Zelda was all pleasantries and polite notions but Shem? He didn't have it in him. Zeltzin had done her best but for whatever, it hadn't stuck to Shem to the degree one might expect. So when he tailed Zelda and she greeted Halcyon and his son warmly, Shem gave only a small nod. He had to wonder if that side of Zeltzin's life ever thought of he or his siblings. After all, Zelda had been born to a different father, just like plenty of his siblings had different mothers. Shem had never been able to work out what others thought about those situations - then again, he'd never asked. Instead, he watched them carefully, aware that they were some of the more...controversial guests. Although Iromar had changed paws, Shem didn't put it past Blackthorne to send some kind of spy and he had no doubt they'd be carefully watching the prior king too.

He was getting ahead of himself though. So far, it seemed to be a lot of children and they all seemed eager to play Zelda and Mara Sov's games. And so he took his place as a watchful guardian once more, curious as to whether of his other siblings might show - or if his father would. He wouldn't mind. In fact, part of him hoped so - then he might have somebody to talk to. For now, the alphas were...well, he'd dare not get too talkative with them.