i have never been

nothing

My silent invitation that coupled with my vocal introduction was received almost seamlessly as my guest moved to join me within my pack lands. His jogging stride effortlessly brought him to my side, and I fell into step with him as easily as if we were old friends. His overall demeanor begged an immediate positive first impression from me, and I was pleased with his coming to see me this day. Perhaps it was just what I had needed to pull me from my lonely funk. I smiled at his introduction, finding this kind of reply quite a normal thing to my formal listing of titles. It was not with every meeting that I gave such a prologue to further conversation, but sometimes the situation just seemed to call for it. When it felt right, the words simply flowed.

Everything about Praetor spoke of his respect for me and my place here, but also an air of dignity and self-esteem. He allowed me to take the lead, and together we dropped into a relaxed walk. But I do not move to truly take the lead, instead letting our close proximity cue him to my direction. I escorted him in up a gentle slope away from my pack’s periphery. While I didn’t lead him towards the heart of the territory, I wanted to give him a better taste of the mountains than simply pacing along the edges of the foothills. It did not go unnoticed, the way his eyes occasionally wandered upwards – a common reaction among wolves who approached Spirane’s borders for the first time. From a distance the mountains were majestic, but to stand at her base was another splendor in itself. Spirane’s shadow cast many different feelings on those who stood in its wake. I wondered which of them might have struck Praetor in this moment.

The closeness of his movements was well received, leaving only a breath of distance between his fur and mine as we walked side by side. Though the experiences of my lifetime had tried my ability to trust others, Tesseract had always been a true friend to me, and I would not mistrust his pack. Besides, I found myself liking this young man with his smooth tones and easygoing nature. We strode further into Spirane, and he spoke of why he had come, what he wished to discuss. A laugh accented his speech, and pulled a smile from my features. I liked where he was going with this – a gathering of the juveniles of our packs. The idea of Haven finding yet another opportunity to venture to new places, meet new people, heightened my interest in the possibility almost immediately, and my tail waved back and forth at the idea.

As his eyes turned upon me I was suddenly struck by how similar they were to my brother Sleekwing’s. Thinking of my family, I realized that in truth we did not have many young wolves to offer to this gathering. Of course Haven would jump at the opportunity, I was certain of that. But aside from her there were only Galileo, Sven, and Devit. I thought perhaps Pan’s boy might take interest in the chance to venture out on his own, but I was unsure about Devit. I’d not seen much of the boy since Niviaq had brought him back to foster him in his puphood. As for Sven, he seemed to be delving into his training with Sleekwing, though perhaps it would welcome a break. Surely the number of our adolescents would not change the circumstances of the invitation.

“Such a thing sounds a lovely idea; I am sure the youngest of our population would revel in the idea of playing upon Glorall’s shores.” To see the ocean from such a vantage point and play in the froth upon the sands was something I wanted for Haven, for all of the youngsters in my pack. “And will they be under your wandering eye during their time there?” I smiled, jesting with him, playing on his previous mention of how he liked to see new places. But it was a valid inquiry, wanting to know who my sister and other young pack members’ safety would be ensured by. Though I did not worry about the dangers of Tesseract’s family, open water could pose just as much of a threat as a wolf’s tooth and claw.