"My 'friend' doesn't like towns," Kat replied. "And they tend not to like him." A little smile tugged at her mouth as she remembered the last time Hel had even attempted to follow after her into a village. It didn't go well. "I told him I'd be back within an hour, but the big lug worries too much." Kat reached into her pocket where she had stored her silver and fiddled with the coins. She considered hunting the town for provisions, but any reasonable shops would be closed by this hour. She almost went looking anyway, just to draw out Hel's patience. 

"Kat, by the way," she said, bringing her attention back to the woman next to her. "Suppose you might as well know my name if we're going to be stuck together for the remainder of our lives." Her voice carried a tone of wry humor as she thought about the ridiculous 'mission' they'd signed up for. "What about you, didn't feel like shacking up with the rest?" Kat asked as they got closer to the forest. She saw a glint between the trees and knew it was Hel watching from the shadows. The great predator was hidden, eyes trained on Kat and the stranger next to her, ready to pounce if he thought his human was in any danger.

Kat gave a discrete shake of her head and was careful to keep her posture as relaxed as possible. Honestly, Hel was the worst sort of worrier she'd ever met. She doubted the rest of her traveling party would take very kindly to a giant snow leopard mauling one of their members before they'd even set out. 

"Just a warning," Kat said, voice low, "you're about to meet my friend. He doesn't take too kindly to strangers."