During a cursory flight over Auster Hattori's bird had noted something interesting, that Fenmyre appeared to be no more. He hadn't been able to work out the whats and why's from such a distance, but Hattori decided it didn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. Whether they pack disbanded or moved somewhere else was of little consequence to the Kaicho as he strode up the beach, seawater dripping from his underbelly. He had never been here before and so his silver gaze took in the place with a new-found sense of curiosity. Though this place could never compare to the seclusion of the Maze. Too human, too broken and withered, like they'd been living in a corpse of something that had died long ago.

"Speech"

Typically, her uncle had no issues with taking her on scouting adventures around Auster. This time though she had been out on her own when she had caught a whiff of his scent. Having been exploring the falls that were also once a part of Fenmyre, she was instantly curious why the Kaicho was prowling around nearby. Making her way toward the faint scent of Fenymre wolves and the growing scent of Hanzo, Rheum paused on the edge of the beach. Ahead of her, a rising build stood tall and yet crumbling at the same time. What was it?

Searching for the towering form of Hanzo, Rheum crossed the short distance from shore to shore. Coated in her own film of brackish water, the plum-coated girl approached her uncle with quiet steps. "Can I ask questions?" She asked respectfully as her gaze turned toward the vine-covered buildings. Shattered windows and flocks of birds crowded the landscape as she took in the sights. Why would anyone want to live in such a dismal place? There was a lot to take in but what she noticed most were the makeshift shacks along the beach, a nearly broken bridge, and not far off the shore a large vessel she didn't know the name of.

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Hattori was not overly surprised to hear the gentle patter of paws upon sand, drawing closer with a question no doubt lingering on her lips. There was so much Rhuem seemed to want to know and see, and she would be ready in time just not yet. He flicked his ear to acknowledge her presence but otherwise kept his focus on the ruins ahead of him, how they'd crumbled and collapsed in on themselves. Unable to stand the test of time. A lot of packs had fallen as of late, was this what was destined for them all in the end?

"What is it?" He asked, willing enough to let her pick his mind, to share what he knew.

He turned a little then, glancing over his shoulder with an inquisitive sniff. The ocean clung to her too, salty with an edge of seaweed that stuck like burrs to fur.

She was pleased that her uncle was welcome to answer her questions. More inquisitive than her siblings, Rheum's waterlogged tail flung droplets across the sand as she let it wag happily behind her. "Is there a name for this place?" The almost year-old pup questioned, her bright and curious gaze moving to linger along the shoreline. From the dividing waters to the makeshift bridge and dilapidated boats, she again wondered why someone would want to live here. Her nose would wrinkle at the salty brine smell that emanated from the waters as she moved toward the crumbling building. As much as she wanted to explore the rusted and vine-covered boat not far away, the building would probably be the safer bet. "Were they like Tojo in their secrecy?" Rheum would question, her yellow gaze lingering on the broken windows. As much as she wanted the answers, she also wondered if she didn't want to know the truth about the place. Something about the shadows that were cast from the building gave her a creepy feeling.

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"The wolves claimed this place as Fenmyre. Now it is just the Forgotten Isle." He began, wondering where they had all dispersed to. No doubt their allies had taken in those seeking out a home. "They kept to themselves, but not as much as we do. They had allies and were part of the Ashen Empire." One part of a growing whole, it seemed.

He let Rheum stew on those words for a moment as he moved closer, stepped up an old and crumbling concrete staircase but had little interest to actually go in for now.

"I believe many wolves find comfort in being part of something bigger." But the way he saw it, it was a form of codependency, that they would struggle to be on their own. Feel weak without the muscle of others to back them up, if need be.
 

There was a temptation stirring in her belly to go wander the halls of the empty and crumbling building. With one ear turned toward her uncle to head his words, Rheum contemplated Fenmyre's fate. What had brought a seemingly powerful pack to nothing? Abolished in the blink of an eye and gone to where? Her brow furrowed as she glances at Hanzo before taking a few steps toward the Forgotten Isle's interior. Birds sailed overhead amongst clouds and shimmering sun. Everything here seemed so... unbothered. Unfazed by the world surrounding it. Initially, it did appear to be a good place for a pack but... the state of it was deteriorating.

"An Empire sounds grand and overwhelming," Rheum muses quietly with a gentle shake of her head. She quite liked that Tojo was by themselves. She even enjoyed traveling alone or with just her uncle. Being a part of something larger sounded suffocating. Did the wolves of Fenmyre really leave their peace and quiet to go be with others? Looking back out to the gentle waters that surrounded the Forgotten Isle and mainland Auster, she continued to wonder what the other packs were like.

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Hattori hummed in agreement with her sentiment, somewhat glad they shared the same opinion. He would not argue with her if she hadn't, she was young and still had plenty to learn and understand. But he supposed Tojo catered to those who saw things from their perspective, they wouldn't fit in well otherwise and would no doubt wonder off. Either as a loner on in search of something else, something that catered to their tastes better. No doubt there were plenty of options spread all about, from Auster to Boreas there were more packs now than ever. Could the land provide for them all? Or was conflict looming on the horizon.

He followed Rheum line of sight and made a guess at what she was thinking.

"When you're a little older you can seek the answers for yourself."