"Speech"

It was like any other night for the yearling. Warm spring breezes danced outside, creeping through the entrance though he remained tucked in a tight chestnut ball, reminding him that the humid season of summer would soon be upon him. Many thoughts pulsed through his mind, which meant there was little he ever forgot. First there was his brother, who he hadn't seen for a great length of time, although he missed him dearly. The only explanation he could consider behind his brother's disappearance was that he had finally left the pack, as he had once explained when they were younger. Wherever he was, Tinaro only prayed that he was safe. Then there were his friends, Calypsei and Lark, of whom he was quite fortunate to be around within the pack. However, his parents were always the last individuals upon his thoughts, especially his father who he had never met. After thinking about them, he always fell into a deep slumber, carried into a dreaming state.

-enter Sominium via sleep-

Most of the time, the Rapids were the only place his dreams transported him to. Ever since he had discovered the region's significance, he visited the area too many times in real life and in his sleep. Sometimes he encountered occasional yet vivid flashbacks of his mother's death, though upon this particular night, he was peacefully standing beside the Rapids as usual. Motionlessly he stood, his green gaze solely focused on the unusually calm waters below his ebony paws. Not a soul was around, creating an oddly quiet atmosphere wafting around his form. It felt as if he was all alone, the only being to ever inhabit the world. Everyone was gone.

Chrono wished he could have been there for his son. Every minute, every second, he wished he could be there. But even though the boy didn't know, and it wasn't much help at all, Chrono was there through every time Tinaro needed him most. If only his son knew how much it meant to him to be back for even a minute. Anytime his sons gave him a thought, he could feel it, he was there. But unfortunately he couldn't help them. They didn't know how to listen or feel for him. But he was always there... He appeared on the other side of the river, looking down on the boy that had grown to be strong and learned to survive. Maybe one day he would risk his own life for his family, just like his father had. Peering down into the gentle water that was so steady in this dream, he would take a step in, only disturbing it little around him. He would then look back at the boy that looked so much like him in his own way. Would he notice him in this dream... Walk "Talk" Think

"Speech"

The boy's head remained bowed for a while, never taking much notice of anything else other than the calmed water. Perhaps his father wouldn't have passed away if these very waters had been tranquil upon that day. Just one day. That's all he wanted. He wouldn't have drowned, swallowed by the treacherous and merciless Rapids. Water - he loathed it. Why did it have to be water? A substance seemingly harmless yet so dangerous that one's life can be taken? Feeling his mind burn with rage, a rumbling growl erupted through clenched teeth as he jerked his head upwards, unable to observe the water any longer without completely losing control. For a moment, anger was all that was printed upon his features, until it all melted into an astonished stare. Had that calico stranger always been there? The fact that the stranger was able to silently slip into the water, presumably watching for a while, all without the younger male noticing surprised and creeped him out. But why was he calling him a stranger? Though they have never met, and never will in the land of the living, they knew each other very well. Of course, the yearling had never seen his father, even though his mother had once attempted to describe him. For some reason, he just knew the older man was his father. Though neither of them shared the same pelt or eye colour (however, the neon gaze reminded him of his brother), it was the atmosphere that brought him the odd notion. Besides, who else would visit him in his dreams? "Dad?" The word was stuck in his throat as he tried to choke it out, almost slipping with his knees buckling beneath his shuddering weight.

The boy wouldn't take long to look up at him and question, "Dad?" Chrono would raise his chin with a loving smile down at him. "Yes, Tinaro. You are my son." He would look down at the water before stepping forward closer to the boy, watching as the water gently paddled around him, still not causing it to lose it's calmness. Still looking down at the water he would speak again, low and gentle. "I have seen your troubles." He was referring to his mother dying, to him dying. Even to Alvin leaving Abaven. He would look back up at the boy who had his mother's eyes. "I take great pride in you. You have done well with who you are." Walk "Talk" Think

"Speech"

After regaining his balance from the shock, he hesitantly slipped into the water though perhaps not as gently as his father had done, inching closer to the male. The seemingly wise words of the man echoed endlessly within the walls of his mind, returning the troublesome experiences he had been through. Everyone had left him - his brothers, mother, father...and that reminded him of something. "Where's mum?" he demanded innocently and ignoring his dad's praise, craning his neck to allow his emerald gaze to sweep the terrain in search of the ebony woman. The results weren't as satisfying. "Is she here?" Maybe she hadn't died. Maybe she wasn't here because she would come back to him, and hopefully his brothers and father as well so they could be a family again in Abaven. After all, it wasn't much to ask for.