It ought to have been a joyous moment, but something was wrong. Penny was very obviously fighting some heavy emotion, and although a torrent of questions burned at the tip of her tongue, she had just enough self-restraint to stay silent and not pursue the matter.

Valeska would suss it out eventually, of course.

Just not today.

Oh, she said quietly. Did she feel tension in the air, or was it simply imagined? Well, that is alright.

She tried to offered an encouraging smile, moving closer toward Pennyroyal and the pups who danced impatiently at his sides. I am not fond of good-byes, but Mintaka and Coyote are welcome to visit any time, of course. She leaned down toward the children, rump swaying with the memory of a happy tail. And you three, of course, may stay for as long as you wish. I will say, Elysium has been quiet; it will be good to have new faces among our ranks!

The little wolf glanced up toward Penny's expression to try and glean something of the situation from it, but he remained unreadable, if still slightly uncomfortable.

They are lovely, Penny. Perhaps we can guide them into a skill-set of their interest! Tell me, who likes herbs? Or are you more into sparring? Ah, Amaranth and I used to spar in our younger years... badly, but we did....