The African wild dog had been wandering all over from north boreas to where he now walked, searching for more like him.  Kione had lost his own family, every single one of them, this spring.  He had met some interesting wolves so far and had started to find some pleasure in just exploring.  It would be better to explore with a family but that would have to wait for another day.  For now, he would live a life of killing large cats and learning new places.

Last night had entered these woods, today gave him a surprise of the sun rising.  It wasn’t overly obvious in this foggy forest but the sun’s rays scattered some of the darkness and the fireflies were gone.  Bits and pieces of crystals were scattered about.  

This was a gloomy place even without the nature oddities but that was fine.  The curse on the land was gone so he roamed the woods knowing he’d eventually find an exit.  This was the exact sort of area he would never live in.  He was for running down prey yet there were too many trees and roots out here for running without something in his way.  There were predators more dangerous than him that roamed the land, while he didn’t fear them he wanted to see them for best odds whether he ran or fought.

Still, he had decided to explore all the land so that meant exploring here as well.  He tried to keep his mind neutral and find good in this place.  Daylight, splinters of daylight coming through the tops of the trees was a source of joy.


"Speech"

_________________________________________________________________ Keep busy. That was the goal. Find new plants. Herbs, psychedelics, whatever. Anything she hadn't discovered yet would suffice. Searching for new areas she hadn't seen before would be ideal. Avantika was busy with pack matters and she had time to wander off on her own. With one eye blind to the world, her trek was much slower these days. Blinking away bugs and dust was hard enough as the dried-out socket was always a constant drum of pain in her head. Keeping up with a consistent myriad of pain concoctions kept her spirits somewhat lifted. What more to keep her spirits lifted than dreary woods? Hesitating at the entrance, Audra glanced up. Branches twisted and tangled around each other to block the light from above. There had to be a way out, right? Figuring it couldn't be that dangerous since Tika had never mentioned anything, the small russet wolf made her way into the forest. When her paws crossed the threshold, a swoosh of chilled air brushed over her face. Dim and hard to see with only one eye, Audra attempted to follow the worn path as best as possible. Staying with a slow amble, she made her way deeper into the creepy forest. Screeches in the distance kept her on her toes when an unfamiliar scent caught her attention. Raising her head slightly and turning her face so she could see the stranger better, she paused. "H-hello?" Her stuttering tone called out softly as she peered at the spotted male. He didn't appear to be a wolf, but a canine of some sort. Drawing closer, she looked around. "Do y-you know this area w-well?" Audra asked curiously as she stopped a few feet from him. _________________________________________________________________ A  U  D  R  A

Keoni didn’t particularly like this place and had someone told him it was haunted he’d just shrug his shoulders at it.  They all now knew ghosts were real but so what?  Ghosts had popped up in other areas.  Admittedly, it was easy to get turned around.  It was another reason open land was best.  These trees looked old and the grass seemed to have done better here than some other areas.  It was a different type of grass that he had no name for but it was likely used to getting less sun than most places.

The scent of a wolf hit him and he glanced back.  So many wolves yet so few of his own kind.  Why?  She seemed nervous and had a bit of a stutter to her voice, she was also noticeably smaller than the other wolves he’d met thus far.  “Sorry Lass,” the colorful dog responded, “I just got here last night myself and started exploring this morning.  Come on, why don’t you check the place out with me?” She seemed nervous so might do well with a bit of company and guardian.  “Easy to get lonely when the tree’s cluster in so tight, hm?”


"Speech"

_________________________________________________________________ Turning her face so that she could see him better with her good eye, she smiled. "Ah, y-yes, this p-place is new to me as well," Audra commented with a nod. His suggestion to follow so that they may explore together seemed a good idea to her. He didn't act mean, but curious and she welcomed the company. "S-sounds good to me," she hums as she falls into step by the strange dog. He was right as she noticed how the winding path in front of them was tight and overgrown with browned grass. When she looked around, she noticed how the trees above tangled with each other to shield the sun from getting to the earth. How did anything live here? "Not sure h-how anything lives here," Audra says quietly as she keeps her attention on their surroundings. _________________________________________________________________ A  U  D  R  A

Kione was happy to have a companion and perfectly happy to play guardian to a nervous wolf just to have someone to chat with for a bit.  Heck, just to have another canine nearby to walk alongside.  Life alone was a wasted one.  The woods did seem quite the dreary place that could unnerve some.

“Hmm,” Kione considered her words of surprise that things could live in the woods. “Well, maybe its not always this bad?” Kione really did have no idea.  “To be fair, the weather has been quite strange lately, maybe its not always so bad.” The painted dog paused in his steps, brow furrowing and lifting his nose up to sniff the air, his overly large ears straining.

“This way,” Kione said after standing still for a moment, turning to the left, “I think I see where the path tripped me up before.  Bunch of dead leaves hiding a path.” The dog kicked up some dried brown leaves, some just breaking at the touch.  Sure enough, below them, there was a sad excuse of something that could be labeled a path. “What a place,” Kione mused glancing to Audra, “Well miss, we can either go this route and get out or if you wanted to explore here more I can wait.” Kione had nothing better to do whether she wanted to go on her own way or explore more here, whatever it was he had the time.


"Speech"

_________________________________________________________________ His mention of the weather being strange as of late struck a nerve in her core. The dead eye placed in the socket on the right of her skull was a sore reminder of her stupid life choices and the terrible plague that had recently covered the land. Thankfully, it had begun to disappear as if it had never happened, but Audra would never forget. Choosing to stay quiet, she nodded as they continued their journey deeper into the spooky woods. Pausing when he did, her own nose turned up to sniff the air. She wasn't sure what exactly Kione was looking for, but perhaps she'd be of assistance. Watching as he kicked at some dried-up leaves, she looked down the worn path that led out toward the perimeter of the forest. Pondering on his suggestion, she glanced around the shadows. "It doesn't appear there is anything really worth exploring in this dr-dreary place," she murmurs, glancing over to him. "Perhaps we should take the path that leads out," Audra suggests as she steps over to look at the small path leading away. _________________________________________________________________ A  U  D  R  A