She had never been this far beyond the desert before, and what a relief it was to see the life of the plains. With each breath of the wind, it sent a cascade of movement through the grass- bearing a startling resemblance to the ocean as it crested the random ridge here and there. The late summer sun was at its apex, lighting the pillowy clouds from above as they seemingly disappeared behind the hills in front of her just past the horizon. Yes, it was much easier to travel than having to fight sand in every step.

As she made her way up a particularly steep hillside, her intentions were to get a better view of the surrounding territory. And when she made it to the top, she was certainly not disappointed. From her vantage, she could see a herd of something off in the distance. Deer or antelope, she couldn't tell- nor did she have the desire or energy to waste in an attempt to bring one down herself. But what she was interested in, was the glittering surface of a creek that traced its way through the prairie haphazardly. It would provide a fantastic opportunity to rest, and replenish the leather flask she carried over her should like a satchel. Without further hesitance, the ashen fae moved to cross the remaining threshold between herself and the edge of the spring.

When she arrived at the bank of the stream, she removed her pouch and lightly tossed it aside to be dealt with momentarily. For now, she couldn't imagine anything better than getting her drink from the source.

A harmonious mix of scents filled the male's nose as he moved through the Prairie. The smell of a herd of Deer made his mouth salivate with anticipation. Perhaps he would try to pick one of the smaller does off later before they moved on. A small rumble rolled through his stomach but he ignored it for now. Incubus was more interested in the creek that was up ahead. The water slithered it's way through the territory and provided the whole area with much needed hydration. There was not much shade in the Prairie, it was mainly grass and flora. So in the summer such a lovely water source was likely vital for the regions inhabitants. It did not take long for Incubus to reach the creek. He immediately leaned down at the bank and began to lap at the water. Cool water rushed through him that caused him to sigh in enjoyment. A pink tongue slipped across his lips to grab any stray droplets. Front paws kneaded at the damp earth below as he began to take in his surroundings. - To his surprise there was another Wolf to his right, on the other side of the stream, and also drinking water. He hadn't noticed previously as the smell of prey was overpowering most other scents but perhaps they arrived at the stream at the same time? Incubus watched her silently for a few moments before deciding to speak up, they weren't that close so he did have to pipe up a little bit. "Delightful, is it not?" A grin played at his dark features as the male moved along the bank closer to her, so they didn't have to shout. Once he was almost across from her Incubus took in her features curiously. She had to be the first Wolf he met that, since coming back, that wasn't some crazy color of the rainbow. Her coat was a beautiful mix of greys and she had beautiful green eyes. The beast slowed to a stop with his own pale gaze pouring into her, "I am Incubus Klein." He cocked his head to the side ever so slightly, "What brings you to the Prairie?" She did not smell of the region and judging by her good health and stature he was certain she was a pack Wolf. Which of the many is what he did not know. Speech

The clean chill that flooded her system from the creek was satisfying. The gritty sensation of her throat immediately washing away as her tongue sent ripples across the lazy current before her. A hazily guided line of sight fell to the smooth river stones beneath the clarity of the water. Their rounded edges polished through the movement of the stream- but even that focus didn't last her long. Her eyelids gently fluttering shut over her emerald gaze as she withdrew herself into the simple acts of survival in a meditative state. There wasn't much she could do at that moment, other than surrender to the lull in her surroundings. Something about this place gave the sense that nothing in the world could ever go wrong. Not here.

However, when the tones of a masculine voice called for her attention, that emerald gaze flashed with recognition just as sharply as ever. Righting herself, she immediately found the shadowed frame of a large brute on the other side of the creek. A friendly grin spread across her features as she cleared her throat to make way for her response. "I would say so." Cassiela agreed lightly, before snaking her tongue across her lips to remove any unnecessary droplets that were tempted to fall.

As he approached- tracing the opposite bank- to come to a more conversational distance, she gently reclined to her haunches. Coming to the conclusion that this was going to end up being a little bit longer of a stop than what she had initially intended. So, she was going to take advantage of it. "Cassiela Impératoria" Cassi returned with her own introduction when he offered his own name. It was then that she noticed his mismatched gaze as she went to make eye contact with their polite conversation. However, in those few lingering seconds, she got the impression of a calculating intensity. Her friendly grin did not waiver, but she did tense ever so slightly. "Sightseeing, I suppose." She declared in that same airy tone, beaming a little brighter for just a moment before continuing. "I've spent a lot of time in the western parts of Boreas, and am just heading out on my own. I guess you could say I'm just passing through but thought this was a good place to stop." The charcoal-colored fae finished, glancing off to the side to break the unease of eye contact for the moment. However, her curiosity definitely peaked. "Are you from around here?" She asked softly before venturing back to the silhouette across the creek.

The stranger did not deny his company. She matched his grin with a rather friendly one of her. The babe even sat after he had, which seemed like an invitation to chat for a while. Incubus had no agenda for the day so he really did not mind lounging creek side with a beautiful femme. Honestly, it sounded like a dream. - Just after she sat a name was lifted into the air. That grin of his thickened as he allowed the impressive name to slithered through him. "Cassiela Impératoria." It seemed to roll right off his tongue as he tried it out. Yet, he spoke no more on the matter and merely nodded in approval. Their conversation moved onto his former inquiry. What brought Cassiela to the Prairie? Her explanation was what he had expected. She was sightseeing and roaming just as he was. Incubus did not have a home but he was currently lingering around the south east of Boreas with intentions of visiting Ashen soon. He wanted to familiarize himself with the surrounding territories and their inhabitants. If he was going to present himself to the pack with intentions of joining he would need to know what he was working with. Another nod came from the male and just as he thought to part those jaws in effort to speak she continued on with a question of her own. "Are you from around here?" The simple answer was yes, but there was a lot to unpack there. "I once lived not too far from here in a packed called Ashen." Perhaps she knew of it. "But, I left when I was just a yearling and have been roaming since." He chose to not reveal why he left. "That being said, I have intentions on returning to potentially join their ranks again." A small switch in tone, perhaps a hint of a playful pout. "I've grown bored of rogue life." Incubus watched her for a moment before asking another question. "Are you in a pack?" Speech

As the shadowed brute went on to describe his origin with a pack called Ashen- located not too far from her- her ears perked along with her curiosity. She wondered silently to herself if they were still around, or if they disbanded sometime along the way. It surprised her when he admitted to abandoning his birth packs ranks as a yearling. Though, perhaps that was a more common practice than she might have realized. Having never been without a pack herself- it was difficult to imagine. "You must not be too terribly close to family then." She responded softly. Meant more as an observation than an accusation. Coming from a militantly religious upbringing, any inkling of free thought was educated out of its members from a young age. Honor and loyalty were all she had ever known. "But I certainly understand seeking purpose." Her purpose had always just been assigned to her. Even still, she understood the importance of being a cog in the machine.

Cassiela made a mental note when he added that his intentions were to return to Ashen. So they were still in existence. Perhaps she would pay them a visit for herself. But those thoughts were eventually pushed aside as Incubus made his own inquiries. "Yes. I scout for a pack called Valhalla." She started, emerald gaze studying his features in an attempt to get a read. "They reside on the other side of the desert near the western coast." Cassi offered, in case he was unfamiliar. Based on her interaction with the Ethyria alphess, she wouldn't be surprised if Valhalla was unknown to most of those she encountered.

Incubus listened intently as she responded to his explanation. "You must not be too terribly close to family then." The dark male shook his head in response and thought on that for a moment. He wanted to be close to his family, in some capacity. But, he really didn't know who they were now. His mother was likely the same but what of his littermates or his half-siblings? "No, they likely think I am dead." It was stated in a matter of fact way and void of any dramatics. It was the truth, why would they assume otherwise. It was also why Incubus was procrastinating when it came to calling on any of them. He was a little bit hesitant to announce his homecoming but he knew the longer he waited the worse it would be. Moving onto her situation the fae revealed both rank and pank. Incubus offered a firm nod, "Sounds like quite the station." He offered a slightly more lighthearted grin as he slowly stood on all fours. He gently shook some of the debris from his fur before deciding to step forward into the creek. The inky male dipped his head down to take one last lap at the crisp water before sauntering his way across the creek, towards Cass. Incubus looked her over a touch longer as he grew closer. With only a few feet between them his head cocked to the side and his steps ceased. "My goal here in the Prairie was to do a bit of exploration." A small pause as his eyes poured into her own. "Would you like to join me?" Without an answer Incubus ripped his attention away from her and began moving towards a small hill that appeared to be a warren for Rabbits. He wasn't in the mood to hunt but he was curious enough to take a peek at their burrows. Speech

At her observation of the brute's relationship with his family, her intuition was confirmed. Abruptly so. "Oh." Cassi responded shortly, not really knowing what else to say. Though, as she thought about it for the moment, her family likely thought her to be dead as well. Why would they think anything different? "Well, hopefully if you pursue a reunion, it goes well." Depending on the relationship he lead with them though, it may be better off if they believed him to be dead. Some were better off left in the past.

But her present was a different matter. "I like it alright. They're good people." It certainly was a station, and she owed quite a bit to the Adravendi and their generosity. However, that line of thought was abandoned when the stranger's movement demanded her attention. Blinking it away, she gently rose to her paws as Incubus crossed the creek. As he stood only a stride or two away, it was easy for her to get lost in his mismatched gaze of his. Though it wasn't available to her for long. He hesitated a moment once the distance has been crossed. Yet, the offer that followed it was what surprised her. "Yes." She said softly but didn't like how it sounded. She quickly followed it up with a firmer assertion. "Yes, I would like that." But the obsidian brute was already on his way.

Quickly grabbing her back and slinging it over her shoulder, she was able to catch up to the individual just peculiar enough to keep her attention. "I just saw a little bit of it on my way through. It seems to be a lively place." She remarked as she noticed the signs of rabbit that littered the ground. "Lots of game, anyways." Cassi added, as her attention was drawn to the flash of movement that cut across their path in the nature of a rabbit inevitably fleeing for its life.  

As the brute slinked towards the warren Casseila's words were heard from behind. A double yes. His lips flicked upward in an involuntary grin but he spared her a response. His pale eyes were settled on the Rabbit dens with mild interest. As the grew closer the babe offered a a few statements and Incubus nodded. "They are fast creatures though and sometimes they can fight back. The big ones, that is." He glanced towards the charcoal femme, "But, if you are fast enough they make a good meal and their pelt is rather lush." Incubus enjoyed lining his den with the most luxurious of pelts that he could manage to obtain himself. Without another word Incubus moved parallel with the warren towards the grasslands. He moved through the tall grass with the wind soaring through his inky pelt. The sun lapped at him with incredible warmth, making the beast miss the creek they were just at. His pink nose stung ever so slightly from the sun rays and he knew there'd be a bit of a burn after the day was over. Something that he had grown use to with time. - As he walked the herd of Deer grazing in the more flat land came into view. Now, that was game. He offered her another glance, "What is it you do as a scout?" Did she obtain information from other packs? Did she merely patrol? Or was it a mixture of both? Incubus always fancied landing himself a role that leaned towards fighting. But, he figured scouting could be interesting at times. "Are you a spy?" A mischievous look replaced the mild grin as he eyed her over. Speech

Once they got closer to the warrens, the ashen fae followed Incubus' lead as he rounded a turn towards the heart of the territory. But with the observation that the rabbits were fast and could be a hassle, but certainly worth their pelts, Cassiela nodded in agreement. "Absolutely." She voiced, glancing towards the holes in the hillside that were seemingly vacant by the sudden onset stillness. However, she imagined if you were willing to do some digging, they were likely occupied.

After covering only a small distance, her attention fell to a herd of deer, feasting away on the vegetation of the prairie. However, they didn't hold her focus for long before Incubus delivered another question. Cassi flicked an ear in his direction as she prepared for a response. However, before she could explain, his follow-up brought a chuckle to escape her lips instead. "Hardly." Not anywhere even close. She shot a sideways glance at him a moment before continuing to describe her task. "I've been given instruction to visit some of the eastern packs. Introduce myself and my pack, establish a line of communication." Nothing fancy. Just a 'Hi, how are you?' exchange. Even more so, she was purposely trying not to be secretive to gain some connections. "I also often try to offer assistance, if I can personally be of any use. But that's pretty much it." Cassiela finished, looking his way once more, before returning her attention to the deer. Though, she wasn't really looking at them.

"I'll return to Valhalla and relay to their leadership who I've met and what I did, and we'll go from there." Cassi had no idea what her next assignment would be since this was the first official one. Maybe she'd go on a tour north ... or perhaps down into Auster? It wasn't her call. "It's not a bad gig, though. I like to get out and work independently. Explore. See the world. Meet new faces. That sort of thing." It sounded a little cliche out loud, but it was the truth. She like the option of having a pack to return to, but preferred to be out and about.  

Pink and blue eyes took in the herd but really his attention was on his new acquaintance. There was something that kept that flicker of curiosity going. A depth to the babe that seemed to be a bit more real then some of the other silver tongued serpents he attracted. Plus, she was rather easy on the eyes with the that sultry wash of grey that painted her coat. - His thoughts were swept back along the path of her station as her answer was revealed. Alas, the femme was not a spy. Or that's what she wants him to think. Incubus believed the answer but really would a spy answer that question with honestly? - Cass went on to further explain her rank and Incubus nodded along. It did sound like a pretty good gig. Both having the fulfillment of productivity but the freedom of roaming the lands. "It sounds like you rather enjoy it." A shrug. "That's truly what matters." Incubus being the indulgent creature he did not do many things he did not enjoy. Incubus knew he'd likely aim for a more fighting oriented position in Ashen, if accepted. He always enjoyed the thrill of a fight and the satisfaction of domination. It would keep him active and working while also allowing him to get his teeth bloody. "Would you ever aspire for more?" A brow raised as he looked at her expectantly. He wasn't sure why he was prying so deeply but maybe it was a way of seeing the world through someone so different. Their answers to that question were likely completely different and that intrigued him. Speech

When he made the observation that she enjoyed scouting, a friendly smirk spread across her features accentuated by a gentle nod. "I agree. If aren't able to do anything else, do something you enjoy." She echoed softly. Though, she wouldn't give it any extra thought as they continued on. Or at least, not until she was prompted to do so by thoughts of the future.

The ashen fae hesitated a moment before answering. "Possibly." She started. Not entirely sure of what her conditions were. "If an opportunity landed at my feet, it would be hard to say No." Cassi finished, not quite certain of where her life may find her. But it also didn't concern her. She was confident that whatever would be, would be. Whatever that meant.

It was only then did she glance up to evaluate the position of the sun and its noticeable shift in placement. She was quite sure where she needed to land before sunset- but she was fairly confident that there was quite a bit of ground left to cover before shelter could be found. Glancing in the obsidian brute's direction, her attention lingered a moment before drawing on her voice once more. "But, for now, I better get on with it." She announced.

She paused a moment to allow the exchange of departing pleasantries. "It was nice meeting you, Incubus." Though it wasn't a meaningful interaction, she did appreciate his company. And it gave her some valuable information in pursuing her next lead. "Until next time." The words of farewell rolled off her tongue with a final dip of her chin. And with that, she turned on her heels and veered off to the east- back in the direction that they had come.

-exit Cassi unless stopped-