Long ago, the sight of a small jackal-like canine trotting through the streets of Halifax would have caused quite a stir—and yet now such a creature was here, looking around with wide eyes to take in the scenery. The buildings were in various stages of dilapidation; some were old and crumpled, but still many stood larger than any structure she’d seen. Cars crouched on the asphalt, once speedy predators now dormant with rust collecting on their insect-like, colorful shells.

The hybrid leaped onto the roof of a Corvette, peered into the dusty windshield, and jumped onto the ground from the hood, all four paws hitting the asphalt. She moved with caution, but curiosity overtook her instinct to run back into her pack territory. She was no stranger to human buildings and machines, but they were usually simple barns, cabins, and the odd tractor. This scale of size, however, was alien to her. She didn’t know how it all stayed up, or how the humans had been able to make it so big.

The smell of another canine drifted past her on the wind, and the small ginger female’s ears cocked toward the sound of footsteps. She quickly slinked behind a trash can, her gait reminiscent of her ancestors skulking around lion kills, but there was no such craftiness and cowardice in her. She knew that, outside of the Valley, she was at the mercy of whoever came across her. If it was a large and violent wolf, she was done for.

However, when Timid finally caught sight of the other animal, she was overcome with interest. The shape was dark yet small and lithe, and there was something familiar to the build of it. She couldn’t quite place it, but it made her feel happiness and dread, all at the same time. She quickly trotted after the other, keeping her distance, but sooner or later the other creature would turn around and notice her. Best speak up first.

The female tried to make her voice sound bold, but it came out as a tremulous squeak. “H-hello there, miss.”

The lithe black creature seemed to notice that she was being followed, but other than passively looking around with golden eyes, she did not look for the pursuer. It was not until Timid worked up the courage to step out from her hiding place and greet the female that she turned again, a smirk gracing her narrow muzzle. It was strange, the similarities that the hybrid could already pick out between them. It was obvious that they were made up of a similar mix of species, even if the melanistic coat of the stranger threw her off.

With a bow, the other jackal-hybrid introduced herself as Sepirah Lykoi, and Timid worked her mouth silently around the exotic name. How could two similar-looking canines have such different names? Her own moniker was short and simple—and she felt short and simple next to this other young woman. They looked to be more or less the same age, but still there was a difference in how they carried themselves, as well. Sepirah did not seem new to the lands at all, and the nonchalance with which she’d looked around bespoke of confidence.

Considering all these things, the gingery girl almost forgot to respond. “I’m Timid,” she said, a brightness to her voice that wasn’t usually there. She paused for a moment and added in a mumble, “I mean, my name is Timid.” Other luperci were generally confused until she explained.

“Do you—do you mind telling me what you are?” she asked, her black-dipped ears lowering a little. She didn’t know if it was rude to ask another about their pedigree or not, but she hadn’t seen anyone similar to her. They were all wolves—thick-furred and sturdy. To find someone like her was a treat.