Noctisardor Bypass And disappointment disappears overnight

No notable weather today. Maybe that in itself was important. The sky was patchy, the day was cold. Could be worse. Could be better. That was pretty much the constant state of life wasn't it? That was the thing she'd always accepted.

She'd gone to the north border today. She was standing a bit back from the border itself, watching the void beyond. She'd been following the herd of deer around the territory today, but they'd turned back towards the lake a while ago. She'd dropped from the trail at the border where it had turned and headed back inward, leaving Arbiter alone for this instant. Nothing moved in a few breaths, so she headed closer to the borders. She sniffed around there, so far finding nothing suspicious. Another day. Another chance to make something of it if the world would so allow.

Daylily's announcement of departure that morning had brought him mixed feelings. He was glad for her, of course, to know that she would go to reunite with her Oakstead family for a time. The coming of Springtime would make for safer travels, and she'd shared intention to return in the future. It provided hope, something to look forward to, yet Artyom couldn't shake the sorrow in his chest to see her go.

It was selfish, he knew, but he loved his pack. With that affection came a strong desire to keep each of them close. He knew Day had been missing her kin and that she'd felt their absence sorely, and though Artyom hoped the birth of Whitebark's litters would better ground her with a new sense of purpose, it simply was not enough.

So he bid her a fond farewell, wished her safety on her travels, and carried on. It was all he could do whenever he lost one of his own.

Artyom took to venturing beyond his Eastern borders, trailing along quietly so he might be alone with his thoughts. Movement to his right drew his focus elsewhere, and he recognised the bi-coloured wolfess as his former Alphess. He hadn't anticipated seeing Arbiter again anytime soon, though he regarded her with a friendly sweep of his tail as she picked her way along her own territory edge. "Hey," he called, still a little fearful of her judgement of him but eager to maintain pleasantries.

She wasn't alone. A figure eventually appeared, wandering her way -- vaguely familiar, but as he approached it became clear as to why. Artyom again. Last time they'd met Arbiter had been angry -- and perhaps it was a good thing that they hadn't crossed paths again in some of the time since, it would have been worse. But her anger at Terance's disappearance with Pike had at least somewhat faded -- though it was unlikely she was going to just forget that any time soon. She headed closer to intercept.

But what did his presence mean? She hadn't gone to check with them about Terance as it was close enough that they would have told her if something was wrong -- that her own journeys took her close enough to their borders that she would have been able to tell if for some reason he hid there. At least this time she wasn't super surprised to see him. She dipped her head, What brings you by here today? That was about as amiable as Arbiter generally was.

Arbiter seemed pleasant enough and Artyom, perhaps a little naively, chose to let the Legion leader's reception of his presence bolster his confidence. He offered up a warm smile and a friendly sway of his tail, though he dared not overstep his boundaries. There was a distance maintained between them - they weren't pack-mates anymore and he didn't want her to feel threatened by his proximity to her turf.

"Just passing by," he answered simply, a gilded ear pricking forward. Artyom wanted to ask after her, after Terance and their offspring, but it felt... wrong, almost, to express interest in her family after his disappearing act. That hadn't entirely been his fault, sure, but he hadn't put much effort into finding the relocated Lost Creek wolves either. He supposed he'd been reluctant to, considering Arbiter's strong opinion of those she might consider traitors.

Still, he didn't want her to harbour any I'll feeling for him. After a moment of silence, Artyom cleared his throat and extended an olive branch: "I hope you and the family have been doing well here, Arbiter?"

A pause, a slightly thoughtful tip of her head, I suppose it's not like we're too far out of your way. It would be weirder if he were a Moonspear wolf. She had considered sending someone there specifically but at this point... Nah. Too far away to be useful. If Terance had gone back there to hide, maybe he should stay there. But what did she think of the Stream wolves? She hadn't thought too much as of late, there were too many other things for her to be concerned about.

A dry, single-note laugh -- of all the things, family. He probably hadn't gone out to rub her face in it, but it almost felt that way. Prey returned, at the cost of my mate and child disappearing. She may have accepted that fact, but she wasn't exactly burying it in a corner. It was fact, it wasn't a happy one, and she was left alone picking up the pieces on her own -- this pack was supposed to be the work of two wolves, but now it was just her. Arbiter didn't look mournful at what she said, her low burning emotions were frustration, a little anger, flattened under the control she kept herself under. It's life.

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?" 

See? She wasn't too crazy for thinking that it was odd. She watched the shift of Artyom's expression, her own still as cool as it had been. The dates were fuzzy, after all, wolves didn't have calendars and the exact date of their initial departure wasn't exactly written in OOC stone. But far too long. Far too long for her to expect them back soon, if ever. Over two months since they left. Should have been back after a week or so. No sign anywhere since. 

A stern breath, I assume your pack is doing well? Better than hers, she'd guess. Why did the wolves she thought she could count on so enjoy disappointing her? Terance, perhaps Kaertok -- at least she knew Corvus had proven to be unreliable. The women were loyal. Unfortunately she would kind of need a male if she was to have pups, just none seemed to be available.

"I hope they are safe," was all Artyom could offer, though his heart felt heavy, "wherever they are.". Terance had given him a place and purpose during his time at Lost Creek Hollow and the fondness he felt for the raven Alpha had never faded.

He regarded Arbiter gently, though her own expression dud not soften. She'd always been a solid wolfess, and it bothered him that she appeared only angered by the absence of her mate and son - as though they'd vanished without a trace just to scorn her. Still, it was not Artyom's place to judge, and he held his tongue until the Legion leader moved to change the subject. 

"We are," he answered, "Dawn, my mate, delivered our litter recently - two girls and two boys. They are thriving." He smiled hopefully at then, despite his quiet reluctance to share such good news following Arbiter's misfortune.

It was the inability to do anything that angered her, along with the possibility that their leaving was by choice. So far, most of the time wolves had left, they showed up again alive -- Artyom himself was an example of this. If more often than not they were gone for other reasons, why should she assume doom and gloom? One can hope. But for now none of us know.

And it seemed that Artyom's life was going oh so well. Hearing it did make things sound sour, but Arbiter held her tongue on that. She dipped her head politely, an otherwise silent way of saying congrats, And may they all stay healthy. What else was she to say? To be suddenly so joyous for wolves that had left her ranks now when things had gone south with her pack and her own life since? She wasn't that good. Respectful was the best he'd get.

It was easier to ask about buisness, I know a while ago there was some woman who tried to take the forest that borders both our packs. She seems to have stayed gone from what I can tell, has that been the case from what you've seen?