Tiptoe higher

The adventure was a welcome distraction from whatever worries were beginning to brew in Talon's mind. When he'd awoken this morning, his mother had been gone; neither of his sisters had been around, either. It reminded him rather painfully of his father's sudden, unexplainable departure. How long he had mourned Segar's disappearance, wondering why he hadn't wanted to stay -- wondering what had possibly happened to him. Did he not like his kids anymore? But how was such a thing possible? Talon knew he wasn't nearly as pretty as his sisters, nor was he as fast, but he knew he was kind and loving and had always clung to his father tightly, lathering his parents in affection. Only briefly did he wonder if his mother, too, was gone -- but he was probably just being foolish. The almost-yearling knew he had the tendency to worry about things far more than necessary, and internalize problems until they grew into something much larger. Maybe he was doing that now, too. Only briefly did he recall the sadness that had begun to toy with his heart when he awoke as he clambered onto Euphrosyne's back, clinging to her somewhat awkwardly.

The adventure would distract him from these thoughts, certainly; and sure enough, as the woman began to wander about the island, he all but forgot about his unsettling morning. His imagination wandered slightly, and he wondered if he and his family could live on this island. Could they still be part of Seracia then? Or would they be rogues? He certainly didn't love the idea of that, since he felt protected by the constant presence of other creatures around him. It would be much scarier to live alone.

The sands were just as green over here. "So cool," he noted with a laugh, grinning widely at the sight. Sadly, the journey ended quickly. A sound came from beneath her -- a mock-growl -- and once again, laughter flowed from the young boy. He truly wasn't hard to please, and found joy in the simplest of things. Carefully he slid down, hopping a few times to maintain his balance. "That was pretty fun," he admitted, tail wagging freely behind him. "Maybe you can swim back with me? Meet my mom and sisters?" Eager silver gaze watched her, somewhat expectant.