[Ellie nods, but doesn't say anything about her own experiences. She knows how to survive in a forest, but she wouldn't say she could live happily, at least alone. Maybe she could learn, one day. She and Joel were always rushing for survival.

Theseus slowly lies down, setting her head on her paws and staring up at Lauralae. As Lauralae hits a good spot, her tail starts wagging. It's nothing intense, but she's clearly enjoying the attention.

This time, Ellie doesn't jump, but she does continue to touch the raven's feathers. They're cooler than she thought they would be, and very slick. He's warm where she can feel the skin under the feathers.]

Yeah.

[Ellie pauses, and looks at Lauralae. Maybe she knows...]

Do you know what Theseus is mixed with? She's a wolf-hybrid of some kind, but she doesn't act like a dog. I found her alone.

[The second part of that statement isn't a lie, but neither is it complete truth. Ellie didn't find Theseus with any parents, but she wasn't exactly a puppy.

Ellie has never been far south enough to see a coyote or know how to tell it apart from a wolf. She knows of their existence, but never knew they could interbreed. Her best guess was one of the more magical creatures, but she couldn't say for sure.]