He knew enough about assassins from his run-ins with them over the years. Eric and Seline used to tell him stories as a pup about the assassins of Diveen and how they held themselves above everyone else in Moladian as some kind of justice system meant to take out all the evil in the world. They were to watch for wolves of white and red, not to be mistaken as a member of their own Satanican family line. They would know by the smell, of course. He held this heart even as he ventured out into the world. When he was in Asteraia with the Monster, he tried to torment a few pups of Diveen but they got away. He was trying to bait them, get them to send the assassins so he could see for himself. But alas, he didn't get that chance.

When he left Moladian, however, he found himself in a whole new world and assassins were mostly loners, calling themselves killers because they got good at it. He learned that they played the long game and believed in an infinite measure of patience to ultimately get what they want. He learned how to play the long game too, just so he could get in their heads when he came back to Moladian. He played around a little with it when he was gone, challenging assassins he would run across to a spar and then turning it deadly after he'd seen a little of what they could do. He liked pitting himself against the killers and coming out on top. He would push a little more with each blow, watching their face change the minute they realized this wasn't just for practice. He would let it sink in and then he would attack again and see what they were really made of, watch them turn from confident attacker to fighting for survival. It was quite fun to watch.

He didn't see his way of life as unnatural. It was all he'd ever known. When other pups were being brought elk and venison to eat, he was being brought wolf legs and ears to chew on. It was his parents' diet and they would either eat what was brought or starve. And so he developed a taste for it. He didn't know until he hunted around others and saw their reactions that it wasn't their way, but it didn't make it unnatural to him. His parents still hunted this way and so did his siblings. How could it be anything but natural for him? As was this whole game he was playing with the assassin who had followed him from Diveen, the one who had tried to make him a prisoner. He enjoyed making them feel paranoid, leaving his scent as a reminder that there were still monsters out there.

He knew that Pine and Orion had spoken shortly and decided to steer clear of each other's borders. It was probably best that way, but Diveen still didn't now where Kattari was and this wolf was probably hoping he would lead him right to her. Cuirass was not so naive. The moment he saw the red and white of his coat, he knew who this wolf was. Not his name, but the more important aspects. He was of Diveen and an assassin. He was probably related to the alpha's son, perhaps a brother or something, and he wanted justice. He smirked as the wolf responded and he chuckled.

"Well I figure our game of silence isn't getting us anywhere so we might as well have a conversation while we're hunting. Should pass the time, anyway, don't you think?"

He turned, tilting his head in amusement at the wolf, his blues eyes twinkling as he gave him a smirk. Then the wolf asked an abrupt question and he chuckled again, shaking his head as he raised a brow at him.

"Wow, straight to the point. I thought assassins were supposed to be smooth like honey. Guess you fell a little short in that class. So let me teach you something else."

He took a bold step toward the wolf, ears pricked and fur still smoothed but his eyes darkened for a moment as his tail gave a daring wave over his back.

"Why would I tell you shit when you're not being very generous yourself, hm? It's a give and take world out there, clay boy, so might as well put a cork in that gimme attitude you've got going. Why don't you start by telling me why my name was in the hat?"