Sharp the air that surrounded the dew-clad figure, breath rushing out in small fogs of chilled breath. Paws pressed gently upon the path he trod upon, eyes wide open, lantern held within his jaws. Gaze cutting to the lamp-post in front of his residence, the male would detach the metal rod from the side of the lamp-post, hooking it gently in his paws before setting down his lantern and taking the long rod down with his jaws. Fixed to the end of the rod was a long candle, held sideways, the wick burnt. Lowering it to himself, he opened the door of his little lantern.

Letting the candles within his lantern light the long wick with a few sparks from the moisture upon the foreign candle. Once it had been lit, he carefully moved the rod before tipping his head with rod in mouth, leaning on his forepaws against the lamp-post, newly lit candle joining its sheltered brethren far above in the bowl of wax and wicks. There, the wicks caught the fuse given by their brother before the giving candle was removed and brought to the ground to be blown out behind a sheltered paw. Confirming the candle as out, he slipped the rod back into it's home, closing his lantern and picking it up once more.

Jasper was used to the early mornings, well, late nights, really. He was usually awake before even the bakers, too restless to sleep at night. Looking back to his own home, he would give an easy exhale before walking around to the side of his home, to get the well pumping. He was lucky to have a well of his own so close to home - it certainly helped him look after his patients and if there was something wrong with the main wells, his could serve as a backup. Setting down his lantern upon his doorstep, he retrieved the bucket before splashing the water onto the small herb and flower garden surrounding the outer perimeter of his home. Giving a soft smile, he would greet his plants, "Good morning, little sprouts. I know it's too early for you to show your pretty faces, but I'll give you your drink now.", he was used to being alone in the mornings, it was one of the few joys he reveled in. The morning was his time - something he could rule alone and without care. Perhsps he should see if any other plants on his plot needed some water?

The smell of ink and cinnamon hung on the air as Mari approached, the scent combination as odd as ever. The serval had been out for a walk around the territory, rich brown eyes taking in everything as she walked along. The head of the Caddo family had not been within the Houses of Halcyone for very long, at this point. A couple of weeks, perhaps? She couldn't remember exactly, but it was difficult to forget that she was an outsider. Considering she hadn't been assigned to a house yet, most looked at her with scorn from afar, as if she was somehow a threat, or lesser than them. She never paid them any mind, however, perfectly content with being herself. She would choose a house when she felt ready, and no sooner. Perhaps that made her stubborn, or foolish... but she'd rather be both of those things, than trapped in a house that she didn't truly care for. It was an interesting predicament to be in, and something that had been occupying her thoughts quite often the last few days.

While pondering this, Mari didn't even seem to notice she had arrived on someone's land, before an unfamiliar voice reached her. Looking up, the serval paused as she tried to figure out who exactly the hound was. A lot of names had been tossed at her when she first arrived, many of them long and confusing. She remembered his first name, at the very least. Jasper... it was a nice one. He was the lord of House... well, that she couldn't remember. All she remembered was that he was a lord, which intrigued her. Perhaps learning more about him would put her one step closer to deciding her own house.

With this in mind, the wanderer drew closer, sitting down nearby and simply looking over the garden that the other had cultivated. The various herbs and flowers cultivated within it certainly brought back memories, but she decided not to dwell on that for now. No point in living when you were always reminiscing about the past, after all. Instead, she turned her attention to Jasper, clearing her throat before offering him a calm and casual smile. She spoke in a friendly manner, her fluffy tail flicking behind her, "Hello there. You're... Jasper, right? I remember hearing your name a couple of weeks ago, when I first arrived. I'm not sure if I heard it from you, though. Quite a lot of names were being thrown at me then..." Everyone had seemed to want her to know every single house head as soon as possible, even though she had been exhausted and now struggled to remember any of them. Shaking her head briefly from side to side, the feline continued, "Anyways... I was just wandering when I stumbled across your home. Your garden is very lovely... Mari Caddo, by the way." Her speech was a bit disjointed, but that was mainly because she was trying to get everything out at once. To explain her presence on his lands, hopefully without upsetting him.

The scent of cinnamon was first to reach him, a scent he hadn't expected to find in his garden. Entwined with the spice was the scent of ink, which was what immediately caught his attention. Ink and cinnamon? It could only be one of the newer faces on the grounds. He wouldn't have to wait long for the brown-shaded owner to reveal herself, his crooning gentle to his plants as he carried his bucket about.

Setting it down as he greeted the serval with a warm smile, "Yes my dear, I'm Jasper. I may have been around when you joined, though it was rather chaotic. Everyone's so interested in what happens in the Houses.", he would chuckle with a soft wave of his paw in dismissal. It was amusing really, how often the others sought to have everyone know of the Houses, it was almost as if they were afraid that the newcomers would offend a House. It was hard to offend the Lords and Ladies, or at least it was hard to offend him and most who knew their true occupation ... they preferred the course of flattery.

He would come closer to get a better look at her, the early hours still trying to light the sky in it's awakening. "It's my pleasure to meet you formally, Mari Caddo. Thank you for the compliments, I'm sure the flowers are happy to hear them as well.", he smiled as he glanced around them. His ears swiveled as he heard Becca's pawsteps, his head turning as his friend approached before responding in a matter-of-fact voice, "You aren't normal either, Bex. In fact I do not believe it was I who woke you.", there rested an easy grin on his face.

"I'll show you harmless, Madam.", he teased before turning his gaze back to Mari, "This amputee is Becca. She's one of my closest confidants, and a friend from a young age. She is right about my baking habits, however dreadful that it is that she blurts it out so early in the morning. Would you like to come inside for tea and biscuits, or a proper breakfast?", he asked warmly towards Mari with a playful eye roll towards Becca. He truly was easy going on the outside, even when inside of his head was in turmoil.