Noctisardor Bypass If it's meant to be, it'll be.

For @Argent

Ciri, having risen at dawn with the intention of trying her luck in catching a rabbit on the meadow where she'd seen some scatter into their burrows the evening before. She rose when the sun began to rise and lowered into a bow to better stretch the muscles of her back, then pressed on with determination through the trees.

The scent of prey strengthened as she neared the grassy hill on which they made their warren, and the swallow resisted the urge to quicken pace. Instead she slowed, knowing that animals with such impressive ears had likely heard her approach. Ciri would practice patience and wait for the lure of morning grazing to will the rabbits to surface again, and then she would make her move.

Bright eyes caught sight of a fluffy white tail as it disappeared underground, and she settled in at the woods' edge to wait quietly.

The sun fall had seen him skirting the borders. By the sunrise, the silver ward drifted inward to Mahler’s lands, an icy gaze straying over the vast lands of the elder’s claim. His thoughts would often drift to his siblings—their well-being. Spring had well passed, and while he was doubtful, he did wonder if either had come to take a mate and raise a family.

If such a thing had come to pass—were his duty to them and as an uncle more important than his duty and desire to remain at Mahler’s side during his last years?

His eyes fell upon a dark shadow, nestled to the ground in waiting. His own stark form of ambient silver stilled, giving pause, feeling as if he had interrupted something of importance to the stranger.

Ciri let herself slacken, propping herself on an elbow with hind limbs stretched out to the side and tail curling thoughtfully among the grass. It would be some time before the rabbits could trust the openness of their grazing grounds, so she set about preening the sleek raven furs of her chest.

She heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps on the earth, and a tall ear rotated in the direction from which it came before her vibrant eyes followed. The young Ostrega peered through the trees, quick to settle on the silver furs of an unfamiliar figure.

He was quick to notice her too, and although the presence of another wolf was sure to ground her prey for longer, Ciri offered a small smile in quiet acknowledgement. A soft flop of her dark plume invited him to join her, figuring it'd be a good opportunity to get to know her father's followers better.

Silent steps, the silver ironjaw slid in languid sprawl beside the youthful she-wolf, an icy gaze cast upon her before scanning out before them, choosing instinctively to trust her based on scent alone--Mahler. Rivenwood.

He allowed the silence to stretch for a moment, unwilling to interrupt whatever she was doing at the time and simply taking the quiet in. An ear flicked toward the slightest rustle, the rise and fall of chests, and when nothing came to pass in the moments that ticked by, the stalwart wolf slid further down to the ground, a cheek pressed to the earth as his gaze slid almost playfully to his companion, curious about her. Just a foolish boy in that moment, playfully sprawled to the ground, awaiting her first move.