i see that you've come so far
to be right where you are
how old is your soul?

Parelia's expression during the meeting had sobered the newly named Czar, and he had offered her a ghost of a smile - favoritism would not sit well with the newly disorganized herd, after all. But he held it in mind throughout the close of the gathering, watching as his kin dispersed and wandered away to wherever it was they desired to go. When one or two dotted the hillside, Kaj set off across the lowermost meadow where it had been hosted, muscular form moving with a loose, militaristic precision to where he'd last glimpsed the mother.

Parelia had been a constant in his life as King, a friendly face and hard worker, a good mother and a generally happy soul. He enjoyed her company, and was loathe to admit that he did not often get to bask in it. It was simply a pleasure neither of them had the time for, when they'd occupied the Edge. Kaj had his own duties, and Parelia hers as a Glazier. But he had attended Areli's birth, and had been the one to help teach Ilios how to fly. Kaj had somehow, inexplicably become an odd little offshoot of her family. And so, her pained expression meant a lot to him, and he would not allow whatever grieved her to continue to assault her psyche.

In some way he knew that Ilios had told his mother of his plans, it was only natural after all. The boy's comment stayed within his heart, a private, somewhat shameful medallion he would allow none to gaze upon. Kaj felt conflict regarding the boy's words; Ciceron had been there at Areli's birth, and he seemed to be a good man with a kind heart and patient persona. Surely he did not deserve the kind of bitterness the boy displayed. But he was also proud, touched somewhere in his heart to know that Ilios felt like Kaj was a father to him. It was...an incredible emotion to experience, and he reveled in it despite his reservations. Was Parelia threatened by that, he wondered? Was it inappropriate somehow to be a father figure to her son, when it was her mate he was apparently pushing out of the equation?

Nevertheless as she fell beneath his warm cobalt eyes, he swallowed away the lump of uncertainty in his throat and nickered softly towards her. Kaj began advancing a little faster, weak sunlight playing patterns on his glowing muscular hide as he moved beneath the canopy. So different and beautiful from the Edge, in its own right. But a change nonetheless.

"Hello Parelia," he called on gentle tone, lips quirked into a smile and eyes crinkling at the corners with fond affection. "Are you well? I saw you at the herd meeting...I wanted to check on you." It was admitted a little shyly, uncertain that she wouldn't be offended by the action he'd taken to ensure she was okay. She was an independent soul, after all, did not need him as her crutch and attendant. "I spoke with Ilios and Areli," he murmured quietly, face falling into a more somber arrangement. "I'm sorry, Parelia. I know it must be hard. But I promised to take him, when he leaves, and I'll escort Areli home. Gaucho is a good man, and I'll see to it that your children will be safe," was vowed, earnest and sincere, voice quiet and stubborn.