Broken Antler Fen Tea time

Maia's confidence felt like grains of sand slipping through his fingers. He wanted her to know that she could be here too, and that it was okay if someone else watched the children for a little bit. Eljay was left with a frown but nothing to say in return when Maia insisted that she should go. Okay, see you in a bit, he said, a little dejectedly. He turned back to Izumi and said apologetically, We have small pups. Hopefully she understood. He still felt a bit like a jerk for coming here too. He'd only wanted to assist Maia and make sure there was no trouble, not steal her thunder in any way or force her to go back to the children.

Izumi, meanwhile, seemed to struggle with some things of her own; she seemed nervous, though Eljay didn't understand nor could pinpoint exactly why. He hoped it wasn't because of him or because of the situation with Maia. Either way, she offered that she was good at hunting and that she could help around with pack affairs. Pack affairs? Eljay asked with interest. What sort of things? He asked it in a friendly manner, a soft and welcoming smile on his face, in hopes that would be enough to soothe Izumi's seeming nerves.