The Inaugural Harvest Ball

The night was young. A cold chill to the air brought promise to a formidable winter. Tamping down the balmy weather of the typical Auster surroundings, Akito greeted it with a head held high and soft grey gaze ahead of him. He was no stranger to the northern regions of the continent. Having traversed areas of it with his brothers before, but tonight was different. His coat had been bathed, brushed, and smoothed out until every fleck of grey could be seen among the black of his fur. A true image of the stars above minus any color one may have seen. Growing legs brought about long steps as he trailed behind his gaggle of siblings. Tate was at the head, sternly chastising Erik for any misbehavior. Of course, he was sure Morg was a part of that too. Unlike the others, Akito didn't need reminding to behave. He understood well that relations between packs were fragile at best and any decision they made could ultimately ruin it.

Approaching the front gates of the castle, Akito looks up at them in almost a fond manner. He has been here before to visit and meet with one of the other pups, Vendrick. They had had a decent time and he didn't mind coming back. As they cross through the gardens, he doesn't mind picking a rose that looks as if it is on the cusp of wilting. Not that he had anyone in mind to give it to, but better safe than sorry, he supposed. Coming up the stairs, he watches as Tate embraces a taller girl who stands beside Artorias. Akito hasn't officially met the Aegis yet, but from conversation with Hattori, he can place the man with the image. Stopping before Artorias, Akito bows his head respectfully before following in after his more rambunctious siblings.

Standing amongst the crowd of wolves, delicious food, and warm aromatic air, he looks around. Feeling rather out of place, he shuffles his weight and lingers to the side for now. It is then that he sees her. At first, his fur bristles slightly as he watches her dance with someone else. He wasn't expecting her to be here nor the feelings that bubble up inside of him to even be happening. Swallowing hard with his teeth clamping down on the rose that is grasped between his teeth, Akito takes a few songs to gather up any courage he thought he had.

Moving through the crowd, he approaches the chimera spotted girl and clears his throat. A romantic, Akito was not, but he had to at least extend an attempt at friendship. Turning to the stranger she dances with, he gives a curt smile. "Mind if I cut in?" He says between the thorny stem in his mouth. Once the wolf leaves, he turns to Maki, the tight smile still on his lips as he dips his head to her and holds out the rose in his paw. "May," he pauses, clearing his throat again, feeling his face flush with warmth, "I have a dance?"