He quite enjoyed exploring the North, even though he couldn't see now, he had seen the world. The north lands were home once, and he had taken every opportunity to explore them all when Ivalice had been stationed in the North. Today, he sought out the odd structure that sat half frozen and half submerged just north of the pines. As usual, his companions led the way until they were on board. And once there, he took his own route to the front of the ship. It smelled like other wolves had been living here a while, but their scents were stale now. Oh well, he would have been interested to see who had been living here. That thought aside, he strode to the very front of the ship until his chest touched the cold steel of the railing. The cool breeze that blew in from the ocean ruffled his fur, filling his nose with it's crisp and salty scent. Somewhere in the distance, he heard the barking of seals and chattering of penguins. Today would be a good and relaxing day. "Dragon"||Kimahri||Shiva

A rarely-indulged curiosity had led Mask north, far more north than he had been for quite some time. His shadowy pelt wasn't particularly suited for northern winters, and after a few years in the west of Boreas and down in Auster the cooler temperatures weren't particularly comfortable either. But there were very few wolves who made their homes up here on a permanent basis, and the solitude suited him nicely. No need to wonder if someone was going to wander in and siege them. Less prey, yes, but far less competition for that prey. In Celestial's lands they would always need to worry about the other packs nearby, loners, whether their usual prey would migrate to another pack's territory and leave them hungry. There were no pack territories up here for the prey to wander into.

An enormous structure rose from the sea ice in front of him, still distant over the shimmering light that reflected off the surfaces between him and it, but it drew him like a moth to flame. It was an interesting thing, he saw as he got closer, like an artificial cave system. There were few entrances for invading enemies to get into, but that also meant few exits to escape if necessary.

His attention was drawn from his study of the ship to a trio of creatures already on board it and exploring. From his position lower down, on the sea ice, he watched them warily. Jaguars he knew well from his time in Auster - but what on earth were they doing so far north? And in the company of a wolf?

Having not been actively involved in repelling the Talis raid, he did not recognize Dragon as being the former leader of that particular pack - rather, he saw only a scarred, glassy eyed wolf in the company of jaguars, something certainly odd enough to warrant caution.

The wind against his face, keeping the scent of the new arrival from reaching him. Truth be told, he missed the feeling of the cool northern winds. It was nostalgic, in a sense. Sure, Auster got cold during certain seasons, but here, the north was always cold. And it felt good. Even the cold steel gently pressing against his chest felt good. It wasn't uncomfortable like it might have been if it were Gryphon in his position, what with his brothers shorter fur, but it was just perfect for him. Closing his eyes and allowing himself to relax, he breathed a sigh of contentment. That is, until he heard a low growl from Kimahri. His eyes opened, body turning in the direction of his companion. He still couldn't smell the stranger, but his companion had obviously detected something. "What is it?" He inquired, still somewhat relaxed with a hint of tense muscle. "Celestial." He hissed in a low tone. Dragon's fur bristled slightly as Shiva came to stand protectively in front of him. It irked him a little that they felt he needed protecting. Yes he was blind, and he was at a sort of disadvantage, but he could still fight. Still, he was...apprehensive. Had Celestial come seek revenge for a silly raid? Had they come to ambush him while he was alone? Granted, both parties had suffered life changing injuries, but he had accepted it and harbored no ill will towards the western pack. Raiding was common, and he wasn't the first nor the last to do it. "Who are you?" He questioned, voice loud enough for whoever it was to hear him. "Dragon"||Kimahri||Shiva

Mask continued to tip his head upward toward the bow of the great metal ship, observing the trio there, until one of the cats appeared to notice him, and spoke to the wolf. Ah - clever. They acted in concert, like a small pack of their own, much like Regulus and his own strange escorts did. He had never seen the purpose, but he supposed... in some circumstances the cultural differences between wolves and those dangerous, solitary predators could be overcome. "I am called Mask," he spoke aloud in response to the brown wolf's query. He had no wish to be cornered on the ship by the trio, but for politeness' sake now that he'd been acknowledged, he climbed the icy gangplank to the deck in a few careful bounds. It was there that he saw the male's scarred face in detail, and paused thoughtfully. Well. A blind wolf accompanied by a jaguar - though there were two here - granted it could be coincidence but it was a rather strange coincidence if so. "I mean you no harm so your friends needn't bite. E tu?"

Mask? Odd name. A simple name, if there was one. He felt the tensity crackling in the air beside him that came off of Kimahri in waves. Granted, Dragon felt tense too but...not as much as his companion. He knew they were protective of him, even more so since he couldn't see. But when he heard the sound of the other male getting closer, followed by his saying he meant them no harm, Dragon relaxed. A little, just enough to show that he wasn't about to throw himself at the man. However, the last part of the males words got him. E tu? What did that...mean? It was so simple, the two words. Did it mean him? Mask had introduced himself, maybe he was asking who he was? Well, might as well ballpark it, right? "Well, as long as you mean us no harm then you're safe from us as well," He lightly shouldered Kimahri, trying to get him to relax. "My name's Dragon. These two are Kimahri and Shiva." He nodded to each in turn. Walk, "Talk" Think "Kimahri" Shiva

Mask nodded a cautious greeting to the two big cats as the other wolf named them - though the other wolf couldn't see the gesture, they could, and they certainly seemed to be watching him closely enough that they couldn't miss it. "Dragon Ancora, unless I am mistaken?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral. It wasn't a common enough name to be a coincident, not paired with the other facts. Curiosity, his besetting sin, prompted him to question the male, despite the dangerous looking felines flanking him. Undoubtedly they would be quite happy to leave him scattered across the sea ice. "I am surprised to find you without a pack scent upon you, considering you are - were?" he raised his brows inquiringly before continuing, "alpha of Talis. You and your friends are rather far from home as well."

Hm? So the male had recognized him as an Ancora? He supposed it wasn't a mystery at all. Either he saw the resemblance between him and his cousins, or Regulus had talked about him enough that the members of Celestial would know who he was on sight. Either way, it didn't matter to him. He nodded, confirming Mask's suspicion. "Yup, you got it." He offered a lopsided smile, teeth flashing in the bright light reflecting off their surroundings. Honestly, he wasn't surprised if he had a bad reputation with the man's pack. He had led a raid against them. Granted Talis lost, and half of both sides came out with serious injury, but it bothered him none. It was so long ago now that it wasn't even worth remembering.

When Mask noted his lack of pack scent, Dragon's grin faded a bit. Losing his pack had been a hard hit, but he was learning to move on. "Right again. I was the alpha of Talis. And--" Before he could finish, Kimahri cut in with a low growl. "I'm surprised your pack didn't hear about the challenge. Considering it was challenged by an Abraxas, I was sure they'd be spreading the news of their conquest across the lands...and I'm sure your alpha and the rest of your pack would be ecstatic to hear that the enemy has fallen from their throne." His tail lashed, fur prickling as he glared at Mask. "Kimahri, please. He wasn't even there, no need to take it out on him." Sightless gaze turned towards Mask's direction, "I apologize for my companions behavior."

"Dragon"||"Kimahri"||"Shiva"

Mask shrugged at the cat's growled words, settling himself more comfortably. If his curiosity insisted he indulge it, he may as well make himself comfortable. He sent an inscrutable glance towards the cat, studying it more closely. "They may know, yes. I am a hunter, not an adviser. I do not spend a great deal of time listening to gossip and Regulus would have no reason to seek me out to share the news. He does not spend his time bragging about the downfall of enemies," he chided the cat absently. "I am sorry to hear of your misfortune," he said to Dragon, turning his pale gaze to the blind wolf. "It cannot be easy for a wolf with your disability to thrive without a pack around you, even with such... resolute companions as yours." He did not and would not apologize for Celestial's part in said disability - even if it had been his place, which it was not, even if he felt bad for it, which he did not - for he did not disagree with the choice to extract a severe punishment for the former alpha's attack on Celestial. Was it not something that he might have done to an informant who had betrayed the cosca? But he saw no reason not to be cordial to Dragon now that it had been done. "Still, pack challenges are a way of life among wolves even here, si? It is not terribly unexpected that a crippled alpha would make for a target for a wolf who does not care how they come into power. But if you do not mind, who are these Abraxas you speak of as though I should know the name?"

Dragon remained quiet as Mask responded to Kimahri. Honestly, he knew the cat had a temper and didn't trust others very easily, but he wouldn't allow anyone to speak so rudely against anyone else without a very good reason. Be they companion or pack member, enemy, stranger, or whatever. There was no need for it. He had learned that some time ago, and lately he preferred to take things in stride and just enjoy life whenever he could. He wasn't the type to hold grudges for very long, if at all. He returned his attention to Mask, listening as the male spoke. "Being blind has its ups and downs, and although I don't have a pack anymore, my family has been around in case I need any help. But I've learned to adapt," It's something everyone learns to do at some point in their life, he thought. Mask continued, and Dragon nodded. "Indeed, pack challenges aren't unheard of and are somewhat common. I don't blame others for targeting me, were I in that position then I'm sure I would have done the same." He then asked about the Abraxas, and Dragon frowned slightly. "Well, from what I have seen and heard, they're a large family that mostly resides in Auster. They believe themselves to be descended from a 'Fallen God' and they believe themselves superior to those without the Abraxas name. I've met a few of them, and I must admit not all of them act the same, but they seem to share the same ideals. They say it is the will of the Fallen God to take over the lands, and so far to my knowledge, they've taken two packs. Mine, and another one that was once led by a former pack mate of mine. I suppose I'm the luckier one...my friend was killed, though I don't entirely know the circumstances behind it other than what I was told. The Abraxas had gone in for a full take over, whereas my pack was just a direct challenge." He recalled the day he spoke to Sparrow, what she had told him. But he hadn't gotten the chance to talk to the members that had fled to Abaven. Even now, he had no idea about the Abraxas taking over Abaven..."I would be cautious around them." He warned. From experience, he learned not to really put any trust into them. Walk, "Talk" Think "Kimahri" Shiva

[/b]

Mask listened quietly as the former alpha spoke of the Abraxas. "Certainly they do sound formidable enemies," he offered when Dragon cautioned him. He tilted his head to the side, his gaze sliding absently to each of the three. "I think, however, I have somewhat less to be concerned about with them than you might imagine." Perhaps an enigmatic statement, but Mask knew that he had more in common with the dangerous family of would-be gods than he did with his own pack. If worse came to worse, he had considerably fewer qualms about allying himself with villains and fiends than Regulus, or indeed most of the alphas he'd known of here. It troubled him, a little, to have that reminder of how little his alpha knew of who he really was, and he wondered, a little, how Regulus and Dragon alike would react to an unabridged retelling of his life with the cosca.

He smiled pleasantly at the trio, though one at least would not be aware of the expression. "The warning is greatly appreciated, signor. I shall tread lightly around any bearing that name. And you, Dragon, what do you plan to do now that they have taken your home from you? Surely Talis is not dead?" His voice was mild as he asked the question, mostly because he'd asked out of politeness rather than any pressing need to know. If Regulus had been in a burning need to know Talis' fate, no doubt he'd have sent someone to find out, but as far as he knew the alpha had not, so as far as Mask was concerned it didn't matter what the answer was.

"Certainly they do sound formidable enemies," Dragon nodded slightly, ear twitching as he heard the accent in Mask's voice. Was the common tongue the man's first language? He was curious, if only for the fact to hear the words of a new language. Had he known about the male's history, there certainly would be a great deal of interest. Dragon was a creature of curiosity, after all. There wasn't much (if anything) that put him off. He was intrigued, however, when the man mentioned he might have less to worry about, and it got him wondering. Did he have a plan of sorts? Perhaps staying far from the Abraxas? Or maybe ignoring them? There were several possibilities, and he did quite like the fact that the male wasn't afraid. Dragon at one point had been extremely cautious of them after his pack had been challenged, but over time, the more he thought about it, what did he have to fear? They bled just as he did. The only difference between him and them was that he was blind...and several of them were giants. But he wasn't afraid of their height, nor did he care that they had their sight. Perhaps there wasn't much to fear from them, but still...it didn't hurt to remain cautious. He listened quietly as Mask continued to speak, the earthen male again offered a nod as Mask thanked him for the information. Then, he asked about Talis...and it got Dragon thinking. His lips creased into the slightest of frowns, sightless gaze drifting slightly downward as he thought about it. He did promise that Talis would return, but could he do it again? Would there be others still willing to stand beside him despite his blindness? He supposed he'd have to find out when that time came. He nodded, raising his head again to stare in Mask's direction. "Talis is not dead. I plan to make good on the promise I made the day I lost my pack, and that is to rebuild and become stronger than before. So to answer your question, I aim to work hard and earn the respect of any who decide I'm still worth following. To prove that I can still lead just as well as someone who can still see the world." Yes...that was his mission. And he'd see it through to the end. Walk, "Talk" Think "Kimahri" Shiva

Mask nodded at Dragon's words, though privately he was not certain of the ability of a blind alpha to function as such. "Will you not simply have the same problem as before?" he questioned, curious as to the male's confidence. "I would imagine there are many wolves who would seek out the chance to stack the odds in their favor by challenging a crippled alpha." He tilted his head slightly. He'd never known much about the pack that attacked Celestial, their beliefs or their ranks, though he knew the alpha's family bore some distant relation to Regulus, and a closer one to Justice, but he had never known the details. He was beginning to see that he'd left his head in the sand for far too long, hiding behind the persona of a simple hunter in Celestial's ranks. Where had his drive to know gone? He'd funneled it all into learning everything about every prey animal in the territory, and ignored the outside world. To his peril? Perhaps. "What will your new Talis be like? What direction do you see yourself taking it?" He found himself intrigued by this process of deciding on the details of a pack, of molding it. How did an alpha decide what would suit him best? He himself had led, but it had been under the direction of a tradition so ingrained it would have been impossible to change even had he worked his way up to somehow lead the Red Brothers from the top.

Mask's question was one he expected. It was something he thought about constantly, and in the end, he often came to the conclusion that it was always going to be a risk for someone like him. "That is always a possibility and one that I expect to happen at one point or another. Packs are challenged all the time here, some have been luckier than others, but even though I cannot see... I have managed to reshape the way I think and fight. So while I may be an easier target, it doesn't mean I'll be an easy one this time around." That was perhaps the best answer he could give the male. Maybe he was too enthusiastic, or perhaps even determined to try. Heck, some might even think he was crazy for trying again, but why should he give up? He wasn't one to simply lie down and give up on his dreams, even if they seemed farfetched. He would try. He would always try, even if the odds were stacked against him. Was he stubborn? Yes. His family knew that all too well. He was satisfied with the answer he gave. It was perhaps one of the more thought out ones he had given so far, and his determination to see it through was strong. And when Mask asked him what the new Talis would be like, he grinned a bit. "It will be a hard-working pack where those that choose it, can grow to find their potential. And those that choose not to pursue greater heights, then they'll have to find somewhere else. I was far too lenient the last time, so I've learned what works and what doesn't. Whether I wasn't strict enough and was trying to be everyone's friend... I know now that that approach isn't always the best one. A pack needs a leader who can be both a friend and firm enough to do what must be done for the greater good of the pack." Sightless green gaze turned towards Mask, wondering if he was satisfied with the answer he'd given. It was certainly something he wanted to aim for, or perhaps for something even better. "Dragon"||Kimahri||Shiva

"That's good," he said equably. "Your knowledge and mentality have a great deal to offer in a fight." But not everything. A wolf with similar skills and no handicap would almost always emerge the victor. He knew better than anyone that any sort of handicap could be crippling in a fight - he had caused more than a few, back in his day. A wolf without a tongue made an excellent warning not to inform on the cosca, and a wolf without eyes... well, that was an even better one, since it impaired everything about their lives. Made it harder to force them to watch while you broke their pup's leg, but, well... it made an effective lesson. Don't imagine Regulus would much care for that story. He doubted this Dragon fellow would either, for all his talk.

A ghost of a smile graced his muzzle as Dragon went on. It seemed reasonable enough at first listen. Be friendly but not too friendly. Stern but not too stern. Everyone works or they get kicked out. Mask wondered if the reality would live up to his vision of it. Experience told him it was easier to have grand dreams than to face the reality.

"I have been giving some thought to leading a pack," he mused aloud. "A long time ago, I led wolves. For some time I have been content to simply be a hunter, but..." he shrugged, though the gesture was meaningless to a wolf who couldn't see it. "Perhaps that time is at an end for me." Strange to find himself led to that decision, to have everything here seeming to confirm it. The way he found himself so suited in his core to the silence and solitude of the thin air, the vessel that perched so obligingly here awaiting someone to lay claim to its mysteries, even this conversation. "Perhaps I will build a pack here, myself," he added, lightly, though he was beginning to feel it in his bones that it was the right thing for him.

Dragon nodded his head as Enrico spoke. He certainly had the drive and determination to do his best in a fight, but he knew that even that more than likely wouldn't be enough to win every fight. Truth be told, he still had a lot to work on and he still had a lot of training to do. He wasn't a perfect fighter, nor was he the best. But he had the support of his companions if he needed them and that would also help determine the outcome of his brawls. Kimahri and Shiva were formidable foes when they wanted to be, and he always appreciated their support.

Dragon's ears perked as Mask spoke, head tilting a bit as the male said he was considering leading a pack. Though he couldn't see the man, he felt a small grin spreading across his own maw. So he wasn't the only one who felt that call tugging at him. Dragon had almost considered abandoning the idea of reviving Talis, but no matter what he did or how long he took, the feeling couldn't be shaken off. He tried to accept a different life during his time as a rogue, and even considered finding a pack to join. But no matter what or how many times he found himself nearing a packs doorstep, his heart couldn't do it. He was born to be a leader, not a follower. At least, he wasn't ready to follow someone else just yet.

"Well I hope you find success in your endeavors. We all have a calling that simply cannot be ignored, no matter how much we try."