flowers where your face should be

Theory knew that much about Thalia, but she was grateful that she trusted her enough to speak it out loud. It was obvious she wasn't good with change. For the first month she'd arrived in Abaven, Theo had sensed her unease. Although a wolf less familiar with Thalia might not see it, she was well-attuned to her body language. There had been a distinct sense of unease about her. Those first few weeks Theory caught herself holding her breath. Would this backfire massively? She'd waited for it to erupt in both of their faces, less violent than the volcano but still leaving tragedy in its wake. When Thalia disappeared in the night to grieve with her family, Theo was sure that was it. She couldn't hack it here in the East with all these friendly, unfamiliar faces.

And then she had returned. Day by day, like leaning into a good stretch, she had witnessed Thalia slowly unwind and untangle herself. Eventually she'd seen it: languid and relaxed, nearly, almost completely at home. There was still a bit of general suspicion and quiet guardedness, but if she lost all of that, she simply wouldn't be Thalia any longer. Theory never wanted her to lose her essence, that quiet strength that had so completely drawn her in, but she had wanted her to find herself a home here. "A castle..." she murmured, her eyes widening just a bit. They had never made it to Auster together, always meeting halfway. There wasn't much that Theory knew about the faraway place. "That sounds unreal, like something out of a fairytale you tell in the den when the pups won't sleep. I'd love to see it one day. I'll have to imagine you there when I'm trying to sleep tonight - peeping out a tall, tall tower." Theory sighed and rested her head on Thalia's shoulder, pausing to enjoy the familiarity of the gesture. They'd grown so close since she'd come here. "It certainly is lingering too long - and I've heard strange, strange things. I even saw the oddest thing with Ruin the other day. A huge, towering elk. Biggest thing I've ever seen, and I thought I was pretty big."