Since Kahlua had sought him out mere nights ago to relay such vital information, and to gift him with a beautiful glass chainmail neck piece that hung comfortably from him as he walked that moment, Kaj had taken to patrolling by ground more often. He could not be absent in the skies to the point where his brethren needed to call out to him in order to see him physically. It was comforting, in a way, to be so close to the mists once again. He had yet to use the magic they had been gifted, to turn into the vaporous substance, as he saw no need with how little he had left the borders of his home lately. Why would he wish to conceal himself from his brothers and sisters? His friends? Nobody knew when the next disaster would come, and this time he would be the first to respond to the call.

It was warm, but not as stifling as the lands off the ocean cliffs, where the cooler air wafted up and the mists clung comfortingly to their skin. Pale azures flickered across the landmarks he knew better than his own skin, wings tucked close and rubbing hide gently across the trees to renew the scent markers. It was familiar, soothing, this process. It helped him not regret leaving the heavens above to protect his home from below.

Except, there is something different. A new scent tickling his nostrils, carried on the warm wind that swirled the mists around him, raw and wild as the newcomers that usually paraded through the threshold in hopes of someone proffering a home. No herd scent, for sure, for Kaj has encountered every scent in his time in Helovia. The Wilds should not smell so close, so he flicks his aurals up and pauses, and deciding to spoil himself he feels the mist embrace him, and with it he disappears in a flicker of gold and teasing light off glass.

It is a newcomer indeed, silent and shaded in the umbrella of a tree of the borders. He is dark like cocoa, scarred with coal locks that curl across his hide in the humidity of the day, moisture only increased by the mists sprawling across the cooler earth of the Edge. Kaj steps from his intangible state before the stranger, shedding his misted limbs and shaking himself easily as pale baby blues gazed curiously into rich jade.

"Greetings, friend. What brings you to our borders?" Deep, warm voice echoes from his lips and pale head turns to view him better. "I am Kaj, WingLeader of these lands. May I ask your own calling, brother?" A shuffle of wings and he gives a small smile of welcome, though his large frame cannot be disputed, sure to become a threat if the other portrays himself as one.

Nonchalantly the mocha creature shifts off and away from the tree, moisture clinging to his frame as it did to Kaj. Luckily he was a lighter shade than this fellow, with no dark pigments to draw the unforgiving sun even further into his skin. Plume flicked tiredly, weakly, and a cloud of dirt and dust cloys in the air like some sick perfume for the well-traveled. There is a flicker of unnatural color on his toned frame, and it catches Kaj's blues, but he looks back towards the stallion without lingering or questioning the marking. It's not his place, he didn't want to seem intrusive after all. The stranger speaks in a warm drawl, and Kaj gives a flicker of a smile as the newcomer gives his title. Desperado. "A fine title, Desperado," he says comfortably, too used to his own mannerisms and need to compliment others to realize it could possibly be taken as flattery.

A soft chuckle vibrates his golden throat and he shakes his head slowly, remembering when Onni had spoken those words so long ago, and the echoed sentiments of every recruit he'd met. It was an odd title, for sure. "Perhaps you are familiar with the term...General? Second-in-Command?" he queries, crown tilted slightly to the side, azure gazers focused on the dark face presented to him in interest. He's just so...blank and easy-flowing, and Kaj can't read him well. It's just interesting, and he can't help but want to know what he wants, what he's doing here, everything. Curiosity killed the cat, but he couldn't help it, it had been a while since he'd encountered someone so shrouded and foreign.

He's confident when he poses the question, and Kaj isn't sure how he should feel about that. "I am, though I'm unsure why I should tell you when I hardly know your reasoning?" There is a wary look in his gaze, though he is no less welcoming, as Desperado has done nothing to warrant his anger or threat. But the thought of giving away such valuable information...well, Kaj may not be the brightest, but he's not a fool either. That was more than shady, especially after the invasion, and he wasn't sure how to proceed.

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Ew that was the worst post ever I am so sorry