Acclimating to the dragon-pack is proving easy enough. There is still much he must acclimate to - histories he must learn. And the strange language of the hierarchy, so much heavier than his native tongues. But: that is what he finds he likes about Drageda. It is, like him, solid.

Étoille is mapping the territory he now occupies in slow steps. There is tension in the air, though he is not yet privy to its cause. And so he contents himself with careful explorations for now. The beast knows he must make good on his offerings of himself - as hunter, guardian, scout, whichever they need. But for now he will wait for the shape he will fit into accordingly.

It seems he is not the only one out. He smells her before he sees her, and the name of her rank springs into his mind. Heda. The new word is one of few that does not mangle in his french tongue. He has not met her yet, but it would be hard to not recognize her anyway. (As he was with the man at the border, Étoille is pleased by her impressive size. He can't help it.) She seems busy, but he does not wish to startle her and so he lowers his massive head and offers a respectful chuff in greeting.

 He notes her condition without comment - it is hardly a secret that their heda had been ill but was recovering nicely, and it is not Étoille's place to pry. Even knowing that she is in a weakened condition, the titan is impressed by her size (a feeling he seems to encounter often within these borders. Nice call, Étoille.)

 Embarrassedly he realises she has caught him at a disadvantage. He did not expect her to have his name but it makes sense - but he does not have hers. He dips his head again, not bothering to correct her pronunciation, and says, "heda." He pauses, and then politely adds, "I am glad to meet you." It would be an opportune time to ask for her name but he feels too awkward about it. Besides, presumably, he will eventually learn it. Eventually.

 When Heda moves forward, Étoille falls into step behind her obediently. He is grateful for it, even - in truth standing around and talking has never been a strong suit of his. Much easier to be moving, listening, not having to play social games. Though this is not a playful conversation as she wastes no time in cluing him in to those tensions he'd picked up on. "I see," he murmurs. Étoille thinks of what he told Dio at the border and adds, "if I can be of assistance in any way," wanting to make himself useful. Over the past few months the titan has made his way across much of these Teekon lands, and though he surely has blind spots, he knows that could be an asset. "Is there a specific location you are searching," the man asks after a moment in his usual not-quite-a-question way, watching the Heda carefully for her response.

 Redhawk Caldera. Of all the places. Étoille pauses, blinks, and then continues moving again. "I have been by the Caldera," he says, voice rumbling slightly more than usual - his odd way of being excited. "When I first arrived, I met a girl near-by. Towhee." It has been a couple months since that encounter by the lake, and he does not know the exact location of the borders, but he knows enough, knows the direction back from Drageda. Still - he does not want to give the wrong impression, so he clarifies: "Mais, I have not been exactly to the borders. There is a lake nearby, where I met this girl, and a forest. I came from there to get here." This is, perhaps, the most Étoille has ever spoken in one sitting but he is eager to share his knowledge. It is - serendipitous, even. He hopes the Heda thinks so as well.

Étoille is not completely surprised by her decision. But it still makes him feel warm in a way he forgot he could be. Perhaps he is more of a pack-animal than he likes to think of himself. He is secretly quite pleased they are not immediately returning to the Caldera - it would be a tall order for the still-new recruit, and he would like the opportunity to flesh out his relationships in the pack. To accompany the scouting mission is the opportunity he was looking for. He inclines his head once again. "Understood," the titan says. "I will join them. Where shall I report in the morning?"

He accepts her order with a dip of his head: "oui, Heda." Caught on the edge of oui, heda becomes 'eda, a slip he hopes she does not mind. Étoille waits for a proper dismissal before heading out, but it is only hours later that it will occur to him: he never learned the Commander's name.

Ah well. There is time yet.