Pausing for a moment, she stretched cat-like while mentally-reaching along one of the silvery link cords. She smiled smiled softly to herself as she felt the warm glow of Oberon turning the focus of his attention onto her. Unsure as to how reception changed over distance, Kay kept her message to Oberon simple. *certainty of safety of the flock* *gratitude* *family-love* *urge towards patience*.
The reply was quick in coming. The owl still was clearly displeased at the separation, yet continued to assert that he would respect her wishes. Under ideal circumstances, he would have been bound only to Ceroill. But, even though the Bond between man and owl was self-sustaining NOW, they had initially needed a Bridge to bring them closely-enough together for long enough to form a Link. And it was these secondary bonds that were causing Oberon's current conflicts.
Amadaine popped her head out from inside Kay's cloak and let out an inquiring chirp. She had been a good little bird hiding away where it was comfortingly dark and warm. But now she was starting to fidget. Shouldn't it be time for breakfast now ? Afterall, the sun was rising, and all sorts of tender little morsels must surely be starting to scurry around by now.
Kay soothed her quietely, reminding the litle bird that she needed to hide for just a little while longer. Then she called to Mairead, who was busy running here and there. Grumbling about the unfairness of needing to hide, Mairead finally agreed to climb into one of the other inner pocket. By the time Kay arrived at the gates, there were no obvious signs that she was carrying passengers.
Hoping to get through un-noticed, she was somewhat dismayed when the guard on duty smirked at her. "I heard that you went out drinking the other night", he said with a frown, "It's such a pleasure to know that even the Ice Princess is human afterall ... It took ya THIS long to get rid of your hangover, didn't it ?".
He paused, then snickered, "It NEVER fails ... EVERY week we see at least one stupid piece of fresh meat that can't hold their liquor ...". He paused, then snickered "That big-mouthed sow in Intelligence told me that Medical has you listed as a case of alcohol poisoning, but we all know what that REALLY means".
Kay frowned at him, trying to resist the temptation to reply equally as rudely. But then her commom sense asserted itself. It was more important for her to get to her quarters with her passengers unseen.
Firmly squashing her temper, Kay put on her best bureaucratically-bland expression. "People who gossip, obviously can't think of anything more USEFUL to do with their time", she answered coldly, "I did NOT commit any sort of crime, and my _PERSONAL_ business is really none of YOUR concern anyways".
On that note, she abruptly strode past him and off towards her quarters.