Áskell had withdrawn himself the past few weeks as he mulled over his encounter with the Iga heir and the truth of his mother and father's meeting. Alas, Ari did not know if Áskell's mother still lived but he had promised to send word to his sister, Izumi's companion, to find out. In the meantime Áskell's head was left to spin with his new reality and the culture that was a part of him yet he knew hardly anything about. He had of course known there was always another side of family, but when he'd thought his mother had abandoned him he'd wanted nothing to do with them. However, now that he knew she'd meant to keep him and his brother, even giving him the name Ketoru should amends be made with the Ono family…

This new found knowledge gave him hope which collided with the ghosts that haunted him in Habari, lurking around every corner, reminding him of what he'd lost. Every nook and cranny reminded him of his father and his brother to the point he could hardly bear it anymore. He needed a new beginning. Áskell howled for Recluse. It was time for him to move on from Habari.

Recluse would have to admit she'd let her cousin slip through the cracks a bit, his brother had been claimed by the sickness and Recluse had burried him beside his father, she still regularly made sure to keep the graves clean with flowers but Áskell himself had been less tended to. She knew she needed to do better, to try and make sure he wasn't being ignored. So when he called for her that was all the excuse she needed. The woman would not leave her cousin to wait too long. She approached the young man and gave him a nod.

"Áskell," she said as she approached, the bluster of her alpha voice was gone though she still clearly carried herself with the usual confidence but it was clear she was approaching him as family and not a subject, "what can I do for you?"

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Art by Vethysnia

Áskell felt his heart beating in his chest. A mix of nerves tumbled over and over in his stomach but he resisted the urge to waver. He felt some guilt about requesting to leave Habari. But he was doing little good to the pack wandering about in a daze of grief and angry rumination. Soon Recluse arrived and he dipped his head in a polite bow as she asked what she could do for him.

"Recluse. Much as happened since we've last talked. This is difficult for me to ask but I wish to leave Habari." She swallowed sharply, putting on as brave a face as he could muster. "I've learned news of my mother and I wish to pursue this end. I wish to leave my ghosts here." He didn't wish to wax excuses to justify his decision. It simply was what it was.

To say it wasn't at least a little bit dissapointing to hear would have been an understatement but if Recluse had learnt anything from motherhood it was that sometimes you had to let wolves go and chase their goals, even if you wish they wouldn't, or that you felt other choices were better.

Recluse nodded slowly. She had to admit some part of her was scared she would be losing what little of her uncle was left if she let her cousin go. He had one more son of course and she loved Veigar in a way she did not feel for his older brother but the boys had been there basically since the beginning and Áskell was the only one left... For a moment she considered denying him but when she finally did speak: "If that is what you wish Áskell, I will not keep you." She looked at him and her expression softened. "Please know if you ever wish to visit the... graves or your brother you will be welcome." The last thing she wanted was to cut him off from his father and brothers if he ever desired to return. She could not promise he would always be recieved with open arms, she could not tell what would happen between him and where this path would take him but so long as she remained in charge he would not be denied a chance to visit his family, even if it was under the watchful eye of an escort when he moved on her lands.



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Art by Vethysnia