"Ach! Das ist wunderbar!"

The words escaped his dark lips rapidly, loudly, filling the caverns with rippling echoes. It took everything in Mikhail not to giggle like a puppy as he listened, tail waving behind him, head canted so he could take in everything with his good ear. As bright as bright as the sun was outside, this cave system was far too interesting to pass up. Besides, it wasn't as if there was ever much warmth this far north. He wouldn't be missing out. He darkened the entrance briefly before trotting in, his tail never ceasing its care-free wave.

Mikhail had spied the place in passing and, once within, spied the strange markings on the walls: human scratchings from eons past. As interesting and thought-provoking as they were, they weren't what capture his full attention. What had fascinated him most were the acoustics when he went back deeper into the cave. He could make any manner of sounds and moments later a response would come back. It didn't take very long for him to come up with an idea... "I wonder..." murmured the pale wolf to himself, a thoughtful expression crossing his long muzzle as he parted his lips and released a low, baleful howl. He cut it short quickly, then released a second note as his echo came back, creating a subdued harmony with his own voice. It would strike anyone passing as odd - the sounds were sure to echo from the cave... followed promptly by soft laughter.

Apparently Mikhail was easily amused. But he found the play of sound in places like this most fascinating and interesting to listen to. Besides, where else could one sing and have his own voice join in harmony? Hmming softly, Mikhail trotted deeper into the cave before he seated himself in the middle of the cavern, his tail switching slowly in time as he hummed a few quick notes, then parted his lips to howl again.

The young she wolf found herself in the north still, Mithras was around here somewhere. Dainty paws carried the galactic she wolf over the cold ground, the snows would be returning to the North again soon, but for now summer reigned strong. Her form would come to the entrance of a cave, curiosity would keep her there long enough to become startled by the sudden howl, but as it echoes throughout she'd hear the melodic addition of a second voice. It sounded a whole lot like the first. Now that was cool. Apparently the voice thought so too as the sound of laughter followed. Ria would grin madly as she easily slipped in to the entrance to find the voice. As she explored the system the howl would be heard again and Faria could hardly help but add her delicate voice to the first. She'd continue to sing lightheartedly before finally finding the owner of the voice. The girl would cut the duet short as her bright gaze settled upon his pale form. "Hello! Are you the owner of that lovely voice?" She'd smile all friendly like as her celestial tail wagged behind her. ""

OOC| He absolutely must meet Rhythm sometime... but Faria = cutest ever. xD

He was about to switch notes, to try a new rhythm, create his own harmony (with himself! He never thought he'd do that!)... and two voices did dance in the cave. But so did a third. Mikhail was startled to hear it, this one delicate and feminine - most certainly not his. But he didn't stop until a slender shape appeared with stunning and lovely features to match that beautiful voice... she looked like she had danced right out of the heavens and pulled them down with her. Granted, the cave was a bit dark and he could be a bit of a romantic.

Smiling a little sheepishly, the pale man bowed his head. Obviously he was the only wolf here... who else could have been singing? But he couldn't remember the last time he'd been complimented and a certain shyness caused his cheeks to heat up rather more than he'd have liked. He needed his head to be a little clearer than all that!

"Ya, I am... I dare say, you also own a lovely voice, Frau. I am Mikhail," he offered, rising to his paws only to bow deeply, his elbows nearly reaching the floor again as he tilted his nose to the ground. His eyes flicked back up to her before he rose again, only to seat himself in the very same position he had been in before. "This place has a good ah- what's-the-word -ambience yes? A good place for a song." He chuckled, a good-natured grin splitting his face as his tail continued to sway to a time only he could keep.

The man she'd come to stand before offered her a shy smile as he looked her over once, every time she met a new stranger the girl would enjoy the way their eyes travelled over her unique pelt. He'd bow his head and her expression would brighten. She was a bit young to realize the blush on his features, it was also quite dark within the caves as well. Still even if her visual sense was dampened she would have no trouble hearing him as he replied. Yes indeed he was the one singing, she'd even get a name after he offered a generous compliment. Though that was not what made her blush, his deep bow would do that as well as send out an amused giggle from her otherworldly maw. As the man lifted himself to his previous position, "Isn't it? I'm Faria, how long have you been singing?" She didn't start off with her usual 'do you live here' question. Though as she thought about it the question was kind of dumb, she'd been singing since she was very young. Ria and her comrades used to go out and wail at the moon all the time, she was kind of sad they hadn't recently. ""

Her words seemed to run together. If at all possible, Mikhail's grin grew wider. He was the very image of a mirthful creature, his tongue nearly lolling before he closed his gaping maw into a more civilized expression. Her question prompted a soft hum as he considered... but really the answer would come easily to him.

"Faria? Is there nothing about you that is not lovely?" he commented, another light chuckle escaping him. He did not realize how young the girl was, or perhaps he would not be so forward. As it was, the dark (and that lovely voice) had yet to reveal her age to him. "I have been singing since I was a little one. Ya, for a long time... Meine Eltern* had to listen to many, many songs and Meine Großeltern* had to tell me many stories so I could learn more songs," he explained easily, rolling one shoulder in a half-shrug. He expression seemed to match that movement: a half-smile remained on his face as he bobbed his head. "And you? Your voice is no stranger to song."

*Meine (mine - uh) = "my"
*Eltern = "parents"
*Großeltern (gross - el - turn) = "grandparents"

He seemed just as friendly as she felt, and even in the darkness she could make out his grin. Already she liked this new wolf, what with his singing and friendly demeanor. He also gave her wonderful compliments, and she could never deny those. She'd giggle again at his bold words, "Of course not!" Ria couldn't help but tease before he answered her next question. She'd never studied songs really, she sang with her brother and sister however she felt like singing. There were no songs she memorized as a younger she wolf, but still she'd let her voice sound. He reverse the question to her after he'd explained. "I like to sing with my companions, we've been doing it about as long as I can remember." Really that was the truth. "You don't live here do you?" There it was, it seemed she had to ask every wolf she met that particular question. ""

She spoke lightly and in good humor. Ah, it was a nice change of pace to meet someone so friendly... Not that he had met too many who were terribly unkind, but he'd had times of isolation. Lately he'd been a bit lonely, though the exploring bit was fun.

Faria's answer confirmed what Mikhail had suspected: she was a natural singer (most wolves were anyway... just not as fascinated by its capabilities as Mikhail). She mentioned companions though. A pack? Siblings? Both? Ears perked curiously - a small movement difficult to see in the dark. She would ask another question then, prompting a short "Ha!" from the man - it echoed amusingly.

"Live here?" What a thought! How preposterous a notion! ...well, maybe that was a little strong. No, it wasn't preposterous. But why would he live in a cave? Even if the sounds it could make and amplify were so very, very interesting... Still, when he spoke it was still in good humor: "Ach. Nein. I don't live here. I am a vagabond and stranger here just as you are." He figured she wouldn't have asked if she lived here. Besides, the place smelled relatively deserted... Rising to his paws, the milky white wolf padded a little closer to Faria (she was blocking the way out...), "Come, shall we continue speaking in the daylight?"

Ria was almost always friendly, as long as the wolf she'd met did not show outward signs of aggression Faria liked them. Everyone was her friend. At least that's what she tried to feel, most everyone returned her friendliness at least. It wasn't that she was lonesome, she had Mithras and Caia, she just really liked meeting new wolves. Plus all those compliments she'd been receiving were marvelous. Her question would receive a quick laugh that made her smile quite widely, though his answer would be a negative. He did not live here which meant he was much like her, he even said so himself. Vagabond wanderer, that was all she and her companions were. She might have stayed in here for a nice or two, it was quite nice and secluded. She wouldn't have to much more time to think on the question though as Mikhail moved forward. Her legs would extend beneath her as he mentions returning to the sunlight. "Alright," her sweet voice would easily accept his proposal and her delicate from would turn to make her way back out of the cave's innards. She'd follow her scent trail back towards the open air, the soft breeze of outside air would woosh past her face as she turned a last band and would be covered in sunlight. Her expression would brighten again as she raced out the entrance and found herself dancing in the sun. ""

Mikhail wanted to see her in the light. Fascinating as the cave was, he'd had his fun for the moment and he was curious about this new woman. It wouldn't be until she raced out of the cave with youthful energy that he would realize with a rush of heat to his ears just how young she actually was. This wasn't a woman - Faria was still only a girl. Annabelle would have been about her age... the man smiled wistfully as the darkly-colored femme raced into the sunlight. He padded out of the cave without so much energy, but his tail never seemed to stop waving behind him. In spite of the memories that tugged at his heartstrings, he could only smile as he recalled fondly the pleasant aspects of his lost daughter's personality.

Almost immediately after being hit by such memories, he was caught up again in the present - though he did have to force himself forward somewhat. The irony of what he was seeing was not lost on him. Faria danced in the sun, soaked it up, but her coat was marked distinctly by stars... she was the very night in wolf form. Her slender features leant her a grace, even in her youth. He could see her far better here. Conversation would be easier, visual cues more easily seen. He was, after all, deaf in one ear.

"Are you from here, Faria?" He asked, loathe to interrupt her dance, but genuinely interested in learning more about the star-marked child.

The sprite danced eagerly through the lush grass, her form twisting to look back at her new friend. Of course she knew nothing but innocent intentions in the man, she'd been completely amused by his compliments and would take as many more as he wished to give her. In truth the yearling had suffered from a huge sense of self consciousness within her old home. Now that she'd come here though everyone thought her exceptional. When you had complete strangers become completely awestruck at you it was hard not to appreciate that. It made her feel really good, and continued to reaffirm her decision to come here. His voice would interrupt her movement only slightly as she pirouetted back to where he stood. She'd smile softly as the question was offered. His accent was as foreign here as hers. "I"m not from here, no." She'd sit in front of him, just as content to relax as she was to dance. "I was born pretty far away." ""

She really was very young, wasn't she? Mikhail could only hope she wouldn't catch the wistful expression that occasionally wove its way into his smile now, though he more often fought it off. By the time she responded, his eyes curved pleasantly with his grin, and he nearly danced with her until her paws were planted firmly on the earth again, and then she was seated before him.

"Then that much we certainly have in common, Frau Faria," he would chuckle as he regarded her gentle, pleasant features. She was very much still innocent... Ach, how could I have believed she was older!? But her lovely voice had been so very deceptive in the dark. "So the companions you mentioned, they are... they are not your pack? The one you came from, I mean. Do they travel with you still?" He asked for curiosity's sake more than anything, and perhaps a pinch of concern.

Ria didn't much think of her age or that of those around her, she was a rather innocent being still and knew not the intricacies of courtship. Nor did she seek out that knowledge. Certainly someday when she was older, but now the girl is completely content with herself. She has her siblings and had already found so many new friends in this new land, braving the ocean had been completely worth it. Her attention was focused back on her new companion Mikhail, he was friendly and offered her very sweet compliments, she enjoyed his company thus far. He would tell her that he was indeed not from this place either. She didn't think his accent had been familiar, but even still he was very obviously not from her neck of the woods. He was curious where she came from though, and of Mith and Caia. "Yes, they came from my pack, but there's only three of us so we aren't really a pack anymore." Though she had met pack wolves she had yet to really go observe one of these Alacritian packs. Though in her experience, they were no good. Her old pack had been to caught up in their beliefs, they had every intention of sacrificing her best friends to the gods after they'd done the same to their family. Faria could hardly bare the thought of losing her friends like that. She was relieved to know they had run. Now she didn't know if the packs here practiced those same rituals or not, but she liked staying away just in case. ""

"Ach. Friends, former packmates..." Said the man softly as he reasoned through what she'd told him. "No, you're just not a very big pack any longer!" He would say a moment later, a grin splitting his features as his head bobbed slightly. What he would have given to have some of his old friends back... or even just one of them. He missed them terribly, as well as the young pup he'd once tried to raise like his own. But that was gone now. He's moved on.

Mikhail's grin became a small smile as he continued: "At least you have your friends with you in a strange land. It does make things easier, to be all together, does it not?" His head canted as he spoke the question rhetorically. "I wonder though, my dear lady-wolf, why you come all this way? What happened to your pack?" He knew he might be stepping into sensitive territory and his expression became suitably subdued as he enquired. "Of course, you do not have to tell me, Frau Faria. I am only a curious man, and I ask many questions! But I imagine you might be at least a little like me, Frau, and you had to come here."

She really liked the man she'd met, his voice was nice and she liked the grin she was able to keep on his features. She knew that where they were heading could get serious though, his features would soft as he prepared his questions for her. Faria would easily nod at his first statement, she would have died had she not had Mithras and Caia from the start. She wouldn't have ever been able to leave that beach she'd washed up on. "What happened to your pack?" She would look away at this, her features falling considerably. "Of course, you do not have to tell me, Frau Faria." She would look back to him as he spoke, the possibility of similarities in their stories was rather high. She could tell him what had happened, though her heart still hurt for it. "My pack believed we were descended directly from the stars, and that the gods allowed us to come here and bless the lands. The elders were often given omens, and messages from the gods demanding sacrifice. They read that my brother and sisters family should be offered to the gods." She knew in her heart that the deities they worshipped were not to blame for their deaths. The corruption in their leaders.. She'd shake her head. "When Mith and Caia escaped I had to follow after them." ""