ultralife

Lucky for him, Áki wasn't alone for long. It wasn't often that he truly craved solitude, despite his independent nature, and when he did he had enough mind to not come to such a flat terrain in search of it. There wasn't much room to hide here, unless he tried to duck beneath a boulder, but when he heard the shuffling of paws that announced the arrival of another he made no effort to depart. Instead, he angled himself toward the stranger, his lips quirking upward in a smile. The expression came easily to him, small at first but growing once he decided that Satchel meant no harm.

Not that he would've minded a scuffle. It'd been a good long while since he'd fought. He was probably growing soft, truth be told, but he had a feeling he wasn't apt to be testing his strength today. Instantly his eyes roved over the stranger's smaller form, admiring his simple coat and slender build. Aki had never been granted the ability to blend in, but he figured a pale coat might provided some useful camouflage at times, and for a moment he found himself envying his pale pelt.

'I hope you're not as lost as I feel,' the stranger said gently, and he shook his head, tusks swaying side to side as he angled his face toward him, taking a few slow strides in his direction.  "I wouldn't say lost, persay, but.. the word aimless fits a bit better." The man's grin broadened, a soft chuckle falling from his lips.  "I've been here before. I take it you haven't?" Since Aki had no real home, and no real care as to where he and Kai traveled, he'd never really felt lost, even when he had no idea where he was.  "The name's Aki, by the way," he added after a pause, as though adding an afterthought.