After a rather long trip across the land he knew as Relic Lore, Alexander was greeted with a mountain. He'd been expecting it really...It was easily seen in the more open areas he'd traveled through, but now he was really there. Kind of. The much closer landmark was a waterfall and a pool. It was quite lovely, actually. Something Alexander wouldn't have minded taking and keeping to himself. But from what he could smell, that simply wasn't possible.

The light scent of pack was on the air. It was distant, but not so distant that it was hard for him to make out. He was slightly aware of one of the scents. It was the reason for his journey being so long. He couldn't simply pass through the middle of the Wildwood. There were wolves living there. And now there was another one even closer. He felt a little exposed, to tell the truth, and made a dash for the pool, sliding in and quickly submerged himself, doing his best to hold in breath before popping back up.

"That's better." With a smirk, he began to tread water, before feeling his paws scratch the bottom of the pool. Hm. Carefully, he placed them down, discovering that the pool hadn't been as deep as originally thought. In fact, he could stand very easily, his belly only skimming the surface. Well, now he just felt silly.

Like a giant predator of the slope, he prowled. As always, Honijo was careful as he stepped. With a body so thick and sturdily built, even the slightest of accidents could send such a great wolf into a terrible stumble. Bright eyes were sharp and analyzing, taking in his surroundings with the sheer eye of a sly fox. From the distance, he could hear splashing. Honijo stopped short at the base of his climb, hearing the water of the falls trickling away not too far off, causing a crashing tumult of noise that did little to fool his ears. No, there was definitely someone over there. Piqued by curiosity, he slunk forward and closed the remaining distance. Once he came to a stop, it was clear that there was indeed another marvelled by the shallow pool. Honijo watched silently from the shadows, smirking at the wolf's obvious amusement of the depths of the water.

This strange male was oddly exotic to the eye. With a grey mottled body and a white splashed face that had little to do with the water he was currently treading, the shining bright eyes (brighter than even his) were what Honijo found the most peculier. After taking another several moments to view the spectacle before him with a low chuckle that vibrated the innards of his chest, Honijo took a step forward. Just like that, out of the blue, he covered the glint of sun that had been shining against the rocks before and thrust the entire area into his shadow. <b style='color:#227788'>"Well doesn't that look like fun?" His sarcasm was friendly, even if the male's features were one of apathy and unconern. Then, tentatively, he bent down to take a well needed drink.

Clearly taken by the water, Alexander failed to notice the wolf looming behind him until the entire sun seemed to disappear. He stood, stunned for a moment, dripping, and twisted around to see the cause of the eclipse. A minute smile spread across Alexander's muzzle as he spotted his new companion, and he lifted a paw out of the pool to flick a few drops at the older wolf. "It is quite fun. You should join me." The smile spread greatly and his white brows lifted in amusement. Momentarily he wondered if this was one of the wolves that held claim to the nearby lands. If so, it was horribly convenient.

"Oh, um, Alexander." His offered his name, clearly interested in getting one in return. That, and, if this wolf did happen to be aligned with one of the packs in the area, he didn't want to be rude. "I hope I'm not intruding. I smelt some packs around, but it didn't seem quite so invasive here." The gray male felt suddenly awkward, standing leg-deep in the pool still, and quickly hoisted himself out. It was rather difficult to keep from shaking, but he didn't wish to completely soak his acquaintance before he even got his name.

Join him? A low laugh erupted from the large male's chest, shaking his torso as he stood there looking down at the younger male. Join him in the water...? Well that was an unlikely predicament if there ever was one. Honijo slowly shook his head and instead, bent down to take a cool lap of water as the stranger seemed to move ahead and clamber out of the water. He needn't have left just for his simple interruption, but to each their own. "Oh, um, Alexander," Oh but he had a name! The larger gray wolf nodded, curiously taking in the unique colorings of this male's coat which were intriguing to say the least, but not a stroke of jealousy emerged. Nope, Honijo wasn't the type.

For a moment he debated on sharing his own name as, and finding no reason not to, Honijo spoke in his deep gruff voice, <b style='color:#227788'>"Honijo Ithil, and you needn't bother of worrying about splashing me." At this, he took a defined step backwards and to the side, allowing Alexander the berth he needed to fully shake himself dry. The water mostly disguised the strange smells coming from this fellow, but Honijo felt certain in his assumption that he was of no alliance, but merely a lone wolf. This intrigued him. So many wanderers lately... and with what purpose? Oh, but he was worried that he was intruding. Polite, and seemed to be knowledgeable at least that he was close to claimed lands. With a sure flick of his tail, Honijo answered with an air of authority even if he was no longer in direct territory of the plateau. <b style='color:#227788'>"You are not intruding. I was merely... exploring." And he offered a tentative try at a smile.

"Thank you, sir." Alexander grinned as Honijo moved out of the way. The large male took a moment to shake himself out, feeling as if an entire ocean had been pulled out of his fur when he was done. He was still a bit damp, but thankfully not dripping, so he wouldn't quite as foolish in front of this older wolf now. "It's quite a pleasure to meet you, Honijo." He bowed his head politely, getting the strangest feeling that this wolf was somehow affiliated with the packs around here. There was just something about the way he acted...Of course, maybe that was just it. It was just how he was.

"Great place to explore." With a nod, Alexander allowed his eyes to wander. It was a very lovely place. "So, Honijo, do you live around here? I'm fairly new, so...Not quite familiar with all of this." The question was asked absentmindedly as Alexander's eyes traveled up the mountain side. It made his fur prickle just looking at it. After this little meeting, he made a note to start investigating.

Honijo nodded at the thanks Alexander was offering him, as if to say 'don't mention it'. He watched with mild curiosity as the other shook out his coat, water droplets spraying out and splattering the earth a mere few inches from where he had his paws planted. He was so very polite, claiming this chance meeting a pleasure. So formal. Although this was indeed the way Honijo was brought up, he had constantly been told, or rather been forced to tone down his speech in order to fit others. This, however, was definitely a welcome gesture. <b style='color:#227788'>"And you too, Alexander. A strong name, if I might say."

He nodded as Alexander mused about it being a great area to explore, and then came the question he knew must come eventually. Did he live around here? A question indeed. Clearing his throat gruffly, and rising back up from a drink he was taking, the great male nodded, swallowing before continuing, <b style='color:#227788'>"I do, actually. Just atop the mountain there, I have recently riled together a pack of wolves. " More like a harem. The thought was loose and for that reason, unsaid. However he couldn't deny the thoughts he'd had regarding the current gender ratio. Another male would be good company. <b style='color:#227788'>"Bit of a task to descend for a drink, but I must say it is very rewarding." And he smiled, bright yellow eyes shining over at Alexander as he bent down for another drink.

Alexander wasn't normally so...Formal. But at this particular moment in time, he felt that he had to be. Not to say he was faking it, but when he spoke, it just came out that way. Alexander had been raised to be polite and friendly, even though he'd never really gotten to use the skills he was taught, due to the fact he'd never actually met any wolf outside of his pack. It was rather good practice now, but needless to say, his view on wandering wolves was rather twisted. The male chuckled, "Thanks. I suppose it fits." He was rather large, which usually went hand-in-hand with strength.

He hadn't taken his eyes off of the mountain when Honijo said that he lived up there. "Really?" His eyes descended, landing squarely on the older brute once more. "You have a pack up there?" Sounded like quite the place. Alex paused for a moment, pondering if he should take advantage of the situation. He had been planning to go up there anyway...But how was he supposed to even ask? "I was planning on travelling up the mountain later, perhaps...uhm," He searched for the words, clearly reluctant to ask a question so bluntly. "Perhaps I could look around?" Alexander was intrigued by this pack atop the mountain...And it would help him start over.

WAITING WAITING ALWAYS WITH THE WAITING
There had been the scent of another pack on the western winds, a new one, but it was definitely a pack. Marsh may have never noticed if it hadn't been so near by, since Marsh had chosen to remain right beside the Bramble Falls, but everything hinted at them residing in the mountains. Plus, if anything, their scent was overwhelmingly female.

What was more interesting was that the single distinct male scent - the most clearly dominant - was familiar.

It seemed Indru had a rival after all - and it was family.

Having no submissive draw to Indru, Marsh did not feel a draw to this related pack. As such, he chose to simply live where he was, since it seemed to remain neutral territory. It wasn't his fault the new pack had sprung up on 'his' borders; he had been here first, if you wanted to be childish. If anything, Marsh was quite pleased that his new home hadn't been claimed, since it allowed him to remain. It was really quite comfortable, even if you were alone. The steady trickle of other wolves had provided Marsh with crude company, not that he craved it, and a chance to assess the type of beasts in this land. It was much the same as any other. By now, he had had too many encounters to be overly paranoid; he had little for others to take, so he was quite safe.

The only reason he was interested, this time, was because he recognised that familiar scent.

The first scent had been of little consequence; another newcomer, passing by, coming to drink or swim or fish. Marsh had no business bothering him. But then another had joined his stench on the wind, had filled Marsh's nose and then his desire for intelligence-gathering had been piqued. What was the leader of the mountain wolves doing down here? Exploration, drinking, driving another out? Seeking another? Boredom? Irresponsibility? Either way, he simply had to be encountered, and thus Marsh had picked himself up from his sheltered spot by the waterside and began padding softly towards the pair. It didn't take long before he could hear them, their gentle, masculine voices carrying easily on the breeze, and then see them; they both struck quite large, impressive figures. Assuming neutrality, but also an edge of caution, Marsh made no attempt to hide his approach. Head low, tail straight and ears perked, he made to gently circle them, so as not to draw a direct path. In truth, all he wanted was to get a better lungful of this mountain leader; their conversation was of little consequence.
YOU GET SO USED TO DOING NOTHING

What is Wisdom?

Idle chit chat was not in Honijo's typical day to day routine. He ate, he slept, he trained, and that was about it. His life had been routine up until the fire, and now he was doing everything he could to regain that routine. Granted, exploring out wildly was not generally something he did, but, it gave him the chance to recruit members to his cause. He would never, ever beg for company, he was too proud and too confident in himself to do that, but he was lacking in male company. There was no doubt in his mind that some random stranger could ever become the best friend that Rihael had been, but surrounded by young females all the time was not something that Honijo had found particularly enjoyable. For that alone, he was willing to leave his mountainous refuge and routine and hope that fate brought him into contact with those of his own gender. Alexander seemed like the good type, though it would take more than one meeting for the Midnight Plateau Leader to be sure. "You may travel up and down the mountain to your heart's content," he responded, for it was true, not all of the mountain was under his command. "But the Plateau is off limits to all but those who call it home." His tone was firm as he said this, and the sharp look that he gave Alexander made it quite clear that trespassing would not be tolerated.

Movement in his peripherals brought the Leader to his feet in a hurry. Head swiveling, he watched as the auburn colored beast approached. The creature came forward bluntly, that is to say, he wasn't hiding his approach. An it was an odd approach; the stranger was not making a direct path and was instead choosing to circle the two. Turning his body, the leader raised his head and arched his tail over his back - his most dominant posture. Lips raised, revealing sharp incisors that could very easily be turned into weapons. A low growl began to rise in Honijo's chest, and the warrior narrowed his eyes as he watched the smaller male. "What the hell are you doing?" He growled, his tone clearly saying, "Now is not the time for games."

The large grey male nodded respectfully, though it was clear, at least to him, that Honijo had misunderstood his intent. In all honesty, he was hoping to join this great brute's pack. Maybe it was better with the mild misunderstand, though, at least until he was better acquainted with him. It would be like Alexander to rush into things, and when it came to finding a new home, that wouldn't be something he wanted to do. Perhaps he'd come across one of Honijo's followers, and learn just a bit more. His intent was still to climb the mountain, but perhaps he'd save it for a later time, especially with the older male's firm command ringing in his ears.

"Of course..." He politely responded, but it seemed that they had company, quite literally. A strange wolf seemed to be taking the less subtle path, and was basically circling them. Alexander rose a curious brow, suddenly recognizing this wolf as the one he'd saved from the bear. Well, they'd worked together, but...Okay, it didn't matter right now. Honijo seemed flat out threatened by the male's actions, leaving Alexander sort of in the middle. He didn't feel particularly threatened, and looked between the two.