Like the pile of snow that she had dropped on him, @Valencia had dropped into his life, dousing him suddenly and sharply. He hadn't come into this region with the purest intent to join a pack, let alone at the behest of a woman that he barely knew. She had promised him that she'd teach him more of those funny accents she did, and even with frivolous things such as that, he was honor-bound. If being a part of her pack made keeping that promise easier, then so be it.

Truth be told, this was probably what he needed. There was only so much danger and adventure a lone wolf could get into. The best stories weren't always about one character, after all. He did not know how long he would stay but pushed all thought of that from his mind. Focus on the now.

He had seen the forest before, but only in passing. He never ventured too close for fear of disturbing the locals. Now he stood at the end of their claim, sniffing at their borders. Hopefully he would be allowed to step through.

As she spoke, the metaphorical gears within Yao's head began to click. Mal? Yao searched in his mind. The name sounded familiar. I think I've... A familiar wolf answered the call. The name connected to the face. The wolf he cozied up with under the bush in the burned forest. He smiled at the man. I'm here to join your pack, He turned to Lenny. We've met.

He chuckled at the reference to their first meeting. Neither of them were good at that, so they had no reason to judge the other. His other credentials, however, were unsaid. At least not directly. I was trained to be a fighter, back home. I know my way in a brawl, or a war. Of course, he didn't have much practice compared to his elder relatives — hence by he was here — but he knew the principles of it. I'm good at remembering things, even details. It helps with telling stories, which I like to do. If that's what you need. Back home that was a necessity. Stories fed their heart and souls while meat fed their stomachs. He knew time and time again that the culture here was different, but he couldn't see why story-telling would be ignored. They weren't starving wretches with nothing else on their minds but feeding their hunger.

He frowned slightly, for he had hoped for some kind of strife, a chance for him to gain experience on the battlefield and not just from sparring. But he was trying to be a warrior, not a brigand. He thought back to something his father told him: Usichokoze shwari usipojua matata yake — don't disturb a peaceful time, when you don't know its troubles. He wouldn't go about trying to rustle up a war for the sake of fighting. After all, he hadn't told Lenny that that was what he was looking for either. The troublemakers Mal mentioned were good enough. That seemed to be what the situation at home was like. Oh, I've got plenty of good ones. he grinned. Translating them would be difficult, he realized. 

Asante sana.​ Thank you. he bowed his head. Regardless of the circumstances, he couldn't express how grateful he was that a pack of strangers would take him in with only a few exchanges.

He looked towards Lenny expectantly, curious to see what the Forest beyond looked like and eager to settle into his new home. Perhaps a few months of sedentary peace could be good for him.

He exchanged another smile with Lenny, excited to see the new forest that he had become a part of. With a respectful nod to Mal, he trotted after Lenny. Lead the way,