It was subtle at first, a slight pull in the direction of the group of wolves, nothing more. Then it was gone. I began to wonder if I had just imagined it, surely it can't have happened again. No, I'm just hungry and anxious to get home. I see my uncle and cousin mingling with the crowd, but I make no move towards them. I don't want to be a bother and I really don't like the idea of standing in front of so many wolves. I'll just stay here and wait for…

As if being moved by some unseen force, my eyes met another's and I was suddenly lost in a mine of shimmering copper and ruby. Then, he started to move, his long legs taking his stormy gray form towards one of the pheasants. Why couldn't I take my eyes off him!? Why was he coming towards me? Why was my heart beating so fast?? A small part of my brain screamed at me to run away, but my paws remained frozen on the spot as he neared. Gently, he placed the bird at my paws and sat before me, suddenly reminding me of Eden for some strange reason. He didn’t smell of Glorall, and yet his eyes looked so familiar I couldn't help but compare the two.

He spoke, his voice washing over me like the warm water of a hot spring, and I tried not to melt right there and then. Get a hold of yourself, Tikal! Okay, what did he say again? Oh, right! I bowed my head thankfully and offered him a smile. "T-thank you. I was trying to hide it but I guess you found me out, huh?" I laughed nervously. "It sure would look bad if I were to just keel over" I sighed and mentally kicked myself. Why did I have to be so awkward?

Bending down, I picked the feathers off the breast of the bird and quickly tore into the flesh, finally silencing the constant nagging of my empty stomach. Before I knew it, half the bird had been devoured and I looked up at those metallic eyes with embarrassment, glad my fur was hiding my blushing cheeks. "I'm sorry, did you want some too? I guess I didn't realize how hungry I was. Oh, I'm so sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Tikal. What's your name?" I found myself eagerly awaiting his reply. Why was I suddenly so desperate to know who he was? Why was all of this feeling so familiar to me? There was an image of a wolf in the back of my mind, but his face was fading fast as this wolf replaced him. Why was that?