The boys had been given part of an old deer hide to fuss over. Truthfully they were beginning to reach a stage where she felt they'd find fine entertainment by their own accord, but she was there to promote the growth and competitions between them.

Meanwhile she had set out to have a moment alone. She had not forgot who she was beyond motherhood. Her path had set her towards the borders for a quick round, only for her attention to be pulled in by something else. Rather someone else. Admittedly she figured he was here for any other reason than her alone. Perhaps the boys or to speak of Finley.

She had not realized how badly she wished it was not to speak of Finley. She could barely hold the thought for long.

"I do. The boys are busy." A way to say that whatever he has to say does not need to be rushed. Nor does it need to be watered down for a child's ears.

"I'd rather -" She wondered for the briefest moment when she had decided to start talking instead of fighting or brute strength. "We talk now." Her posture was neither hostile nor submissive. Tentatively neutral, a slight raise of her chin but that was born more from curiosity instead of aggression.

"Just...talk to me as if I am anyone else. I believe I have proven myself to be a steady force in the Falls, a far cry from the child you first met." She was no longer that little girl watching a sister fall through ice. Maybe the moment had molded her forever, but it was further behind her than near anything else now.

She needed this. Her sons needed this.

Autumn would turn to winter and soon into another spring. Time would march on. It was better they figured out the future when they could, instead of being forced into it by another turn of the clock's hands.

Some childish part of her wanted to sneer, to say of course I have but she refrained. Instead only a level look of her pale gaze. Listening, understanding.

There is something passing between them. Nearly like a ghost sinking cold hands into her. She did not think him so dim or blind as to not notice her climb. Yet here he comes to her first. No competition, no aggressiveness to it. Something feels missing within her as if he had plucked it away from her when she was not looking. Maybe this was what it felt like to be at the end of what you were looking for.

She did not think it would come like this.

"I believe that would be best for both of us." It is the diplomatic answer. Meanwhile her mind struggled around what was next. Perhaps it had been naivety to think everything slotted into place when she reached her heights. Instead it only left an endless expanse of nexts and what ifs to explore. "I am grateful you have come to me to offer this on your own accord." She knew she had not ever been very grateful for him before and perhaps he will feel the weight in her words tenfold for it.

Is this what growth is?

The ball was in her court for the announcement of this expanding leadership.

Yet not a single idea came to mind. Still too inwardly surprised at it suddenly being here within her hold. Part of her wished to turn back to her boys at once and tell them what had happened. They might not understand the weight of it all, but she knew one day they might.

"Is there anyone you would wish to go tell first?" She thinks of @Adelard and @Nadine following her own sons. Maybe Chan had faces in his mind, too, for who he might tell personally. Perhaps it is good to let the word spread naturally so there is no grand fanfare on the tail end of tragedy. "I do not think any announcement should be large or at great length, either way." A contemplative nature to her face and tones now.

It was the logical answer and she nodded firmly. She figured that Flair would hear anything and everything from Chan for a multitude of reasons. She knew better than to question on why the ginger woman was not simply his advisor but...they were still too fresh into this to press such questions, she imagined.

Or maybe not. The topic of Adelard loomed and Isla felt something stir within her. Conflicted, protective, uncertain. Perhaps this was the best way to test the waters are new co-leads. It was her who had told Chan to speak to her like everybody else, after all. She had no one to blame but herself for this well connected chain of events.

"Ask those first, then we can get everything else settled." Admittedly she had been so lost in the haze of birth and newfound love that whatever had occurred beyond the den on her sons' arrivals had gone unnoticed.