Night had fallen swiftly over New Glasgow, plunging the lands into darkness. It was one of the first signs that the season was changing and within a few short weeks, autumn really would be upon them. They'd celebrated the harvest festival on the very first day of August although the harvest months didnt start until the first of september. Regardless, the night had been a fun filled, high paced evening that Saul couldnt help smile about. Of course, the only other thing bugging the male was the fact that Siku had gone. It had been such a long time since she'd surfaced, even with the two of them sharing an apartment, that Saul had to admit he'd given up on her. It made him sad, but there was also an undertone of relief mixed in there and he had no idea why.


It was too early to sleep despite the darkness cloaking the lands and the agouti male moved along the decorated borders of Ichika. Here and there, bleached white rocks would intersperse the unnatural flowers that were thriving along their borders, giving both a visual barrier as well as one impregnanted with their scents. It was mostly Nayru and Razekiel that marked the borders, but occasionally Saul would catch the marks of another, knowing that there were people out here watching the borders. Ichikans lived in peace and they didnt need to watch the borders fiercly. It was more a force of habit that had Saul trotting along the line of flowers, dipping his head to smell the flowers when its scent was strong enough to catch from his position. He'd opted for his lupus form tonight, feeling more comfortable in his speed in this form.


Perhaps it was speed that he needed, for his cinnamon backed ears flashed forward, cupping the air around him to catch the vibrations sent from a howl. It was unfamiliar and it came from the borders, so it was his job to deal with it. He moved quicker, stretching out his body in a full run. It felt good to move this way, to feel the ground eaten up by your paws, knowing you would be where you wanted to go within a few short moments. It took him perhaps less than five minutes from his location to spot the loner at the borders, a tawny female from her scent. He came to a trotting stop a few metres away from her, dipping his head in a soft bow. "Welcome. I am Saul Stormbringer and this is Ichika no Ho-en. How can I help?" He asked, tail swishing back and forth, a soft smile curving his lips into a pleasent smile.

She seemed a little unsure at first, a nervousness about her that told Saul she had no idea what to expect out of those meeting her at the border. Saul was a friendly wolf in general and there was always a happy, smiling face to welcome anyone wanting to do business with Ichika. His tail swung gently back and forward as he came to a stop, noting her two legged stance instead of four. He concentrated for a moment, feeling his bones shifting growing and settling into a new position. When he opened his eyes he was considerably taller, taller than the female in front of him. She began to speak in return to his words and Saul smiled gently. She had a soft and pleasing voice, one that would suit Ichika very well indeed. Settled on the fact that she was here to join and not to trade, Saul shifted his thought processes onto a whole new thought track.


"Its nice to meet you Vimala. I have a few questions before I can accept you, but they won't take a moment."


He spoke pleasently, knowing that in a few short seconds he would have to ask her a personal question that had caused a bad reaction before. However, there were plenty who understood the necessity for the questions he asked and responded quickly and positively. He could see that there was no reason for this female to get offended by any of the questions he had to ask her. "Have you ever been convicted of a crime?" He asked straight off, hoping beyound anything that her answer was no. He didnt know the protocol for denying a joiner entry to the pack and there hadnt been precendent to do so yet, but there might come a time when he needed to know. More than that, he didnt want to turn the female away and he seriously hoped she had a clean record so that Ichikans would be able to trust her. Green eyes caught brownish-gold ones and he spoke softly.


"Where are your family? What brings you to seek acceptance into a new pack?"


He asked, wanting to know about her background and how she'd come to be on her own. There were really only two or three serious questions he needed to ask her before continuing on to the Creed and the task, but it was all necessary for him to ask. Green eyes assessing her reaction with open friendliness, Saul waited for her response.

Her soft nod was almost lost- she was smaller than he was and he almost didnt look down in time. He'd adopted a certain manner about him in these kinds of situations, a certain polite but brisk manner that got these small interveiws over and done with quickly. Green eyes were pleased as Vimala assured him that she had not committed any crime. It was always good to have ones first initial thoughts confirmed- he would have been very shocked if the little female in front of him had confessed to some kind of aweful crime. By the looks of her she wasnt that kind of wolf, but one could never be so sure. "I am glad to hear it" He murmered, dipping his head softly as if to accept this information. Paws twisted together, unsure of what to do until her rich voice came once more.



He listened as she spoke of her family, a travelling band who had no set territory. Saul almost shuddered softly at the thought of never having a fixed place to stay, to be completely unsure of where he would sleep from one day to the other. Being in a pack was so much safer and easier and he blamed her nothing for wanting to be part of that. She had left her family, without their permission, to come in search of more permanent residence. He nodded softly, understanding if not completely empathising. "An understandable reason to leave. Give it time and they will forgive you, I am certain." He said, a gently and encouraging smile on his lips. Family could never be that angry at each other and if they held the grudge, they weren't worth the time. Saul looked over once more, another question on his lips.


"What skills do you have that can benefit Ichika? What job do you wish to serve as in Ichika?"


He asked, wondering how she was going to fit in, in the fast growing community. She was going to get on well with everyone, nobody could deny that. But what job she was going to do and who she would interact with would be determined by her skills and her desires. Green eyes were wide as he looked towards her, awaiting her answer.

Vimala seemed a little unsure as both their words rang clear, but it was the usual way of things. It took time to get the technique right, but once he'd found a way to get the answers to his questions he stuck fast to the method in which they were obtained. The young male remained where he was as he allowed her room to think about what she could offer the pack. He remembered his acceptance into Dahlia- he'd been so weak he hadnt even been able to speak. But Bris had taken him in because he was family and there was no question. Still, he'd had to ask Shiloh much the same questions as he was asking now, even though she was family. It was just the way things went. Cinnamon backed ears flashed forward as the female spoke and Saul nodded softly along with what she was saying. It was a common answer these days, but he was more than willing to take her in and allow her to grow.


"Ichika no Ho-en is a pack of peace, of learning and growth. Your skills will benefit us all, and allow you time to develop new skills and talents."


He offered, much the same as he had offered to Carwyn a few days ago. Neither of them were that advaned in skills, but it wasnt really about what they could do. It was about their potential to learn something new, to adapt. Green eyes settled on golden brown as he recited the Creed in his mind before speaking allowed. "If you would repeat after me- I am a Misra, I am an Ichikan. I seek love in my heart, knowledge in my mind, and wisdom in my spirit. I will love my fellow Ichikans and know them as family to the fullest I can; I will devote myself to my duties and learn from my work and the work of others; I will try my best to embrace all walks of life, faith and love. I understand that if I devote myself to love, knowledge and wisdom I will learn my path to true personal happiness, and find my place in the circle of life." He spoke clearly, stopping after every sentence to allow her to repeat the words back to him. Once she had finished, Saul gave a soft dip of his head.


"Welcome to Ichika Vimala. I have a task for you- I would like you to catch at least three fish in the ocean and present them to your fellow Ichikans as a token of your friendship. You must take an Ichikan with you, so perhaps they will be the first to recieve your gift."


He said, outlining her initiation task quickly. She would need to find the ocean first, but it would take long. Ichika was so close to the ocean that their pack scent was made up of the sultry smell of the ocean, along with other natural smells. He held out his hand, an indication that she was welcome in her new home. Waiting until she was in Ichika, he began to move back towards mainland Ichika.


-exit saul-