The fire lit and words he'd understood in spirit if not the literal words shared and spoken Majima had noticed the groups starting to disperse and the young boy decided he would as well. He settled himself into the long grass, choosing a place where he could watch the groups that milled around the fire still and a few others. He was people (wolf?) watching. At the best of times he wasn't necessarily interested in being too social and he certainly wasn't eager to put his common language skills on display. So watching those around him it was, it was still interesting to him at least, watching how those outside the bamboo conducted themselves, the things they said or did.

"Majima"

Art by 1Lumbago3

Feeling more and more disheartened that he hadn't seen Bowen yet, Bancha waited politely as the Lord of Cinder lit the giant bonfire and everyone began to disperse. Once he had explained everything to whoever needed to know, the young wolf set out to find someone to talk do or something to do. Being the social butterfly that he is, he feels the itch to spill words from him lips. A sensation that made his nose twitch and his paws bounce through the grass a little more. Well, and, he's short so he sort of has to bounce higher so that he can see farther across the plains and its very, very tall grass.

Making his way along the outskirts of the festival, Bancha notices another wolf similar in age to himself, but much larger. A tilt of his head and a brief pause of his paws, considering his options, before he's trotting over, tail wagging happily behind him. "Konbanwa!" Bancha greets before he stops, looking a tad embarrassed. "Oh, sorry, I mean evening! Been taking lessons with my papa and it sorta took over my head for a second," he lets out a light laugh as he continues to close the distance between himself and the koi teenager.

Taking a seat in the grass beside Majima, he admires the boy's twirling horns for a moment before realizing he's also now staring. "Uh, sorry, again," an awkward clearing of his throat as he smiles again. "I'm Bancha Satoru-Klein. What're you doing?" He turns to look out across the field where Majima is also watching the other wolves.

BANCHA

Majima hadn't exactly seen the little wolf bounding towards him, if he'd been looking the right direction he probably would have noticed the movement at least but considering the other pup's size it was easy to miss him. But that greeting immediately pulled his attention. Majima was his father's son and despite his initial surprise and then curiosity he hardly showed it, probably hitting the poor smaller boy with a quiet stare. Majima for his part was struck by two things, one was that the splotching on the boy seemed somewhat familiar even if of a colour he wasn't used to and the second was those ears.

Majima had observed the wolf-dog when she'd been around, had even seen the slight shift in his father when she was near and he'd mimicked it on instinct before, but in truth he didn't really get the reasoning behind it. Not that he didn't understand the importance of bloodlines, especially for himself but he didn't really have any issues with others choosing a dog.

"Konbanwa." Majima intoned. "Hattori Majima... eeto..." He realized a little too late he'd introduced himself in the way he'd been taught but not how it seemed was common outside the bamboo. "I mean Majima Hattori." His English was stilted still, accent heavy as he struggled through the strange syllabic patterns. What language ended words in consonants? "Satoru-san is your outo- father?" He had softened somewhat, curiosity taking over. Satoru certainly seemed like a name from his ancestral homeland and Klein wasn't exactly unknown to him so process of elimination really. A somewhat awkward conversational stream maybe but Majima had the social skills of a rock so really what was he going to do?

"Majima"

Art by 1Lumbago3

Bancha attempts not to look over at the boy too much. He had been told it was rude to stare even if he didn’t understand why. After all, he was a curious wolf-dog and when others looked different than him, he wanted nothing more than to ask all the questions. Which he had plenty zipping through his head as the other boy spoke in stilted, accented words that sounded familiar, but not too familiar. So instead of staring, Bancha looks out over the plains, watching the festivities unravel around them.

that fluently yet, but I’m trying,” his brows draw downward, ears folding backward, hoping that Majima understands. “Satoru-San is indeed my otou-san, but his real name is Mojito. Says he likes drinks from his culture which is why I was named Bancha,” he giggles, giving his head a shake before letting out a sigh.

“So does everyone where you’re from not speak the common language?” Bancha inquires, head canting as he steals a look over at Majima.

Majima knew staring was often not considered polite and if nothing else he'd been taught decorum but there was something about the little wolf-dog that kept drawing his gaze back even while Bancha did better. He wasn't exactly a soft wolf, outwardly, but there was something endearing about the other young wolf that he found hard to ignore. The way his ears moved, or the earnestness that for a wolf of Majima's upbringing was nearly blinding. He wasn't sure he could ever be quite so easy to read.

"It is okay." Majima tried to assure Bancha. "I do not expect others to have fluency." Though his own lack of common language skills certainly felt like a glaring hole in his own skill set. Maybe he'd have to speak more with Jiro, his brother seemed to have grasped it quite quickly at least. At the mention of Bancha's father Majima's brows shifted downward ever so slightly. Mojito certainly did not seem to be a name from his own background but he also supposed it was possible that more than a few generations could have passed within the Satoru clan since coming to these lands. While he was technically only a second generation Hattori when it came to their family here he also wasn't so unaware of his older siblings to assume he may not have nieces or nephews with less traditional names. And honestly it was a fleeting thought, distracted as Majima was by the smaller boy's giggle. Which was admittedly, even for him, endearing. His face softened again, not quite a smile on his lips but he certainly wasn't looking unkindly at Bancha. It was about as close to an open smile he'd ever done around non-family.

"My family hails from a place far from here. It is where my Outou-san was born and so this is not his first language. We are not very open to outsiders and so the common tongue is not what I speak at home." Not that it was unheard of for it to be used, there were a few members of the pack, of the clan, who were not originally from their homeland, who did not speak their tongue natively. "But a few wolves from my pack are native to this land and speak the common tongue." Majima more than understood his father's isolationist view. Even having been here for only a few short hours he'd seen violence break out seemingly, to him, at random. Not to mention their traditions, and yes even language, could easily be lost if they were not careful who they let have access to them.

"I have not met many wolves outside my home and so was curious." He offered by way of explanation. "The customs here are strange to me." It was maybe a bit blunt. To be expected considering his upbringing really. Majima finally tore his eyes away from the wolf-dog and looked out at the pyre. Though not totally unfamiliar. He was not a stranger to the idea of burning the dead. Though everything that had come before and after certainly was unusual to him. "We often burn our honoured dead, though they are kept in spirit through shrines and familial burial sites." Offerings weren't unheard of, though they were often in the form of alcoholic drinks. Majima cast a glance back at Bancha, before turning his full attention back again as he spoke:

"I am curious of your take on the event." He watched the wolf-dog, curious. Was this common outside the bamboo or was there yet more for him to learn of outsiders?

"Majima"

Art by 1Lumbago3

If Bancha were anything, it would be personable. A perfect balance between serene and sociable that cares more for everyone than their own wellbeing. Not a single mean bone lies within their body. Because though some might believe Majima's tense and stiffened posture, the tight lines and honest words as abrasive or rude, Bancha merely nods in respect to the comment on fluency. Everyone was different in their own way and since they had no idea how Majima lived or where he'd come from, they had no right to assume anything. But they can't help but wonder... If Majima didn't expect everyone to be fluent and himself was not fluent in the common tongue, how did he expect to conversate with anyone? Not that it mattered. They were having a fine time conversating now and really, that was what mattered.

Instead, Bancha listens quietly, feeling the lengthened stare of Majima over their features. Were wolf-dogs not common where their pack was from? That seemed odd to Bancha because well, his family were all wolf-dogs aside from Nao, but he hardly noticed the differences anyway. What were a few floppy ears and a curled tail to anyone anyway? What Majima does say though makes Bancha question how much they knew of their own family's history. Did their father's lineage hail from the same place as Majima's? Or somewhere else? How many generations had been here before then? Question after question filters through Bancha's mind as Majima continues to indulge more information to them.

Bancha lets out a thoughtful hum, gaze turning out toward the pyre that flickers toward the sky above. They were open to thinking and talking about many topics, but death was still one that made them queasy to dwell on. Saving a life was much more their preference rather than deciding how to bury a body.

Drawn back to Majima's curious look, Bancha takes a moment to ponder the statement. "This is my first time outside of my pack lands as well so the event has been... interesting," they hesitate, facial expression twitching as they try to find a kind word to explain the tumultuous events that had unfolded so far. "I have spent more time learning the land and healing so I am not terribly involved with my family's traditions as I should be," Bancha admits, a tad disappointed in themselves for having to admit such a thing. "And what do you think of it?" They study Majima carefully, curious as well to know more of what is on Majima's mind.

BANCHA

Despite himself, despite everything Majima can't help but be pleased that it seems that Bancha is taking his questions seriously. A low huff of breath the closest thing to a laugh he'll let happen in response to the other wolf's comments about the events being interesting. He certainly agreed. A brow quirking slightly as Bancha admitted he was less familiar with his family's traditions than he ought to be. Majima couldn't help but feel a desire to comfort the smaller wolf, something he was admittedly quite confused by. Still none of this passed across his face and instead he shook his head. "Medicine has a long history of traditional practices in my culture. It is possible that you know more of your family's traditions than you know." As for the follow up question? Majima turned his attention back out to the pyre as he thought.

"I think I have learned why my outou-san insists on being more isolated. I struggle to understand why certain things happened and can understand needing to protect ourselves." He tilted his head slightly. It was more than that though... "But then I understand how if everyone held the same beliefs I would not have learned what I have today. Nor would I have met you." He glanced at Bancha out of the corner of his eyes for a moment. "I have learned I am not opposed to learning these things." Still he didn't think it was for everyone, he didn't think it was a good idea for their clan overall. That said he couldn't deny a desire to learn more. "I would not be opposed to learning more about the Satoru clan for instance."

"Majima"

Art by 1Lumbago3