Around and Around

Used to the scents and breezes of the wide open range rather than the muddy and wet scents of the estuary, Tornach hadn't actually caught his sister's scent. Aiden from her vantage in the tree, however, caught sight of her, and it was the falcon's warning trill that brought Tornach's head up as Zuriel circled the island to come into view. "Zuriel?" he questioned softly. Not that he didn't recognize her, but that he hadn't expected to see her here. His nose twitched, bringing her scent to him now that he was paying attention. She lacked Celestial's pack scent, and even more odd was a scent about her that he hadn't smelled before, bringing up faint alarm bells in his mind that he couldn't quite place. He shook his head slightly to rid himself of his surprise, and sought to return her smile, though it faded quickly, and he dropped his eyes, unable to meet her gaze. "Yes it has been. I'm sorry, I've been so caught up in projects of my own, I haven't been taking care of my family. I've been selfish, I know." The words tasted faintly bitter - hadn't Regulus said as much months ago? And he'd been right, hadn't he? Surreal had died without him ever having spoken to her again. "How have you been holding up, Zuriel?" He was referring to their mother's death, not knowing of what had happened to her, though if he'd been a little more experienced as a healer he would have realized what the odd scent about her was.