The dusty brown brute was running free as fast as the winds of fate would carry him in the darkness as he came upon the most peculiar sight ever to be seen in his entire time of traveling. Coming from the marsh of the avian estuary to this as he was thinking to himself that there was no way the beauty of the single willow tree in that marsh could compete with something so magnificent as this if only he could have been raised here instead of in the middle of nowhere of interest. The shear beauty of this place drew him in closer and closer to it until he was so very close to the illuminating almost magical place. Aoto sat down on his haunches as he stared into the wonderous land and began to think about his family maybe things would've been different had they lived here as he imagined him and his brother Damascien playing in the night and staying out late away from the den.

Reality bit him hard though when he came back to what his family was like back where he actually grew up with Damascien as his rival the one who turned his back on their family's duty. Aoto snapped out of his thoughts as he looked at the marvelous land before him and was wondering if any packs owned this land and if a pack did would they take him in for he was tired of being alone and tired of having nothing to do in his line of work. The brute wondered about what if he did join a pack would he ever see those he met along the way ever again. He didn't know the answer to what he was thinking but if he did join a pack he would have done something that someone in the past mentioned to him ?"I doubt you'll have any trouble getting into a pack." that particular line from the fae Ashetoreth. He would've finally got into a pack and proved her statement true.

The gentle cover of darkness in this most spectacular place was a sight he never wanted to leave behind in his memory for this would be the place he treasured most for its beauty and mystery for he couldn't understand just why it had that effect on him. All other places couldn't compare to here but Aoto knew that lingering in this place for too long would make him want to settle in here but still he would be alone and that was not what he wanted. He wanted friends and those he could talk to on a regular basis anyone who would actively chat with him. However for the time being it seemed that his loneliness though was forgotten for now.

Intruder. The accusation was a familiar one, a word that echoed through his dreams as he slept tonight. The nightmares he frequently suffered from were hazy upon waking, but felt startlingly real when he was trapped in that barely-conscious state. It seemed as though in his dreams, he was always being followed, always being watched, yet he could never find the source of his paranoia. Tonight the voice taunted him, calling him an intruder, telling him he didn't belong. Intruder!

It was the scent of a stranger that roused him from his light slumber. It seemed that the unfamiliar scent of a creature that did not belong in Ludicael had prompted his dream. Was there an intruder here? Bronze had grown accustomed to the scent of his packmates, even though he didn't know all of them well, and immediately upon awakening he knew something was off. A soft groan escaped from his lips as he rolled to the side, slowly shaking sleep from his mind. Lids would blink over dark eyes as he made out the frame of his wife beside him. Not wanting to wake her, he would pry himself from her side slowly, quiet as a mouse as he slipped from the den into the night.

He was curious, more than anything; and this place was his home. His family's home. They were safe here, and he wasn't willing to let anything threaten that safety. Investigating seemed the best thing to do. Slowly he walked through the mangrove, remarkably quiet for a man of his stature and age, slowly stretching his limbs. The night air was cool and comfortable, and he marveled at the sound of crickets chirping and frogs singing that echoed through the land. It didn't take long for him to locate the source of the scent, though he struggled to see the man's form in the distance. "Who is it?" he asked, his voice loud and void of much emotion. Perhaps it was not an intruder at all, but simply a Destruction he had not yet seen or smelled; but he could not be so sure, and he knew he would not be able to return to sleep until he knew.

The sound of the loud and void voice slightly startled Aoto as he was deep in thought. The thought that he has intruded upon someone's land was something that was what startled him more than the voice. He took in a deep breath before letting it loose and speaking in response to where he heard the voice come from and it was from the most peculiar spot which was right where another wolf was ?I'm Aoto... Aoto Akani, I'm a stranger to these lands but wish no harm upon any of its residents... I simply wish to find a place to belong and do my part in helping out but thus I have done so to no avail and rather ashamed of it to be honest? He left a silent end to his words before looking around again to see everything that was so different here than anywhere else. This was the most interesting encounter so far well more likely interesting in the sense of the scenery where this was occurring.

There was a gentle smile that played across Aoto's maw before speaking once more ?Please let me know if you want me to leave this place and I shall do so... all I ask is... do you know of a place that may accept me?? He again became quiet perhaps this stranger to him would give him a answer as to where he may be able to be accepted such as a pack or a small group as he wasn't about to become picky to where he could belong. Whatever the other brute's answer was Aoto was going to respect him as he bowed towards the brute. Aoto was always about respecting anyone and everyone regardless of who they were and he wasn't about to become rude and disrespectful. Perhaps if he told this stranger what he does for a living or at least tried to that might help. ?I forgot to mention that I'm a healer and I only wish to aid those who would have me even though I know a fair bit about the practice of aiding others when they are injured or ill I know there is so much more for me to learn? He tried to disguise a playful chuckle in his words.

Hopefully there might be a sense of humor in this stranger or at the very least honesty most of all honesty. The dusty brown brute stood up a little and looked at the stranger with a inquisitive look that shown through or at least in his mind it was showing through whether the other wolf seen that or not was entirely a different matter but no matter he was still curious. Waiting for the answer to come or at least if the brute approached him with only more questions that would be fine with Aoto but one last question pierced Aoto's lips ?May I ask of the name to whom I'm speaking to if you would willingly give me your name? once more bowing in respect as he asked with a rather gentle but loud voice.

His gaze was nearly unblinking as he fixated on the stranger in the distance. The man seemed startled, which made him silently chuckle. Once, perhaps, he had been fearsome, even terrifying -- but now he was simply an old man. It he or his family were being threatened, he was certain he could hold his ground, but his strength was gradually diminishing despite his steady resolve. Bronze had taken some time to accept this fact, but he finally had. His youth would never return to him, no matter how deeply he craved it.

Despite how mildly entertaining it was to see him startle another, he did not truly wanted to frighten the man. He introduced himself as Aoto Akani, explaining he meant no harm, and simply wanted to find a place to call home. He found himself smiling slightly as he took a few steps closer, but he kept his distance all the same. "If you're looking for a home, you're in the right place," he spoke honestly, nodding slowly. Slowly his eyes were adjusting to the darkness, and Aoto's outline became more obvious. "These lands are home to the Ludicael pack. They are kind and just wolves. It is not my place to invite you to stay, but I can always call for the leader if you'd like." His voice was cold as he spoke, both from sleep and from his advanced age, but growing warming as he began to make out Aoto's features before him.

He was respectful and reserved, qualities that Bronze noted. He even said he was a healer by nature. "A healer, you say?" He ventured to take a few steps closer, no more than a pawful of feet now away from this brute. "My daughter is a healer. A damn good one, too." The pride was audible in his deep tones. Though she was young, not even two years old, she'd learned so much, even without formal training. He smiled as he thought of her, his attention only drifting for a few moments. "I bet she could teach you a thing or too, Aoto. Excuse my rudeness--my name is Bronze." He dipped his own head in return, though the gesture was not quite a bow. "In honesty, if it is a home you seek and your words are true, Ludicael sounds like a place in which you would flourish. They live to serve their gods, their studies, and one another." There were few fighters in Ludicael, if any, and he wondered how they might fare if ever attacked. "I am not religious myself, but I admire how studious they are. Smartest group of wolves I've ever known." It wasn't a lie, nor an exaggeration. He'd grown up around wolves that were hearty and relentless, known for surviving the merciless mountain winters. There had been much less time for studying plants and the sky where he had grown up.

Aoto's eyes flickered with delight as he listened intently to the brute before him. Another set of words also brought him absolute delight another who also was knowledgeable in the ways of healing "That would be absolutely delightful and its a pleasure meeting you Bronze" as he let the words dance from his inky lips as he dipped his head in return to Bronze's. Aoto knew that perhaps this could be exactly what he was hoping for and it wasn't going to get any better than this. Aoto wanted to join but for now he was content with getting to know Bronze a little better and hopefully Bronze would get to know more about himself.

He couldn't quite help with letting his excitement show through his expression that played amongst his face "I'm sure that you too could teach me things that I don't know as well after all knowledge is key to being more useful in a pack and I like to learn as much as I can, after all the generations after us should also know what we know". He couldn't help but let his mind speak before thinking about how to word it a bit more properly. Once he got to studying Bronze's appearance a bit more he was rather surprised by how easily he was startled by the brute but he chuckled that he kinda let it happen to himself for being deep in thought.

Aoto couldn't help but admire Bronze for he looked like someone who could easily take care of himself and anyone else who may be close to him which made Aoto doubt his own capabilities as he wasn't much for anything himself. What could he honestly say he had if he met the leader of Ludi that he was a healer but had no real combat experience. There was a sour thought floating around in his mind maybe he wasn't ready for joining Ludicael yet but where else could he go now though as he made his way here now. He truly wanted to honor Ashtoreth's words that he would have no trouble getting into a pack and this was better than getting nothing. However he felt a bit more troubled by his hasty decision ?Actually... Bronze I don't know maybe I'm being hasty with thoughts and letting them slip before thinking them over... I'm sorry if I'm wasting your time? Aoto couldn't help but look down for a moment and then back up to Bronze.

This man, Aoto, was far from a threat. He seemed somewhat nervous as he stood there, declaring that he had not meant to intrude on these lands, and was merely looking for a home. "A pleasure indeed," he noted honestly. The male's voice was stoic and serious, though it lacked the coldness that his lyrics had once carried. Any hint of cruelty or malice that he had once possessed had faded with time, replaced by the love he felt for his wife and the gratitude he held in his heart for finding her once again. He had not just found her, but they had been blessed with children yet again, despite their advanced years.

His eyes had finally adjusted to the darkness, and Aoto's form was much clearer as he stood near him. His coat was a dusty brown, his eyes two bright blue orbs that glimmered in the night. "Ludicael is most certainly a pack for scholars," he reiterated the kind of pack they were, nodding his head slowly. "I am sure you would be welcomed here."

He couldn't welcome him into the pack himself, but he knew he could call someone who could rather easily. He wasn't sure if someone might be annoyed for being awoken at such a late hour, but Ludicael seemed the type to open their lands to whoever needed a home, so long as they did not have malicious intentions. Aoto expressed his concern for making a decision so quickly, and he found himself chuckling under his breath. "The leaders are kind wolves," he explained openly. Many packs were not so fortunate -- but he also knew there was something to be said about kindness being a weakness. He found himself wondering how Ludicael might fare if they were ever unfortunate enough to be attacked. Hard wolves bred hard fighters, and in Ludicael, there were no wolves like that. He had been one once, but age had softened him considerably. "I am sure they will understand if you find that you do not fit in well here. I give you my word that they would not force you to stay."

There were words that shown that Bronze was a rather wise man and knew exactly what he was talking about. This boosted Aoto's confidence and his thoughts were a bit more refined now "I may need time to think about this as it is a rather large commitment to go forth with becoming apart of a pack" He looked over Bronze again and was a bit more stunned at the appearance of the brute but he wasn't afraid of the appearance of the wolf not at all more like he was intrigued since Bronze was closer to him. He was watching and listening ready to soak in any words Bronze were to speak to him.

Aoto once again went to speak but held back his own words before saying them without much thought behind each word. There he was again in thought until finally "Perhaps I could get to know the pack a little more see if I would fit in or not, of course I would try to pull my own weight while doing so but then again thinking on it before acting on it would be the better choice of the two decisions..." He was rambling to himself which he always seemed to do best whenever there were choices to be picked, decisions to be made.

He looked up at Bronze after he was done mulling over the question to himself. However the answer was still not there and perhaps if he kept talking to Bronze for a little while longer he might have his answer. Aoto couldn't help but ask "Would you mind if we had a little conversation about anything, topic of your choice as I think about this, maybe a chat will help clear my head a bit" His voice trailed off near the end but his voice still able to be heard.

So he needed some time to think? Bronze did not blame him. A gentle smile touched the corners of his lips, a kind expression despite the weathered expression that held it in place. The man before him was young still and certainly able-bodied -- he did not necessarily have to depend on the protection of a pack, especially if he was already adept at survival as a loner. It was certainly not a decision he had to rush. "There is no need to rush this decision, Aoto," he told him gently. "Ludicael is not going anywhere, and I am certain they will accept you with open paws if you do decide to join." The wolves of Ludicael were some of the kindest he had yet to meet, and he had no reason to believe they would turn away anyone with good intentions, even if they were growing too large for the lands to support them.


"Perhaps you ought to spend some time thinking about it before making up your mind," he suggested lightly. There truly was no rush, and he didn't like seeing Aoto seem conflicted about his decision. "I am happy to put in a good word for you, if you do decide to join in the future." He was a pleasant man, albeit a bit flighty, but what wolf didn't have a few bad qualities? He supposed he had probably been similar at Aoto's age.


Despite his indecision, he seemed eager to talk still. Bronze felt himself relaxing, calmed from Aoto's easy company and the gentle light of the moon from overhead. It had been some time since he had simply talked to anyone outside of his family, and he wondered what exactly the brute before him would care to hear about. "Tell me a bit about your life, Aoto," he suggested gently. "And I can share some about mine."

Motion | Speech | Thought



Aoto didn't know where to begin with telling Bronze about his own life. However it didn't take him long to start speaking "Well I've been traveling for pretty much my whole life, except for living with my folks, I've been on my own for close to four years as a wanderer and let me tell you its not a life I enjoy... its all about just surviving from day to day and for me I've been alone but I guess that didn't stop me from being a traveling medic of sorts and even then that's much of a let down" he came to an abrupt stop to take in a breath and let it out before continuing on. The brute continued to speak "Basically coming from my family I've been carrying on what my family does and that is to be a medic for all who need our aid unlike my brother who had no regard for that and took up the life of a warrior" again Aoto came to a stop in his words.



He didn't know exactly how to continue with telling Bronze about his life. There wasn't much about him that seemed interesting to tell Bronze. Perhaps though Bronze wouldn't be bothered by that as everyone has parts of their tale that they don't wish to share with anyone. Aoto did want to hear about Bronze's life, perhaps he had something interesting to share but if there was something he didn't want to talk about, he knew better than to pry into certain things. He wasn't exactly sure though, the brute was also willing to answer any questions that Bronze might ask of him if it came to what he told Bronze about his life.