Somewhere along Bellamy’s travels, she found herself in Eastern Boreas… and just about as far East as a creature could get. The dark-furred woman had found herself enjoying the travel though she knew she was going to have to be a bit more careful now that she was in this part of Boreas. This land was known as the serpent plains, a place full of snakes and the like, including poisonous ones. While she wandered across the territory however Ears and Whiskers had started to explore on their own. The woman was starting to get peckish too and knew that sooner or later she was going to have to do some hunting. Maybe she’d get lucky and find someone to go hunting with? It would definitely be good to fill her belly, and hey, who knew what sort of wolf she might meet in the meanwhile? "Speech" 'Thought.'

Kotori still planned to make the rapids the home for his new pack.  After the loss against Corbie, he had expected she’d claim the land and he’d need to find a new spot.  Now, Kotori was healing up and it appeared the other wolf had moved along, leaving the monumental rapids free to claim.  He needed to also know all the lands near it well and that included the plains.  Amusingly this spot had quickly become a favorite to one of his pets.  

Kotori would need to make sure that young pups would not visit the plains without a full understanding of venomous snakes and how to deal with them.  The horned mail looked to where his companion Fang was munching on a rattlesnake.  The little glowing mongoose found this place to be a buffet on one of his favorite meals.

Kotori smirked, lifting his head to scent the air.  Plenty of prey available for him as well should he choose to hunt.  Making his way to the water's edge he lowered his muzzle for a drink.  Most of his injuries were healed by now and thanks to location and fur were mostly hidden.  The damage done to his muzzle had left a deep slashing scar, attesting to his recent battle.  His jaw was still sore but at least it no longer hindered his ability to fight or hunt well.

Scenting another wolf before spying Bellany he considered the other wolf before approaching and dipping his head in a nod.  She wasn’t from any of the nearby packs.  It had been his first bit of curiosity.  Kotori had a good relationship with Elysium but hadn’t dealt with Habari as of yet.  “Hello.” Keeping the greeting polite, “I’m Kotori Fatalis.” He wasn’t one for casual talk but it was good to know what strangers were roaming in a land close to that he planned to claim.

"Kotori Fatalis"

Well, while the woman was a bit on the hungry side the plus side was that there seemed to be plenty of prey in the area and, at least for the moment, it wasn’t claimed by a pack. Bellamy was grateful for that - the last thing the woman needed was to deal with a potential force claim or something when she was starting to show her pregnancy. A spar was one thing, a more serious fight like that was another. Besides, it wasn’t like Bells had come out here looking for trouble. The opposite in fact, especially with Wren’s sudden and shady disappearance. The mystery behind it all still bothered her, but Bellamy felt more sure than ever that now was the time to step up and take charge of destiny. The woman was about to see about finding a rabbit or something of the like when a stranger approached her. The woman turned her head to him, dipping her own head in a respectful greeting. “Greetings,” The woman rumbled softly. “A pleasure, Kotori Fatalis. I am Bellamy of Foi.” The dark-furred femme readjusted herself, green gaze sweeping over the male’s features. He was young though older than her daughter… and he seemed polite enough. “Passing through these lands as well?” There was a lack of pack scent on his coat, she noticed… but that didn’t mean he might not be looking for a place to call home for a pack. For all she knew he could be another wolf like herself, hoping to take control of his life. "Speech" 'Thought.'

Kotori tilted his head in a manner of considering Bellamy’s question.  Apparently, she was just passing through and even as Kotori started to answer he wondered what had brought her to pass through.  There were.  If one traveled west a ways there were other packs closer to his future home, including Habari and Elysium, and wondering if she’d had dealings with them.

“yes and no,”Kotori answered her question.  "I’m exploring the territory to know it better.  What threats versus what gains it holds.  There are some obvious pros and cons. So, deciding if there are less obvious features of the land.  I’ll be making a pack close to here and need to know the neighboring lands well." Kotori wasn't use to labeling his future pack by name but soon he would make the land truly his and the name would need to be spread far and wide.  "Valta will be set up at the rapids so long as no other complications arise."

With a small smirk, Kotori glanced at Fang who was chomping into the snake he’d proudly killed.  “Also, Fang likes it here.” The mongoose looked up as attention was placed on him, glaring its beady eyes warningly at the two as if they might try and steal his snake.  Picking up the corpse it dragged the dead snake a bit further away from the wolves.

"Kotori Fatalis"

He answered her though it was not necessarily a simple answer. He wanted to get to know the territory better, the threats, and its boons. That made sense, especially when he mentioned that he would be making a pack close to the area. Given the variety of snakes here it’d make sense to gauge the threat level. Still, glancing at the man’s companion, it didn’t seem like he was having much of a problem with the area. In fact, it seemed like Fang was rather enjoying his meal, though he shot a warning glare at the two wolves as if they might try to take his prey. No, thanks, Bellamy thought to herself. She was good on the whole snake-eating thing. “Valta, huh? It’ll be interesting to see another pack set up. I’ve yet to be to the rapids, though I’m sure you’ve surveyed that land for pros and cons as well.” Bellamy let her gaze slide across the plains, noting how the mongoose had moved his meal away from the two of them. “Truth be told I’m out surveying a bit myself. I was part of a pack in the North by the name of Menagerie, but it seems our alpha may have become the victim of foul play. She and several others disappeared during a festival, with blood trails left on the ground.” She furrowed her brow. “So I’m taking the bull by the horns and I’m going to try and go for a pack of my own. Risky as it is, I may choose to challenge one of the existing packs here. I’m uncertain yet. There will no doubt be repercussions to going for an existing pack but I’ve never been the sort to be afraid of backlash. Unfortunately, there are going to be those who don’t agree with you, regardless of your reasons, so sometimes you just need to do what needs to be done anyway. I want a home for my family and I’m willing to fight for it. If they value theirs they will do the same.” "Speech" 'Thought.'

Kotori’s curiosity was piqued at the notion a pack he’d not heard much of had already lost its alpha.  Well, Kotori would not allow that to happen to him.  He had plans for a great and glorious pack that would leave its mark on the land.  Kotori could not die until he had children old enough to carry on in his place.  As far as his goals he intended to run his pack until grey was on his muzzle and a child or grandchild sat in charge of his pack.  So was the dream, so it would be reality.  By blood sweat, his pack would rise to greatness.

“Interesting.  Any assumptions on who caused the foul play?  If that is what happened at least.”  The pack mentioned certainly wasn’t part of the empire and had never become a pack known for any great and many deeds.  If it was so well known surely Kotori would know of it after all.

“Challenging for a pack is a good plan, it proves your value and worth.  Others will take notice.  My one suggestion would be not to challenge any that are part of the empire.  The number of strong allies and their ties by blood or close friendship runs deep.  For instance, I am the son of Sirius Fatalis.  Azure, my brother is running the pack for the moment.  Down south, in the Hallows, my sister Briar is the queen.  Ashen and Armada used to have lands back to back for a long time, we shared the border, open to let each pack cross into the others land.  If one is challenged you can imagine the others would react.”

Seeming to consider his words Kotori added, "Don't misunderstand. I did not seek out any of my family's help to make my own pack.  There is no sense of accomplishment, nor is their proof to the world of ones abilities if a pack is simply handed to you.  I will shed what blood I need to and work without rest as long as it takes to make my goals reality."  Dad had asked Kotori what he had wanted before he set off on his own.  Kotori imagined he could of asked for many things but the main request Kotori had was an alliance and ale for the party that would come up later.

A small shrug of indifference given, “Do as you will of course.”  Who could even say if the stranger would make a good alpha?  She wasn’t of noble birth as far as Kotori could tell.  

"Kotori Fatalis"

Bellamy shook her head with a small sigh. “Not the foggiest, I’m afraid. It seemed too organized, taking wolves of different packs, to have been anything but. Our alpha was holding a festival, and unfortunately, when the disappearances occurred, I had taken some time with my husband and adopted a little one to reunite with our daughter who’d come to join us from the South so unfortunately, I don’t even fully know what lead them to disappear. I found out later, from a packmate, that something had even happened. By the time I was able to investigate the area, there were so many scents of strangers I couldn’t make heads or tails of what had happened. It doesn’t make sense though… Wren had been a young, strong alpha, and those who went missing… It doesn’t add up.” The woman’s gaze slipped to the earth as she furrowed her brow. Then the talk of packs, and her idea to challenge, came up. She lifted her gaze back to the male and offered a small smile. “You need not warn me about them, Kotori. The Menagerie had been allied with the Armada and, though I was not part of the pack long, it feels like spitting upon Wren’s grave to target those who were once meant to be friends. The Armada, Ashen, and the Hallows were safe from the beginning. I am not afraid of retaliation, I am not foolish enough to believe that any pack will merely take getting their home taken by a stranger well, but I am also not foolish enough to poke my head into a beehive, so to speak.” The woman wasn’t entirely sure which pack she’d be challenging yet, but she didn’t want to dishonor Wren and all she worked for by fighting a pack of the Empire. “That naturally means I wouldn’t be going for your pack either of course. Not that I would challenge a newly created pack anyway. That’s just in bad taste, in my opinion. Though I’ve no doubt you’d stand against any challenger who came your way. The way you carry yourself speaks about confidence in your abilities. It is not a bad thing, and inspiring to a pack to see an alpha able and ready to defend what they have laid claim to.” The woman had limited experience with packs in general but she was speaking from a member standpoint. Especially under Acere, the Northern king, she had felt this way. It was undoubtedly why she felt so strongly against Ignis as well. Her loyalties ran deep and unshakeable, and even when she had initially thought to leave Menagerie based on that ‘vision’ and sign from Nox she did not wish to do so on bad terms. “I agree with what you’re saying, however. I feel that if I am to take a pack there is no real honor in simply claiming Menagerie as it falls. How are others supposed to respect you if you do not earn what you have on your own merit? How can they trust you have the ability to keep them safe?” Bellamy shifted on her paws. “I may not have the blood of alphas running through my veins, nor anything that marks me as immediately different from your average stranger.” Bells drew in a breath. “But I am a firm believer in fighting your fate and shaping your own destiny. As a child, I was enslaved by an Empire that took me from my family. I slew their empress and made my escape. Later, when brought back for “judgment” and public execution by that woman’s heir I challenged and killed her as well, watching an empire crumble before me as a result.” Bellamy flicked her ears back. “I do not bring this up as a means to brag but as a sign of my resolve. I will fight, and continue to fight, for what I want and what I need. No one will take advantage of me, or my family, while there is still breath in my lungs. If I have to carve out a path marked with blood to ensure their safety then so be it. I will do what I must.” There was a shine to Bellamy’s eyes as she spoke. She wasn’t a noble, hell, she barely knew what would be expected of her as an alpha. But that wasn’t going to stop her. Neither would any wolf telling her she couldn’t or wouldn’t be able to achieve her goal. She didn’t care how long it took… She might have been nearing seven years of age but she wasn’t done yet. Not by a long shot. The lands of Boreas and Auster had better be ready… an alpha to be was lurking. It wasn’t a matter of if, only a matter of when. "Speech" 'Thought.'

Kotori listened intently at the start of Bellamy’s tale but when Wren’s name was mentioned his brows rose a bit in surprise.  So, Wren had created this pack, apparently brokered an alliance with his father, gone missing, and apparently by foul means.  He hadn’t known Wren well.  She hadn’t been in the pack all that long and Kotori had ended up spending a season in Ashen as an Armada representative shortly before leaving the pack.  Really, he didn’t remember finding particularly impressive about Wren.  

The most impressive thing he knew about her was being able to join the Armada and so quickly leave again with his father’s good wishes if that was truly what had happened.  Kotori had missed a lot of events in the Armada in a short period.  How long ago had he left the Armada now?  It was a good two seasons ago now wasn’t it?  Oh well, no reason to speak ill of the dead, or even the injured missing.  

She didn’t have plans to attack the empire so he wasn’t talking to a future enemy.  Kotori also wanted to be allied with Elysium and believed Armada was on good terms with them and certainly Ashen had been allying with them but it wasn’t for Kotori to speak on what other packs did.  A small smile formed on Kotori both at her stating she would not attack Kotori’s upcoming pack and then speaking of his confidence and her insight that he would be ready to defend his home.

He listened to Bellamy speak of her beliefs, lack of great bloodline, as well as history, and then resolution.  While he was silent he also kept his gaze on her to show he was respectfully listening to her the whole time.  It was a shame she wasn’t of noble blood but perhaps she would create her own pack and prove her worth in time.  

“I’ve accepted most don’t agree with my logic but I do put a lot of stock in bloodlines.  I do tend to expect more of those with the blood of nobles in them.  One could say that makes me arrogant or condescending.”  Kotori wasn’t worried about how others felt about him.  Also, it was a two-way street.  He didn't just expect other wolves to worship the ground some noble walked on and that noble-blooded wolf to be an idiot.  The greater the bloodline the greater the responsibilities they had to act as befitting.  Power had to be wielded correctly.  “That said, I realize the blood of nobles has to start somewhere.  Will you create a pack and prove both wise and strong enough so that the name of Foi gains respect?  Will your children be considered of noble blood due to the parent's path?” Kotori shrugged.

“I like your words, and I applaud your beliefs.  You speak well, are observant, and carry yourself with good stature.  I could easily see others choosing to follow you and so a new pack is created.”  He didn’t point out he preferred her to Wren already, it wasn’t necessary though the thought passed his mind. “I wish you luck.  I’m curious to see how you will run your pack and if it will thrive.” A pause before adding, “I hope you do lead a strong pack.”  A grin flashing across his muzzle, “just not stronger than mine.”

"Kotori Fatalis"

Bellamy shrugged as Kotori spoke about putting a lot of faith in bloodlines. “No matter what you do or where you go there will always be those who do not agree with you. Wolves who will view you as dark, evil, corrupt… you must stay true to yourself, regardless of their claims. Only you know the reasons why you are as you are, or if how you feel is justified.” The woman spoke honestly and sincerely. “I may not put as much faith in bloodlines myself, but I have also never had much experience with it outside my mate's line, and well, they were the ones that enslaved me.” She lifted her gaze to his. [“You’re not wrong, however. I fully intend to start a noble bloodline from my own, with the hopes that it might remain strong for years to come. To follow in my pawprints and, someday, for their children to follow in theirs.” It would be a lot of work but Bellamy had never strayed away from hard work before. For her, it was just another challenge. She wanted to make something her children and their children, and so on could be proud of. She wanted to prove to her mate that his bloodline was destined for great things, just not the way they were. She could do this, she could do all of this, and more. “I thank you for your words. Hearing such reassurance from my mate is one thing, but to see someone who I’ve just met see those things as well is another. I have no intention of giving up my goals at this point. Ethne will rise one day, and I will fight tooth and nail to ensure it survives and thrives in these lands.” Then with a toothy grin at his last comment, she added. “I’m sure we’ll do fine. But don’t think we’ll let you have the title of the stronger pack without a fight now. A little rivalry never hurt anyone.” The woman chuckled softly. “Who knows? Perhaps you’d honor me in a spar sometime. No big stakes or anything, but I think it could be enjoyable. I’ve always felt you truly get to know a wolf’s resolve on the battlefield.” "Speech" 'Thought.'