The silver boy’s stomach tensed at the man’s hackles raised ever so slightly in response to his eye contact, his words not even causing a scratch on the exterior of his facade. Wrong move, stupid, he thought to himself. But...everything he’d experienced with others before would indicate that his words would have worked, would have pricked some form of sympathy or sense that he was just in any other wolf. He hadn’t had enough time to really judge the man’s personality, see what made him tick and what might tickle his fancy because he’d just jumped head long into the situation without proper background. Just what kind of wolves were they getting themselves tangled up with? He was curious now, his interest piqued but for the time being his eyes went back to a respectable level.

Auds swiveled sideways to catch Hal’s words, amazed that she was simply handing over their personal situation. But...the relaxation of the man’s posture proved that her explanation was far more acceptable than his. Why was it that the truth proved time and time again that it was the best course of action, but he simply couldn’t bring himself to expel it? He was no pathological liar by any means, but his distrust of others had been ground into his very being from his experiences at a young and impressionable age and it seemed that Hal’s efforts in helping him overcome them had only just barely scratched the surface.

The man went on to explain that they would need to each collect more offerings over the next four days and inwardly he cursed, even if the offerings had been cut by one day. Prove, prove, prove, so much work for a cause and a pack he didn’t even know if he wanted to be a part of. But...Hal needed to be here for Spieden. He would do it, for her. And...perhaps during their stay he could learn a few things from the man before them. He had a strong air about him, something that demanded the answers he searched for without demanding them entirely verbally. And, it seemed to work. But, if it was action proof that he wanted then that is what he would get. In fact, Kino had always said much the same thing. Perhaps Hal was getting to him too much, for he had noticed he’d been much wordier in the past few months. The previous situation proved he wasn’t much good at words, but actions he could do. He dipped his head, “Yes, sir.”

His gaze traveled to see Hal’s jaw drop at the man’s suggestion of them bringing gifts. While Kino had only ever had to actually join the Bend, it was still something that he’d done that Hal never had. And, joining the Bend didn’t actually feel like joining anything. He remembered, vaguely, how it had been in the Crest when other wolves had joined. Certainly it hadn’t been required to make offerings, but you were definitely given a firm interrogation and if you were granted entrance you didn’t automatically become a part of the family. It took a while for you to work yourself up to the same level as everyone, you have to work for what you wanted. He’d seen that and experienced that, which was, perhaps, why the current situation didn’t shock him as much as it did his sheltered friend.

Attention turned back to the rough looking man as he began to speak, announcing the name of the pack and his name as well as his mate and co-leader’s. He put them to memory, identifying them as high importance. After all, they would be their alphas. Hopefully. “No, sir. Thank you for your time,” the boy said, turning his head to Hal to see what she would do.