swept along

The first call arises and she diverts her path in her patrol, twisting her form and sweeping steadily towards the cry. Mercury scuffles beside her, his short legs trained over the course of years to keep up with this measured pace. Idly, nostalgically, she tries to remember the first wolf that called for her on these borders almost five years ago, but time has purged her memories of such details, chipped them away. The thoughts are brushes away nonchalantly as she nears the source of the call, pace slowing to a professional but affable gait.

Celestial orbs fall upon the two massive beasts with mild interest, noting their similar size and close stance. They are likely either mates or siblings, the latter more probable, and she tucks this possibility into the back of her mind. Despite their towering size, her stance remains authoritative, though not overly so. Lips are graced with a small, affable upturn as she regards them for only a moment before her dial bobs in a minuscule nod.

"Jupiter Illiadis, Sol and Queen of Ludicael, at your service," comes her low rumble. Already neutral-toned voice has deepened slightly with her age and taken on a rough edge, dropping her octave to only a notch or two above masculine. The battle-scarred phoenix feels her heart pang slightly at the feeling of the words on her lips and how naturally and habitually they fall, leaping to her through the years with a bitter familiarity. The pluck of those strings remains undetectable to her smooth, outward visage, however--a seasoned actor from her youth due to the outward guise she had long ago abandoned, veiling her emotions came naturally also.

"speech"