Blackfeather Woods when churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out

maegi retreats into the woods, and the girl speaks up.

"you should be bigger."

he cracks a light smile as his gaze shifts again to the child, impressed by the young girl's blunt choice of words. there was no mistaking from whom she came from. "those are bold words coming from someone no taller than my shoulder." vaati returns amusedly, before nosing his snout over her forehead. he very briefly thinks of tizir, before casting that venturing thought away. no matter, that brood was likely fairing a lot better within rusalka's borders than he currently was. "hela, ruler of hel. interesting." the man smirks slightly, wondering if she was destined to become as fierce as her namesake. as maegi's figure retreats, he refocuses to the woman he simply could not stay away from. how far they had come since their days as mere teens was simply impressive, and how ironic it was that she now returned to the place he had once imprisoned her in. to her, vaati takes a softer approach, "how have you been?" pacing slowly towards her, he carries an honest interest in her wellbeing -- who knew the things she had faced while guarding over the lives of his young. reaching out to touch his nose with her cheek, the man keeps his guard up in case the gesture is not well received.