Déodat took to his typical patrols. Odette waddled along at his side bouncy as ever. He took to the borders, prepared for yet another dull and drawn out, uneventful walks. Patrols were surely the worst part of his duties, but someone had to do them. A sigh passed from his lips as he walked with both ears pressed against his skull. Nothing was abnormal about his appearance. His typical frown was etched across his features. He had a glare upon his face that simply dared an intruder to cross him.

Precious silence was broken by a call, and as his duty would require, Déodat would answer. Odette glanced up at her bonded, sensing him tightening up and shifting from grumpy to predatory. Then a scent wafted into her nostrils and she felt excitement consume her at that familiar scent. She charged ahead of her bonded her barking the whole way. All the while, the Blood Prince stood more than slightly confused by his companion’s behavior. Spontaneous charges at strangers had ceased since his challenge. One ear perked forward as he saw a familiar distance off in the distance. From what he could see, his bonded appeared to be trying to press her front paws on the visitor’s legs.

The animosity on his face softened as he drew closer to his acquaintance. Hotaru had been pleasant company on their previous meeting. Yes, very pleasant company and it made him glad to see the mare had managed to find her way north. Once he got a full look at the mare he noted her swollen sides and he felt his stomach drop a thousand feet. Already he could see Mirabella’s face and he could only wonder what his daughter would think of a sibling. Most of all, he pondered what Esther would think. They were nothing more than friends, at least from his perspective. Déodat silently prayed that his desires hadn’t landed him into a twisted situation.

“It is good to see you found your way here!” He said, ignoring the pregnancy for a moment. Déodat knew there would be time to explain things later. “Even in Tallsun I can see a bit of frostbite on my body.” He winked at her, referencing to their previous meeting. Flirtatious behavior was a rarity with the Blood Prince, but most definitely not a nonexistent thing. Hotaru brought out a side of him that was buried beneath the brutal man he had become.

"talk talk talk"