[Exploring] Meeting New Friends

Atka stood in the doorway of the stable, looking out, breathing in the fresh air. Although the snow still lay thick on the ground from recent snowfalls, the trees were valiantly trying to put out green shoots of new growth. Spring was definitely on the horizon. It wouldn't be too many more weeks before the trees became covered in leaves, and then many multicolored flowers. It was a time his grandmother looked forward to fervently, because her salves and potions were easier to make with fresh growth. And they were more potent than created with dried ingredients. When the flowers bloomed, he and his siblings would be put to the task of gathering the flowers she needed.

He inhaled deeply before turning into the stables, looking at his newest mount. He still couldn't believe his luck in getting this beautiful lady. Having admired her coat color, he didn't expect to be approached about buying her. But now, she was his. She had been called Nacho, but he had changed her name to Pakak. It seemed rather fitting for her. The fox spirit walker walked over to the yellow Toko, scratching her on the head. “Ready to explore?” Hr asked her.

Pakak gave a soft cry in return, her pelt shaking with excited energy.  She nosed his mask, then lowered her head to nibble on his tail.

“Hey none of that!” He told her with a laugh. “That's attached you know.” He tossed a saddle blanket, the only tack they were using today, over her sizable back and led her out into the sun.

Unalaq stood there, his newest mount already waiting with a blanket on his back. Chinook was a large, gorgeous Toko. His starmarks glistened in the sunlight as he shook his massive grey head. His mouth opened in a doggy grin as Una stroked his chest. A deep sound, like a purr or a happy growl, emanated from his throat.

“He likes that.”  

Unalaq and Atka turned. Their younger sister Nukka had joined them, already astride Tulugaq, the mount she was taking out today. She tapped the ears of her mask. “I can hear him. He's really happy.”

“I hope so.” Unalaq replied, the beak of his raven mask touching Chinook's fur. “I want him to be happy always.”

“You're so mushy Una.” Atka commented, a grin on his face.

“Surely you want Pakak to be happy too?”  

“Of course.” Atka pet the yellow female again, then gripped her longer mane hair to pull himself onto her back. “But I don't have to say things like that for her to be happy. I just know she is.”

Nukka, used to the bantering of her brothers, said nothing. Instead, she leaned over Tulugaq's neck and whispered  in the black Toko's ear. Whatever she said was private, but it mad Tulu give the sneezing Toko laugh.

Four sets of eyes turned toward them. “Care to fill us in?” Atka asked.

“Nope!” Nukka laughed at her brothers' expressions. “Oh don't be so sour you two! The day is nice and we're going exploring! What could be better than that?”

That was true, Unalaq mused as he hoisted himself onto Chinook's back. It was a really nice day. And going exploring, even to areas they'd already been to, always made the siblings happy. Half-wild themselves, they liked being out in nature with their Tokos. With it being nearly spring, there was a possibility of them spotting baby animals even. Not to hunt; simply to enjoy. “Nukka, you mentioned a waterfall where you helped take down that bear. Shall we go look around there?”

“Definitely.” Nukka agreed, as Tulu gave a little prance of delight. The Toko had been the one to take the bear in the throat. No doubt she was excited to go back there and look around.

The trio took their time getting there, simply enjoying the day. And it was obvious the Tokos were enjoying it too. Spotting a small herd of deer, Pakak had given a bark of joy and raced after them. Of course, she didn't catch them, but her attempt made Atka laugh, and lean over to give her pets.

Taking a break once they reached the waterfall, the three spirit walkers slid off their mounts and pulled off the blankets, allowing the three Tokos to romp and run around. The air filled with the sound of happy yips.

Unbeknownst to the siblings, they were being watched. In the dark shadows of the nearby trees, a dark Toko sat with her mount. The brown Toko blended in to the dirt showing through the snow, her bright blue eyes watching the others romp around. She wanted to go join in, but she would stay put. She was loyal to her handler.

Her handler was unlike anything even the spirit walkers would have seen. She was a griffin, a mythical creature, on the smaller side for her kind. Her fur was different shades of green mixed with white, her eyes the color of moss. At the moment, she was shifted into a more human form, a young woman wearing a pale green dress, wings folded against her back, and feathers sprouting along her arms. Fur lined her body, keeping her warm against the snow. Her eyes, intense and aquiline, watched the handlers and their Tokos.

Chinook was the first to catch the foreign scent. He lifted his head, turning this way and that, blinking in the sun. Before long, the two female Tokos had caught it too, and joined him in questing for it. They alternated between putting their noses in the air and sniffing at the snow, trying to find a trail to follow.

Unalaq nudged Atka, who'd been dozing. “They've scented something.” Nukka, overhearing, also turned to watch the three Tokos. They were very slowly moving toward a couple of large trees. Trees that size could hide bears. Nukka frowned. “Tulu, come back. We don't need to hunt anything.”

But the Tokos ignored the call. They moved ever closer to the trees, following their noses.

With a sharp bark, the brown Toko jumped out from under the trees, planting herself squarely in front of them, protecting her handler. Pakak and Tulu looked rather taken by surprise at this aggressive display, but Chinook was friends with everyone. He wagged his tail and stepped closer, only halting, confused, when the brown Toko growled menacingly at him. He whined.

“Another Toko?” Atka asked in surprise as he, Unalaq, and Nukka joined their mounts. “Do you think she's wild?”

“I don't know.”  Unalaq mused. “It almost looks like she's protecting something.” He tried to peer into the trees behind her, spotting something green. “Easy girl.” He told the Toko, focusing on her. “We're friends, see?” He stroked Chinook's muzzle, then Pakak and Tulu as they nudged his hand. “We won't hurt you.”

A sharp whistle tore through the air. Atka and Nukka, having sensitive hearing, clapped their hands over their ears. The brown Toko, meanwhile, immediately turned, tail wagging.

From under the trees, she walked out. She was medium height in her semi-human form, her hair ghostly white. Their was a collective intake of breath. The female Toko whined and twined around her. “We are… not familiar with others.” The winged woman explained haltingly, her voice hoarse as if from disuse “She was afraid you would attack.”

The siblings had not yet met anyone half-wild like themselves. They were excited, and eager to talk to this regal-looking woman. “Are you a spirit walker too?” Nukka inquired, nearly bouncing in excitement.

“Spirit… walker?” She shook her head. “No I… I'm a griffin. I can shape-change.”

There was a moment of silence, and then the griffin was besieged with questions. She shrank back, confused and wary. Her Toko growled again, circling around her to protect her.

Unalaq raised his hands. “We won't hurt you. We're just curious. We haven't met anyone like you before.”

Intense green eyes focused on him, scrutinizing. “My name is Paola. This is Anana.” She laid a hand on Anana's side, talking quietly to her. The Toko lost some of her aggressive posture. “It has… only ever been the two of us. She is protective. Even though she really wants to play with your Tokos.”

Atka tilted his head. “Why don't you join us? She can play with our three, and you can get to know us.” He pointed to himself. “I'm Atka. These are my siblings, Unalaq and Nukka. Our mounts are Chinook, Pakak, and Tulugaq.”

Paola considered his words for a long moment. “I will join you.” She said finally. Anana walked stiffly toward the three Tokos, but moments later the four were romping in the snow like old friends.