Redhawk Caldera So I've made an art out of forgettin' well

Eljay's face fell too when Maia said that her brother had died. He hadn't expected that answer. He wondered if it was a sign of getting older that you heard more and more stories of death. Oh, he said solemnly. Sorry to hear that. Eljay wasn't entirely sure how long it had been since Maia had last seen her brother. She looked shook by the news, though she had had a little time to process it on the way back. When she mentioned his kids, Eljay tilted his head, looking tentative. Oh..? Was it nice to see them? Eljay didn't know if Maia had seen them before or if this was her first meeting with them (which would be a little weird, maybe, after their father had died). But he could see that it was a bit of a relief, at least.

Do you want to uh, come in? Eljay asked, a little tentative. He wasn't too sure if Towhee, Niamh and Phox would like it very much if he invited Maia into the territory, but then again, she was practically family. Was there really any harm in it?