The Tangle Meet me out by the fire escape

He was going to cry too. Ashlar had always been grateful when his songs could move others but her reaction made his more poignant. It could have been the song, but it was also likely because she was not happy either with this choice. Yeah. I'll come here, sometimes. He replied, softly.

He could take it back. He could go with her, join her pack, leave the rise and it's rough edges behind to live a life among sirens. Instead he watched her go.

There was no right choice when asked to leave one family for another. He felt his guilt more strongly than ever and would carry it with him as he departed as well. He would be raising children that were not his and hoping they'd eventually, maybe, forgive him for it. He didn't expect that they would. He was glad for the first time that his parents were not here. He wouldn't have to face them with this.

He wouldn't return home right away. The bard would take his feelings to a place where he could be alone for a while. He knew that the Rise would not understand.