A great storm had passed over Teekon that dropped a hearty layer of fresh snow. It was unlucky timing for the traveling emissary, as he had left the shelter of Ravensblood forest only a few days ago. On the open plains there was little cover to bunker down from winter's claws, and so the night had been long and cold. A small copse of young trees and a half-buried gnarled trunk had made due... though Tenryū was sure a family of squirrels had shared his hostel for the night. Beggars couldn't be choosers, though, and the priest knew it was the Kami's intention to bring such snowfall. Though it was inconvenient at the time, the effects of a heavy snowpack would ripple down in unseen ways. For now, he just needed to endure the weather.

Starting fresh the next day, Tenryū shook the powder from his fur and continued South. His strong forechest acted like the bow of a great ship, breaking through the still-soft powder with ease. He needed to keep a good pace, however, because the snow would be sure to warm and become packed throughout the day... and this would make for difficult travel.

As he contemplated this fact, a dark figure appeared a few leagues away. It was another wolf crossing the fields in a similar manner. However, Tenryū was downwind and though his nose tasted the air for information on this stranger, there was none. Regardless, he approached, ears canted forward curiously.

Tenryū's pace was even and respectful -- a tad bit reserved, even, until he saw the stranger's amicable posturing. He hurried a bit more, then, eager to meet with more wolves from this area as his father had advised. The male was large, with a squallish pelt and lighter peppering. A stump wagged where his tail should have been... and it made Tenryū wonder what had happened to it.

"Konnichi wa, Hajimemashite,” the Shinshoku replied to his stormy guest, "nice to meet you." Though he was fluent in the common tongue, Tenryū's deep voice remained heavily afflicted by a Japanese accent. "I am on a journey," he explained, taking two more steps towards the dark man until they were a wolf's-length apart, "I received a message to travel South. There are those who require my guidance." Tenryū's gentle expression was honest, his stance symmetrical and formal. He appeared practiced and deliberate, imitating the many times he had seen his father at ceremonies. However, there was a brightness to Tenryū's deep eyes that betrayed a trusting nativity.

When Japanese flowed from the stranger's mouth Tenryū's eyes widened and his jaw went slack. He had never expected to find one of his kind so far from their homelands. Were they of the same birthplace? Shikotsu-Tōya was a large pack, by normal standards, and though it was uncommon to have dispersal wolves, it was not unheard of. "Oh!" he chirped in surprise, visage growing noticeably more warm from its usual zen-like demeanor, "you speak Japanese!" He took this as an auspicious sign that his path was true and correct.

The priest nodded enthusiastically when the stranger inquired about his journey. "Yes, Brother," he affirmed, calming his energy, "guidance for those who seek to purify their spirits and be one with nature. I am here to show them and offer help. Shinto is not practiced in these lands and I know there are those who seek new purpose in their lives by giving thanks to Kami." Tenryū's abalaster tail waved, trusting this Japanese wolf would understand (and believing he had found a new friend)... as the white priest incorrectly assumed all those who spoke his language to practice these beliefs.

"My name is Tenryū Ishikawa, what may I call you?" he added with a cock of his head. The priest pined to know exactly where this man had come from, but withheld his questions in favor of formalities.