"If none of you would mind, I might join you on your adventures for a bit...?"

"I wouldn't."

"I don't object. Though the two of you are going to be way above our level, usually."

"I don't mind helping out on easier runs." She glances at Elesse. "And it sounds like we're mostly hoping to focus on a more classic charm, anyways."

"Where possible."

"Then I'll help with that, where possible."

"Your graciousness is appreciated."

"I'm a shining example of it."

"Do the two of you have anything left to wrap up here?" she asks the twins.

Luka glances at his sister then shakes his head. "And I don't think they really need us for reconstruction or anything..."

"Let us return, then."

"Alright."

Leya provides transportation back.

Fortunately, there's plenty of spare space for guest rooms, so Ashes has somewhere to settle. Still, she seems restless.

"Do you need something?"

She hums. "I don't think so. Just - I have a lot to think about." Wry smile. "And I'm not much used to staying still. In general or while I think..."

"I could show you the route I use for running."

Smile. "I'd like that."

"It's this way, around the castle and into the woods..."

"Thanks."

She enjoys the run, relaxing more once away from everyone else.

Elesse doesn't press, but remains open if Ashes wishes to speak.

Light and idle conversation, mostly. She tells a few (obviously very recent) stories about places she's been and people she's met and often helped. She's distracted frequently, though, clearly thinking - but she doesn't seem ready to completely bare her heart.

That makes sense. Trust takes time.

Elesse reciprocates with the same tone.

Ashes appreciates that. (Appreciates her...)

She spends dinner and after mostly talking to her children, though she runs into some awkwardness with not being able or willing to talk about her past.

She thanks Elesse again before heading off to bed, smile soft.

(She's beginning to understand her alts' point of view a little better.)

Ashes spends a lot of the next few weeks with her children, stepping in to train both. She clicks a bit better with Leya there, giving her enough common ground with her daughter that Leya starts relaxing around her.

She doesn't neglect her friendship with Elesse, though - she's knowledgable about the world and its history and peoples, and apparently enjoys getting into debates about historic minutiae (and enjoys telling stories about any aspect of the world Elesse expresses interest in). She makes time to run with Elesse every day. She trains her own martial abilities, too, at first in private and then allowing Elesse and her children to watch.

And then Leya's adoptive parents request Elesse for a diplomatic mission to a somewhat distant kingdom - while requesting Leya for another, in the opposite direction.