Even in the coming days after the pup's arrival, his form remained silent. Seemingly a permanent ghost living on the mountain, he was still too weary to show his true self, to him almost forgotten. But the one known as Flicker would be the soul he needed to keep on going. The one that took him in and gave him a home when things were bleak. Barely a whisper would leave his mouth in the man's presence so far, but maybe in the future, he would reveal more of what his true voice would be like. Sitjariaq began his morning with a light exploration, climbing over smaller fallen tree branches and logs as he traversed the rocky mountain terrain.

Optics of olive green took in his new home with great gusto, curiosity winning out of the fear and shyness in that moment. It would potentially be a different story if someone new came along, but without struggle, there would be no growth. The pup would just have to find the courage to move past it. Still the white wolf kept on moving, his blanket of spots along his hindquarters were now more visible as bright sunlight hit his pelt. Now he was higher on the mountain, breaking through the brush as he pushed his way through. Clear mountain air filled his lungs as Sitjariaq admired the brilliant view. A beautiful place for a puppy to be raised for sure.

---

Arlen is a character that leans more toward semi-feral than civilized. Hopefully they don't scare Sitjariaq too much!

The days following the siege passed with the blink of an eye. The damage done to the bone-eater tree had healed and golden flowers bloomed by its roots. No blue monsters floated around the lake's edge. They escaped the battle unscathed, so there was little to show their father, Ancelin after the fact.

After that Arlen gave it no further thought.

Spring had arrived and the Bearclaw was keen on exploring the environment after the removal of winter's grasp on the land. Giving Ancelin a notice of their wanderings with a howl, Arlen set off. Following the edge of the great tree's lake, Arlen moved westward. A mountain loomed ahead, reaching high to catch any clouds that hung within reach. Woodland dotted its slope. A powerful stride carried the wolf to higher elevations.

Conifer trees brandished their vibrant, green needles, swaying in the strong sunlight overhead. The soft soil beneath the forest eaves was marked by a trail of their pawsteps. The Bearclaw caught wind of a cold scent as it traveled down the mountain. The young wolf paused, pondering briefly if the mountain was tall enough to still have snow upon its peak. They would simply have to see for themself.

Climbing higher, the scent grew stronger, and with each stride a more distinct, lupine aspect accompanied the cold scent. It wouldn't take much longer for Arlen to find the owner of the scent, a flash of white blinked through the trees. Climbing atop of a boulder that jutted out of the mountain side, Arlen used to vantage point to watch the little wolf. A pup by the looks of it. Arlen watched the spotted boy walk along, making no move yet to call out.

Being as quiet as the little pup was, had its advantages. No sooner did he react when the sounds of crunching leaves and pine came up behind him. The white pup turned quickly, trying to catch sight of who was watching him. Eyes grew wide with both fear and also wonder. The wolf in front of him, not too far away, was absolutely huge compared to him. Indigo eyes stared back, holding him in place.

Yet it was the soft scent of spruce that made him stay, for it strangely reminded him faintly of home. At least what memories of home he had left. Sitjariaq still kept silent however, still not yet finding it in him to be able to speak to the locals. If only there was one here who could understand him and accept him. Surely there had to be someone out there. Right?

The pup was aware of his surroundings, and shortly after Arlen took their perch, the boy was turning his head. The pup's olive eyes widened as he met Arlen's indigo gaze. The boy was small, stilling as fear bloomed into the air, intertwining itself with his scent. The boy didn't utter a single squeak, no squalling cry for a parent nor a small woof in greeting. He just watched them, and Arlen did just the same.

Eyes scoured the pup, curiously surveying the spotted markings upon his back. The boy's scent was distinct and barely mingled with a second scent. Did this boy not have siblings? A single parent? What a boring puphood. Arlen couldn't imagine a life without littermates.... even if they scarcely saw their siblings as of late.

That was different. They would show up eventually. Dad said so.

Regardless, Arlen held no doubt as to why a pup was roaming about on his lonesome. It was simply the only thing he could to pass the time. Eyes briefly narrowed upon the little explorer, then rounded once more. While their gaze maintained their intense focus, the sharp edge had softened.

With a leap of the rock and a bound across the ground, Arlen stood before the pup in a few effortless strides. Nose curving down to accurately asses the boy's scent. If he remained in place, their breath would ruffle his fur while they scented him.

Sitjariaq continued to watch the adult with big baby eyes, growing a little wider as they hopped right on over to give him a good sniff. They were both touching noses at this point, the little white pup now trying to be a little braver as he started to inspect. There were so many interesting scents on this wolf! A little squeak of excitement came from the boy, tail slightly waving as he tried to get to know him a little better. But he tried to still be on his guard, just in case he did have to make a break for it.

The boy did not flinch from their probing, lifting his own nose in turn. The pup's tail began to move, waving slightly. Arlen's tail began to sweep in slow strokes. Not so much with youthful excitement, but more from a piqued curiosity. Still, Arlen was just shy of a year old. More than enough energy to spare a little kid.

With a snort Arlen dropped their chest to ground, forelegs bending along the dirt. Their hindquarters waggled above them as the Bearclaw gave the little explorer the best playbow he would ever see. They stamped their forepaws against the ground, slowly pushing themself back. With the opened space between them, Arlen shifted into a crouch to conduct a grand, clockwise spin before slamming their paws down once more.

Indigo gazed remained fixed on the boy, ears cupped forward for the pup's voice. With a playful rumble in their throat, the Bearclaw woofed to the before sidestepping briefly. Their quick movements made to entice a chase.

Sitjariaq stared with wonder as the great big wolf made sudden moves with great speed. It was as if the ground shook with great thunder! Then they did a play bow! The white pup squealed with joy, one of the first sounds he had ever made since coming to this world. Then his new playmate took off to entice him to chase. What fun! The puppy barked with joy as he took off to try and catch his new found friend. But kept his wits about him in case something was not right. Where was Flicker any way? Shouldn't he be here to keep watch over him?

The boy brightened. His round eyes widening, sparkling with excitement. A squeal rolled from the kid's throat and Arlen knew they had him. Their body curved in a playful crouch, Arlen would egg the boy on with a bark of their own and bound in a curved path around him. Sure, they could have let the kid tag them, but Arlen wasn't the type to give things for free. No, the little explorer would have to earn a tag on them.

Their cowled head craned over their shoulder as they moved in a keep-away fashion. Indigo eyes locked onto their target. Ensuring that they never truly left the boy in the dust, but keeping watch so as to keep up the challenge. This distracted gaze also made it so Arlen was not watching where their paws landed. Namely, where the their paws weren't landing. Such as, oh you know, the ground.

A raised tree root left a hidden dip in the earth. Arlen's paw swept forward, expecting to be caught, only to have the stomach flip one gets when you forget about a stair on the landing. Stumbling, Arlen rolled forward in a graceless manner. A cloud of dust kicked up from their epic face plant.

Sitjariaq kept on running right after his new playmate, happy yips leaving his maw as his little paws tried to keep up. Luckily the new wolf wasn't totally leaving him behind, checking in with him to make sure that he was still following. For some reason, another wolf that didn't speak made him feel more at ease. As if this was someone that might understand him just a bit better. Perhaps there were others like him just waiting to be found.

The prospect excited Sitjariaq greatly, a smile spreading across his face even more. The white pup almost became startled however, his ears picking up the sound of someone hitting the ground rather hard. Coming upon a dusty scene, he was glad to see that it was just his newfound friend. With a happy and triumphant bark, he jumped on top of the collapsed wolf and pawed at him playfully. Tag! You're it!