Regulus Anatolii Adravendi

Regulus padded carefully after the injured animal he was tracking. It was an elk, an old bull that had lagged behind the rest of his bachelor herd after a scuffle with a younger bull. Since moving the family to a safer location for the time being, Regulus had embarked on this hunt. His goal was to herd the beast southward, toward his family, if possible. If he wasn’t successful, he’d have to leave this old patriarch to a slow, painful death from an infected gore wound on the flank. Regulus knew better than to try taking an on his own. Even an injured bull was dangerous. This was a chance to clear his head, and get the frustration out, without getting into a fight he might be unable to win. Thus far, the animal was proving to be little trouble. All Regulus had to do was keep at a distance that wouldn’t prod the beast into either flight or fight mode, but would keep the bull moving, if only to attempt escaping the bothersome presence of the overlarge, bright red wolf quietly hounding him. This food would be a boon to the family. If he could just bring it down. The antlers on this thing could probably go right through him. There was the problem of getting the beast past the bastards infesting their home, but perhaps if he announced himself at Sonticus’ borders, he could be allowed to pass through, and maybe even get some help bringing the elk down.

Vana was entirely focused on her task - collecting herbs was an important, ongoing part of being a healer, after all - so she hardly noticed when the elk swerved to avoid her and continued on. She raised disinterested eyes momentarily to see the injured beast fleeing, but almost immediately went to return to her task. Before she could, though, a flash of bright red, brighter than a cardinal and considerably larger, caught her attention as it approached on the same path the elk had already exited on. Head lowered and twisted with her jaws closed on a thick stem, it was awkward to stare but she managed a narrow-eyed squint. Her teeth scissored together and with a snap the thick, hollow stem parted and she was able to lift her head, the stem of the angelica still clamped in her jaws. The wolf - for it was a wolf indeed, a male not terribly much older than she herself was - was the brightest red she had ever seen on any animal at all, let alone a wolf, and was every inch as tall as she was but much heavier. She eyed him curiously, dropping the stem to the matching pile beside her. Angelica was good for a lot of remedies, most of which she still didn't know yet. It would be good to have a stock of for the winter. That was what she needed to be concentrating on, and clearly the other wolf was busy as well. But her attention strayed immediately back to the bright red wolf and the thought suddenly occurred to her. There was no way Angelus or Seraphim had seem anyone this unusual. No. Way. And if she pranced back to Imperium laden not just with the gains of her chores but with the story of the cardinal-red wolf, would they not be swooning with jealousy? Maybe she could even surreptitiously "borrow" some of his hairs as proof... With that in mind and her mouth freed of its herbal encumbrance she stepped out to meet the stranger as he tracked his over-large prey. "Hello," she simpered with sly intent. "Do you come here often?" Oh no. No, that was awful. Not at all as good as it sounded in her head. It was almost, almost as bad as outright asking him for a tuft of fur that she could taunt her brothers with. She tried a different tact. "I'm Evangeline." ""

Regulus Anatolii Adravendi

He’d been intent upon the elk, but a brush of paw steps nearby caught him long enough to glance away, though he kept his steady movement forward, pressing the prey onward. At first, he thought the wolf coming toward him was Valentine Imperialis; the markings and coloring were similar enough that he paused, jaws parting in a welcoming greeting. Then the eyes caught his attention, as well as the fact that this wolf was female, and much younger. The final clue came in the form of her greeting. Valentine had definitely not had a female voice. Nonetheless, Regulus gave a wave of his thickly furred tail, deep sapphires meeting her gold toned eyes easily. The sly tone to her voice had been noted, but he was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. “I used to. This is a good place to hunt. Sorry to keep moving, but I need to keep this guy on the move.” Her introduction came, and he tipped his head in polite acknowledgement, before the curiosity caught him in its grasp, goaded by her scent; she smelled like IMperium, and it also hinted at Valentine.... “Would you happen to be related to a Valentine Imperialis?” He’d liked the regal Imperium King well enough. And this girl looked so much like the male that Regulus was only half worried about getting the assumptions wrong. Ahead, the elk slowed, as if looking for a chance to stop, but the crimson Adravendi pressed forward, sending the beast on its way. “I’m Regulus, by the way.” Normally, he would have given an introduction straight off the bat, as was only proper, but it was a bit difficult to juggle formalities and a hunt at the same time.