◊ let it water a parched throat with warm summer rain ◊
Snapdragon was passably fluent in body language. It had deemed the skill necessary, after one too many avoidable confrontations. The demeanor of other wolves could warn of an impending attack, or a lie. But this overall attentive posture, combined with widened eyes, indicated simple curiosity. Then Quinnat lay down, and it would be difficult to appear less threatening.
Snapdragon remained standing. This way, neither of them would have to hold their necks at odd angles to converse across the height difference. With its tail hanging loose and ears turned slightly to the sides, Snapdragon itself shouldn't be mistaken as aggressive. Quinnat knew the name of this Brightwood, which meant he was familiar with it, unlike a passing traveler would be. If he lived here, odds were that he had a claimed territory and a pack to enforce that claim. Snapdragon had less than no desire to agitate any packs, especially while grounded.
But Snapdragon frowned. "I don't know these names." Snapdragon had wandered far and wide and learned the names of many lands, but neither of those Quinnat now shared. It was possible that Quinnat knew a familiar land by a different name, an oddity it had encountered only a few times. But it already knew that this Brightwood was unfamiliar. "I was in Woadfeld. I..." It paused, grimacing, before deciding that it didn't need to elaborate on that particular part of its story. "Myrtlark's pack kicked me out. Not— hmm. They weren't looking for new members, and a visitor eventually has to leave. Am I a visitor here also?"
Its wings readjusted with a shiver, tingling as they continued to inflate.
Snapdragon remained standing. This way, neither of them would have to hold their necks at odd angles to converse across the height difference. With its tail hanging loose and ears turned slightly to the sides, Snapdragon itself shouldn't be mistaken as aggressive. Quinnat knew the name of this Brightwood, which meant he was familiar with it, unlike a passing traveler would be. If he lived here, odds were that he had a claimed territory and a pack to enforce that claim. Snapdragon had less than no desire to agitate any packs, especially while grounded.
But Snapdragon frowned. "I don't know these names." Snapdragon had wandered far and wide and learned the names of many lands, but neither of those Quinnat now shared. It was possible that Quinnat knew a familiar land by a different name, an oddity it had encountered only a few times. But it already knew that this Brightwood was unfamiliar. "I was in Woadfeld. I..." It paused, grimacing, before deciding that it didn't need to elaborate on that particular part of its story. "Myrtlark's pack kicked me out. Not— hmm. They weren't looking for new members, and a visitor eventually has to leave. Am I a visitor here also?"
Its wings readjusted with a shiver, tingling as they continued to inflate.