Muddy River — [AW] The Other Kind Of Bark

Larkspur drank languidly from the river, keeping their ears pricked just for anyone passing through the forest. They didn't want anyone to think they were intentionally intruding upon the territory, especially before they were properly able to think things through. Admittedly, the chocolate furred wolf had grown used to being a free-spirited nomad and wasn't exactly interested in moving back into a heavy rule-enforced environment, especially not when they could serve as a healer in Balthazar's cove if they wanted. But Reed was also a member of this kingdom - apparently anyway, it was mentioned in passing. Part of the reason they were so interested was the way Reed still seemed as free as a nomad and they wanted to inquire if that was permitted for any member of if it was an allowance made while Reed sought her missing friend. They stretched, careful not to dislodge the now familiar weight of Folke wrapped around their neck while the snake slept and spread their wings. They were on the tail-end of growing in their winter plumage, the downy-feathering keeping them nice and warm. It was nice to finally have a full set of feathers again, threaded and laced through her limbs and down her back without gaps or scabs and much to their joy, the oil naturally produced by their body was coating their wings again. It was nice to no longer have itchy spots. The chocolate furred wolf was ready to take off when something caught their eye, a familiar glint of iridescent yellow-green that had them reflexively turning to look. For a brief moment they paused, staring in delayed confusion. Surely... after all this time actively looking, just stumbling across it... "...Snapdragon?" they probed cautiously. It's possible it's another wolf, it's possible someone just has a similar pattern. But it was the yellow blossoms sprouting from the wolf's pelt that kept their hopes high. "Is that you?" --- Text. Speech. Thoughts.