A Walk... (open)

[Cinder]

Frost drew in a deep breath, inhaling the pleasant odors of the forest in autumn. A large fern tickled her side, and she gently reached out one paw and moved it away. Inhaling again, she searched for the scent of healing herbs.
She cast a brief glance behind her at her reluctant companion. Frost had almost had to order the young wolf to come with her into the forest.

This is so lame, Carmen thought, trailing tiredly after the Healer. The brightly-colored wolf's head drooped low, and she let out a tired yawn. Conversations with Marius had been keeping her up half the night for weeks now, and the lost sleep was beginning to catch up with her. I mean, what help am I going to be if a Kavari attacks? For all I know, the Kavari don't exist! I mean, I've never seen one.
The stories the older Fighters tell about them are plenty gruesome, though. Marius observed calmly. But I do agree that you wouldn't be much help if one of those monsters appeared.[/s]
Hey! Are you insulting-[/color]

"Are you all right, Carmen?" Frost called, pausing by a huge fern. She had noticed that the young Fighter was trailing further and further behind. Protection wasn't the sole reason Frost had asked Carmen to come along- she wanted to talk with the young wolf a little. Carmen had always seemed so indrawn... the whole business with Raggedflight had hurt her, Frost knew. But there was something else as well...
"Oh, I'm fine," Carmen replied, after a pause. Frost's eyes narrowed minutely. There it was again- that strange pause before Carmen responded. She wasn't having trouble hearing, was she?

[RedTigr]

A set of four large green paws carried a large wolf through the ferns, sinking slightly into the ground as he walked. Well, he was large for the Senya pack, anyway.

Faolan's amber eyes took in his surroundings as he ambled through the fern forest. He'd hunted earlier that day, and was a bit bored at the moment. He figured that he'd hunt again after a while. For now, however, he was just walking.

His ears angled forward at the sound of voices. He inhaled, and detected the scents of two of his packmates. They were both female.... He could soon distinguish the too, and determined that it was Frost, the healer, and Carmen. Not a moment later, he was upon the two. He hadn't really been paying attention to where he was walking.

The fighter nodded respectfully to Frost. "Hello," he said to both she-wolves, a bit unsurely. He wasn't sure if he was interrupting something.

[Cinder]

Frost's ears pricked up as she heard something rustling through the ferns towards them. The thick scent of the plants masked the approaching creature's smell, and she flattened her ears nervously.
It won't be a Kavari, silly, she told herself. It's broad daylight! But she couldn't help but remember that race at sunset, and the huge demonic Maotu leaping from the shadows...
Then Faolan stepped out into the clearing, and Frost grinned rather sheepishly. Nothing to worry about. "Hello, Faolan," she said, stepping forwards. "How are you?"[/color]

Carmen sidestepped nervously as Faolan entered the clearing and greeted them. She had always been uncomfortable talking to other Senya, and here she was in a clearing with two of them. Quick, Marius, help me think of an excuse to get away.
Why?[/s] the midnight-blue wolf asked, walking around her in a lazy circle. I like it out here in the forest. Besides, you should try to talk to more wolves- otherwise they'll think you're mute as well as antisocial.[/s]
Gee, thanks a lot, Carmen thought bitterly.[/color]

[RedTigr]

"I'm well, thanks. You?" the fighter asked, his volume quiet and his tone a bit guarded, as usual. He wasn't really one for conversation; he usually did his duties, told younger wolves who weren't doing what they're supposed to be doing to do what they're supposed to, ordering others around, etc. However, there were some times when he was able to have civil conversation with his packmates.

His orange gaze flicked to Carmen. He nodded his hello, unsure of what to say. He didn't know the she-wolf well, as she was so antisocial.

[Cinder]

Frost shrugged. "I'm okay. We were just out looking for herbs. Late summer is still a good time to find them." She whisked her tail idly, setting the ferns behind her swishing back and forth.
The healer shot a pointed glance at Carmen, who seemed to be off in her own little world again. I can't understand this... how does she withdraw so completely from other wolves?[/color]

Carmen's eyes narrowed slightly as she noticed Frost's look. She wants me to say something, she complained. Why do they always want me to talk? I hate to talk!
You talk plenty, Marius observed placidly.
The Fighter sighed. Yes, but it's all to you. They can't hear that.
Marius shrugged, leaving her side to stand equidistant between Frost and Faolan. Well, that's just too bad, then. They lose.

"Are you enjoying the day, Carmen?" Frost asked, trying to get the young wolf to talk a little more.

"Oh, yes, it's lovely," Carmen said, barely able to keep the annoyance out of her voice. Of all the stupid, interfering-
You should be more respectful, Marius chided. This is the pack healer you're talking about, for En'theris's sake.[/i]
Whatever, Carmen thought mutinously.[/color]

[RedTigr]

Faolan nodded. "I see," he said. "You must want to stock up before late autumn comes around. By then many of the herbs will be dying, correct?" he said. He noticed Frost talking to Carmen, as if she wanted nothing more than for the she-wolf to say a single word. Carmen never said much, and she always seemed to hesitate before answering. Faolan didn't think much of it, though. Some wolves just didn't like to interact with others. However, he did find it a bit odd, what with her growing up around so many other wolves. He felt the same way about Iris, although she was a bit more easygoing, and was much more willing to speak. At least, to some wolves. She didn't talk much, and she was a bit nervous around some wolves. Carmen, on the other hand, seemed a bit nervous around everyone, and didn't seem to enjoy any conversations at all. He knew that her past must have something to do with it, but most wolves get over that stuff. You have to move on eventually.

The fighter nodded, his scarred maw moving up and down with his head. "Yes, it's a good day for hunting, too," he added. "There's plenty of deer and rabbits out and about today."

[Cinder]

Frost nodded slowly. "Yes. The cold will wither most of the leaves, and it can turn some of the stems all black and rotten. There's probably only a few moons left before that happens." She had found most of the necessary herbs already, but a few had still been eluding her searching eyes. And it wouldn't hurt to have more than the absolute minimum, you never knew when the winter would be hard...

Carmen nearly yawned as frost launched into a dissertation on how herbs were hard to find once it got cold. This is soooo boring....
Marius tilted his head to the side, studying her with those big green eyes. Actually, I find it fascinating. Carmen stared at him, not sure if he was joking or not.

The grey wolf nodded in agreement as Faolan mentioned how it was a good day for hunting today. "Yes, I suppose it is," she replied. Frost tried to hunt as little as possible, but she still knew that these were good conditions to draw the prey out of hiding.

[RedTigr]

Faolan listened as Frost mentioned how the plants died as the cold set in. He nodded.

"Yes, I suppose it is."

He nodded once more. Faolan noticed Carmen staring at something. "Are you okay, Carmen?" he questioned, although he didn't care all that much. He wasn't like that. He was just making sure there was nothing there.

[Cinder]

Carmen jumped as Faolan addressed a question in her direction. "Hmm, what? Oh, yes. Yeah. I'm, you know, fine." Her tongue felt like it was tying itself in knots. "Just peachy, thanks."
Wonderful. Marius rolled his eyes. Marvelously articulate.
He caught me by surprise, that's all! Carmen snapped defensively, eyes flashing. Then, I'd like to see you do any better!

Frost blinked in surprise at Carmen's convoluted sentence. Initially she dismissed it; the young Fighter wasn't a big talker, after all. But when Carmen's eyes blazed with fire a moment later, Frost couldn't help but be confused.[/font]

[RedTigr]

Faolan nodded unsurely. The large fighter could tell that something was up, but he didn't know what it was. He glanced at Frost, his orange optics expressing his unsureness. What was up with Carmen. She seemed kind of... flustered. He'd noticed her eyes flash at something invisible to him afterwards. Something seemed... off.

[Cinder]

Frost met Faolan's eyes, but glanced back at Carmen again for a second before returning her gaze to the large Fighter. There's something strange about Carmen, I'm certain of it.
"So, um..." she said, trying to think of something to say to Faolan. She didn't want Carmen to notice how closely she was paying attention to her. "Have you caught any prey yet, today? I remember you said it was good conditions for hunting..."[/color]

[RedTigr]

Faolan's orange gaze returned slowly to Frost as she spoke. "Oh, just a bunch of rabbits. I haven't actually caught sight of anything much larger, but I've seen plenty of fresh deer tracks around. There've been a few times when I could smell one nearby, but I haven't got a look at it yet," he replied, swishing his emerald green tail subconciously.

[Cinder]

Frost nodded slowly. "Well, I wish you luck with your hunting." She figured that it was about time to turn back to camp; she had collected all of the herbs that she needed, and she secretly disliked the idea of remaining in the woods for too long now that there might be Kavari roaming about.[/font]

Can we leave yet? Carmen complained. This is so boring. I hate talking with other wolves.
Patience,[/color] counseled Marius, whisking his tail back and forth. You're just tired. Smile!
Carmen rolled her eyes.