It was time to begin her slow journey back north. Her caribou herd had no doubt started their migration, and she intended to reunite with them as quickly as possible. The strange weather phenomenon that had struck the lands recently was quite peculiar but not something that alarmed her terribly. The seasons were not something static and unmovable - it was typical that they changed from one year to the next, so she wouldn't put too much thought into it, not until she needed to. Instead, she'd focus on the present and on her journey back north, though there was one wolf she seemed to keep running into time and time again. It was hard to not accept that perhaps Víðarr belonged in her life in a more permanent basis than most wolves, though she'd not yet determined what exactly that meant to her.

It did mean that when she came across his scent, she didn't even consider ignoring it. Perched at the top of the ravine, she slowly made her descent downward, following her friend's scent closely. When they'd spoken last she hadn't had a chance to ask him where he might be headed next and she thought now that she wouldn't mind catching up with him again before she headed back north. Sniffing hard at the crisp morning air, she made the final leap down the craggy terrain and to the bottom of the ravine, searching for him.

There was something about her. Víðarr couldn't put his metaphorical finger on it, but it was something that drew him in. Captivated him, in a way that he chose not to admit or dwell on. He knew that he felt, but then, strong emotions were something that he would always allow to take him. He'd never learned to repress them, so he simply didn't. Though he allowed himself to feel freely, Víðarr was significantly worse at actually processing those feelings. Who had time for that? Really, the shadow was focused on other things-- namely, the weird shit happening this season and what the hell he was going to do next. With the oncoming winter, the herds would be shifting north again. The shifting herds would hopefully bring him back into her orbit. Both of them wandering in the same direction, and Víðarr's gut feeling that their paths would cross again, sooner rather than later. He moved north through the ravine, acutely aware of his surroundings. At his back, a stiff autumn breeze, the crispness of the morning not lost on him. A good day to be alive, a good day to explore, a good day to simply be. He'd travel as far as the gods would take him today, making good use of the cool weather. Not far ahead, though, there was the sound of someone landing within the ravine itself. Whoever it was, they were concealed by a shallow corner, and it wasn't until Víðarr came closer that the figure came into full view. A bit of a glimmer in his icy gaze and a warmth in his smile, Víðarr called out to her. "You make a good morning even better," maybe a little flattery, but that's okay. Hopefully he can get away with it. "Will you walk with me a while?" An invitation, as the shadow picks up a light jog, hoping to close the gap between them. "Víðarr"

Running into Víðarr time and time again seemed inescapable, and who was she to fight what was meant to be? Kiela had a habit of leaning into things that came naturally to her, not one to seek out other wolves unless they happened across her path, though it seemed her only true friend was an exception to that rule. Perhaps she might not bend over backwards for him but still she went out of her way to seek out his scent, and once she caught wind of it she followed it with even more determination.

Seeing him was like a breath of fresh air. Kiela found an easy grin tugging at the corners of her mouth, a rarity for her. His words were flattering but genuine and she agreed with his sentiments entirely. "As do you. And quite a good morning it is," she commented softly. "A walk sounds nice." Moving alongside him, she matched his stride as they began to trek across the bottom of the ravine. The silence that settled between them momentarily was comfortable, enough so that Kiela could easily bask in it for a long while, but a question was weighing heavily on her mind. "Tell me, are you too heading north for the winter?"

They were in the same orbit, it seemed. If Víðarr was to be so bold, he'd figure they were cut from the same cloth, as well. Self sufficient wanderers, not accustomed to relying on anyone for anything. The lonesome sort, but maybe not intentionally. Their lifestyle was something that most wouldn't get, and maybe that was why Víðarr was so at peace near her. It was with Kiela, the shadow felt like he had nothing to prove. Without something to prove, he could simply be. There's fondness in the way he softly reaches out to bump his muzzle against her shoulder, but the movement is slow and telegraphed enough, an invitation to dodge away from it if she'd like. An uncomplicated friendship for two complicated souls. Here, the shadow finds refuge. The silence hung easily between them, though he has questions about how things went with the altar, it can wait. For now, the silence could be golden. Kiela's question comes first. Víðarr nodded softly, considering his answer. "For now at least. For the first time, I am alone here," the words are soft. Rarely would he volunteer such information, but with Kiela, it's safe. "Your herd, they travel north in the winter?" It's a gentle question, she knew the caribou better than anyone he'd ever met. "Do you make plans beyond that?" Maybe the question isn't phrase in the best way, but it's what Víðarr can put together for now. Any moment he steals a glance at the woman, his gaze is gentle on her face. Through the stillness of the morning, they continue on. "Víðarr"

Kiela made no effort to shy away from his touch, even leaning into the gentle touch of his muzzle to her shoulder. She wasn't normally a physically affectionate wolf but the simple contact with a familiar friend brought her great comfort, and she allowed herself to bask in it for a curiously long moment before breaking contact.

It seemed he too was heading north. Perhaps she might be blessed with his company for a while longer, at least until they went their separate ways again. "Your sisters are no longer here?" It was a simple question, conversational rather than prying - she remembered their conversations well and found herself wondering if anything had happened to Víðarr's family since she'd seen him last.

"Sometimes. It depends on the weather, though usually they stick close together in the forests through most of the winter." Kiela allowed herself a faint smile at his words. She knew it was an honest question and she had no qualms with answering it. "Honestly? No, not really. The herd is my life. When they are well I find it less important to stay close to them always, but I always go back." Though for a moment she wondered if he had any driving force that really led him - maybe it was his family, since they seemed quite important to him - she felt unsure how receptive he'd be to such a private question.

Things that hung in the air between them were comfortable, stable. Steady. Víðarr is grateful for her, and her presence here. Things between the pair had been an easy understanding, seemingly from minute one. It felt good. More than good, it felt wonderful. Comforting. They didn't need words, and touch would do as well. It's a moment, and then they break apart. He's grateful for her. She asks of his sisters, and he sighs softly. "The oldest ran off, I chased, we fell out," a shrug of the shadow's broad shoulders. "In time, the others will come back together and the cycle continues." Such was their way. Even if they were apart, they would come back together in the end. When the time came, Víðarr would have his fair share of explaining to do to them, but for now? For now he was walking with Kiela. For now he could be so incredibly grateful that she was here, by his side. Kiela speaks of the reindeer, and where they tend to prefer. The forests, this makes sense to him. Softly, the shadow nods. Listening to her speak is a balm, in a way that Víðarr cannot put into words. For as much time as any of them would spend apart-- Kiela and her reindeer, Víðarr and his family, and the shadow would like to think himself and the woman by his side-- they would always return to each other in the end. Maybe the last one was a wishful thought, but he could hope. He could dream. Maybe he's romanticizing things in his own head, but there was no harm in that. "Are they well?" Víðarr's tone was gentle, and held genuine interest. Though he wouldn't try to take her away from them, from her purpose, it would be nice to keep her company for a while longer. Hell, even if she wanted to return to them, maybe she'd accept the company. Maybe the thinking was wishful, once more. Still, Víðarr would savor the idea for as long as he was allowed. "Víðarr"

Though the touch was brief it was very much welcomed. It was rare Kiela spend much time around other wolves, and rarer even that she enjoy the physical touch of another. Sometimes she found herself longing for the days of her youth when she'd sleep huddled up against her cousins for warmth - it was rare that she looked toward the past in such a way but it was hard to not let it cross her mind occasionally. The life of a reindeer herder was an often lonely one but she'd gotten used to her solitary existence. Running into Víðarr had a way of lifting her up though, something she was only now beginning to recognize.

She nodded in understanding. Kiela had never gotten to understood the complexities of sibling relationships in the way he had, it seemed. She'd had a large family and the lines between kin and sibling had been blurred, but she'd left home so young that she wasn't even sure they'd have the same bond if they reunited now. It seemed more likely not. "I understand that. The cycle of things," Kiela clarified gently. If things changing in that regard bothered him, he made no sign of it, and she was glad it did not disrupt the serenity of this moment they were spending together.

Slowly she nodded to his question. "Well enough. There are two older ones that I fear might not make it through winter, but the rest of the herd looks like they've been faring well. I think spring will be kind to them." It wasn't necessarily a prediction but she'd seen indicators that they were well-prepared for a fruitful spring. "I'm excited," she commented idly. It was rare she spoke about how she was feeling; even a comment as simple as that was a rarity for, but it was true, she was looking forward to the change of season quite a bit. Casting a glance his way, she made to continue walking, glad to spend a bit more time with him today.