Mortis said little on the trip down to The Hallows. Luckily, it wasn’t a long journey, but his mind was a mess. He knew Hikaru wanted to help him, but the winged boy was already ashamed by the way he had acted. It hurt to look at his friend, to remember his weakness, and what he had done. It was almost like he was determined to push away those close to him. To ruin his friendships. Muted, and head down, he reached the pack of his grandmother. He shuffled his paws a moment, stealing a glance towards the Koi wolf. Not time like the present, right? He raised his head and called out to his grandmother. Knowing how badly he wanted to see her. "Speech"

Of all the calls one could hear, Resin hadn't expected to hear the voice of Mortis beckoning her to the border. Though officially spring, it was still very much winter. More so than it had been during winter, ironically enough. For him to have made the journey from the Armada to the Hallows, something important must have happened. As such, the big woman threw her weight into her scarred paws and hurried to the border. From afar, she saw two specks. As she came closer, they took the form of her winged grandson and a smaller male, white and spotted much like Hanako. Before she neared them, she slowed enough to catch her breath, taking the last bit of journey at a walk. When she finally stopped in front of them, the ashen woman wasted no time in pulling Mortis into her embrace just like she had when he was a tiny pup. Placing a lick upon the top of his head, she stepped back, her gaze shifting from Mort's face to that of his companion. "Mortis," she rumbled with her old, damaged vocal cords. "This is a surprise." She then waited for him to tell her everything. "Speech"

Hikaru walked similarly as quiet as Mortis, but his presence was gentle and silent as they went. He didn’t press his friend, only offering his support as they walked. He didn’t expect any conversation really, not after everything that happened. He was just as clueless about how to help Mort as he was when they started the trip but finding himself travelling in the snow beside him brought fond memories. Now that he could look back on everything he could smile about stumbling along to find Mortis in the blizzard. However dire the circumstances had been at the time. He couldn’t help the absent glances towards the winged heir, he was hurt and broken but Hikaru was determined to see his friend through to the other side. Of all the wolves Mortis deserved his peace and happiness.

Mort called out and they were not left to wait for very long when Resin appeared. The warrior woman was much like Hika might expect Mort’s grandmother to look. She walked up to them slowly, but as she closed the distance her first reaction was to swiftly take Mort into her arms. Hika felt himself heave a sigh of relief. He didn’t know if this was the right decision, but he knew that Mort was loved here, and his grandmother would have his best interests at heart.

He waited politely to be introduced but offered a small bow of his head in polite reverence.

He couldn’t help himself. He peeked at Hikaru out of the corner of his eye as they waited for his grandmother. Trying to gouge, to understand, what his friend might be thinking. He had stuck by Mortis, but… the winged boy had shown him an ugly side of himself. He wondered if that would plague Hikaru now. If he would always wonder what would set the boy off.

He didn’t like the thought that his actions might slowly and efficiently drive a wedge between them. He brought his gaze frontward again, and was greeted by the approach of his grammy. He expected her to stop before him, already she looked a little puzzled, and he wondered if she might scold him for coming so far. Perhaps that was just the inner voice in his heart, expecting trouble after what had happened.

What he didn’t expect, was the strict but loving older woman to pull him in an embrace. A startled squeak escaped him, and then he was throwing himself into the embrace. Ducking his head into her shoulder, and driving his wings around her. He held tightly, defying her efforts to pull free of him. She stopped trying the moment she felt resistance, and pulled him close again.

He buried himself in her coat, and after a moment, he realised the hiccuping half-sobbed sounds were coming from himself.

As if she wasn't puzzled enough already, when Mort refused to be released, the one-eyed fae furrowed her brow. The sobbing started out softly, but soon picked up volume. What had happened to this boy? Rather than try to push him away, Resin would hold him for as long as he needed. She would wait for him to stop crying to peel herself away. In the mean time, she looked to the spotted boy that had accompanied Mort. "Resin Carpathius; Aegis of The Hallows," she introduced herself in a somewhat soft voice in the presence of Morts sorrow. The fae's singular golden eye rested on the the spotted young man as she silently questioned him. Eventually one of them would have to talk and explain this odd visit. Currently, Resin had absolutely no idea what would bring Mortis this far and in this shape. "Speech"

Hikaru would have lingered there beside Mortis the rest of the year if that was what he needed. The way Mort glanced towards him from the corner of his eye made his own mind race at what the winged boy might be thinking. Hika hadn’t been left behind in the Armada, Mortis trusted him enough with telling Aslatiel where they were headed. Mortis had been able to show his darkest self and Hikaru didn’t want anything than to be beside him. Mortis didn’t waste any time in curling himself around Resin’s form and the elder woman allowed Mort to remain. He started to sob softly. Hika’s dark tipped ears fell back to his skull at the sound of his friend’s emotions. Not because he was ashamed, but because he was so powerless to help him.

Resin caught his eye then and Hikaru straightened himself and gave a nod of greeting. ”Kaiyo Hikaru, warrior of the Armada.” He returned with his own credentials, not near as impressive as hers but Mort had mentioned the subdued feeling of ranks here. ”I’m glad to meet Mortis’ Grandmother.” Hika added, but daren’t explain their presence further. That was for Mortis when he was ready. The young koi couldn’t help his gaze as he traced the lines of Mort’s wing, and felt the weight of worry for his friend.

He was embarrassed, and agitated. There was plenty of self loathing thrown into the mixture, and he was still nursing a broken heart from the hurts Hana had done to him. He sighed into his grandmother's neck as she held him against her. He let himself be held for a little while, taking comfort from his grandmother. But, as much as he wanted to come here and hide from his hurts and embarrassments, he knew he had to tell Resin what had happened. “I’ve been very foolish, Grammy” he said softfully, carefully not looking at Hika. He was starting to cool, and he was feeling very embarrassed that Hika had seen both his anger and his tears in a short amount of time. “When Hana said she didn’t want to be my friend anymore, I got very upset, and ripped up my wing and made a fool of myself.” He whispered his confession to the older wolf. "Speech"

Pleasantries were exchanged and Resin spared the spotted boy a smile over the top of her crying grandsons head. "Good to meet you, Hikaru." Her attention then moved to solely rest upon Mortis as he cried into her, explaining what had happened to turn him into such a mess. She was slightly shocked that the words of a girl had caused him to harm himself. In her mind, he should be stronger than that. Indigo was weak willed as well and she wondered if the disposition came from Sirius or Zee as it was obviously a trend. Pulling back from Mortis, she pressed on him gently with her paws, forcing him to sit tall. She fixed the boy with her singular golden orb, her look loving, but hard. "The only thing in the entire world that you can completely control is yourself," she began. "Never give anyone the power to control you." He had definitely given Hanako that power and she had used it against him. She wasn't telling the boy that he shouldn't feel, she was simply telling him to be guarded and to care for himself. "If Hanako doesn't wish to be friends with you, it's out of your paws. Nothing you can do about it. Give her space. Eventually she may change her mind, or eventually she may not." Leaning forward, she placed a gentle kiss upon the brow of the winged boy. "You need to harden yourself, Mortis. The world is no soft place. You cannot run from your problems. You have to face them or they'll hunt you down and devour you." Ominous words, but true words. With her wisdom shared, she motioned for the boys to follow her into the territory. "Come, I'll show you the castle. Maybe you can have a talk with your brother. Indigo is here as well." Did Mortis know? Surely he did. "Speech"

Hikaru felt a little out of place, but even those emotions couldn’t overwhelm the need to help his friend. There wasn’t another wolf in the world that the boy cared for as much as Morti. He’d seen both sides, the sweet, helpful, amazing young man who he’d met in the blizzard. But now he was also familiar with the scared, hurt boy that felt his emotions keen and fiercely. That fact didn’t diminish any of the feelings Hikaru had for him. He only wished there was something he could do beyond his current attempts. He could be present, and he’d offer all the support and affection Mortis might need.

Thankfully Resin was much more wise and eloquent than he could ever be. The woman lifted Mort to his full height and addressed him not unkindly, but seriously. Hika agreed with all of the words of wisdom she spoke to the young prince, Mort couldn’t do anything about Hana or her choices, and Resin said it like Hikaru couldn’t. She didn’t blame the woman, but offered a neutral outlook on the situation. Something Hika, being too close to the situation, had been completely unable to do.

Hikaru took a few tentative steps forward and leaned against Mortis slightly, showing his silent support as Resin gestured for the two young wolves to follow her into the territory. Maybe later Mort would want to talk it out, or maybe not. Either way Hikaru would be there, willing and waiting.