Well if it wasn't Abaven's neighbor pack. He hadn't ever really known this place or it's pack or it's wolves, but he wanted to. It would be nice to know who lived on Sparrow's doorstep. Did the two packs often visit each other? They must if they were so close. They could practically see each other from one another's borders.

Okay, maybe that was a bit of an overstatement. Ashmedai chuckled to himself. Well, he figured the only way to find out what kind of wolves these people were would be to go and ask them. The packs surely had changed a lot since he was last in these lands, back when Imperium was still a pack.

Now wasn't the time to be timid. Ashmedai came close, but not too close, and sat. See? Totally not a threat. Then he called out, letting everyone know where he was, though he didn't care if the alpha responded first or someone else. That was safe, right? Nope, not a threat. Not me.

Well this was her first visitor, she had to say she was a bit surprised. So soon into her reign and she was filled with a sense of nervousness. Probably over the fact she was still unsure if she was fit for this job to say. She was determined to hold her title though, someone try to take it from her without her permission well they'd find out what happens then. Her paws carried her quickly to the call, where a rather interesting speckled male came into view. She kept a smile on her face as she usually did and stood there at the border. "Hello there stranger, welcome to Fiori I'm Heather the current queen." she would stay civil unless he had some sort of grudge against her. After all he could be a potential member, in which case Fiori needed it. Many of their members were retiring, and while she loved them all they were in need of younger members - with no one having pups at the moment and the only yearling being the last of the Quelt and Moon kids.... Heather knew she had to do something. "Talk"

The grey alphaess approached, a lofty smile on her face as she greeted Ash. He let himself mirror her, a smile coming onto his lips. He dipped his head in greeting, "Helly, my queen." Well she wasn't really his queen, but it wasn't anything personal. Just respect, he guessed.

After coming up from his bow, Ash gave the woman a warm look, "I was wondering if you could tell me about your pack and maybe your take on the packs around here. I'm a bit of a curious traveler, you see, so its important to know the packs- you know- in case I end up joining one one day."

Well this was rather interesting, the male was looking for a bit of information. Heather was a bit impressed, a lot of wolves did pick the first pack they saw. She smiled and the tip of her tail twitched in a friendly manner. "Well curious traveler I'm more than happy with providing you with a bit of information." Heather tried to think for a moment. "If I had to describe Fiori in one word it's family. Not in a traditional sense I do suppose, but we try to stay out of others way unless friends and family are in danger and don't generally go out seeking trouble. Also, offering a paw to those who need a home." It probably sounded boring to a stranger like him. "Sounds a bit boring I do suppose but means a lot to someone like me. In any case it depends on what you're looking for." she kept eye contact with him. "As for packs, Dragoste borders ours. I don't know much other than my sister is the mate of the alpha there. They seem to be a peaceful bunch. Then there's Talis. They are far to the south - in Auster. I've... spoken to a few wolves there including the alpha. Very proud wolves, they care a lot about honor. The other packs I'm not so sure so that's all I can give you." Heather gave a soft dip of her head. Still trying to debate him though, she didn't want Fiori to seem as weak. After all she wouldn't hesitate to use teeth and claw against those who overstepped their boundaries. "Talk"

The woman spoke and Ashmedai listened respectfully. It sounded like a fairly typical pack with the "we are all family" mentality. Well, that was nothing new, nor really exciting. On the up side, that kind of meant they weren't a threat either.

The lady didn't seem all too knowledgeable about the other packs around them. A lot of packs, in Ashmedai's opinion, liked to keep themselves isolated and blissfully unaware of the packs around them. At least Heather seemed to know a little bit about some packs.

"And Abaven?

Ashmedai couldn't help but to ask. The new change in leadership was something of a topic for him.

"Can I also ask where your pack stands on inter pack relationships, slaves, refugees, omegas, and perhaps any of the pups resulting from any of those groups? It tells a lot about the people of a pack, in my opinion, and every pack is a little different. Sorry to bring up such matters, but if there was a threat to the pack or an enemy of the family, it's important to know how to handle that, or rather to be very certain in your conviction in how you would handle them, right? It was something of a... thing in the pack I used to be in."

The one thing Heather was trying to do, was give him the information he needed without selling Fiori out. After all that sort of stuff was reserved for those inside. Heather also knew that the pack was in need of more members. Her head swirled with thoughts of trying to say things that would intice him in, but she knew better than anyone what it felt like to just... not feel like you belonged. When he asked about Abaven she shook her head. "Don't believe I've met anyone from Abaven, so I only know the name by mouth. I also currently have lots of things to do here so I can't go meeting and finding out about the other packs at the moment sadly." she sighed. She would have liked to, then again Lionel was here. Heather was anxious about these sorts of things. It meant it would put fiori on the map, plastering a HEY NEW LEADER WEAK PACK onto their heads was not something she wanted. "Well where I stand nobody should be taking mates outside from the pack unless it's a possible loner who can join the pack. At the end of the day, if the pups are born on Fiori soil, they are Fiori's pups and I wouldn't let them be taken over my dead body. We also do not take slaves, we have a prisoner rank but it's for those who have done us wrong and that we believe need to be punished. Refugee's are welcome, if we have the strength for them. I'm about my pack first at the end of the day, but if we are able to help I want to be able to be the one to lend a paw. Hostile wolves who find themselves in our borders won't be leaving without some presents. If I'm sure? Yes I am, it's Fiori's way and I intend to keep it that way unless it stops working then I'll simply adapt the pack." Heather shrugged her shoulders. It seemed the stranger though knew more about the bordering packs than she did. He must have been around longer, not to mention Heather didn't get out much to begin with. "Talk"

Ashmedai listened to the woman's explanation. It was all reasonable stuff. She said she was pretty set in her ways and Ashmedai let his smile widen. That was always good to hear. He's like to see it in action one day, though. People were usually a little different when shit exploded.

"Okay, cool. All of that makes sense. I guess I only really have one more question really: What makes you fit to be the alpha of this pack? It's not a threat- I promise," Ash flashed a toothy smile, "I'm just curious."

It really was different for every person. What made a pack strong, what made the members strong, and what made the alpha strong were all important things to consider when selecting a pack.

This must have been a test, Heather hadn't been faced with this kind of question before. Something about a stranger prying into her inner thoughts ticked her off. Yet she remained composed. "Because I worked harder than anyone else." she began. Her tail twitched for a second, well there was no point in being afraid if she could back it up. "My father was the alpha before me, and for a while I believe that I deserved the throne but when I turned a year old I looked at him and how the pack interacted and thought I want to be that. So from that day I studied day and night, I learned how to fight I sharpened my skills. I sought wisdom from those older than I. This season, I turned three years old and I finally got to be where I am. I'm new to being an alpha but I've come a long long way so I'm not about to let my hard work to be for naught. A lot of wolves helped me get where I'm at but I worked hard. So that, that's why I think I'm fit for being Alpha of this pack. I put actions, blood sweat and tears because no one can trust empty words." Heather would eye him for a bit. "You're a bit of an odd one you know that, you didn't even tell me your name." she smiled then. "I'll try to trust that you won't use this information against me. I mean we do what it takes to survive but I'd probably not be very happy." she chuckled half heartedly. Well there was no point in lying to him was there? Perhaps he also would share his name before he left. "Talk"

Ohh, now she was getting irritated. Really? He was already done questioning her what was the point in getting all irritated and flicking her tail around now. He wasn't hiding his intentions at all and he was being upfront with his questions. Really, he understood that alphas had to be all guarded and mysterious, but what for? Packs were packs and what thye didn't give away on their scent borders really didn't matter too much in a fight. Like, what could he even possibly use against her here? Her pack wasn't even that special or that big. Ashmedai huffed a little bit. Somehow she had gotten the wrong idea. Oh well, most alphas usually did and that's why they weren't fun.

She explained herself and Ashmedai found himself smiling. So she worked hard? That was at least admirable. Shame she didn't have to challenge for the position though. He found himself nodding along to her story anyway.

After Heather was done, she complained that he hadn't given his name. Ashmedai dipped his head, "Sorry, my queen, but you never did ask for my name. I'm Ashmedai, though. Not a kind or a queen or anything, just Ash."

She said she trusted he wouldn't use this information against her and Ash stood, a toothy smile upon his face, "My queen, never trust anyone not to use something against you. Especially a loner."

Ashmedai's smile was almost playful, "But don't worry. My intentions are only to visit all these packs in these lands. Better to be informed. The more I travel the more I find others- even alphas- are unaware of the packs around them. That's a pity."

He drew just a tiny bit closer, still not in Heather's space, but his eyes leveled with hers "You really should get out more."

Was that a threat or an invitation? He wondered which Heather would take it as.

"Anyway, that's pretty much all of my questions about your pack. I'd love to meet one of your members one day. Maybe I'll see one of them around one day. Heck, maybe I'll come and visit again, but unless you have anything else to ask, I suppose I'll take my leave and find the next pack to question."

Ashmedai gave the woman a sweeping bow then turned to leave.

"Take care, my queen."

-exit unless stopped or questions-

Her irritation wasn't really at the male himself. It was the fear crawling up on her and she didn't deal well with negative emotions. She never had in that sense. Heather did suppose it was true though, what he said rang in her ears. Don't trust him? That was an odd thing to say highly considering how she saw him. Naturally it did send shivers down her spine. Thrill in a way, not fear now. She chuckled, taking in a deep breath when he told her that she should get out more. "Right, I know." she breathed. She'd definitely learned something from this encounter. "Take care Ash thank you for the visit." she watched him leave and quickly she would make a round across the border to strengthen the pack scents. Before heading back deeper in her mind reeling with questions for herself. -exit- "Talk"