying right over her head all over again. It was obvious in the way those eyes blinked towards Melinoë, but regardless of her lack of understanding, she never failed to pay attention.

Hmm, that sure is a good question ain't it? I suppose I could always dig a hole if I needed to. I used to always dig and hide under the rose bushes in my human's yard, but I'd get in trouble for that. Willow laughed lightly at the memory, shifting on her paws eagerly whenever the other wolf offered the possibility of staying here just a bit longer. Floppy ears perked and bright eyes glittered, her entire body shivering in the definitively excitable way of an eager canine.

Well I certainly wouldn't put up no fuss! I didn't really have a plan asides from staying here, at least till I figured out where to look for my flock and people next.

It amused the goddess to think that the happy-go-lucky lass before her was the toughest in her litter. That didn’t exactly speak highly of dog breeds, but that mattered little to Melinoë.

Toughest, hm? she teased gently.

A canine that cared not for meat. That… could prove problematic.

You will need to adjust. Whatever it is you are accustomed to eating is not available here. Raw meat is important for nutrition for carnivores such as yourself.

Brief ideas flickered through her mind about how she might help Willow transition. The wraith wanted the fluffy woman to survive, perhaps even thrive. She couldn’t rely on others to take care of her forever.

It is about the strategic placement of such shelters. A random hole in the ground can still be susceptible to the elements, or even other creatures. Being able to disguise yourself within nature will be crucial.

Not that Willow blended in particularly well. Between the fluffy pelt and her array of colors, she stood out rather starkly against the winter backdrop.

Then it is decided. I shall remain for now. Keep you company. Perhaps show you what to expect.

With a singular nod, she confirmed her place at her new companion’s side. What this would lead to was still very much a mystery, but that only made the trickster all the more curious to see how things would unfold.

The idea that anyone would want to stick around and help her was rather foreign to Willow. It wasn't as if living life as a sheepdog had been particularly difficult- especially when compared to the wolves that roamed the lands that she'd been in charge of keeping away. Her home had never been far away, and food was the same. There had always been a feeling inside of her that something wasn't quite right, that she was still not where she was supposed to be, but a home was a home.. and Willow's had never been wrong for her.

But...

The female in front of her assured her that home was gone, and Willowbelle was beginning to realize it herself too. She'd retraced her path probably a dozen times and never gotten anywhere but deeper into the woods. She wasn't particularly skilled with directions ,but she wasn't a slouch when it came to them either. The fact that she couldn't even get a hint of it on the wind was concerning, and half of the critters in the fields here seemed like they hadn't seen a human's touch in years. Everything about this place was new, and wild; even the temperature spoke for something different entirely. She'd never experienced such a harsh blow to the wind, as if winter itself was trying to freeze the land into silence.

Well.. between you and me, miss Meli, I never did care for that dog chow too much. The wolfdog grinned as she turned her face up towards Melinoë, tail wagging in the dirt lightly. So long as you don't mind me making a face the first few times, I'm sure I could get use to eating uh.. raw...? The idea didn't sound appetizing, if she was being honest, but it sounded much preferable to starving.

Her wolf companion seemed equally sure that shelter, like the collapsing human structures here, wouldn't be easy to find either. So, guess she'd have to learn to dig holes. Dig holes, and eat raw meat, and... maybe even forget about what it was she'd known before. The thought itself was rather saddening. Even if she could never see it again, Willowbelle wasn't sure she'd want to forget about her home. She wasn't even sure she wanted to give up on maybe finding it one day, as wary as she was to travel much beyond the familiar places here.

Much obliged, miss Meli. I promise I'll be the best student you coulda ever asked for! Just you wait, I'll be diggin' the best holes in no time.

Stepping forward, Melinoë extended her muzzle, brushing her nose gently against Willow’s cheek, a rare show of affection, of comfort.

She was well familiar with humanity’s dearest companions. She knew how well they were tended, how little they relied on themselves and their instincts. This must all be very overwhelming, and the goddess softened at the thought.

Not necessarily raw. There is a magic flame nearby, I see no reason it could not be used to cook the meat we hunt. It may make the transition easier for you.

With a quiet sigh, she quirked a curious brow.

Are you hungry? Tired? Or would you prefer to explore? I will gladly take you to the flame, if you wish. It lies just across the bridge to the south.

Whatever she could do to offer support and comfort to the strange little creature.