It was still a surprise to him when he heard wolves at the borders. It wasn't that he disliked the prospects of potential members to the pack - in fact, he relished the change of pace - but he still hadn't wrapped his head around the notion of the pack growing and becoming something larger than it was. Stark heard the call and made his way from the Crook where he'd been avoiding the snap of the bitter breeze, almost reluctant to pull himself into the cold. 

It didn't take him too long to come across the figure blotting his borders, his posture shifting into the command of an Alpha. His blue eyes drifted across the figure looking for any obvious issues and could find none. "Hello,"  Stark offered politely - otherwise trailing off to give a chance for the female to introduce herself properly. 

Stark licked his lips, looking her over as she admitted that she was looking for a home. He appreciated that she was straightforward, that there was no need for the pretenses. "I am. I'm Stark and this is Maruader's Keep." he said as he gestured back towards the lands, the slow sway of the branches of the willows taking the heed of their Alpha as well. They  were showing off, in a sense, though it was cold and empty, and it brought a brief smile to Stark's face. "So tell me, Talewi, what are you skills and interests?"  Stark wouldn't turn her away just on the basis that she was another scout or hunter - but it would be a lie to say he didn't hope for a healer among their ranks. 

There was the baser part of him, too, one that was becoming more aware of a desire to seat the pack fully and grow their legacy. Banner had Buchanan and he in turn had no one. It was a positive, even a slight one, in her favor just for prospects alone. "Have you just come to the wilds?" With the promise of winter it would make sense to have more wolves to bunker down to survive. 

Stark gave a little nod of his head - warriors and healers lived a life very close on the edge, two sides to the same coin often. He wondered what Buchanan might know of healing, but, it seemed more often than not that his brother in law was ruled by other passions. He couldn't really help himself, cracking a little grin at words - a sense of humor never hurt. Too many of his wolves seemed to be so formal, so reserved. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen a smile on Silas face and didn't know if he'd ever seen one on Amara's. That should change. At least Tambourine was a constant source of sunshine and Banner more often than not managed to bring a smile to his face. "I wandered here during spring, the lands have changed a great deal. There was a famine, so the wolves of the Keep for the most part have shown great resilience." And Stark was proud of them. So proud. 

"We have a few puppies running about and our priority is to fill our caches and keep them protected." Stark explained. "We've been through alot together, and we're more family than anything. It can be intimidating, and I get that, but we really do take care of our own." There was a sense of an offer, the notion that she might become one of them. "What do you say to a little demonstration?" He asked with a little grin. "A friendly spar, it's been a bit since I've properly stretched my legs, so to say."

Something had to be said for a wolf that didn't hide from a challenge. Stark appreciated it considerably, and it made him more optimistic about the female in general. Young, sure, but she didn't have the reckless sense to just throw herself at him. She waited. She positioned herself. She was thinking and that was something Stark liked to see. The alpha shifted his stance in turn, digging in with his claws before he launched himself at her. It seemed for a moment that he was headed for a direct hit, head on, but turned at the last moment to bump his shoulder against her instead, using her bulk to push off and redirect himself. 

He kept his head swung to face her, watching for a counter and giving her the chance to show what she was made of. It was intriguing to Stark, and battles of the mind and body were just as complicated when it came down to it. 

He was a little surprised when she used teeth only because he'd glossed right over that detail and hadn't mentioned it they should  or not. Still, it caused him to dart further away, nimble legs shifting even as he kept his eyes on her. The move to topple him and throw him off course wasn't a bad idea and his feet did get caught up, stumbling a bit. He had the upper hand though, at least knowing the terrain and having the higher ground so to say. Stark managed to get a holding before she slammed into him but it did end up knocking him down a bit. It'd been a long time since he'd properly sparred with anyone, and the thrumming in his veins promised he approved and was enjoying it.

It seemed she was just as tangled up as he was, the dark male moving to land his bulk over hers, even if it was temporary. There was no way he'd relent to let a stranger best him on his borders after all. If he managed to pin her, even briefly, Stark already knew his course of action. Either way she'd impressed him with her nerve, he was willing to extend a home in the Keep for her. 

Grappling against one another offered a sense of satisfaction, even brief connections between their bodies gave off impressions. He knew Talewi enough just from their little spar he'd be happy to have her among his ranks. He'd give her the shot, see what she made of herself. When she squirmed out of his hold Stark took a couple steps back, grinning impishly at her. She's certainly held her own, especially for her age. "Maybe after I show you around some we can have round two,"  Stark offered with a bright smile. "Unless your pride is wounded and you find me insufferable now... " Stark teased, unable to help himself. She'd find out about his sense of humor pretty quickly if she stuck around anyways. 

They could always discuss the culture of the pack and its ways as he showed her around, or answer any questions that she had. It would be good to start at the Crook where they were most likely to find the bulk of the pack anyways, make the introductions as quickly and easily as possible.