A breath would be expelled into the cold silence. Night had fallen upon the realm that was known as Alacritia, and within it a young man moved. He moved with purpose, his gaze bright, alert, as he traveled. The grass that squealshed with mud underpaw was merely a reminder that he continued on, running back to a past that he never should have abandoned in the first place. It pained him, it did, how he had so foolishly left behind his home. His family. Were his mothers alright? Were his brothers still there? Would he have more siblings when he returned? There were so many questions buzzing about Vitus’ head. There were so many things left unanswered, and, quite frankly, he was desperate to find out what happened to them. He remembered Fiori. The place his mothers had moved to in order to call their home. But after that everything was a blur. He had a nightmare one night, that much he could remember, and into the darkness he would slip away. Into the emptiness of the night, where nothing but air and the sounds of the evening met him. It was almost... Peaceful. But he had run. He had run away from that nightmare like one might run away from disease or war. What was in that nightmare? Some of the most gruesome images of his family he had ever seen... And Vitus knew.... He knew he had to get stronger in order to protect them. Another breath would be expelled into the air. Vitus would pause, lifting a paw into the air as he checked for his bearings. Things were beginning to look familiar at long last. The guilt that stirred in his heart only grew deeper as he pressed on through the night. Above him Carlisle flew -- thank goodness for the barn owl’s companionship. Were it not for him Vitus was sure he would have kept running until those images, those dark thoughts and nightmares, caught and consumed him completely. ...Vitus would press on. He knew he wasn’t far now. Instinct drew him on through the mud. He looked a filthy mess -- mud coated his lower half, particularly his legs. Glancing at the sky as he pressed on he’d let out a small puff of air through his nostrils before seeking Carlisle. It seemed the owl was coming back towards him... Had they finally made it? There... In the distance he could see the mangroves. Could scent his uncle Leo’s scent on the breeze. Vitus found himself smiling somewhat, quickening his pace as he made the last stretch towards Fiori. Once at the borders the male would tip his head back, giving a short, low howl. It pained him, his throat cutting off awkwardly at the end. But it was worth the pain. His family had to know that he had returned. "Burn Baby Burn"

There were a few things that Athena had come to accept in the last few seasons. One of those things was the possibility that she may never see all of her sons again. Tiburtius had stayed with her and Amalia, but she only had Arivae to thank for that. Part of her was sure that no matter how loyal her largest son was, if she hadn't been there to make his time in Fiori worth it she would have lost him too. Bacchus' sudden and brief reappearance had given her a small bit of hope that she might at least see that her sons were alright, but since his visit she hadn't seen any sign of him or her other sons. She was glad to have their youngest daughters. They brightened her day every day and kept the loneliness away. She was watching Jayne play in the mud and laying on a drier patch of ground with Diane at her side when a painfully familiar voice reached her ears. Her head snapped toward the sound and her heart jumped into her throat. Her daughters noticed her sudden movement and she gave them both a reassuring smile. "I'll be right back, girls. Don't go far from the den okay?" She got up and hurried toward her long lost son and soon enough his slate-blue hued form came into view. A knot formed in her throat as she trotted toward him. "Vitus..." she said softly, the tears she was holding back choking her words. She pressed her face into his neck and nuzzled into his fur. The moment she felt that he was real a smile crossed her face and her tail wagged happily behind her. "Talk" "You" Think

She hadn't been able to answer the call of Bacchus, she had been with the girls. They were too young to leave alone, and even though she wanted to see her son. Athena had told her all about it, about how much he had changed. She had been worried about the way he had been acting, about how much more stoic he had been. It was good to hear from him, but at the same time, Athena had been concerned. Naturally it passed to Amalia, there was hardly a single thing that her wife worried about that she didn't as well. But it was good that Bacchus had come to see them. It was one of their lost sons who had come home, if even for a little visit.

So when Vitus' call sounded, Amalia's head snapped up. Was she dreaming? Had she imagined the call just by thinking of Bacchus? Slowly she took a few steps towards the border, and when she ran into Athena's scent trail, she knew it to be true. Her little rabbit tail gave a few shakes as she took a few more tentative steps, before breaking out into a full sprint. As she neared the border she didn't slow, her tiny body slamming into the larger form of her son -- if he hadn't moved. Tears streamed down her russet face as she buried herself into his blue fur, not even bothering to hide the sob that shook her frame. She couldn't even speak, just clung to his form like it was the only thing holding her on the ground.

The first to come to him, to greet him at the borders was none other than his birthmother. Seeing Athena had Vitus’ heart pounding in his chest. He had missed her and Amalia both. He knew there would need to be an explanation sooner or later for his absence, but for now he would allow her to come to him, a soft whine escaping his throat as he returned the loving gestures she gave. His muzzle would gently move across the back of her neck in a hug, a smile touching his lips. He didn’t necessarily need to speak, not yet. Not just yet. He felt happy. Happy to see one of his mothers. Eyes would close, and before he knew it there was another form at his side. Amalia had crashed into him with force, but the brute would steady himself, turning his attention to her now. Ears would lower to the sides slightly, a gentle nuzzle giving to her cheek. No, no tears. This was to be a joyous reunion. He was home. He’d lick at those tears, words so soft, cracking slightly, when he spoke. “Don’t cry...” He would let his gaze linger on Amalia for a moment before glancing to Athena again. “I’m home.” Though his words were soft, to prevent a strain on his throat, they would be audible. They needed to be said. The two women had waited long enough. Worried long enough. This was one less thing they had to stress or cry over. "Talk" "You" Think