Kajika continued to be ever mindful. The snapping of a twig caused by a squirrel, the rustling of a bush from a darting away rabbit. The brindle and white youth eyed her cautiously. It had not fully occurred to him that Maris was one of those who had departed Asteraia when Sekhmet took over. Not that she would have forced any one of them to leave, simply gave them the option of choosing to stay or go. His cerulean gazed looked her over.

He guessed she was safe enough being able to blend in well enough, but looks weren't everything. Kajika's ears twitched as she spoke, swiveling in her direction once more realizing after his appearance at her side that the girl wanted to talk. Or was talking. Something to that effect. He didn't talk much, not anymore at least. With everything that had happened, Kajika found himself more and more a silent observer versus engaging, especially with a large group. One on one, it was easier, but this female was not of his old pack or his new one. That made it a little strange for him.

He gave her a bit of a puzzled look at her words and shook his head. "In the end, we are always alone," Kajika said quietly. His tattered right ear laid back briefly. He hadn't been alone then. But that didn't matter, because he survived. No, in the end the really were alone. His own father was living proof of that, dying because his soul-bond was destroyed with his imprint's death. Kajika's own mother. Sure, he had his brothers, but that wasn't the same. "If you're going to stay in the forest, you should head towards Taviora. It's safer there," he warned, padding off in that direction, as though intent to lead her that way. Whoever she was, she needed to be not wandering about by herself in the woods.