Since the two packs would be living in such close confines, Resin felt that it was her duty to make introductions and see just what this pack was all about. She'd heard of them in passing while in the Armada. Iolaire thought very highly of a few of the wolves there. It made the prospect of meeting much more agreeable. Had she heard that they were a distasteful pack, she would have still made introductions, but it wouldn't have been as enjoyable. The giant, scarred woman made her way to the border and seated herself just outside. This land of theirs shared borders with her own, so this was where she would meet them. Raising her scar flecked muzzle, the woman released a long, low call. She hoped that she wouldn't have to wait long, but the breeze that blew in off of the bay was pleasant. It ruffled her ash and onyx pelt, keeping her cool despite the summer sun. "Speech"

She'd heard and scented the preparations on the other side of the border, but she had decided to wait and bide her time before paying a visit. Theory had spent less time thinking and more time doing - she thought it might be better to just wait it out and see where the chips fell. The young alpha was relaxing by the bay and pondering her recent conversation with Corvus. New relationships budding amongst the pack was a good thing. After all, Abaven prided itself on being family first, and families didn't just materialize out of thin air. However, she couldn't help but ruminate on his attitude. He was shy - which was normal - but also more unsure than she'd ever seen him. Is that what love did to you?

There was no longer any need to wonder who lay on the other side of the border when a call sounded from that direction. Theory stood up and stretched, shaking the loose sand off of her pelt before heading towards the source of the summons. Upon arrival she was met with a fearsomely scarred and mature female. She was certainly intimidating, but Theo tried not to let it get to her. What were the chances that they were an Abraxas-type this far inland? Wolves usually weren't conspicuous when they were plotting - which was what made her all the more wary of Eligos' public persona. "Hello, I'm Theory, alpha of Abaven. Welcome to the neighborhood," she chirped, standing at ease on Abaven's side of the border. Pleasantries were a good start. The other alpha was grizzled and scarred, but appearances certainly weren't everything.

The hardworking woman was getting lulled into a sense of sleepy peacefulness by the combination of sunlight and breeze. A yawn pulled from her and she was forced to stand, giving her big body a shake. The dark form of what she assumed was the alpha of the pack appeared a moment later. Resin was glad to see that the alpha was a woman. A large woman too. In her experience, women were a little more level-headed. Easier to deal with. As the woman drew near, she gave her name. Theory. Resin nodded, committing it to memory. "Good to meet you, Theory. I am Resin, Aegis of The Hallows." With a slight pull of her blocky skull, she motioned in the direction of the springs and the falls. "I've laid claim to both the Hot Springs and the Falls." Resin's lone, golden eye looked over the woman. Iolaire had told her that Abaven was full of kind wolves. There was nothing wrong with that. It would be relieving, actually. A gust of breeze ruffled the scarred woman's thick obsidian mane as she continued. "I've simply come so that we both can know what the other is about." And put our minds at ease, she left unsaid. So far, she felt no threat from the bob tailed woman. Black ears flicked forward, wondering if Theory had any questions for her. "Speech"

"Oh! Lucky you," she remarked. "Those are very, very pleasant places to visit - and a far sight more pleasant to call home, I'd imagine," Theo finished with a grin. There was a formal but laidback way that Resin addressed her; it put her slightly at ease. She wasn't encroaching on their territory until invited and she was respectful of Theory's position. Good. It was difficult enough to deal with "proving" herself as a leader every time she ran into a new strong personality. Just because she was young didn't mean she was stupid. In her short time as alpha she'd endured more than some might in a generation: natural disasters, death after death, relocation. They had persevered and would continue to remain an active presence in Boreas until her dying breath. Okay, okay. A little grim - let's not go there quite yet. Shaye and Tana's grave occasionally still haunted her dreams. While she was young yet, Theory felt like she was never far away from someone's grave. Let's make sure it's not my own. The best way to secure that future, of course, was to forge strong alliances. Now that Winterfell had proven itself gutless she was in the marker for a new set of friends.

"Well, Abaven is a family pack. We're a strong unit with plenty of warriors, healers, and in my opinion the best crafter in Boreas." Brandr was an invaluable member of the pack. It didn't take just brute strength to flourish - there was some finesse to really thriving. "And yours?"

Theory's observation of the lands that she'd chosen were met with a small smile and a nod. "Aye, quite a pleasant place to live. I imagine it will be more so during the cold winter months. Good for old bones." She was looking forward to seeing her new home in the autumn and winter. She would learn the place that she had made her own, inside and out. After the woman spoke of her own pack being familial and containing the best crafter in Boreas, the scarred brow arched slightly. Resin was sure that her daughter could give this crafter a run for their money. She didn't say it aloud though. They were being friendly here. Knowing that the pack bordering her own was comprised of family was relieving. Generally, a pack filled with kin wouldn't look for trouble. When it came time to speak of her own pack, Resin did so without hesitation. "The Hallows are a little different from the norm. We welcome wolves from all walks. Loners and pack wolves alike. I'm building a place of healing, in a sense. A place for broken minds and bodies to become whole once more." Obsidian ears flicked forward. "You and yours are welcome to the springs, should you wish it. My daughter, Iolaire, speaks highly of your members, as does her adopted brother, Sirius." It was because of their word that Resin had no qualms allowing Abaven wolves into her territory. "Speech"

"Oh, yes. Iolaire was very kind to my grandmother who still resides here... and Sirius - well, the journey to our present relationship was very unusual, but I would count him and his family among my friends," Theory explained. This was Iolaire's mother? She was a fearsome thing. No wonder Io was well-versed in healing and quick on her paws. "It sounds like a wonderful idea, the Hallows. I'll have to pay a visit with some of our members soon. I'm a bit of a novice healer, but I'll admit I haven't had much chance at all to practice. I became alpha very, very young, and my studies were cut short," she murmured. There was no anger in her voice, just a careful emotional distance. "If you have any members who would like to teach, I'd be more than happy to learn. Perhaps we could cement a sort of alliance? We know these areas well. Abaven has called this part of Eastern Boreas home for generations - since long, long before I was born. Not these lands exactly, but this general area. We would be glad to share our knowledge of the region - best hunting spots, where to find some rare herbs. Would you be interested in that?" Theory cocked her head, hoping Resin's answer would be warm and in the affirmative. They were in such close quarters, it only made sense to offer a sincere friendship.

Resin listened as Theory spoke. It seemed like the girl hadn't had proper conversation in a long time, so the giantess let her speak as much as she wished. Periodically Resin would nod or make a rumble of agreement in her throat, but there wasn't much that she could say about healing. She took life. She didn't aid it. Or at least she used to. Things were a little different now, weren't they? She and The Hallows would most definitely be aiding life. The woman was a little surprised when Theory suggested an alliance. It would be ideal, having The Hallows cemented between two allies. After a moment of consideration, Resin nodded. "We could certainly discuss an alliance. You seem a reasonable sort. You care for your family just as I care for mine. Peace would be best for both, don't you think?" Thinking a moment further, Resin added. "We could aid one another in training. Send our healers, warriors and crafters to be trained by new minds." That would boost both packs. The stronger they were, the less likely that others would want to screw with them. As it was, The Hallows had the Armada on its side. With Abaven on the other, she would be more at ease. "Speech"

"Oh, yes! I'd like that very much," she murmured. Ahh! This was so exciting. Theo let out a small little breath and grinned again. With Siris and Resin as friends of the pack, anyone would think twice about looking Eastward for another raid. It would mean relative safety for all of them - but then again, she couldn't imagine anyone thinking about messing with Sirius, period. Or Resin for that matter. Sneakily she glanced in her direction; she was strong, that was obvious, and incredibly imposing with those scars. Theory imagined standing shoulder to shoulder with her and felt a bit queasy. It was obvious who'd best who in a fair fight. No question. It was kind of exciting to think about. "We have some very bright wolves. I'd love for our packs to mingle. We've got a few crops of yearlings that really ought to see more of the world," Theo said wistfully, thinking of Eulogy's brood and Vail and Solor's orphans. Suddenly it occurred to her that they actually turned two this season. Soon her youngest siblings would be the next adultlings looking for guidance and meaning. She wasn't sure if she could handle all that at all.

The ashen woman couldn't help but chuckle at how agreeable Theory was. It was a fine thing. Perhaps the bob-tailed fae hadn't met too many powerful women in her life. She seemed very excited to be in Resin's presence and the older dame hoped that she wouldn't disappoint her. She hoped too that they could develop a true friendship in time. Resin wasn't the type of wolf to draw in friends. Acquaintances, sure, but never friends. As Theory spoke of having young ones that could benefit from training and travel, the one eyed fae nodded. "The Hallows have no children yet, but my..." what should she even call Tamsyn? They'd never discussed titles. In her mind, the small black fae was simply her woman. "My mate will be delivering her first litter soon." Mate felt strange on her tongue, but it was as true as she could get. "Speech"