Things had seemed quiet since she'd arrived in Fiori. She'd purposely avoided meeting anyone, afraid that she wouldn't be able to fit in, or they wouldn't be who she hoped they were. She just wanted to feel safe, and sometimes being alone felt the safest. But today she was ready to truly make herself a part of the pack, to get to know the others and become someone with a purpose. Alone, she had no purpose, but if she made a difference in the lives of others, then her existence would still be worthwhile.

Now, where to start looking for her pack mates? Her delicate paws carried her to the hot springs, wondering if she might come across anybody there. So far, she didn't see anyone. Perhaps the steam rising from the springs was blocking her view a bit. She decided to enter the water so she could relax a bit, her paws easing her slowly into the hot liquid. Maybe someone would come along if she spent some time wading in the pools. Feeling it engulf her body in a relaxing warmth, loosening her tense muscles, she sighed lightly to herself and leaned against the edge of the pool, hoping someone would make an appearance.

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Hello there! She giggled through the steam that shielded the dark female, towering over the side of the pool with a wide grin split across her face. Usually the springs were so quiet! She guessed it was because of the volcanic poison lingering at the bottom of some of the pools, or maybe it was just because nobody lived there. But surprisingly, she had seen the larger amount of steam piling up from one of the pools, and she was happy to know there was a member of Fiori in there. One she has never met! Exciting!

Arivae dipped a single paw into the water. It was definitely hot. It was like a sting, and she pulled back, blinking in alarm. It's been a while since I've seen anyone in here! She said, looking up at Bright Moon and seating herself at the edge of the water. In the back of her mind she wondered if the dame knew why. But...who wouldn't know why? Everyone knew that mini volcano's formed these springs. Right?

Bright startled as the dark-coated young woman greeted her from the edge of the of the pool, shrouded by the steam. "G-greetings," she said with a stutter, though her tone was pleasant, "You must be a Fiori wolf. I'm new here." She watched as the fae dipped her paw into the pool, only to withdraw quickly, causing the silver-coated woman to giggle slightly. "It's quite hot, isn't it?" she queried, "But it's so soothing if you can get used to the heat." However, the volcanic water was hot, and she felt she'd already had enough. Dragging herself, sopping wet, out of the water, she came up beside the younger lady and offered a small smile. The air was drastically cooler than the water, and she felt a delightful chill go down her spine. How refreshing - she felt loosened up but spry, and it was glorious.

"My name is Bright Moon," she introduced herself, tilting her head, "I guess I've been a little shy, keeping to myself... but it's nice to finally meet someone." She was glad she wasn't hiding anymore, and she would finally start to get involved with the pack. This seemed like the right place for her to be, and she was growing used to the idea that this was home.

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It was hot. But Arivae believed the girl when she said getting used to the heat of the water was easy. She's done it before! Around the same time in fall, it was windy and cold, so she decided it'd be nice to slip into a pool of steaming water to soothe her and her muscles. That was when she had just arrived in Fiori...huh. That's right, I'm one of the few scholars. She said calmly, stepping back a few strides as the girl crawled out of the water, her fur soaked. Arivae sat down again, her tail thumping at the ground.

I'm Arivae. It's nice to meet you, Bright Moon. It was a name she's never heard before. It had two words, and it was just unique in general. Most wolves in Alacritia lacked unique names like hers. But she liked it that way. It was always nice to stand out among the crowd. That is, if you liked being on the spot. So, what made you want to join Fiori? There are tons of other nice packs out there, ya know. Arivae wasn't trying to sound critical for her decisions. Just curious.

Bright smiled as the friendly woman confirmed that she was one of the pack, stating that she was one of few scholars. She tilted her black ears, wondering what sort of rank that was. Whatever it was, it sounded intelligent and sophisticated. She supposed she would find out more about the ranks of Fiori the longer she was here, and the more she interacted with the pack. As the fae introduced herself, Bright nodded her head in acknowledgement. "Glad to meet you, Arivae," the woman said, repeating the other's name so that it would stick within her memory.

When Arivae asked her why she had chosen to join Fiori, Bright smiled again, but it was more of a shy gesture. She hadn't really given any other packs a chance, but she was pleased with the decision she had made nonetheless. "I think I got really lucky, to be honest," she began, "I haven't been on this continent long, but this was the first pack I encountered. Something about it seemed right, and then I met Leo at the borders. I feel like I belong here... I still have a lot to learn, and I need to get to know the pack, but I'm glad I'm here. Were you born here?" She wondered if Arivae had at one time been a newcomer like herself, or if she had been raised here. Either way, she must be quite familiar with this place and the wolves here. Perhaps Arivae would be able to help her get to know the others after they got to know each other.

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Arivae seated herself once more and neatly tucked her tail over her paws, listening carefully to the older wolf. Everything she said related to how she felt when she had just joined. It was a little different, considering she was an early yearling at the time. But she could definitely understand where Bright Moon was coming from. Fiori had seemed just right. Ironically enough, the Lovers Mangrove was the very place she was born. But the pack in which claimed that land was not Fiori- but her mother's pack, Sawtooth. Epiphron challenged her mother, won, and changed the pack. Now she was back at square one only to be with Tiburtius and his loving family. Epiphron wasn't even that bad, either. She was a sweet ol' wolf...kinda reminded her of Song.

Arivae flexed her toes in the moist earth and grinned, nodding with agreement. I'm glad your here, too. I could use some more girl friends. Arivae said jokingly, letting out a soft giggle. Most of her friends were male...it was about time she had a girl to talk to about girly things. Even if she was a little older than her. The dark girl nuzzled into her own chest fuzz as she registered Bright's questions. Then opened her mouth to speak. Umm...yes and no. I wasn't quite born in Fiori. Just its territory a few years back. Arivae eyed Bright Moon. She couldn't help but wonder where she had been born, as well.

Bright smiled as the fae said she was glad to meet her. That it would be nice to have a female friend. She wagged her tail, happy at the thought of making a friend as well. She'd spent so much time alone, and the last time she'd been with a pack, her interactions had consisted mostly of raising the pups, and briefly talking with her packmates when needed. She'd been so shut down back then... she wanted to break free from that, but at the same time, she was scared. Other adults could be so unpredictable, so violent. But Arivae seemed so sweet. Bright had to remind herself also that the pack she'd been raised in had been full of friends and honorable wolves.

"It's been a long time since I've known friends," she admitted in a soft, slightly sad tone though her smile was wide, silver eyes sparkling, "But I welcome it." Then she let a small giggle slip out as well. Until now, she hadn't realized how lonely she'd been. She'd spent so much time hiding away and trying to keep herself safe that she'd avoided making great friends. She'd avoided the bad for some time, but avoided all of the good as well. She was glad she'd met Arivae on this day.

She tilted her ears as Arivae said both yes and no in answer to her question. She could only listen further to find out what that meant, but as it was explained, it all made sense to Bright. So Fiori was a fairly young pack, and had claimed the territory that Arivae had been born in. The older fae nodded her head in understanding. "I see, so Fiori isn't necessarily your birth pack, but you were born in these lands," she said, then went on to say a little about her past, "I was born in a land very far from here, called Silver Streak Plains. I've traveled a lot since my time there, and for a while lived in a place called Tirisfal Valley, before I journeyed again and found myself here." She wouldn't bother with the details for now, but sure it would be something she'd share in time. She'd not really talked about such things with anyone before, but she hadn't had any close friends before.

Suddenly feeling comfortable around Arivae, she'd pose one more question. "Arivae... would you perhaps introduce me to some of the pack?" she asked hopefully, "I'm glad to have met you... I dearly want to get to know everyone, but I get so nervous around unfamiliar faces..." She hoped the younger woman would take her up on this and give her a chance.