Zara took in the appearance of the other wolf carefully. He appeared the be larger than average, and definitely larger than her, and she was was relatively short anyway. From his stance it was obvious to her that he had no desire to fight her, so that brought a small amount of comfort to the female.

She glanced away from the other, seeking out any other presences, but found none. It appeared to her that they were alone. She turned her attention back to the other as he confirmed that he was from the pack on the other side of the boarder, the Rilo Pack, as she had suspected. She nodded when he explained that he was remarking the boarder. She wasn't, as that wasn't part of her role as Guard. Usually it was the Warriors and those of higher ranks in her pack that remarked the scent boundary that separated the two packs.

Zara's ears went back for a moment and looked away in a show of subtle embarrassment at what the other remarked about her coat. Figuring it was better than she reply she turned her gaze back towards the other. "Um... Thank you. My parents did bless me with a lovely pattern on my pelt." It took her a moment, but she quickly realized that she didn't know the wolf's name, dispite him now know hers. "May I ask your name? It is only fair for me to know yours, as you neglected to mention it when you introduced yourself and since you know my own." Zara hoped that asking such a thing wasn't to forward of her towards the other, but who could blame her, she was curious.

"Indeed they did." He answered, still quite taken aback by the unusual coat. Hearing her rather curious question he mentally smacked his head. How rude am I?! He thought stupidly.

"Ah, yes of course, sorry, how rude of me."

He thought for a moment, considering whether to give the female his real name, or make up a fake. He decided that it would be no harm for her to know his real name, and so, choosing his words carefully, he responded to her question. "My name is Aspen." He felt their curiosity flowing in waves to and from each other, and immediately wanted to find out more about this wolf. He took a step closer, just a tiny paw movement to see how she would react. He moved closer to the border but was careful not to cross, otherwise mayhem would spark.

Taking another pawstep he halted about a tail length from the borderline, still looking at Zara.

Zara watched the male on the other side of the boarder as he seemed to contemplate something. She wasn't sure what, but when he answered her question she guessed it had to do with her inquiry about what his name was. From what she could tell of his expression when he gave her his name, he had given her his real name.

She smiled softly at the other, Aspen as he had introduced himself. "Your name is lovely. It's nice to meet you Aspen." As she spoke her eyes tracked his movement as he approached the boarder. She watched him stop shy of the boarder. She tilted her head in a curious manner, she could, of course, sense his curiosity since she herself was curious.

Zara hesitated for a moment before stepping a small about farther away from the boarder, before moving towards the boarder. She wasn't sure what she was supposed to do, but figured mirroring Aspen wouldn't cause any problems. She stopped and sat down a few paw steps away from the boarder, though it was quite clear she wouldn't be moving closer to the boarder, lest she start some argument that led to a fight among the two packs. "How long have you been a warrior? I know that it takes much still and effort to become a warrior in my pack, and I assume it is similar if not the same in yours." Zara wasn't sure why she asked the question, but she couldn't think of a reason she shouldn't of have, so she didn't seem the harming in have asked Aspen. She gaze held curiousity more than anything and her head no longer held the tilt that it had previously when she was stepping towards the boarder and sitting down. Once again the female sought other presences still without the assured knowledge of if they were alone or not.

He watched her with a kind sprakle in his eye as she neared the border. There is no harm in this. Is there? He thought precariously to himself. He nodded in gratitude at her comment about his name and indicated the same to her.

He glanced around before turning back to look at the interesting female, a weird feeling in his stomach as he looked at her.

"How long have you been a warrior? I know that it takes much still and effort to become a warrior in my pack, and I assume it is similar if not the same in yours."


He watched her closely and then nodded, before clearing his throat. "Yes, we go through many trials, and sort of, apprentice type stages to make surethat only the best of the best protect the pack. How did you become a guard?"

Zara listened to the other as he gave a vague summary of what it had taken him to become a gaurd in his pack. Perhaps it wasn't vague to Aspen, however to her it seemed that way. Dismissing the thought that seemed to plague her about him not trusting her, because why would he trust her they had only met for the first time a minute ago.

When Aspen posed the question of how Zara had become a guard she let of a soft humming sound of acknowledgement as she tried to figure out how best answer answer said question. While she felt at ease with the male, he had given her a vague answer. Dispite this, Zara felt that she should elaborate to some extent, however, not by to much.

"Well," the she wolf started, "I never truly wanted to be a warrior, fighting wasn't and still isn't something that I feel appealing and wouldn't like to dedicate my life to. That doesn't mean I don't know how to fight, or can't, just that I prefer not to." Zara paused for a moment trying to figure out her next words carefully, "With that eliminated, there were only a few options, and well, being a gaurd just seemed right. I spent much time as a mentee, and learned the dos and don'ts of being a guard. Once a few seasons had passed, I was no longer a mentee and became a watched. A sort of cautionary position where I was evaluated while completing my duties without the help of my mentor. Once passed the watched stage, I became a fully trained guard, tasked specifically, however not solely, with boarder inspection." Her voice carried a small amount of pride, showing that she was more than happy with where she was and what she had accomplished in her lifetime. She did hope, realizing now, that her previous words about warriors being all about fighting might cause some offense to the Aspen, who was a guard. Granted he wasn't part of her pack, and it was unlikely he would start anything lest he be the one to break the tenuous peace between the packs, but still, Zara did not wish to cause any offense towards the other and hoped silently that he wouldn't take what she had said negatively.