Chi nods somewhat, "...they all came with him, and they already were working under him. At least, that's what I've been told when I joined too." he grumbles as he stuffs his face with another roll, "I think out of all of them, he's the biggest stiff." he snorts at his own double meaning joke, then shrugs, "...but they're all good people. Just....soldier-y." HE glances at Bane, "You get that, right captain?"

Astra blinks and suddenyl has her face in his hands, eyes and mouth wide, as she had not expected to move that fast yet. Infact, it was rare to see it from him ever. He was usually just there, or not. Next, she blushes at his words. But she doesn't step away, nor hardly remember to breathe. She does, hwoever, find herself whispering to him, "...I'm glad to see you move so quickly already.."

After a moment, Peter moves again, "erm...if you had not raised her, that would almost sound like a confession, my prince.." he whispers awkwardly. "And...you have the rest of us too..."

Bane nodded and said “I do. Especially serving under a blood prince their training would be the best…wait a moment” he looked at Chi and asked “they all came with him…but he didn’t act like them…but they are all fangs…”

Ash thought along the same lines and then said “but not all fangs are the same…like all werewolves aren’t the same”

Dante nodded and said “it’s my vow. To all my clan and you my lady. You’re the reason I made it thru that dark time in my life. I will never fail you…even if I am at deaths door I will fight claw and fang to get back to you” he looked at Peter and said “that’s the same to my brothers as well”

The shifter takes a long drink, and nods with a faint smirk "Right, I think you get it." he looks over at Ash's plate and pokes it, "anyways, focus on your food."

Astra has no words at first. She just stays in the moment with Dante...and Peter. Finally, she smiles softly, perhaps a bit sad, due to the topic, "...youre very insistant. That means you will wait for me to die first, you know...that could be a very, very long time..."

Peter, for his part, stays quiet for the moment, but appears graciously thankful for his prince's words

...in another part of the base, another vampire walks into a specific room. His room.

Technically, it was a storage room, but now it was full of decoy crates as the guild prepared for their move. The light from the hallway illuminates what purpose this room has left - a meticulously carved out hole in the packed dirt. The Fang moves towards the hole, his hands slowly working on loosening some buttons on his uniform as he prepared himself...the curse of the day sleep always pulled on him harder than most. He could ignore it - he's trained himself to be capable. But it takes too much willpower to do that, and expect to be able to handle an invasion too. It was always better to work around ones handicaps, and play into ones strengths.

Ash frowned but went back to eating as Bane was deep in thought. Now it was making sense. He was a turned fang. Not common in this time period but it happened.

Dante took Astras hand and kissed the top of it. “I don’t mind waiting. I’ve been around this long. And my brothers I know feel the same. Right Peter?”

That’s when he looked around and said “is Jacob sleeping?”

Peter remains quiet as he had for most of this exchange, his prince once again giving words of loyalty to Lady Astra. Inside he was happy and amused, and a bit sad. Such vows are always bittersweet, for the reason that the lady herself has just pointed out. He nods slightly to Dante's first question.

Though his loyalty, personally, is first and foremost to Dante, he is thankful to her. Understandably, his prince had fallen into a great despair after the war - the slow sinking of a loss of purpose that none of his followers could alleviate in the way that he needed. If Peter had known that a child would bring the light back to Dante, he would have went looking for one.

Alas, this story was going to end eventually, and it was going to be a sad ending. Either his prince dies first, which Peter knew would be seen as a failure, and would devestate Astra who...despite her attempts to be a strong leader, still leaned on Dante.

Or....Astra would die, and that would take away Dante's purpose.

Obviously, it was not a thought Peter, or any of the group, liked to visit.

So he perks up as Dante turns to ask him a different question, tilting his head, "Well, it is morning.."

Back in his room, Jacob pauses as he is about to step down into the hole. His senses were still extended out, though since he wasn't on duty anymore, he had been largely ignoring everything. But he had been hearing his name off and on for a while now, "Yes...well, not quite." he answers the air, taking a step bac and standing a bit straighter, "...did you need me, sir?"

Dante chuckled and shook his head. “No my dear friend. Just checking in. I haven’t seen you yet. Go get some sleep”

Beta was watching the group closely and said “why does death have to be the end?”

Dante glanced at the wolf and raised an eyebrow. “Pardon? Umm, my lady who is your new friend?” Beta barked and wagged his tail. “I’m beta! I’m a shadow soul. I took the form of a wolf since my master is linked to nature. My question was about why must death be what parts you? I mean, my lady is linked to her parents still and one has been dead for a time and the other has been locked away…but they still support her?”

Ash finished her plate and stood. “Okay are you boys happy now?” Bane looked over and nodded. “Indeed. Now we can go find the boss and see what she would like us to take care of”

Ash sighed but nodded, not liking having to handle things like a child, both men watching her closely.

Jacob's figure slumps slightly, as he feels the pulls again, and given permission to give into it. He nods slightly, stepping down into the hole now. "Yes sir. I will catch up to the guild later." his voice softer, reflecting how he has loosened his tight grip on himself.

Astra blinks, suddenly reminded that Beta was there with them. She nods slightly as the shadow wolf introduces himself and keeps talk, consdering his words with a bit of a bite on her lip. "...I don't understand the situation with your master. We're still mostly in the dark about it." she slowly kneels by the wolf, "...and most of us can't feel those connections either. Unless there is something to proove they ae still there, we assume they have moved on." she looks up at Dante a moment and back down to the wolf, "Death doesnt have to be the end sometimes. If I die, theres a chance I could become undead...but even the undead can have their connection to this world severed." she falls quiet a bit after that, wondering if her own parents were still connected to her, or resting peacefully, but deciding to move on quickly with the conversation, "Its better to assume people who have died have moved on, rather than wonder...but, could you tell us more about what's going on?" she finally asks.

Chi sighs as he finishes up his plate, gulping down the last of his drink, "and now she's annoyed...."

He stretches, before looking over at Bane, "Alright, let's go find her"

Dante said softly to him “I’ll protect you my friend…rest easy”

Beta said “oh my lady, souls don’t just move on without ties to the living. They are always watching over us. Guiding us. Helping us find those we are fated to meet. I mean, look how Chi found his way to my masters shop? Having been drinking at the same pub her father used to work in before the shop was open? Just lucky?”

Ash smirked as Bane said “she’s not annoyed. Just showing she’s back to her normal sassy self. Alright Chi you better take lead. I keep getting lost in here”

Jacob pauses, having started covering himself with dirt already. His lips tic upward in a soft, but wry smile, "...you're too kind for your own good...sire"

Astra hesitates, taking that into deeper consideration. Unable to stop herself from having an emotional responce to the thought that her parents were watching and guiding, her gaze moves up to Dante for a moment. But she takes a deep breath and holds it in for now, looking back at the shadow wolf, "Then...what brings your master to me...to us? We have accepted her as our guest, and we accept her word that she wants to help....but we aren't entirely sure what is going on, or how to help her with some of her problems"

Chi hums and nods, "I haven't seen or sensed her here yet...but she shouldn't be far." He starts walking out of the room and looking around the place. Lo and behold, Astra's group really wasn't that far away from where people were having food. Likely just far enough to have a little privacy.

Dante chuckled at his reply and muttered “tell me something I don’t know…”

Beta sat down fully and said “she calls us when she is in need. Last night she feared for those she sees as friends. Once before she feared death itself. So we acted both times. Last night was an easier task to handle…the first time not so much. But in short she has been hunted all her life, but now the ones who want her want her for her mind and her blood linked powers…powers that don’t need contracts to use…”

Dante nodded and said “so either our foes knows what she truly is…or are being used to hunt her down by her real threat…”

Bane sniffed then air and pointed down the hallway. “There. I can smell Dante and Astra. And there’s your body guard as well Ash…” Ash smacked Banes arm lightly, making him chuckle.

The vampire gives a small 'heh', but also feels comforted by his sire's vow of protection...even if it went against what he had personally planned. Even so, he was not about to argue, and instead finished covering himself with dirt in the hole. Son enough, some people come by with empty boxes to make the storage room look full.

Astra nods slowly, "contractless summoning...." she takes a deep breath, "I see...and did you notice a change recently? It seems to me her magic has stabilized."

Peter looks up and smiles slightly as he hears the other small group come out into the hallway. "My lady, our guests wish to ask you a question."

"Hm?" Astra look up and begins to stand, as Chi brings said group closer until the two combine into one group again.

Beta nodded and said “yes, able to find an anchor. Another shadow user was able to balance out her powers. Not sure how it happened but now she’s getting stronger in her powers”

Ash waved at them and asked “Bane wanted to check locations with you…and if I can go home…”

Astra nodded to Betas words, as did Peter, though it had gone pretty much unseen.

After Ash's question, Chi snirks and then chuckles. Astra doesnt respond at first, instead, appearing confused. "...Yes, you can go home?" another pause, "You aren't a prisoner here. But if you're going, you should try to be safe..."

"I'll take care of her, m'lady" Peter offers from behind her, immediately gaining himself eye contact from Chi, and a twitch of the tail. But the shifter otherwise seems to accept the extra protection. Peter, meanwhile, has no idea of the teasing he had received from Dante earlier.

Astra just nods slightly, before turning to Bane, "...what about locations?"

In the storeroom, now filled with the illusion of normalcy, Jacob slipped into dormancy - now appearing as he was, a perfectly still corpse.

Ash cursed softly and covered her face as Bane laughed softly. “Ash meant would it still be safe for her to go back to the shop and gather her bots that he needs then coming to my strong hold. And I am asking about if you would like to inspect my property to be a safe haven for the guild.”

Ash nodded and jabbed her thumb towards Bane. “That’s what I meant…I know I’m not a prisoner…that came out wrong…”

Dante chuckled and said “that may be wise, Astra. I can go with you if you like.” Ash suddenly saw the wolf and said “new friend Astra?”

"Ah..." Astra nods slightly in understanding, but then shakes her head, speaking softly, "It won't be safe. Youre a target, and they will expect you to return as much as they expect you to be here now...but I understand you will need to get your things. You will be protected."

She returns her gaze to Bane before turning to Dante, "Didn't I hear you muttering about protecting someone? You can stay here Dante...and send anyone you want in your stead, if you insist." She looks at her friend and advisor with amusement for his want to follow, and understanding as well. She may be more comfortable with him around, but she was not a child that still needed to cling to him.

She looks down and reach to pet Beta and give him ear scratchies, before looking back up at Ash, "I suppose so, he says that you called him here. Subconciously, at least. But I have been enjoying his company, and his insights."

Ash nodded and said “thank you. I need to lock down my shop…and find some way to keep working. I can’t just not work to earn a living…man this is a mess.”

Bane glanced over and said “I can protect her for you Dante. You don’t need to worry” but Beta barked and said “I’ll go. I will protect my new friend” ash was stunned, hearing his voice and staring. “No…it…” she moved forward and said “that voice…I know it…but it can’t…”

It had felt like things were about ready to be wrapped up in the group. Chi and Peter were ready to head out with Ash. Astra and Beta seemed ready to head out with Bane. And Dante was going to settle down in the base, ready to defend it - and, Astra presumed through her years of knowing him, probably take over organizing the guild's preparations to move out ASAP.

But then came Ash's curios reaction to Beta, and his voice. Astra blinked looking between them and becoming really uncertain of what's going on. "...Ash? Could you explain?"

Bane looked over as Dante moved a bit and caught her arm, wanting to help ground the tinker. “Lady ash? We aren’t in your head. You might have to explain…”

Beta wagged his tail and said “mistress you remember me? I am so honored! It was so long ago since you called on alpha and me. You Grace us with your memory.”

Ash blinked and looked at Dante, then smiled and nodded her head. “He…was a voice I heard that night..when my father was killed…when the shadows came to my aid…against that White Thing…Beta was it? Beta and I take it this Alpha…they were the ones who I heard before my memory goes fussy”

At the explanation, everyone's gaze shifts. Each look with its own explanation and meaning.

Chi looks over at Bane, because it was to him that the general had explained what had happened to Ash and how she had been found. This explanation from Ash helps some in the mystery, but it does not explain the jacket she had been found with.

Astra raises a brow and looks over at Peter, who had been in Ash's nightmare. But Peter shakes his head, having not seen that part, and having no answers. Instead, he looks over at Dante with the realization that if it was these shadow wolfves that fought the white creature, that meant they were at least powerful enough to act as a distraction. And such powerful beings were under her control...?

It was Chi that quietly cleared his throat, "It sounds like a good reunion..." he looks at Ash, "if you're more in control of yourself...you can call them more often, right? And you don't have to be so guarded around them."

Ash blinked and said “I…think so. I’ll have to try it out myself…let’s see.” She moved back a few steps and closed her eyes to focus. Then held up her hand and muttered “alpha…come forth” her shadow moved and rose from the floor, the bigger wolf appearing and opening his eyes. “You called my heiress?” Bane smiled and said “nice work Ash…your learning”

Ash was stunned for a moment that it had actually worked.

Dante nodded and said “seems something to learn more about…right Peter?” He was looking at Peter with the look that he understood his look before. These shadows could give them information that could be very valuable.