Sun Mote Copse slow dancer, no answer

jarilo may have gotten a momentary glimpse to arcturus' vulnerable heart, but it quickly scuttled shut and the moment was gone. he glanced skyward as if he could see the stars spilling out between the clouds -- nothing but bright atmosphere and lounging wisps of clouds.

and here he was, anchored firmly to the strata.

he bitterly missed the bite of the wind as it howled off of the mountain. the crisp, unwelcoming air that seemed to thin and thin until his head at last swam and he felt he was lying in a pool of navy limned with brilliant stars. he missed running with the family, he missed the thousand paths, some carved by his own feet.

he missed it all, but damned if he was not going to show jarilo an ounce of that nostalgia.

his jaw tightened. looking away, arcturus' expression steeled and that tender flower of hurt in his eyes was closed forever. "unlikely." he felt once again a widening chasm between them -- and once more, had the sensation they stood on opposite shores unable to perceive the vantage of the other's eyes and experiences.

it was not safe for him to visit the neighborhood. while he had left moonspear willingly, the last thing he had wanted to do was cause harm to those that lived in the spear. if they came down and saw him lingering in their foothills, they might be aggressive. arcturus was a proud, but not stupid, wolf. he knew how that would end. "it is for the best i stay away for some time. i would like to meet my nephews and nieces, someday. someday -- but not soon."