Sunbeam Lair Make me think I am bitter, to consider it this far

Maybe @Gray? ^^ Other tag is for visibility~

It was an interesting thing, to watch one’s children grow. In such a short amount of time, they had already gotten bigger in comparison to how they’d looked directly after birth. She loved them, and terribly so, for they were the first beings that she harboured affections towards immediately. It was a wonder to her, motherhood, and she was curious as to whether or not her own parents had felt the same way. It was comforting, too, having them around. Since their birth, Draco had been silent. Every now and again he’d stir, letting her know that he was still there, but he’d yet to try and push for control. He had blessed her children, and seemed to look upon them just as fondly as she did, which was a relief.

After the children had fallen asleep, she’d nudged at them gently until they were cuddled up close to one another, then poked at @Ukko. In hushed tones, she’d told him that she was going to stretch her legs, and that she’d be back shortly. The girls would be fine until she returned to them, and so the dragoness had exited the den and proceeded through the forest. There was a thought that had been lingering in the back of her mind for several days now, and so she’d soon found herself in search of Gray, feeling that a meeting with him was necessary.

As the wee hours of the day came to a close, Gray contemplated calling it quits for the night and just heading back to the lair. He had spent most of the day cleaning up a path he frequented by removing some of the low hanging branches, and fallen logs. Many of the obstacles where much too heavy for him to move on his own, but the amount that he had done was at least a start. All in all he felt he had a fairly productive day, but still wanted to finish cleaning up the last portion of the path before heading in for the night. Besides he was only a couple minutes at most away from the den, if some danger arose in the night, he felt confident in his ability to get to safety.
 
As Gray struggled pulling at a particularly large fallen branch, the smell of Asterr coming from up wind alerted him of her arrival well before he saw or heard her. Continuing the labor of moving the lumber making slow but sure progress it wasn’t long before he could make out the form of his Chieftess as she came towards him. He hadn’t seen her much since she had taken him out to gather burdock root,  but most recently she had been busy with her pups. After he heard about them he had felt rather awkward and tried to stay clear of Asterr and her children, even going as far as to sleep outside the den some nights. Gray just didn’t feel like he was ‘really a member of the pack’ and thus did not think it would be acceptable for him to be hanging around there young. Never the less Asterr was on her way towards him now, and despite him feeling he was worrying over nothing, he still feared what she might say.

Just a quick note, but the wolves of Ryūjin do not all share the same den. ^^

To track the male down had taken longer than she’d expected it to, but she’d not been bothered by that. When he’d entered her line of sight, there was a pause in her steps, observing for a moment what he was doing. It was strange, to her, but she’d shaken the thoughts away and focused on her reasoning for having desired a meeting with him. Proceeding forward, a soft chuff was given to obtain his attention. Following the motion came, “Gray,” his name spoken with benevolent thoughts behind it. Should she have succeeded in acquiring his eyes upon her, the girl would motion for him to come nearer to her. She did not wish to disturb whatever it was that he seemed to be working on, and so the path was kept away from, but looked upon here and there with a curious glint in her gaze.

“I wish to speak with you about something,” she’d said after a moment of thought, looking towards him. Her eyes were soft, yet intense, and her lips had been pulled into a tight line. “You have been here for a great amount of time now,” noted the dragoness, her tone suggesting that there was more to be said. “There were times in which you moved about unnoticed, keeping to yourself. You accepted that you were not truly of this tribe, but never had you tried to flee.” To her knowledge, that is. It was assumed that the thought of doing so must have crossed his mind several times, but he’d never acted upon it, and it was that that mattered to her. “I feel as if you have learned your lesson,” she continued. “So I am freeing you of your status as a kegare. If you wish to stay and become a genuine member of this tribe, you may do so, but I will not force you to remain if that is not what you wish.” Enough of time had passed that she felt confident in her belief that he’d learned his lesson. It’d been long enough that they’d excluded him from the family, so, should he wish to stay, she’d brand him as an official member at last.

She had spoken his name and so Gray Perked up and listened intently as his Chieftess began to speak. As the conversation went on he was able to understand where it was going well before the final statement of ‘freedom’ was uttered. But it was more than that, not just freedom but the offer to become an actual part of the pack. To be a member of the family and not just one who was there to serve. Gray unknowing what to say took a literal step back as if Asterr’s words had carried tangible force.
 
In a way he wanted to stay, he had been happy to settle down. Helping out when he was asked, and not needing to worry about where he needed to travel, and when the next time he would  be able to eat would be. Then again, he never intended to stay, the only reason he was still there was because he believed that braking ones word, was dishonorable beyond recompense. However that was over now, he had been released from his obligation, and was now able to leave… but still, he was unsure it was he wanted.
 
Gray knew some time had passed as he continued his internal monolog. He needed to say something to Asterr who was waiting patiently, but he did not know what he wanted. As he weighed in his final thoughts and decided upon his decision he spoke softly but his words where clear and hard. “Thank you for everything you have done for me. Sparing my life is something I will always be indebted to you for, even if you feel I have repaid it.” Slowly he swallowed nervous about his next answer, despite being hard set on saying it. “But, I must decline your offer to stay here. Again thank you for everything.” And with that, he respectfully bowed his head before turning to leave into the forest.

Gray was given as much time as he’d needed to think, for she knew it to be an important decision. To stay within the tribe or to go off on his own—it was the question he’d needed to ask himself, as well as provide an answer for. It could change everything, his choice, and so she refused to rush him. Asterr was patient, quiet, but attentive towards his features. She was curious to learn of the verdict he’d deliver, unable to help but hope that he’d stay. Though the whole reason he’d been made to remain there was because he’d disrespected both the tribe and their land, she was undoubtedly disappointed by the idea of him leaving them. Since having crossed into the cavern, he’d pulled his weight and honoured his word; the latter was a trait that she was particularly fond of, and the male the sort of being that she wanted for her children to observe as they grew.

Yet, it seemed as if Gray wouldn’t be the one to show them what it meant to be honourable.

The chieftess’ offer was declined, a decision that she would respect. She nodded, understanding his choice. “I hope that you might find a place that better suits you,” she told him. “I wish you luck in your travels.” Asterr would stand there, then, watching as he took his leave. After a moment, she’d follow after his form and escort him out of the lair, then bid him farewell for what she assumed would be the final time.