Arrow Lake — disappearances, after all, have explanations. usually.

slithering into the fold, and maintaining a deceptively lank posture, stigmata came to stand beside kazimir; giving her an approving rumble as she voiced a valid concern. it made him proud to know his own wolves knew the right questions to ask, and it reaffirmed his trust in them. reservedly, the general listened to the proceedings before him, all the while fixing each potential joiner with an arbiter's stare: half-lidded, unimpressed, and intense.

aside from the obvious stresses of dispersal, none of them seemed unwell, or unfit to him, but two of them were carrying, and one had a grave looking wound across his throat - oh, and he carried with him an unpleasant recollection of meeting that one before. he remembered those oddly colored eyes; and he looked mainly to this male for any challenge from among the strangers.

the basilisk went on to flick his challenging gaze towards the rest of them in turn - a silent and crucial preliminary - and if they would show deference, or at least avert their gazes out of respect, then stigmata would have no personal protest to their arrival. and though he did not look at her, his mind fled briefly towards takiyok, who he thought to offer the final say in this. because if she, the mother of his own children, did not agree with this, then he would have no choice but to deny them.