This was a bit of a trek after the short distance between the first two packs on his agenda, though certainly not quite as long a trek as his initial journey south. Here he stood, at the borders of an ancient copse of alabaster woods. Something about it made him uneasy, as though there were eyes peering out from every shadow. Taking a moment of pause, he shook out his dark pelt to ensure the fur lay nicely against the smooth lines of his elegant bodice. First impressions were critical, and if he made a poor one Augustus would take it out on his hide when he returned. Rolling out the taut muscles of his shoulders, the tension and strain that came from long days of travel eased off somewhat. A soft inhale, exhale, inhale again. Just as his mother had taught him, in his early days. A sonorous howl escaped onyx jaws, a call that requested an audience, but made no demands. Tall auds caught the last traces of it echoing through the trees, and he found himself alone with his duties once more. Today he opted to remain standing at the borders, and await whomever might arrive to greet him. The scents that crisscrossed the border were plentiful, and he sensed he would likely not be kept waiting for long. Charcoal tipped banner swept idly against slim heels, brimstone gaze tracing the patterns of the bleached vines that hung from the boughs overhead. He thought he noticed an odd bird staring at him, but it was gone when he looked again. ooc. Absinthe is here to tell you about the underground market! Shoot me a DM on discord if you have questions, and also feel free to ignore him if you don't wanna participate! Alternately telling him to go away will be equally acceptable "speech" STEP IN LINE, EVERYTHING WILL BE JUST FINE

Visitors had been flocking to Ashen's borders as of late and Hattori couldn't say he was overly pleased. Perhaps it was a good thing, a sign of their growth, but for the most part Hattori regarded it as a distraction. There was plenty for him to do and only a limited amount of hours in the day, even now as he paced his way to the border the clock was ticking. He glanced up as his hawk-eagle flew overhead, riding the air currents as it let out a squawk, telling Hattori about the loner waiting at the borders. He learned nothing of note but knowing his companion was as watchful as ever was enough for the Shogun. For now at least.

Stepping out from the white of the treeline, Hattori made no attempt to conceal his approach. If the loner was here to speak then he would listen, there was no need for secrecy or posturing, Hattori knew his and Ashen's worth. He did not need to make a show of it, nor would he ever care to as such frivolities were beneath him. Settling his unblinking gaze upon the stranger, the Shogun noted that he was unremarkable at best, with a generic look that would have him blending in well with any chosen crowd. The scars that lined his eye were long since healed, drawing attention away from the smaller, subtler marks that marred his form. But Hattori had not written him off just yet, the stranger had sharp, clever eyes.

Hattori finally blinked.

"What do you want?" Hattori asked, his accent still thick and the bluntness of his tone more due to speaking in his second language than anything else. After all this time the common tongue proved tedious for him, even with Venom he sometimes struggled to find the right words and proper phrasing.

This was why he left diplomatic affairs to his wife, if that hadn't been obvious enough from the start.

A titanic man emerged from the treeline with the grace of a panther somehow softening the sound that might have given him away as he came into view. Mercurial eyes boring into his own, the brightly mottled giant assessed him without uttering a word of greeting. Ebon features carefully absent of emotion, his brimstone gaze traipsed over the lines of his bodice curiously in return. Burly, bearing a few unique features that he couldn't say he'd seen before on a canine. Keen eyes snapped back to the face of the strange man as a deep voice rumbled forth, "What do you want?" words were devoid of any real malice, and laced with a thick accent. Lashes fluttered as a facsimile of a warm expression made its way onto his face, and the raven furred servant dipped his head low in a respectful greeting. "I hope I have not disturbed you, my lord." he began carefully, auds flickering back hesitantly as he sought to express his condolences in the event that he had drawn the man away from other business. "My name is Absinthe, I have come on behalf of my master, who seeks to extend an invitation to you and your people. He is hosting a market in the north, and would be honoured to have you visit to peruse the wares." he explained in a cool, even-keeled tone. Rather than launch into a full tale of the events that would be held at their site to the north, the dark male left it at that. It seemed like gauging the interest of the stoic male would be beneficial, rather than load him down with irrelevant information and potentially drive him away entirely. ooc. feel free to have Venom drop in and interrupt at any point, I just couldn't resist having him be a little uneasy and try to win Hattori over "speech" STEP IN LINE, EVERYTHING WILL BE JUST FINE

Hattori thought nothing of the stranger's softly-soft approach, all fluttering lashes and appreciative warmth as if it even meant anything. Like the loner wasn't simply just going through the motions, being polite because he might run the risk of getting his tongue torn out if he did not. Not that Hattori cared for such barbaric acts, but he loathed the intricacies of formality back home and he hated it just as much here. Being nice would never be enough to gain Hattori's favour, he was a man of action, not words.

The stranger made a show of apologies, lamenting disturbing him and it took a surprising degree of self-control not to frown and tell him to get on with it, cut to the case and get this meeting over and done with. But the Shogun did no such thing and simply listened, waited as they both went through the motions of guest and recipient. The stranger spoke of a market and Hattori concluded this meeting wasn't entirely a waste of time, though he would never say as much he was always on the look-out for offers for his wife. Shows of dedication and gifts were his love language, saying so much more than he ever could.

"What wares? He pressed, wondering whether it was worth investigating further.

There was something about the emptiness of the man's expression that was just as unnerving as if he had been threatened from the offset. Perhaps it was the inscrutability, and the fact that beneath the cool expression the larger male could be plotting Absinthe's violent demise. Shifting his weight ever so slightly, he widened the alignment of his forepaws in cautious preparation for an attack. Without much movement beyond the slight movement of dark fur as the breeze passed over him, the titan kept his mercurial stare focused upon the scarred male's face. "What wares?" he grunted the inquiry with little interest in frivolities or propriety. Perhaps it was best to adjust his tactics. This didn't quite read the same as outright impatience and anger, instead the man seemed to speak sparingly and with direct intentions behind his words. "Furs, adornment, preserved foods and delicacies, crafting supplies, precious metals and jewels, homemaking goods, and the like. All of them acquired over the course of our journey here, and as such everything we offer comes in a few regional variations. We also have captives available for purchase, if that interests you." he rattled the list off with as much precision and enunciation as possible, ensuring the minced words were still delivered with some care. Brimstone eyes traced over the horns that sprouted from the man's crown, intrigued by the appearance of yet more elaborate mutations within the lands they had chosen to visit this season. "We have also established a small gambling den with games of skill, as well as a gladiatorial ring in which small game will be pitted in matches for our guests' entertainment." he added, though he still wasn't entirely certain with what kind of man he spoke, and the offer of slaves or gambling could easily drive a wolf with delicate sensibilities away from visiting. It was a stab in the dark, really, whether the offer would be received well or not. "Should I inform my master of your intentions to join us in the future?" he questioned gently with a tilt of his tapered cranium, half-tucked tail flicking gently against his thigh. "speech" STEP IN LINE, EVERYTHING WILL BE JUST FINE

The visitor was quick on his paws to adapt, to size up Hattori and see him for the man he was, with all but his darkest secrets laid bare for everyone to see. If the Shogun was displeased by the loner's presence he would have long since made it known, in essence the man was safe as long as he continued to act accordingly. And that he did, the man went onto list off the wares available as Hattori listened with varying levels of interest. He himself had very little use for slaves nor did he view the trade in a positive light, after all if a pack needed to stuff its roster with slaves to keep it full then what did that say of their capability? Those who remained on Chimera's island were there by the Empresses' grace, the moment she changed her mind Hattori would cast them into the sea himself. Her will would be done.

Still, the other goods on sale were of interest to the Shogun, even if his expression did not say as much. After all, he knew of his wife's fondness for material goods and the likelihood of finding something she liked there was high. He paused for a moment, wondering how much he could expend on this venture. Without being boastful, Ashen's coffers were as full as they'd ever been, stuffed to the brim with spoils of war, crafts inspired by his homeland and various other goods offered by Ashen's subjects. It wasn't a matter of whether they could afford this, they could, but did Hattori deem it worthwhile?

The dark stranger went on to dangle the prospect of entertainment in front of his nose to sweeten the deal and Hattori's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. A quiet echo of a frown. He had far better things to do than engage in such lowbrow and barbaric affairs and he cared not to share the company of those who did. Regardless, his mind was made up. He saw no harm


"I shall be there." He decided with such a finality it sounded as though he'd go regardless of whether he was welcome or not. "Is there a limited guest list?" After all, he would not deny any other Ashen resident if they wished to attend too.