You know that I could use somebody;

[wolfstar]

Whoops. Thanks. I modified it.

[webby]

"Fine, thanks," he said gruffly, unwillingly, giving Esmerelda a hard look, as if to ask a, why she was talking to him, and b, why he should give her all the details. It was none of her business, let alone to nosy blighter who seemed to have settled down expecting some sort of ridiculous storytime. Kinaki was not some sort of useless elder who told stories. He almost snorted derisively but then decided he no longer enjoyed expressing any kind of emotion.

After glaring at Ritbant for a little bit, and wondering whether to say something else rude to the male, he decided against it. Talking would only encourage him. A pity really, because before the earthquake, Kinaki might have got along quite well with the wolf. Looking back at Esmerelda, he supposed he was expected to continue the conversation. Unfortunately. So, he added, monosyllabically, 'You?' with a grunt.

[wolfstar]

Ritbant scowled. The opportunity had passed for a story. But he was too curious to leave. Something was beneath the surface. He was always good at listening. There was a sadness in the wolf, but his senses weren't developed enough, from avoiding other wolves, to understand if he was imagining things or not. On the surface, the wolf was just angry and grouchy. But he could sense something. He growled softly to himself in frustration, and turned to regard the brown fae. She was carefree and happy, but with a kind of innocent world-wise air. She had apparently met the other wolf before. He stored the information in his head, as a piece of the puzzle. Then he listened attentively once more.

[Paint]

Esmerelda smiled blissfully again, regarding Kinaki's glares with a kind of amused patience most mothers would give their pups. Still, in those bright green eyes of hers, there was obvious respect. Kinaki had been there for her, sort of, and she would be here for him unless he told her to go. She wouldn't mind, not really. She'd endured worse.

No, she would stick around and see if he changed anymore. He fascinated her a little, he always had. Sometimes she felt as if she understood what was going on in his mind, other times she felt completely shut out and it interested her. He was never really the same, in her opinion. No doubt losing his friends had hurt him, wolves reacted very differently to loss, she was aware of that.

"Oh, you know, just travelling about. I'm rather grateful to you, you know, the whole teaching-me-how-to-survive," Esmerelda shrugged, knowing she shouldn't make him sound too soft and mumsy in front of Ritbant. He wouldn't appreciate that. "Thanks for putting up with me when I was an annoying little pup," she smiled again.

She glanced over at Ritbant again. She didn't really enjoy ignoring any others, after all they were a new acquaintance, a new adventure maybe. Studying others' personalities was quite the passtime when you didn't have a pack.

"Sorry, I seem to be ignoring you," she apologised for herself, deciding against speaking for Kinaki unless absolutely necessary. "Did you come from the old valley too? I don't recall seeing you around back there."

[wolfstar]

"No. My parents both did. But they died, and I'm a wanderer, and we halfway here already, sooo..." He shrugged. He had found the valley and settled into it in a way.

He was intrigued by the duo. The fae obviously was loyal to the male, though in a sister way, as far as Rit could see. The male didn't notice. The fae was considerate of Kinaki's feelings, while Kinaki just glared. An interesting puzzle. One that Rit planned to piece together.