There's a distinct spring in her step as she trots through the Threshold. A good seeing-to livens the mind and loosens the muscles, and she feels on top of the world as she even dares break into a canter. The silver throws her head like a filly in spring, kicking up her heels and revelling in the sensation of the hard ground beneath her hooves. A panting Dominus struggles to keep up, but speed is not his strong suit and he soon gives up. He lags behind, whilst his bonded bounds ahead in a fit of high spirits. She sniffs the air, trying to catch the scent of something suitable to try and recruit to the Edge....and an aroma reaches her that makes her heart skip a beat.

Father!

Her canter turns to a gallop, a ground-devouring charge that soon has her neck lathered in sweat and her muscles screaming for mercy. She cannot believe what her nose is telling her. She'd thought him dead, but hadn't dared mourn because that would make it real. She'd been so sure that he'd never come back that she had used him as part of her lie to cover up her last pregnancy, but none of that matters to her as she rounds a copse of trees and sees him. He's drinking, and normally it is the height of ill-manners to interrupt a man sating his thirst, but all common decency flies out the window for Nyx at the sight of him. She's always been a daddy's girl - not least because her mother was an complete bitch - and seeing him here, alive, makes her heart soar.

She slows, skidding towards him and seeking to fling her neck over his and haul him close. "Father!" she purrs, nustling her muzzle into him and savouring the familiar dad-smell. "Where've you been? I thought you were dead, you old fart!" Her scolding lacks malice, and relief floods her as she looks him up and down.

Dominus - panting, sweaty and infuriated - lopes closer, his thick mane bounding around his neck and his mouth open to display deadly fangs as his tongue lolls between them. Nyx glances to him, and suddenly her sire's voice lights up the clearing - he aims his horn towards the lion, and the mare eyes widen in alarm. "Father, no!" She throws herself forwards, blocking her companion from view, and her father's horn sinks deeply into her own shoulder. Her ears pin and she releases a gargled groan (injuries hurt so much more outside battle, when she doesn't have the adrenaline pumping in order to numb them) and as she peels herself away from the agonising spear upon her father's brow, she finds herself subconsciously pleased at the fact that he can still pack a considerable punch even at his age. "It's fine, he's fine - he's mine, Father, he's my companion. He won't hurt us."

But the white lion has other ideas. He only sees a man trying to attack him and his precious bonded, so does what he does best - defends her. He roars, a booming and chest-deep sound that seems beyond a creature of his size, and lunges forwards with claws slipping free from their sheaths in his paws. "Dominus, don't you dare!" Now it's him she steps in front of, her shoulder still bleeding freely and staining her grey coat crimson. She remembers that she needs not speak aloud to him, and channels her words through their bond instead; Dominus, this is my father - remember, the one I told you about? He's here, he's back.

The lion stops in his tracks and withdraws his claws, but still growls darkly. "Why your sire attack me, and you? Lion not attack his cub." The silver soldier focuses on him, still casting the occasional wary glance between him and Nato. He thought you were going to attack us. He was trying to protect me. At this, Dominus considers, but still glares at Nato with a dangerous snarl continuing to rumble like approaching thunder in his throat. Nyx looks back to her sire, her chest heaving, her shoulder throbbing. "Father, meet Dominus. Dominus, my Father, Nato." Not the introduction she'd dreamt of between the two most important men in her life.

He addresses Dominus, who scrutinises him closely. Nyx detects a barrage of emotions from the white lion - suspicion, as he'd attacked his bonded, and yet respect for the fact that this is the man who sired the mare he's joined minds with. "Aye, I do care about him. He's joined to my mind, Father. He's part of me - losing him would be unbearable." She glances down to the ivory predator, who fixes her with his intense blue stare. They might bicker like brother and sister, but they are one.

He remarks about his alive-ness, and she grins. Thank the heavens she is - she cannot imagine life without him. Even when he's not in Helovia and she is, she can rest assured that he's out there somewhere. He asks about the Edge, and her grin widens. "I'm General of the Edge now - boss of the warriors, that's me. So much has changed, Father, I've got so much to tell you. You've got grandkids in the Edge, you know. Four.....well, two, but actually four....I'll explain on the way." She shifts backwards a fraction so she can fix him with her beady stare, her tail swishling idly behind her. "You are coming back with me, aren't you? Because that Dad Of The Year award is getting taken right off you if you stab me in the shoulder and then ditch me. Not that I'm blackmailing you or anything." Another hint of that wolfish grin. How could he possibly say no?