His 'patience' was rewarded with the sight of a small grey smudge moving along the horizon, the light color being swallowed up by the deep snow. The tall Optime lifted his muzzle to the air, trying to catch the scent of the small creature. A broad smile lit upon his countenance when he realized it was none other than his beloved sidekick, Ruri! She had finally come to visit him; oh, it had been too long.
Things had been shaky between them since Heath had admitted his feelings for her; Jacquez and Ruri still loved each other, but their relationship had suddenly reached an awkward stage. The king did not possess the mental capabilities to understand romance, but it was clear that his ward had grown to a level of maturity beyond his own, and now his advice was no longer necessary or helpful to her well-being. His smile faltered, but he huffed, bored of standing on the cold porch.
"Ruuuriii! The door is open, come inside if you like!" he bellowed, his hot breath forming an effervescent cloud. Without waiting, he hurried back indoors, leaving the wooden door ajar for her to follow. Out of habit, his black eyes quickly scoured the floor, checking for any objects that might trip or confuse her. Firefly kept it pretty neat, though, and her vermin cat had gone out with her, so the place should be friendly to the blind. He poked his head in their bedroom, snagging a blanket from the small stack of linens in case it would be needed. He did try to think of everything.
Had life as Dauphine been treating her well? Jacquez found himself at the window again, his breath fogging up the glass panes as he watched the collie-wolf from a distance. No one had harassed her, or voiced complaints about a blind female being dubbed alpha. Still, he wondered whether it was too much responsibility for one so peaceable and fragile. It had been Firefly's vehement urging that convinced Jac to give her the position; in his simple world, he wanted her sequestered away, not thrust into the middle of everyone and everything where something could happen to her. Nothing catastrophic had happened thus far... But he would never be happy about her and that mongrel.