in some sad way i already know

Sorry about the delay. Stupid work. *coaxes internet signal to stay, however*

He smiled genuinely, glad to see that she had decided to visit. It was an interesting change of pace for him, if only for the fact that the Spine simply did not receive visitors. But that in itself was perhaps for good reason too, though he had found the lack of wanderers at their borders a bit irksome. Not that a familiar face was irksome either, but he didn't expect to be seeing anyone else he really knew knocking at their doorstep any time soon. Verrine was tied up with his children, and Viggo… well, Viggo was gone. He steered himself clear of that reminder, though.

“Busy,” he said, breathing out a sigh. “Just trying to get the pack settled and ready for the winter. Not sure what kind to expect anyway.” He rolled his shoulders in a wolfish shrug. Mordecai anticipated the cold, but had no real way of gauging just what kind of inclement weather they would receive. “How fares your coast?” Like before, he could pick up the traces of the salty destination clinging to her. It drew out the same curiosity as he had held before.