Northstar Vale the shrike to your sharp and glorious thorn.

just steals all your threads

he was enjoying his time in the mountains. it was the most relaxed and liberated he'd felt in a long while, even considering the time among his family (when things had been well, at least). the uneasiness between himself and dawn was beginning to fade, replaced by the kind of friendship they'd enjoyed once before. still a ways to go, but. . .progress.

aditya was curious about the vale, though. the border markers pointed to a group settling here, but he'd yet to stumble upon anyone on a patrol or out hunting. where were they hiding?

he thought he found an answer when he spotted the grayscale man ahead, but he, too, seemed to be looking around as if a visitor here, rather than one who claimed it. adi chuffed to him, padding up with a friendly albeit puzzled expression.

arrey bhai, where is everyone? he asked, a chuckle in his voice. i smell them around, but you're the first i've seen.