It had taken Senryu so long to work up the courage to go home. It wasn’t until he heard a hint of gossip that he began to fear. He raced home with all the speed he could muster. The territories vanished beneath his paws. From long stretches of sun-warmed grass, to the cool shade of towering trees. By the time he arrived, his paws were bloody from the long run, and his body was weary and aching. But he was home.

He stopped and looked at the place where home once lay. At the river where he had caught frogs with his sister. At the places his father had taught him fight, or lectured him. Gods, he would have killed for a lecture right now if it just meant he could see his father once more. Hear his voice. But his father was the reason he hadn’t come home. He couldn’t bring himself to return to the place his sire had died.

Now there was no place to return to. Nothing left of his childhood. This pack had stood for generations. His family had ties going back years. It was immortal, endless. Until it wasn’t.

He collapsed to his knees, falling to the damp grass, and gasped for breath. “...Mum?” He whispered, voice wobbly. “Suspense? Ruin? HAIKU” He was yelling by the last. His voice already horse by the unshed tears in his throat. Where was his family, his twin? “Help! Somebody… anybody… help" His heart was breaking.


"Senryū Cavaliere-Klein"

Ricin knew that the nearby pack had dissolved and the blue boy has taken the opportunity to explore the now free land. With Elysium expanding to the lake, he figures it is a good idea to get to know all the surrounding lands. He trots along, crimson eyes scanning the area around him when a voice pulls the boy to a halt. Ears tilt forward, capturing the distressed, lost voice of a wolf and Ricin takes off once more, this time racing toward the unknown voice. The coppery scent of blood hits his nostrils as the blue boy gets closer and he slows his rapid pace, not wanting to startle the injured wolf. A brown spotted, tall male wolf comes into view and Ricin gives a short call to him.

The blue boy is younger than the anxious male and he hesitates, uncertain if the stranger would want his help. Swallowing his uncertainty, Ricin moves closer while softly says, “Hey there. I… I’m sorry.” The words leave his mouth before he even realizes it and he quickly follows them up with, “I’m sorry about what happened to the pack. Is there anything I can do to help?” Slowly he tries to approach the sad wolf, aiming to inspect him for any visible wounds while seeing how he can help.


"Ricin Dauner"

Haiku was lost, he still hadn’t gotten over the loss of his father, he hadn’t made amends with his mother, he had failed Abaven by being gone for so long. Now it was too late. There was no more Abaven to protect, to try and build, to make amends to. The last was what haunted him the most. He tried to tell himself and remind himself of every moment he had spent in the Hallows instead. The days he’d given to sweet Bowen, and helping her as much as he could… Haiku couldn’t let himself believe anything else or his heart would well and truly break. Saying goodbye to Bowen was even more difficult knowing what he had given in exchange.

He beat himself up, he sought solitude and avoided what wolves remained here in the old Abaven lands. Haiku wasn’t about to abandon his father again. He lay by his fire, warding off the last of winter’s chill when he heard his brother’s voice. If he hadn’t called out his name Haiku might not have come. He couldn’t bear to see anyone, especially not his twin. The desperation called him forward though, and Haiku answered the desperate call.

Haiku wasn’t quite fast enough though, there was another man offering his assistance as Haiku’s mismatched paws carried him to his brother’s side. Quietly, Haiku lowered himself to the ground beside his twin. One big paw was placed over his brother’s but no words fell from his lips. There was nothing he could say.