Disappointed by their discovery of the one man army in Neverwinter, the pair had decided to extend their outing. Tzila wanted to check on a pack she was familiar with, and he agreed to follow her lead. But when they arrived, the place was completely deserted. A few stragglers still lingered from the smell of it, but the pack was no more. He was disappointed yet again, and it showed on his face.

Black Hat didn't bother announcing his presence, intending to actually rummage around for any caches this time since they were unable to without a struggle in Neverwinter. At least now they were less likely to be found out if a ghost who still hung around disproved of what they were up to. The whispering of the willow limbs was the only semblance of activity here, which only accentuated how devoid of animal life the place was. It was peaceful here though, and the abundance of willow trees was to his tastes. This place would be a lovely place to stay, he mused before getting to work digging up an old cache.

Tzila joined in, and he didn't mind the proximity. Her comment drew a smile from him. How thoughtful. I am fond of this place... maybe I'll come back for a vacation, He jested. They uncovered an icy beaver carcass, which she impatiently bit into. No judgment there though, Black Hat was just as starved. He tore a few chunks off, himself. It was far from fresh, and the cold crept into his core as the meat made it way to his stomach, but food was food.

What Tzila said next intrigued him. Oh? A pause, then it clicked. Ah, so that's why you wanted to come here. Elysium, was it?

Black Hat listened on, content to tear away at the beaver popsicle in silence. Only when Tzila was done did he speak. Ah, taking advantage of the weak... that warms my cold, dead heart, He breathed. Her story explained how and roughly when she met Vengeance, which was information he was pleased to have stowed away. I'd feel the same being tied down to a place like that... except it'd be so unbearable, I'd have to either leave swiftly or work towards situating myself at the top.

Black Hat felt like he was talking to himself. However, his reasoning for joining was starkly different. I wasn't planning on joining a pack, but I managed to talk myself out of becoming Vengeance's next meal. I'm more useful alive than dead, so I serve him as a Nightwalker, He explained, mentally adding, for now. Like Tzila, he could not stand being an underling. He'd danced this dance before, except Nightwalkers was a much fiercer beast. He had his own plans...

Oh? He quirked a brow. I've no qualms with the dead. Meat is meat. He was pleased to learn she felt the same. Best not to let the bodies go to waste. Lead on, He insisted, still very much starved.

He mirrored her, searching for more buried morsels with his nose to the frigid ground. When Tzila began to dig, he assisted without a word. To her question, he replied, After you. His voice, textured as it was, had a smooth quality to it like the rumble of a panther.