Old Forests and New Faces

Toby was in a forest. Not his forest, but a forest all the same. The woods were located by a wealthy-looking residential area, but he was deep enough that the houses were far out of sight. Toby loved forests, he'd always loved them. It didn't matter that his two worst memories had happened whilst surrounded by trees, nothing could take that away from him.

For no reason other than that he could, the teenager began to sprint as fast as his powerful legs could propel him. Completely lost in the sensation that he'd always found relaxing, the blonde threw his head back and laughed. Making a split-second decision, the male used his speed to launch himself towards the lower branches of a large oak tree. Muscular biceps straining, Toby swung himself from branch to branch in a way that was slighty reminiscent of a large monkey.

Becoming tired, the teen loosened his grip on the oak, and dropped down into the grass. Smiling up at what little he could see of the sky, the werewolf let out a pleased sigh. The burning in his calves, the ache in his wrists, the racing rhythm of his heartbeat; this was what he was made for. Completely content to lay in the grass of an unfamiliar forest, Toby stared mindlessly at the leaves above him as his breaths slowly grew steadier.

It was close to the end of his day and Xem had decided to go do one of his favorite things to do. Walk through trees in trails. He absolutely adored feeling the breeze the trees gave him. It gave him time to think and reflect on the world. All the things that has gone on regarding him and his family. It didn't give him negative thoughts, but more of positive thoughts in progression to better things.

As he was walking he could hear the birds chirping and the water moving since there had been a lake nearby the area. He enjoyed everything about it. He had heard this commotion from somewhere in the trees. Not the type of commotion to be anxious and concerned with but the type that was loud enough to just catch Xem's attention.

He found this man on the grass just looking up at the sky. He clearly was enjoying the nature just as much as Xem enjoyed it.

"Having fun all by yourself?" Xem asked him smiling at him as he does to almost everyone he sees. He sat right next to him legs crosses and hands folded up close to his mouth.

Toby jerked his head to the side in an involuntary movement upon hearing a human voice only strides away from his own position at the base of a tree. Taking a moment to register the words that had been spoken, Toby blinked owlishly at the newcomer now sitting beside him.

"Yup," the werewolf responded with an odd one-shouldered shrug. Pushing himself up with his left arm, the blonde shifted so that his back was leaning against the trunk of the large tree. Adjusting his position yet again so that a peculiarly sharp piece of bark was no-longer digging into his shoulder, Toby arched his back in a stretch.

Lightly clenching and unclenching his teeth, a habit that that teen was constantly told he should break, the blonde faced the other male properly for the first time.

"So, you live around here?" Toby asked casually, scanning the other boy's features for any obvious signs of wealth. Not finding any, but admitting to himself that observation was far from one of his strengths, Toby sat back and awaited an answer.

"No.....not really" Xem replied. He looked up and just decided to gaze and stare at the sky. It was a beautiful evening, the sky had beautiful blends of orange, yellow, and pink. It looked quite lovely. The beauty of nature was one of the reasons why he loved walking around so much. He just loved sightseeing.

"I just love to walk far and wide places to enjoy nature" Walter added. He figured he liked nature as well, it was what gave Xem the motivation to spring up on him in the first place.

"By the way, the name's Walter, or Xem.....you can call me either or. Most people know me by Xem though" Walter had told him smiling.