Nature, Nurture

Initially stunned by the sudden sight of a stranger, the smile she offered him did wonders to ease his nerves. He knew, deep down, that not everyone was nice and kind - he knew wolves could wear masks that made them seem far less threatening than they were - but part of him was naive enough to hope that he might be lucky enough to never meet wolves like that. Spirit had a feeling her kindness was genuine, especially when she started to speak. "H-hello," Spirit stammered out quietly, trying to find his voice and simultaneously marveling at how difficult it felt. How did wolves do this all the time, he wondered? It felt so impossibly difficult. "I-I'm S-Spirit, Destruction," he added after he found some strength to speak up. His voice was quiet - likely not audible from anything more than the short distance they stood apart.

Cautiously he drew closer, curious about what she was looking for. She explained she was looking for a special herb that grew here. Despite his wariness, his eyes lit up with interest. The plants that he and his mother had found on his journey home had interested him quite a bit, but he wasn't sure where to begin learning about them... or even if it was a worthwhile pursuit to begin with. "W-what kind of herb?" Spirit finally asked after a short pause. While small talk was hardly easy for him, when it came to things like this - things he was interested in, or wanted to learn about - it was easier for him to focus on the present, and keep his head out of the clouds. "N-not that I'd k-know what it even is.. b-but plants.. interest me," he explained softly, his eyes still wide and curious.