Wraith listened closely; perhaps his problem had always been that he took everything in but never permitted it to leave. He read between every line of Istas' words, watched his face ever closely, tried to learn more than just the words - and yet his own face remained just as weary as ever. Nothing ever got out. Even as he understood how much it might have hurt his brother to have lost a mate, he struggled to find the words that might seek to comfort him. His brows furrowed slightly, all too obvious that he was searching for the right thing to say. "Can find...happiness in...other things?" It was half-question, half-statement. He sighed, knowing the words hadn't been the right one's but he had tried nonetheless. But he figured it was something, right? Neither of them needed mates. They didn't need anything if they could find what they were looking for in other things. Purpose...inspiration...it didn't have to come from others.

At least, that's what Wraith wanted to believe. Maybe if he said it enough, or thought it enough, it might permeate to his very core and become reality.

"Iromar. Why leave?" The question seemed to come from nowhere but he was truly curious. He had never thought to look in Iromar for Istas - he, himself, hadn't considered going back, not earnestly at least. Had Istas been there the whole time? "Thougt Spirane....no trouble there." He gave a wry grin, almost bashful that he had to admit he had found himself in any trouble in the past. "Did you know?... Aster, once queen...is family." Perhaps Istas would want to find her instead. Maybe if he found family, he'd be able to find some more happiness too.