keep up and reach out

Áki begrudgingly had left the northern lands after a brief trip there. He had hoped that he might find a hunting partner to follow some of the reindeer, as they broke off to feed in smaller groups, awaiting winter's approach. But, alas, he was still alone. Occasionally he had found another wolf to chat with, or hunt something small with - but reindeer were no joke, and two wolves simply wouldn't do, and he wouldn't kill a calf without reason. Feeling more dejected than usual - he desperately missed the feeling of running with wolves on each side of him, tracking and chasing the herd as he did many times when he was younger - he headed south.

As miles passed, the weather grew slightly more pleasant. Fall was here in full force, and though the temperatures had begun to drop drastically, the sharp chill in the air seemed less piercing here. He needed to stick around these lands, too, for Renhett would be giving birth soon. The thought was still just as excited as it had been initially. How many would he have? He could only see Sabine's face now when she realized what he'd done, and he wondered how she might react.. though, she was due soon too. He'd have to go visit her, once his own were born.

The oversized brute wove lazily between the trees of the forest, nose nearly pressed to the dirt as he sniffed at the air in search of something. He was hungry, and he was determined to eat. Something good, too - he'd never been a bit fan of small game, though he made due with what was given to him, and that was all that seemed available lately. It'd been way too long since he'd let the thrill of the hunt take him over and he longed to feel such adrenaline course through his veins again. He didn't know how long he wandered before he caught the scent of prey - it was a creature unfamiliar to him, though its trail was tainted with the scent of another wolf, too. Perhaps he'd come here too late. Damnit.

Snuffing audibly, he'd continue on through the dreary forest. This place was a death trap, he noticed suddenly. The forest floor was littered with vines and tree roots, and only when he tensed at the thought of the hunt did it become apparent that this was no real place to hunt. Just his luck. He plowed onward, only slowing his steady pace when the form of a stranger came into view. He was easily as large as himself, his frame sturdy and strong, with the build of a warrior. Aki eyed him appreciatively, tilting his tusks to the earth in a slow bow of a greeting. He wondered if he was following the scent of these animals too? Barking would only alert the prey to their presence. "Greetings," he rumbled, his voice low and steady as he took a few steps toward Elias. "Are you as hungry as I am, ystävä?" There was no harm in asking, after all.