There was a feeling that seemed to rise from the depths of her chest whenever she found herself in the male's presence. It was similar to how she'd felt towards the elders in her place of birth, for within the ever-burning flame she could detect an unquestionable respect, but beyond that it seemed... strange. It was greater than what was felt towards the ones who'd taught her, the feeling being something beyond that which her mind could reach. It was not something meant to be understood, only accepted, which normally she would have no qualms with. With Noctura, however, she felt herself wishing so desperately for answers. That someday soon she might wake to find all of her unasked queries had been answered, in spite of her rational side declaring such a thought to be the ramblings of a fool.

It was difficult, to say the least, when it came to pushing her feelings to the side and out of view. While she was well versed in the art of neutrality, something about the ember burning within made it impossible to be smothered. It was special, she'd eventually come to realize, and didn't wish to leave her. There was little more she could do aside from blindly accept it, and yet the girl continued to try and give herself an alternate route. Another way out, if you will, that might enlighten her to exactly what it was that was going on within her. It was not her mind that burned, it was not Draco, but her chest—never before had something of the sort happened, leaving her somewhat confused, but also comforted.

Asterr was welcomed back into the real world as the deep baritones of her companion seemed to caress her ears, placing her usual, soft smile right across her maw. "Never can we leave behind our past selves," the girl began, looking to him. "We can try to forget them, to move on from them, but a piece will always linger. I do not believe your actions were shameful, they were merely an echo of the self you are trying to leave behind." No matter, he had remained Noctura throughout the entire ordeal, he had remained her dear friend. "I do not condone violence—this is something you already know—but... I cannot say I am upset with your actions against the ridge wolves." It had been for the protection of the tribe, after all. Noctura had tried to do what she'd been unable to accomplish. He had tried to protect them all, even with the price of spilt blood having been left to dangle over his head.

Within the vast world, little things ever appeared of great danger to the girl. It was her upbringing, perhaps, the cause behind her lack of fear, that drove her to see few threats in her midst. She was not oblivious, anything but, actually, but merely preferred the good of the earth, rather than the bad. Her thought process was strange, to some degree, but oddities were the equivalent of norms to her. She had to stifle a chuckle at the male's words, if only because, to her, he couldn't be any more wrong.

"I could never picture you as being a danger to keep amongst us," the girl voiced, stealing a glance his way. "Instincts may drive us, even protect us at times, but that does not mean we are unable to fight against them." That's to say, on the off chance he ever lost control, she felt confident in his ability to harm no one within the tribe. "I know you will not harm me, nor any others within our home. You may think otherwise, but I... I am certain you could never do such a thing." As far as Asterr was concerned, she had all the necessary evidence to support her theory, too. It had been instincts controlling him during the encounter with their old neighbours, and yet, never had he turned his anger upon his fellow tribe mates. Even when she'd recklessly placed herself between him and the dark leader, he'd stopped in his tracks, rather than bulldozing right through her. Whether he'd realized it or not, Noctura possessed control, and such was a belief the dragoness would never let go of.

There was also another matter, or perhaps it was several. "I trust you, Noctura. I trust your judgement, your actions, that you would never turn on any of us." She couldn't even imagine him acting in such a way strongly enough that her opinion might be changed. "I value your presence here, too. I am certain that you will never cause trouble for us, and I could never imagine you leaving." Asterr did not want for him to leave, even on the off chance that it might be best for her tribe. Never in her life had she been selfish before, but where the man was involved... she felt herself deserving of serving herself, even if it was only a small bit.

Never before had she doubted his loyalty to the tribe, and never would she need to. He had stated that he would never leave them, she had heard it clearly, clinging to each individual word. The thought alone that someday he might decide to depart left her feeling hollow, to sum it up, and made her want to ensure such a thing would never happen. If at any time that meant turning a blind eye, she knew she wouldn't do anything but exactly that. Of course, she was not convinced that he would ever give her a reason to do so, which allowed for her to focus better on the present. Between the words he said and his presence at her side—she felt she could ask for nothing more, for she knew not what else to ask for. "Hearing you say that makes me feel... euphoric," she'd murmured soon after, flashing to him a quick smile before looking ahead once more. It had felt strange to say such a thing, as well as understated. The knowledge of his plans to stay made her feel something that she could neither describe in words nor motions, and that made her certain that he was an important being in her life.

As it often went, the topic of conversation was directed her way, and she did not fight it. While speaking to the man about his thoughts and plans was, perhaps, a favourite activity of hers, Asterr knew she could not simply take. For balance to be achieved, one must give back for all that they've taken away, and such was a principle that she would not turn her back against. "That is true," the girl had mused. "Is there anything in particular that you would like to speak about?" There she paused in her steps, looking to him with a gentle tilt of her head. He was given the reins of the conversation, for she'd silently offered to him a chance at bringing forth any topic he very so pleased. Truthfully, the dragoness was quite interested to hear what he might come up with, as her expression displayed rather clearly.

It was true that she'd answer nearly anything, if only because the question would have come from him. She wished not to keep anything from the man, but for why she was not certain. It was something she did not question, either, accepting it for what it was and carrying on from there. It'd do no good to question herself, of all beings, and she'd certainly never question him. He had quickly become one of her most trusted and loyal tribe members, and so for that, she would accept anything that arose whilst in his presence. Whether it be something so abstract that not a single word could be placed upon it, it did not matter. As long as Noctura was involved, she was well and at peace, feeling as if she could move through life as if on but a gentle breeze.

The question presented was one she'd not been expecting but, even still, needed little time to answer. "Draco." The name had rolled off her tongue with practiced ease, for the name had been apart of her life long before she'd even been conceived. He was a constellation, but also a mighty dragon, and he dwelled within her very being. Of all the stars that dotted the night skies, he would forever remain her favourite. With such thoughts, however, came her own curiosity. Moments after, she'd returned to him his own questions, asking, "Do you have a favourite as well?"

Never could she recall a single time in which she'd not favoured the dragon of the sky, for their existences were intertwined. She could never be upset with him, she could never claim another as being her favourite—there had only ever been Draco. As of late, however, things were changing. While the mighty beast remained her favourite, there was a close second in his midst. One of which he actually approved of, or so was what she'd concluded based upon her desire to be near to him whenever possible. It was Noctura, of course, for within him she could see a mighty presence, along with the soft nature she knew him to possess. Driven by instincts or not, she felt she knew the true him, and such was the being she'd unknowingly grown quite attached to.

When he'd mentioned having grown fond of Draco, too, she'd felt her heart flutter. It was an unusual sensation, and something that was entirely foreign to her. Still, no traces of her uncertainty were permitted upon her face, for she'd wished not to ruin their conversation by wondering aloud what it was that had caused such a thing. Instead, she'd focused upon her companion, eager to forget the feeling had ever been there. "I will admit that I know little of the stars and constellations," she'd voiced, speaking only after he'd finished his response. "Would you mind telling me more about them each night? I wish to learn of their meanings, just as I have learned of Libra's." Anything concerning dragons had been taught to her, as had everything relating to Draco in particular. The rest of the stars that filled the sky each night, however, remained unknown to her. They'd never been apart of her lessons, save for some insight as to how one might use Polaris to navigate during their travels.

Gleeful she had been upon hearing his words, for the proposition presented was easily accepted. It was she that should be honoured, or so was her belief. Once again, for perhaps the thousandth time in her short life, Asterr was to become the disciple. She did not mind that, especially when reminded that it would be Noctura teaching her. Each evening, when the stars came out to play, she would be with him. For each constellation that the night's sky housed, they would be at one another's side, gazing up at the images living above them and silently living the stories that came with each and every star. The thought alone was almost seductive, luring the yearling in quicker than anything before it ever had. To spend so many nights with the man that often claimed her thoughts was something she would never get over.

Like chimes that'd been kissed by the summer's first breeze, she'd tittered, charmed by his statement. "I do not believe that you ever will," she'd returned, assuring him that their time spent together would not be short-lived. "The stars will never run out of stories to share." For each night they'd do their dance across the Stygian sky, keeping the moon company as their tales were spun anew with each descent into darkness.

Words were no longer needed in that moment, as they could understand one another even in the night's silence. His expression brought to her a warm feeling, one that seemed to intertwine itself with her heart. In that moment, she was ever so glad, not only for the agreement they'd made but for the very fact that they stood in one another's company. The cause behind her feelings was unknown to her, still, but with each second they found themselves in, she could feel it growing. It was not fought against, but embraced, both by her and the dragon within. The serenity they could find in one another was approved by the ethereal creatures, which was all she'd ever needed to be sure that they were a wondrous pair.

For the rest of the night, she'd remained there with him, gazing up at the stars and relaxing in the comfortable silence they'd made for themselves. In the morning, she'd part from his side in order to attend to her duties, but until then she would not leave him for even a moment. In him, she'd found a lively soul, and with him, she'd discovered her heart.