Cooler by the Lake. (Thanatos/Invites)

[Erastor]

It was the strangest thing, but even while he had been given the fair warning not to get close to any packs, he had a certain curiosity about them. Having been a pack creature by nature, Erastor had had moderately-decent relations with those who were either not so or indeed in another pack...provided they were reasonable and not encrouching on his father's territory. The wolf huffed in irritation, just then. His family... He missed them now, and his action back up north may have led them to believe that he too was dead. At least, for a while. At the time, though, he didn't have much choice. Pursuit one objective...or the other.

For the past five minutes, the brownish-gray wolf had been standing there, thinking to himself as he looked at his own reflection in the lake's water. Now, he tried to dislodge all the terrible, conflicting memories and dunked his face in the drink for a moment. Before long, he pulled out and shook his head, feeling somewhat refreshed. He didn't want to forget why he was here, and making no attempt at concealment, no less. When he had first arrived, Gailleann - a very pleasant and understanding loner, or roamers as his family called them - had warned him of keeping away from pack lands because of... Well, it was for all the reasons he knew himself, really. Packs do not usually like interlopers. His father was a testament to this.

However, there were also wolves like him who were more amicable of situations such as these. This island was a lupine paradise. He had to get acquainted with others at some point, and of course...there was the fact that packs had information, important things to know about survival on this island. He was SO the fish out of water, a curious expression he had heard from city-dwelling animals on his way through. Yes, that was true. He had seen so little of this island, thus far. So, risky though it may be, Erastor waited by the lake for someone to notice he was by the lake and would take it from there.

[Thanatos]

Thanatos had no idea why he had been so sleepy lately, but every time he fell asleep he saw something new in his dreams. Revelations, snippets of something that may have happened eons ago, far before the creation of Earth. In one dream, he saw two Celestial beings, one called Elohim and one called Eyota, and he saw how Eyota turned against Elohim. They were lovers, and they together had created the Earth; when Elohim created wolves and placed them on the Earth, Eyota rebelled against Elohim because he had tainted her perfect creation by giving it to mortals instead of living in the paradise themselves. Turning against Elohim, Thanatos saw how Eyota was cast from Elysium, and was now called Nukpana. He saw how she influenced the minds of wolves and made them sinners, drifting them away from Elohim for thousands of years.

His latest dream, however, had been calm; serene, even. He saw how Elohim looked at the Earth for thousands of years and created the land now called Anikira. The island found his favor, and became a safe haven for his most beloved creation: wolves. The dream began to show the rise and fall of packs through the ages, until the dream showed him his own story. He saw himself raising Eden, and he saw how pleased Elohim was. A warm smile formed in his lips before waking up fully when a scent entered his nostrils. Opening his eyes, he stretched and walked towards the scent, hoping that the encounter would be a pleasant one. 

Going to the lake, he saw a brown-tinted wolf sitting in the edge of the lake, contemplating about something Thanatos didn't know yet about. Standing still behind the stranger from a safe distance, he spoke, his voice carried by the strong winds that were present that day. "May Elohim bless you, stranger," he began, "I am Thanatos, Eden's Haimovi, or Alpha. What brings you to our lands today?" Standing still, he awaited for the stranger's reaction, hoping that indeed he was friendly. He really didn't want to fight with anyone today, so he tried as best as he could to keep a friendly body language at all times. Sighing, he hoped for the best.

Erastor

[Erastor]

He heard it coming. Wasn't even bothering to look. The approach was that of a stroll, no attempts at stealth to be made. He waited. There were no others that he could hear, but they could be farther off, waiting for the signal of the one who came first. Would it be the leader, or was it a scout? Hell, was it the pack Omega, separate from the group due to the pressures and troubles of being the pack Omega? The one in his own back had actuually been the reason his father hated outsiders, because it'd been this complete wastrel of a wolf who came from the outside and didn't care if he was the last to eat because he snuck food a bunch of other times.

The halt followed and Erastor tensed slightly. What happened next would determine how exactly this was meant to go. What he didn't expect were the words that were spoken. The other wolf had said something that he didn't understand, by way of greeting he assumed. It meant something, but he didn't know what at all. He then identified himself...and Erastor would've been stuck on the meaning of Haimovi next if Thanatos hadn't translated for him. Did wolves from abroad have their own language? So many unfamiliar words... The way Erastor looked at him even as he asked his question showed clear confusion on his face. The ears were up, the head was tilted, and the eyes were orange conveyers of 'Huh?'.

"What- I don't...hmmm. Could you...say that first part again? I didn't understand a word of it."

He had turned towards Thenetos now, not threatening but curious. He clearly had not come here for violence, but now the other wolf had introduced him to something never before spoken of before: Myth and legend. He wanted to understand, but then he remembered himself.

"My apologies. I'm new to the island, in fact this part of the world. I seek information. I've heard tales of this place, but they don't go nearly enough into detail. My name is Erastor. I'm from the north."

The north could mean alot of things to alot of different wolves, but he was definitely uncommon in some way or another. Newcomers to the island came from all over, but he had come a long way from here.

[Thanatos]

Thanatos saw the clear confusion in the stranger's face, and once he had spoken he cleared his throat and tried to explain again. "I said, may Elohim bless you," smiling warmly, he continued. "And Haimovi is our word for Alpha. I understand the names are confusing, but I always make sure to explain as much as I can." Thanatos sat down so that the stranger didn't feel too tense and more at ease at his presence. "My apologies. I'm new to the island, in fact this part of the world. I seek information. I've heard tales of this place, but they don't go nearly enough into detail. My name is Erastor. I'm from the north." Thanatos nodded in understanding and opened his mouth to speak. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Erastor. Again, my name is Thanatos. You're in Tiayr right now, and our pack is called Eden. What are you wanting to know about exactly?" 

Thanatos looked at Erastor and began to wonder about his origins. Where did he come from and how did he get here? He had seen wolves that washed up on the shores from distant lands, but he had no clue if this wolf had gone through that. He wanted to sound as respectful as possible and he wanted to avoid any type of confrontation, so he carefully asked his question. "If I may ask, where do you come from, Erastor? I've never seen you around." Smiling politely, Thanatos shifted his weight between his two front legs and wagged his tail faintly to show friendliness towards Erastor. He also saw he had a peculiar name, so maybe it even had a meaning. Maybe not... in the end, Thanatos sat quietly, awaiting for Erastor's answers to his questions.

Erastor

[Erastor]

Yes...it certainly must've been some sort of greeting, sort of like the way a dog in the city - one of the cities, anyhow - greeted him with the weirdest of calls: 'Sup, wolfy?'. Still, unlike then, this was neither in a hostile place, nor personally exhibiting any hostile motions. Like Gailleann, Thanatos displayed a warm and friendly demeanor that calmed the brown-gray wolf by proxy. Different wolves just had different ways of expressing themselves. He hadn't met many in this land, so far. Was there a certain inner-peace about them all here? Was this truly paradise?

Thanatos now asked him what it was he wanted to know from him. Erastor sat down on his haunches, somewhat relax as the thoughts he'd been pushing away before both resurfaced and sank back. That was the problem wih emotional memories. They blindsided you and were also thrown back be a calming environment. For this reason, he felt a certain wariness, a nervous feeling, gathering within while talking to this wolf. He'd been sort of looking at the ground as he gathered his thoughts. He had to ask what he most-wanted to know, and find out whatever it was he could about this place. The trouble lay in knowing what he needed and what he wanted and how much importance rested on both.

"Where to begin...? You don't seem angered by my presence. May I assume your pack is a kinder one? I'm alone now and have been some time, but I respect the territory of others."

He had heard from Gailleann that this area had been claimed, but she did not know the temperment of those that lived here. Since she had helped him upon his arrival, it seemed fair to help her out in return. Erastor continued to speak, but he could not bring himself to talk about...what happened that brought him here yet.

"I know so little about the territories here. Who lays claim to what, and how the packs that are there react to strangers. I'm lucky that you'll even speak to me. Not everybody reacts that way. I've made my place in Caurus for now, and I know a little about Tiayr, but Anikira is much bigger than that. I saw as much before I came."

It was here that Thanatos asked him where he came from, which...was cause for Erastor to narrow his eyes slightly as his ears perked. Hadn't he...said so already? He was from the North. Did he not understand? Perhaps he'd confused the other wolf himself. Caurus was also north, so that may be what the Alpha assumed beforehand.

"Far North, Thanatos, much farther than anyplace on this island. I've seen through two continents in two seasons, the first my home...the second that hot place this island is closer to. I knew the way from other roamers, wolves who had visited but never stayed."

He wasn't saying everything. There was more to all of this than him just dropping by. He had made every indication that he was of a pack, that he knew how everything went. He respected it. He had to have been from a pack, one of strong familial bonds even, and he had to have had some reason to come here. One thing was for certain, though: He must have been through alot, both to have reason to come all the way here and everything that had happened along the way. That sort of drive was a testament to the wolf's inner strength and character.

[Thanatos]

Thanatos observed the wolf in front of him and saw that he was a little bit on edge, but it was perfectly understandable. He knew from first-hand experience that some wolves were everything but friendly. "I assure you, we are indeed a peaceful pack." Thanatos smiled at Erastor reassuringly, hoping that his last statement would make the wolf feel more at ease about the entire situation. Thanatos listened to him speak about not knowing much about territories and who owned which place. "Anikira is indeed a rather big place," Thanatos said in agreement, "I was born here and I have never been able to run throughout the entire island. However, I know quite a lot about territories, since I had to search for quite some time before I found Tiayr." 

Thanatos listened to the wolf speak about his origins. He repeated that he was from the far north, far beyond the shores of Anikira. He was intrigued; he knew that the world may be pretty big, but life outside of Anikira never occurred to him in his four years of age. But, it made perfect sense that there is much more to life than an island. "Well, Erastor," Thanatos spoke with a gentle tone, "Where do you want to go, exactly? I can give you directions on how to reach your desired destination," Thanatos smiled and continued, "or you can also consider settling down and becoming a part of our family. Your choice, whatever it may be, I will respect." Since Erastor hadn't mentioned that he was interested in joining, Thanatos only extended an invitation to him or the choice to go on. He knew that becoming part of a pack was a voluntary act, and so was following Elohim; he knew that whatever Erastor decided, he would respect it entirely. 

Erastor

[Erastor]

He was relieved to know that the pack of Eden was a peaceful one. He'd guessed, judging from Thanatos' demeanor, but it was much better to know. He'd tell Gailleann when he saw her next. Being able to hunt and move about through Tiayr without fear would certainly be appreciated. It meant less competition for food, overall. Just don't hunt where the pack is hunting at the moment and all would be find. They always organized, so you wouldn't find too many stragglers in that case. Erastor was relaxed now, but his eyes and ears perked up again when Thanatos informed him that he'd lived here all his life, from pup to Alpha as he was. It made sense that someone would, but still...to live your whole life on an island when his family had moved for long stretches at a time through the great continent was surprising. Really, the mention of his travels must've had a similar effect on the other wolf, as well.

It was when Thanatos spoke next that it the conversation took a bad turn... It was nothing that he said or did, and Erastor was neither angry nor agitated. At most, he was going to make a snark comment about not knowing what direction to go, but the offer into the Eden pack stopped all of his thoughts dead in their tracks. Again, it was not his fault. He was helping. No, the problem lay in Erastor himself. He seemed to stare for a minute, then he broke eye contact in favor of a patch of ground. The confidence and the strength in his expression seemed to evaporate. Something was wrong.

"I don't know where I'm going, not really... I just don't like hot places, and I want to avoid packs who are trouble, for now. And I never want to see another human for as long as I live."

He shifted uncomfortably, looking about as bothered as he was before he'd dunked his head in he lake. It had come to this. He couldn't proceed if he didn't tell the other wolf something, if he didn't explain to some degree. His offer was generous, tantalizing. He'd missed pack life so much...but he couldn't do it yet.

Not yet. Not until I...

No, he had to go on, and he had to tell him, or whatever directions Thanatos gave would be insufficient. His voice was trying to regain some its strength, but with the memory of the hunters, the pain-givers, the terrible choice he had to make...it was a hard thing for him right now.

"Thanatos...I can't. I just- I want to, but...but I need to keep going. It's important."

Finally, he returned to eye contact again, but what lay in those eyes was a pain and a sadness, along with a terrible yearning that sounded like it had eluded him for a long time.

"Have you ever wanted something so much that you'd leave everything for it, everything you've ever known and loved?"