Having been raised as a loner meant many different things for the boy of mismatched irises. For one, he was not used to social interaction with others, save for his two siblings, Mother and Father. When he had come across others within the freelands that were not his kin- well, one wanted to protect him and the other had wanted to take him. It had been an odd encounter, and not one he would forget- and this wolf, this other young male felt as that other, older male had. Calm and comfortable- content, even. And when Cae had politely allowed space to remain between them, the stranger seemed to seek otherwise. But it was with a certain serenity that he moved, his movements gentle and something the young wolf watched both eagerly and attentively.

The touch was soft, almost faint, but instead of pulling away at the unknown of it he instead embraced it. He pushed forward on his still growing paws, to lean forward and gently nuzzle the side of his muzzle along this others, his eyes finding their momentary closure in the sweetness of the moment. It was not often one came across others such as this boy, or at least the young loner was keen to think. It would have been longer- he would not have broken the contact- if another wolf; small like them, but a wolf all the same, was suddenly near.

There was a brief glance shared between the two silent boys, before the gaze of blue lavender seeks out this other that has joined them. And when Cae's own bright chocolate and teal gaze finds them, he is given to pause as he observes what he sees. He is silent, like them, and seemingly friendly enough in his approach- but something has his new friend raising his hackles and stepping forward, his tail lifting as well. It is a sure sign of dominance, and Cae wonders at this, and simply because it is his instinct as a loner to survive as his parents have taught him so far, he follows the example of the darker male just before him. He remains quiet but his own thick tail of creme, chocolate and heavy russet lifts slightly, his dark mahogany brown and auburn stained ears perking forward so that he might hear more. There are no words, and Cae watches in the silence that envelops them all as his friend moves to guide their fate.

He seeks to grasp this other, in dominance that lacks any malice or aggression. It is the way of some, and this the other of darker silvers and russets seems to know. He is smart, and this is simply something Cae knows. But if this third other, this other strange young male- if he were to move to strike out to his friend, the young loner would not remain on the sidelines. He would have moved to the side of his silent companion, and if fast enough meet any other gestures that would mean any harm. But if the other were silent and accepting in the actions of the first, Cae would remain back for another moment or two before silently moving to just the back left side of his friend. He would continue to watch in silence, and his dark nostrils twitch when it is the scent of the young darkest wolf facing them reaches him. There is the barest hint of something there- Gaia, and he wonders at his sisters scent. It could be nothing, but it could be everything- and he would watch this stranger to see if he could find out. Maybe his friend could help him, but first he would have to see just where they might be led.