The turning of autumn had a fantastic effect on the mountain. The grasses had baked all summer long and turned gold, the leave of the trees low below the summit were dazzling shades of reds, oranges, and yellows. The lush green that once was now lay in fire, and though the air cooled the world looked warmer.

The boy's first year in Spirane was coming to a close. He had been just under a year old when Tesseract stolen Glorall out from under his grieving mother's paws. She had taken him to Spirane just after her defeat, but at that time the mountain was already beginning its transition into winter. The colors had been faded and the land had been as dismally gray as he had felt.

Since then, though, the young wolf had watch the turn of the earth through ten long moths. Through the first of it, he had stayed inside the den Rhoedias had claimed for him and herself. He thought he might never go back out. How could he? His life had been a mess, just one catastrophe after another. But, to his surprise, there was a day when he felt compelled to venture out into that great white world, when the snow first fell and reflected brilliant silver light into his home. The wonders of change, the pristine slip of white over the land, had, perhaps, lured him back to life in the proper sense.

He had kept to himself at first, exploring the monolithic mountains on his own because, honestly, he did not know how to exist with others. He had been brought into this world alone, washing up drenched and new on the shores of Glorall. Even there, in the first home he had come to know, he had met only two wolves: his mother, Rhoedias, and his savior, Alana. He had no memory of before, no recollection on how he should act or what he should do. Before he could even meet the father and brother he had been adopted to, they had been killed by a bear. And then, immediately after, the wolf Tesseract had claimed Glorall on Silvertongue's funeral bed. So, to say the least, Noel had always been a bit nervous, rather unsure, about how to meet or act around his new packmates in Spirane.

So, then, his beginning came in spring when Alcide called the pack to him. The alpha had asked if any younger wolves would like to pursue a lower rank and the boy had found this question to be a saving grace. Aquila, young warrior, spoke most loudly to his soul and he voiced then, his first words to a Spirane wolf since he had been taken in by the pack, that he would like to pursue such a title. That was the beginning, for soon after he found himself on the list for the greeting party to Taviora, their new northern neighbors. Being called Aquila, too, had given him reason to step out and interact. A warrior, protector, had an obligation to know and help those he was sworn to.

He had been born.

Slowly as it was, the charcoal marked boy had made a beginning. There was Cafell, that sweet little girl, and RAINBOW, the rambunctious, middle-aged female. He had been to Taviora, meeting not only the Tavioran wolves but also the few from Spirane which joined him and Alcide on the journey. In his mind, things were going rather... well.

He was still cautious, of course. After all, the past being his example, things always seemed to be going well just before the worst of it. He would keep his head up, though, keep his mind on what was ahead. For him, the center most focuse was his training as Aquila.

Sleekwing, his apparent instructor, had been busy through the past season. The boy was aware that another Aquila existed in the pack, though he knew not who he was in the least. The long months waiting to be called upon for training were beginning to wear on him, however. He was growing impatient, though Noel would never voice such a thing, and found himself taking daily trips to the clearing Alcide had mentioned before. He never really expected a change, but a part of him was always hopeful.

Imagine his surprise then, today, when he stepped into the clearing to find it occupied for the first time in the months he had made visits. The tall, white boy of nearly two years froze, mismatched amber and split amber-blue eyes locking onto the mahogany wolf that fit so well with the trees of the season. He looked on for a lingering moment at the older boy's profile, breaking with a brisk shake of his head as he realized he was staring and should probably actually say something.

"H-hello?" Noel spoke quietly, voice unsure as always yet far less awkward than it had been in the recent past. There was a softness to his tone, gentle but not meek. He wondered who this older boy might be, hopes that it was the other pack Aquila edging forward despite it being highly unlikely. Spirane had it's fair share of youth, after all. Expecting to run into the only other one with his title was rather unrealistic thinking. "I... hope I'm not bothering you?"

soul and sky are magnetizing