You pad along with your vulpine guide, sighing lightly. As much fun as meeting the Raveens of the realm is, you're getting sick and tired of being scared, pounced and generally mauled. You've given up on keeping a close eye on the forest around you. After all, if you ran into a Kat that wanted you to see it, Guide would undoubtedly point them out for you. It seemed that if they Kat wanted to sneak up on you, it did, no matter how much you tried to prevent it.
The blue fox pauses and you blink, wondering what was up. You're decidedly surprised to see a green Raveen lounging in plain sight further up the mountain. It has yellow socks and black markings. It's short cropped mane is black and red. It seems to be the peaceful type. Somewhat amazed by your incredible luck you follow Guide as he pads closer. It's not until you're nearly close enough to touch the Raveen that it opens it's blue eyes.
He yawns, displaying all of his sharp teeth. You back off a pace, worried that this Kat is about to go nuts on you.
"Hullo," the Raveen says. The strongest emotion in his voice seems to be a lingering sleepiness. "My name is Akuulan, of the... Sky element." There's definitely something stronger in his tone now, though you're not entirely certain what in a name or an element would deserve the suddenly strained politeness in his voice.
Before you have a chance to say anything he continues, "Yes, nice to meet you too.. Now if you don't mind, may I get back to my nap?"
You nod hurriedly, not wishing to annoy the Raveen male, and say a polite farewell before leaving quickly. When you're reasonably certain you're far enough away as to not be easily overheard, you glance at Guide and ask, "What was that about?"
Guide shrugs, " Something... Happened at the Iceplains, the Raveen home realm. I haven't managed to piece together exactly what, as all the Raveen have been remarkably close mouthed about it. Some sort of disaster is all I know."
"So what does that have to do with his name?"
"Not his name, his element." Guide corrects you. " When I asked him the same thing he explained that he'd been told all others of his element had been wiped out at the Ice Plains. There's likely fewer than a dozen of the Sky element left, and they would all be the ones that chose to go out realm like he did."
"Oh wow." Is about the best you can come up with. No wonder Akuulan had been so quick to end the conversation.
"Yeah." Guide doesn't have much to say either.
Definitely time to move on.