He had been lost for some time since his trek across the deserts. The thoughts of a single woman on his mind...her beauty had been unmatched, and he doubted he would ever find someone like her. He had enjoyed the time spent with her, however awkward it was. A lopsided grin would mark his features as he thought back to that day, a day he would never forget he was quite sure. Bushy tail streamed behind him as his body moved stealthily within the grasses, spring had arrived and with it the reptilian species would begin to show their scaly faces. Already he could hear the distant rattling of diamondbacks, and he hoped there weren't any nearby. The scarred visage and crimson eyes were peeled open to scout for danger, and it was here that a scent of which he had never smelled would break his senses. Halting, he would raise his head as his ears stood erect. The smell was unmistakable, and it was through sheer willpower that he didn't turn tail and run right then. His heart pounded in his chest, body stiff as he stared ahead of him. Wolves. Everywhere, and yet the scents were recent. New almost. He wondered if a pack lived nearby, and whether or not they were friendly or hostile. He needed a place to go, even if for a little while to gather himself. To figure out his next steps, but even more so, a place to hide from the tyrant father that sought to skin him alive. Swallowing back the fear that threatened to rise in his throat, Dart would slowly make his way forward. Mismatched paws barely making a sound as he stopped within a bush that lied a few feet before the borders. He made no sound, simply lied close to the ground to observe any passersby.

He was making his way along his borders as normal, making sure that everyone knew that a pack now resided in these lands. He would not rest unless their scent were strong and powerful. He was just about to cross to the rapids when a scent crossed his nose. Bass froze, his fur standing on end as he looked around with narrowed eyes. He had heard of foxes stealing prey, even going after small pups if they could. He didn't have any puppies to worry about, but he didn't want anything causing trouble in these parts. He already had the snake problem on his hand, he didn't need any trouble from a fluffy butt fox. More than anything though, Bass was curious. There had never been foxes in these parts before, at least not from what he had seen. Turning around, Bass began to follow the border that he had just marked, sniffing out the critter. He didn't see him in the bush, but he could smell him. He knew that the critter was close. Black nose lifted into the sky as he tried to pick out the fox, his tail slowly swinging behind him. "I can smell you fox. I am not here to harm you, you haven't done anything wrong just yet. Come out from hiding, I will play nice." He said, an easy chuckle flowing from his lips. Yes, always the jester within him. Walk "Talk" Think

The wary male would scent something closing in, growing closer and closer. Was one of the wolves coming to get him? Peering through the foliage, he would spot a pair of legs before glancing up at the sound of a voice. Crimson eyes focused on the creature that spoke, ears twitching at the last part of his sentence. "I'll play nice." Skeptical though he was, Dart would quietly slink from the bush where he had been hidden, coming to appear behind the brute. "Hello, Wolf. I'm not here to play dirty either, but your words suggest I might cause some trouble? Is that what your kind thinks of my own?" He would stand tall, though he was only around 23", it wasn't that tall. His bushy tail swayed slightly behind him, mismatched paws ready to flee or fight should this wolf choose to turn and bite. Scarred visage was held high, tattered ears erect as he awaited the canines next move.

The fox came out, his words surprising him. He shook his head, his golden gaze wide. "I didn't mean to offend you, fox, I just..." He trailed off, looking away somewhat in embarrassment. "I've never actually met a fox before, I have only heard tales of foxes causing mischief. I am sorry for assuming things, it wasn't right of me." He said softly, gazing back at the fox. He was sorry, he had hoped that the smaller canine had taken the whole thing as a joke, not like he was coming to attack him. He could tell that the fox was unsure if he wanted to run or stay, which made him feel even worse.

"Why did you come here?" He asked softly, folding his hind legs to sit his rump upon the earth. He was curious, he had to admit. He had never seen a fox around here before, and he wondered if the fox was interested in joining his pack. He had never before heard of one joining the ranks of wolves, but he wouldn't put it passed him. There had been stranger things that had happened in these parts.

Dart

He was oh so skeptical of the larger canine, but the words spewed from the males mouth seemed genuine. Then again, who was to say the male wasn't lying to the boy? He supposed time would tell. The wolf would explain, telling him he hadn't meant to offend him. And yet, Dart would remain silent as his crimson gaze kept on the creature. Could he trust the wolf? Or was there forever a line of distrust between foxes and wolves? Did the wolf distrust him as much as he distrusted the wolf? Who knew. "Well, it's not very polite to go off based on rumors y'know...not all of us are alike." The strangely marked fox watched the wolf sit, asking him why he was here. Dart would remain standing, however, as he thought for a moment before responding. "well, I suppose you can say I've come to find a place of refuge...I'm in--" What? He couldn't tell him he was running from the claws of his fathers tyranny, could he? He didn't know this guy, who was to say he wouldn't turn him over right there and then? He thought quickly for a few seconds, then would continue. "I'm just looking for a place to stay. To figure out what my next move in life will be. IF you'll have me, I can tell you now I'm a good scouter, runner, hunter, and whatever else you need. A freelancer, if you will."

Bass nodded, he knew that he was in the wrong to assume that all foxes were the same. Even though the male was running a pack now, he was still young and unknowing of a lot of things. Slowly he was collecting important data, but it was going to take a lot until he was fully in the know. He smiled apologetically at the small Candide creature. "I do apologize Fox, I did not mean to lump you in with your more mischievous brethren." That is when he realized that neither had stated their name. Blinking slowly, he looked down at the strange fox, feeling even more foolish. "My name is Bass Desctruction by the way, I'm Azat of these lands. Or Alpha, which is the more common name." He tilted his head, wondering if he could put this fluffy tailed creature at ease. When he spoke of a place to stay, Bass' tail gave a few wags. "You are more than welcome to join our pack. I think a rank of Pera will do just right for you. We actually are having a training session soon, so once you settle in you are more than welcome to come to that." He barked happily, a real smile blessing his black lips. A fox in his ranks? It was interesting indeed, but he was more than happy to have him.

	He would shrug his shoulders, the crimson eyed male not holding anything against the wolf save for a bit of distrust. It was wolves who had rent asunder his home...hired by his own father. It was hard to trust them, but he knew that if he were to live among them he would have to one day learn how...though not right away. He often found himself turning a cold shoulder to their kind, once or twice he did help a few cubs no matter how reluctantly...but he couldn't just let them sit in the rain. He had a soft spot for young pups he supposed, wolf or not. Ears lifted slightly, his gaze fixating on the wolf as he introduced himself as Bass, Alpha of these particular lands. Dart nodded to him, and thought perhaps it would be respectful if he introduced himself as well. "Dart...I used to have a last name. But now, I'm just Dart." "You are more than welcome to join our pack." Ears perked, for a fleeting moment the boy looked hopeful. But it was gone as soon as it had showed. Tail flicked once, his only concern was that the others of the pack might not like him. He was not one of their kind, after all...so Dart felt that perhaps he would be the loner. The outcast of the pack regardless of what he tried to do. But that would not do, oh no. He would prove himself. Prove he was as good as any wolf if not better. He nodded to Bass, slanted eyes gazing at him as he relaxed just a little. "Thank you, Bass." He would let a small smile lift his lips just a little, his scars prominent now that he was staring at the wolf head on. It lingered for only a second, a thought crossing his mind. "If possible in the future...I'd like to train with you, to prove myself further. I doubt any of the others would take well to me seeing as how I'm not of your kind. But I'll show my worth." ?WORDS HERE?