"Stay with This One, Lady Clio." The newcomer kept his voice low, unsure of the scents that hit him a few moments ago. In his youth he may have taken the obvious presence of wolf-scent as a warning to steer clear. To cross a boundary was foolish and brazen, both of which he never claimed to be. One would have paused to howl a greeting under the blessing of Lord Lyacor. Should have, even, as to not invoke the Lord of Alphas was taboo. But that was another time, and in another place. He'd been wandering for half a year now. He had explored the span of upper Montana, where he'd been born so many years ago, and had crossed into Canada perhaps a month or two ago. The old wolf couldn't be sure if the wolves here knew of The First Seven.

There was a time in his life where disbelief was unheard of. Up until recently, he thought everywolf knew of the ones who walked before mortal paws touched the ground. Absyla-something for his mind is a forgetful one, had taken him by surprise when she was unable to name even one of the seven divines. He could feel her stare harden as he had looked on in shock, unable to speak for a few moments until she cleared her throat. That was his first hint that what he'd been taught could be incorrect. It had taken a few nights of restless sleep before he was able to come to terms with himself. Even so, though he was almost sure the wolves here would be as ignorant as the rogue, he wanted to believe. He held onto his Divines.

But with that knowledge plaguing the old one's thoughts, he continued on silently across the field. The Grey stepped with caution up to blackberry bush that spread several feet in diameter and was heavily overgrown in some places. His nostrils pulled in a few muffled scents; ungulates, rabbits, and a faint odor of bear. Indeed, the air around him seemed as fresh as unclaimed territory and truth be told, he couldn't remember actually passing a marked border. Perhaps Lord Lyacor was being kind this night. The stranger straightened his back, no longer afraid of being unwelcome and took a seat by one particularly unkempt bit of brush, using it as a comfort until he could either find a den or dig one of his own somewhere in this lovely place. For, to be honest, he was so tired of walking.

Racing over the crisp grass sped a female of considerable frame. Her pelt was like a thousand stars. Dazzling stretches of light danced from around her legs and rose into the sky, waving as a breeze-less night swept them to and fro. Spirits of their own accord, they crackled with the energy of the Sun, blinding in the low light. The very air seemed to coalesce as she leaped a bush twice her height. A startled rabbit squeaked and charged from it's hiding place. Vael turned his head and watched the frightened animal escape into the night before returning his gaze upon the female that now looked him in the face.

Such a stunning beauty had the old male silenced. Afraid of sounding churlish to the majestic woman before him, he bit his tongue and lowered his wreaked snout. It was then that his nose and its state alerted his consciousness. With a huff, he turned his face away in a vain attempt to hide his ugliness. He knew it was too late, far too late for that. She took a step closer and growled. Chastised and with the eyes of a pup caught misbehaving, he turned his eyes back onto her. When he did, he was surprised to see a grin on her face. Her unseeing yet all-seeing eyes held a blank, white stare. Even so, he felt nothing but kindness radiating from this angel before him. "Darling one, do not hide what makes you who you are. You are my child, a child of many, and I love you." It was then that the woman's body shivered and faded until only the elder's breath remained in the cool night air. "Turn, dear one. For you have company."

The old male blinked. All was silent. He twisted his ears around but the voice of the mystery woman was long gone. Had he dreamed this vision? Company. She spoke of company? He obeyed and turned his body to find a large male watching him not far away. How hadn't he noticed him before? Didn't the rabbit run off that way? Yes it did, he saw the damn thing take off toward the thicket. In that direction. Vael furrowed his brow and licked his chops in thought. "Lady Malia?" He whispered, unsure of how to go about his night when all he could think about was the starlight-borne female and her voice. By why to him? Why did the Lady come to him of all wolves? His body was not strong. He didn't have the power in his muscles like he used; heck he could barely run more than a mile without needing to collapse for a spell. And what of beauty? His scrawny self and his messed-up nose. What a joke. So why?

Vael shook his head. He was being rude. He looked to the male, though avoided his eyes out of respect, and followed his actions by dipping his own snout. "Tis, and a lovely one at that." His voice came out in a hoarse, yet defined growl. He let a friendly grin take over his features, though his slightly crooked snout did its best to hide it. He gave up trying to look nice, and opted to strike a more relaxed pose. He let his shoulders sag, showing that he only wanted good things to come from this meeting. He' been about to welcome this strange new wolf to the beautiful field he'd found when a new scent tickled his nose. He glanced over and took notice of a dark wolf, much like himself though seeming to lack the silvery fur that came with age, approach. He flicked an ear at her, acknowledging her before he spoke. A brooding thought gurgled at the back of his mind, and he obeyed the urge to tilt his face so that the other male obscured it from the female's view. "And to you, ma'am."

The old one had his eyes on this other male until movement in his peripherals captured his attention. He turned his head to watch the black female approach quite brazenly. For the moment, he wondered if she held rank or was at least par with the male here. But when she seemed to remember that he was there, her attitude changed. She took on a lowered stance and looked to the male almost sheepishly. The elder furrowed his brow and tilted his head slightly, but saw no reason to speak on it. Truth be told, she almost looked afraid of him. Did that mean Vael had reason to be cautious too? He returned his gaze to his guest. Truth be told, he didn't feel like he needed to tread carefully. And besides, what threat was a peaceable old man like him to such a young, strong male anyway?

"Ruiko Tainn." His ears perked and he nodded. "Vael-" He blinked and looked at the female who seemed to take an interest in him. She was close to him, almost uncomfortably close, but he didn't complain. He only stood quietly and let her take in his scent. It wasn't hurting him after all, and he didn't feel threatened by the action. Still, he kept an ear turned toward her and continued addressing Ruiko. "Vaelencian Volcara, sir. Though a simple 'Vael' will suffice if'in you like. Ah, what of you, miss? Are you a friend of Ruiko?" Maybe she was his mate, though that didn't seem likely considering how she responded to him. Maybe even 'friend' was a stretch. Still, it seemed like a kind way to start a conversation with the two.