Aleu blinked for a moment as she studied the male. He was larger and taller than she was, but didn't behave aggressively. She titled her head slightly to one side as she thought things over. Steele took a moment to study the female as well before she finally broke the silence.
"My name is Aleu. What's yours?" Aleu asked, still watching the male. Steele flicked his tail slightly.
"My name is Steele," Steele responded. Aleu twitched her ears slightly. The name seemed to be faintly familiar, but she couldn't place why. She nodded once.
"It's nice to meet you Steele," Aleu said with a soft smile. Steele nodded as he took in Aleu's scent for a moment. She smelled faintly of the town and also carried another faintly familiar scent that he couldn't currently place.
"Likewise. Are you from that town?" Steele asked, pointing with his muzzle. Aleu sighed softly and glanced down.
"I was from town, but I ran away," Aleu mumbled. Steele titled his head slightly with interest. He couldn't help but wonder why Aleu had run away, but he also knew not to ask so soon.
"I see. You're welcome to stay with me for the night if you like. There's a cave near the waterfall," Steele offered with a gentle smile. Aleu nodded lightly.
"Thank you," Aleu said with a few wags of her tail. Steele led her over to the cave and towards the back where it was dry and warmer.
"I hope this is alright for you," Steele said. Aleu smiled and lay down.
"Yes, it's fine," Aleu said with a light yawn. She was soon asleep. Steele smiled happily, glad to have some company. He then rested his head on his paws and fell asleep soon after. Steele wasn't asleep for long when he was woken up by a cold breeze. He shivered lightly then glanced over at Aleu. She was awake as well and shivering worse than he was.
"Aleu, if you want, I could sleep closer to you. Both of us would be warmer," Steele offered with a tilt of his head. Aleu was too cold to disagree and she nodded quickly in response. Steele got up and lay down beside her. The two were close enough for their fur to brush against each other slightly. Even though Aleu had just met Steele, she felt safer in his company and couldn't help but smile happily. She gently nudged his shoulder with her nose.
"Thank you, Steele," Aleu said with her happy smile still across her face. Steele returned the smile.
"You're welcome, Aleu," Steele said as he watched Aleu get settled. He remained awake for a while, even after Aleu had fallen back asleep. He glanced outside and could see stars reflected on the water's surface. He then turned his attention back to Aleu and lightly sniffed her fur. Why did she smell so familiar to him? Perhaps he was only imagining it. He yawned lightly and rested his head back onto his paws. Just as he closed his eyes, he felt movement at his side. He glanced over and saw Aleu shiver slightly before snuggling her body right next to his. He smiled softly before he fell asleep.
The next morning, Aleu was the first to rise. She yawned lightly and looked around. Steele was still asleep and she noticed how close to each other they were. She couldn't recall who had closed the cap and her first thought was to move away since she hardly knew Steele, but then she remembered how cold it was last night. She must have been the one who moved to get warmer, not Steele. She quickly calmed down, nearly laughing at herself for the momentary panic. Steele hadn't moved away, so it was obvious that he wasn't bothered. She smiled lightly and waited quietly for him to wake up. A few moments later, Steele woke up and he smiled sleepily at Aleu before he got up and stretched.
"Did you sleep well, Aleu?" Steele asked casually. Aleu stood up and stretched then nodded.
"Very well," Aleu said with a giggle. Steele chuckled then walked out of the cave to get a drink of water. Aleu followed and drank beside him. As they finished, Aleu looked in the direction of the town and her stomach growled lightly. Steele flicked his ears at the sound then grinned.
"Hungry?" Steele prompted casually. Aleu lowered her ears in embarrassment.
"A little…" Aleu admitted quietly. Steele chuckled softly.
"I'll catch something for you. You're welcome to come along and watch as well if you want," Steele offered with a smile. Aleu smiled brightly and nodded.
"Thank you. That's kind of you. And I'd like to come along as well," Aleu said with a couple wags of her tail. Steele nodded then began walking and Aleu followed closely behind. The pair walked for a while until Steele stopped and looked back at Aleu.
"Just up ahead there is a herd of caribou. Stay hidden and quiet," Steele whispered. Aleu nodded and watched in interest as Steele slowly walked closer to the herd. Steele flicked his tail and headed to the side of the herd, carefully staying out of sight. Once he was close enough, he flexed his shoulders and got ready to run. The caribou lifted their heads and sniffed the air then scattered. Steele emerged from his hiding spot and ran straight for a young caribou that was near the middle of the herd. It turned to try and get away, but bumped into the others that were that were also trying to escape which in turn slowed it down. Steele growled and leapt then closed his jaws on its neck. The caribou collapsed and fell to the ground. Steele finished it off with a firm bite to the windpipe then released his jaws. He looked up towards Aleu's direction with a nod, signaling her to come over. Aleu nodded in return and ran over to Steele and the caribou.
"That was absolutely amazing, Steele! I knew wild animals caught their own food, but I didn't think I'd actually get to see it for myself. Who taught you?" Aleu asked excitedly as her tail wagged. Steele chuckled softly at Aleu's enthusiasm.
"Well thank you. A… friend taught me," Steele said softly as memories of Fayac flashed in his mind. Aleu nodded, not noticing the change in tone or pressing any further. She eyed the caribou and licked her lips hungrily then looked back at Steele.
"You caught it so you can eat first," Aleu mumbled lightly as she glanced down at the ground. Steele snapped back from his memories then smiled warmly and walked over to Aleu's side. He nudged her shoulder with his muzzle.
"I caught it for you because I said I would. Besides, ladies first," Steele said with a grin. Aleu looked up and smiled then wagged her tail happily. Without even really thinking about it, she licked the side of Steele's muzzle in appreciation.
"Thank you so much Steele," Aleu said cheerfully. She then turned to the caribou and began eating. Steele blinked in surprise at the affectionate gesture then smiled and leaned down to eat beside Aleu. After the two had had their fill, they walked side by side back to the waterfall and got a drink. Aleu yawned softly which resulted in a chuckle from Steele.
"Does someone need a nap?" Steele teased with a raised brow. Aleu growled playfully in defiance.
"Yeah right! I don't need a nap! But you know what I think we could do?" Aleu asked with a grin. Steele tilted his head curiously to one side.
"What's that?" Steele asked. Aleu's grin widened.
"Go for a run!" Aleu exclaimed before she pushed Steele into the shallow water and ran off. Steele grunted and stood up with a grin then ran after Aleu. After a while, Steele had finally caught up to Aleu. After running for some time, Aleu and Steele stopped to catch their breath. Steele chuckled softly and nudged Aleu with a paw.
"You know, you're pretty fast," Steele complimented. Aleu giggled and smiled brightly.
"Thanks. So are you," Aleu responded. Steele nipped softly at Aleu's cheek.
"Are you alright with taking a relaxing walk back?" Steele asked. Aleu smiled and nipped Steele's cheek in return then nodded in agreement.
"I'd like that," Aleu said with a few wags of her tail. The pair then began to walk back towards the waterfall side by side with their fur occasionally brushing against each other and tails happily swaying together.