Dusty

With his dusty-hued eyes, the hybrid took a casual inspection of the land he passed through; loamy and hilly. His large paws splayed out with every foot-fall, slidding and clutching at the giving soil. Every now and then, a wind would whip up and blow a cloud of pollen and debris his way. But that was nothing compared to the swarming insects that plagued him. Misqueetos and gnats; a thick mass of them would descend about him, trying to get past his lush, gray fur. His ears were constantly flicking, and his head shaking now and then as he attempted in vain to vanquish the annoying pests.

Frustrated, Dusty climbed to the highest ridge he could find and turned his broad muzzle to the wind. It helped somewhat to scatter the bugs, bringing him temporary relief. The only downside to spring... He thought with slight amusement.

Jessie

She was still unsure what was going to happen to her pack; maybe nothing. But still, she was worried. What about this war? This crazy, dark-hearted she-wolf? It all boggled the simple Jessie, and she was determined to ease her mind of the subject.

So it happened that she found that chance as she ambled through the same land as Dusty. His scent was easy enough to catch, and his figure simple to spot, standing high on the dune. Moving quickly and quietly, ignoring the drone of the annoying insects, the she-wolf stalked up the backside of the esker. When she was a mere pounce away, she gave a playful yip.

Dusty

The wolf spun around startled, having not heard Jessie sneak up because the wind was in his ears. Yet he knew the call was a friendly one, and a female at that. "Ah, well, hello to you!" Dusty yipped back, his tail flicking to the side, half-carried by the wind. "I'm Dusty; how about yourself?"

Jessie

"Jessie. Of the Ochotona Mountains pack." She replied, giving her body a quick shake to drive off the misqueetos. There was a coying in her eyes as she pranced towards Dusty, her actions almost puppish. "And you? Do you have a pack?"

Dusty

He grinned, watching her actions, "I'm a loner... well, I was..." Dusty wasn't quite sure, but he thought what this energetic fea was getting at. And her mood was infectious. Soon he tilted his head to the side and pranced forward to meet her, giving her a playful bump with his shoulder.

Jessie

"But no longer...?" Jessie grinned even more and bumped Dusty in return. Then she gave him a nip on the shoulder and turned to run. She glanced back at him, the grin still there, tugging at her muzzle.