New Beginnings [Sirius]

It was moments before there was a change, and Dove, utterly convinced that this would somehow end in bloodshed, grew only more tense as he waited. And then, between one breath and the next, one blink and the following, the facade simply . . . vanished. He blinked then, as the man sighed and spoke. "I--" He came up short, tension flowing out of body quickly and suddenly as he watched a feline prowl from the undergrowth and offer him a smile. His frown deepened; not one of consternation this time but one of confusion. He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully at the man, deciding whether or not to believe his words. It was clear that he liked to play games.

"I am . . . Dove," he returned, hesitation and confusion in his voice. It was clear that he was unsure, and his eyes strayed to Sirius' dark paws as he considered not only their interaction thus far but his next words. "If these lands are not yours, why would you feign a claim that is clearly absent?" he asked finally. He head tilted as he danced apprehensively on midnight paws, the hunger in his gut coming back full force with the tension that previously suppressed it gone. A mind game, perhaps? He understood mind games and the power they could hold. What he did not understand is why a stranger felt the need to wage them.