Sunbeam Lair stroll the merry way

Away from the male had her gaze been turned, falling then onto her child. Of course, she’d abandoned the space behind the Chieftess, presenting herself fully to the outsider whilst offering an introduction. The scowl that marred her face was mimicked by Asterr’s own, the only difference being towards whom it was directed; Airi had acted without thinking by jumping out, and then displayed her usual rudeness towards their guest. Though peaceful by nature, she had half a mind to physically punish the girl. Of course, she hadn’t, the ability to control herself and unsightly urges having been mastered long ago. Instead, she’d only shaken her head slowly, a motion that would have been accompanied by several tsk’s had her tongue not been preoccupied with the task of forming legitimate words.

Looking back towards the masked fellow, her scowl was replaced by another small smile, welcoming but tired. “You did not cross into the lair, so you are fine,” was her response, lacking anger. He’d not entered her home uninvited, so, as far as she was concerned, he had nothing to apologize for. She would have liked to have heard something of the sort from Airi, however, but knew better than to hold her breath whilst waiting for said words; never would the girl speak them, she knew. They were similar in appearance, but their minds were so terribly different—Asterr nearly refused to claim the hatchling as being of her own flesh and blood, stopped only by the reminder that acting so immaturely would not encourage her daughter to behave better. It was with a nod that she’d answered him, saying, “She is.” There were days where she wished the blood connection to be severed, but never would she actually abandon the young Draconid.

“Have you been well?” inquired the vessel, returning her attention to the boy. “So long has passed since we last met—I am glad that you found your way here.” Rather, she was glad that he hadn’t perished whilst living on his own. She recalled, vaguely, trying to lure him home with her, but her efforts had concluded without any results to show for it. She had failed him—but not entirely, it seemed, given the flowing of blood through his veins and the beating of his heart.

The words in need of being exchanged had completed their life cycles, passing from one mouth to another's ears, where they had then traveled into the mind to encourage proper responses. Asterr both listened and spoke, each when it was her turn to do so, before parting ways with the familiar face once again. Should they meet for a third time at some point in their lives, he'd be greeted with the very same kindness that she'd always shown him, for his quiet nature left little room for negative opinions to fester. She'd bid the boy farewell, then returned with her daughter to the confines of the lair, where she'd think more of the masked wolf and what the future held in store for him.