Dauntless had disbanded, and he didn't know what to do. Unwilling to stay in the North for the time being, Cloud traveled southward as far as his legs would carry him. His mother and his brothers mate along with everyone else had gone their separate ways, and now he was left feeling like he didn't have much of a purpose anymore. It seemed that just as life was looking up, something would happen to bring it crashing down. He felt really hurt that his brother had left without a word. He thought they had been close, but maybe not close enough.

Bi-colored gaze looked up and he found himself on a strip of sand. A bridge of some sort? He had never been this far before, and didn't know what lied on the other side. Looking around, he noticed the ocean was on either side of him, the smell of the sea was salty, something he had never seen or smelled before. Hunger gnawed at his insides, when was the last time he ate? He couldn't quite remember. This place though, smelled like it was abundant with food, but not the kind he had hunted before.

Hunger and curiosity drove him forward to see what he could find. He nosed around the sand, looking for the tantalizing smell he had caught wind of, but couldn't quite figure out where it was. Was it something underground? Looking around, he saw a spout of water shoot up from the sand, head tilting with confusion and wonder. Moving to the spot where he saw the water shoot out, he set about to digging. But almost as soon as he started, another spout of water shot up and got him square in the face! Falling back with a yelp of surprise, he stared wide eyed at the spot. There was definitely something there!

"SPEAK"

art by Risketch

Philomena was still in Auster, though she was getting further from the Risen Empire and knew that her brother would soon be with her again. She had suggested they enter Boreas separately just in case any of the Empire wolves decided to follow after them. Philly didn’t know entirely where they were going to go… somewhere close to their original home though. Their mother was still out there… and probably worried to death about them. Philly let out a light sigh, trying to put on a brave face for now. She had to be strong… the time for mourning would come.

The femme was in the area that bound Boreas and Auster… and, unsurprisingly, she caught the scent of someone. The female perked her ears -- it was a stranger. He bore no scent ties to the Abraxi, nor did he smell of Dragoste…

Philomena continued towards them, and found a most amusing spectacle as a spout of water shot up out of the sand and into the monochrome colored male’s face. It was too great, she couldn’t help but let out a bark of laughter at his reaction.

“...and the ground attacks! Mother Earth one, the stranger, zero!” Her words were lighter than she thought they’d be in that situation. Philly strode boldly closer, though non threatening as she looked the male over.

“But in seriousness… you okay?”

He sat there. Face soaked and dripping wet as the bewilderment was plain on his face. He hadn't the chance to recover before a voice reached him. "..and the ground attacks! Mother Earth one, the stranger, zero!” Head quickly whipped towards the direction of the announcer, ears flattening in embarrassment more than anything. "Y-yeah, I'm fine but," His gaze returned to the ground where there was a small depression, "What was that?" Did she know? Everything here smelled salty and seafood-y, and if it was food then this surely would be an interesting little hunt. He shook his head to try and rid himself of the water before looking at her again. He noticed she was one crazy looking wolf! Not crazy in mind, but the way she looked. He had seen wolves with pelts that looked like they were from the sky, yes. And wolves that were as tall as she was, of course. But he had never seen a wolf with fur as long as she had. If he had ever seen a horse, he would have compared her to that. But he had never seen one, and this particular feature awed him. Maybe the sight left him staring a little too long, and when he realized he was he quickly turned away, a blush rising to his face and said nothing. He felt too embarrassed to speak, and that never really happened to him. Shy? Sure. But his shyness never kept him from talking. "Speak"

art by Otackoon