Aure had come up from the shores hours ago, having stayed out in the elements for the better part of the evening. Those who had spoken to her earlier had been able, to some extent, allieve the self-ridden guilt that had occupied her mind. Perhaps it would always linger, in the back of her too-feeling mind. Hell if she knew.

What she did know, despite her hurting conscience, was that she wanted to mingle. Actually mingle. The brana who was so isolated, so unassumingly hiemal, now was Drakru—and wanted to interact. Learn. Grow not just with herself, anymore, but with others. For all her life, she had only ever placed the importance of survival on Vonnaruil or herself—but after that outing with Tux... she wasn’t just concerned with herself, now. Her own survival didn’t matter anymore. The survival of the time and of the memories she’ll create with Drageda matter more than anything. Mean more than anything.

For now, she would put her brother out of mind, and figure out how to subdue Rakk later.

Now, she slowly traced her way around the gleaming expanse of the winter lake; making use of her long, long legs to flurry from boulder to boulder and creating a little game out of it, she supposed. How long had it been since she’d really smiled, or laughed? How many years had swept by since she’d really had... fun?

Probably a mere stepping stone to most was more-so a ravine to the kru. She wavered on the spot, icicle-claws biting into stone; but her legs should be willowy enough... Lost to herself, she dared to lean further and paw at the obstacle that seemed so far away from her.

Brows notching in concentration, she readied herself as she skittered back as far as she was able to on her snowy claim. In a blink, two reaches, and surge of energy carrying, careening her forward, her plush paws hit the seemingly-impossible crag in a soft rush of snow and triumph. A rare peal of elation left her, looking towards her legs in utter delight. She could always trust herself.

Plain to say, she didn’t notice heda until she turned around, gloating and simpering and all to herself. ”H-Heda,” she squeaked, smug expression vanishing to replace one of timid and trying a hand at being innocent. Hasting off of her new victory, she came to rest on even ground with the regina. ”I was just, ehm, training. Da, training.”

At Antumbra's words, About to reply, her voice died in her throat as she watched heda take up her former place, and began to... For a moment, Aure stood there, taken aback and unsure. But when Antumbra looked over her shoulder expectantly, she was quick to follow; her mood just as feather-light as it'd been before but subdued for heda's sake as well.

Following suit, her limbs grasped for every landing, until she had deftly come to rest by her shoulder as well. "I agree," she breathed, looking up at the dark female. The soft light of morning limned out their contrasting selves - starlit gaze glancing up into one that seemed like a storm. After all that had happened, with the Sound, with Tux-- she gave a faint shake of her head. Not yet.

Instead, she simply piped, "Want to race?" although she hadn't given light to what would happen to the winner, or loser.

Aure nodded as well, loping from their residence and following heda's pawprints; on the way, she took her time, skipping into them so her smaller prints made an impression within the bigger. She bit her lip at it, suddenly embraced by giddiness despite being in the sea-queen's presence. When they'd chosen a spot as the 'starting line', she readied herself, head lowered and tail feathering with anticipation at her hocks.

When Antumbra'd situated herself as well, the pale kru took it upon herself to croon the countdown, "Three -- two -- one ... go!" And then she was pelting off, panting light and swift, letting her limbs stretch to greedily consume snow and loam. Reining in her drive as she scrambled upon the first rock, she went surging through the air to the second one, a bit clumsily and frazzled; an uncommon grin making itself known on her ivory face.

When she reached the (vague) point of the finish line, Aure looked over a shoulder to see how far heda had gotten—and her face crumpled into something rather sheepish, leaving her to lower her head with a bit lip. ”Oh, ah...” Waiting patiently for the dark she-wolf to catch up, before giving a modest flick of her tail and falling into step alongside Antumbra.

”How... how have you been faring?” the kru tried, and then started, as if stricken: ”How are your wounds? Have they been aggravating you? I can inspect them, if you would like me to.” Her bright eyes glanced over Antumbra’s battle-born form, a crease of concern deepening between her slim brows. But she held herself back; not wanting to seem ruthlessly fussing, but at the same time unable to not be.