He cut a path towards the lake to slake a needy thirst. Although the rounds were freshly attended by him personally, recently, any time not upon their fringes had him on edge. With their commander down and out for the time being, and Wildfire with Arlo in tow still wandering who-knows-where in the wilds, he was feeling the effects of their absences quite poignantly. But, Eske's ascension was a welcome enough relief, one meant to ease the absence of Heda.. although it was not yet enough to soothe it away entirely for the golden Drakru. Patrols were never-ending, and he was painfully dutiful in keeping the safety of the cliffs locked in. Rest, and time spent loitering to himself or merrily with his family, were not something he could afford these days.

When he pulled up to the lake's edge, he dunked his muzzle for a long, much-needed drink. In doing so, a few slurps in, he noticed the other wolf a short ways down the shoreline. On his back, and of dark coat, he could not yet make out the greatest of details about him--none more than what his nose told him, being that he was not a complete stranger to Drageda. Dio lifted his head, sending droplets flying with the motion, and peered his way questioningly as he licked excess lakewater his lips.

The stranger readily made himself more known, and the wocha's posture spoke of his own confidence while he watched him come-- but with a healthy measure of interest in the sight of someone who had already made it past Eske's standards. He knew he had to be worth something to make it this far. "Afternoon," he returned. "Ai laik Dio," he replied, pairing it with a slow but steady sway of his lifted tail. He watched the male--Cecil--curious to see how much briefing the fleimkepa had left him with. Dio would build upon that, as soon as he knew where he stood. "It's good to meet one of our newest," he said genuinely, easing into it that way as he pivoted the rest of the way to face him fully. Although Dio did not want to allude to it too strongly, new blood of the quality sort was well overdue here. While it would take time for him to trust that Cecil would fulfill such a need, he was wanting to be hopeful.

He exhaled a soft puff of breath, and nodded easily to hearing his present title aloud. "That would be me." Eske had evidently kept him informed and just a little bit of something in the way he spoke the rank made Dio wonder how anointed in the culture he was. But, it was good, and he considered it in their favor, as suggested by the slow, thoughtful sway of his tail. "Well, good.. now that we're at least acquainted," he chuffed. Should Cecil remain with them, the pale Draku suspected that might change readily with time. "How're you settling into the cliffs so far? Anything to note?" he raised a brow, wondering a lot of things about the new male and sure that he'd suffered many of the same sorts of questions in greeting Eske. This was his maneuver at getting to know him better, though, especially now that he'd had a bit of time to experience their pack's lifestyle.

"I'm sure you're pretty tired of the typical drilling interview questions by now.. so whatever else it'll be: what do you like to do?" he said, flicking an ear, and trying to give him something to volley off—should conversation, at least for a bit, suit him any.

Dio would never know Seageda, and could never speak on what set it apart from Drageda and what did not. What Cecil told him about the similarities was something he would remember however. Some that had known both were opposed to the few differences they did have, Dio knew, with much of it often focusing on the roles of outsiders like himself and Wildfire.. but, it did please him to know there were good overlaps and that Cecil felt as he did. "I think it can be like that for anyone, from Seageda or not," he surmised with a thoughtful nod. He'd had to adjust once back in his time, but that was true for any pack, especially one of a culturing all its own. This one he felt had been worth it.. at least for him.

He listened on, keen to the glance into his history he offered in response. "Ah, fair enough." And good exposure to have according to the Wocha, just in case the future should ever call upon it. "You'll find yourself in good company here then if that's what you're into. We can spar whenever," he offered, hoping he might inspire him to bite sooner rather than later. "I mostly gear towards defense.. of the land and all, but I agree with a good romp." Dio exposed the tips of his teeth in a quick smirk. He knew their commander was the same, and Eske, Blixen, and Artaax were all trained mercenaries as well, so Dio thought he'd get along well with them all.

Nevertheless, he knew now he had a fellow wolf to spar and patrol with, and this knowledge bolstered him, and Drageda alike.