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What a time to be returning. Apparently her strange dreams weren't just hers, and the world really was falling apart... but that didn't mean she had to care any. She'd survived bears and fire and shitty parents, she figured she could handle whatever was up next as well as she had the bitter cold and the unmoving flames that made you horny. It wasn't her problem, fixing the mistakes of the lands ancestors.

All she wanted to do was get back to Altair and see what sort of life they had in store for her alongside lofty promises. She still had her reservations about joining a pack --ugh-- but if there was anywhere that could suit her... well, it was the kingdom of the dusky knight she thought had the best shot.
And she wouldn't dare leave her brothers in that shitty Sainthood or whatever they'd been staying with when she'd found something better.

Crossing through the Strand, the last thing she expected was their scent to touch her tongue; the soft dampness of morning dew, the frostiness of frozen peat, even the sooty smell underneath the freshness, she'd know it anywhere. He was the crux of this change, the beast she thought could be worthy of her and all she could be, the ruler that might just have been worth following.
Or leading beside.
Tongue swiping around her jaws, she picked up her pace into a loping trot, glad Thorn was huddled with a more careful-footed Lovett, on her own search.
But not for any stone.

Her silver-and-green gaze fell upon him through the dense tangle of snowy forest, and with a grin, she lurched forward to put herself directly in the path of the Zenith in all her tall glory as if she thought to challenge them -- she just wanted to see if she could spook 'em a little with the element of surprise, make a dramatic entrance, get a laugh!

How kind of you to come meet me on the way home, sweetheart, she crooned with a wink, tail waving high, a coy grin spreading across her lips, Did'ja miss me?

Briar almost felt bad, interrupting the lively little tune the Zenith was moving along to.

Almost.

Their snarl was a sweeter music to her ears, and her grin widened with feral energy in response as she saw their fur lift, their teeth bare. Would it have sucked being bit? Yeah, a little, but she'd tried to leave a little more space than that- even she wasn't stupid enough to jump into someones face unless her fangs were flying first.

But that lime gaze found her and softened, like he was happy to see her, and Briar thought: Huh. That's a first. Why was it... nice? Was he dumb enough to trust her not to hurt him, or was it a lack of caring if she did? She didn't want to hurt them, she supposed; there was no need, when fun came easily in their presence. Of course it was boring: she'd been gone!

That fancy title was a gentle growl upon their lips and as the gap between them closed, the Deadwood sauntered even closer, so bold as to press nose-to-nose - contact light and fleeting, breathing deep those fresh smells of his coat.

Well I'm home to light up your life again, Lord of Dusk, and do I have a surprise for you, Briar snickered, daring to let her tongue sneak out to brush the side of his muzzle, Other than, of course, the glory of my company. A short pause to grin suggestively. Gathered up my two brothers, and picked up a... sort of assistant, along the way. A healer, smart enough to do what the hell he's told, helped patch me and the bird up when we got into a bit of a mess.
She jutted her right leg out, brushing against his chest conveniently as she showed off the two deep gashes that ran parallel from her armpit down her chest. They looked worse still, even as fresh pink scar, than they'd ever bothered her... but let Lovett have the glory of healing it, especially since she probably couldn't have kept it from getting infected on her own.

Their reunion, however, would need to wait. Mythris wouldn't be ignored any longer, not even by the Deadwood. The rumble in the distance drew her gaze, and as the silver and green orbs shifted, she was met with the trembling of the forest.
The very earth crumbling, flying towards them. Now Briar was all for life-threatening bullshit and chasing the next high of adrenaline, but that made her very well aware of when one could stop to watch the chaos unfold and when the time to LEAVE was apparent. This? This was one of those get the fuck out of dodge times. Did she want to know what that.... glow was? Yes, desperately.... but she found she wasn't willing to risk the Zenith. Not when she'd finally returned, not when she had yet to find out what sort of path they could blaze through the world together.

Altair, she hissed, but it was the only warning he got; she grasped at the loose fur on the side of his neck as she spun, intending to drag them along with her as she began to run.

Briar was sorely tempted to reach out, too, but uncharacteristic trepidation held her back. When was something ever... genuine? When did emotion flutter in her chest unless it was the need to rip something apart bit by bit? She, the Mad March Hare, was intimidated by the threat of something real. Cedar was a rival, a temptation, someone worthy of but not compatible with her. She knew where they stood. Lovett, for all he was new and strange, was a loyal little minion she'd find in her heart to protect as long as he remained useful and pleasurable. A woman had needs, and all that, right? Neither of them spirited away her breath with just a look and made her want to draw closer.

And Mythris had to go and ruin it. Fuckin cock-block.

Briar didn't keep holding their scruff, but she ran shoulder-to-shoulder with the Zenith, carefully matching pace. He, too, had caught sight of the unnatural glimmer, and nearly fell trying to rubberneck and run at the same time.

It's ours, she hissed, bouying herself closer, Watch it, and stay with me.

She'd guide him over the land in their flight, all he had to do was keep his side pressed against hers. Briar's heart thundered in her throat, and an exhilarated giggle fled her lips as they parted in a savage grin.
Not so boring anymore, huh?

She swerved away from him, mouthing his shoulder to pull him with her around a tree.