"Real wolves only have packs when cornered and kept captive. Werewolves always have packs. Maybe that says something. Maybe philosophy is a waste of time. Anyone's guess."

"Are you and Scott in a pack together then?"

"Uh. I don't think we can be. He's not an alpha."

"You're not in the same pack with somebody else as alpha?"

"Scott doesn't have a pack, and I have Derek."

"Why doesn't he have a pack? Or should I be asking him? Or not asking him, I have no idea what the etiquette here is, stop me if I'm being rude or something."

"Derek killed his alpha, and then Scott rejected Derek, and Derek didn't force him to join his pack."

Blink.

"...That sounds like a story."

"Family stuff. Not my business, really. Ask Scott."

"Okay. " She tilts her head curiously. "Do you want to see the first time I met Ellayania?"

"Yeah, sure. Could be fun."

She smiles and holds out her hand.

He takes it.

And then he is standing at the foot of a mountain pass, peaks towering in the distance behind him. In front of him stretches a watery lowland, wreathed in dense fog. He can see the tops of trees poking up here and there. He feels a sense of satisfaction, anticipation. He's traveled a long way to get here. Smiling, he resumes walking.

The fog wraps around him, cutting visibility to near nothing. It's cold, he shivers slightly despite his warm clothes. He hears a muted splash as something large enters the water nearby. Then from everywhere and nowhere, a voice rings out.

"Hello there. I don't get too many visitors coming in over the mountains. Most people take a ship."

He starts when the voice begins, but quickly pulls himself together.

"I don't really get along so well with oceans," he says.

"I see." The voice is amused. "What brings you to my domain, then? Or have you come by accident?"

"Curiosity, mostly. And I was bored of deserts."

"From Raezenoth, then? That is quite a trip, young one. I applaud your determination. Allow me to guide you towards the town."

Off to his left, the fog rolls back, revealing a pathway.

And then he's back in Scott's house, Pascale has taken her hand back and is smiling at him.

"And that's how it happened!"

"Curiosity and determination, huh? I don't think I'm her type. Good for you though. Must be nice to have a god on your side, someone powerful who you can agree with on stuff." 

"She likes people with a desire to learn, who ask questions. She's usually able to answer them, too. But even if you're not specifically a knowledge-seeker yourself, as long as you understand and have respect for the drive, she would welcome you."

"Curiosity was the kind of thing my dad put me downstairs for. It's perfectly nice for other people to have. Do you want to try doing any non-acolyte things? I can play some music, that's probably a little different." 

...Whoops.

"Yeah, music would be nice."

He takes out his phone.

"This is classical music, all instrumental. This one was composed by Chopin, it was my dad's favorite."

And he plays it.