Protect, embrace, engulf

Oath dipped his head in acknowledgment, appreciating Seiko's reserved nature. Their response about the Tojo-Kai was exactly what he expected from a pack steeped in tradition and guarded by mistrust. It didn’t faze him- he’d encountered wolves with similar stances before, and he respected the fierce loyalty it took to uphold such principles. “A strong home is built on honor,” he remarked. “You defend yours well. I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

When Seiko mentioned Judila, Oath’s ears pricked slightly with a jingle of his jewelry, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Judila does not really live anywhere. Nomadic by choice. We wander the lands, absorbing knowledge and offering aid where we can. At least, most of us do.” His cyan gaze grew distant for a moment before refocusing on Seiko.

Their mention of staying close to home drew an understanding nod from Oath. “That kind of devotion takes strength. It’s not easy to sacrifice exploration for the sake of duty.” He paused, glancing briefly toward Icarus and Nyx, who had begun preening their feathers, content for the moment. “As for me, I tend to roam, but I stay close to my family and wherever they choose to be. Right now, I’m... exploring,” he admitted with a wry grin. “How am I to protect them if I never step away long enough to gain experience of what threats lie outside of us? I am sure you understand- you are here with me, after all.”

He tilted his head slightly, his tone shifting to one of curiosity. “Do you ever feel restless, though? Like there’s more to see, more to learn outside your borders? Or does the safety of home outweigh that pull?” His gaze lingered on Seiko, genuinely intrigued by their perspective. He'd often found himself conflicted with the need to be near his own family, and the need to discover- he hoped their opinion might ease his own mind.