The innocence around her is like a cloud that it takes me a moment to peer through. To ascertain that she is as she appears; faultless, youthful, and innocent of sly cunning. I do not doubt my own assertion of this because I am comfortable with my instinct. It has served me well in life and not once has it steered me wrong. There were many wolves, I had found, who were out of sync with their inner instincts, preferring to try and use brains even when their body rebelled against such thoughts. It is what caused the assaults on themselves, such as the assault on Dragonfly and Jaeger that I had helped put an end to. I was not incredibly kind, nor unkind, but I disliked those who took advantage of the weak for sport. It went against every fiber in my body, fibers that had been placed there by my father and my mother since birth.

She responds eagerly to my greeting with a giggle that is as sweet as the sound of morning doves cooing to one another. I blink, once, hard, because I am unaccustomed to such sweetness and guilelessness. Even my friends seem to bear some sort of cape of solemnity - but when I say friends I should perhaps say friend as there were few in my life. I did not particularly care for the prince Rhaegal and his counterpart, Bastille, for they were playful in a suspicious sort of way, having once stolen my prized beaver hide and hiding it for a time.

There is an assured comfort in her own skin that many lack. Brought on by youth, I think, and it reminds me of the confidence in Ankh but with a lot less fire and vanity. For a moment I hesitate to begin walking but it seems as if she will come with me and I am too polite, I suppose, to spurn her. Besides, she could give me the lesson I needed. Her questions come quick and I am almost startled at how she questions without first finding out exactly who I am - if I am mean or busy or... well, anything else.

It is her wilting nature that makes me grin suddenly at her, something quite against what I normally do, and I feel something in me that might be considered protective. "l am a hunter, above all things, but a protector as well. It is my duty to know those of the mountains and ascertain their goals in life, whether they are counter productive to the pack or helpful. Now that you are here with me, it is your turn I suppose." I don't yet start walking because it will be difficult to talk and walk with the prey in my mouth and my own white eyes take her in with a clinical light. Although I can't help notice how pleasing she is to the eye.

"You say you are new here. Where do you come from and who is your father?" My voice is as welcoming as before but also demanding, stern, one she cannot refuse to answer.