Nova Peak Oh, I've got reservations about so many things.

Stag was relieved to see the boy at least grudgingly concede to tagging along. Stag didn't have the natural-born command of Mahler or Wylla, and if Astraeus refused he'd probably just let him. Enableist, or pacifist -- maybe Stag was somewhere in the middle.

Surprised by the boy's question, Stag turned and looked at Astraeus quietly before answering. "I was born here, like you." Stag knew Astraeus wouldn't take the here literally - since neither of them had been born on these godforsaken rocks. "It was called Diaspora then, and it was lead by my father." Stag would have done away with mentioning Stigmata was dead, were it not for the suspicion he had that Astraeus may ask after who this father was. "Stigmata. He was killed when I was young -- younger than you. Shortly after, all of my siblings disappeared -- and a few months later, my mother went to found a pack with her brother. I stayed behind."