Redtail Rise [m] bolero

It took a delayed moment for the mood shift to catch him, but when it did, Ashlar's gaze settled on Ratio and glowed with concern. Something was wrong and he didn't quite understand it. Why did it matter if both were right? One didn't replace the other.

But he sensed that, by thinking this, he was the strange one. Gannet and Mona had never fully spoken of mateship to him, and their own relationship hadn't been entirely conventional. The bard did know, however, that wolves often came in pairs. It was more than that, too. Could he live with a piece of him residing in both places?

He thought so, but Ratio's fear made him question.

It was different. He said finally, quietly. It was right, but it wasn't more. Why would that mean I don't mean it? He didn't pull back either and allowed Ratio to hide himself, but he did reach out to touch the hollow behind his ear comfortingly, stroking the fur there. He wanted to solve this, to bring back the joy he'd seen there only a few moments before.