Being back in Auster brought welcome feelings. Beauregard had missed the familiar landscapes of these lands. Though he had lived in Boreas while part of Menagerie, he had felt more at ease in Ethne's lands. The wolves had been so open and accepting of differences, and that was why, even though he had left the pack to form Norad, he still considered them good friends and a pack worth protecting. Norad's first and primary lands were the other falls within Auster, Cedar Falls. But now that he had gotten his mates back to the pack, he needed to focus on sharpening his skills to keep Norad safe and seek out wolves looking for a home.

He had decided to check the lands to the south of the falls first, but as he got halfway across the canyon landscape, Beau noticed something strange. Blue skies had shifted to gray, and, stranger still, the air had gone from the warmth of summer to biting and cold. This cold hit its peak as he arrived at the territory of Brimstone Lake. It was so cold he could see his breath. Was the chill coming from the waters of the lake? His ears flicked back as he looked across the land, gazing at the dormant volcano. He had heard the tales of Boreas' volcano erupting… but could this one also be causing trouble? His tail flicked behind his back.

He was uncertain if he should check it out further. Maybe someone in a nearby pack had information. Heck, why not just visit Ethne? He had news he wanted to share with Haydee, after all. Beauregard would turn and, to his surprise, he saw a familiar face. "Hey, Akito!" It had been a while since he had seen the boy. But he looked to be in good health, which was a relief.

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Word Count: 307
Total Word Count: 307 / 1500

Something strange was happening as of late. Whether others noticed or not did not matter to the boy. It mattered to him that he kept the bamboo safe. Though he was still young and not quite fully grown, that also would not matter to him. He would try his best. Learn what he could and figure out the mystery that plagued his mind and surely the Kaicho's too. Which would be why the boy left the safety of the Bamboo Maze that day. Slipping from the bamboo as soon as the sun began to rise over the horizon. So far, the weather appeared to be pleasant. Clear blue skies and warm summer weather. Perfect for traveling to a place he hadn't been before.

Taking a direct path from the maze to the volcanic lake that lay dormant and directly east of the oaks, he was able to stay safe within pack lands until he reached the border. Hesitating for a moment, he looks up at the top and considers if it's the best thing to do. It was one place they had yet to check out. What if whatever was going on was coming from a cavern inside the volcano? Or slinking from the depths of the lake that Hattori said lay at the bottom of the crater?

Setting forth, Akito takes a slow jog up a thin trail along the volcanic slopes. The weather is pleasant, but that's not his focus - for now. His head is lowered to the ground, nose twitching as he tried to scent anything. There was something faint, but not much. He was feeling hopeless. Barely aware of his surroundings. Frustration laces his expression until he feels the temperature drop. His paws stop, muscles flexing, chin lifting to look up at the sky. Clouds roll in, a few droplets hit his face as his eyes scrunch up. When did the storm roll in? Looking to the left, he looks into the drop below where a crystal clear lake shimmers. Was it the volcano?

Concern flickers in his chest, but it is soon forgotten when a familiar voice calls out. His eyes move across the landscape until they stop on the form of Beau. His ears press forward and he approaches the man, it is all anyone really gets from the boy in regards to receiving any acknowledgment. "Beau," Akito replies as he comes to a stop before the man. He notices how the rain begins to pick up and the wind presses harder against his side. Strange for the middle of summer, but he wouldn't question it. "What brings you to Auster?" The boy questions, shifting his weight back and forth, feeling slightly antsy.

wc: 409 = 716/1500

Despite the chill in the air, Beauregard could only feel warmth as he watched Akito approach him. The weather has turned sour, but having lived in Northern Boreas for a time with chilly rains and snow, he is not worried about it. Even the wind whipping around then does little to cause the man worry. If he had been paying more attention to the fact this weather was occurring in the continent’s summer, it would have worried him. But social as he was, the man was more interested in catching up with the boy he had encountered in Wraith’s Woods. Akito would pause before him, shifting a bit back and forth as he asks what brings the man to Auster. Beauregard chuckles softly at this. Ah right, he hadn’t told Akito much about where he was from when he was on his mission in Boreas. “I live in Auster, actually! I was once part of a pack on the far side, but now my mates and I have split off to make our own pack north of here. The easiest way to get there is ironically through the woods we met in… otherwise you’ve got to cross a canyon.” Beauregard chuckled softly. He didn’t mind the views that the canyon offered. His gaze flicked back to the boy as a gust of wind burst against him with such strength it caused the man to stagger. “Gah… this is some storm, eh!? I didn’t think Auster would be capable of such a thing!” He certainly remembered the storms in the North, and he had been thankful for his room in the ship and the protection the vessel offered. Some of his training sessions alongside Blind had been in worse weather than this, though with how the wind and rain was turning, they could be just as rough. “You know, fierce weather like this makes for interesting sparring weather! Helps you be ready for an opponent no matter what you are fighting in.” Beau grinned. “Care to spar with me, Akito? I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind taking the opportunity to get some more training in!” A friendly spar could help him keep his skills in shape too. He blinked his eyes. Although with the rain, it was getting harder to focus on his opponent since he had to keep blinking water out of his eyes! ---------------------------- Word Count: 397 Words Total Word Count: 1113 / 1500 "Speech" 'Thought.'

Rain continues to worsen as they stand there. While Akito is beginning to wonder if they should find cover, he is polite and stays before Beau. His ears press forward in interest as Beau explains that he and his mates have made a home toward the eastern side of Auster. So east of the Hallows. Akito's mind goes over what he knows of Auster and figures it's somewhere he probably hasn't been yet. "Perhaps I will come to visit sometime," Akito muses quietly before his eye widens slightly. As the gust of wind bursts from the side, Akito also stumbles slightly. Curling in on himself, he tries to brace himself enough so that he doesn't fall back down the slopes of the volcano. After he recovers, the pup is quickly looking to Beau with slight confusion and interest. Sparring weather? In this storm? Was the man insane? Yet... it would be a challenge. Having to stay on his paws while also fighting someone would be interesting. Even though he too could hardly see through the rain that poured down on them, he wasn't going to miss a chance on getting some practice. "I'm sold," he answers, a hint of a smile playing on his lips as he squints against the gusts of wind and rain. Flattening his ears and tucking his tail, Akito keeps his head slightly lowered as hail begins to bounce off of his slim frame. Figuring that Beau wouldn't have an issue with him going first, Akito burst forward. It was more of a slippery grab for the now slick rock beneath him, but once he had gathered his gangly puppy limbs beneath himself, he was able to rush toward Beau. Tucking his chin even more against his own chest, Akito aims to headbutt Beau with his horns against his chest or shoulder in hopes of knocking him backward.

wc: 312 = 1425/ 1500

Akito vs Beauregard for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: Under 1 Year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Male Raven, 50” - Battle
Companion 2: Female Akita 22” - Battle
Mutation 1: Serow Horns (Offensive)
Skills: Expert Fighter & Intermediate Intellectual

Akito muses over the thought of coming to visit the pack at some point and Beauregard gives a nod. “You would be welcome to do so, should you choose to make the journey.” Or even if he ended up needing to rest on his way home from visiting family again. Beauregard chooses to extend a paw out to make friends, and potentially allies one day, rather than close Norad’s doors. But what he is really interested in is how Akito will take his proposal. Fighting in such harsh conditions could be dangerous, sure, but there is truth to his words as well. His grandfather had once told him to be prepared for battle in any conditions, for your enemies would not wait for fair skies to battle you. Thankfully the boy seemed intrigued enough by the proposition to agree to battle, and Beauregard widens his stance, digging his claws against the earth. He was going to offer the boy the first move, but it seemed that Akito was ready to take it. His opponent burst forward, rushing on the slick rock as the rain began to mix with hail that pelted against him. Eyes narrowed, Beauregard chose to brace himself for the charge the other was attempting. The man didn’t simply stand there, however, and instead of bracing himself on four legs, he shifted the weight into his back ones and let the boy headbut into his chest as he twisted his torso and lifted his right foreleg into the ground. The impact brought a grunt from the man, bringing him sliding backward, but Beauregard was hoping to use Akito’s momentum and the fact his head was down to his advantage. Beau was trying to wrap the limb around Akito’s neck and keep his head down, so that the boy’s jaws were away from him, so he could follow up by pinning the kid. He didn’t want to draw blood on a child… but he had to admit he was going to be feeling sore from that headbutt and the hail later… The ice balls were cascading from the heavens now, striking both wolves and the environment around them. ------------------------------------------- Beauregard vs Akito for Seasonal Spar Round 1/2 Age: Over one year Size: Extra large Build: Medium Offensive Battle Accessory: Curved blade Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather arm wraps Companion 1: BlueJay, Female - Perception Companion 2: Arctic fox, Female - Battle Skills: Expert Fighter & Expert Intellectual --------------------------- Word Count: Total Word Count: Reached! "Speech" 'Thought.'

He doesn't see Beau's maneuver. As his budding horns collide with the older man's chest, he notices through his blurry vision that there are only three legs. In the next moment, before he even had time to be confused, he felt a leg wrapping around his neck. Letting out a grunt, Akito tries to twist out of Beau's grasp. The ground is too slick. His paws can't get purchase on the slushy stone as he feels pressure pushing him down toward the ground. As soon as his legs slip out from under him and his chest and belly are smacking into the hard ground below him, he is rolling toward the side. Though he is wet and cold, he ignores the pelting hail that lobs both him and Beau. He focuses on the adrenaline coursing through him to keep him going. Trying to roll onto his back, Akito aims to wiggle under Beau and hopefully strike him in the chest or belly with his paws.

Akito vs Beauregard for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Under 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Male Raven, 50” - Battle
Companion 2: Female Akita 22” - Battle
Mutation 1: Serow Horns (Offensive)
Skills: Expert Fighter & Intermediate Intellectual