The bomb that Hattori had dropped on her had left her greatly shaken. She knew her son was not her ex-husband, that much was evident considering he’d simply chosen to leave, rather than cheat or manipulate Ashen into the place that he wanted it to be. All she wanted for her child was his happiness, and if this was going to bring him greater peace and happiness, then she supported him. She did picture her grandchildren in the back of her mind and she felt like she was being torn in two. It was not an easy choice that she had to make, and there was only one wolf who she felt she could turn to.

Kiyo poked her head into Magnus’ den, dropping the bag that had a few cups and a leather pouch of freshly brewed, warm tea in it on the ground. ”Magnus, do you have a moment to share some tea with me?” she asked, her voice gentle.

CODE © SKELLE 2021

"Speech!"

With his coat having grown in completely, Magnus still wasn't sure what exactly happened. All his fur fell out and grew back in.. different? Covered in black with new turquoise patches and swirls, it was completely different than what he even remembered looking like before. His appearance already changed once, and now again? Maybe he had taken one of those strange baths before he lost his memory. It was the only excuse he could come up with, but he also wasn't given much time on the subject before a familiar voice called out from the entrance of his den. Coming from his room in the back, Magnus allowed a faint smile to cross his features at the sight of her.

"Of course, Kiyo," He spoke as he strode into the light of the front room. "Is something on your mind?" He asked, searching her face for signs.

Magnus’ transformation had been astounding, to be honest. She’d seen him through virtually the whole thing, from his previous appearance, to naked mole rat-like, to his intriguingly dark and vibrantly light markings. She was very happy for him as she knew that he had taken it quite hard, and understandably so. And, if she were being honest, even though she wasn’t dependent on appearances, she thought, maybe, he was a little more handsome. She tended to like the dark and broody types, so sue her.

The man gave her the go ahead and she let herself in, dipping her head in a bow in greeting. ”How is your head feeling?”she asked, referencing the odd crystal horns that had begun growing from his head as she began to take out the cups and some dried fruits and meats as a snack.

"Hattori Kiyo"

CODE © SKELLE 2021

"Speech!"

The strangest of all were the stubby crystals that were growing out of the skull. Those definitely weren't there and he certainly wasn't allowed to forget about them now. A constant dull headache throbbed away as they formed, always growing even if the process was too slow to see. It was worse some days than others, but Kiyo was lucky to find him on a good day. Probably because he hadn't been outside much today, but he didn't stop to think about the specifics.

When he approached she was already setting out the cups, snacks, and teas. He had a faint feeling of having done this before, but couldn't place himself in a moment that he could remember. He ignored it and focused back on how Kiyo dodged his question with one of her own. His brows pressed inward a bit as he smirked. "Fine, but how are you feeling?" He pressed again, wondering what had her dodging his question initially.

She hadn’t entirely intended to avoid his question outright, but a part of her wanted normal conversation first before she dove right into her issues. If she ignored them enough, maybe they would go away… but they had never done so before, and it was foolish of her to think they would do so now.

She paused mid-pour, the mouth of the pouch dripping a few stray drops of the peppermint tea onto the dirt floor. She’d thought ahead of his horn growth, having just gone through the regrowth of her own not too long before, and the peppermint was known to relieve headaches. She finished the pour and slid the cup toward him, placing the pouch down gently. ”I…have been better,” she said, a wry smile tilting onto her pale lips. The ghostly woman fussed nervously with her own cup, taking a sip before continuing, a motion that was clearly meant for comfort.

”I haven’t mentioned this before, though it’s not a kept secret, but I have a son. Hattori Hanzõ, the shogun of Ashen. Or…I suppose, as I recently learned, the former shogun of Ashen. He’s leaving, setting off to find his own more fertile soil and…I don’t know what to do about it,” she confessed. Her brows over her soft silver eyes drew inward and she felt the ache in her chest flare up once again. All Kiyo had ever wanted was a home, a steady home with a man who loved her, to watch over their gaggle of children together as they grew into old age. She had once considered Iga her home, but it had quickly become a prison, and then Ashen had felt like home, and now that was being torn away from her too.

"Hattori Kiyo"

CODE © SKELLE 2021

"Speech!"

When the familiar scent of peppermint filled his nostrils the deja vu feeling wouldn't go away, however he tried hard to focus on Kiyo's reply instead of the own strange feeling he had. He moved to sit next to her, but not so close that it was difficult to see her face. When she admitted that she had been better he frowned immediately, purple eyes searching for her own silver one. When she continued, admitting that she had a son and who he was, what he had done, Magnus couldn't sway the feeling inside any longer though struggled to remain intact for Kiyo as she admitted what was bothering her. Flashes of images whirled in his head, clouding his thoughts with questions about what was happening. He could hardly focus on what Kiyo had really said, but something about her uttering the words about having a son, Magnus felt some sort of... kinship?

But he didn't have any kids... right? His head pounded sharply then, breaking his memories...thoughts?

Magnus blinked hard, realizing in that moment that he had taken a moment to answer and probably was worrying Kiyo. Suddenly his lost eyes flashed down to his tea and he took a quick drink before forcing his mind off the things he was seeing behind his eyes.

He didn't even know how to answer her about what was bothering her. He wanted to comfort her, but wasn't sure how. He still wasn't even sure why he felt like he also had kids. He couldn't remember having kids... right?

"I'm sorry, I─" He stopped then, pausing only briefly. "My head just started pounding, I'm sorry." He lied, but his head was pounding, though for a different reason than he suggested as he rubbed up near his growing crystal horns. "Venom's husband." He rumbled with a clear tone of annoyance, her words coming to him finally. Although he hadn't actually been to Ashen since his apparent return to the armada, he couldn't exactly remember how he knew that bit of information. He also didn't know why he felt so bothered by this, considering he hardly cared about the affairs of the packs before now.

Silence stretched between them after Kiyo’s admission, her nerves fraying like a worn rope as each second ticked by. She wasn’t ashamed of having a son, and while she was disappointed in Hanzo, she wasn’t ashamed of him, either. He was an unapologetic factor in her life, but it still wasn’t easy to admit to Magnus. She wasn’t sure how he would take it, and the longer he went without reply, the more she worried he’d tell her to leave for reasons unknown to her.

A look at his face showed confusion, which was contrary to what he relayed when he finally spoke. He told of his pounding head, which, perhaps, was not a full lie but she also wasn’t sure if it was the full truth. Then, he repeated the words ‘Venom’s husband’ with a palpable annoyance in his voice and she barely avoided flinching. Maybe he was angry with her for not telling him sooner?

“The tea should help with that. It helped when mine were growing in, and when my grandson, Takeshi, was having trouble with his horns,” she replied, her voice quiet as she fiddled with her cup again.

“I know this is not your problem, and I’m not asking you for answers…but you’ve become a precious friend to me. You bring me comfort that I haven’t found in a long time, even if you are a little rough around the edges,” Kiyo added, another wry smile twitching onto her features. “His leaving affects this friendship, though. Whether I stay in Ashen, with Venom and my grandchildren, or follow after my only child. Its…not easy, Magnus. I went through so much just to have him.” By the time she finished her sentence, her voice was barely above a whisper and tears gathered at her waterline. There was a grief that she would always find inescapable when she thought of Hattori’s birth, of the 7 tiny bodies lying breathless and cold that she would forever wish she could fill to life again with all of the love she’d born for them. She herself had almost bled out after birth, and it was seemingly by divine intervention that she stood there at all.

"Hattori Kiyo"