For far too long, she had been waiting. Every pass over the borderlands she made she kept it in the back of her thoughts -- just in case she stumbled across evidence of his return. It had seemed plausible in the beginning, when hope had been brightest, that maybe he had come back tired and just slipped on it without a word, when smelling his passing over the threshold would ease her worries. Yet this never came, and days bled into one another with worry having plenty of time to grow.

So when his howl took to the skies, she had not been expecting it. In fact, she'd been napping fitfully on a sunny outcropping, but the howl had her promptly on her paws. She shook off the sleep as she gained momentum down the mountainside, only slowing when she spied the familiar sight of Summer.

While she closed distance between them, her eyes were quick to look him over in the event of any fur out of place. When he passed the initial once-over with nothing obviously amiss, her waving tail gained speed. He was littered with a menagerie of scents, so questions came accordingly, but the greetings would come first.

Rumbling happily and basking in the warmth of relief, she smeared an affectionate lick across his face, then settled back with a quiet but deeply sincere Welcome home..

She couldn't precisely account for exactly how long he'd been away, and only knew it had been long enough. Her tail swayed happily, as indeed, it had to be good to be back. But, she did understand the freedom of travels, and the thrill of exploration. Yet even they could scarcely compare to the comfort of home.

She settled back just a pace and flicked her ears casually as she thought of what all he'd want to know about and what all exactly he had missed. Relatively quiet. Jace had a run in with a senseless trespasser, probably just after you left.. but aside from that, peaceful. She omitted the details of his injuries, since they were not serious.. just almost particularly unfortunate for a male of his sort. Hunts have been successful here and there, Rain and Vienna intend to become healers.. And, ah, Tytonidae.. she is.. present but keeps to herself. I think she will be glad to know you are back, Ame said with a soft sigh, only wishing that she had more to give him regarding the former Plateau wolf, but she had allowed her to have her space in the meantime. She suspected she was hunting around the mountain by herself, for now and then, she would smell the dark juvenile near caches but had rarely crossed paths with her. I think your news is bound to be more eventful, she returned with a slow nod. Did you speak to Lasher?

He provided a lengthier look into Lasher's home life, and she canted her head subtly in interest. Ah, I had not expected that, she breathed, but, it was hardly a big surprise -- he was a wolf of manners and good conformation, so surely a female out there would find him desirable. Having his genes perpetuated into the future did not seem like a bad idea either. That was generous of them, to shelter him overnight and save him the trouble of traveling back just after arriving. Her opinion of the Plateau was already decent, so this was.. simply put, good.

She realized that Summer had got a tiny inside taste of how the Plateau was, and perhaps became better acquainted with some of its membership. Well, likely the ones directly involved with Lasher. This was also an indication of the Plateau's health as a whole, that surely, they were doing well enough in wintertime even to look forward to pups. She noted this all for further consideration.

What else did you see? We were.. a little worried when you were gone, she quipped lightly. Jace and her had discussed it a bit, and Vienna had kept her eyes and ears open on her own traveling, but everything had worked out. This was why she had tried not to fret all too much. He was plenty capable of surviving beyond the mountain.

She shook her head softly, and added a thoughtful chuff. Jace had almost convinced her to worry less but it was hard concerning certain individuals. Summer and Vienna had fallen alarmingly well into that category, so she appreciated his apology for what it was worth and decided not to say much more on it.

Ame then realized the tradeoff here, and Summer's good graces had likely earned him some further favor with the beta of the Plateau. Makes sense, she replied, pleased by his sensible reasoning. While she may not have gone to the extent to it, it was admirable all the same. Redhawk is a good bit south, yes? she had to ask. I am guessing you let him know Tytonidae is here too? Naturally, since she did not know Peregrine herself, she was too curious in this unexpected addition to the tale of Summer's travels.