Before Gaël addressed Ryan, a reply was shot towards Zana who had retreated into the trees. His words surprised Ryan, and for a slight moment she found her mouth hanging open. She shut it with a lightly audible snap, hoping the turquoise eyes had been focused on Zana, so that he did not see. She wasn’t sure why she was so shocked to hear that his mother was dead, since death was a natural part of life. Either way, she felt an edge of empathy arise. After all, she had arrived at Inferni’s doorstep much the same.
Then he solidly returned his attention to her, and Ryan listened closely. Though she had been interested in his family just moments ago, her curiosity had been piqued. Siblings were something Ryan didn’t have, however, so she couldn’t identify with him there. It made her wonder… would they follow him to Inferni? She was unaware that in fact she had already spent a day with his brother in Halifax.
She wasn’t sure whether or not to offer her sympathies. Ryan had never been one for formalities, after all. Her duties still seemed to be awkward to her, though she carried them out the best she knew how. But Gaël saved her from having to decide what to do. The last words to tumble from his mouth made Ryan frown. "You do know…", there was a sharp intake of breath, "that Phoenix Valley and Inferni aren’t on good terms?" She eyed him curiously, wondering why he wouldn’t go to DaVinci’s pack to live with his father. After all, when Ryan had first wandered here, thoughts of finding and living with her father had constantly plagued her mind. "I just want you to be aware of that," she gulped audibly, "in case it might cause conflict with your family." She, of course, was thinking entirely of her relationship with Davinci. Ryan wouldn’t want this poor guy to have to face anything like that, especially with anyone who was kin.