Lost Creek Hollow the love of your life lives

Okay, so it wasn't a permanent thing. Then again - with what Okeanos had proposed to her, the two kids wouldn't need to worry about Terance or the pack because they'd be on the road themselves. Thinking of her brother helped to ease some of her worries and lighten that pressure weighing upon her. Ibis knew she should try and keep a level head, not take things so personally — she was doing her best despite the thought of all the change that was on the way. It would be sad to think of her little buddy Aengus romping with strangers somewhere outside of the Hollow, the same unsettling feeling plagued her when she thought of how lonely and quiet the forest would become without all the kids around. There would still be kids here, obviously. Treason's trio weren't going anywhere. Was that what her father wanted? For Ibis to stay and help take care of them with her step-mom?

I'm going to visit a friend in the mountains — her name is Hydra, Terance explained, cutting through whatever thoughts clouded Ibis' brain. She was silent as she listened to her dad explain things. He wanted her to go along with him on this trip - the thought of being on the road with her dad made her eyes gleam; but she thought of Okeanos, and her promise to him. How could she abandon her brother again in favor of her father? The girl's frown returned and she dropped her gaze from Terance's face, looking at her feet, thinking, considering all the options that she had.

I can tell you more about the favor, if you want. Offered the man.
No. She answered, sharp and quick.

There was a lot buzzing through her mind right now and while it was difficult to process the bulk of it, all that mattered to Ibis in the moment was Okeanos. Could she somehow do both? Go with Terance, prove that she loved him and could be there for him (in all the ways he could never be there for her), all the while leaving Okeanos to the open road - or should she cut her ties now, save herself the inevitable heartbreak of their return to a nearly empty pack where she'd be judged by her step-mother? Ibis knew she could never measure up in Treasons eyes because she was physically small and mentally flighty, and the two of them had nothing in common — did she want to endure that?

I'm sorry dad, Ibis finally murmured towards the dirt at her feet, but, she made herself lift her gaze to look at her dad properly. To trace the scars on his face with her bright but sad eyes. Please don't make me choose. Between her father and her brother, there was only ever one choice.