Patrolling in the snow was a tedious affair, slow-going even along the well trodden paths of their borders. His short legs didn't make it any easier but by now he was used to the slog, understood there was no way around it, unless he stayed cooped up in the Col all winter. A prospect that near brought a shudder down his spine, Azure had said he coasted through life like his Mother, the closest to an insult he'd received yet. Either way there was work to be done and Levi would do it, seeing as no one else seemed to be about to do it.

The Mile High Woods were quiet, secluded from the hustle and bustle of the Col, freshly fallen snow littered with hoof prints and tracks that wove deeper into the trees. Something no doubt the pack hunters were aware of, but for now Levi case his gaze outside, to what threats may lie beyond.

The tropical wolf weaves her way over the tangled root systems that break through the earth of the woods. Snow blankets everything, making the landscape seem serene. For Keahi, with her thinner than normal coat and preference for warmer climates, the snow is stark reminder of the fact that she is far from her home. Her polar bear coat is wrapped tightly around her shoulders, hiding the bulk of her red coat and lessening the harsh slash of color against the white backdrop. Silent paws move through the gnarled trunks of the old trees, the red wolf leaping nimbly from root to root. A swath of black catches her attention and Keahi pauses in her movements to watch the small wolf makes his way through the land. She knows that he is part of the pack and Keahi has been wanting to get to know more wolves. So, the tropical wolf lets out a soft woof of greeting before jumping down to move closer to small male.

"Keahi Mogotsi"

Levi knew when he was being followed, but for a while made a point of ignoring the stranger. Not a loner nor an intruder, the pack's scent clung tightly to their coat, and that was enough for him. But the moment their soft woof of greeting met his ears he knew he at the very least needed to acknowledge their presence, to see if they wanted anything if nothing else. Pausing in step he glanced over his shoulder, expression a little furrowed in mild annoyance. Like he'd dropped something and now needed to bend down to pick it up, a small slight in the grand scheme of things. Nothing day ruining.

"If you want to make yourself useful we can split up, cover more ground." And there was lots of it cover, with the snow being so deep the going was slow but with someone sharing the load it wouldn't take as long, that's for sure. "Need help, call me."

Which was to say if she came across a predator, intruder or something else of note. Otherwise, she was on her own, she was a grown ass woman, ought to be capable of it right?

Setting off again, he took a moment to sniff at one of the bordering trees. Twisted and gnarled with claw marks gouged into the wood. Cat claws, with a distinct Armada scent. Adding his own into the mix, he rose up onto his hindlimbs and dug his talons into the tree, dragging down and ripping bark in his wake. There, he'd left his own mark too.

Keahi moves toward the younger wolf, curious eyes looking to the smaller male. He seems annoyed at her presence, so the tropical wolf stops to give the male some distance between them. She racks her mind for the boy’s name, knowing he is a Fatalis and she finally settles on the name Levi. Luckily, Kotori and Ruga have been filling her in on the names of important wolves in the pack and she finally has a face to put with the name. He speaks and Keahi nods in understanding, not wanting to waste words when none are needed. Another, respectful bow of her head and the red wolf moves to trot off and patrol the other side of the forest. Hesitating a moment as Levi tells her to call for him if she needs help, Keahi turns her blue eyes to the younger wolf and says, “Same goes for you.”

A small smile is given before she slips back through the trees, quickly making her way to the other side of the forest. Eyes wander over the landscape as she passes, wondering what this place will look like when the snow is gone and the trees have regained their leaves. Branches, covered with snow, reach toward the earth as they bow under the weight on their backs. If she wasn’t patrolling, Keahi might stop to admire the trees a little more.


"Keahi Mogotsi"

Levi had no complaints and liked the simplicity of the exchange. Quick and easy, then they were back on their way. Treading along, he noted a set of wide paw prints that meandered ahead, taking the route he was walking now. His Grandfathers no doubt, always on the lookout, owning what was his. The little leviathan couldn't say he related, that he cared to own anything really, but should someone come along who shouldn't be here he knew he'd be able to put on a show.  Get rid of them before anything untoward happened.

Pressing on in silence, he glanced to the side and noted Keahi's shape moving through the trees. He didn't know what her deal was or why she'd joined up-even her name was a mystery to him, but they didn't need to exchange pleasantries to work together. Nothing personal, just business.

Red paws carefully pick their way through the snow, blue eyes constantly scanning the area for any threats. Keahi makes it to other side of the border, moving up to one of the large trees to check the scent markings that rest there. She inspects the way the bark is laid, long strips over laid and off set to give the old tree a rough, outer ring. It is perfect to catching bits of fur in and showing predators that a pack of wolves live here. With her polar bear coat blocking the fur of her body, Keahi carefully rubs the sides of her cheeks against the trunk, allowing the scent glands there do their work. Stepping back, she inspects the area a moment, noting the small bits of her fiery red fur lodged in a pocket of bark, before nodding in satisfaction to herself. Moving on, Keahi patrols the area making sure to check everything, including the little burrows the tree roots naturally make.

"Keahi Mogotsi"