The cold was a tangible taste upon his pink tongue as he waited out the last hours for the night to end and the sun to start the chore of warming up the earth. He had no doubt that winter was almost upon them. The brute would consider this as each step after each-other fell silently beneath thick, but stealthy paws. He wouldn't notice the moment he crossed into the lands of the creatures that ruled this world. To him, their scent was everywhere and inconsequential, he couldn't understand how they could have breed so quickly and efficiently, but they where clearly animals of the forest ? dominance by sheer numbers. Alabaster didn't fear the shrinking of his world, he hunted and lived in different ways to pack-walkers. The sun had risen during his moments lost in thought, the light glinting of the lighter tones of his strange coloured paws, and soaking against the darker blacks that encased the majority of his body. He would sigh as he seated himself against the ground, truly thinking that today would be as blank and forgettable as all the days before. ""

Things had begun to pick up in Solstice, and he knew it was all down to his newest recruit. Qanik was older and wiser then most others that lived in Solstice, and her knowledge was clear in her actions as she went about the tasks that Crucifix had set her. He arrived back in pack lands long before she did, his task had been simpler and he had but only one pack to visit, far fewer then the unknown number of new packs he had set his new Beta. The knowledge that at last they where getting somewhere would put Cru in a brighter mood as he started his rounds on the border markings of his pack, checking for scents and renewing the tell-tale scent of Solstice that marked this land as theirs. Large predators weren't something the pack normally had to worry about, so the scent of Panther was nearly unrecognisable to him, he hadn't scented such a thing in a long time, however the smell of a predator was a part of it that could not be ignored. Fearing suddenly the many lives of pups that resided in his borders he set after the scent at a near run. He would stumble across the form of the black being, slowing as he neared it. He tensed, ready to call for his pack if the intruder showed evil intent. Instead it would turn its head to look at him without rising from its seat. ?What brings you to Solstice's borders?? he asked cautiously. ""

Entertainment would quickly come the black creatures way as the tread of a wolf warned him of the boys approach. Large head would turn slowly, undaunted by the lone male wolf that stopped before him. He appraised it a moment, taking in its colouration and markings and found himself smirking softly. He was almost unique, even if his colours where more every day, the cross on the other hand was not something he had seen on a wolfs side before. The wolf ? an Alpha, in fact, by the scent of him would tense before him and ask him why he was here. ?Wolf is all I can smell these days, intruding wasn't my intent, Solstice Alpha? he said, his voice softly mono-toned with out interest in where the conversation might lead. He stretched out his paws with a sigh, shaking out his back legs as he prepared to get up and leave, looking at the questioning Alpha once more as he finished rising, half expecting an assault for his supposed rude crossing. He almost-only almost, smiled at the thought, let this boy try. ""

The strange black Panther before him uncurled itself from how he had settled and even as the cat-like creature spoke Cru's attention would be caught upon the strange colours that marked its nose, paws and even the brilliant tone of its eyes. It wasn't just the markings that caught him off guard, it was realising just how strange his world was knowing that he had seen the little green nymph only a day before, and well she was still the most unique thing he had ever seen, it was clear she was not alone in the world of the shaky. He shook his head, amused. ?Very well? he said in response to the Panthers words - it didn't matter if his intrusion was intended or not, Cur would see him off his lands before he relaxed and knew the pups where safe. ?But I must say, I'm seeing a rainbow of animals these days, no offence of course, but just yesterday I was meeting with a luminescent green wolf..? he would explain, half I musing. He wouldn't normally be this chatty to a predator, but truly there as so much that was unique in the world he lived he could help but say it. "Speech"

This Alpha boys reaction to the strange colours Alabaster bore proudly wasn't the expected one. He started babbling on about all the strange things he was encountering in the world, but that wasn't was what the panthers attention. ?A bright green wolf? Show me? he asked the wolf, that was something he had never seen before and would much like to see. It would be interesting to find himself in the company of a being that could outmatch him for unique and bright colours. He had to see ? would the brightness of the pinks that adorned him be a match for the bright green wolf this boy supposedly saw? Remembering he was talking to an Alpha, and unwilling to all the chance of this strange green creature to slip free of him he said. ?If you will?' his tone more polite even as his eyes rolled mentally. ""

Crucifix had only really been musing allowed, but the panther leaped upon his words with surprising interest, his words held more of a command then a question and for a moment his pride prickled at the insult, of commanding an Alpha on his own territory. Before his anger reached much more then that the black giant before him would speak again, more difference in his words now and Crucifix broke out into a smile instead. ?You know what, sure? he would reply. Dione struck him as someone who might be interested in meeting another unique being, hey, he could bring this panther to her as a sign of friendship and see what she thought of that. ?Its a bit of a walk, come on? he said, and turned and began to head out of the territory, watching to ensure the other followed him and they stared well clear of any dens and pups



- both exit

"Speech"
'thoughts'