Had he gone a bit over the borders on his hike back north? Perhaps. Maybe. But the Grove was filled with small prey and inviting berry patches. Surely they wouldn't mind if a squirrel or a chipmunk went missing, along with some blackberries. Cutting across the northern corner of the land on his way home, still limping from his run in with the tunnels. A hitch in his gait, hindering his ability to focus entirely on the landscape. Baitboy was sore, okay?

As he wanders, the boy doesn't see the patch of brambles. Tripping over a downed branch from their recent winter, and going solidly ass over tea kettle, an involuntary oof. Ears pinning to his skull, the boy struggles to disentangle his right foreleg from the tangle. "Mother fucker," he grumbles, feeling the way the thorny plants dig into his skin. By the time Tide pulls free, there are more than a few thorns embedded in his already sprained paw. Of course. Why not.

"Tide"

The goal for today? Gather berries to make ink. While he could easily utilize the charcoal from the many hearths spread through Hearthstone, the pup also enjoyed the fluidity of berry ink. Plus, he could achieve different colors from the berries unlike charcoal that was always some shade of black. With basket in tow and a slight lope to his step, Ioan made quick work toward the bustling grove. Already teeming with life and full bushes, he could pick whatever he wanted as long as he didn't get in the way of any bears. But which would he choose today? His fiery colored eyes scanned the grove until they halted on a form tumbling through a thorn patch. Ioan's brows shoot up as his eyes widen. From the sounds of it, whoever that was was indeed stuck. Abandoning his mission, Ioan rushes over to the boy and instantly wrinkles his nose at the distinct scent of another pack. While his brain tells him to leave and alert his father, his heart tells him that The Hallows is a safe haven for all that need help. And this boy needed help. Arriving just as the boy pulls free, Ioan peers out from around the bush. "C-can I help? I s-see those thorns st-stuck in your paw," he murmurs, lilting tones hushed under the cacophony that was spring in the grove. "I'm Ioan, by th-the way. I live in the castle." His tail wags a few times, attempting a friendly smile in hopes it alleviates some of the awkwardness. Ioan Carpathius

code by bunni, gif by minimoss

Spring colored this place, the opposite of autumn back home. Weird how that worked out, though Tide had been here once before. During the Bonfire festival, but it had been too dark to get too far and things had gotten a little interesting. Wild eyed, Tide is still taking in the Grove around him. Bushes heavy with the first of the season's berries, the smell of them incredibly heavy in the air.

Over the sound of the bird chirping and squirrels playing, there's footsteps. Coming closer, though Tide straightened up immediately. Hackles up, head low, shoulders rolled forward. On the defensive, depending on who came through the underbrush. Lip even lifting to expose pearly white teeth, he's primed and ready to protect himself, if it comes to that.

Green eyes narrowing, training on the boy. "What's the catch?" Almost offended that someone would approach him in his peril, there had to be a reason. He considers lying to the boy about his identity for a beat, giving Davey's name instead. No, he'd probably confuse himself, though it would be a trick to try another day. "I'm a Raider." Hackles still up, still on the defensive, Tide doesn't trust the boy with his name. Not yet. At least he could hope the Raider reputation preceded him.

"Tide"

Ioan isn't a fighter, but his father made him sit in the lessons. Learn the stances, have some idea, in case anything went wrong. It was instinctually really. The way his fur bristled, ears pulling backward, brow furrowing over his eyes as the other boy whirled on him. The boy was clearly saying don't touch me, don't come closer. But the thorns... Ioan's sense of self-preservation was lost when it came to those in need apparently. Still crouched, body on the defense, he takes a tentative step closer. "N-no catch," he stumbles over his words, fiery eyes meeting those of oceanic green. "Th-they need to be re-removed before infection," his nose nods toward the paw that is stuck with the thorns. It is clear now, as he takes another hesitant step closer, that he needs help. Without him or a companion, the boy won't get those nasty thorns removed. "Raider?" Ioan's brain tumbles around. At this very moment, he was glad he had insisted on so many lessons. Fighting, politics, navigation, healing, even trap making. His body smooths, staying crouched, but his fur lays down, head canting, brow raising slightly. "Ah, our n-neighbors across th-the water," he murmurs. "You n-need help. It d-doesn't matter where you c-come from," Ioan insists, another step until he's clearly in the boy's personal space. "P-please let me help," holding out a paw, an olive branch, asking the boy to give in at least until the thorns were removed. Ioan Carpathius

code by bunni, gif by minimoss

Tide bristles as Ioan comes closer, head low, green gaze burning. Around them, the Grove seems so alive. Were they even safe here? He knows this is Hallows territory, but there were still predators in these woods. Undercrawlers. Creepy crawlies. Every bit of the boy is tense, as he watches the other boy. All teeth and sharp angles... but he's right. Unfortunately, Ioan is very right.

There would be no comfortable way to do this. Instead, Tide flops down heavily on the ground, still tangled and poked paw up. Gazing up at the trees above him, the nascent buds and blooms a curious sight. Staring at them carefully, and trying not to think about what came next. "Fine." Snarky, but he wouldn't bite the hands that were trying to help him. Not yet. "'m Tide." He mumbles, sour expression unbroken.

"Tide"