Hikaru raced from Mort’s side, eager to find his sister and get back to the winged heir. He still didn’t full understand what was going on, but he’d vowed to do anything Mortis asked. Including finding Aslatiel and giving her a head’s up to where her brother would be. Hika wasn’t sure how much to reveal to the girl, but he knew if anyone could help it was her. Mortis felt like he needed to get away, and Hika would facilitate that desire to his best ability.

His moving paws helped to keep his worries at bay, but mostly he just worried about his friend. Mortis was hurting, and badly, and he felt so powerless to help. This was the true Mortis, and Hika would do absolutely anything to see the fanged heir’s smile once more. He didn’t deserve to suffer these emotions, and deep down Hika blamed Hanako. Hika didn’t care if he was wrong, he needed something or someone to lay the effects on. It just happened Hana was an excellent target.

”Aslatiel?” He called out as he raced to the training dummies, hoping she was here and he wouldn’t have to search long.

After her near death experience and the earth shattering admission from Naiche, Asla had needed a bit of alone time. Where better to get some thinking done than the training dummies? She attacked the lifeless masses of hide and straw until her body ached and she was panting hard. The striped lady was just taking a break when Hikaru ran up to her, a question on his maw. Turning to the spotted man, her brow furrowed as she moved forward to meet him. He seemed a little panicked and it made her nervous. "Hikaru? What's wrong? What happened?" She could only imagine. It was always something. "Aslatiel"

Thankfully Aslatiel was right where he needed to be and he couldn’t have been more thankful for that. He was quite the observant boy and as she looked up to him he saw the exhaustion in her features. He couldn’t decide if her new rank was weighing on her, or if some other scenario played out but he immediately felt bad about bothering her. Honestly he looked up to her, she was an impressive she wolf. Hika could learn a lot from her despite the closeness in their age.

Even though he had sought her out Hikaru was the one feeling like he was put on the spot. He hadn’t thought at all what he was going to say, but Mortis had specified not to mention Hanako. The boy took in a steadying breath. ”Mortis asked me to find you. Something happened…” He debated about his next words, but tried so hard to be as honest as he could. ”Something happened, um you’ll have to get the specifics from him but he isn’t physically hurt.” He tried to assure her. ”He wanted someone to know that we are taking a trip to the Hallows.” His dark tipped ears had long fell to his skull as he tried to explain, and he hoped he got the message across.

Asla listened as Hikaru launched into an explanation. He was leaving out so many details and it was terribly obvious that he was doing so. The young woman furrowed her brow and shook her head. Something had happened or else he wouldn't be here telling her. It would be Mort here telling her. "Hikaru, what happened?" What could possibly drive Mort away from the Armada in the middle of a lasting winter? It wasn't like the journey was short or easy. What could possibly have happened? Asla ran through a list of things in her mind. A fight with their father? It couldn't be a fight with Azure. He wasn't even here. Was he still feeling left out or ostracized? They had talked through that and he seemed to be okay. In the end, the smaller wolf fixed the spotted man with a hard stare. "What. Happened." "Aslatiel"

Aslatiel’s frustration was palpable, but Hikaru felt powerless to assuage the feeling. He didn’t know what to do beyond what Mortis asked. It was not his place to elaborate, however much he wanted to open up to the Reaper and seek her wisdom on the matter. She knew her brother better than anyone, and Hika again wished Mortis had sought her help. Still. He promised. Hikaru’s cheeks flushed as he battled internally, in the end his loyalty to Mort would hold steady and he broke into an apologetic expression.

”I promised Mortis I would not say.” He told her solemnly, while shifting his weight guiltily. ”I wish I could, Aslatiel.” Dark tipped ears lowered to his skull. He certainly wasn’t about to stop her if she followed him.