Already, Corvi had seen many strange things in this land. Pink flame, unnatural darkness, and a man who followed a woman like a pale shadow along the path of a river. It was not her business, yet a mix of curiosity and concern tugged at her. As he followed the other, so Corvi took to following him. And the stranger the story became.

Her own small frame, dark and wiry, blended easily with the deep shadows. She moved through the bare undergrowth in near silence, winter's muffling snowfall obscuring her steps. She needed answers. Answers, to what this place was. To where the ones she held close had gone. So far, no one had offered her any. This mystery of the suspicious man occupied a mind that would otherwise gnaw itself in circles. Thus she followed.

She suspected he would become aware of her presence, at some point, but he never did. Not that she could see, anyways. His pursuit continued; until, finally, she decided enough was enough.

"What are you doing?" she asked the white-furred wolf. She stepped from the shadows towards him, eyes hard.

---

Thorne

Catching him off his guard brought her chuckle, at least, even if she was still thoroughly unamused by whatever his intentions might be. She gave him a humourless grin. Not as bold as following a lone woman in the dark.

She stared at him, unflinching, as he devoured his meal. Something in the scene felt familiar to her; his startling beauty, sleek white fur, scars that marred his leg. Had she met him before, once, in this very setting? Only it had been she posed over the kill, and him the observer. No, it could not be. She did not know this man; he only reminded her of herself, when she awoke in this world not so long ago. But something unsettled her in his anger. There was something in his face that told her she was not a stranger, and fury in her heart that answered. But where had she known him from?

Watching you eat, she replied good-naturedly. Despite her tone, there was a flicker of uncertainty in her red eyes. There was much she could not remember. If she could not trust her own wits, then who could she trust? Could anyone trust her?

Of course not, something answered her coldly. Her village was long gone, or else in a land far beyond her reach. She had failed them. The truth gnawed at her heart, even as she tried to deny it.

And wondering why you follow strange women into the woods, she continued. Your mother did not warn you about mavka? She could make you her servant, or drown you in the river while you sleep.