whatever happened, happened. it was a motto of sorts to live by at this point in her life. accept the things one cannot change, and one would be happier for it. though happiness was a pipe dream. she settled for acceptance. Heloise wandered amongst the red foliage, her blue eyes a stark contrast to such things. she had no direction at this time of day. the meetings she had held with others in the back of her mind for now. whatever had transpired, she was looking toward the future. unaware this landscape was more for... intimate encounters, she'd pass by unassumingly. if she met another with ill intent, she was ready to take them down or flee the scene. she knew her own limitations. especially if she was outclassed. though sometimes pride did get in the way. though if she met anyone in this landscape, she would politely welcome them to chat with her. she was not looking to make foes out of the people living here or anywhere else. so far she had been to the east aside from the northern climate she now walked in. north was far more her type of setting. the snow lingered even in the summer, staining the ground with ivory and allowing her to briefly blend in. though if one looked amongst the area, they would be able to pick her out quite easily. Heloise would pause, hearing a rustling nearby. swinging her body toward it, she would await and see what transpired.

Inky black paws carried Fracture effortlessly through from the territories of Winterfell through to the northwestern redwood forests. He wasn't sure exactly why he'd decided to wander, but life in this pack was becoming quite stale for his tastes. Being raised in times of war had all but ensured that there was always something going on, always something to do; Fracture was struggling to adjust to such a structureless routine. The forest felt very empty, and a little too quiet. Above him- where further south birds would sing-the only sound was that of the wind, followed by the occasional pattering of snow that had been knocked off the pines to fall upon the earth. A layer of frost made the alabaster ground below shine brilliantly, and as Fracture's weight travelled overtop the ice he could feel it's satisfying shatter beneath his paws. He wasn't sure how long he'd been walking, but it was long enough that the environment seemed to blend together everywhere he looked. To his left were tall, red trees.. and snow. To his right? More trees, more snow. Ahead? You guessed it, trees and snow. It didn't take much travel before the scent of dozens of wolves reached him. It was plainly obvious now that this forest had been occupied by another community somewhat recently. It occurred to him that it may have been the pack that Acere had claimed, though his alpha chose to settle Winterfell elsewhere. He catalogued the scents internally as he had been taught, before settling upon one that was very, very fresh. Blackened lips upturned in a silent snarl as he realized the danger. The alpha who was too cowardly to show in battle- what if he was still here? Lurking at Winterfell's borders, preparing his revenge? Spies? Threats? This was something Fracture was familiar with. He pin-pointed the scent and whirled in it's direction, tail flagging upright and alert. He was sure it was female, but that didn't mean she wasn't a danger to his pack. Calmly, the soldier pushed through the tree line until the stranger came into view. She was a brilliant white, nearly camouflaged against the snowy backdrop. Her scars stood out to Fracture immediately, and some instinct inside him screamed danger. Was the old alpha a female? He wasn't sure, but he remained cautious as he approached. "Greetings." The dark male rumbled coolly. Whatever threat the female might pose, he was trained to remain professional and neutral. "What business might you have here, if I may ask?" For now, he wanted to leave Winterfell and it's proximity unmentioned. He didn't know much of Acere, but he was sure that if he'd been caught giving information to a spy that the titanic alpha would have his head. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

a man clothed in dark hues would appear, shouldering his way out of the woodland to face her. he wasted no time in addressing her, inquiring after her intentions here. Heloise was now aware that Winterfell was nearby - at least in the sense of 'near' was the same location as the north - due to her meeting with Acere. though it would be left into the air if she had accepted the new king's offer to join his pack. there was no need to air out her laundry right away. but she did not blame the man's questions. though it was slightly irritating. she only squinted her eyes softly, knowing this part of the north was unclaimed to her knowledge and therefore she did not have to answer to him. he was not above her in any means. "only to rest" though she would keep her tone civil toward the quietly demanding male. "are you from Winterfell?" she knew he was; the scent was unmistakable. the same as Acere yet more subtle compared to the king. his scent was predominately Winterfell's, after all. without a presence like that, others would come knocking soon enough. Heloise had no knowledge of how the pack had been won and rebranded. how could she?

Fracture identified no trace of aggression from the female, but he didn't feel quite safe enough to rest. In his history with strangers they'd almost never had peaceful intent, what was to say these new lands were any different? He met her gaze, searching within her pale blue eyes for any sign of manipulation or dishonesty. Long legs moved slowly as the female spoke, taking enough careful steps to complete a semi-circle around her. He'd let his eyes pull away occasionally as he walked, surveying the trees beyond her and scenting the air subtly for hidden threats. Confident she was alone, his pacing fell to a gradual halt. She claimed she had come here to rest, and Fracture had no reason to see her as a liar. "I am from Winterfell." He answered, allowing his body to begin to relax and dipping his head respectfully towards her. "I apologize, but I ask you understand my suspicion of wolves so close to home." A pause lingered as he considered again that he was divulging too much, but Fracture's moral code kept him honest and he greatly disliked passing judgement over a wolf's motives before they'd made themselves known. "These lands, I think, were the territories of the pack that dissolved to create Winterfell. They seem abandoned now, but you never know who might have issue with the loss of their community." "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

"I suspected as much" she said, both to his rank in Winterfell and to his suspicious ways. she'd calmly watch as he circled nearby, ready to defend herself if need be. men were often more prone to violence than her gender - at least that is what she believed and assumed. she would do well to remember that when facing a stranger. "I have met your king, Acere" there was no point in hiding it. "he told me your community is new." and therefore a show of strength was required for others to back off. Acere did not seem the type to invade another's land and take their pack by force. Heloise was beginning to have an idea of what happened. Winterfell had been built upon the bones of another pack's claim. it meant the new king had challenged for rank and won, leaving the remnants to either dissolve into nothing or be made into the new pack. "I am Heloise cel Mare" she would introduce herself, finding no fault in such things. her head would dip slightly before rising again. "you expect Winterfell to be assaulted by those that lost their rank and titles?" the ivory woman would ask, tilting her head.

Heloise, the female was called. Somehow Fracture found himself surprised that others of this land knew how to be polite; he'd got it in his head somewhere that these wolves were unrefined and rude. Heloise, however, appeared to be raised similarly to himself. He took a moment to appreciate how similar they seemed in practice, but how very yin and yang they were in color. She appeared cool and collected, and Fracture found himself thinking that possibly he could find like-minded companions- a search he'd abandoned when he'd left his former home. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Fracture Artifact." He stated, deep voice warming slightly as she mirrored his nod of greeting. So she had met Acere. The Winterfell King hadn't made any kind of announcement to them, and so Fracture could assume their interaction was friendly enough. "We are new, and I even newer." The male admitted carefully. "I'm ashamed to say that this has been my first meeting in these lands, aside from those at Winterfell when I joined." Though he'd never actually met any of his packmates, he left that unsaid. Winterfell seemed to be full of blood ties, and Fracture had no interest in competing with the King's family and friends for favor- it was a lost cause. "Have you been in the area long?" Fracture wanted to ask if she intended to join Winterfell, but hushed the thought as it seemed like an impolite question. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

she was not privy to the comings and goings of Winterfell, and would not expect an answer. the man, however, did give her a name. Fracture Artifact. "a pleasure" she would continue politely, listening to his admission. he hadn't met many others, which could also explain his wariness toward her when they first came across each other. he was desperate to protect something familiar to him; she could not fault the man for that. he went on to ask if she was new or not. "I just arrived a few days ago" Heloise answered as she had no reason to lie to him about it. her gaze strayed from his face to look around them. "I do not even know the name of this land" a simple error in her traveling, she supposed. it didn't seen prudent to know right away. "only that the north is familiar wherever I may go." she'd add in with a soft smile. north was never humid. it always had snow of some kind, even in the summer months. her coat was more accustomed to living here. "I intended to settle here in some way."

It was ironic that the first wolf whom Fracture would officially stumble upon would happen to be a wanderer such as himself. Her story seemed very similar to his, only he had no preference which side of the earth on which he'd live. "I suppose we're more alike then we seem." He remarked warmly, returning her smile. "Am I to assume that being as you had an audience with Acere, that you're considering joining us?" Black ears flicked forward curiously, and he lifted a paw as if wanting to close some distance between them. He allowed himself to think of how nice it would be to have someone to talk to in Winterfell. Heloise seemed to be exactly the kind of wolf that he could see himself spending time with and not inwardly hating each moment as he did with most others of his kind. Raised a soldier, he'd had not much time for talking back home and even less for friendships. As he spoke, bright gaze fell upon her scars once more. Was she a soldier too? "If it's not too forward of me, I would appreciate the company." Fracture tore his gaze from her to look back over his shoulder in the direction of his pack-lands. It was becoming darker, and he didn't like the idea of leaving the woman out in the woods alone without shelter."Would you consider a trial membership? If it's rest you seek in these woods, perhaps you could accompany me back to the territory and see if you feel the fit is proper before committing." "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

"yes" Heloise would reply simply. Acere, in her opinion, was a good and decent man. she had no reason to deny his offer. they had briefly met and he had presented to her a place of residence. either he bore her no ill will or merely wished to assist her. perhaps a bit of both. "he offered me a spot in Winterfell." no rank given, but she was willing to work for one if the position was desirable enough. she had (for the sake of timeline) said yes to his offer. but she had not tread on their land yet. the idea of being immediately in a pack after so many months traveling on the road... was a bit intimidating. Fracture offered to take her, though. she admitted to herself that he also seemed like a decent man. there was no threat from him either. she suspected, however, he had no means to formally accept her like Acere. "it would be good to walk amongst others again" she'd admit softly, having spent enough time alone. she'd walk forward a bit, closing more distance. "lead the way."

So Acere had offered her a place in the pack then? That was good, it meant Fracture would likely not be reprimanded for stepping out of line and offering this wolf some sanctuary. He would have done it regardless, however. Morally it was the right thing to do, and if Winterfell did not see the honor in it then Fracture would have to find a pack that would. He didn't intend though to simply walk her past the borders into the depths of her home- that would be foolish. When they were to approach, he'd call for Acere and place it in his paws. Fracture smiled as she stepped towards him, beckoning him to lead the way. He turned his back to her and began slow strides in the direction of home. "I can't formally accept you." The male admitted, turning his head to watch her as they walked. "But if the King has offered you a position, I doubt he'd recede it." He shook himself in a shiver, black fur ruffling outwards as he did so. It was cold here, but he'd have to get used to it. How the woman was comfortable in this weather was beyond him. "May I ask, what position would you choose to fill?" Once again he eyed her scarred pelt and face with curiosity and nodded his head to address her long-healed wounds. "You're a soldier as well, I take it?"   "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Fracture would lead away, proclaiming he could not accept her formally. Heloise fell in step, giving a curt nod. she knew as much. Winterfell must be either quite new to have no formal ranking system or they were merely beginning to have them. or maybe the man near her now was in held no power to accept. "Acere seems a good man" she would begin "I doubt he would wave membership in one's face and then go back on his word." Heloise would not have accepted if she thought him untrustworthy. still, until it was official, she would not step over the budding borders. Fracture then asked, breaking her free of thought, what title she would want. looking at the proverbial road ahead, she'd keep her reply simple. "I cannot choose; for I have no idea how your king will run things in Winterfell" she couldn't hope to take a role that was intended for others, more trustworthy and close to the new king. she also could not assume the ranking system. "I would only hope to do my best in a neutral position, and rise if Acere deems it fit." Heloise was not the type to start a fight over ranks. she would not even challenge for one. if it was the will of the ruler she succeeds, she would accept where he wanted to place her. though her words were quite unremarkable, it told that she was not here to challenge or berate others in Winterfell for their more lenient positions of power. "yes, I was trained to be a soldier" of a sort. the monk-like wolves who had taken her in... well, she owed them her life. yet Heloise did not wish to walk down the past again. "and you? what position would you like?"

It seemed Heloise knew Acere better then Fracture did, which wasn't odd seeing as he'd had barely an interaction with the King upon joining their ranks. He'd hoped to learn more about the wolf who controlled his pack soon, but if this female thought he seemed like a good man then Fracture trusted her judgement. They spoke of rank then, and her opinion on it was the first thing the female had said since they met that Fracture could disagree with. "The way I see it, it's my duty to strive for the position that I excel most at." He countered politely, giving her a short smile to ensure she would not take offense. "If Acere were to ask me to be a healer, then his judgement in my abilities would be flawed. It would take me years of study to become adept, and Winterfell would be better off finding a wolf who is already capable in the field." The male paused, considering his next words. "Is it not unfair to expect the King to be responsible in choosing the path for each of his followers, and do it well enough to benefit the pack the most?" He shrugged as his speech came to an end, and then added a final thought. "Though I suppose I do not know how Acere will run things, either. I can only hope that the choice is placed upon us so that I'm not expected to spend my life doing something I do not wish to do." Of course, Fracture would do whatever would be asked of him regardless; it was an understandable part of a soldier's life that it wasn't always easy to follow orders. Whatever he'd be selected for would be acceptable, he supposed. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

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"ah" Heloise would say softly, her words misunderstood. she'd shake her head, a gentle chuckle escaping her blackened lips. "I meant only that I do not know what ranking system Winterfell has, so I cannot hope to be placed in a position I am unaware of" it was foolish to hope for a higher tier rank if one just joined the pack, for instance. "I would hope your king asks first, before a very sudden move is done; especially if it concerns one's occupation." Acere wouldn't do well to place a soldier as a healer's rank, and a healer in a fighting position. the woman's goals were quite simple. "I only wish to protect borders and the people that make them up" she'd go on to explain. the packs were different wherever she went. some people made up different rankings to go along with their own way of running a community. but the basics were simple; hunters, defenders, healers and leaders. her head would bob slightly downward as she gave a soft hum. "if I had to choose one position, I would pick one that does that." to serve and protect were easy enough for her first ever pack. there was no need to get complicated.

"I must have misunderstood." Fracture admitted, nodding at her clarification. "I guess we're in similar positions, then. I've no idea what Acere has planned for Winterfell's hierarchy. I can only assume that the ranking system will be somewhat familiar." He knew every leader had their pack ranks given different names and responsibilities, but generally the system was sound and the duties needed in a pack were universal among wolves. "I'll admit I am nervous though, I feel like I jumped into Winterfell with no knowledge of their morals or ambitions." The dark male made an indecisive noise, grimacing slightly. "I do hope that my values won't be tarnished by being here. What is it you hope from them?" He turned his head to watch her expectantly, hoping to learn more of how this female thought on the world. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

"surely they would not force you to stay if you did not agree with them?" Heloise felt a small twinge of uncertainity. new packs required members for a show of strength; if they prevented people from leaving due to disagreements, it was not somewhere she would enjoy being involved with. if worse came to worse, she would fight for her freedom despite being woefully unprepared compared to the residents here. they all seemed steps ahead of her. Fracture asked what she hoped for in Winterfell, causing her to roll her shoulders. like any wolf, she wished for the same simple things. allies. people to grow close to. eventually a family. she felt her reply would be lackluster. I tend not to hope Heloise said inwardly for I always seem to be let down by others. it was left unsaid. "to be honest, I do not know" she was jumping into this blind just as he was. she had met Acere, but knew next to nothing personal about him. she only got the vibe he was a good man. "I only hope to do my best."

Fracture felt a tinge of disappointment as the female remained closed off to his questioning. He wanted to learn more about her, there was something intriguing about this wolf. "I do not think they would stop me from leaving." He replied briskly. "Though I would dislike to. I do not do well on my own, and from what I gather it's a decent distance to the closest pack. I am tired of traveling." Fracture wasn't the most social wolf, he didn't know how to continue the conversation when the she-wolf was giving him such vague answers. Why was she so withdrawn? Was it something he said? His ears pulled back slightly, and he fell silent. The breeze grew stronger as they neared the territory, the red woods surrounding them began to dwindle in number, and the towering wall outside the borders stood high in the distance. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

his disappointment was clear, though Heloise felt it prudent to keep space between them. she had only just met the other wolf and did not usually get very attached to others from the start. it would take time to grow into friendship aside from casual encounters. she could not hope to trust others just because she happened to be in the same community as them. everyone had their own agenda and goals. though she did not sense evil from Fracture, she was uncertain if she would remain for long in these lands. there were always other realms to explore outside of this one. plenty of north too. the pair would walk in silence after she gave a nod to him. eventually, she would speak up. "so you seek a home" she'd state "I am... still uncertain if I want one myself. a pack is a house, but it takes much for it to become a home" Heloise admitted softly as they neared the border crossing. she'd pause before it, not moving an inch to the other side until she gave her answer to Acere personally. "Winterfell would be a good start, though." she attempted to smile warmly. lifting her head, she'd call for the new king. whatever happened, happened. /END THREAD