salt in the wound

If she was being honest, Ophie had never spoken poorly of her family, only of their expectations and how she felt pushed to fulfill them even against her own wishes. That didn't mean someone was keeping her prisoner or doing harm to her. The thought seemed foolish now, but it'd been driven by frantic worry and the need to find answers somewhere. It was clear now that Sirius hadn't harmed his own daughter. If anything, he seemed just as worried as she was now.

Kaija felt those specific worries fade away instantaneously as she was led deeper into Armada territory, replaced wholly by concern for Ophie's safety. She ducked her head inside, sniffing around the floor. It smelled like Ophie, of course, but her scent had begun to fade. "It just doesn't make sense to me," Kaija sighed, twisting around to face Sirius again. She'd seen Ophie go through hardship before... okay, maybe not like this... but it was hard to imagine her just up and leaving over it. Without even telling her.

The weight of that realization seemed heavier now, and she didn't quite know what to do with it. Especially with no clues about her whereabouts here. Just a den, somewhere Kaija wished she'd come before, when Ophie was here instead of gone. She let out a loud sigh, frustrated that she had no clue where to go next.