Talyssa had been to this part of the beach once with her father. However, now that they had gotten a little older, she and her siblings were allowed to roam the surrounding territories- under the watchful eyes of one of the family companions. Her pale blue gaze shifted to Willow- her mother's falcon- as she circled overhead. The Carpathius girl didn't mind the observation if it meant more freedom. And honestly, she couldn't think of a better place to be on a hot summer day other than by the water.

The waves crashed against the sand, surging pretty far up on the mainland. But that just meant the tide was up, and it was easier to play in without having to go too far out into the water. As she tracked her way over wet sand, the water surged up to her elbows- knocking her back a step or two to catch her balance. She couldn't help the giggle that escaped her, as she bit back at the salty spray. As it receded, she fell to a play bow and shut her eyes tight. Only to have the surf crash into her chin- soaking the fur of her throat, chest, and belly.

By the time the next wave rolled around, she had danced out of the way. Perking up, she took a glance down the coastline but didn't linger for very long. A beach day was exactly what she needed.

Hattori felt like he was intruding, coming this close to Hallowed territory. But he presumed they would not take too much offence, that if they caught a whiff of his scent on the wind then they wouldn't suddenly be up in arms over it. He understood outsiders trepidation, when he took the time to think about it. After all Tojo kept to itself, didn't make efforts to be friendly or integrate itself into society, the unknown always made wolves nervous. It was in their nature, he supposed.  Still, he was a man who enjoyed the sea, the salt in the air and the crashing of waves. It wasn't entirely surprising that someone was out here enjoying the weather too, as a watchful bird in the sky above kept an eye on the little pup in the wash.

If nothing else, the child seemed to be having a lot of fun, it idly reminded the Kaicho of his children, of how much had changed since then. He wasn't sure how he felt about that, nor did he want to linger on the topic either. He approached but kept at a conversational, respectful distance, though his form was large and intimidating his posture was relaxed enough. He wore his heart on his sleeve, if he had ill intentions anyone would see.

"The view is better at night." He noted, his accent thick from disuse of the common tongue. "The water, it glows."

After playing in the surf for a while, she eventually got her fill and found a spot just at the edge of the water's reach to watch the beach. She settled on her haunches, with her pale blue gaze tracing the coastline. Yet, what she failed to see- or who, rather- was the massive frame of a man she had never seen before. However, when he spoke, he immediately had her attention. He was so interesting to look at. The pattern of his coat, she had never seen before. And while her own mother did have antlers ... his horns were nothing like them. He was very unique, to say the least.

After a moment of gawking, his words registered, and she was immediately captivated. "Really? It glows?" She asked, glancing back to the rolling tide in an effort to try to imagine what it looked like in the dark. It left her wondering why no one had ever mentioned it before. "I had no idea." The girl added. Of course, her and her siblings were meant to be back to the castle before dark- maybe that was why the adults had kept it a secret. She would have to pressure them on it when she thought about it. Surely it would be okay to stay up late just once to come and see the beach.

Abandoning that train of thought for a later time, she returned her attention to the black and orange spotted man that lingered a little ways away. It was then that she got a really good look at him for the first time, and realized that there was a good chance he was every bit as tall as her father. The warm glow of a friendly, childlike grin spread across her features just as she prepared to speak again. "You have a neat way of saying things." Talyssa observed, commenting on his accent. Carpathian was a big part of her family customs, but the way the orange and black wolf spoke was different. Or at least, entirely new to her. "What is your name? I'm Talyssa!" She asked, prompting him for an introduction with her own in exchange.

Hattori made a rough rumbling sound in the throat to confirm his words. From her reaction it was made quite clear that the prospect excited her, but she would do well not to roam around alone at night, at least without her parent's consent and knowledge. He wasn't a very good Father, that much could not be denied, but he wasn't the sort who would wish to see a child put in harms way for any reason at all. By the sea some adult supervision was better than none, though he supposed the bird soaring overhead was doing a good job at remaining vigilant. Watching from a safe height, ready to careen back to the Hallows-presumably- if Hattori set a single paw out of line.

The pup then went onto point out his way of speaking, with such childlike innocence there was not even a hint of offence to be found in Hattori's mind.  Often adults were a little pointed in the way they spoke of his speaking habits, but the girl was simply curious. There was no harm in it and Hattori bobbed his head slowly, letting his feelings be known plainly.

"Where I come from, we do not speak the common tongue very often. I am...you could say I am a little out of practice."He shrugged slightly, as though to say it is what it is. "Hello Talyssa. I am Hattori, from Tojo-kai."

While he offered an explanation as to why his common tongue was out of practice, Talyssa was quick to offer reassurance. "That's alright!" The Carpathius girl insisted brightly. Even if they didn't share a common method of communication, she would certainly not allow him to feel estranged. And she was always thrilled to meet new individuals- and always curious to learn new things. She would certainly take advantage of this encounter to the best of her ability.

When he offered his introduction, she was quick to accept it. "It's nice to meet you, Hattori." Talyssa insisted, careful to memorize where he said that he was from. Tojo-kai. She would have to ask her parents exactly what they knew of it. But for now, she would carry on with her greeting. Hattori offered where he was from, so she thought it was only fair for her to do the same. "I'm from the Hallows." The girl interjected, gesturing in the direction of where the castle ground could be found ... just in case he didn't know.

Then, an idea struck her. "My family is hosting a bon-fire in a few days on the plains- you could come if you wanted." She said lightly, offering an invitation that might not have been her's to extend. However, it was meant for Hallowed allies and friends ... and since they were now friends, Talyssa was convinced that it would be alright. But as quickly as the idea had entered her mind, she took something else into consideration. "You don't have to of course, but it's going to be really fun." She assured, caught in the crossroads of not wanting to be rude by making her new friend feel obligated to attend if he didn't want to, but also wanting to convince him that it would be an enjoyable time.

The pup was quick to confirm what he already knew, all bright and smiles, a happy little thing sheltered from the world. As she should be and hopefully shall remain. She was quick to extend an offer to her family's gathering, a causal sounding bonfire hosted on what he assumed to be the Starlit Plains and Hattori's frown furrowed a little deeper, creasing the skin between his brows. Personally, he was not one for large social gatherings nor did he think he or his kins' presence would be appreciated there. It sounded like a close and intimate family affair and he knew for a fact that Ashen's allies still cast sour looks-or worse-his way. He did not think the situation was bad enough that he ought to be concerned, that anyone would attack his pack mates on site, but being somewhere you weren't welcome was an unpleasant experience. Most would surely agree with Hattori's line of thought.

But for all his rough edges and failings of being a positive father figure, he loathed the thought of just turning the pup down so bluntly. He was many things but not outright mean, his bluntness often got quite close but he never intentionally stepped over the line.

"That is kind of you, little one. But I do not think my attendance would be appreciated by your family." That was a softer way of putting it, yes?

When she noticed that his frown increase, she thought that maybe she was making him uncomfortable. Just as she was preparing to tell him that it was okay, and that he shouldn't worry. He offered an explanation that he didn't feel like he would be a welcomed guest. Perhaps that was the reason for his sullen look. The idea that her parents would turn someone away didn't really resonate with her- the Hallows was a welcoming place for everyone, after all. "Well, my dad said that it was open to allies and friends!" Talyssa began, giving it her best effort to control her excitement as she looked up to the black and orange man. "And if we are friends, that means you could come." Offering a broad grin as she elaborated why it would be okay that he attend the bonfire.

But the longer she looked at him, and he didn't mirror her enthusiasm, her outgoing nature welled into something more sheepish. "It's okay, though. You don't have to- just think about it. Okay?" Talyssa offered, not wanting to upset him any further in case that was the cause of his glower.

Glancing around the shoreline, the girl sought out a subject to change their conversation to. It didn't take her but a few moments to land on the next point of interest. "Do you like the beach, Hattori?" Lys asked lightly with genuine curiosity. She wasn't really sure how anyone could dislike the beach, but she supposed anything could be possible.

Hattori did not intend to speak of it too much, lest the Hallows leadership feel as though he was somehow clouding their children's judgement. Fortunately she was a good and amiable child and did not push too hard, like his own children had at least. He would think about it and agreed as much with a simple nod, but he did not wish for her to get her hopes up. As she nudged the conversation along and asked him if he liked the beach, Hattori nodded once more. Who could not like the sea? It provided much and could take in return, when storms loomed on the horizon.

"I do. My homeland is an island nation, I think growing up by the ocean is important. It shows natures strength, that it is a force not to be reckoned with. Can you swim well?" He asked, wondering if she had been taught.

It seemed that there was some relief in their conversation as she steered the topic change. As she asked for his perception of the beach, she was pleased to hear his affirmation- echoing her earlier thought of how could one dislike the beach. It brought a soft grin to her features as she nodded along a little more enthusiastically to his explanation. It was a little superficial at first, but when his words began to sink in, it made her think. Talyssa never thought of the ocean as a display of strength, but she acknowledged that Hattori certainly wasn't wrong in that observation. Her pale blue gaze narrowed in thought as she processed the description she was offered. After a few moments of silence, her voice echoed her mind. "I never thought of it that way ..." The girl admitted. It was a different view of the world, and she was happy to have caught a glimpse of it.

It was then she suddenly came back to the question he had asked her in return. "Oh, yes. I can swim ... I was just taught how though, so I'm still practicing." Talyssa answered, thinking about the lesson her father had offered her on this very beach only a short while ago.  

Hattori watched the waves roll back and forth, took in the peace of the moment and the coolness of the breeze. His homeland was draped in eternal autumn, enriched with vibrant reds, yellows and oranges with ancient monasteries stooped on the overlooking mountainsides. Boreas and Auster were certainly a change in scenery for the Kaicho, even now. He glanced over at the pup as she spoke once more, claiming she knew how to swim, enough to probably not drown. That was good at least, no need to fish her out of the water then.


"You will improve." He said with his usual sense of certainty, like it was a given.

He paused then, noticing a dark shape in the distant waters. He stepped forward, squinting a little as the whale breached the surface, blowing a massive spurt of water from its blowhole. He idly thought it might be time to organise a whale hunt in Tojo, perhaps he should ask Kuroo to scout out the waters, see if there were any nearby pods.

The peculiar Kaicho definitely had her interest. When he had asked if she knew how to swim, she had half expected him to invite her to do so. He must have been thinking about swimming for him to ask that kind of question after all. But instead, he offered something like encouragement … but it still managed to lack enthusiasm. It was more like he had been reading off a fact. You will improve. A smirk broke her features as she looked up to him, eventually offering a nod. Just as she was preparing to ask him how well he could swim, his sudden movement caused her words to catch.

Talyssa quickly followed his line of sight out to the ocean to whatever illicit such a curious response. But when the giant creature broke through the surface to spray a stream of air in the distance, she immediately gasped. “Is that a monster?!” She asked Hattori, wondering if it would swim to the shore to get them. She was fairly certain she couldn’t outswim a creature that large.

Hattori shook his head, a very slight smile tugged at his lips. He supposed to the unaware it might seem like a sea monster, a beast that had risen from the deep to swallow them hole. Whilst not an overly common sight, Hattori imagined all sorts of whales and dolphins visited Auster's shores to feast on the bounties of the warm ocean. Even up North in Boreas where the sea was littered with ice would have aquatic visitors from time to time.

"It is a whale." He explained, glancing over at her and noting a look of concern push its way through her curiosity.  Though from where they stood he couldn't tell which sort it was, they all looked the same from this angle, dark and grey."They are mammals like us so they must surface to breathe." Thus the big spout of water. "I do not think it would eat you, if you were in the water. Most eat fish and plankton."

But since they were so large he wouldn't recommend trying to swim with one, let alone hunt it alone.