Trading. So much of her pack focused on trading, but Liliya hadn’t had a hand in it at all. It was unfortunate, but the woman had been too distracted with other projects to have a hand in that facet of Salsoa’s economy. If I knew the traders, she thought to herself, it might make my job easier. For now she went through the other pack members when she needed something that couldn’t be found within the pack. Odessa had come in handy for a few things, and of course the leaders were there with their expertise on rummaging up tools and supplies when needed. Still, it took a chunk out of her day when her project came to a halt and she had to seek someone out and try to explain what she needed. That is what happened to her this afternoon, and unfortunately her acquaintances were all elsewhere.

So, with her work stalled for the moment, she decided to make her time useful by making rounds. It might not have been her shift but an extra pair of eyes on Salsoa’s borders never hurt, plus she needed to stay as familiar with the area as possible. There had been a strange influx of border activity lately.

The crisp afternoon breeze twisted over the lands and played at Liliya’s body. The red scarf that was usually tied around her forehead had been a menace in this wind so she untied it a while ago, wrapping it around her wrist like some sort of bandage (though she was not injured). Wispy bangs tore loose for her pony tail and danced around her face, but at least it wasn’t blocking her view wholly as the scarf had done.

Cloud-gray eyes scanned the area before her. Of course she was on the look out, but nothing had happened all afternoon and now her mind delved deep into reverie, thinking of the things she needed and how she might get them.

Something moved in the distance. At first the outlying traveler was little more than a figment in the expanse, but wandering as she seemed to the Luperci came steadily toward Salsoa. Liliya thought she had seen someone far off, and the pay off for her patience was an answer to her curious mind. Yes, she could see clearly now, someone was coming this way, toward Salsoa.

The person who approached had a bright pelt the color of the sunrise, and Liliya wondered if she blended in to the sky at that time of day. What an interesting thing to be able to camouflage yourself against…

She thought about hiding herself away from the stranger so she could have the element of surprise, but her prime directive wasn’t to trap or kill anybody who came near. It was to keep intruders out. The woman wasn’t acting sketchy or sneaky like Fleta had when she intruded upon Salsoa. In fact, the fact that she walked toward the place so calmly she thought she might have been here before. “Is trader maybe?” Lilyia muttered to herself as she cocked her head in wonder.

Well, anyway, she couldn’t just let her waltz right up to Salsoa on the off chance… no, on the likely chance… that she shouldn’t be there, so she began walking toward the wanderer. Her grey eyes caught sight of something as it broke off from the sunburst form, and she watched the owl for a moment. So, this person had a pet? It was looking more and more likely that she might have come with some very unique wares.

Imagine her disappointment as they came closer and she didn’t see much merchandise with her. She was irritated, but still hopeful. “Hallo traveler. Do you know the boundaries near which you tread?” Her tone was gentle and kind, even through her thick Russian accent. Already a very sociable hybrid, she was in a good mood and had high expectations for the stranger.

Her muzzle half cocked with a wry smile as she watched the other’s avian companion tip her off to the person standing not forty paces away from her, a close proximity for strangers. Liliya should have envied her, for she was clearly a dreamer, but her quickly callusing mind instead just thought she was foolish for not paying attention. Still, Liliya wasn’t exactly the grumpiest Luperci around her, so she was willing to afford her a pass, especially on the hopes that she was a trader.

Her grey eyes flicked to the winged companion that now perched on the woman’s shoulders. She was never much of a fan of pets, thinking animals were much better suited for tools and decoration than friendship. Liliya even despised the fact that she knew one day she might find herself in ownership of a horse, thinking the only thing the big dumb beasts were good for was making leather materials and bowstrings. She couldn’t deny the usefulness of a horse if she had a cart, though. That kind of brute force would be useful for many projects, including hauling and demolition.

You have arrived at the land of Salsola, she said, reverence in her voice for her pack. And it is favor to you now that I warn you, we are not likingk it vhen stangers wander in to our lands. We value our privacy, you might say. They were words of caution spoken without malice. She didn’t desire a fight today, so perhaps a bad situation could be avoided with the right words.

[b“Vhat are you?[/b] She asked abrupty, her voice demanding an answer in hollow Russian tones. Are you new trader maybe?