Grime and mire was all he had ever known, and even in death, he wasn't allowed to chance to experience an existence of luxury and peace. But pristine surfaces, freshly-pressed clothes, and well-groomed looks were all terribly... unnatural. Evidence that danger had swept through and was attempting to cover its tracks. Besides, it was easy to hide among clumped reeds and muddied shores compared to unforgiving and cold steel counter-tops and slippery quartz tiles. The poltergeist had raised himself as an urchin and died as one, and his deeply-rooted familiarity with the daily filth from rotting forests and murky bogs was not going to be cleaned away by a whining brat who happened to own a prettier face than his own.

    Growing bored of stalking after the trespasser and determining her lack of ties to any other group, Beck breathlessly huffed in slight annoyance, shouldering through a brier thicket and pouncing directly in her path. Blurred vision quickly tracing the wolf's smudged and frail outline, the mangy feline parted his maw to reveal jagged rows of teeth in what was unrecognizably a smile. Any poor attempt at a welcome was marred by both the scar stealing away his entire left cheek, his malignant scowl, and a sharp rasp hissing through his clenched teeth. Lacking any implied comfort to an otherwise concerned phrase, the boy wheezily drawled, "Take it easy, wouldja? 'S just mud." A hoarse scoff followed by a lazy flick of a paw slick with silt, scattering beads of mud at Rosepaw's feet. Her wisp of a hummingbird was next to ensnare his attention, earning a ripple of thought briefly disturbing his apparition. Another spirit, huh? Lantern-like eyes glowering up at the she-wolf, Beck gained a wicked glint to his freckled features, sharkish teeth beginning to mangle and chew the truth as he continued, "See, I can't 'guide' ya outta nowhere -- 'less you're one of those lame joiners here for Tanglewood. Otherwise, I'll have to leave ya for the gators." He hadn't actually caught a glimpse of said reptile, but he knew they lurked, and it was hopefully enough of a shove to lure Rosepaw into the swelling population so he could keep a close watch on her personal ghost.