Like looking in a mirror

The last few months had slipped through Ivy’s fingers. They’d passed, and he wasn’t really sure… wasn’t really sure what had happened. He’d gotten separated from his family, and then misplaced himself in all the snow. Winter was tough, and it was all he could do to keep himself together. Without his brother by his side he felt well and truly lost. It was like half of his entire self was missing, and he eas far from feeling like himself. So incredibly far from it.

Relief flooded his system upon returning to Fireside’s homestead. Relief, but relief that was short lived. It was… it was empty. No one was here. They’d all moved on, every single one of them. A melancholy made its home in his ribs. Still, Ivy was well and truly exhausted. Within one of the now vacant dens, the boy curled up and fell into a fitful sleep.

There was no telling how long he’d actually slept. Still, a familiar scent roused him. No… it couldn’t be. Could it? Blinking hard to drive the sleep from his eyes, Ivy righted himself. Rose to his feet. Held his breath, as if waiting for… something. As if waiting for the scent to dissipate like it had been a figment of his imagination. No…

Yes. He padded from the abandoned den, gaze clearing as he looked into the daylight. “Lo?” His voice was soft, calling out to his brother. “Is that really you?”

"Speech"