Shadewood After all this time.

His voice was softer than she had expected.

And his gaze, much sharper.

Taktuq sucked in a breath as he studied her, feeling less exposed than she did recognized. It was strange to say the least. She was quite sure she had never met this man before. He was scarred in ways she was sure she would remember; his did not seem a face she would forget.

“Hello,” she parroted back, a little dumbfounded. One ear turned towards the forest at her side, and her tail hung uncertainly at her hocks. “I-I’m sorry - I didn’t - I didn’t think anyone lived here anymore.”