Oasis.

The afternoon found the snowy male tucked away in the depths of the silent, pristine forest. He was in a meditative state, complacently resting his lean shoulders against the trunk of a thick, old tree, eyes half-lidded in the bright sunlight. This was a wonderfully quiet place to let his mind wander. Never had he expected to live such a blessed life. Kansas did not expect or feel euphoria; rather, he felt content. Even when sadness lingered at the edge of his conscience, he believed it to fade away just as easily as it had come. Finally, the Dreamer had grown accustomed to the ebb and flow of happiness, but it was steady for him now. He was content. Kansas noted how his thoughts had changed over the past two years, a short time to grow as he had. In that time, he had gained both confidence and a sense of importance in the world, virtues that, always before, he had lacked.

He didn't believe he would ever become proud. Kansas couldn't possibly think too highly of himself. He frequently felt sneaky reminders of his imperfection from others, from everything else around him. There was always more to learn, new discoveries of all orientation awaiting in the future. With that idea in mind, the male suddenly longed to read. Books always lead hastily to creative knowledge. He opened his sunny blue eyes and removed his book from his satchel, eagerly ruffling the pages to his most recent stopping place. His expression tightened with concentration, eyes darting across and down the page as he dove into the story with abandon.

thanks to both of you for joining! 300+

Kansas was deep in thought, brows knitted as he read about a strange human named Oliver Twist. He was completely engrossed in the story, and the world around him may have been nonexistent. He was blind to every sight but the letters on the pages, deaf to all sound but the voices of the characters that rang in his mind. Kansas flipped another page over, absently chewing on the claw of one hand. From far away came the tones of a real, familiar woman, drawing Kansas slowly out of his own mind. Baby blue eyes fluttered completely open from their half-mast of before, finding the sweet face of Mati as she stood a short distance away. Sorry, Mati, he said, abashed for taking so long to register her presence. Truly, he was thrilled to see his daughter-in-law. He adored her because she had made his baby girl so happy.

Kansas glanced around them, at last falling back into the world, as he considered her question. I like to... to find new places to take my books. It's pretty here. Oasis was one of the loveliest woods he had ever seen. It reminded him of Storm, his home of so long ago.

Before he could in ask Mati her purpose here, the strangest of events ensued quite spontaneously before the pair of Dreamers. A terrified deer burst through the foliage, pursued from close behind by a stranger wielding a blade. Kansas lifted a brow as he watched the conclusion of the sable woman's hunt, nose twitching involuntarily at the smell of the blood. He eyed the woman and her bay horse, stealing a glance at Mati, inquisitive about the bronze woman's reaction. No... you're not interrupting, he told the newcomer with a smile. I'm Kansas... and this is Mati. Again, he felt shamed. He should have allowed the girl to introduce herself. Kansas looked Mati's way again, apology in his eyes.

whatever you'd like to do is fine with me, manderz! 300+

The strange woman's hunt caused quite an interruption, but luckily, Kansas and Mati had just met and not yet begun meaningful conversation. Angelique's sudden presence did not at all anger the Sadira male. In reality, he wouldn't have been angered even if the situation was much different — if he'd been partaking of the most important conversation of his life. Such meager things as accidental interruptions had no effect on his demeanor.

He suspected that Mati might feel differently, noticing the downward turn her of her lips that had not been there before. Perhaps she was a very shy wolf, much like Cambria. Kansas again remembered how little he knew the Church woman personally, yet he felt comfortable with her in the same way that he did with Anu. Strange, since he had entrusted Mati with the care of his pups more than once before. It was fortunate that the white wolf was a good judge of character at the slightest hint of it — he usually knew with little more than a sniff. And most definitely, Mati was Good.

The calm man allowed Mati to give their residence, relieved that he'd left that part about them out of his introductions so that Mati had that chance to speak. Meanwhile, the sable woman placed her kill upon her steed, which was a puzzling surprise to Kansas. He expected her to feast on the meat right here amongst them. After naming herself a resident of Phoenix Valley, however, Kansas understood that Angelique was taking the carcass to sustain her own pack. This made more sense than his previous prediction, but he remained a bit disheartened. A snack had sounded marvelous.

Pleasure to meet you, Angelique, he spoke in kindness. She shared what she knew about their Crimson Dreams, observations that seemed to coincide with the truth about his pack. The boy's chocolate brow rose, as he was not sure how to feel about the flattery. He certainly was not among the skilled; so should he even bother offering thanks? ...Yeah, it is. And it does, he said vaguely, agreeing with Angelique in his quiet, awkward manner. Mati's a good painter, Kansas ventured to add, gesturing towards the bronze-furred girl and thinking of the lovely image of Cambria that she had created.

300+

The raven wolfess posed no threat, nothing that Kansas could scent or see. He was almost always correct in his summation of strangers, just because of his nose and eyes. Looking to Mati, he sensed the nervous edge, her deep purple eyes holding some suppressed uncertainty. Either he had put her off somehow (oh, hopefully not), or she was simply shyer around strangers than he was. Mati's words confirmed the latter. She had exaggerated his talent, something she would not have done if she were upset with him. Though his tail tip flicked her way to dismiss what had been said, he was smiling with inner flattery. His relationship with Mati was very important to him; he adored her as a skilled artist and as the lover of his daughter. He began to think that she could admire him, if not now, later.

Mati asked the charred female of her history with Crimson Dreams, something that Kansas was interested in as well. Though he was a notoriously sorry border patrolman, the Colonel still wished to know as much as possible about Crimson Dream's comers and goers. He met Mati's gaze when she offered it to him, though his attention was quickly anchored to Angelique as her voice rose amid the breeze. She shared that her Phoenix Valley pack mates had talents, but rarely used them. The female's meaning was strange, assuming Kansas had understood it. Mati painted all the time, creating one beautiful image after another. Kansas only used his teaching skill when others asked it of him, but he always obliged. He wished he could do it more often, actually.

Instead of answering Mati's question (she must not have heard), Angelique produced a beautiful wooden instrument from her pack. Its design lured Kansas's eyes, and they traced the curves and slots of the flute right until Angelique placed its mouthpiece to her lips. From there, she began an upbeat jingle, the music hitting him inside and spreading throughout his body as he watched the woman keep a beat with the flute and her body alike. Kansas was jealous of her talent. He was a rhythmic soul and yet had never even touched that part of himself. Sighing for reasons only he knew, Kansas glanced at Mati with a smile, hoping that she was enjoying the show as much as he.

That was beautiful... you're good, he said softly when the last of Angelique's notes had died down.