Despite introductions and first impressions, there was still the slightest tension in the air. It was not a feeling that made the company kept between us uncomfortable or unpleasant, but it seemed almost as if I reserved a part of myself from the conversation. Perhaps she was doing the same. Though I found myself liking Church thus far, there was still the proverbial elephant in the room. And maybe that was what made our conversation seem almost bated. I would never openly endorse unknown wolves trespassing into my home - my instinct to protect my pack was too great. But this did not seem so much a violation, more like a visitation. And with her next words my instincts were validated. I knew that Natu would have sought me out at once if she thought Ragnarok and Church’s intentions within our homeland were ill-minded. But in truth it was simply his mountain blood that had returned him home, wanting to share his origins with her.

Church motioned back from the direction they had come, speaking of how he had wanted to show her his parent’s den. If memory served, Rejya and Zildjian had denned quite high in the mountains, but not so high that it would become dangerous in the months of winter. I nodded in acknowledgement of her statement, but it was her words about him being her imprint that caused my grin to quirk slightly. Though I barely knew Ragnarok, I was happy for him at hearing such news. Natu had told me that when he had been stolen back to the mountains he had seemed…unwell. Though she had not shared every detail of their encounter with me, I thought that perhaps his having found she who completed his soul might have helped him to feel better in some way. For a moment I mused on thoughts of Meryl, wondering if ever I would be given the opportunity to learn more about his past. We were friends, and though we had done all we could to be there for one another whenever it was feasible, there was much and more I did not know about him. I would make the time to remedy that.

When she spoke of Natu, I inclined my head slightly in approval. It seemed as if Church had nothing to hide, and was glad to be entirely honest with me. It was a trait I appreciated greatly, and always did my best to uphold in myself as well. “Not at all; it was a wicked storm that I would not wish anyone to have to suffer without cover,” I replied, though it became glaringly obvious in my mind that Leonidas had probably weathered the gales beyond any means of safety. I cleared my throat to clear my mind. “Ones born of the mountains generally find it hard to stay away forever, or at least I have found such to be true” I said with a knowing smile. Even in those months that I had been an outcast from my home, when Purge had been a blight upon Spirane’s history, I had tended to stick close to the foothills. Often I had wandered through edges of Aplos Riverside, gazing upon my home and wondering when I would return. That day had come sooner than expected. Now it seemed like such a long time ago, the fight between myself and Skully a distant memory – but not to be forgotten. It had been my first true test in leadership, and I had succeeded.

My gaze lingered upon her, silently wondering how long the duo intended to stay. I could not help but speculate if there was any inclination towards the possibility of staying permanently, for it seemed like time and again something brought Ragnarok home. Was he finally here to stay? Though there was still a miniscule amount of trepidation between us, I found myself taking to Church, and thinking that perhaps seeing her face around the mountains on a regular basis would not be such a bad thing indeed.