Indigo wasn’t upset about the move, but he was incredibly aware of the distance that now settled between him and Aslatiel. He didn’t feel like he had fully recovered from watching Rue die, and the guilt of her gruesome death remained with him especially as he had to leave his sister in Boreas proper. Distance makes the heart grow fonder but he only felt like it made his heart yearn for her more. He felt beat down and defeated even though his pack was welcoming a new beginning here in Auster. Indy didn’t have to walk past Rue’s grave or the place she died any longer. But there were other reminders, especially the thought of how much she would have loved to explore here.

The boy took in a deep breath as he tried to collect his thoughts and his wits to embrace the day. His journey was one day at a time, and some were easier than others. Today he felt particularly downtrodden, but likely only because of the long journey. As massive dark paws pulled him along the new territory he knew he’d have to keep his mind occupied or he would spiral downward in his thoughts of Rue and need for Asla. Another sigh left him, but he was determined. Indy tilted back his head and called softly for a pack member to patrol with him.

Askan settled into life in the castle far better than he had in the springs. He wasn't exactly sure why, perhaps it was because it was a little closer to home with it's looming walls and shadowy corners but either way he was content. Mostly. As happy as a guy like Askan could be anyway. He'd already set out on his daily patrol by the time that Indigo's howl reached his ears, requesting some company and back up. Askan wouldn't provide much agreeable company for sure but if he needed some extra manpower then yeah, he could probably help. Breaking out into a lope, Askan slowed to a trot as he neared his packmates side, he wasn't someone he'd spoken to yet but it wasn't as if he'd forget his massive purple and mutated form any time soon. Even now he wasn't sure what was up with the wolves in these parts, they didn't have saggy manes or long sabres where he came from. But that was neither here nor there, it was time to patrol.

"Let's start over here and work our way around." He ordered, not suggested, as he began to walk again, following the invisible line that separated their home from the wilderness.

That's one thing he liked about Auster. That beyond their borders there was lots of empty space, that they weren't sandwiched between other packs and forced to compete. The quiet was nice, though sadly it didn't last for long. They'd been on patrol for a handful of minutes before a strange sort of...honking met Askan's ears. The fuck was that?

Indigo wasn’t uncomfortable but he hadn’t gotten comfortable either. The massive violet wolf just tried to stay busy with his responsibilities. Like today, going out into the wide world instead of cleaning the dark and dingy castle. Indigo was quite used to structures. Like his aunt’s little cottage or his greenhouse. Much like a flower though, Indigo needed the sun. He was often in the courtyard or on the roof when he had to be near the structure.

He tried not to think of what he didn’t have, it was easy to get sucked into those terrible emotions. Instead Indy focused on the steady rhythm of his paws when Askan finally caught up to him. Indigo spared him a glance and a quick nod, but neither were there for a social call. Indy quickly fell in line to the higher ranked man.

They might have walked in silence the whole way had the sound of a strange animal reached them. Indigo’s features perked much like Askan’s as he caught a glimpse of movement in the dormant vegetation. Eventually he could make out two dark round bodies and the longer he watched the more certain they were coming towards them. Indy gave a questioning look to Askan as he positioned himself better behind some bushes since no matter what he was looking at, it would be better if he wasn’t seen.

The fuck was that? Now Auster was a new land and thus he kind of expected to come across some strange wildlife but he'd never really anticipated that it would be right up in what was practically their front garden. Askan watched his steps as he hunkered low and took cover, squinting as he tried to make out the brownish blurs that laid ahead. It was a couple of creatures, meandering closer as they moved side by side, practically rubbing against one another as they ambled along. He sniffed to draw in their scent only to wrinkle his nose in regret a moment later. Whatever they were they seemed to be enjoying one another's company a great deal, more than Askan cared to witness.

And then to make matters worse, one of the creatures slid behind the other and reared up on it's back legs to- Nope. No thanks. Askan briskly got to his paws and turned around, he was not sticking around to watch. He cast his gaze on his packmate and made an icky, wtf sort of face when he realised the purple guy was still staring like it was the most enthralling show ever.

"Dude what the fuck. Don't watch!" He hissed.

It was like some kind of train wreck that he couldn’t look away from as the courting tapirs trotted forward. Their attention was obviously focused on the other animal and just at the right time, with possibly the best view as though they’d done it on purpose, the obviously male tapir eagerly took his place on the female’s back and… Indigo’s eyes widened considerably in surprise and disgust and unwilling interest. At least until Askan chastised him for his behavior.

Indigo grew very red, and looking quite bashful turned his gaze and he looked at the warrior’s dark chocolate paws in shame. He wasn’t even completely sure what he was watching. ”What.. Why.. I..” Indy stuttered incomprehensibly, but was very careful not to look back. He had his guesses at what he’d witnessed but his young mind had yet to explore those ideas as extensively as others his age.

He very quickly tried to forget and trotted onwards on their path.

Maybe Askan should have cut him some slack, since the guy was young and all but...What else was he supposed to say to that? Open up with a long narrative about the birds and the bees? Fuck no. Askan of all people wasn't a good candidate for that sort of talk, especially given the fact that he had next to no interest in those sorts of affairs anyway. Like yeah, he knew how it worked since his Father had once expected him to follow in his paw steps once but- Askan grimaced. That talk had been unbearably awkward and the thought of touching it again, even with a nine foot bargepole, bought out some instinctual fear in him. In the same way that all animals felt about smoke on the horizon.

Askan wrinkled his nose as he ventured on, paws thunking against the hardened earth.

"Yeah...Sure, whatever. " He drawled, not wanting to linger on it more than necessary. Except that even with the pair of wolves walking away and putting distance between them the tapirs weren't...exactly being quiet. Honking and groaning and- Askan wheeled around with a snarl, teeth bared. Even with his ears pinned against his skull he couldn't take it. "Will you shut the fuck up! "

Indy was a sweet and innocent flower that was slowly realizing the ways of the world. He had his ideas but as the image of the tapirs, and their noises, haunted his thoughts slowly he made his assumptions and connections. And he wasn’t certain how he felt about all of it. Thankfully Askan easily dismissed the topic as Indigo stuttered around trying to find his voice. They turned to continue on their way, but the animals would not be ignored so easily. Indigo flinched with each grunt and Askan’s nerves were similarly at their end. The smaller man turned about face and vocally made his displeasure known.

Indigo turned around from sheer captivation at the events unfolding before him. For a moment all was still and silent. Askan had finished what was going on. Until a moment later when the tapirs made it known they would not be silenced. Almost as though they were defying him the sounds returned, louder and with much more gusto. Indy’s bright blue eyes widened in surprise as he quickly turned to avert his gaze once more. He didn’t want to be scolded by Askan again.