As of late, Caiaphas had been lonely in her grotto. Having grown accustomed to the pups' presence, it was a stark realization that she was alone once the two of them evolved a sense of independence. Larus had departed the tunnel's reach and Caiaphas often found him under the lengthy boughs of Sequoias. Kevlyn, being younger, was more accessible to Caiaphas -- though insecurely she felt as of late their bond had waned considerably.

Which is why today she sought him -- carrying with her in the most gentle of manners a feather secured in her tentatively closed jaws. It was the brilliant remex feather of a Gryfalcon she had secured in Gryfalcon's keep -- scarcely right before Autumn had confronted her. It was meticulously kept, though regrettably Caiaphas had dinged it during her travels. Spotting Kevlyn lurking not so far off, she trotted gaily towards him, her small chest puffed and haughty head held proudly upright as she loftily bore the small gift to the child.

Kevlyn was quick to submit as Caiaphas drew closer -- inwardly, Caiaphas was grateful for his presence. He was young, but he was fast growing -- and already the silver-toned boy possessed an impeccable sense of self and maturity. These qualities doubtless made him invaluable to the Sound -- and much like Spyridon, Kevlyn was a most admirable asset to the Nereides wolves.

Softly she slackened her pose, adopting an air of ambivalence. With a gentle swoop of her sharp muzzle she dropped the feather and it fluttered in the air, tapering about under the ocean spray's impetus. As it settled towards the sand Caiaphas stepped back, making it clear her purpose in seeking him out had been to give him the feather. She was unsure how he would receive it -- and to spare him the pain of pretending to like it if he did not, she strode down the shoreline.

Caiaphas didn't have a reason, truly, for why she had brought the feather to Kevlyn. She had found it, and instantly coveted it -- but then she recalled the youth and his penchant for trinkets. It was not a strange habit, she thought -- it would certainly prove useful later on in his adult life. Being somewhat of a hoarder, she found his proclivity for collection quite endearing.

"No reason." The Siren Queen said affably, turning back to the water's edge. She was quite content to walk along the swashline and feel the icy water against her toes -- anything to distract her from the awkward affection she had just displayed.

The sea-witch turned upon the silver-framed youth, her expression somewhat clouded. This had been no test of Kevlyn's resolve -- though he showed well his training in a most ardent fashion. Such discipline deserved a reward -- such refrain was admirable -- doubly so for a wolf of his age.

"It was not a test." She replied simply, almost whimsically -- as if she, the Siren Queen, could never devise such a manipulative scheme. "Besides, you wouldn't dare reject a Queen's token of esteem... would you?" The shithead rebutted, a tender smile issued as if sugar wouldn't possibly melt in her deceiving trap.

Caiaphas watched as the youth wrestled with his training and courtesy -- it was certainly a dilemma, though it had not been an intentional one. When Kevlyn's ears sagged with doubt she rallied herself to speak -- but it appeared she needn't, as he mumbled his gratitude into the biting wind.

"It is not an honour if you earn it." Caiaphas twitched her tail, her expression benign despite its normal pall of unkindness. She was pleased he had accepted the token -- but she was even more pleased that Kevlyn, thus far, had been a shining example for all all wolves of their creed to follow.