Ankyra Sound there's an aching inside

the sharp yellow of her gaze trailed over kierkegaard like a hawk, curious and at the same time knowing. indeed she had noted the changes to his form, the slightness of his fur's disarray -- something about him seemed more chaotic than she remembered.

but she would not voice it, or give this apparent weakness the trouble of muttering it into the world. as far as she was concerned he was famine-battered, as were the all -- and the course of nature's harshness was nothing to be ashamed of.

his statement, however, drew surprise from her. he had been independent of her for so long that the prospect of him absconding into her fold seemed imaginary or unrealistic. but she was not dreaming, or hallucinating -- he was here before her plain as the sand beneath her feet.

"what circumstances caused this?" she inquired -- as if the circumstance would make any difference. as far as she was concerned he was an ally, and there was no better place for an ally than within her pack.