Here he was again, all alone and laying on the cold ground. Yet the texture was different. Soft like a thousand pillows but with an almost crunchy feeling. Green eyes opened up to find himself laying on a bed of partially frozen grass. There was also some hidden color underneath, red as a bottle of wine but more beautiful. It was as if the earth itself was blushing to his very touch. Braeburn had found himself back in this strange land, picked up and tossed on the ground like a rag doll after escaping the clutches of another world far worse then this.

Though his memories of that place had been nearly wiped out, he could still feel the tension in his body at the very thought of its existence. The red pelted wolf carefully got to this feet, watching his steps as he moved to a more comfortable position so as not to harm the soft bedding beneath his weight. There was also something else that caught his attention: the smell of wolves all around him. Had he accidentally stepped on pack territory? Now there was something to worry about. Braeburn began to look for signs that the pack was close, eyes wide with caution and slight fear that he might get his ass handed to him. Then as quickly as he realized his mistake, his moved to find his way out.

Skill: Herbalist [1/5]

---

Days had passed. The hollow pits once pressed against Koyuki's haggard body grew full. Skin remained pressed against the contours of her bones, speaking of starvation, of famine, of her neglect—yet, the crippling agony of her stomach churning in ravenous hunger was gone. Again, she was calm. Body and mind at peace with each other—a sensation she'd forgotten about.

As grateful as she was for Fable's hospitality, she was no less reticent than before. Koyuki wandered the contours of the territory, basking in the chilling gales that blew from the northern Vale. Charcoal and silver stood out like a sore thumb as the snow thawed. Never had the snowed dame noticed the crimson hue of the foliage below. Cerulean eyes intrigued, she dipped her head and observed the frost-laden turf.

Small incisors snipped against the grass, lifting aromatic herbs of all types. Without a second thought, her tail slowly swept against her hocks. The trivialities of gathering medicine... how it filled her with nostalgia.

Finally calm—and then she heard footfalls. Koyuki's head rose. Her lips pursed, brows beginning to furrow. This was not... her land. This was the land of Avon—of Fable and her family. She merely laid within their comforting hospitality harboring no responsibility over the lands. Yet...

Vigilance puppeteered the saturnine she-wolf towards the border. Tail held stiff against her haunches, sharp ears pointed forward. The coat of vibrant russet was nearly identical to the grass's shade of muted red—yet, his presence was not missed by the keen set of eyes. Koyuki halted, head held high yet eyes glancing low.

You, she spoke with a voice soft from lack of use, rumbling against her throat like a large cat's purr. You are tresspassing. A twitch of her ear, and her head canted aside. Where do you hail from?

It didn't seem to take very long at all. Just as he was making his way out of there, a voice called to him from behind. Braeburn's first instinct was to turn tell and run, but it was unlikely that he would have gotten very far. So he had to turn around to face the music. Trespassing? I had no idea that this area was taken. I had just woken up here. The red smeared wolf stood his ground as best he could, nearly frozen solid as he gazed upon the icy eyed woman. She had an intimidating and stoic presence. Her voice was like that of a purring feline, but with a more alarming tone. You one of them? You smell like you belong to who ever has claimed this place. Now it was her turn to start answering some questions. She wasn't the only one that could interrogate.

Skill: Guardian [1/5]

---

Woken up here. You simply... appeared, here? Ice-cold eyes narrowed, her lips thinned in confusion. Can someone do that? Merely shift into existence?

Was that how she'd ended up here? A shudder ran down Koyuki's spine, and she lowered her head in suspicion. 'You one of them? You smell like you belong to whoever has claimed this place.'

What would she say in response? She was not born, nor was she indoctrinated into any packs. Fable had fed her and offered shelter at her weakest... nothing beyond that. Still, the dutiful woman had taken it upon herself to patrol the lands and scout the borders as if they were her own. And now, here she was, confronting a stranger as though the wolves of Avon were of her own.

Momentarily, she shut her eyes. Her brows furrowed into a small scowl before she reopened her gaze and fixed it upon Braeburn. I suppose I am. At least, for the time being. Her long, feather-like tail swept against her hindquarters.

Braeburn caught the look of surprise and disbelief on her face. Hell, he had a hard time believing in what had happened to him, yet here he was. Yeah, just like that. And it's not the first time it has happened to me either. Kind of a long story. But not that excited, I assure you. Again, not that she would believe him. Braeburn watched her reaction with keen interest, though still kept his distance. Then her facial expression turned to something akin to realization or some form of confusion. Maybe she was at odds with something deep within. Perhaps he would never know. Well in any case, you don't have to worry about me. I'll be on my way if you so wish. The red wolf watched her with a cautious gaze, wondering if she would stop him, possibly wanting more from him then he would anticipate.

Skill: Herbalist [3/5]

---

Koyuki listened to his words with a scowl gracing her delicate features. 'Yeah, just like that. And it's not the first time it has happened to me either. Kind of a long story. But not that excited, I assure you' Lips thinned into a frown, eyes narrowed in confusion. I hadn't heard of such a thing, she muttered to herself, taking a few pensive steps forward over the blush grass.

Her tail swept over her hocks. So, you'd... gone? And returned once again? How curious. Was he of the right mind? A part of her wondered—yet she did not dare ask. Instead, she shifted her ice-blue eyes from the ginger sire towards the brittle foliage underfoot, though not without occasionally glancing at the stranger as though in avid refusal to trust him.

'Well in any case, you don't have to worry about me. I'll be on my way if you so wish.' In truth, she had no preference. Koyuki had yet to see this strip of land as her own—she merely lingered here, lest she starve to death as she'd nearly done so many times before. And, really...

What was important wasn't Yuki's input, was it? It was Fable's. She turned to look at the sire, lapping her tongue over her nose, lowering her brows yet again. I don't care, if you stay or you go, she said simply, but if you stay, you'd best first discuss with the Matriarch. How she wished to turn away and allow the conversation to end—alas. Distrust kept her gaze glued to him.

Koyuki let out a soft breath, twitching her ear. If you stay, she mused, ...you may as well assist me with these herbs. That was one way to keep him close by.

What a headstrong woman she was. Braeburn kept his gaze on her, though finding it in himself to soften up just slightly. Of course she wouldn't believe such a thing, let alone heard of it. That would have been amazing to know of others like him. But alas, that was not to be. Ears perked up at the mentioning of a matriarch. Who are they? Who is the pack that claims these lands? The red wolf was now curious and a little interested, but tried not to be too excited or too eager. Oh yeah, I can help you with that. What do you need from me? Herbs weren't necessarily his strong suit, but something told him that fruits were more his thing. A bit of memory remaining somewhere in his mind perhaps. What ever the case, he would hold on to it for all it was worth.

Skill: Herbalist [4/5]

---

Koyuki closed her eyes for a moment. The pack. It's known as Avon, she simply stated, I know not of their origins. Only that they have welcomed me. The least I could do in return is help them with trivial tasks. It wasn't as though it was asked of her. In fact, a part of her held doubt that they needed any of her help at all; yet, she remained with the feeling of obligation. Kindness in return for kindness was simply the bare minimum.

The snowy woman turned her head towards the heart of the land, where she assumed that many of them were now. The leader is named Fable. she stated simply.

She whisked her tail against her hind limbs. I've gathered small piles of herbs here and there. I was going to bring them back in a few trips, but it shouldn't take as long if you're here, she paused, blue eyes shifting from the center of the territory towards the stranger yet again. Then, you may meet the matriarch. If you so wish. Long limbs carried her over the blush-hued grass. A part of her felt deep discontentment with bringing a stranger into their lands... yet, that was what Fable did with her, was it not?

Besides, if he decided to misbehave, Koyuki would be happy to put him in his place.

Koyuki wasn't exactly the most pleasant of women to meet, but so far none of them had. Was it only the males that seemed to take an interest in him? Braeburn allowed her to fill him in on the pack, not really able to give a whole ton of information, other then their leader's name. He would have to meet her conditions in order to meet this Fable it seemed. You got yourself a deal. I will gladly help you out. The newcomer took some herbs in his mouth from where she had been gathering them, his figure now poised to follow her deeper into the territory. Lead the way, I am yours to command for the moment. He slipped the words through the foliage that were poking through his teeth. Carefully he did his best not to break anything for fear of angering the elusive and introverted woman.