When she stirs, I call for Arturio though there is a begrudging tone concealed within the summons. It was clear he would be welcome but it is because of Nari and not my own generosity; perhaps if I had known we'd end up in such a situation, I might have taken it upon myself to rid of him sooner. Yet, she was clever and I have little doubt she knows now that her having decided he is important keeps him safe. At least for now. I wonder if he might ever offend her to the point of breaking that protection. Ah, it is probably best I do not ponder too much upon it. Arturio was, after all, good to me in Asteraia. The least I can do is not ponder his demise simply because the flea of jealousy sinks its teeth in.

I take the time to venture into the woodlands though there is little to be found there; a pheasant, however small the meat, is a good catch as far as I am concerned. I did not think I was gone so long and yet when I return, she is nowhere to be found; my hackles rise out of instinct as I search the area around her den and yet, there are no other scents. With the pheasant still in my mouth, I find her trail as it leads away from her usual grounds. So, she was no stolen at least and yet...why has she roamed? Her path does not lead out but rather inward. This woman enjoys her games.

It takes me some time to follow and it takes even longer for me to realize where she has gone; ahead of me, my own den presents itself, new pawprints at its mouth as I hear breathing from within. My ears tilt forward in curiosity as I lower my head to its mouth - she is inside. It takes a moment for the smell to hit me and I recoil instinctively. Ah, so that is what she has decided. I can hear the familiar sound of children and yet I pause when I hear more than last time. I think it was wise, after all, to be only with Nari this winter. Still, my curiosity is too much and eventually I let out a low rumble of greeting before I shuffle to the opening of the den, pheasant in tow as I await an invitation. An invitation into my own den. Soon she will have us all call her the Fortitude.