As it would seem, her patrol did not coincide with the loner's arrival. His howl forced her to backtrack, and even nimble, mountain-savvy paws like hers had to mind themselves in ice and snow like this. She'd never known these slopes to be this damn slick, but every stride forward got her closer. Pyx's additional call, which didn't really speak of urgency or concern, gave her some minor relief -- but these days, their numbers stretched thin and her daughters eager to roam, she could never feel too careful.

When she did arrive, her tail swung up and she zeroed in on the loner. Male, robust-enough from appearances alone. A flare of her nostrils and she realized he was making himself comfortable too. She came upon the scene curious and all ears to catch their conversation. Who is he? everything about her suggested in her possibly ominous silence. Ame was, as always, scrutinizing in her way but interested enough; they could use the able bodies here these days.

She looked him up and down, only letting on that she was mulling this over with a few subtle bobs of her muzzle. He was quick to the most important information, giving her the impression he was sensible enough in that regard to not beat around the bush. It was cold, and they could all have better places to be. Still, she liked knowing he'd lived on mountains before. She wasn't looking for a repeat of Zoratto's fate here. And, also in his favor, he claimed to be willing -- although she often had to wonder how much of that was just sweet-talking in these instances of border-interview. She'd take her time to trust, but maybe he could prove it. Moonspear's livelihood could benefit. Or suffer, such was always the matter at stake here.

Pyx let her know her stance on this (not that there was too much to share yet), and as noted, she'd seen how the medic didn't appear too frustrated with his company this far into their interaction. That also counted gently towards his greater good here for an overall decent first glance.

Settling her sights firmly back on the male, Janus, rather.. she let the thoughtful pause hang perhaps a second too long. "I need strength to help guard the mountain and on the hunt," she said. She could lay out her most-desired areas of interest here and now to see how he'd take it. She already had her scouts, her medic, and with the daughters older now, she always seemed to make sure everything circled right back to their safety. Having Floki currently MIA and Charon out in search of the misplaced beta, she was feeling a bit undermanned here staked as their main, practically solo guardian. He could do what he needed to with that information since he seemed perceptive enough to her. "If that suits you, and your loyalty would be to my family first and foremost so long as you are here," she explained, most of all because she knew what she liked and what she didn't. Tolerating hassles among her ranks wouldn't fly for long. "Then you may find your place among us." With that said, she kept watching him keenly. "I am Amekaze."

Having seen the packs through several periods of fluctuation, she felt this was a good, natural step forward after some of their losses lately. He considered what she had asked, it seemed, and she would not rush him. Her wants were simple enough and her strengths potentially his to gain from, should he become a cohesive piece of Moonspear during his stay on these slopes. His future was up to him and so long as he did not bring wrongs upon her and her family, she'd let him have the chance. "Good," she replied and nodded once he had accepted.

So it was settled.

While she said little, and physically, not much more than that passed between them but she was keenly reading between the lines to get what she needed. These first impressions gave her enough to make a start, and besides, there ought to be time for more should he stick around long enough. Amekaze had seen so many come, then go lately, she'd have to take her time to get attached. For now, what mattered was his willingness, alongside the apparent soundness of his mind and body alike.

"Works for me," he nodded, secretly pleased, once again, that he'd be fine to go on his own and get comfortable without her. That wasn't to say she'd just.. toss open the doorway for him entirely unattended, in absolute full, but there was plenty here that she oversaw regardless. He'd settle in or not, and she'd either like him or not. She'd have to let it play out first.

So with wrapping any necessary final exchanges, then goodbyes, she began to move away for the woody thickets. She'd let Pyx do what she must, and probably circle back eventually to check in when she was ready.