The drum of his wagging tail against the stoney shores drew a crooked smile from hiding, lips stretched wide while her own black tail began to waver at her side. Oddly enough she felt the warm sensation of peace begin to flood her nerves, a feeling she certainly did not expect to re-encounter in the valley of the Lake ever again. Though it was a different kind - no longer was it the comfort of belonging, and of safety, but rather it was acceptance, empathetic that he could find his solace here even though she could not. In the end she was glad to have been spotted by the burly male. He was decent, and kind, and above all he was a friend.

His sudden motions drew her out of her internal habitat, golden eyes focusing on him after his gesture of affection. He said something about his duties and the glimmer returned to the black woman's eye, remaining there as she too rose from where she sat and turned to face him. Until next time, he'd said. Ava found herself nodding, almost surprised that she did, for still when she thought about coming back again she was put off by the idea. But the idea of seeing Ash once again, regardless of where, certainly didn't. So as he began off she returned, "Of course. Take care, Ash." Finally she filed away Lost Lake, having paid her visit, and set off to settle business in a different nook of town where the mountain descended and cedar trees sprouted.