Quiet amusement welled in the dragon-mare at the reaction of the stallion, as Aaron questioned her judgement, her assessment of how he had grown. She did not elaborate, refused to elaborate in fact, instead she found it a mild enjoyment in watching him squirm beneath her scrutiny. The expression upon her visage did not change, even after he asked his question, her gaze merely drifting down to his hellhound pup as the canine femme dared to step closer to her. Aaron it seemed, discovered that he was not a mute then, his deep voice finally expanding on his reasons for returning here. It was of great interest to her that he would ask to change his rank, unexpected, for she had always thought of him as a dedicated Protector, even leaving the herd to study under the sometimes hazardous guidance of her brothers. She wondered idly if he had ever wanted to change rank before this, but perhaps it took the shift of scenery for him to realise his true calling.

All in all, did it truly matter? He was asking to return here, to come back and be a part of the Qian's home, just not a faraway member of her extended family. The dragon-mare would be lying if she said his words did not bring her joy - they pleased her immensely, her slitted eyes glowed with the happiness, her scaled lips seemed to soften with the precursor of a smile curving them deviously. Romani arrived before she had opportunity to respond to his words, but she presented Aaron with a devious glint before allowing her attention to flick towards Romani and her curious tiger cub. So many of those she shared her home with were bonded, and Mirage took that as a good omen, for she believed that one's companion was a representation of one themselves - Akaith did chortle amusedly at her for the thought, however, purring affectionately from her perch atop her bonded's spikey nape. The dragon dipped her reptilian crown to the halfinger, rumbling a low, draconic greeting as she did so.

"The Edge would be glad to have ones of the Qian's longest standing members reside within its borders once more." Her voice was smooth, warm, as she looked back towards the painted draft steed. "I appreciate that you stayed true to your word, Aaron, and came back to me, to us." Her motioned to the forest that was her home, hoping the small inflection of emotion she allowed to leak into her tone was enough to convey the true happiness and satisfaction she felt at his return. Lace had gone quiet of late, hidden away in his tree hollow workshop, lost amongst himself. The fight with Deimos had damaged him, Mirage thought, more than he cared to admit. It was all Mirage could do to leave him be, let him find himself, cure himself of his demons again. It would be good to have another one working on fortifying the borders, another one with a military mind, one who did not go seeking war but who would rather work on preventing it from affecting their borders. Yes, Mirage was happy with these turn of events.


"More from the Foothills will be arriving." The WeyrLeader addressed both of the beings before her now, her tone more serious again, the happiness lost amongst the harsh lines of her façade again. "Be prepared for what may come. It will not be pleasant, but we will do what we can."

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