”I told you I was something of a lone wolf. Well, that's why. I just don't really have much in common with people back home.” he shrugged. ”I’m used to it though, I'd rather be alone than try to pretend to like someone I can't stand.” he looked up at the rest of the climb, wondering how much higher they had to go but certain that it would be worth the effort.
She nodded, understanding that logic, "It's not that much further to this first spot. We won't stay here long but I want to show you something before we head to where I really want to bring you." A sparkle of joy flicked in her eyes and she headed up the hill further, the top of a clif now visible hundreds of feet in the air above them.
He smiled noticing the excited look she had. ”I can't wait to see it.” he said eagerly as he kept a steady pace continuing to follow her.
After several more minutes of walking, Selina slowed, looking up at the massive cliff in front of them. She seemed proud to show him this spot and she looked at him, "Do you see anything special about this place? Before I point anything out?"
Frankie looked around curiously at the cliff, trying to see what she did. ”Well, it's a strong cliff… Probably very old, like it's been here before any humans even tried to settle down.” he smiled. ”I bet it’d be a real challenge for even a professional rock climber to climb this.”
She nodded and smiled, looking up and pointing with her nose towards a ledge above the trees but not terribly high up on that cliff. "See that? A long time ago, before humans ever started visiting this place, that was an old tradition of my kind. A sort of 'initiation'. Any pup that wanted to earn their place in the pack would have to first climb up to that ledge at sunset and then spend the night up there, high above the trees and completely alone until the first sign of morning when they would climb down. Granted it was slightly easier when there were more hand and footholds, but most of them have broken off or been worn down as years go by." Selina glanced over at him and looked for his reaction to her sharing a piece of her kind's past, "I thought you might be interested in hearing that, even though it's not a tradition we continue anymore due to many reasons."
”Really?” Frankie said impressed, raising a brow scanning the cliff intently. Looking for still stable grips, the ledge wasn't that high… ”I think I can see why you stopped doing that but did you have to sleep up there when you joined?” he asked looking back at her.
"No," She said, looking over at him and shaking her head before smiling, "I did watch some older pups do it though." Selina looked up at the ledge and then at him, her tail wagging, "So, do you want to stay here longer or go to where I want to take you?"
He nodded. ”That is pretty interesting. Thank you for sharing this with me.” he smiled. ”We can keep going. I can't wait to see the hidden secrets of this place.”
(sry its short and it took so long for me to respond, i'm exhausted since I spent the past few days with my best friend (she moved away and I haven't seen her in forever))
"You're welcome, I love sharing stories from the past," She replied, nodding and going silent for a moment, "I might shift to my human form before we continue on though, if you have any extra clothes I could borrow? If not it's alright." Selina looked over at him and then around, figuring out the prettiest and most scenic way to where she wanted to bring him next, even if it wasn't the fastest way.
(It's cool. I understand.)
”I’m glad you do cause I really like hearing those stories.” he smiled at her. ”Uh, sure. I wasn't sure if you were going to change or not, but I did bring some clothes for you just in case.” Frankie nodded and started digging into his bag to get them out for her.
Selina watched him with a nod of thanks, "I'll try to think of more stories to tell you throughout the day then, interesting ones that won't bore you." She let out a small laugh and just waited patiently for the clothes.
”Ah, here.” he smiled as he handed the clothes to her. ”I don't think you could ever bore me.” Frankie told her sincerely.
"I'm not sure, I can be very boring," She replied before gingerly taking the clothes in her mouth and padding off to go change. She found a hidden spot behind a tangle of bushes and quickly started to shift and change.
”I'll have to see it to believe it.” Frankie chuckled as he turned around to take in the view as she changed as well as to give her some privacy.
It took her a few minutes but when she came out she was dressed in the clothes and smiling at him. "How do I look?" She asked somewhat jokingly, walking up to him and once again glancing up at the cliff.
Frankie turned back to face her when she spoke again. ”You look pretty good considering my clothes are a bit big on you.” he teased with a playful smile.
She laughed and kept smiling, looking at the borrowed clothes, "They're comfy, and definitely big on me, you got that right. I like them though."
”They definitely are comfy.” he agreed, glad that she liked them. ”I kinda wish I had a pair of shoes you could borrow too, but I’m wearing my only pair of hiking boots.” he smiled a little awkwardly as an apology.
"It's alright, I'm used to walking barefoot," She replied, waving a hand dismissively and offering him another smile, "I just have to be a little more careful as to where I step. Now let's get going, to the next spot."
Frankie's smile turned a little more relaxed at her causal dismissal. ”Lead the way.” he said ready to follow her… and help her out if she needed any.
Now in human form, it was much easier to keep pace with Frankie as she made her way back down the hill and towards the main place she wanted to bring him. It took her more effort to walk down though as she glanced down constantly and had to be careful so she wouldn't step on a sharp rock or pointy stick.
Frankie walked alongside her, actually just a step behind her so she could lead. He could find his way back to his camp but once they reached the bottom of this hike he didn't know where she wanted to take him. He honestly didn't mind not knowing but he didn't want to get lost either. This was her home, she no doubt knew it better than he could hope to.
"What's your favorite place so far that you've seen in this park?" She asked, leading him through the woods like she'd been here hundreds of times; which she had. They continued down the sloping hill at a casual pace, though they were going away from where she had first brought him from.
”So far?” he hummed in brief thought. ”Well, so far, I love the whole park even if I won't get to see all of it. But my favorite place…” he paused. I can't exactly just say ”with you”… That might sound kinda creepy… Especially so soon… ”Honestly, it changes with every new place you show me.” he decided to say.