Moving south, it's actually not too bad. Spring had sprung here. It felt strange, damn near surreal, as he cut wide around the Hallows. Though Dread knew that they harbored promise of a warm hearth, a good meal, and family... he can't. He can't bring himself to do it. An ache that lived deep in his ribcage pressures him away from it. Frankly, he'd rather sleep in the woods than face it. It's not that he detests his blood, quite the opposite. There are too many ghosts beyond the borders, particularly within the walls of the castle. The most of which, Dread can't bring himself to face. Who knew if he ever would.

Instead, the young man moves to the southernmost border of the Aspen Dam. Gaze keen, wild. There was supposed to be a pack here, no? There was meant to be one, he could smell it. If he could smell it, then why did it look... empty? Something happened here, and Dread couldn't be quite sure what. Brow furrowed, sky beginning to turn pink around the edges. Hm.

It's too unsettling. Heeding his gut, Dread will go a while farther south before he finds somewhere to make camp for the evening.

Sota was tired. Not just regular tired, not even just physically tired, but a soul-deep fatigue that felt impossible to shake. It wasn't like the tiny man felt like he was nearing the end, no, nothing like that - physically he felt as good as he remembered in quite some time, especially given the change in seasons, but mentally he found himself fumbling. He'd lost two of his closest friends recently, and it wasn't something he was recovering from quickly. Not that he was really expressing it outwardly, trying his best to remain in as good of spirits as he always seemed to be, but inwardly he was struggling.

He didn't leave home as often these days, though lately he found himself straying, especially when his mind got the best of him. Especially when wearing a smile was a difficult feat; he was supposed to be a beacon of joy for The Hallows, and he fully intended to bright light to everyone he came across. If he spent the day away, he'd be in much better spirits once he went home, once he had time to reflect. Walking along the edge of the river that led to the dam was a long enough journey for such a quest, though his focus was interrupted when he saw a stranger, not far from the dam itself.

He allowed a small smile as the much larger stranger came into view. "Hello! Good afternoon, sir," Sota called out, a little less chipper than usual but still just as friendly as ever. Maybe he was open for a chat? If not he'd just as quickly continue without a fuss.