ÖDE

A voice answered him as if he'd asked her directly and not the breeze. Surprised, red eyes shifted amid his dark face, finding the very tiger mare he was looking for as she stepped out of a complaining structure of wood. What he thought quizzically, his 'brow lifting in interest at the contraption she utilized. He had seen drift wood along the shore before, but it had never seemed safe or sturdy enough to hold a horse. Was this how the Throat traveled, by wood? He'd never seen any drift wood look like that though. Surely a crafter had shaped it into more of a... leaf he supposed is what he could associate it best with.

Shaking his head Öde cleared his thoughts of such unimportant banter. Although he still wondered how he hadn't seen her before (unaware his magic had stripped her of her veiling cloak of mists) - must be the travel weariness he figured.
Clearing his mind he instead plastered on a broad grin and made to walk towards her and fill the gap between them, hesitating only briefly when he caught the cross look she snarled back in return. At her own smile, which betrayed the glare prior, and cool words he couldn't help but laugh in genuine good nature.

"I'm sorry we never did get a proper introduction did we? Öde, Emissary of the Aurora Basin." He inclined his head marginally as a sign of respect. She outranked him, even if she was in a different herd, and it was her knowledge and her god that he was here for. The boy could certainly be cordial when he tried; thank the gods for Lena for that. Still, having to bow his head to anyone, however low, was like a self inflicted wound that jabbed against his pride and caused the coils of his mother's memory to rankle against his subconscious.

As he lifted his head again, his smile remained, but his eyes were heavier, darker, more strained with all of his internal shadows and wars. "If I remember right you're Maren... Diviner." He wasn't one to forget names or faces easily, but he made sure specifically to remember hers when he overheard it at the meeting. "I'd hoped to take up some of your time if you're available, to learn more about the history of your land and your god." Close enough by now Öde slowed to a halt, his body curved towards her as he stood the side, assessing her with his right eye. It was difficult not to get distracted by the appendages that fluttered around by her ears, so he retained eye contact and his grin.

"I'm trying to gather some more lore for our own record keeping. In return I'm happy to share my knowledge with you, or escort you to see our Haruspex if you prefer." The last bit was difficult to say, but he knew he couldn't very well ask for something and give nothing. Besides, even if the Throat was more physically isolated, the Basin was definitely more emotionally so, and their sentinel would not see her arrival kindly without a member at her side.

[So sorry for the wait! D:]