Sunbeam Lair & so it stood, bitter-sweet, still fair to see, but stricken, soon to fall and die?

He recognized the resignation in his dam the moment her breath came out in an exasperated sigh, but still his gaze was hard on her. The tears were equal parts hurt and anger, but it was only the blustering anger of a young child unable to cope with the breadth of their own feelings. Children felt things so poignantly that were small issues to adults; Dragomir felt the loss of Diaspora's company like the keen edge of a knife against his heart. That was putting it dramatically, but it felt like a dramatic change to him.

He said nothing more, only followed along when Aurë insisted that they had to leave. It wasn't like he had a choice; Aurë had been banished, unbeknownst to him, and she could not leave him behind. Not only because she could not handle it, but because if she did, Dragomir would be indoctrinated into Diaspora's culture so firmly that he would in time come to view her as an enemy and a threat, the same way Stigmata viewed non-Diasporans in his mountains. She likely foresaw that and knew that leaving them with their pack was not an option.

None of this was known to him, which didn't make any of it easier. He followed in silence, remaining sullen for the remainder of the day.