Moonspear rock the boat

Alya wagged her tail and returned her mother's nuzzle when she arrived, fondly remembering the "talk" Amekaze had given her when she'd been but an inquisitive youth. She knew better, now, and suddenly wondered what Nikai might think of her short dalliance with Bruges - but she couldn't think of a reason to tell him, so it didn't really matter.

When her father arrived, however, her ears flew back in uncertainty at his sharp tone. She was remembering a very different conversation with her father, where he'd promised to continue loving Alya and her sisters when they went off to claim their own mountain. It was not yet the time for that - but she still considered this a departure of sorts, and she knew her father to be a man of emotion more than a man of his word.

"I've chosen Nikai as my mate," she added when he's said his piece. Of all things, she did not expect that to be contested. What came next, however... "I know I've been in and out a lot lately, but... We need to go and see Nikai's mother, Valette. It's what I meant to do when I left before, but... well, we're going to actually get there, this time."

She looked between her parents, heart thudding unevenly in her chest.