Well. The wolves aren't making an obvious appearance, although there is signs that they exist.

There's also a farmhouse nestled in the hills who might better know where the wolves have been roaming - it looks like they might have livestock, and there's warm light coming from the windows.

Well that might be a good plan. She heads towards the farmhouse, assuming a more-or-less typical human appearance as she approaches.

The door opens as she approaches. A man emerges, his hand tight on a boy's shoulder, face angry.

He stops as he spots her. "...Can I help you, miss? Don't often get folks out here this late?"

The boy looks scared, head ducked down, and curled in on himself as much as he can be. (If she looks closely, she can see bruises, faded and fresh, and his clothes are far more threadbare than those of the man holding him.)

"Yes, I've been told wolves have been seen in this area."

She notes the bruises on the boy and her eyes narrow.

"Y'ain't wrong," the man agrees, almost pleasant. "W've had some trouble wi' them. Can't say 'd suggest going looking for 'em."

"Oh, I can handle myself."

The man considers her for a second. "Pardon my saying, but you don't look quite prepared for a wolf hunt?"

"I know what I'm doing, sir."

The man narrows his eyes. "Well, ain't gonna argue with you. Seem to have their den up towards the hills in the east," he points. "Now, if'n y'll 'scuse me. Got things t'deal wi'."

He touches the fingers of his spare hand to his forehead, his other tightening on the boy's shoulder.

"M'sorry. M'sorry, didn't mean to," the boy's words are nearly inaudible, and gain him a sharp, almost violent shake.

"Is that really necessary?"

"Miss, y'don't know what the boy is, s'necessary."

"S'hardly your concern, miss," the man says firmly. "Y'got wolves t'be hunting."

The boy shifts, and there's something not entirely...human, to the way he's suddenly slipped clear of the man's grip.

The man doesn't hesitate and a sharp hit to the upside of the boy's head sends him to the ground.

"That's enough."

"Not y'r concern, miss, 'd move along if I were you."

The boy's curled in on himself, head buried in his knees, rocking slightly. "Sorrysorrysorry.."

(The man looks like he wants to aim a kick at him, but doesn't follow through on it, in deference to the surprisingly concerned stranger.)

She maneuvers herself between the man and the kid.

The man does not look happy about this. "'Ve been polite, miss, but I'm reaching th'end of my patience. This ain't your concern, just move along."

"I don't appreciate threats Or cruelty to children."

"That," the man gestures behind her. "S'hardly human. Really would be better for you t'just move along and mind yer own business."

"He's a person."

She considers her options and manifests a third eye out of sight of the man but in sight of the kid. It winks.