Good To See You

The winter had felt long in the North, and there had been no signs of the season changing, despite how the sun rose earlier each morning and climbed higher into the sky with each day. Esarosa knew that the season should be turning, but the wintry landscape had remained barren. Tired of the bone-chilling atmosphere and scarce prey, she had finally made the decision to leave the north. She'd not found who she'd been seeking, and the scents of any wolves who'd resided there had long faded. There was no sense remaining in a place she didn't like, with her belly rumbling and ear-tips frozen, and no one to stand beside her.

So it was that she found herself in the East. She would like to return to the South again, where everything was green and abundant, but there was no hurry. No one would be waiting for her there. She would spend some time exploring, taking the long way around to her presumed destination and getting to know the lands more. She knew she would find the prey she needed to put weight back onto her weary frame. Perhaps she might even meet an interesting soul along the way, making her travels worthwhile.

Expecting nothing but new scenery, she clawed her way to the top of a rocky outlook. Having the chance to look out from the clutter of the trees, she could see the landscape now, and took a deep breath of the fresh mountain air. It was refreshing to be able to see where she was going. The mountainside went high, but as she looked a little closer, she could see a well-worn path amongst the rocks and shrubs. She wondered where it led, but surely it must lead to somewhere populated, if the path was so well-defined. As she scanned the mountainside with intense emerald eyes, it came as a surprise to her to spot the movement of another wolf so soon. Her brow furrowed as she squinted to see if she could make out any details, but the wolf was too distant. Still, she was curious to see just about anyone, so she would turn from her outlook and head back into the trees.

She clambered upward now until she broke free of the woods and found herself in more open territory, closing in on the path. She could see the wolf as it paused to peer into a dark entrance, the Singing Caverns, in the mountainside. She smirked as she saw the lone wolf move on, clearly thinking better of entering into the unknown. Good choice, she thought to herself, If only I had as much sense. Just then she caught the wolf's scent, which caused her to halt and duck behind a large rock, squeezing her eyes shut and shaking her head. Why did that scent seem so familiar? It couldn't be who she thought it was... that would be too much of a coincidence. How would he have ended up here? The North had been his home, he'd said that he liked it there. Yet, she was certain this was Miksa. She had not forgotten his scent as she had scoured the North for him. She couldn't let him disappear now that she'd found him.

Without thinking further, she charged out from behind the rocks and chased after him, her paws scattering debris as she approached Miksa from behind. She panted wearily as she neared him; now that she'd caught up to him, she didn't know what to do or say. Would he even recognize her? She was scrawny in comparison to the last time they'd met, and her eyes did not shine with the light of adventure as they had on that day. Her green eyes cast a piercing glare as she looked upon him; she wanted to yell at him for leaving her behind in the coldest region during the winter. But she knew she couldn't - they'd only met once and he'd done more than enough for her that day. He wasn't obligated to do anything more for her. And besides that, perhaps he'd left without a trace on purpose. Still, she couldn't forget their death-defying adventure, and she had been hoping to see him again ever since that day. "Miksa..." was the only word that escaped her lips, unsure of how he would respond to her sudden appearance.