Shadow Mountain but i just have to tell you that i love you so much these days

had astara been capable of telling the truth, she might have eased this stranger by exclaiming she had been just as taken aback as he to have her nap summarily executed by his presence: had she tact or compassion she might have steadied the boy's nerves as if reining in a startled horse; soft and gentle, soothing -- caring.

astara had none of these things. she shook the snow roughly from her coat, wincing as the wind made play of her insulated fur. venamis was given the full - and shockingly violating - caress of her cold gaze. he was much younger than she had originally anticipated, and if there was anything familiar about him (bloodlines, mayhaps) she did not pick up on it.

she picked up only on his alarm, his nervous show of tremendous teeth. at this, a thin smile curved her lips, and she said nothing.