Hello, Welcome Home.

Caedes watched Sloan's approach with a mixture of surprise and calculation, his emerald gaze fixed on her as she drew ever nearer. He noted the changes in her, both physical and in demeanor, and couldn't help but feel a pang of curiosity mixed with a hint of skepticism. What had driven her to seek him out after all this time? Part of him wondered if their mother had sent her.

As she spoke, Caedes listened in silence, his expression impassive yet attentive – he owed her that at least. He took in her words, each one stirring memories long buried beneath the surface of his scarred consciousness. Sloan's revelation about her reasons for leaving her pack struck a chord within him, in a way that resonated with his own struggles against the expectations placed upon him by their family. Their mother had all but disowned him when he was still a runty nothing, only taking interest in him when he could bring her glory. Sure, she was an average Saxe vipress, but he had been raised by their grandmother more than anyone else – and she had leagues more substance than their mother ever would.

When she mentioned their bond as siblings and her determination to forge her own path, Caedes took a step forward. His emeralds fixated on her face and searched for the truth within her eyes. Despite the distance that had grown between them over the years, the connection of blood still held weight. And even if not that, she had never wronged him. Caedes was a simple man, despite his intelligence. He preferred it that way. Why dwell on the past? He could dislike his mother, feel pity for his father, but it ended there.

He understood Sloan’s desire to break free from the confines of her upbringing, to assert her own autonomy – it was what he had done. She had every right. But… she had left Saffron without permission. “Sloan,” His voice was a calm, deep rumble as his massive frame loomed over her own. “I understand. I do. I’ll not crucify you for wanting more for yourself.” Caedes paused, meeting her gaze with a level of intensity entirely fitting of his battle hardened existence. “But leaving... It's not an easy path to walk. Should Sephiran find out you abandoned Saffron, he will be furious. So lie. Say something, say anything that cannot be proved false.” Caedes had been given permission to leave by their grandmother, a fact that could not be refuted.

He considered her for a moment, weighing his words carefully before continuing. “If you're determined to carve out your own destiny, then I will not stand in your way.” Caedes reached out, his touch tentative yet reassuring as he placed a paw on her shoulder. “But I will help where I can, sister.” Unemotional brute as he was, this was the closest he could get to comforting.