Once the fire is lit, flames flickering up into the growing night sky, Lumine finds herself alone. Plunked down in the grass with a random assortment of snacks and drink before her. Compared to the mountain, the plains of Auster feel stuffy and sticky. Was humid a better word? Is that what Erik had called it as he tried to describe his home of Tojo to them? A light breeze presses against her face. Scents waft over to her nose that wiggles, taking them in one by one. Wolves from many different packs were here tonight, but none she really recognized. Perhaps she should get out more often... Or maybe hiding up on the mountain suited her just fine too. But as she watched that same breeze ruffle the tall grass surrounding her and the unknown species of birds take flight across the sky, she knew she could never stay in one place forever. The allure of exploration tugged at her heartstrings far too often. Letting out a sigh, the near yearling stretches out her front legs, sliding her paws against the ground until her elbows rest against the dirt and grass. Holding back a sneeze as she reaches for a bite of jerky, she tries to commit to memory the different flowers she sees. Everything is so different here in Auster - even the weather. Lumine Trygg

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Silas wasn't used to being around the mass amount of wolves that were visiting his home, the members of his pack he didn't know were bad enough. The young man had never really been a socialite, really he was the hermit of the hallows. He loved his parents and his family but most of the time he kept to himself. The bondire festival forced his paw however, and he found that he was actually enjoying himself. Especially the food that was gathered for the party.

His aurora marked frame shifted down the spread, his glistening eyes taking in the fruits and the meats prepared for this night. Some of the game was even caught by himself, though he was no expert hunter he could boast that he was good at catching small animals. Moles, voles, a couple of squirrels. Of course they were much more tasty as jerky than raw, and at least one wolf seemed to appreciate that fact

"Do you like the jerky?" He asked shyly with a raised brow as the young girl went to grab a bite. Silas didn't know that jerky was his favorite but he was proud to have contributed.

Pushing her paws up so that she instead reclines back in a sitting position, Lumine glances around and at the bonfire for a moment. It truly was beautiful here, what with the sea of grass and blanket of stars, she can she see why the The Hallows had chosen it. Her mind drifts to the north and then back to Auster, wondering if it ever snowed her. By the feel of the weather, it felt almost as if it never got cold enough. Did these wolves know what snow was? Or were they cursed to only ever see rain? Her paws work at the dirt a bit, feeling the texture and moisture of it, testing to see if it felt any different than the dirt back home. As she plays with the dirt, she leans down to grab another bite of jerky. She's mid bite, chewing slowly to savor the fresh, smoked flavor of the meat when an aurora painted boy wanders her way. Looking up at him with her icy blue eyes, she smiles around the bite of jerky in her mouth. Politely finishing and swallowing before speaking, Lumine nods an approval so he doesn't think she's ignoring him. "Oh, it's delightful. A very different taste than the jerky we have back home," she comments, thicker northern accent speaking through her words as she cleared her throat. Lumine Trygg

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Silas loved his home, as he grew older he was no longer so nervous about losing his way and as time went on he could navigate the castle even if his eyes were closed. He wouldn’t say he knew the halls as well as his father did, but he was close. With his compass on his bracer there was no way to lose himself anymore so even if he did love the Hallows, he could eagerly explore the regions around the pack as well. However, nothing was ever truly as comfortable and beautiful as home.

He was glad to see that the strangers here, or most of them, could appreciate that beauty and mystique as well. The girl, who he had rudely interrupted mid bote, finished and swallowed before she spoke to him. He blushed beneath his dark fur at the folly but it didn’t seem like she was much bothered by him.

The young Hallows boy beamed as she gave her approval, it felt good to have someone praise something crafted by his own paws. ”I’m glad you like it!" Did he go on to mention that he had helped to hunt for and make it? Or would that be too rude? Maybe he had already been too overzealous. "I’m not exactly a connoisseur but maybe I’d be able to try some from your pack." He paused for a moment, he didn’t even know where she was from. "Not that I know where you’re from…?" He blushed again.

"Speech"

Her tail thumps happily against the grass, chin still tilted up to peer at the boy standing before her. "You're welcome to sit with me," Lumine mentions, a paw moving to pat the spot beside her as she smiles confidently at him. "Do you know who made the jerky? I would love some tips," her easy nature makes talking to anyone easy even if the feelings inside of her scream that she wanted nothing to do with socializing. Being away from the mountain made it easier though. Easier to forget, easier to make friends. She lets out a quiet laugh and nods. "I'm from Hemlock, previously Heidinn. It's all a bit confusing," Lumine waves a way to insinuate that politics really weren't her forte. Plus, she wanted nothing to do with the going ons that had to do with her decaying father and dead mother giving up their livelihood to someone who wasn't even of their blood. "Is it safe to assume that you are of The Hallows?" She questions back, a brow raised though she's sure from his appearance and scent that it would be near impossible for him not to be. Lumine Trygg

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The girl welcomed him to sit beside her, albeit a little awkwardly as he had fully forgotten any kind of manners. "Oh, thank you." He grinned slightly to try and dissipate his unwieldiness. "I’m Silas, by the way." He added, making up for his lapse. She then pressed further, asking about who made the jerky. "Oh.. Uh.. I did. Or, at least I helped." He returned with another invisible blush. He wasn’t used to talking about himself so much.

She mentioned she was from Hemlock, and waved her paw like she had as much interest in politics as he did. Silas chuckled, "Yeah, I’m from the Hallows. Artorias is my father." He added, not to brag, but to let her know his familial relation to said pack. "I’m not used to seeing so many wolves…" He trailed off as his aqua eyes looked over the crowd.

"Speech"

Once he sits, Lumine feels more relaxed. Less like an interaction forced upon by parents and more like a get to know your new friend better sort of thing. "Oh, where are my manners!" She lets out a little laugh, rather jovial for her typically subdued nature. Perhaps it was the atmosphere lifting her spirits or the distance she's put between herself and that gloomy mountain. Whatever the reason, she would soak it up and enjoy it while it lasted. "I'm Lumine, it's a pleasure to meet you, Silas," Lumine nods her head to him before taking in the last bite of her jerky. Savoring each bite slowly until he mentions that he's the one to make it! "No matter, you did a wonderful job. It's delicious," she comments, tail swishing through the grass as she licks her lips. Now that her snack was finished, she turns her gaze to the crowd of wolves around the bonfire as well. "I do see the resemblance," Lumine teases as she glances at the Aegis for a brief moment. Aside from the dark navy and charcoal fur, there wasn't much else to sense they were related. "There is quite the gathering. Does your father hold events like this often?" She could probably guess by his comment that that wasn't the case, but she did think herself good at making small talk. Lumine Trygg

table coding by bunni ♥

Thankfully his parents weren’t the type to force him into anything. They may have been slightly disappointed he wasn’t as highly skilled as his siblings but they would never mention it. Or make him do anything he had no desire to. Like fighting, he’d never shown any interest in the skill and however much his parents would be delighted he was ready to defend their home that just wasn’t his desire. Making good food and opening up their hearth and home? Silas was all about that. He was so glad that Lumine was enjoying the jerky that he helped to make, the feeling was unlike anything he’d ever known.

"It’s good to meet you, too." Silas returned and the two of them settled in around the provided feast. She complemented him and Silas tried to brush it off, but it really made him feel good. It was one thing being complimented by your family, a whole different one when it was a near stranger. "Well, thank you." He grinned sheepishly as she scanned the festival and glanced at Artorias. They did look somewhat similar but Silas took more after his Fatalis side.

"This particular festival is a once a year thing." He explained easily enough, but it didn’t make him any more used to it. "There are other gatherings throughout the year, but this is the big one." Silas went on, "Not enough for me to feel completely comfortable around all of these wolves." The Carpathian admitted softly.

"Speech"

Lumine nods in understanding. Her own pack was not accustomed to very many festivities with tons of wolves from other gathering packs. "This must be really jarring," she admits softly, her gaze moving back to Silas for a moment. Truthfully, she was a sociable wolf, enjoyed the company of others so she wasn't entirely put off by the crowd, but if it were her home? She would probably feel completely different! Strangers could easily invade personal space and privacy... And other things that had happened just seemed downright disrespectful. "Is there special meaning behind the event? Or just a gathering of friends?" Lumine inquires, hoping maybe asking some questions will help keep Silas' mind off of the aspects that made him uncomfortable. Lumine Trygg

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Lumine seemed to understand his plight, at least that was what her quick nod and sympathetic words told him. He didn’t know what her usual was like but it wasn’t likely to be anymore festive than his own. At least not inviting the whole world to your home. He could have been wrong though, she did seem a bit more comfortable than he felt. "It’s definitely out of my comfort zone, but it's not all bad. I get to talk to a nice girl like you." He returned with a smile.

She went on to ask about the bonfire festival itself, and it was indeed more than just a big fire with friends and family. "Yeah it’s.. It;s a memorial. It started to commemorate my grandmother, the founder of the Hallows, Resin. As the pack has lost members and loved ones it’s expanded. The tradition is to give a burnt offering in memory of those gone before us." He explained to the best of his own knowledge. Sometimes he wished that he had been able to meet her.

"Speech"