Noctisardor Bypass And disappointment disappears overnight

Arbiter seemed pleasant enough and Artyom, perhaps a little naively, chose to let the Legion leader's reception of his presence bolster his confidence. He offered up a warm smile and a friendly sway of his tail, though he dared not overstep his boundaries. There was a distance maintained between them - they weren't pack-mates anymore and he didn't want her to feel threatened by his proximity to her turf.

"Just passing by," he answered simply, a gilded ear pricking forward. Artyom wanted to ask after her, after Terance and their offspring, but it felt... wrong, almost, to express interest in her family after his disappearing act. That hadn't entirely been his fault, sure, but he hadn't put much effort into finding the relocated Lost Creek wolves either. He supposed he'd been reluctant to, considering Arbiter's strong opinion of those she might consider traitors.

Still, he didn't want her to harbour any I'll feeling for him. After a moment of silence, Artyom cleared his throat and extended an olive branch: "I hope you and the family have been doing well here, Arbiter?"