Distraction offered. Attention caught. I had been just upon the verge of working up a few more words to add to the conversation when Atticus' whistle went screaming through the air, scattered my thoughts and left me making a hasty apology and polite nod to the Dryad and Druid before I turned and made my way a little more toward the centre of the circle; words, emotions – the delicacy of the moment flowed around me in a different way, memories brought forth all in an instant as the world morphed and swirled inward.

[i]“Squeeze, Nestor dear... just a little harder...” I growl beneath my breath. Release the tension in my hand. And suddenly find my fingers refusing to move – rather, one by one they tighten their hold. My eyes narrow. My breath holds. A single digit begins the agonizing push toward the cocked hair trigger... [/i]

Nestor starts, eyes blinking rapidly several times as he darts a furtive glance to either side. He mouths a few words under his breath – quietly, barely audible even to those standing nearby.

“Stop that!” 

“But don't you remember...? Mmm – He was alone, Nestor Dear: no one would have known. A strong soul. A beautiful soul.” There is something disturbing in the way she pronounces the word 'beautiful'; each syllable stressed as though it were a word in and of itself. My vision begins to darken again. I clench both fists, set my jaw – my gaze darts toward Veti, gauging the Werewolf's response: reasonably restrained, in light of the circumstances. Another whisper in my ear:

“The Giant is lucky, don't you think? Considering the moon is in his favour tonight...” I can't help but offer a marginal smirk in response, one swiftly cut short in annoyance as her own chuckling overwhelms my amusement; like the shattering of glass in a quiet room, I scowl into the empty space of air just in front of me until the noise goes silent. And then I look toward Veti again, just in time to see her – no, not her, but me!– remove the mask, speak words I cannot hear but already know far too well.

Nestor passes a hand before his eyes, looks toward Atticus and announces:

“I keep my promises, Atticus – you might doubtless guess the answer before I give it. I will seek with the others for Max.” Though in the brief silence following his words, a quiet remark fills the space where Veti – and those nearest her – might hear.

“I warned you once, Wolf Girl – for his friends it never ends well; history repeats itself many times, lesson never learnt. One eye always opened...” Here the words trail off into an inconspicuous whisper: “...There are always those who keep enemies closer than friends...”

 But Nestor falls quiet after this, not seeking to interrupt – brow furrowed and curiosity piqued with the arrival of the being calling herself 'Isis'. Whatever thoughts or opinions he might have on her words, he appears perfectly content to keep to himself at present.