Noctisardor Bypass And disappointment disappears overnight

Her note of laughter in response to his attempt at pleasantries was acknowledged with a surprised prick of each gilded lobe, before her explanation for it caused them to splay backward regretfully. Artyom clenched his jaw and gritted his teeth for a moment, sure that he'd have recalled her sharing such a development when last their paths had crossed. No, the disappearance of Terance and their youngster must be a more recent occurrence.

"I'm sorry," he said, and blinked. Artyom would never have thought his former leader to be the flighty type, and so found himself quietly wondering if something more sinister might've robbed Arbiter of her mate. She seemed bitter, naturally, considering her past experience with those she cared for. "We haven't seen or smelled him by our forest. When did this happen?"