They squabbled as most siblings did, a general ebb and flow of differing opinions and expectations, but on rare days when one conceded to the other it brought about a peace treaty of sorts, a day when the personalities seemed to align and they could enjoy each other’s presence. These days were few and far between but when they did come around it was refreshing overall for both of them. She had just given in to her brothers wishes, looking out toward the large lake that lay in the distance and deciding on the best path to take that might cause her brothers interests to wander the least, lest they find themselves doing something equally as trivial as this.

Her attention was so diverted by her brother that she missed the approach of the stranger, coupled with the fact that he approached from upwind his voice ringing out to them across the rocks was the first indicator that he existed. She bristled, shoving herself in front of her brother and toward the intruder. Her lips curled back slightly over yellowed teeth, her two-toned eyes flashing something dangers in warning as she crouched low. It was nothing personal, she just didn’t trust anyone. “And do you often eavesdrop on others conversations?” the words were slanted, tipped in a snarl she held in check simply because he hadn’t given her cause to do anything further. His over had been genial enough, but she simply couldn’t just trust a stranger. Her brother on the other hand…

Hollowpoint had perked up as a new face popped over the horizon of jagged rocks, a gray figure with interesting markings on this side, almost as if he had wings etched in to his fur. He had always been enamored with the markings of others due mostly to the mirroring of his sister in his face and he in hers. He watched with mild amusement as his sister threw her usual tantrum, she could decidedly be a stick in the mud with her immediate defensive demeanor. Honestly, it was hardly necessary. Her comment rings between them and he rolls his eyes, a gesture that no doubt would have subjected him to her wrath had she seen it. With a barking laugh he shoved past her, approaching the gray new comer with a smile that bounced from his eyes to his black muzzle, always the jokester. He moved over the rocks jerkily, unbalanced for all the grace his lithe form seemed to insinuate, finally stopping close enough to speak comfortably, caution in the wind as per usual.

“Luckily our eavesdropper knows the area!” he exclaimed, his amusement at the entire situation evident in his voice. “Hollowpoint,”, his sister growled from behind him, never pleased when he simply brushed her off but he barely gave pause. “Would you like to lead the way?” He could have asked for directions, could have simply been pointed in the right direction and carried on with this sister, but this way almost guaranteed the gray would join them. He could use someone to damper her kill-joy ways.

His tail wagged slightly, fanning behind him as he awaited an answer. “Oh and don’t mind her, her bark is worse than her bite. Well… that’s not entirely true but you get the point,” he whispered conspiratorially to his new companion, his sister low growl informed him the comment had not been as quiet as he thought but he simply threw her a devilish grin over his shoulder. “I’m Hollowpoint by the way, that bundle of love over there is Astrid. Might we get your name before following you in to the great unknown?” They were a study in grayscale standing amongst the rocks and he only hoped the stranger might fancy a bit of their odd company for the afternoon, there were few who could stand them but he longed for the entertainment.