Ash allowed himself to smile genuinely ss Frodo laughed. Ah, this was nice. It had been forever since the young wolf socialized and the animal he was socializing with didn't think he was annoying. Atleast, he was pretty sure Frodo didn't think he was annoying. Ash flinched a little when the conversation somehow turned to foxes. And Frodo was right, as much as the wolf hated to admit it, foxes have quite an affective strategy. As long as they didn't run into Ash, of course. The male had built up his agility and speed just so he could catch up to the fox. Though he still couldn't manage to keep up for long, even after killing all those foxes. He always had to have the element of surprise if he wanted to take one down, atleast most of the time.

.

Ash paused and looked around when Frodo stopped, wondering why he had stopped. Had he decided he wanted to stay for longer? Turns out the answer to that question was a no. Frodo had just spotted a moose and it's young which he was now watching. As the moose stared at them, Ash glared back, intending to show he wasn't scared. He didn't take his eyes off the moose even as Frodo spoke. He only spared a ear in the dog's direction since he was too focused on the moose. All that ran through his mind was that the calf would be a nice treat for Anya and the pack. Last time he checked Anya hadn't really eaten anything besides rabbit and deer.

.

Ash gritted his teeth when the prey scurried away. If you could just quickly bring the calf down...The young wolf sighed and reluctantly followed after Frodo. However, he wasn't ready to give the calf up totally. He marked this spot in his mind and planned to bring a partner back here to see if they could get the calf. Ash then refocused on Frodo and his answer to the question. The male nodded, realizing the dog must be older than him by years and years. Perhaps he was even an elder? Of course the young wolf would never ask that, but it hung in his mind. When the conversation turned to him, Ash froze in place for a second before continuing on. It wasn't the fact that Frodo was asking him a question, it was just the question itself that made the wolf uneasy.

.

Ash preferred not to talk about how he had ended up here, but he didn't want to not answer. So, Ash sighed and looked away, breaking Frodo's gaze before answering. "I wasn't born in the town. I wasn't even really born in this area. The humans caught my family and me and took us here. My sister and I were able to escape and that's when the dog saved me. He taught me how to survive." He said before looking at Frodo again. "Anyway, foxes may have a good strategy but i can say that they aren't invincible. In fact, once you train yourself, they're slightly easy to catch off gaurd and take down." As Ash said that, his eyes sparkled an evil looking sparkle. Just to add emphasis to what he had said, he also licked his teeth which gleamed as light hit them. Ash rather show he was a fox killing maniac than talk about anything serious. Especially his family and his past. "Also, were almost to the river." He added as a side note, hoping Frodo wouldn't hate him or be scared now.

Makena gave Muli a concerned look when he said she could roam whenever. She doubted he knew what she really meant by that. To her, roaming was basically just walking in a random direction to see what territory she would come across next. She would explore and stay in that new area for a bit before going back home. And even if he was okay with that kind of roaming, she would miss him if she were to be gone for days. But maybe once Muli's paw was healed they could roam around a bit together. "I would never think to just disappear on you, Muli." Makena answered with a sigh, deciding she didn't want to talk to Muli about roaming anymore. Instead she just ate. She was so focused on the delicious food she didn't even hear when Muli told her to slow down. It was just so good!

.

Makena smiled at Muli when he said he had never seen a pond before. Well, she would have to change that sometime. "Once your paw gets better, or when Frost says it's okay to travel, i can show you a pond. It's in wolf territory but im sure if Frost or Icicle came with us it would be okay. Or maybe even Flame. Shadow would probably be too busy to be with us though. And i think their youngest pack member is scared of me. Either way, i can show you one day." She said, hoping Muli would like that. "And also, a puddle is pretty different. Ponds and lakes are way more beautiful." Kena added with a small giggle. The vixen then sighed when Muli said he could smell winter coming too. The more she thought about it the more she worried she became.

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When Muli suggested him coming along to hunt, Makena once again gave him a concerned look. She didn't want Muli's paw to get worse, but she also knew he was probably feeling a bit bored and restless. Maybe she would have to ask Frost what he thought they should do. Once he came back that is. "Frost has his own life and pack, he's probably just with them. Besides, he can take care of himself just fine. Trust me. Plus, if i remember correctly he said he would visit everyday to check on your paw so he'll probably be here tomorrow. But Muli...i appreciate the thought, but your paw isn't healed yet. If it was healed, that would be a different story. But it isn't, so there is alot of things that could go wrong. I think it would be better for you to just stay home. But I'll ask Frost to see what he thinks. If you ever get to restless though maybe we can just go on a short walk. As long as the wether isn't too bad, that is." Makena answered, concern in her voice and eyes.

Frodo || 9 Years || Male || Strays United Scavenger || M: Ash

Noticing the male’s sudden pause, Frodo pauses himself – one paw lifted in the air, now hanging limply from being in mid step. His ears flicker about, wondering if something dangerous or tasty looking had possibly caused him to freeze. But, upon hearing nothing, his mind brings him back around to what was said directly before this reaction. His question.

Slightly pinning his ears back, the mutt murmurs an apology. It was clearly a contentious topic, one that he should and would not push on. Thus, he fully expected the whole thing to be dropped after this. No answer needed or given in general.

Guilt stabbed the old man’s heart at Ash’s sigh, ears falling further than before. Releasing a sigh of his own, he turned towards the wolf. “Just forget it, kid. Ya don’t have ta satiate my nosy-”

His mouth snaps shut as the ashen canine begins to speak. A frown marks at the knowledge being gained. Guilt bares down on his small form, even more so than before. Why did he even bother asking? He had no real reason to. He should have just let the youngin’ do all the questioning. Dern it, why didn’t I just keep my big mouth shut?

“Well, kid, I’m glad ya at least had help getting out of that situation. No one deserves that.”

At the wolf’s following statement (which he would be forever grateful for, seeing as it would get them off of the previous topic), the fawn and black canine couldn’t help but become intrigued. He didn’t exactly know where he was going with it. Yes, he was correct, foxes weren’t invincible. Not in the lightest. But what did that have to do with-

Frodo’s brown eyes widened at Ash’s insinuation. Training oneself to take down foxes? At first, he considered that – perhaps – he was jesting with him in a sense. But the glint in his eyes and licking of his teeth said otherwise. He had no doubt that most wolves wouldn’t want a fox in their territory, but learning how to kill them simply being a fox… he very slightly conflicted over the prospect.

The surprise and conflicted feelings didn’t last long, however – delving back into the depths of his own mind to remember all the things foxes had done to and towards him. The min pin’s face catches a rather sinister grin at the thought of teaching them a lesson.

He chuckles, shaking his head as he does so and looking forward once more, “The more fox killers, the better! Those nasty vermin have caused me a lot of trouble in the past. Have yet ta meet one that proves they’re anything but scoundrels. Doubt I’ll ever be proven wrong.”

Turning back to the path, he begins walking forth once more. Silence falls over them as they make their way towards… wherever the edge of the territory was. Though, that little thought bubble of his was quickly popped as the green eyed canine behind him gave the notice of almost being at the river. Was that where the territory ended? Perhaps. He had been traveling it before he met Ash, after all. Either way, he’d be crossing it just to get out of the youngin’s fur. But, at the same time, the petite mutt couldn’t help but let his face fall at the news.

Not a moment later they did, in fact, reach the bank of the river. With a huff, Frodo tosses the pika he still had towards the wolf. It was a big soggy after having been carried all this time, but nothing terrible.

“Well, thank ya for yer company, Ash. It’s been a delight. Take that pika as a ‘thanks.’ I can catch more when need be.”

Turning his attention back to the river, he treds down its muddied sides – looking for the safest place to cross. It didn’t take long to find it, thankfully. A decently shallow portion with a weak current. Perfect for a being of his size and weight.

He wastes no time hopping in, ignoring the cold sting of the waters and focusing on keeping his head above the water. He makes it over with relative ease, shaking out his now soaked fur to shed as much water as possible. Casting one last glance towards the other side, Frodo barks out a ‘goodbye’ over his shoulder before slinking off into the underbrush to continue his travels.

Double send

Xola || 6 || Female || Wolf || Eastern Medic || M: Killjoy, River, Ore (Ind), Medics Den (Ind)

Xola smiles softly over her shoulder at Killjoy’s chuckle, her body easing slightly from built up stress. Stepping to the side, she allows him to take the lead – watching as he brushes past to head back to camp. She follows shortly after, leaving some distance between her and the male. But not for any malicious or grudge-based reasoning.

The walk back to camp was silent between the two wolves, not a word spoken between them. The medic could honestly care less about the silence, content with keeping an eye on their surroundings and his stride the entire way back. The frost under-paw, however, was a worrying sign for the medic. Herbs wouldn’t be around for much longer. And with how low their stock had become after just one day…

She lets out a stressed huff, a bit of condensation blowing upwards at the heat emitted. Winter was likely to be very rough for the pack. Despite her best efforts at keeping everything stocked (even if it was only her first day). Hopefully, however, she’d have that other medic to consol with if worse came to worst. Then again, asking to take even more herbs from the other pack didn’t sit right with her. They had their own problems and ailments to deal with. They shouldn’t need to deal with hers.

Upon entering the camp, she bids her adieu in response to Killjoy’s ‘goodbye’ and makes her way back to her den. Entering, she announces her arrival with a quiet bark, nodding her head and smiling at all those who turned to her. Afterwards, she makes her way towards River – ready to keep her head of the deal with Shadow.

The female’s striking eyes meet those of the silver hunter, bending down if she needed to ensure they met. “River, dear, your presence has been requested by Killjoy. He’s in his den now. Would you like me to accompany you there?”