Blackfeather Woods Insight IV

He was reminded instantly of Lunaria and her suave grace. This woman was new, and so there was no longer need to feel like he was so out of the loop that he didn't know who she was — it was likely that nobody did, other than whoever had dragged her to the dark forest. Taikon nodded casually, adding in, well, welcome. It was strange. This might have been the first time he'd been able to welcome anyone into a place he called home. In Sagtannet, he had arrived and been cast out in a matter of weeks. Whitebark had a similar turn of events.
He wondered if the curse had followed him, or if it had finally been snuffed out after his most recent suffering. Had he paid his dues? Did the universe need more? It all seemed like a joke of a simulation.
Do you have a name, or should I just call you "new girl"? he joked, a sideways smile gracing his lips. She, of course, was no girl. But what was the fun of having seniority when he couldn't tease the new people?