The thought of Mirabelle so close by was like an itch he couldn't scratch. On top of the itches he could, and is, scratching. Étoille had awoken rather restless for once - perhaps because of these literal and metaphorical itchings - and decided to take a quick trip.

The Rauna does not intend to stay for long - merely to establish Mirabelle's health, ensure their connection stay. His trip is slowed only slightly by the near-constant need to scratch, though being a creature of great self control, he does not let it deter him too much. Perhaps on his return he will pay Portia a visit, if the irritation has not abided by then.

This is a personal trip, not business; nonetheless he represents Drageda and so the  stately titan remains a respectful distance from Morningside's borders, letting loose a call for his ... friend, oblivious to the fact of her departure.

It is not Mirabelle who responds but Grayday, the alpha he met prior. Truthfully the titan's opinion of him remains .. poor is a strong word, but ambivalent, at most. However he seems friendly enough here and Étoille offers a friendly nod and a "bonjour," even as he can't resist peering past the smaller man to see if a white femme has materialized.

She has not. The Rauna gives his side a quick scratch. "Mirabelle told me she was staying here," he explains, then thinks to add, "we traveled together briefly, before I joined Drageda." He does not add 'and I am fond of her', though it's writ clearly in his expression.

 The news Grayday delivers is... a disappointment that falls heavy in the titan's chest. Here is a man who has long lived by placing no judgement on the actions of others - who has merely let the chips fall where they lay. And yet, this one time, he is unhappy with the outcome.

 A few weeks, the Alpha elaborates. "That was when I saw her last as well," he murmurs. Had she not made it back after their rendezvous? It was a short trip - but she was injured. As he fumbles through these details his expression is unreadable. Absently, he itches. "She said she did not wish to be a bother," Étoille says, finally. He doubts she would have perished in the short distance back to Morningside - not without her body being discovered. No, it is more likely she took it upon herself to slip away. A .. regrettable choice, perhaps.

Feeling somewhat awkward now (and a little sad, truth be told), the Rauna shifts his weight from foot to foot. "Did you recover your wife?" he asks for the sake of conversation, remembering their last encounter. It seems many wolves go missing in the Teekons.

He does not pick up on Grayday's tone, nor would it occur to him to place the blame at Morningside's feet. After all, Mirabelle had made it quite clear they took good care of her. In spite of the alpha's nevermind, Étoille hums. "I agree. She is just that way," he says, simply.

The graytoned male answers negatively, but does not seem bothered by his wife's continued absence. He remembers the desperate look on the man's face last they met, and wonders briefly what caused the change of heart. He does not wonder too deeply, though. It is none of his business, even if he is curious. Were there not children involved? "I see," the Rauna says. "Oui," he answers with a warmer expression - not quite a smile but close as the titan usually gets. "She is recovering with her family now," he adds, though does not bother elaborating what that means. After all, the story is tedious, and Étoille knows little of the players. 

The beast glances over his shoulder. He has barely arrived, but.. if Mirabelle is gone, he has no particular excuse to linger. "Thank you for telling me about Mirabelle," he says, genuine, and ready to conclude their conversation. "I hope all else is well with your pack."

Grayday does not get the hint. He does, however, deliver a somewhat absurd theory that momentarily causes Étoille to pause. It is not that he disregards the idea of any superstition, but, a curse...? 

His doubts do not show in his face. "She is a mother," he hedges, "though her children are nearly grown." The Rauna does not know their ages exactly, but they are around choupinou's -- though, he realises guiltily, he does not really know her age either. 

While only a moment ago he'd been eager to leave, the titan cannot resist: "how many?" curious as to what could have lead the otherwise stable-seeming leader to come to such an absurd conclusion. Perhaps more than just his young wife has vanished. 

 Eight. He gives his side a contemplative itch. That is quite a few. Perhaps he can't blame the man for thinking of a curse. Speaking on the subject seems to have upset the male, though Étoille does not blame him for that, either. He lowers his paw, already feeling another itch begin, and dips his head. "Bien sûr," the titan murmurs, "au revoir."

 The Rauna does not linger. He lifts his head once more and turns, slightly disheartened as he heads back to Drageda.