Escape
The frozen lake whistled with the hot winds that the summer brought in. Hakon had been travelling for about three days now and this was where it had brought him. Swimming through oceans, and painfully making sure he didn't drown in that aspect. Finally he had hit a piece of land, with that land came the heat. He had instantly instinctively pulled himself north for the time being, where he would probably stay until it started to cool down. Which was no problem for him, it was an opportunity to talk with the wolves of these lands. With no real goal however, at the moment he was simply looking for a place to rest his aching muscles. The giant male, however well muscled he may have been - everyone had their limits.
The bulk would step across the frozen lake with ease, careful from where he stepped considering that the ice seemed to be softening slightly. Once safely on the shores he made sure to make a note of his surroundings. He could scent a pack not far off, so he made a mental note to avoid that scent. Hakon was in no need of a pack, much rather he could learn a thing or two but his freedom meant the most to him. The beast's toes spread against every step he took. Crunching the snow underneath him as he cooly traveled. Assessing his situation and becoming more alert. With the sun hanging just at the horizon it would be dark soon. It would be best for him to dig out a temporary den for the night. As hungry as he was, he would restore his energy then look for a kill later. After finding what he thought was a suitable spot, his ears would be his guide as he slowly and carefully used a forepaw to dig into the snow.
He looked an absolute mess. His pallid fur was strewn this way and that, somehow managing to lay flat in only a select few places. Dirt riddled his frame, especially along his spine and around his toes. One ear lay back against his skull, although he wasn't paying much attention to the muscles holding it there. It appeared almost as if he'd forgotten why he'd laid it back, and it was simply frozen there until such a time as he remembered to straighten it.
Eyes of two hues fell upon another as he skirted along the edge of the lake, the hair on his chin dripping with water. He had just taken a long draught from the depths of the lake, and was now intent upon amusing himself in the presence of the stranger. As he approached at a comfortable and easygoing pace, he noted that the other male was larger than he (as several were) and his muscles were far more defined. Gin registered this fact, but didn't give it too much thought as he'd faced brutes like this before and always lived to see the next day. Besides, he didn't intend on getting in a fight today.
But when did he ever intend on doing that?
The other male seemed to be digging in the snow. What for, Gin didn't have a clue. The only way to get a question like that answered, though, was to ask. And so he did. "Hey, what are you digging for?" Some dug for treasure, others dug for food, still others dug for shelter, or just for the joy of digging. Which category this guy fell into was still a mystery. Gin didn't notice anything of interest, but the fellow hadn't dug very far either. He remained where he was when he asked the question, approximately five feet behind the male and slightly to his right. Gin's head tilted left under the weight of the question looming in the air, awaiting a reply from the darkened lad.
Hakon had a visitor. The male's head turned towards the other, looking him up and down before he sized him up. Hakon stood tall, and of course the energy he gave off was that of strong energy. His tail flicked to one side as he simply asked why he was digging. "A den for the night. he answered simply. Though unsure as to why this male wanted to know. It wasn't as if they knew each other - there was no benefit or gain with that question and answer. Hakon would face Gin and seat himself.
"What made you so curious?" he asked. Well same as him perhaps - he did enjoy learning about others. However the tall male enjoyed his privacy as well. If he could only rest for a short while he would be on his way. Looking to gain information on the packs, if he could speak and strike a deal with them of sorts. He wasn't sure just yet what he could offer. Perhaps his language skills? After all, packs had healers, hunters, and warriors. It wasn't as if he could hire himself as a mercenary or otherwise.
"It doesn't take long to dig a small indent in the ground." Hakon answered a little confused that this male would even ask that. Did the wolves here live in such huge holes that it took them longer to dig them? Well he spent a majority of his life travelling, so he did suppose a permanent den was a lot bigger. Especially for those who held families. Then there was more, not that it annoyed Hakon much. Just he wondered what this wolf wanted. "I don't have one, never liked sticking to one place for too long - not unless I'm by myself." which for the most part he was. Unless he came across a slave every now and again. In which once Hakon felt they'd learned their lesson he'd let them go or pass them on.
"Hakon." Hakon raised an eyebrow as he introduced himself, however he settled his expression once more as he breathed in and out again. "You should see the south - the north is bliss compared to there at the moment. Seems like a huge heat wave has hit these lands." he didn't know them very well being foreign. Since he got here though he had high tailed it north to escape the heat. The wolves here would be facing a harsh summer, and so he'd live out his days comfortable in the north where he had been born.
Gin was honestly surprised Hakon was still listening to him. It wasn't as if their conversation was particularly engaging. They were just mere strangers, crossing paths at complete happenstance. He smirked, wondering if the man would rather be left alone. It didn't much matter to Gin if he had company or not, although having a wingman was always a little bit better than going at it on his own all the time. The wind splayed the fur along his back, parting it down his spine for a moment. He shivered, not out of chill but out of the joy of feeling the wind caress his skin. He wondered how long the man would endure his company before going back to what he was doing. Gin knew it would be wise to go find a place to bed down for himself, but the idea of being around a stranger was far too enthralling.
He didn't mind Gin's company, after all the other male didn't seem too keen on harming him. There was no hurting spending some time with another wolf. At some point strangers became friends, though it was hard for him to get past that point. They spoke of the weather and the land without any worry for much else. Probably because Gin wasn't a pack wolf, he didn't have to hear some spouting about how he should be in one or otherwise.
"I agree, with my size and being born in the north, it'd be difficult to keep cool." Hakon said as he flicked his tail. He then made the decision to offer up Gin a place to stay tonight, should he so wish it. "Would you like to den together for the night? An indent can make all the difference when it comes to heating your body - and your company isn't unwanted Gin." the dominant male would gesture his head towards the small put he dug. To dig one right next to it or otherwise wouldn't be so hard. Some may have found it odd, but if you needed warmth wolves could sleep in close proximity.