Better Choose Carefully

Stolas had greatly enjoyed his time in Elysium! He had never been to another pack for any extended periods before, and getting to see and experience Elysium's culture had been an exciting and eye-opening experience. The fact that he was spending all of this time with his best friend was the cherry on top of the proverbial cake for him. Fiametta kept him occupied with tours and sightseeing opportunities across her home, capturing Stolas' fascination with the beautiful island and the lands the pack had claimed along the coast as well. Her family was friendly and welcoming to him, whether because of his family lineage or his relation to Fia he didn't know, but he supposed it didn't really make a difference. He was glad to be welcomed so hospitably by the Mendacium wolves, and despite the ribbing and dark humor sent his way by Alastor, he had a nice time getting to see their way of life and their customs.

But all good things had to come to an end eventually. After a few days away from home, Stolas knew he would have to return to Ashen to resume his duties and studies. His little vacation had been a grand experience and he was already eagerly anticipating the next time he'd get to visit, or perhaps even planning when he might be able to host Fiametta down in Ashen. Still, he knew going back home would be bittersweet for the both of them. He could only hope the time between their visits wouldn't be too long or difficult. He really did not want to lose his only friend again. After another dinner with Fia's parents, the flame-marked girl had delivered him back to his den, the two parting without incident. He would need to be heading home in the next day or two, he supposed. But gods, was it hard convincing himself he needed to go back when all he wanted to do was keep hanging out with Fia. Left alone to himself in the quiet of his den, Stolas fell into a gradual dreamless sleep.

A few hours passed before his light napping was disturbed by a voice calling to him from outside. The paw steps of his visitor had either been so quiet or he'd been so asleep that he hadn't noticed them, but when he came to, it was Fia's voice calling to him from outside. "Fia...?" he mumbled back, getting to his paws with a stretch of long legs before trotting out to find her. It was still dark, just around midnight, the times Stolas was usually most active. His sleep schedule had gotten a little out of sorts adjusting to Mendacium time, but he could fall back into his routines easily enough. Besides, he wasn't that tired enough to not want to hang out with his fire-marked friend. Fia told him to follow her, and follow her he did, a curious tilt to his head while dark paws fell easily in line with hers. "Uh, sure. Where are we going?"

"Fiametta & Stolas"