It'd been awhile since Steel had really spent time with Esarosa. It seemed as though everyone was still getting used to settling down here, in their new home. He certainly wasn't comfortable here, not really - and he wondered if he ever would be. This place still haunted him with memories of his parents and of the life he'd been forced into without them. They'd been taken too soon, and the constant reminder of that was hard for him. A sigh left his lips as he moved across the plains, one slow step in front of the other. The weather, at least, was getting better now. Not that this place had been the least bit inhospitable in the winter. The climate was far more tame than that of the north, and for that he was grateful. The breeze, only slightly cool, rustled his fur as it whistled past and sent a brief shiver down his spine. He wasn't sure what today might bring him, but he continued his aimless wandering without much thought to it.

So many changes had happened in such a short amount of time, Esarosa almost couldn't believe it. She and Steel had met, fallen in love, and become parents. They'd gone from the loner life to a busy pack life, and leadership had changed suddenly. Not only that, they'd now moved across continents. It felt like they'd just been picked up in the vortex of life and whirled around, and for her it was absolutely exhilarating - she loved it. Everything was new, and she never knew what would happen next. Life had hidden surprises around every corner. Their new home itself was a fascinating place, and the emerald-eyed woman loved the plains and the crumbling castle full of treasures. But whenever she saw Steel, something about him seemed not quite right. Was there too much going on in life? She knew he was a quiet man, and perhaps he wasn't as drawn to adventure like she was. But it was almost like he was unhappy... Normally she didn't worry about such things. Normally she would just try to cheer someone up, get their mind off of whatever was bugging them. While Esa wore her heart on her sleeve, and showed every nuance of her feelings through her expression, she knew Steel didn't work that way; she knew that if something was showing on his face, he felt it, like really felt it. He wasn't one to just show emotion, not unless it really meant something to him. So today, she was determined to find him and talk to him. She needed to find out what was on her mind, and the kids were all busy engaged in a special activity she'd set up for them. There was nothing to interrupt or distract her from this task, and she just hoped that Steel would have the time as well. When she finally found him, she was glad, and somewhat sad, to find him alone. He was always so alone, and it made her feel bad - but then again, didn't he kind of prefer it that way? It still made her feel bad, seeing him looking so lonely. So she bounded over to him shamelessly, acting as though she'd never grown up. Sure, she was a mother, but she didn't always have to act mature, did she? "Steel, wait for me!" she called out cheerfully, her tail waving as she reached him, coming to his side and pressing her shoulder against his. "Speak" "Listen" Think

Most wolves who knew Steel would probably be surprised to know he didn't really enjoy being so.. angsty all the time. It simply was how he was. It was hard to always find the good in things - though Esarosa made that task so much easier. He wondered if it was simply time taking its toll on him. The excitement of a new love had been overwhelming, though with all relationships the passion had slowed; and their children seemed more independent than ever, leaving him plenty of time to be on his own and think. But being here was just hard. He stifled a sigh from escaping his lips as he moved, one paw placed slowly in front of another. Steel was so caught up in his thoughts (or lack thereof) that he hardly heard Esarosa approaching. Slowly his pace slowed, turning as his head swung to the side. Gaze lifted to find her own, and a small smile touched his lips. "Of course," he responded to her request, fondness shining in his crimson eyes as he greeted her by touching his nose lightly to her cheek. Finally he came to a halt, wondering briefly if everything was alright. She didn't seem distraught, or upset - perhaps a touch more somber than usual but he knew she wouldn't spend every day feeling as cheerful as the last. Her demeanor was always far more upbeat than his own, even on his most cheerful days. "How's your day going, love?" His smile lifted slightly as he reclined to his haunches at her side.