There was no doubt that Jackson was an adventurous youth, but since his latest trip to Halifax his love of adventure seemed to grow exponentially. Liam had asked him about the other packs in the area close to Anathema, and Jackson was shocked to realize that he knew rather little about his neighbors. Never one to deny his curiosity or a potential adventure, the Acidic boy knew that he would have to schedule himself a trip to those nearby packs so he could remedy that.

Rather than going north of Anatheman lands to the closest of his neighbors, the boy found himself drifting out westward. He knew the place called Inferni was out there somewhere and he was determined to find it. Aside from the name, the hybrid boy didn’t know much about the place. He remembered his father mentioning something about coyotes when he had been younger, but that was about the extent of his knowledge.

Scent markings declared that he was approaching the border of claimed territory, but that wasn’t all; up ahead he spotted a pike with something mounted on top of it. As he neared it, he realized it to be a skull. Cerulean eyes examined the weather-worn bone. It was nothing like the small raven skull that topped the wooden staff in his hands. No, this was most certainly canine. Woah, man, he muttered, grinning up at the skull. Cool. He scanned the area for any signs of life, wondering if he’d be able to sneak in a quick look around…

The area was looking nice and clear from where the Acidic boy stood. It didn’t really look like there was anybody in sight, and the only scent he could really pick out was that of the border marker around him, declaring the lands as claimed. Well, well, it looked like the boy was in luck. He grinned slightly, spotting another pike in the distance. This one didn’t have just a skull though—there was fur there, and a lot of it. Intruigued the boy quickly made his way over there, eager to find out what else this pack liked to hang up on sticks.

As he neared it, something seemed off about the pelt hanging on the old wood. But wait, that wasn’t just a pelt. Was that… a person? The discovery startled the boy, who was so certain that he would be able to sneak around here alone. He stumbled backwards in surprise, tripping over his own feet as he moved faster than he had expected. Woah, shit, he muttered as he went down, landing unceremoniously on his ass. He shook his head as he tried to clear his thoughts. And then, blue eyes drifted up to the figure clinging to the old wooden pike in front of him. Uh, hey there. A mischievous grin slipped to his maw. Whatcha doin’ up there, man? Being all sneaky like that, who would do such a thing? Perish the thought!

The canine clinging to the pike seemed delighted by his surprised reaction. Had the situation been reversed, Jackson knew he would be unable to contain his laughter. Ever the prankster, that boy. Yet the youth was beginning to realize he didn’t like being on this side of the situation all that much. He frowned up at the girl in the wolfskin cloak as she leaned down for a better look at him. Well, damn, so much for a little solo exploration.

She laughed at him some more before speaking, which only served to further displease the boy who’d been caught red-handed sneaking around. He tried to save some of his dignity by playing it off, huffing as he crossed his legs in front of him. As cerulean eyes studied the Inferni girl, he began to realize that there was something… off about her. She seemed… really, really small. The way she clung to the pike had hidden the fact from him at first, but the more he looked at her, the more apparent it was. Dang, had Jackson ever been that small? Hey man, who’s to say I didn’t mean to sit down here in the first place. Take a nice little break. Long way from home, ya know? He fiddled with his staff. Great excuse there, Jackson. Real convincing.

The will to play this situation off as coolly as he could went out of him after a bit of bark went bouncing off his snout. He couldn’t just let himself sit there and take her attitude as if nothing was wrong. His own lips began to pull back to reveal glinting ivories. Momma’s dead, he shot back, turning his snarl into a wicked smile. Dangerous grounds, she said. Well, this foolish boy was certainly beginning to learn the thrill that danger could offer him.

She accused him as a thief again. As fun as it might turn out to be to play it up, even Jackson wasn’t dumb enough to do that right on the edge of their lands. The little woman could easily call for backup and Jackson was way too far from home to get any help of his own. Hey little lady, I ain’t trying to steal nothin’. He sneered up at her. Takin’ a walk, looking around. You guys sure know how to give sightseers a show with these pikes of yers. Some of the venom went out of him as he eyed the blowpipe in her hand. What the hell is that? he asked. His hands gripped tighter around his staff as he watched her.

Her goading did little to stir him up more. His mother’s death wasn’t so much a sore spot as it was a curious memory, one visited every so often with fading interest. Had he been much younger, perhaps this would have been just enough to send him into a fit, but the faded, worn out memory from the earliest days of his puphood could do little to emotionally provoke him now. That wicked smile of his widened marginally. Think I’m better off without her, honestly. The Acidic boy certainly felt he’d done his best to prove that he didn’t need her or any other mother figure in his life after all this time.

Size wasn’t everything, she claimed. He couldn’t help the short laugh that bubbled up from his throat at that. You wanna bet? he was tempted to say, but he wisely bit his tongue at the last minute. Now, now, where were his manners? It certainly wouldn’t do to stir up trouble here… at least not until he figured out what the hell that thing in her hands was for. She seemed almost eager to enlighten him though, and that gave him pause. Cerulean eyes watched the tube for a moment as she held it up. Nah, ya know, I think I’m good, he declined, but his eyes still watched the thing wearily.

Her tauntings continued and his eyes merely narrowed in response. Damn, she was certainly adamant about that, wasn’t she? Look at that smile on her face, oh yes, she was definitely having fun with this. He wanted to wipe that smug look off her face, but he remained still. As much as he liked to claim that it didn’t bother him, this line of questioning was beginning to grow frustrating. What the hell does it matter anyway? he spat.

She leaned farther down from her perch and Jackson greeted the action by baring his fangs at her. She claimed that the thing was a weapon, and suddenly Jackson was a whole lot less eager to stick around and see the thing in action. The hybrid boy didn’t know what kind of wacked out weapon that was, but he’d have to be an idiot to try to find out now. He pushed himself up, throwing his hands up slightly in a display of frustration. Jeez, fine, I’m outta here. You can keep your weirdo weapons to yourself. This had been a stupid idea. He needed to go. He took a few steps backward, blue eyes watching the little lady on the pike. He sure as hell wasn’t going to be turning his back to her right away.