She had been out for a walk when the text notification on her phone garnered her attention, the typically nocturnal feline having been on a more "normal" schedule since the Ark had sunk into those dark waters and she had been relieved of her job at its bar. Despite that taste of normalcy, the southern woman was undeniably bored and beyond that... she was lonely. Over the years she had grown so used to being by herself, it was comfortable not having to answer or deal with anyone else and it suited the were-side of her as well with leopards being such typically solitary creatures. And yet, she missed the hustle and bustle of the Ark, the crowds and beyond that the friendship she had begun forging with the Nightshade pack within. Mira and Raven especially, Carolina unable to remember the last time she had formed even the inkling of a friendship let alone with another woman around her age.

Then there was Tetradore's offer which still stood for her to take it one step further and actually join that pack as one of its members, an idea which both thrilled and terrified her. She had belonged to a family before and she had seen it fall apart piece by piece, but perhaps one bound to one another by choice would be stronger that those who felt duty to each other only by blood.

She ran her fingers around her wrist in contemplation as she took the familiar turns towards the dock, the idea of that stain ribbon which though invisible was still tied around it fueling that delima. She did not regret that night and binding herself to Sebastian, which within itself had been a feat for the feline, but he had specifically asked her to keep their relationship a secret from the Ark's owner and surely if she called him Alpha that would cause complications. She ran a hand through her wavy blonde locks abruptly, sighing as she tried to find a way to have her cake and eat it too, when she finally glanced up from the streets she walked upon and was stopped dead in her tracks.

Her jaw dropped, eyes wide as she studied the incredible but incomprehensible sight before her. Glancing down at her phone she checked the date and location the text had indicated to be sure she was in the right place before looking around to be sure there was no one jumping out to say she was being pranked. Deciding that this was apparently for real she shook her head slightly before beginning to climb the gang way of what could only be described as a small cruise ship. Her head was still spinning in disbelief, even as she caught the chattering of familiar voices within, my what had Tetradore been up to?!

The splendor of the exterior was forgotten only by the sheer opulence the interior displayed as she ran her fingers over the polished wood. The stark contrast to the ship which had previously held the name was mind boggling as the blonde paused just within the precipice of the boat's interior. For a moment just listening to the greetings being exchanged by her former coworkers and boss, but it was the particularly distinguished babbles and coos of a baby which lit her eyes. How could she have forgotten that Raven would no doubt have brought their bouncing baby to this meeting. She had received the group text that the family was doing well when their son had been born, only regretting that she had not been able to foster her friendship with the curly-haired blonde further during their time apart.

Finally, she followed the noise down the corridor and around the corner that opened up into what was obviously the bar though the shelves were only half stocked. A real smile sprung to her features as she took in the welcome sight of so many familiar faces, people she had come to know and rely on despite perhaps not fully realizing how much she had missed them until now. Holding up her hands she laughed lightly, a quiet "Look what the cat dragged in?" voiced before continuing into the room and to the two ladies hovering over the adorable bundle.

"And look at his handsome boy! Congratulations, Raven, he's beautiful." Her turquoise gaze flitting from the adorable baby to his mother and then Mira in turn with a broad smile. Turning slightly she looked to the bar where the dark haired men who may well have been brothers stood together. "And you too, Tobias. This place is... incredible Tetra." How she had almost forgotten what it felt like to be amongst this pack in the recent months, the calm warmth of familiarity and friendship. Perhaps it would not be such a bad thing to count herself as one of them, to not have to watch her own back any longer... and surely it would only offer more protection should her past ever catch up to her.

A part of her missed the dark and metal interior of the Ark, if only because of how familiar it had become and the comfort she found in the perfectly imperfect place which had offered her such shelter. Yet it seemed only appropriate that such a beautiful and bright place would be where the Nightshade pack chose to rebuild their lives, and she did not doubt that they deserved it.