race me! race me!

Hanako didn't blame him for feeling that way, from the sounds of it the Ashen Empire of the past wasn't quite as forgiving it was today. But what if, through some twist of fate, things hadn't changed? Hanako couldn't help but speculate how different it would be, would Sirius have even accepted her in the first place? Or well even beyond that, depending on how far the Ashen could reach perhaps she wouldn't have even been in the Keepers custody at all. After all surely there would be no need for the likes of them when the Ashen Empire already owned everything it could ever want. It was a strange line of thought, one that she indulged in longer than she would have expected.

Really though, Hanako saw where he was coming from. When the Ashen Empire was all he knew why would he even think to question it? The same could be said for Hanako and The Keepers, they had given her so much and only asked for one thing in return. A prospect-that strangely, since it had never bothered her before-seemed more daunting with each passing day.

Hanako felt the change in Mortis' mood like as though it was something real and tangible, like the breeze ruffling her fur. Her gaze darted to his face as her brows drew together, her concern as clear as face on her features. Was it something she'd said? She hadn't meant to pry, but in asking such a heavy question she supposed that it could've easily opened a big can of worms. Unleashed thoughts that Mortis didn't want to address right now. A whine slipped past her lips as she scooted closer, not that there'd been much space between them to begin with, and pressed a reassuring nose boop to the fluff of his neck. She wouldn't ask but if he wanted to talk about it she'd happily hear him out. If not, they could stay like this too. Whatever he wanted she'd be more than happy to provide.