Relief swept like a stream through Rogan when the poltergeist before him did not attempt to run. Actually, this male appeared completely at ease in the presence of a true vampire; Rogan detected no ripe tang of fear mingling with the stranger’s scent, nor did he note any aggressive spiking of ivory hackles or overt tensing of muscles preparing to flee or fight. That was a good sign, right? The russet prince did not want to recruit members into Caidir by force… but he absolutely would, if necessary. He and Diosa did not have the luxury of taking over a pack already inhabited by mortals. The desperation of their current situation pursued Rogan like some invisible beast constantly snapping at his heels. As long as he could simply talk to this hessian, a possibility existed wherein he could convince him to support Caidir Olc. “I am glad I did not disturb you, then” the midnight predator admitted, his shoulders visibly slumping as if allowing a great weight to slide from them to the ground. “Sometimes people scream and try to escape. It’s so awkward when they do that…”

It took a moment for Rogan to register the perplexed expression on the other male’s face. Honestly, what probably tipped the rather thick-headed soldier off was the fact that this alabaster gladiator had not responded after his initial utterance. Dull red eyes - mere stones compared to Rogan’s blazing fires - stared blankly out across the space between them as if Rogan’s words had suddenly been translated into gibberish. The vampire’s ears went back, hellish portals narrowing into an annoyed glower. How much more clear could he have been? He and Diosa needed a home - and packs needed members to be packs. These Blossom Forest wolves were woefully complicated compared to the family Rogan had left behind to make a life here. In his homeland, his people were… blunt. Literal. They said what they meant and did not waste time with flowery script or nonsense. If this fellow needed Rogan to clarify… first of all, the rust-shaded dragga saw no need. He had almost repeated his desire to form a faction when the white stranger finally opened his trap again.

“So what makes you want me to join?”

A short surprised bark of laughter jumped from the vampire’s broad chest. Rogan’s demeanor switched immediately from peeved to pleased, glad that this man had asked a question he could answer. “Why not? You are healthy and strong. I smell no disease on you. Nor do I smell another territory, so you are unattached in terms of loyalty. You did not greet me with terror or hatred, so you must not hold any grudge against my kind… and that is more important than you know. Not many are as brave as you. They would not treat my alphess with the respect she deserves.” He glared again, scarlet irises flaring in brightness, silently daring the ivoro to make an argument against his excellent logic or say something even remotely negative about Diosa. “The truth is,” Rogan continued in a deep rumble that bordered on a growl, “if I wanted to, I could grasp your mind with mine and make you join us. I could bite you now, and let my venom determine if you live or die tonight.” Another eruption of laughter, this one a hearty boom that echoed jarringly in the shadow of his true, sinister threat. He offered a genuine smile, tail wagging slightly. “But I will do none of those things! So you see that I am also a good wolf, and would make a good ally if we lived in the same territory.”

He dared shuffle a massive paw forward, hoping to somehow convince the stranger of his earnestness. “You’re uncertain,” the leech muttered, his grin falling away in favor of seriousness - for he was serious at his core. “How else can I win you over? Do you worry that I don’t know enough about you to be extending this invitation so blithely? The truth is I don’t fear you, and neither would my alphess. You are no threat to us whatsoever.” Bared fangs glittered in the darkness - not to intimidate the pale ghost, but to make it clear that Rogan was not speaking out of unfounded cockiness. “Do you doubt your own worth as a contribution to any pack? Then never fear, for all we need right now is numbers. Every skill, every talent, would just be an extra perk at this point.” Rogan had been creeping steadily closer, pausing only if and when his conversational partner tried to back away or showed signs of anxiety. “Some wolves envy a vampire’s abilities. Our strengths. If you perhaps wanted to become one of us… I can promise you that no other bloodsucker in this land would be a better sweoster than my alphess. Or even myself. Neither of us would make slaves of you, as other masters might. And a vampire in our ranks would never, ever fear going hungry.”