Two Eyes Cenote [ap]And so we meet again

Curiosity sated, Briar's focus waned. Ears returning to a lax position atop his head and multicolored eyes traveled around the room. Others flitted about still. Less in number but the waterside retreat would not be in isolation should he stay. A thoughtful hum sounded behind tightly pressed lips.

He was deciding if he wanted to stay besides the pool. In the next second a weight rolled into his shoulder. Snaking over his neck and pulling him down. His assailant screeching in his ear.

Wild eyes snapped to his side as he jerked backwards. Hackles rose to turn russet coat into jagged spines. His mouth opened to spew venom.

WHO THE HELL—

Eyes of blue and gold locked with pale gray. Pale gray eyes that bugged out of a familiar sooty face. You! He threw out a forearm to steady the much smaller woman should he have unbalanced her. A dumbfounded expression overtook his anger.

The imp woman.

Ears still ringing, she might have been spouting curses at him. He stared at her, slackjawed, as his heart rate began to level out.

He hadn't seen her during the ceremony. Yet here she was. He shouldn't have been surprised, the guardian woman Zaahira was present after all. And yet he was.

He didn't know yet if he was happy to see her.

But he wasn't unhappy either.

Voice returning, he croaked out a greeting. Hello there! She might have heard the gears turning in his head. I didn't expect to see you. Ah, it's a party I suppose.