Hushed Willows that's nice, that's a nice sentiment

This routine, comforting as it was, allowed her to drift mentally.  Just a little - just enough.  Banner moved along quietly, pausing to sniff here and there, while she walked the outskirts of Marauder's Keep.  Aside from fairly consistent cricketsong, the night had only been punctuated by bat cries so far.  No dangers were lurking about ready to steal their children and magically rot their caches and thus, there was no reason for her to be on guard.  Aside from the usual reasons, anyway.  Sniff here, move over there, scan the area, keep going.  It was routine, peaceful, and a perfectly lovely way to spend a lonely night.

But apparently she wasn't alone.

Banner started, her spine growing stiff at the unexpected chuff closeby.  The breath she'd sharply inhaled filled her lungs and didn't release until her wild gaze settled on Buchanan.  It came out in an unbecoming hiss and her eyelids fluttered as rapidly as her heart in an effort to calm herself.  Dramatic overreactions weren't usually her thing, but everyone else had been asleep!  Or so she thought.  Oh, she began in a breathy voice, .. sorry.  The fact that she'd apologized to him for being startled escaped her notice.

Um, no.  I'd.. I'd love some company, she finally answered.  The short female ducked her head a bit in appreciation of his submission, though she had to admit it felt a little strange.  Banner was a tiny thing next to Buchanan.  I was just doing some late night.. er.. patrolling?  Why did she feel the need to explain herself?  It was probably quite obvious to her silvery-eyed companion what she'd been up to.  Offering him a weak smile, she turned to continue on in the direction she'd been going.