Hushed Willows i won't let you fall tonight

Despite that comfortable was not something that Ghost often allowed himself he acknowledged that he felt it here and now. He allowed himself to feel it in her presence. The last time he had felt so relaxed was with Phiipa but for vastly different reasons. Phiipa had taken on the burden of commanding him and it had been relaxation borne of sheer relief with the false belief that he would have purpose, that he would serve and that he was useful to her will and demands. He did not seek Banner for the same purpose as he had sought the false golden angel, his former Vladelets. Banner was different than Phiipa. She was not something that he understood. All he knew was that it had nothing to do with him wanting to fill The Officer's vacant place. He wanted to be near Banner because he wanted it — not because the lost, broken dog that had been The Officer's creation needed it.

Her admittance was an honest one, Ghost realized, his quicksilver gaze flitting back to her when she spoke, missing that she'd been studying him. While Banner had studied him he'd been scanning the treeline around them subtly, hyper-vigilant despite how at ease he felt. By all rights he shouldn't have felt at ease here, in claimed lands of a pack he did not belong to. Yet, he believed Banner when she had assured him she would take care of it. In reality, he hadn't trespassed, he'd been invited in and beyond that there was an unseen power in her small stature. Ghost could not quite pinpoint what made him think that but it was there nevertheless and he had long since learned to not question his instincts.

She was beautiful but everyone knew that beauty could be deadly. Besides, he was not incapable of taking care of himself. He did not fear for his life — but he never had. Failure had never been an option with The Officer because failure meant death. Failure was the end of the line. “There are plenty of owls prowling the night, or ravens,” Ghost spoke, canting his head ever so slightly to the side. “and colorful songbirds.” So in reality, her choice was unlimited. Songbirds would not leave anything for her to place within a cache but one of the larger birds might. “If you can't choose I could just surprise you.” Though he did not wish to get her feathers she would not like but that was the chance he would (maybe) have to take. “I think it's impressive.” Ghost admitted in a soft murmur, glimpsing past her to the crane feather she had procured to show him that she had, indeed, kept it before slowly his gaze moved back to her where it settled.