Bramblepoint Bring that summer on your shoulders

When her noble head lifted, Shrike's breath caught in his throat; so striking were her looks, still, that he was reminded of the first day he'd set eyes on her. No more than two or three words had passed between them, when they'd both lived at the Caldera, but he'd become enamoured with her immediately. If nothing else, the search for Lucy had been a means for him to track her down once more- an excuse to peruse the valley in search of the woman who'd caught his eye the first moment she'd come into his view. And here she was before him again, and he felt as if he was in a dream, reliving the first moment he'd laid eyes on her. 

He could see the stiffness in her pose- she didn't move away, yet, but she did not dare to look around thoroughly either and he felt a heaviness in his heart. There was a fright that had seeped into her lissome frame like shadows creeping across a field in the evening. In that moment, he wanted nothing more than to rush forward and reassure her- but something held him back and caused him to remain quiet for just a moment longer. If he was indeed in a dream, he did not want to disturb himself from it and cause her image to fade from view. 

Slowly, he moved forward, head lowered and ears turned back slightly as though to apologize and seek forgiveness. There was no mistaking it now- this was his Allure, standing before him, wind ruffling the soft fur along her jawline. He voiced his presence again, as he simultaneously came to a halt, chuffing an affectionate, pleading note and flicking his ears forward, begging her not to flee. Turn and see me, He begged silently, terrified that any move might startle her and send her fleeing into the distance.