hi, hello, i like plants!

It is not the first time he has heard that statement. From the moment he had been cognizant of the world around him, could speak and understand, Ioan began to question. Most days, he spent them with Gwyn. Either in her library, learning to read, or down in the infirmary learning the ways of healing. Not that he understood or knew everything, but he paid attention. Even if they weren't allowed to leave Hallows lands unescorted, it was important to know of other packs, other families. Any lesson his father or mother was willing to teach, Ioan tried to be there for it.

"I w-wish to never be c-caught off guard," he admits quietly, his gaze turning from Seiko toward the plant that he had just been gathering. There was vulnerability in that admittance. Unlike most of the Hallows, most of his siblings, he was small. Weak. At least his intelligence would give him a leg up in the world. He would be useful. One thing he could do to be more useful was herb gathering. A menial grunt task that he didn’t mind doing. And now that he had enough Queen Anne’s Lace, he noticed some Marigolds growing nearby too. Walking a few paces, but still within earshot, he carefully plucks one from the ground and sets it to the side.

Blocking negative thoughts from his mind, Ioan focuses on what Seiko says. The southern coast of Auster. Bamboo forest and a bay. His brow furrows, trying to remember the map he had seen up on the library's wall. Shapes and distance were still something he was learning so forming the picture in his brain was difficult, but he nodded anyway. "So not too far of a j-journey?" Concern suddenly in his eyes as he turns to look back at Seiko. If they needed anything, he would be sure that his father provided it.

"Sstrange?" His brows are furrowing again, concern dissipating as his head cants. It was all he knew. Those stone walls and large windows and thick rugs. Luxury compared to most. He supposed that there was an instinctual part of himself that preferred being outside. That sometimes being inside did feel stuffy and tight, but the castle was rather large so he had not felt it press in too often. "I enjoy our c-collection of books, and w-we have a well sstocked eating area," Ioan smiles, tail wagging, facial expression smoothing over as he realizes that yes, he does like living in the castle. "Do you l-like living in the ba-bamboo?"

Ioan