She'd made her way down, far down to the southern continent to discover the mysterious pack that seemed to keep to itself. She knew little of it except that it existed. It was far past time that she'd remedied her lack of information, and introduced Avalon to them in the process. Besides, she wanted to be certain all the packs had been invited to the festival, and she wouldn't ask anyone else from Avalon to go this far out of their way to find a pack she had no idea whether they presented a danger or not. Better for her to be in potential danger than to put one of those who trusted her to keep them safe, in that situation. Stopping a polite distance from the border markings, she raised her head and called out for the alpha of the mystery pack.

Hattori came when called, passed through the Maze's winding corridors and pressed through the edges of the Bamboo till he came face to face with the black and white wolf. It took him a moment to recognise the woman, she was the victor of the pack claim at Monument Rapids. But any other details about her, even a name were a mystery to the Kaicho. Though it appeared he would get answers today, if nothing else. Offering a polite nod of greeting he came to a stop, safely within his well-marked border. Her outward appearance and mannerisms gave little way, giving the appearance that she played her cards close to her chest. That she had won that pack claim fight for a reason and with cause.

"Hello." He said, taking the second step in introduction since she had claimed the first. "I am Hattori, Kaicho of Toko-kai. I saw your fight at the Rapids. I presume your pack is doing well?" His conversational skills were admittedly a little stiff, but he wasn't being impolite either. Or at least not intentionally.

She found to her surprise that she did somewhat recognize the male who appeared at her call. With his distinctive coloration and mutations, it would have been harder to miss seeing him than not, even distracted by the challenge as she was. He was polite and inquired gracefully about her pack's wellbeing. "I am Corbie Silverwind, of Avalon. Thank you, we have been doing well. And yourself, and Toko-kai?" The word was unfamiliar on her tongue, but she did her best not to stumble over it. "It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. I'm afraid I've been rather slow at getting to know the other packs - the work of setting up, as I am sure you have experience with."

Corbie Silverwind of Avalon. He committed her name to memory with a short nod, somewhat pleased he now had a name to put to her face. She was pleasant and polite, a good change of pace from a few of the mouthy visitors that had graced his borders. Though with their packs so far apart and Tojo's reclusive nature he did not think they would have too many interactions, but at least there would be no hard feelings between them. Just the due respect given.

"We are well, thank you. And it is fine, I did not expect you to come all this way, I understand it is inconvenient." But her effort was appreciated. "Tojo prefers to keep to itself, but visitors are welcome. If you wish to rest before returning to Avalon you may make use of the Bay." He supposed she may want something more than a simple greeting, after coming all this way. "What would you like to know?"

The alpha was cool and distant as he spoke to her, but not in a particularly rude manner. It made for an interesting change from her interactions with alphas so far, a puzzle, a different sort of distance than what she had already faced from Valta and some of it's allies. She hadn't expected the diplomacy part of having a pack to be quite as fascinating as it was, but there it was. "Your hospitality is much appreciated, though I believe I will have to decline this time, regretfully. I have a long way back to my pack, and having some miles in before night will be best." He asked what she wanted to know, and she tilted her head, considering the best wording to use, but ultimately decided to be blunt, though she smiled to take any potential sting from her words. "Honestly, I am looking to find out what we can expect from Tojo in regards to Avalon, and how you relate to other packs here. Avalon is to be fully neutral towards all packs, so we aren't seeking alliances, but we would be interested in trade and skill exchanges, for the benefit of all."

Hattori hummed in acknowledgment, it was an offer made out of politeness but he found no offence in her refusal. Her reasoning was sound and he imagined an alpha may be uncomfortable with leaving her pack unattended for too long. She seemed a little unsure what to make of his bluntness, but took it in her stride as she readjusted the topic of conversation to meet her intentions. Hattori nodded in understanding, she wished to get a feel for how things may develop between their two packs, if trade and other relations could occur in the future.

"For the most part we do keep to ourselves," he explained. "Self reliance is important to our clan, so I understand your neutral stance. We are much the same. Outright trade of goods would be unnecessary, but during our festivals your people are welcome to attend and sell your wares to other attending wolves. "  He thought that was a fair compromise, if he did say so himself.

Corbie gave it a moment's thought, and nodded to the other alpha. "That is fair," she said to him, unknowingly echoing his own thought. "I would be honored to attend your festival in that manner, and I can certainly respect your desire for privacy and self sufficiency." That was not politeness, or flattery, but the simple truth - she did respect that viewpoint. It had been one that her mentor had shared with him, and she had spent most of her formative years with Tornach, and had known his ways well. It had only been recently that she had strayed off that path herself, when she had chosen to build Avalon. "You and yours are always welcome at Avalon's festivals as well, though you are of course never obliged to attend," she added, thinking as she did that he might be someone she would feel comfortable inviting him to the Remembrance vigil, though it was usually not something outsiders would be invited to. Despite having only just met him, he reminded her so much of Tornach that she could help but feel drawn to him in that way. Colder than Tornach had been, more like he'd been when he had first found her after he'd lost his own mate, before he had warmed to her. "Some of our festivals are intended to be large, public affairs, but there are a few smaller a year that your people might be more comfortable with, if they do not care for crowds." She did not push further, though, leaving it at that. Feeling that it was perhaps best to leave sooner rather than later, to avoid overstaying her welcome with the reserved male, she added, "I am glad to have learned of your pack from you, Hattori. I should be getting on the trail now, but I am very pleased to have made your acquaintance." She dipped her head in a brief, respectful gesture.

Overall Hattori deemed this to be an agreeable meeting, one that offered him a degree of clarity when it came to Avalon and it's place in Boreas. Their mindsets were more closely aligned than with any other of the packs Hattori had interacted with thus far, and he appreciated her efforts not to judge the closed off nature of the clan. A feat many seemed to struggle with, it seemed. In all he had to say he liked her more than most outsiders, quite a compliment coming from him.

"It was pleasant speaking with you." He nodded once more, a sort of farewell gesture more formal than a wave of his tail.

Hattori accepted her words with aplomb and a graceful gesture. "It was my pleasure," she murmured assurance. With the fare thee wells and all completed so that it would not be rude to leave, Corbie withdrew from the taller, horned alpha, leaving him there amongst the unique features of his pack's territory. Though on the surface it didn't seem like much progress had been made, on the whole Corbie was satisfied with the encounter. It was clear that Hattori was a wary, introverted soul so anything at all was more than expected. It would give Corbie plenty to think on, on the long journey back to Avalon. Maybe she would see him or some of his wolves at a future festival, after all.

-exit-