This place was almost like home. Spring had long since passed, leaving the Nook notably less vibrant compared to the season before. It was a bit of a shame and Hattori felt a faint tug of disappointment in his chest as he wandered through the open space, his cold gaze set on the treetops above as he listened to the gentle rustle of the wind in the branches. Regardless of his status as a warrior and a shinobi, he'd always enjoyed the peace and quiet and actively sought it out whenever he had the chance. A lot of things had changed in his life, mostly for the worst, but at least he could still fall back on old habits and feel whole. Even if only for a little while.  

Ahead a deer noticed his presence and let out a sharp alarm call, sending the rest of the herd skittering off in all directions. Aside from the subtle flick of his ear he paid them no heed and pushed on, now admiring the myriad of flowers that brushed against his ankles. It was warm out and with the darkness of his coat he was starting to get a little warm, perhaps he ought to settle beneath the shelter of the trees. After all, he could easily admire the scenery regardless of whether he was sitting or standing.

Bait preferred this place far more than that forest he had spent a few days in.  Appearances aside it had been too rich on food to not splurge for a few days.  Fortunately, this much more lovely place was also abundant with food.  Predators were more likely to frequent here and the hiding places not as numerous as that forest had been.  However, there were enough hiding spots and it was rare for a fox to not be able to find plentiful grub. After a filling meal of mouse, lizard tail, and quail egg Bait had found himself a nice spot to rest and watch the scenery as he hoped for entertainment.  This little tree was just trying to get itself off the ground and was more branch and leaves than it was trunk.  Bait was near invisible from within, nearly.  The sound of the deer's warning call and their fleeing warned him that whatever had come within range was a large enough predator to scare them.  It did trigger a moment of warning of danger, but it only lasted a second before his curiosity kicked in.  The fox poked its head out enough for its eyes to pear out, ears, and rest of his body still behind the brush. That was one giant wolf!  Wolf it was though and a magnificent specimen at that!  Curious and bold as Bait was he still took a second to look around the terrain for how he should run in case the wolf was the unreasonable sort.  Some wolves actually thought foxes were sport or food! Ridiulous notions those were. "Well, well.  Greetings great wolf," the fox spoke up, "you are quite a sight.  Leader of many perhaps? Certainly you must be from the finest of bloodlines by your appearance."  It always helped to start out with working their ego and pride the right way.  Well, almost always. Speech:"Talk" Think

Hattori's gaze snapped to the side at the sound of little paws smushing down the long grass. He eyed the little fox with muted interest, only truly paying attention when it began to speak. And what words did he weave, compliments all layered atop one another like a feast laid out at Hattori feet. Had Hattori been a vain man he would have no doubt lapped it all up and perhaps even demanded more, but as things stood he wasn't all that impressed. Not that he blamed the fox, in a sense he could see why he favoured this approach as a bit of flattery here and there no doubt worked wonders on the right crowd. But Hattori wasn't a part of the general masses and besides it wasn't as if he went out of his way to kill foxes, even if they did like to talk a lot.

"That is not necessary, I do not intend to harm you, fox."

Perhaps he could have been a little less on the nose about it but that wasn't exactly his style either. He settled then, folding himself down as his muscles throbbed in protest. If the fox wished to stay and talk then would allow him to do so, as much as he lacked in the social department he very rarely others off. Even if he didn't have much to say in return.

Bait felt more confident in the wolf being safe when it chose to lay itself down.  Bait stepped the rest of the way out from the bushes looking at the wolf. Quite the vivid color scheme it had.  Bait hadn’t seen a pattern quite like that before but then it wasn’t the only wolf with the original pattern.  Bait liked pretty things either way, and the coat was worthy of being called just that.  Even the size was worth more than one look. Ah, my some wolves these days did not appreciate a good round of senseless praise.  “Very well, still you do have quite the colored coat and you dwarf me as few ever do.” This was said with more casual style than the full-blown wonder he’d used earlier at least. “I have not seen a pelt similar to yours in my roaming, and I have roamed quite a bit.” Taking a seat for himself the fox wrapped his fluffy tail over his paws.  “So great,” a pause, “pardon, it is how I tend to speak with wolves, perhaps you have a name you prefer to go by?  I go by the name of Bait.” Speech:"Life is but a game " Think

Even with his -quite firm- reassurance the fox continued on, making Hattori wonder if this was simply his way. It didn't exactly suit his palette but Hattori didn't care enough to kick up a fuss, nor was he really the sort to, he simply let the fox continue on, ears flicked forward as he listened. The shinobi supposed he could sort of see where he was coming from, in a land of giants it paid to be quick of wit and fleet of foot. If this was simply his way of getting by then he couldn't be blamed, even if it did rub Hattori entirely the wrong way. But as always, unless someone took the time to really squint and read between the lines, Hattori's thoughts and emotions were hidden well and his expression a blank slate.

"Hattori." With a slight dip of his head he introduced himself in return, minus all the waffle and fanfare.

He sat in silence for a moment, watching the leaves above rustle in the breeze as he considered his next words. By now it was no doubt clear he wasn't a master of conversation, only speaking when necessary, and that each word uttered carried weight like a rock sinking to the bottom of a pond. Perhaps the fox could learn a thing or two today, if nothing else.

"In my homeland there is a god, called Inari. They often take the form of a fox." And thus why he had no intention of harming Bait.

Oh dear.  Bait was watching Hattori after he said his name and how he was so quiet and passive.  This was going to be a boring wolf at this rate.  Bait enjoyed the active, the playful, the storytellers, and anything that kept him excited! Bait was thinking of leaving but there was nothing else to do for more excitement at any rate.  Then Hattori spoke and fully regained Bait’s interest.  A fox god who went by Inari huh?  Oh, this was full of potential. Bait was quite fine with letting the surprise show on his features as his mind spun, “Now that’s fascinating!” “Us foxes know of our god by the name Zeko.  Some put more worship into him than others mind you.  Most foxes know Zeko in a since of stories to tell their pups.  However, it is certainly true we have our own beliefs and ways in regard to the multi-tailed god.  Well known for being exceeding clever and of good luck.” Bait happily shared a bit of random facts he recalled hoping it would earn him more in return.  What did Zeko have to do in his life? Nothing as far as Bait could tell.  His tail tip twitched here and there as the wheels in his mind spun Bait had heard another name for a fox immortal but it was one for a trickster and not always in a friendly since.  If Bait were going to choose one he’d probably do the latter, but what if wolves new of that version also?  For some reason, not all approved of tricks being played on them to teach vital lessons.  Fools.  They made for great stories and was now curious if this wolf had any to pass on.  “Tell me of your insight of Ze, apologies, Inari.” Speech:"Life is but a game " Think

Hattori listened, silent and still as he took in the little fox's words. The world was large and vast, there were too many gods to name and count but he supposed it did make sense that foxes would worship a deity of their own kind. If not a little more fanciful than the average fox, if Bait was to be believed. Hattori hadn't really put much thought into why kami took the forms of certain animals, perhaps it made them all the more real when imagining them in a form of a creature known to be true. Foxes, from what he knew, were certainly cunning little creatures but he had no intention of saying as much aloud since Bait would no doubt twist that into a sort of compliment.

Instead Hattori took a moment to consider Bait's question, as his gaze lingered on the leaves above. The answer did not sit on the tip of his tongue, he had to dig and rummage around in the back of his mind till old, discarded memories surfaced. His sore shoulder twitched, the muscles shifting and roiling as he leaned back on his haunches. Bait might not have cared much for his silence but he needed it now to think, to recall.

"If I remember the foxes are seen more as the messengers of Inari, not as a god themselves." That sounded more right, he had mispoken at first. "My homeland is covered in shrines, ancient gates from the time before. Some of these shrines are dedicated to Inari and have many fox statues. Some as big as yourself."

It was true Bait wasn’t much for silence but he was figuring out that’s how this wolf was.  Before Hatori had mentioned their god he had also been quiet.  Bait could imagine his mind figuring out exactly what to say or scrounge up old memories depending on how much attention he ever put to stories of their fox deity. Hm, messenger to their gods? Bait wouldn’t mind being a messenger to one!  How much fun could you have hearing what they had to say and another’s reaction to it?  Hm, if only such a thing existed.  Who knows, maybe it did? However unless a god chose to appear to Bait and prove himself it didn’t much matter did it? “Wouldn’t that be a fun job? Sharing messages by a higher power to someone else? And statues you say that are my size?  I would love to see those someday, though I imagine it’s a bit far from here?”   At least if the wolf had to be slow to speak he did have interesting things to speak of, and he certainly didn’t seem the type to attack. Speech:"Life is but a game " Think