It had been difficult to decide which one to watch: Skyfire, or Iromar's borders. Ultimately, Ruby had decided to prioritize Iromar's borders, because really, she had been watching for Apollyon rather than any intruder. As far as she was concerned, their intruder had already entered Iromar and had begun assimilating herself into the moors. While Ruby could feel a nagging feeling in the back of her throat that warned her about the challenges that had called out from Diveen, Spirane and even Taviora, she found it difficult to fret. In a passing thought, she wondered if Skyfire had heard the challenge for Spirane, yet she apparently had not raced off back to the mountains in response to it. Did that mean she really did intend to stay in Iromar, and to become one of the moor wolves? It made Ruby narrow her eyes, but she quickly dismissed the thought. Something else, after all, had caught her attention: Apollyon had returned, and Ruby was quick to begin following his scent across the marshes.

Apollyon had always been an interesting wolf to Ruby. It was not just his blood that intrigued her, but rather his attitude and persona in its entirety. Since he had been a small child, he had always fussed over himself, more concerned with his appearance than any other wolf of the moors seemed to be. From what Ruby understood, his father had been an Angel to some capacity, and she had always wondered if it had been the Angel blood that lent such oddities to Apollyon. Avery, on the other hand, had always been...tough. At times, it was difficult to imagine that Apollyon was her son, but Ruby could see it in him even if he did not give himself over to his mother's blood so willingly - or at least, so openly. There was a toughness, a steeliness, in Apollyon. Ruby wanted to see more of it. That intrigued her. How much could Apollyon push back? How much fighting blood lived in him? The unspoken questions made Ruby's heart thrum with excitement as she matched his pawprints, quickly spotting him among the reeds ahead of her.

She made no effort to conceal her presence from him. Though she did not call out to him, she moved in an arc so that he might see her before she began to match his pace at his side. She eyed him closely for a moment, not at all concerned about being discrete. No injuries, no unusual scents, nothing of note - or nothing to make her ask any immediate questions. No, no. Ruby already had questions she wanted to ask. The questions lived in her eyes as she met his gaze, her own bright and hungry.

"Apollyon, it is good to see you have returned." She paused but for a moment before she continued, making it clear enough that she had not tracked him for small talk. As much as she might have enjoyed such a thing with him, she had to make it clear that this was part of leading: be direct, get matters sorted, and don't let questions fester like a wound. "Iromar has a new member, or at least, a newcomer who wishes to become one of our kin. I have given her permission to explore the moors, though she is to meet with me later to discuss matters further." She looked ahead, though she allowed him to lead. From the corner of her eye, she watched him closely though, curious as to whether or not he would have any suspicions regarding their newest initiate.

"She came with your name on her lips, stating that she wished to be by your side. I informed her that if she is to be here, then she must be at all of our sides." She nodded in self-affirmation, and gave a small snort of satisfaction at her own response - she still could not believe Skyfire had been so willing to confess such a desire! It had baffled Ruby then, and it still baffled her even days after the discussion. "If you invite a wolf here, Apollyon, it is best to escort them yourself. She made quite a fuss over introducing herself to the moors. I do not spoil for a fight, but had she been so bold with any other wolf... Perhaps it might have ended differently..." Ruby looked away as she made the comment, wondering just how true that was. Would Avery have taken up the girl's challenge? Ruby had never fancied herself a fighter, and it felt foolish to fight over something as simple as an introduction...It made her shake her head. No, she could not have taken teeth or claw to Skyfire for something so silly. Bold and direct she had been, yes, but that did not warrant a foolish scuffle. Surely even Avery would have agreed with that?

"In any case...What do you think, Apollyon? Did I take an appropriate course of action, considering she is a stranger? She knew your name, but I could not confirm just how well she knew you..." It was then that Ruby looked back to Apollyon, her eyes intense and hard as they probed his face once again. Maybe she ought to have been more direct...but at the same time, Ruby wanted to see the answer play out before her to better understand it. Skyfire had seemed very confident about her knowing Apollyon and that such a thing would permit her entrance to the pack, but why had that been?