The big day was coming, perhaps in the next few days themselves. It made him jittery, a bit nervous but most of all excited. He was so close to finally having a home to call his own, something he could put all of himself into without being afraid. It was everything he ever wanted and he contemplated more and more each day his name. He’d never fully accepted Alastor as who he was, but to make this whole thing work he knew he needed to be able to do away with his past. Hal might have been able to try and balance it but he couldn’t. He’d grown closer to it, but even with the forgiveness of his siblings he hadn’t been able to forgive his past. Instead he’d drawn them into the future.

This day he was venturing a little further from where they’d pretty much decided they were going to set up shop. Compared to the brightness of the Vale this place was a phantom hollow but his pelt blended into his surroundings perfectly. He had to use his nose more than his eyes due to the fog but it wasn’t something he was worried about. In this environment it was like his senses went into overdrive. In fact, at first when he heard the voice he’d attributed it to his mind playing tricks on him. But the longer he went the more he wasn’t so sure. Then he heard it again he was sure. He followed the echo of the sound, nearly crashing into the boy. He came to a harsh stop feet away, topaz gaze wide in shock before backing up a few paces. “Ah, sorry. I didn’t see you there,” he said, taking in the form of the other. Desaturated like himself but much more contrasted. And while Kino was a bit broad in the chest the rest of him was rather streamline. The boy was bulky and muscular, a tank.

The other was quick to reassure that his near blunder was forgiven and it was then that Kino noticed just how...disheveled the boy looked. A bit of a panicked look shone in his green gaze, his posture beant in a way that suggested relief. At being found, perhaps? If one didn’t know these woods they might get lost. Hell, even Kino found himself making a wrong turn or two especially with the recent fog that had seemed to be even thicker than normal. His assumptions were affirmed and a small smirk traveled onto the silver man’s maw, though it wasn’t one of amusement at the other’s situation. Rather it spoke of a sympathy.

He took note of the name given, then the question of whether or not he knew the way out. A nod bobbed the soon-to-be leader’s head in confirmation. “Firstly, it’s nice to meet you Mathuin. My name’s Alastor Leigh,” he greeting with a dip of his head. “Secondly, it just depends on which way you want to go. West of here is the mountain, but you have to go through a fen to get there. Pretty wet and murky, not a lot of fun. North the forest thins out more and it’s a lot easier to navigate,” he said, having no real clue which way Mathuin intended to head.

It seemed his acquaintance had already traveled on of the paths and it didn’t seem that he had enjoyed it all that much. He couldn’t blame him, the mountain had been awful to try to traverse over. If anyone knew this it was him, he’d done it more than once. It definitely must have been quite the shock to have found himself landing in such a terrain. In the current conditions it seemed surely far from favorable.

”Any other places I should avoid?” he inquired and the man paused for a moment, contemplating whether or not he should tell him about their plan. He couldn’t scent any other’s upon the pelt of Mathuin but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t meet others and lead them tooth and nail to their soon-to-be-formed borders. Yet, at the same time, there was always the possibility that the man might want to join their ranks. He was burly and seemed sure, even if he was young. Yet, he was only a year younger than Kino himself so should he really be judging? In the end, he decided that he might as well tell the boy. “Actually, my friends and I are setting up a pack a little south-east of here. Borders aren’t up quite yet but it’ll probably be set up within the next week or so. Figured I’d let you know so you didn’t accidentally stumble across. Some of the other members might not be so keen on that,” the image of Larkspur’s face flashed across his mind. Yeah, definitely probably better to warn him.