• [ Vincent Pierce ] •
22 Years Old | Male | Loner | Unknown
Location: Outskirts: | Mentions: Lorelei

Lorelei's extended ridicule makes the man before her efficiently wilt, retreating into himself with slouched shoulders that barely made him look any smaller despite the effort. "Ma'am, I-I can assure you I didn't mean to imply anything by this. I only wanted to recover my belongings. You can be on your way as soon as you return my bag." Was he making this worse? Perhaps it was better to shut his mouth. His intentions hardly mattered if he'd frightened her, and Vincent has to admit the dogs surrounding this woman must be a bit nerve-wracking.

He hesitates for a moment before signaling for Orchid to relocate to his side, the spectral hound's dark gaze never leaving Lorelei as she heeded the command. Hearing he would be able to keep those few sentimental trinkets he carried with him was a relief that visibly showed on Vincent's face, but as he reached for the bag once more, Lorelei stepped out of range, leaving his hand grasping at empty air. A frown crosses his face, and he begrudgingly follows in her footsteps, walking quickly so as not to lose track of her. He's asked for that bag back so many times even he's tired of hearing himself so for now, Vincent holds his tongue, eyes darting around them now and then as they drew nearer to the camp.

He could hear a commotion coming from beyond the crumbling walls of the ruins, and it makes his stride falter, a nervous look forming on his countenance. Maybe this wasn't such a great idea. Orchid growls, Hibiscus offering an anxious whimper in return. For once, Rose is startlingly quiet, and if he couldn't feel her side pressed into his leg, he might've thought the pup hadn't followed. Vincent isn't proud of what he does next, but the panic inside him rises, and he loses his nerve. Springing forward, he grabs the bag strap tightly and attempts to yank it out of Lorelei's hold with plans to bolt the moment her grip loosened.

「₪」

• [ Rafael Ramírez ] •
25 Years Old | Male | Warrior | Shifter
Location: Outside Camp | Mentions: Bishop, Damian, Sekhmet

Rafael groans dramatically before rubbing the area Bishop had slapped lightly. "That stings Bish," he adds with exaggeration before the whole fiasco with the howlers distracted him quickly enough. The sound of his friend cheering them on only lends power to his limbs, putting on a burst of speed as he barreled after Damian's sleeker form, his claws leaving gouges in the earth. An amused sound rumbles in his throat as he watches the formerly drowsy provider knock the howler to the ground with as much gusto as any warrior, but as expected, things weren't taking a turn in his favor.

A blur dropping from the sky that forms into a flash of glaring white ahead of him startles a snarl out of Rafe until recognition lights his gaze. Sekhmet? Probably best to have back-up even if it was her. He wouldn't knock it. As the howler lashed out at Damian an ear-splitting roar explodes from his throat, privately hoping Bishop would hear and be thrilled by the knowledge he was getting a beastie as he rushed past Sekhmet to lea[ over the wolfdog with outstretched claws aimed for the unfortunate creature who made the mistake of not simply fleeing when it had the chance.

Lorelei | Werewolf | Nomads | Provider | 22 Years Old
Location: Around Temporary Camp | Mentions: Vincent Pierce [Direct] | Calida [Indirect] | Closed

Lorelei watched as he tried to shrink himself, wilting like a dehydrated flower. This was almost too easy. She had to admire it, though. She didn’t answer. There was no need, as they came to a conclusion soon after. Lorelei simply hummed and turned, not bothering to acknowledge the lousy reach for the bag. It was kind of pathetic. She was already out of reach and on her way. She stuck her tongue out at the dog before she remembered the cloth covering her face. Unfortunate.

As much as she didn’t like the fact that he and his pups were to take up the rear, she figured it was best. It helped her keep her air of indifference, and it gave her time to assess the situation at the camp. There did seem to be some troubles, which would no doubt mean that Calida was in a bad mood. More misfortune. Why couldn’t fortune favor the fuck ups? It seemed that’s all who was left in the world anyway. Her stride did not falter, nor did it speed up. The threat was probably nothing they couldn’t handle, considering the time of day.

The ginger didn’t seem to think so. Rushing footfalls alerted her to whatever plan he hatched, and her hatchets were gripped tighter in her gloved hands. Certainly more squirrelly than she once thought. The moment he laid his hand on the bag, attempting to tear it from her. With his hand wrapped around the strap, she was quick to twirl around, lifting her arm and slamming it back down, entangling his hand and anchoring them at their point of interest. Her other arm swung up, swift and precise, before stopping short. The blade of her hatchet pressed against the flesh of his throat like a lover's kiss. Her brows raised, spectral eyes staring into the vibrant amber of his own. An amused glint nestled there, next to perhaps a kernel of irritation.

“Down, boy.” Lorelei chuckled quietly. The cool blade against his throat pressed harder. A warning. “If you wanted to dance, you shoulda just said so.” She let her head loll to the side, feigning relaxation, as she fixed her stance, to be able to flip him if needed. “For someone who swears they aren’t like that, you sure like to try to put your hands on me.” Lorelei, for all her bravado, was wondering if this was worth it anymore. She didn’t know what the dogs would do, and perhaps it was the softness still cradled in the very core of her heart — for Dorian and Brimstone — that stopped her from becoming a snarling mass of fur. She couldn’t do that to the dogs. To this man? Probably. But his gentle, boyish features made her all the more reluctant.

She had to bring back something to Calida. She figured she was what held up the Nomads, or perhaps another eager Provider. Her family’s group was quick to toss out those who cause more trouble than they're worth. She didn’t want to be tossed aside. She was worth something, wasn’t she?

“Whatever spooked you is most likely not a big deal.” Lorelei murmured. There was no friendliness there. Perhaps there hadn’t been before, but her voice had held calm, collected amusement earlier. A faux friendliness. She shifted her hatchet from his neck to his injured shoulder, and pressed the top of the hatchet to it. Adding only a bit of pressure. To jog his damn memory. “I need something to show for my endeavors. And you need our lovely Shaman to take a look at this. I suggest you think this through.”

Bishop | Shifter | Provider | 21 Years Old
Location: Outside of Temporary Camp | Mentions: Rafael, Ashes, Thanatos, Nova

Bishop almost didn’t expect the girl to answer. It was a nasty world. Not everyone was willing to answer a friendly face, in fear of what hid behind it. She hoped she gave off what she was hoping to give. Pure intentions. An offer for a home. Or even just a small talk with Calida. Or Hecate, really. Calida… probably not the best choice. But when she did receive an answer, she only seemed to brighten, and she gave a little wave.

“Pleasure to meet you! I was just asking cause, well, I like meeting new people!” Kind of a lie. Well, not really. She did like meeting others. But… “But mainly, because you kinda stole from me and my friends. Figured we could have a friendly conversation!” Dark eyes dropped to where Ashes held a promising hand to her blade. Bishop only smiled warmly. “I promise you, you won’t need to use that. Not with me. I liked your tactic! It was smart, rushing us while the howlers decided to scramble our eggs.”

They were interrupted, however, by the sound of stampeding legs. Bishop made a face of disappointment and bittersweet anticipation. “I’m gonna ask that you remain calm.” A moment later, Thanatos, sweaty and gross, stumbled towards them. Nova was behind him, letting out a cheeky comment. “Hello, you two!” Bishop gave Ashes a nervous look. She didn’t want her to take off. Not before Bishop gave the offer. It was no fun, going through this world alone. She didn’t want this girl to be alone like she was. “Nova, Thanatos, this is Ashes! A potential new friend that you should definitely not scare away.”

A loud, and very telling noise reached her ears. A rather familiar… jaguar noise. Her eyes darted in the direction of it, and a fond smile curled at her lips. At least one of us is having fun. Blinking, she brought her attention back to Ashes. “Anywho! Before we were interrupted, I was gonna offer you a chance to talk to our leader, so that you can stay with us, maybe? I was going to have more tact, I promise,” she says with a grimacing smile. “We look after each other, and we could always use someone with your pizzazz on the team.” If Ashes said no, she planned on letting her go with the stuff she stole. The group could always get more. They weren’t exactly hurting for resources, were they? And even so, they hadn’t taken much. It would be easy to miss. Just say that they got away… but that would be a lot harder with two witnesses. She didn’t trust either of them. Though, mostly Thanatos.

Thanatos | 16 years | Male | Adol. | Werewolf
Location: Outside of temporary camp
Mentions: Ashes (Directly), Nova (Directly), Bishop (Directly) // Open!

Recovering from the race, he flashed a glare at Nova. He scoffed and shook his head. "Yea, sure," he said turning toward the two they were after, well, the one they were after. Thanatos stood and leaned back, stretching it in an arch. "What's up Bishop!" Thanatos wasn't the keenest on any of his group mates, but he knew how to match their personalities at least. Bishop was kind, to anyone and anything and he didn't have a reason for unnecessary snark. He directed his attention to to Ashes, the thief. He leaned his back against a tree and glared at the girl. "You took some stuff that's valuable to our dear shaman," his voiced carried sarcasm when refereeing to the shaman, however he was serious about the thievery. Thanatos almost laughed at Bishop's comment of not scaring the intruder, but her managed to choke it down. He walked over to Ashes. He kept his hand in his pockets in a casual demeanor.

Once he had circled the shapeshifter a couple times around, he noted everything about her, as he usually does. He tried to estimate power level, threat level, it's simply how his mind was programmed to work. He stopped in front of Ashes as Bishop suggested a talk with Calida. Yeah, like Calida was going to just talk to any of us that just ran off. He shook his head loosely and let out a heavy, sigh. He looked at Bishop, " We both, no we all know that it's not going to go that easily." The adolescent held out his had to the shapeshifter in front of him. "Give it. C'mon. Before Calida gets here" he sighed again, raising an eyebrow, waiting for the shapeshifter when he felt like they were being watched.

The young werewolf whipped around and stood stiffly. He stared right into the eyes of their leader in werewolf form and had to shake off the chills that arose along his back. "Never mind. Too late everyone,"He said clearing his throat and avoiding eye contact with their leader. He went back to the tree he was previously leaning against and looked down. He didn't want to interfere any farther just in case Calida was going to rip his head off instead and he preferred to stay alive for the times being.

---
Sekmhet | 24 years | Female | Warrior | Shapeshifter
Location: Temporary camp
Mentions: Rafael (Directly), Damian (Directly)

A confused and afraid growl was heard from the albino lioness. She noticed Damian staring, as if confused on what Sekki was doing. Just then, Rafael in his feline form bounded over ruthlessly at high speeds towards the howler. She was frozen in fear already, but now she felt as if she couldn't breathe. Rafael leaped with outstretched limbs and unsheathed claws at the creature. 'I'd assume that howler's gonna get a beating', she laughed to herself as she stood from her, crouched, startled position. She turned her grey eyes to Damian, who was laying down and looked like road kill. She cocked her head at him, but then again, she wasn't much of a great warrior. Sekmhet's strengths lied in intuition and logic. She would track enemy movements and anticipate their next moves and she could note the exact position of surrounding enemies within 50 feet of her.

Rafael's ear-splitting roar still rung in Sekki's ears and she shook her head to try to get rid of the annoying sound. She watched as Calida, in wolf form, bounded after the quartet, one of which was a thief. She wondered what would happen, but turned her attention back to the howler, who was, indeed howling. She decided to use this form for good and trotted over to the howler on the ground. She didn't exactly want to hurt the creature, so she shut it up. She placed a giant paw on it's muzzle. Her paw shoved the muzzle of the Howler into the ground. She looked up at her fellow pack mates and smiled, or, as much as she could as a lioness. The Howler began to thrash around under Sekki's paws and escaped her grasp.

Just then, it launched at her own muzzle. With wide eyes and terrifying yowl that pierced the air, she ducked.

---
Hecate | 21 years | Female | Second | Shifter
Location: Temporary Camp
Mentions: Calida (Directly), Rafael (Indirectly), Sekmhet (indirect) // Open!

Hecate rubbed her eyes as chaos surrounded the camp and each of it's member. 'Why did I expect anything different', she sighed, turning her eyes back up towards what was once a raven, was now a lioness. Rafael had lunged at the howler, but her attention was ripped by Calida. 'Calida's leaving?', she assumed it was after the shape-shifting thief, or at least she hoped. "Okay", she responded blankly. Hecate paced one half of the camp, while keeping an eye on the other. She held one blade in her hand, which rested behind her neck and the other still sheathed safely on her hip. She laughed slightly as nearly everyone around her shape shifted. ' Man, everyone gets to have the fun', she joked to herself.

A howler approached the bags that Calida had previously thrown inside the building. Hecate stepped in front of it. "no.", she said simply. The howler looked confused, but nevertheless wanted their valuables. Hecate kicked at it with a "shoo" and a motion of her blade. The howler became more aggressive and lunged around Hecate. Cate whipped around swiftly and in one fluid motion, she swung her blade in front of the howler and grasped the end of the blade with her hand. She kneeled down behind the howler with her newly sharpened blade digging into the creatures neck. "What did I say? I said no and you still didn't listen.", she dug her blade slowly inching deeper to cut the skin. Her left hand that was grasping the edge of the blade began to bleed too but she paid no attention. At the last second, she let the terrified howler go and sat in front of the bags now.

• [ Vincent Pierce ] •
22 Years Old | Male | Loner | Unknown
Location: Outskirts: | Mentions: Lorelei

TW; mentions of getting sick.

Things rarely seemed to end in Vincent's favor, and this latest act of panic-induced boldness would be no different. The cold steel of the hatchet blade pressing into the sensitive skin of his neck roots him in place, his tangled hand gripping onto the strap for dear life out of fear now rather than an insistence on reclaiming the bag. He swallows thickly, grimacing at the feel of the blade edge still resting against his throat. The mingled gleam of mirth and vexation within those eerily pale eyes does little to soothe the rapid beating of his heart or the amount of sweat beginning to bead on his skin. How would he get out of this one?

A bit of pressure applied to the hatchet brings another wince to his face. The dread he can feel dropping into the pit of his stomach is powerful enough to motivate some vomit to rise into his throat, quickly swallowed back before he can purge it all over his assailant. Though in retrospect, maybe he ought to have let it come up. "I-I never p-put hands on you. J-just the bag," he manages to retort despite feeling like he had burning acid running down his esophagus. The dogs, in the meanwhile, are far from pleased with the situation.

The pup jumps out from behind Vincent's legs and faces Lorelei with raised hackles and lips drawn over her needle-sharp baby teeth, and the white dog looks ready to lunge for her at any second. The brindled hound is clearly more conflicted on the matter, whining loudly and pacing increasing rapidly, panting anxiously. Vincent doesn't like to think about what this woman could do to them. He doesn't have any idea what she is. Letting the dogs attack could save him, but instead, he holds up a shaky hand. Stay.

The removal of the blade was only relief for a moment before it found the wound on his shoulder and pressed into it just enough to elicit a sharp gasp this time around, attempting to recoil from if she allowed it, hand clasping over the area. He doesn't respond verbally, eying her like a wounded animal before it morphs into a glance of burning resentment, the fingers grasping the bag strap releasing and pulling back roughly enough to jerk his hand free of the entanglement. "Just take me to your leader and let's get this over with." The sooner he was away from her the better.

「₪」

• [ Rafael Ramírez ] •
25 Years Old | Male | Warrior | Shifter
Location: Outside Camp | Mentions: Damian, Sekhmet

It would've been easy enough to tear into the throat of that howler the moment their bodies collided and silence it forever, but Rafe had a message to send. Pinning the smaller creature between his front limbs he roars again, directly into it's face, the shrieks that explode from the howler's maw ear-piercing and unpleasant, but worth it. The howler twists and turns beneath him until Rafe moves aside, watching it scrabble at the ground for purchase. He reaches out to snatch the stolen pack away from it before the beast can reclaim its spoils, a somewhat smug expression crossing hiss muzzle.

It appears the foolish thing still hasn't learned its lesson though, spitting and hissing at them until Sekhmet shoved its face into the dirt with a well-aimed blow. He's prepared to offer the white lioness a compliment for once until it wriggles free and lashes out at her. So this is what they get for showing a little mercy, huh? As his fellow warrior ducks Rafe lashes at the beast himself and wallops the howler in the face, sending it skidding across the ground a few paces before it wisely gets up and darts away this time around, unwilling to push it's luck any further. What a morning...

Lifting the pack with a paw, he drops in on top of Damian's squashed form. "You can carry that one," he remarks with a tilted head and amused eyes before turning to head back for the temporary camp. Hopefully they hadn't started moving out to the lake without them. He knew Calida could be impatient.

Azeviche/Zero || Male || 36 || Bisexual || Shifter (crocodile) || Provider
Outside Temporary Camp || Thanatos (directly), Calida, others in vicinity
__________________________________________________________________

Az trotted into the clearing, slightly out of breath, clothes rumpled. He looked behind him, trying not to show the fear that danced in his head at the thought of being devoured by a howler--or any other creature, for that matter. The shifter ran a hand through his knotted hair and eyed the teenager beside him, who had been throwing a bitter remark at others gathered in the group. He looked to Calida, feeling a pit of regret in his stomach that this is what they had come to: wolves and others binding together, after centuries of hatred. Were they even trustworthy? He studied the kid again, eyebrows barely lowering in thought.

Of course, respect was given where it was due. Calida had clearly kept the ragtag bunch of humanoids alive and, more importantly, working together. He ran his thumb over a pale spot on his index finger absently, took a deep breath, and addressed the child. "I assume it's been a mess around here?" he asked hesitantly, hands clenching into restless fists. He opened his mouth to explain where he'd been, but did he really owe this young werewolf an excuse? He glanced again at the white wolf before him, and turned back around, mapping the route to the nearest body of water.

He had been prepared to catch fish or other animals that strayed too close to the bank--while he couldn't run like a wolf could, he could hold his breath for far longer, and tended to be much more patient while hunting. But upon seeing something--he hadn't stayed to ensure what--he had returned to the temporary camp, where he hardly knew anyone. Calida, the leader, was impossible not to know. She was stark white, literally standing out in any setting. Azeviche rolled his shoulders and observed the fierce eyes of Calida upon a girl and paused, watching with interest.

Lorelei | Werewolf | Nomads | Provider | 22 Years Old
Location: Temporary Camp | Mentions: Vincent, Hecate, Isaiah |

TW: mentions of getting sick

Lorelei felt his hand tighten on the bag, watching his adam’s apple bob as he swallowed, grimacing at her. The faint scent of sweat was like a hearty praise. Better to assert some level of dominance before walking into the camp, to keep him on a metaphorical leash. If he messed up while he was there, it would no doubt reflect poorly on her. Her head tilted back, ever so slightly. He was looking a bit… green.

If you vomit on me, I swear-

But he seemed to handle it well, choking out a quick retort. Lorelei barked out an icy laugh. “Fine, let me be more precise, sunshine. You touch what I’m holding, then we’re going to have issues. I would hate to have issues.” The dogs certainly made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. Even the poor pup was ready to try and defend their owner. Another spike of emotion pricked her heart. She tensed, ready to turn, to reluctantly protect herself—

He raised a hand. Not to bat her away, but to tell his pups to stay. Hm. Made her almost feel bad, again. She was getting soft, it seemed. Probably just the dogs... and the memories.

There was a smiling glint to her eyes at the lovely sound the pressure brought. She dropped the hatchet from his wound with ease, watching idly as he recoiled, eyeing her in a way she knew quite well. She responded to his rough jerk with only a strange noise. Laughter mixed into an animalistic growl. It burned her throat, melting into a soft laugh. “Gladly, sunshine.” She turned and began her walk again, hatchets spinning once in her hands, as though it was signifying the end. A turning page. It helped her calm down. She felt numb from the adrenaline, but she could still feel the faint thump in her throat.

The closer they got to the camp, the more clear the problem became. Lorelei had been right. The commotion was easily dealt with. Howlers, the pests. One got close to her and she swung at it, catching it in the side with her blade. It skittered away, yowling, taking a few of the startled with it. Lorelei’s eyes scoured the area, picking out who was who. Where did everyone else go? “Hecate! Isaiah!” Lorelei called, still masked, with her arms outstretched in a welcoming gesture. “Having fun without me?” She wasn’t friends with either of them, but hey, being overly casual was her gig.

Lorelei took another swipe at a howler, catching it in the cheek. “Where’d Queen Bee go?” A quick sweep of her gaze said she was gone, along with the others. At least Severin was still here. She turned back to Sunshine and gestured to the Shaman, where they stood. “Your salvation awaits.” Lorelei gave a wink and a bow before turning to go join in on the chaos, protecting some bags while holding onto the redhead’s own.

• [ Vincent Pierce ] •
22 Years Old | Male | Loner | Unknown
Location: Temporary Camp | Mentions: Lorelei, everyone in camp

"Yes, we wouldn't want any issues," Vincent replies passively, the clenching of his jaw and marginal narrowing of his eyes the only indication he was annoyed by the statement. She was the one behind every issue they were currently having, but goodness forbid he point any of this out. This woman might be small, but she was clearly dangerous and the last thing he wanted to feel was the cool metal of that hatchet on his throat again.

The way she laughs at him makes his blood feel hot in his veins somehow, and he immediately recognizes the sensation of blinding rage. It makes is teeth and fingers itch, and that quickly it's replaced with a pulse of fear that has nothing to do with his company; positively obliterating the emotion out. Was this how anger was supposed to feel? He reaches for Rose out of a need for comfort, taking the pup in his arms despite the extra weight it put on his injured shoulder, and following after Lorelei cautiously. Who knew what waited for them on the other side of this wall.

Chaos erupts the moment they step into the clearing, howlers skittering about attacking people and thieving supplies. Despite Lorelei's assurances it was 'no big deal' the hair along the back of his neck stands on end and he holds Rose tighter to his chest as the little hound barks and squirms with excitement. Orchid and Hibiscus have no such restraints, flinging themselves into the sea of howlers with gusto, the latter seeming to have no qualms about attacking a non-human threat. The sound of their exhilarated snarls mingle with the shrieks of the beasts. Vincent knows there's no diverting their attention until it's over and so doesn't bother to call them off.

Lorelei calls out to two people battling with the creatures and Vincent glances after them nervously. He presumes the missing 'Queen Bee' she asks after would be their leader and he finds himself a bit shocked she wasn't with her group in the middle of an attack; though perhaps she'd been out when it first began? As Lorelei gestures toward Severin he doesn't move an inch, overwhelmed by the situation and not so sure he would be as welcomed by these people as she claimed. Best to let them come to him if they so wished once the battle was over.

[Hazel Moreau]
23 Years Old|Female|Shapeshifter|Provider
Location: Camp | Mentions: everyone at camp

It was instinct, to rise with the sun and pack her meager belongings that had been unpacked, wrapping her frayed blanket until it fit tightly into the top of her bag. Stretching and edging towards the side of the group to let the others rest longer, she followed the trails of the retreating shadowed shapes, feeling the itch to transform like the endless hunger in her belly. She stepped into her wolverine's skin, sleek fur growing until it covered her from nose to toe tips to her stubby little tail. Not very tall or fast, she moseyed along the rubble-covered trail, dark nose close to the ground. There wasn't much in the surrounding area, the subtle scents of a stranger or two mingling with that of her own companions, and the dangerous creatures that ruled their nights.

When she knew the others would be rising and gathering, she made her way back to camp, her wideset paws leaving clawed indents in the dirt and sand as she passed. Closing in on the makeshift camp, her ears perked as the sounds of a scuffle caught her focus. Her pace quickened, her honey and chocolate furs bouncing with each loping step until she was upon the scene. Most of the chaos was over before she arrived, the group split and in disarray. The last of the howlers were being taken care of, Lorelei's weapon making a heady impact on one of the creatures with harsh finality. Wolverine snout twitching, she trotted closer, eyeing the sidelines with wariness. Unprepared and not seeing the being until it was too late, one of the howler's smacked into her dashing body with a resounding crack, knocking her stout little form into the rubble behind her as a gasping wheeze caught in her throat. Her teeth snapped dangerously towards the creature as she was swept from her paws, but they gnashed together harshly.

The thing didn't even stop, too focused on not being caught by her companions or being the last of its troop. A gurgling groan escaped the wolverine's muzzle as she jerked to her paws, stumbling a little as she righted herself and inhaled an unsteady breath. The sounds of snarls - unfamiliar snarls, lighter and more doggish than any of the wolves in her company - was one of the only remaining sounds, and as Hazel whipped her body around, she noted the fighting forms of two sleek canines combating the howlers. Near Hecate and Lorelei, a stranger stood, a third unfamiliar canine carried in his arms. The rest of the group was mainly unaccounted for. Instinct told her to search, to find, to seek, but the second instinct in her gut told her to stick close, they would return. The priority was with their supplies and keeping those protected.

Feeling sore and irritated with her lack of readiness in this shape, she shifted skins easily. With one paw-step following the other, her form lengthened and brightened until she wore a coat of orange and white, split by black splotches. She wavered near the other canines, ears swiveling forward and back, tail lowering and giving a subtle swish of discomfort. An African wild dog was a far leap from the domesticated house pets they obviously descended from, and with the abundance of supernatural creatures around them, Hazel didn't wish to stress them or accidentally threaten them. She'd had a puppy once - well, it had been her neighbor's in their small village, but still, she'd seen it daily - and she'd loved that poor little flea-bitten mutt. It had had mixed feelings about her and the scents she carried on her, but they'd had a pretty good friendship.

The stranger, however, was someone she could not skirt around so easily. Curiosity drew her closer, wide ears swiveled to focus on him as he stood in frigid silence. She stopped near the bags and ensured her own possessions were safe, nosing them gently to the side with her muzzle before plopping down to guard them as Hecate was. Her brown eyes regarded the redhead with mild distrust, slowly following the span of his gaze until she had glanced at both Lorelei and their shaman, Severin. Had one of them brought the stranger here? She didn't foresee Severin having ventured off or brazenly inviting someone back. But Lorelei? Stretching her paws before her, she lounged backwards into her bag with a subtle twitch of her lips. That woman had 'brazen' written all over her. Finally sure that the last of the howlers were gone, Hazel considered shifting into her human form. Maw splitting in a yawn, she glanced between the stranger and his canines. The others didn't seem to find him a threat as of yet.

The third shift was the most time-consuming. It stretched her limbs further, shortened her torso and thickened her muscles. Almost tired, but back in her human skin, she hugged the worn material of her thin sweater closer to her form and sagged against the bags behind her. After a moment, she found her voice, "Where did Calida and the others go? I missed a lot, huh?" There was a softer edge to her tone, her eyes dancing between those gathering and the one she couldn't put a name to, yet, landing on the hound in his arms last. Oh lord, that was a cute puppy, especially from this close.