Crucible walked into the new land with confidence. His head knew explicitly what he had to do, but it was having a hard time convincing his heart. Of course, he knew he could not stay and outcast forever, not if he was to make it anywhere in this cruel world of twisting fates. There was a need inside of him that had to be sated or he would end up dying from the lack of his pathetic knowledge. It was no secret that a young wolf needed to be taught the skills of a warrior and that they were not just inherited from the greatness of one's parentage.

Pushing through the corn rows, he found himself looking at an old structure that the humans had surely raised. Perhaps this was where he would find his destiny. There were plenty of wolves milling about, but from what he had heard he was looking for a red king. Eyes of a striking yellow color scanned the area hoping to find the leader before he drew too much attention to himself. Noting that patience was probably the best policy he seated himself just inside the corn rows and scouted. Crucible would watch the area until the king came into view or found him himself. In his mind he had already formed a sharp respect for this male due to the rumors that he had collected while choosing a pack. Surely he would soon notice the sent of an outsider within his lands.

The red King was keeping himself busy as usual, having just checked in on his family before heading back out once more to continue his patrol. Epiphron and the children were doing just fine and they didn't need him watching them every minute. He moved toward the northern border, skirting up the western edge of Seracia and replenishing old scent markers as he went. It was practical to keep the border heavily scented so that there was no mistaking the strength of Seracia. It didn't take long for him to stumble across a scent he didn't recognize well at all. He snorted as it permeated his nostrils, striking him as foreign and rogue in nature. He would pivot, bringing his form toward the source of the scent, noting that a wolf he couldn't see clearly was lingering in the shelter of the cornstalks. ?You sit upon my land, stranger. Show yourself, if you please.? If he did not please, he would be chased as far from Seracia as Maverick's nimble legs would carry him. The King didn't play around with vagabonds. Two litters had been borne into the world only a season ago, and Maverick had every intention of making sure that none of them fell prey to a rogue's torture. ?speak,?

Ah, there he was. The red king came into his vision, and it was obvious that he already knew that Crucible was there. ?You sit upon my land, stranger. Show yourself, if you please.? Crucible had no intentions of staying hidden to this king and so walked out of the corn field quite willingly. For a young one he carried himself with an obvious air of confidence. Why he did so was uncertain for he had no training and no place to call home right now. However, this pride would not permit him to disrespect his obvious superiors and so he dipped his head to the red king politely.

"Hello sir, my calling is Crucible." The young wolf kept his head lowered a tad. He knew he was in no place to assume that the king of Seracia would let him speak to him on equal terms. "I have come seeking a place to call home and to find a mentor." He would keep why he needed to find a home secret for now. Crucible knew he meant no harm to this pack, but he was not certain what kind of relations this king had had with his old pack when they had ruled Glaciem. "I wish to be a warrior sir, but those skills are not just inherited." Though if they were, Crucible surely would have been one of the most gifted yearlings in Alacritis.

Before the King could even begin to lose patience, the boy shifted from amongst the cornstalks, revealing himself to be a handsome young lad. The boy, though carrying himself in a prideful manner, dipped his head kindly. The red King did the same, inclining his head to the boy before setting it back at it's usual elevated level. ?It's a pleasure to meet you, Crucible. I am Maverick, King of this land.? Crucible was quick to give the King a reasoning for being here, to which Maverick was well pleased. So often rogues wanted to join, but took forever in requesting to do so. It seemed this boy had a level head upon his shoulders despite his youthful exterior. He went on to mention his desire to be a warrior, something Maverick admired. It showed a bit of his spirit and character. He liked this lad. ?If that is what you seek, you have come to the right place.? The boy had said something interesting, and Maverick intended to act upon it. ?You mentioned a mentor. We don't currently have any sort of official mentoring system, but that brings an idea to mind. I will take you on and be your mentor, and when you have reached a suitable age you will be able to mentor a younger wolf yourself. How does that sound?? He tilted his head as he asked this, his official countenance slipping ever so slightly now that he was among a fellow pack member and not just a vagabond. ?speak,?

A weight seemed to be lifted off of his shoulders when the king accepted him into his lands. This was too much stress for the average yearling, and Crucible was not exception. However, Crucible was able to deal with the stress of lacking a home and having no foreseeable future better than most. It came with he great maturity in his nature."I will take you on and be your mentor, and when you have reached a suitable age you will be able to mentor a younger wolf yourself. How does that sound??

The young wolf was wracked with disbelief, and some of it showed upon his face. Most of Crucible's thoughts and feelings were well hidden, but his king had clearly shocked him. "It would be my honor to accept your proposal to become your student and then to teach another." A smile slipped onto the handsome yearling's face.

There were so many questions to ask now though! His king seemed to be very wise, but also calm and laid back. He was curious about how proper he kept the wolves in his kingdom. "I would raise a few questions for you then." He paused to allow his king time to shoot him down if need be. "As I am unused to pack rules and regulations I am uncertain of what you would like me to call you. Tilting his head after he posed the statement that also doubled as a question made sure that the image of his question was purely innocent. Then a grin shifted onto the wolf's face, and a fire for knowledge burned in his eyes, "And when do we start?" This was probably the closest Crucible would ever come to being called giddy.

The shock was painted on the youth's face, even if he tried his best to hide it. Maverick could see that he was pleased, and this - in turn - pleased the young King. ?Marvelous,? the word would slip from the King's lips in response to the boy's agreement, mind already shifting to those that might wish to mentor, and those who would need a mentor in the future. Crucible, however, had more to say, and so Maverick banished thoughts of the future from his mind. The boy would pose an interesting question, to which Maverick would chuckle and respond. ?Formalities were very much my father's strongpoint, though that doesn't mean they should be ignored. Most often you'll find Seracians greeting each other by their name if they are of equal rank or lesser rank, and by their rank if the other is in a higher rank. For instance, you'd most likely call me King Maverick. If you don't know someone's rank you can always be safe by calling them Madam or Sir.? The boy went on to ask about when they would start, to which Maverick would respond. ?We can start whenever you like, though I suggest you get comfortable here in Seracia first. Perhaps we will meet tomorrow or the next day for a bit of training? Of course, as always don't be afraid to find me if you need assistance with anything.? It would probably be wise for the boy to become used to the surroundings and to pick a den and get a nice rest before they began their training regimen. The King would not be able to train him every single day, but he wouldn't mind pouring a little more knowledge into one of the youth of Seracia. ?speak,?

Crucible nodded his head in understanding. That made perfect sense to him. Until he learned everyone though he would be calling a lot of wolves sir or madam! Even after the naming rules were given to him a smile was still plaguing his features, and he really doubted that it would leave anytime soon. At the suggestion of starting his training after he had gotten used to his new home and put things in order, the young wolf nodded his head. It made sense after all, and he was tired. It would be nice to sleep in a place he could call home. "Yes, of course." The words came out of his mouth in complete compliance, there was no arrogance in the tone of his words. "I will come whenever you call me for training." Realizing his words may have overstepped, he quickly amended them with, "I mean, I feel that would be easier since I would not know where a meeting place is as of yet and because you will have a much busier schedule than mine."

The young wolf didn't duck his head in embarrassment like most would. He did not believe he had anything to be embarrassed for. He had a quick mind and most always spoke with meaning. If one did not understand his meaning then he believed you almost didn't deserve to. Even though Crucible did not duck away like some, he did lower his head in a submissive manner and waited to be dismissed to go about his errands.

The boy seemed very much like he was absorbing everything Maverick said, it was pleasing to see someone so eager to learn. Maverick wondered where the child's parents were, but figured it was best not to pose such a personal question so early in their relationship. There would be plenty of time to learn all about Crucible's history. Maverick nodded when he said he would come when called, not noting anything odd about the statement. However, the boy quickly retracted and spoke again, rephrasing what he'd said before in a more submissive tone. The King chuckled good-naturedly. ?That sounds great.? He smiled, glancing at the boy once more before lifting a paw tentatively. ?I'll leave you to get settled, if you need me, just howl.? With that he would flicker his tail gently and set off into the distance - slowly, in case the boy had any final questions. Exit Maverick unless stopped. ?speak,?