A Toast To The Future

He’d been intent upon the elk, but a brush of paw steps nearby caught him long enough to glance away, though he kept his steady movement forward, pressing the prey onward. At first, he thought the wolf coming toward him was Valentine Imperialis; the markings and coloring were similar enough that he paused, jaws parting in a welcoming greeting. Then the eyes caught his attention, as well as the fact that this wolf was female, and much younger. The final clue came in the form of her greeting. Valentine had definitely not had a female voice. Nonetheless, Regulus gave a wave of his thickly furred tail, deep sapphires meeting her gold toned eyes easily. The sly tone to her voice had been noted, but he was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. “I used to. This is a good place to hunt. Sorry to keep moving, but I need to keep this guy on the move.”

Her introduction came, and he tipped his head in polite acknowledgement, before the curiosity caught him in its grasp, goaded by her scent; she smelled like IMperium, and it also hinted at Valentine.... “Would you happen to be related to a Valentine Imperialis?” He’d liked the regal Imperium King well enough. And this girl looked so much like the male that Regulus was only half worried about getting the assumptions wrong. Ahead, the elk slowed, as if looking for a chance to stop, but the crimson Adravendi pressed forward, sending the beast on its way. “I’m Regulus, by the way.” Normally, he would have given an introduction straight off the bat, as was only proper, but it was a bit difficult to juggle formalities and a hunt at the same time.