Instead of heading directly north, over the dangerous mountain pass that separated the north from the rest of the land, she had decided veering toward the west would be a safe bet. It'd give them a bit longer without the harsh weather - and who knew, maybe they'd even wait until the season simmered down before heading up north.. or maybe they wouldn't go far at all. Ara didn't care much either way; she was happy to wander, mostly with Athena but also breaking off on her own quite a bit too. Today, her interest was piqued by a sharp crack in the earth's surface. She'd seen such places like this before, strange underground terrains that always made her feel a bit uneasy. Still, her curiosity had been aroused now and she lingered for awhile near the edge of the crevice in the earth, peering down into the darkness. Slowly she teetered from one paw to the other, deliberating for a bit about whether or not she should descend. After awhile she headed into the darkness, though not long after she slipped down below the surface of the world did she note that it wasn't quite as dark as she expected. A faint glow from the rubble ahead lit a dim path somewhere ahead of her, and she cautious navigated through the cavern toward the glowing room ahead.

KNUTE BERG The female wasn't the only one who was drawn to the crack in the earth. His steps were careful as he made sure not to make too much of a ruckus. While the stranger's scent might have been fresh he was not too sure if it was from her coming or going. So he did his best to mind his own business. Knute trailed after the soft blue glow like some moth. It was mysterious and alluring. A small loose stone rolled out from underneath him and he watched it tumble for only seconds in the faint blue light. As his gaze lifted it was then he spotted her form. He could have mistaken her for a floating head. Or maybe she was. Njord had filled Knute's head with tales of ghosts and spirits who liked to stay with the living. He never thought it to be true until now. "Do you need some...assistance?" The young male called out in a boyish voice. It would take him a few moments before he got better wits and realized she was no spirit. The stranger was as flesh and bones as he was.

Ara heard the stranger approach before she saw him. Though his pawsteps were quiet, the cavern lacked much sound at all and she heard as the stone rolled forward, signalling his approach. Slowly she turned her head, not nearly as wary as she once would've been at the sudden arrival of a stranger, but far from totally comfortable with it, either. Blue eyes peered behind her, watching as his form seemed to apparate out of nowhere, his pale coat a contrast to thee dim light of the cavern. Nothing about him seemed threatening, even from a distance, and she found herself relaxing slightly. When he spoke, his voice only further presented him in a friendly light, and she found herself offering a gentle smile. "I'm fine - but thank you, very much," Ara turned slowly to face him. "I was just wondering what this light ahead was. Is that what you were doing too? Checking it out?" Her voice was gentle and a touch cautious, wanting to be polite rather than pry. She wouldn't be surprised if that was why he'd headed down here, too; she had yet to explore up ahead and couldn't help but wonder what sort of oddities she might find there.