Redhawk Caldera we exist living a thousand lives, side by side

Seabreeze is by his side and his gaze moves from her to his father as Sebastian approaches. Mato’s tail wags as his father introduces himself to Aerlinn. “Father, this is Seabreeze,” Mato introduces, worrying for a moment that she might mind having him speak for her. “I spoke of her briefly during our first reunion.” The druid seeks to bridge the gap so that Sebastian would know that this was his female companion …though the empyrean still does not know what they are to one another. Are they just friends? Are they more? Did she want more? Was that something she would be interested in? These questions, despite how they swam restless around his mind were for a different day; for when they were alone together.

And then Mato got more than he bargained for as his whole family trickled in and he presses subtly against Aerlinn hoping that she didn’t get intimidated by the show of all the Rochesters …though one, his sister Ivy, remained missing. “Seabreeze, this is my grandfather Burke, his wife Malice, and my younger brother Benjamin.” He lifted his chin ever so slightly. “Everyone, this is Seabreeze.” Perhaps, the starlight king thinks, it is better if they make their own assumptions. Mato, gratefully, does not have long to go down that exhausting questioning of trying to deduce what he and Seabreeze are to one another again as Burke warns him against joining the Caldera his chest seizing with unabashed fury when his grandfather tells him that the Caldera won’t allow him to eat. “What?!” The word tears itself from the imperial in a soft, outraged snarl. It became clear to Mato that Nova had been right to hate the Caldera, after all. He pulls himself up to his full height without realizing he is doing it, the strong curve of his chest puffing with regal fury. “Does it not occur to them that they should stop breeding if they do not have enough food for everyone and their spawns?” The words are cruel as he speaks them and his feelings on the Caldera are set. His candescent, apple green gaze flickers to his father, unable to hide the accusation that forms there. “You vouch for these wolves and this is what they do? Starve your father?”

This wasn’t how he wanted Seabreeze to meet his family; but he cannot quell the quiet ire that steals through his veins at the injustice of it. Mato would apologize to Seabreeze for this later ( providing his cruel streak does not scare her off ). “We are founding a pack in King Elk Forest in the Hinterlands. It is a few day’s travel at most.” Mato informs them all, though Sebastian knows of this already. “Come with us.” A plea, an invitation for them all.